Abstract: A water supply sub-system for connection to a main water supply system, in which the sub-system includes: a storage tank having an inlet for connection to the main water supply system, an outlet and an outlet line connecting the outlet of the storage tank to a pump which pumps water from the tank to a sub-system supply line. One or more branch connections are connected to the sub-system supply line. Connectable to the one or more branch connections are one or more high-demand water using devices, such as dialyzer re-use machines. The subsystem may feed water to these high demand devices, and the sub-system and the one or more high demand devices may thus be substantially isolated from the main water supply system so that the high demands thereof will not adversely impact the water supply parameters. Thus, one or more lower demand machines, such as dialysis machines, may be connected to the main line without supply parameter disruption thereto.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices and methods for performing a microfluidic process are presented. A microfluidic device conforms with a standard well plate format. The device includes a well plate comprising a plate and an array of wells formed on or in the plate, and a microfluidic structure connecting at least two of the wells. The device can rely exclusively on gravitational and capillary forces that exist in channels within the microfluidic structure when receiving fluid streams. Also disclosed is a microfluidic device having an array of microfluidic structures, each connecting at least two wells of a well plate, and connecting three or more wells in alternative embodiments. With the present invention, a large number of microfluidic processes or reactions can be performed simultaneously.

Abstract: An improved method of introducing sample into a low-pressure flow stream of a high-pressure chromatography system to improve efficiency and significantly shorten the time of the separation process through a chromatography column is described. The method comprises injecting samples in a modifier liquid flow stream upstream of a mixing column that combines two independent flow streams of a liquid modifier with a highly compressed solvating fluid. Focusing can be controlled at the column head by changing the ratios of the two flow streams. Total flow may also be adjusted to speed the application of the sample onto the column during injection. The method improves the timing and efficiency of a supercritical fluid chromatography system and can reduce the amount of modifier added to the mobile phase flow stream.

Abstract: An oil-bearing sludge processing method includes the steps of bringing a processing agent having calcium oxide as its main component into contact with oil-bearing sludge to cause a reaction between a water component of the oil-bearing sludge and the calcium oxide in the processing agent, thereby partially volatizing, dispersing and removing oil component by heat from the reaction and forming porous calcium hydroxide produced by the reaction in a form of a powdery and granular material that has adsorbed the oil component and has been covered with a calcium carbonate layer. The material does not leach out the oil component and is used as a soil fertilizer, a combustion accelerator, a construction material, a road material, etc.

Abstract: Tetrafluoromethane containing ethylene compound, hydrocarbon compounds, carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide is contacted with zeolite having an average pore size of 3.4 to 11 Å and an Si/Al ratio of 1.5 or less and/or a carbonaceous adsorbent having an average pore size of 3.4 to 11 Å. Thus, high-purity tetrafluoromethane can be obtained which is advantageous in industry and provides good profitability.

Abstract: The present invention involves an improved integrated reactor and solids settler system for solids removal from a water stream. The integration of the rapid mix reactor and the solids settler of the present invention uses an overflow line from the rapid mix reactor to eliminate both the rapid mix reactor level indicator and controller and the flow controller in the solids settler clarified water outlet. The proposed design is simple, cost effective, and eliminates the possibility of unnecessary downstream unit shutdowns.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of an aqueous media having contaminants therein, including adding hydrogen peroxide to the aqueous media, exposing the aqueous media to a catalytic environment, removing the aqueous media from the catalytic environment prior to the aqueous media having a five minute residence time within the catalytic environment, thereafter adding ozone to the aqueous media, and allowing the ozone and aqueous media to interact outside of the presence of the catalytic environment.

