Abstract: Waste oily water is dewatered by expelling water through ceramic ultra filtration membranes of a cross-flow filter, located in a circulation ring, which is routinely cleaned in situ. The ring has two auxiliary reservoirs, with removable sight glasses, between which reservoirs the cleaning fluid is see-sawed during cleaning cycles, the reversing chemical flow being controlled by float switches. Heating for cleaning purposes is by way of closed-loop high-rate ring circulation. Frequent automated cleaning by a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) maintains high flux rates with sustainable large volume annual throughput in the range of 1 to 2 million litres per year per square meter of filter membrane surface area. The system is fail-safe and environmentally friendly.

Abstract: A system and method of processing an item at least partially formed of a hydrophilic material to reduce or increase the item's protein affinity. In one example, the system and method prevent or greatly reduce the formation of insoluble ionic materials in or on the item during processing, thereby reducing its affinity for binding with proteinaceous materials. An example application involves reducing the protein affinity of an ocular item such as an intraocular lens or a contact lens, thereby reducing the potential for in-eye or on-eye opacification of the item.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for purifying caustic feed streams using membranes that comprise polysulfonamide matrices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane pipe module, said module comprising a cylindrical housing containing a plurality of tubular membrane sections which extend in the axial direction and are interconnected at the ends thereof, forming longer tubular membrane sections. Said cylindrical housing comprises a heatable chamber, on one or both sides, comprising U-shaped connection pipes which are arranged therein and are guided through a separating wall between the chamber and the housing, with the two open ends thereof, and respectively connect two adjacent open tubular membrane sections, forming a membrane loop.

Abstract: This invention is directed to systems and methods for removing lipids from a fluid, such as plasma, or from lipid-containing organisms. These systems contact a fluid with an extraction solvent, which causes the lipids in the fluid to separate from the fluid or causes lipids in the lipid-containing organisms to separate from the lipid-containing organism, using at least one hollow fiber contactor. The separated lipids are removed from the fluid. The extraction solvent is removed from the fluid or at least reduced to a level below a particular threshold enabling the fluid to be administered to a patient without the patient experiencing undesirable consequences. Once the fluid has been processed, the fluid may be administered to a patient who donated the fluid, to a different patient, or be stored.

Abstract: An immersed membrane system or process may use measured or calculated process information to optimize one or more process operating parameters to improve performance or reduce operating costs. An on-line process control system or method may use the resistance in series method in operating an immersed membrane water treatment system. A process control system or process may consider resistance values and adjust operational parameters such as membrane aeration frequency factor, membrane aeration flow, permeate flux, permeation duration, backwash flow and duration, relaxation duration or maintenance or recovery chemical cleaning frequencies in order to reduce the operational costs related to membrane fouling removal.

Abstract: Modular or cartridge-type membrane units utilize hollow, cylindrical tubular housings or receivers to house strings of removable membrane modules (elements) and normally comprise arrays of pipes that act as membrane module housings. A pseudo header for fluidly interconnecting the array of pipes reduces weight and cost. The pseudo header may comprise portions that are buried within skid components such as the toe bar. An internal low friction coating permits a larger number of membrane cartridges to be utilized in any cylindrical tubular membrane housing. A center feed pseudo header permits flow in two directions through the tubular membrane housing to double hydraulic capacity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a separating agent for enantiomeric isomers exhibiting high separation power. That is, the present invention provides a separating agent for enantiomeric isomers including, as an active ingredient, a polysaccharide derivative having at least part of hydrogen atoms of hydroxyl groups of a polysaccharide such as cellulose or amylose substituted by at least one of atomic groups represented by the following general formulae (I) and (II): (in the formulae, R represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, or a linear, branched, or cyclic aliphatic group).

Abstract: Proteins can be separated from mixtures, based on their pI values, through the use of a series of chromatographic materials, each comprising a solid buffer and an ion exchange resin. Each solid buffer generates a stable pH, such that passing proteins possess a net charge and can be separated by means of an appropriate ion exchanger. In this fashion, proteins from complex biological fluids can be separated for identification and study.