Abstract: Method, container set, cassette and apparatus for the treatment of blood and blood products. A container set is arranged in a cassette that is inserted in a treatment apparatus. The process involves mixture with an agent, followed by irradiation and incubation, whereby the liquid is moved between containers through application of program controlled pressure pads and valves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering particulate matter from internal combustion engine coolant where a replaceable filter is connected between the heater core supply and return lines. A portion of the normal engine coolant flow is directed from a heater hose through a paper or media filter in order to remove particulate matter such as rust and scale. A filter assembly comprised of a housing with inlet and outlet ports may installed in a new engine or may be retrofitted to an existing engine by cutting the heater hoses, installing tees, and connecting the filter housing to the tees with short sections of hose. An alternate embodiment includes a housing that clamps directly to the heater hoses so that a portion of the flow is directed through the filter.

Abstract: A system and method for receptacle wall vibration in a centrifuge is disclosed. A centrifuge for removing more dense material from a fluid medium includes a vibratory device associated with the receptacle wall to create a vibratory force.

Abstract: A counter-top toothbrush holder is provided for holding a toothbrush in a stable equilibrium position. The holder comprises a base and an elevator section which is connected to the base and extends upwardly from the base. The elevator section has a receptacle member which has at least one open-type receptacle. The receptacle is adapted to receive and hold a toothbrush in a stable equilibrium position.

Abstract: A hand tool holder includes a base plate with two arms and a pivot seat pivotally mounted on the base plate between the two arms. The two arms extend from the base plate and each has an open end set opposite to each other. The arm has a connecting portion connected to the base plate and a clamping portion extending from the connecting portion. An indent is defined in the clamping portion and the two indents in the two arms align with each other and are adapted to partially receive a shank of a hand tool. The pivot seat has a concave groove defined in one end of the pivot seat opposite to the base plate. The concave groove in the pivot seat aligns with the indents in the two arms.

Abstract: A modular test tube rack for assembly with similarly constructed racks comprise a flat rectangular body displaying, in a first position, a series of wells extending from its top wall to its bottom wall and adapt to receive tubes therein. A pair of handles vertically extend at opposite end walls of the body, each handle having a lower portion adapted to tightly engage an extension on each end wall and a hand gripping upper portion. The lower portion has a bottom edge configured to anchor with the top edge of the handle of an underposed similarly constructed rack to thereby enable a stacking of two more of these racks. In one embodiment, the body displays a second series of wells extending from the bottom wall to the top wall whereby the body, when in a second position reversed relative to the first position, may also receive test tubes, the handles being reversably mountable to the end wall extension to still enable a stacking of racks in the second position.

Abstract: The wire chafing stand of the present invention includes a rim of wire steel in a substantially rectangular configuration, lateral sides and a longitudinal axis extending from the lateral sides, at least two wire legs and a wire connecting assembly. In the preferred embodiment, the wire stand has only two wire legs lying in planes transverse to the longitudinal axis with each wire leg having two upright sections affixed to the longitudinal side of the rim.

Abstract: The present invention allows a user to compartmentalize shelf. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a modular apparatus that allows compartmentalizing a shelf into compartments of various dimensions.

Abstract: A display rack having a pair of side posts with each side post having a inner sub-post member and an outer sub-post member. The inner sub-post member and outer sub-post member being connected by a front row of horizontally parallel crossbars and a rear row of horizontally parallel crossbars. An elongated base member being removeably attached below each of the first and second posts. The upper ends of the side posts being removeably connected by a pair of parallel top frame bars, and the lower ends of the side posts being removeably connected by a bottom frame bar.

Abstract: A sucking cap of a nursing bottle comprises a sucking portion which is provided with four ventilation holes and a fastening portion connected with the bottom end thereof. The fastening portion is provided with inner threads engageable with outer threads of the neck of the nursing bottle.

Abstract: A cap assembly for closing a container. The cap assembly has: (i) an undercap having a cap body with a top end (or wall) and with at least one endless side wall depending from the top end (or wall) to form a housing for receiving the neck of a container; (ii) an overcap having an overcap body with a top end and with at least one endless side wall depending from the top end to form a housing for receiving and engaging the (cap body of the) undercap; and (iii) an applicator having a stem with a first end for engagement with, or integrally formed with, the undercap within the housing, so that the stem projects from the housing, and a second free end for applying product. The exterior of the undercap body has a series of circumferentially arranged teeth for interengagement with a corresponding series of circumferentially arranged teeth within the housing of the overcap.

Abstract: A tamper-evident dispensing closure system is provided for a container. The system has a body for extending from the container at the container opening. The body defines a dispensing orifice, a channel, and a retention member projecting over a portion of the channel. The system includes a lid for being moved between a closed position and an open position. An anchor member is provided for being received in the channel and has an engaging portion for engaging the retention member when the anchor member is received in the channel. At least one frangible web initially connects the anchor member with the lid so that the frangible web breaks when the lid is initially lifted from the closed position.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a reproducing head having an MR film is formed on a substrate (step S102) and a recording head is formed (step S103). The MR film is formed by sequentially forming an antiferromagnetic layer, a first ferromagnetic layer, a tunnel barrier layer, and a second ferromagnetic layer. Subsequently, the end face perpendicular to an extending surface of the MR film is subjected to mechanical polishing to adjust the element height (step S105). The mechanically polished face is subjected to wet etching to remove residues of the mechanical polishing (step S106). Consequently, an electric short circuit in a tunnel barrier layer caused by residues at the time of polishing can be prevented, damage to the tunnel barrier layer and the recording head caused by the etching can be reduced, and a step in the substrate, the reproducing head, and the recording head can be made smaller as compared with the case of dry etching.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method for grit blasting slots in a silicon wafer. The method includes, providing a silicon wafer having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface containing resistive, conductive and insulative layers defining individual semiconductor components, applying a first substantially permanent non-water soluble layer selected from silane, photoresist materials and a combination of a silane layer and a photoresist layer to the first surface of the wafer to provide a first substantially permanent layer thereon, applying a water-soluble protective material to the first layer to provide a second layer, grit blasting slots in the wafer corresponding to the individual semiconductor components, and subsequently, removing the water-soluble protective layer from the wafer. The protective layer provides enhanced protection for the electrical components on a silicon wafer during a grit blasting process so that a higher yield of useable semiconductor chips may be made.

Abstract: A method for producing a liquid discharge head provided with a discharge port for discharging liquid, a liquid flow path communicating with the discharge port, and a silicon substrate including a discharge energy generating element for generating energy for liquid discharge and a liquid supply aperture for supplying the liquid flow path with the liquid, the method comprising following steps of: forming an anisotropic etching stop layer in a portion wherein the liquid supply apertures is to be formed on the top side of the substrate; forming an insulation layer on the anisotropic etching stop layer; destructing the crystalline structure under the etching stop layer in the liquid supply aperture forming portion utilizing the insulation layer as a mask, forming, on the rear side of the substrate, an etching mask layer having an aperture corresponding to the liquid supply aperture forming portion on the top side, etching the substrate by anisotropic etching from the aperture until the area where the crystalline s

Abstract: Pillars are formed in a fully integrated thermal inkjet printhead to prevent particles from entering into a nozzle chamber along an ink refill channel. The pillars are formed after a step of applying a thin film structure to a substrate. At one step, pits are etched through the thin film structure. At another step, material for an orifice layer is deposited into the pits. At another step, a firing chamber is etched into the orifice layer. At another step, a trench is etched into the backside of the wafer in the vicinity of the filled pits. The material filling each pit is not removed and remains in place to define the respective pillars. Two or more pillars are formed within the trench for each inkjet nozzle chamber. Alternatively pillars are formed by depositing material into the underside trench and performing photoimaging processes.

Abstract: A method of making a 3D pattern on a mold that etches the mold several times with different patterns so as to make the 3D pattern extremely complicated, therefore, the anti-slip and counterfeit-proof characteristics of products shaped in the mold are improved.