Abstract: A system for separating an emulsion fluid into a recovered fluid and a purified fluid. The emulsion fluid comprises a continuous phase and a dispersed phase. The purified fluid is essentially constituted of the continuous phase. The system comprises a vessel at an inlet of which the emulsion fluid may flow. The system further comprises one or more coalescing element. Each coalescing element allows to coalesce at least a portion of the dispersed phase into large drops further detached from the coalescing element upon a flow of the emulsion fluid. The system further comprises one or more guiding mean. Each guiding mean is associated with one coalescing element to guide the detached large drops for further recovery.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ammonium removal method can comprise: removing a multivalent cation from a stream comprising ammonium to form a treated stream; converting the ammonium in the stream to ammonia by increasing the pH of the stream; and separating the ammonia from the treated stream to form a separated stream and gaseous ammonia. In another embodiment, an ammonium removal method can comprise: a multivalent cation from a stream comprising ammonium to form a treated stream comprising a total of less than or equal to about 50 ppm by weight of multivalent cations; increasing the pH of the stream to a conversion pH; converting the ammonium to ammonia; and separating the ammonia from the treated stream to form a separated stream and gaseous ammonia.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removal of pollutants from a stream of water, by binding the pollutant particles to magnetic seeding particles using a flocculating polymer, and then removing the composite magnetic particles from the water stream in a simple and efficient apparatus. The invention is applicable to many common water treatment applications but is especially important for high flow applications requiring efficiency and simplicity. Magnetic fields concentrate the composite magnetic particles in a stratified layer that is then continually separated from the moving stream of water. In another preferred embodiment, vortex separation is combined with magnetic separation to enhance magnetic seed material cleaning and to reduce the solids load on the final magnetic collector.

Abstract: A process for removing DOC (dissolved organic carbon) from a concentrated salt solution containing DOC by contacting the salt solution with a coagulant/flocculant such that the DOC becomes insoluble and removing the insoluble DOC from the salt solution.

Abstract: An oil cleaning system is provided that includes a source of oil that is substantially free of aqueous content. The system further includes an oil flow conduit that is in fluid communication with the oil source. The oil flow conduit is operable to draw a flow stream substantially free of aqueous content from the oil source. Further, a barrier filter is positioned in the conduit to filter particles from the flow stream. Furthermore, an electrostatic fluid cleaner is positioned in the oil flow conduit downstream of the barrier filter to remove contaminants from oil flow exiting the barrier filter, particularly insoluble, submicron particles of oil degradation products.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for picking up and storing waste and, particularly animal waste, includes a container having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined size, a bottom wall, and a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and forming an open top end. An elongated member with a pointed lower edge is provided for securing the apparatus to a ground surface in a semi-permanent fashion. There is a pair of hooks for securing the handles of a grocery type bag positioned within an interior portion of the container. An optional liner storage member is attached to the exterior surface of the container. The invention also provides a device for picking up the animal waste which includes a cup-shaped member mounted at one end of an elongated member and a handle which is mounted at a distal end of the elongated member.

Abstract: The instant application provides apparatus and methods for the generation of chlorine dioxide. The methods and apparatus of the invention use a water dissolvable membrane to allow the reaction of precursor chemicals, e.g., chlorite salt and an acid. The methods and compositions of the invention provide chlorine dioxide for a number of personal and commercial applications.

Abstract: A thickener for concentrating fiber suspensions is disclosed including a housing, a rotor arranged on the housing, a screen attached to the rotor for separating the fiber suspension into a first fraction passing through the screen substantially containing only fibers and a fraction not passing through the screen and containing coarse undesired particles, a stationary thickener surrounding the rotor and provided with through holes and supply conduits for supplying the first fraction to the stationary thickener for separating that fraction into a fraction passing through the holes in the stationary thickener and a separate fraction not passing through the holes in the stationary thickener. The through holes are dimensioned such that substantially only liquid is permitted to pass through the stationary thickener and the fraction which does not pass through the through holes comprises the thickened fiber pulp free of the undesired coarse particles.