Abstract: The addition of thin coatings (less than and approaching monomolecular coatings) of persistent release materials comprising preferred compounds of the formula:

Abstract: The present invention relates to a switch-disconnector control unit comprising an electromagnet as an actuator including a moving control arm, and a spring actuator including a control shaft. The control arm is controlled by an armature of the actuator and connected to the control shaft. Said control shaft is arranged to control the contacts of the switch-disconnector using the spring actuator. The control arm comprises a connection element, which is jointedly connected through a control element to the control shaft and the actuator. An articulated joint at the end of said connection element is formed of an oval opening and a pin. Said opening is shaped as an ellipse in the longitudinal direction of the connection element, and is dimensioned to form a clearance in the joint between the connection element and the control arm of the actuator.

Abstract: A single-pole circuit interrupter is provided that includes a sealed housing containing a pressurized gas, relatively movable contacts and an operating mechanism for operating the relatively movable contacts. The operating mechanism is responsive to a low-speed rotational charging input and includes energy storage means capable of being charged and storing operating energy and charging means responsive to the low-speed rotational charging input for charging said energy storage means. Thus, the only seal to the environment for the overall single-pole circuit interrupter is at the single low-speed charging input. The operating mechanism includes linear stored energy devices arranged so as to generally define one or more planes or arrays and a latch arrangement that is disposed intermediate the stored energy devices and operating in a direction substantially perpendicular to the one or more planes or arrays.

Abstract: A blade assembly for use in a circuit breaker, the blade assembly comprising a plurality of blades, including one or more pairs of adjacent side-by-side blades having coplanar contact surfaces and coplanar bearing surfaces, at least one set of blade springs, each having one end in operative contact with the bearing surface of each of a pair of adjacent side-by-side blades, the at least one set of blade springs comprising at least one compression spring.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch and method for improving the life of the consumable parts of the plasma arc torch, including the electrode, the tip and the shield cap. The method includes turbulating gas as it flows over the exposed surfaces of the electrode, tip and shield cap to increase turbulence in the hydrodynamic boundary layer of the gas flow, thereby enhancing convective heat transfer. The result of enhanced cooling is improved consumable parts life. For example, to increase the turbulence of the gas flow over the outer surface of the electrode, the plasma arc torch electrode has a roughened, or textured outer surface formed with dimples, axially extending grooves or spiraling grooves formed in the outer surface of the electrode. The inner and outer surfaces of the tip and the inner surface of the shield cap are similarly textured.

Abstract: This invention provides a flow amount adjustment apparatus able to adjust flow amount with high reliability at a low cost without being oversized.

Abstract: A laser cutting apparatus comprises a table for supporting a sheet such as a cloth in the form of a sheet in an unfolded state, a laser cutting device disposed to be movable desirably on a supporting surface for the sheet, and a vacuum device for sucking the sheet through suction openings, thereby the sheet may be cut with laser beam according to the desired movement of the laser cutting device.

Abstract: A machine tool for the machining of workpieces by means of a laser beam (13) includes a laser beam generator (12) that is located in an elevated position relative to a beam bender system (19) of a beam trombone (20). The beam bender system (19) of the trombone (20) can be moved under the laser beam generator (12). A beam guide (14) includes a beam-guiding element (15) that is positioned in the path of the laser beam (13) between the laser beam generator (12) and the beam bender system (19) of the trombone (20) and serves to redirect the laser beam (13) emitted by the laser beam generator (12) to the beam bender system (19) of the trombone (20). The beam bender system (19) of the trombone (20) and the laser cutting head (7) can be moved in the direction of a common axis of travel (x-axis) by means of drive units (8, 9, 21) with drive wheels.

Abstract: A guide device for an electric arc torch having an insulator surrounding a contact tip through which a welding wire extends comprises a sleeve having a first end for receiving the insulator and a second end through which the welding wire extends and which second end includes an edge and/or rib for engaging a workpiece and spacing the contact tip therefrom and an opening for viewing the wire, arc and weld puddle.