Abstract: A variety of improved hydroclone based fluid filtering systems are described. The hydroclones generally include a tank having an internal chamber and a filter (preferably a surface filter) that is positioned within the internal chamber. The filter defines a filtered fluid chamber within the internal chamber of the tank. The hydroclone may be operated such that a vortex of flowing fluid is formed between the chamber wall and the filter with the filter being located in the center of the vortex. With this arrangement, the filter acts as a cross-flow filter. In one aspect of the invention, the filter is a stepped filter. In another aspect of the invention, the filter is an surface filter, as for example, an electroformed metal surface filter. In some preferred embodiments, the openings in the filter are arranged as slots that extend substantially vertically so that they are oriented substantially perpendicular to the flow path of fluid flowing in the adjacent portion of the vortex.

Abstract: A shelf unit for use in a rack for communication equipment comprising: a front body including a pair of side panels for containing PCBs; a back board detachably mounted to the rear ends of the side panels of the front body; and a rear body including a pair of side panels for containing PCBs. Connecting members are mounted adjacent to the rear ends of the side panels of the front body and protrude outward therefrom. A pair of connecting plates extends forward from the front ends of the respective side panels of the rear body. L-shaped slots are provided at the connecting plates, into which the respective connecting members are fitted.

Abstract: A cable management system securing apparatus includes a rack mount. A cable management system securing arm is pivotally coupled to the rack mount and operable to be pivoted and locked in a securing position and a release position. The rack mount may be mounted to an information handling system rack and the cable management system securing arm may be pivoted and locked in the securing position in order to secure a cable management system in the information handling system rack.

Abstract: A cap rack is designed for storing and/or displaying baseball style caps in either a horizontal or vertical orientation on a vertical surface. The cap rack is designed to have a cap support unit comprising a hemispherically-shaped cap support section continuous with a base attachment section. The cap support unit is secured to a single base unit or expandable base unit by insertion of base attachment hooks into base unit apertures. A plurality of cap racks having expandable base units can be interconnected in a vertical and/or horizontal orientation using a 4-way connector, a 90 degree connector, or a linear connector.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for mounting an article holder to a dishwasher rack includes a plurality of mounting seats configured to receive a mount portion of an article holder. The mounting bracket can include a path in communication with the mounting seats to permit a mount portion of an article holder to travel along the path to be received by a selected one of the mounting seats.

Abstract: An article holder for a dishwasher rack includes a first article support portion and a second article support portion connected to the first article portion and extending at an angle with respect to the first article support portion. The article holder further comprises a first mounting structure configured to engage a portion of a dishwasher rack to allow the first article support portion to support articles in a first orientation with respect to a dishwasher rack. The article holder still further comprises a second mounting structure spaced from the first mounting structure and configured to engage a portion of a dishwasher rack to allow the second article support portion to support articles in a second orientation with respect to a dishwasher rack.

Abstract: A rack for hanging room sized carpets in show rooms. The rack has a plurality of uprights, each of which has a horizontal arm supporting a hanging carpet. The arm is adapted to be raised and lowered by a flexible drive member such as a cable or belt entrained on a motor-driven pulley and moved by a gear drive type motor. The flexible drive member or belt and motor-driven pulley are mounted on the rack.

Abstract: A merchandising system which comprises a display panel dimensioned to cover at least a portion of a slot wall. The display panel includes a forward facing surface having coupled thereto a plurality of receptacles, each of the plurality of receptacles being adapted to receive a support arm of sufficient structural integrity to maintain at least one item of merchandise suspended therefrom; a top edge having coupled to at least a portion thereof, at least one bracket dimensioned to engage a slot provided in the slot wall and configured to maintain the display panel in a generally parallel orientation to the slot wall when the at least one item of merchandise is displayed thereon; and a plurality of support arms, each of the plurality of support arms being adapted to couple to at least one of the plurality of receptacles and descriptive signage affixed to the forward facing surface.

Abstract: A display and dispenser device for facilitating loading, display and dispensing of individual merchandise units. The dispenser includes a housing defining a chamber adapted for holding individual units therein. A wall is slidably attached to a track inside the chamber via a biasing mechanism which assures that each merchandise unit loaded therein is pushed to the front of the device for display and easy retrieval. At least two side gripper tabs and a top gripper tab are flexibly attached to the housing to partially and flexibly block the front entrance to the chamber, thus preventing accidental and unintentional removal of units from the device while facilitating dispensing of single units at a time. Stacking tabs and respective recesses are provided on the housing to facilitate stacking and/or connection of the dispenser devices with each other.