Abstract: A method for securing two sheet piles (12) interlocked by means of sheet pile interlocks (14, 16) characterised by axially inserting an electrode (30) into an axial groove (22) between said sheet pile interlocks (14, 16) and welding said sheet pile interlocks (14, 16) at least locally together in said groove (22).

Abstract: Method of joining a rod-shaped heating element with a tubular carrier element involving attaching a cylindrical carrier ring to the rod-shaped heating element using a magnetic forming process and inserting the carrier ring and the rod-shaped heating element into the tubular carrier element such that the outer circumferential surface of the carrier ring contacts the inner circumferential surface of the tubular carrier element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating heat and applying same to tire(s). The body of the container is composed of a heat-resistent material of sufficient size to accommodate heating of one or more rubber tires. In addition, container includes a tire air pressure gauge (1).

Abstract: By dividing a resistor heating body into 2 or more circuits at outer peripheral side and inner peripheral side and feeding different powers to these circuits based on results of temperatures measured through a temperature measuring means to conduct temperature control, the temperature at the outer peripheral side is made equal to or more than the temperature at the inner peripheral side to uniformize the temperature distribution of the substrate heating face in a radial direction and make small a temperature difference of a heating face for silicon wafer.

Abstract: The oven includes a lower electrical heating element which is located below a support member. Two laterally spaced apart upper electrical heating elements are supported above the support member and the food to be cooked. An electrical system is provided for supplying electrical power to the lower electrical heating element and to the two upper electrical heating elements. A controller is provided for controlling electrical power applied to the lower heating element and to the two upper electrical heating elements. By way of a thermocouple, the controller senses the temperature in the oven and controls the lower heating element to maintain a set point temperature, i.e. 550° F., in the oven. When any of the upper heating elements is activated, and is in a broiling sequence the controller disables these upper heating elements if the temperature in the oven rises above an upper temperature level of i.e. 585° F.

Abstract: A method of producing a glow plug including a glow tube (5) with internal heating coil (4) and optionally regulating coils which are embedded therein using a ceramic filling, whereby a compaction of an area on a combustion chamber side of the glow tube (5) is performed using a recessing-reducing process with a radial feed.

Abstract: A heat transfer material comprised of a polymeric material and a nitride or oxide is provided and is thermally conductive, but electrically non-conductive. The polymeric material may be silicone rubber, and the nitride or oxide may be aluminum nitride, boron nitride, silicon nitride, aluminum oxide or beryllium oxide. The material is made flexible by adding plasticizer and remains flexible after an extended period of use. A dielectric jacket for an electrical heating cable is thermally conductive and remains flexible so that it can be reused. The heat transfer material can be used on heating devices such as steam tubes and panels, where the heat transfer material does not bond to or adhere to the heated surface, which allows the heating device to be reused.

Abstract: A waveguide system for passing microwave energy while blocking foreign particles from a moving gas passing through the system is provided. The system includes first and second waveguide sections and a low loss microwave window disposed between the waveguide sections to allow microwave energy to pass from the first waveguide section through the window to the second waveguide section. The system also includes a gas bypass filtration system having a first port in communication with the first waveguide section, a filter element in communication with the first port, and a second port in communication with the filter element and with the second waveguide section. The system of the invention having these features blocks, by means of the window, a gas flowing through the first waveguide section and forces that gas to flow through the gas bypass filtration system so that it enters the second waveguide section only after passing through the filter. A system designed to include a pillbox window is also provided.

Abstract: An end member for a container. The end member has a central panel, a circumferential chuckwall, and a transition wall. The central panel is centered about a longitudinal axis and has a substantially planar peripheral edge. The curl defines an outer perimeter of the end member. The circumferential chuckwall extends downwardly from the curl to the transition wall. The transition wall connects the chuck wall with the substantially planar peripheral edge of the central panel. The transition wall has a folded portion extending outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant closure includes a cap provided with several cap retainers adapted to engage an annular ridge surrounding a discharge valve mounted on a can and a removable tamper band coupled to a lower edge of the cap to define an undulated frangible tear line between the cap and the tamper band. Several band retainers are provided on the tamper band and adapted to engage the annular ridge. The band retainers cooperate with the cap retainers to help retain the closure on the can while the tamper band remains coupled to the cap. Once the tamper band is removed, the cap retainers engage the annular ridge on the can and cooperate to retain the remaining cap on the can.

Abstract: A steam table pan made of ceramic is disclosed. The pan is generally rectangular, having a lower flange along one length of the rectangle, and an upper flange along the opposite length. When two such pans are placed side by side, the lower flange of the first pan fits snuggly in an interlocking position with the upper flange of the second pan. In this manner several such ceramic pans may be positioned side by side on a steam table or a similar serving bar.

Abstract: A mud pan for holding a small portable supply of joint compound includes a high-friction coating such as polyurethane, coating the exterior surface of the bottom wall and a lower portion of the exterior surfaces of the front side wall, the rear side wall, the left-hand end wall and the right-hand end wall. The high-friction coating is a two part polyurethane and, in an alternative embodiment, a large number of rubber particles homogeneously distributed. The polyurethane is sprayed onto the surfaces to be covered while in a liquid state. The lower one-fourth or one half of the front and rear side walls and end walls are covered, as is the entire surface of the bottom wall.

Abstract: A paint and paintbrush carrier comprising a container having a hollow interior for the storage therein of wet paint, a hollow handle communicating with the hollow interior for pouring wet paint therethrough, a first opening for accessing the wet paint, and a second opening sized and shaped for the removable attachment of a paintbrush therein, the first opening and the second opening both communicating with the hollow interior, the first and second opening further communicating with one another.

Abstract: A crush-resistant, preferably thermoformed, disposable lid is provided for plates, platters, bowls and the like. The lid includes a dome and a downwardly extending sidewall provided with a plurality of outwardly convex flutes formed in the sidewall with a characteristic cylindrical diameter. The sidewall extends from the dome to an engagement portion adapted to be secured to the plate, platter or bowl about an engagement perimeter of the lid. There are typically fewer than about 1.85 flutes per inch of engagement perimeter and the flutes are characterized by a ratio of the characteristic cylindrical diameter of the flutes to the engagement perimeter of the lid of at least about 0.0125.

Abstract: A dual functioning lid that seals a container using a container sealing lip (10), and holds a bagel using a bagel steadying lip (20) and a bagel steadying protrusion (30), allowing the user's hand to be insulated from a hot bagel while applying an edible spread to the bagel.

Abstract: The automated parts dispensing system and method includes a dispensing device in communication with a parts vending system. The dispensing device is one of the commonly known machine for dispensing parts, tools, foods, novelty items and other such items which generally use a helical coil or robotic delivery system. The particular device disclosed is a carrousel or drum type device. The dispensing device is modified to detect the rotation and position of the drum element and to detect the delivery of parts. The parts vending system controls and monitors the dispensing device or devices to assure proper operation and authorization of users. The user is aided in the requesting for parts by the correlating of vehicle identification number and identified operations or part type. This relieves the user of the task of identifying a particular configuration of part where vehicle models may have variations by vehicle identification numbers, etc.

Abstract: Improvements are described for the design and operation of article handling apparatus, such as those which utilize computer-controlled electromechanical technology, and in the illustrated embodiment a robotically positioned suction gripper, for grasping and moving a selected article from an article storage area to an article dispensing area. One or more of such apparatus are particularly advantageous in a vending machine which can have multiple article storage areas. Such areas may have different volumes and even different operating environments. A warehouse environment for the apparatus is also described.