Abstract: A cradle unit for supporting metal coils, and other cylindrical objects, consists of two, parallel and separate saddles made of polyurethane having a hardness range of between 50 Shore A and 90 Shore D, which saddles are connected together via a pair of parallel steel angle-brackets that provide inherent structural integrity to the cradle unit itself, while still allowing the unit to conform to the shape or level of the underlying support structure. The single cradle unit may be as a mobile support-device, or may be bolted or otherwise attached to a surface for a specific location of the stored product. The cradle unit of the invention may, also, be attached to the bed of a transportation vehicle, such as a truck trailer or rail car, in order to provide secure, protective storage and location of the items. In this case, the nature of the resilient or soft material from which the cradle unit is made provides shock-absorption qualities for the transported coil.

Abstract: A cradle unit for supporting metal coils, and other cylindrical objects, consists of two, parallel and separate saddles made of polyurethane or other material having a hardness range of between 50 Shore A and 90 Shore D, which saddles are connected together via a pair of parallel steel angle-brackets that provide inherent structural integrity to the cradle unit itself, while still allowing the unit to conform to the shape or level of the underlying support structure. The single cradle unit may be as a mobile support-device, or may be bolted or otherwise attached to a surface for a specific location of the stored product. The cradle unit is generally concave-shaped and has a first main or central lower concave curvature of a first radius, and a middle or secondary transitional curvature that connects the first main lower curvature to an upper, tertiary concave curvature of a second radius greater than the first radius, so that coils or rolls of different diameter may be safely and firmly supported.

Abstract: A rotating pool cue holder has a table from which an inner tube extends upwardly and is held coaxial with an outer tube. The outer tube is held rotationally in a bearing within the table. A carrousel is fixedly engaged with the outer tube for rotation with it and the carrousel is positioned above the table. A tray is also fixedly engaged with the outer tube for rotation and positioned above the carrousel with a spacing enabling the game equipment to be rested on the carrousel while being inserted into apertures within the tray. The inner tube forms a conduit for an electrical cord for a lamp and as a support for mounting the lamp above the tray.

Abstract: A carrier for a plurality of electric extension cords includes a columnar body with a handle portion proximate one end of the carrier and a base portion proximate the opposite end of the carrier. The carrier has a pair of laterally projecting lobes defining a first storing region and a second storing region. Two or more cords may be simultaneously stored by wrapping on each of the storage regions. Moreover, the handle portion and the base portion enable a user to balance the device against, for example, the user's leg with one arm, which leaves the user's other arm free to wrap an elongated object around one of the storing regions.

Abstract: A hook-on type rail includes a main body, a front hooking member adjustably connected to a rear end of the main body, and a second hooking member adjustably connected to a front end of the main body. The first hooking member has two sideward projected hooks for firmly located in two insertion holes on a rear post of a sectional rack. The second hooking member includes two sideward projected lugs for fitly inserting into two insertion holes on a front post of the sectional rack to prevent the rail from moving up or down, and two vertically movable hooks bearing against one side of the two lugs for extending into and hooking on the same insertion holes to firmly hold the rail to the front post. Therefore, the rail may be stably hooked on the posts of the sectional rack for a drawer or the like to safely slide thereon.

Abstract: A child-resistant container configured to receive and store a plurality of items having a hollow receptacle provided with a neck, a cap releasably engaging the neck and a child-resistant lock assembly. The lock assembly includes one or more helical threads formed on the outer circumference the receptacle's neck or on the inner surface of the cap. One or more pins are formed on the inner surface of the cap or around the outer circumference of the neck of the receptacle. One or more resilient elements are formed on the cap or the receptacle's neck. The thread has two ends with a hook at a first end and a V-shaped region between the first end and a second end of the thread. The hook points toward a trough of the V-shaped region, the thread forming a channel of a width sufficient to accommodate sliding travel of the pin therein.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a dispensing closure of plastic for fluid containers, wherein said dispensing closure consists of a closure body that can be fixed in a sealed fashion on a neck featuring the dispensing opening of the container and a cap that is coupled to the closure body by means of a hinge, wherein the top plate of said cap is provided with an integral sealing cone on its underside that is designed for engaging into the neck opening of the container in a sealing fashion, and wherein the dispensing closure is integrally injection-molded in the closed state and the cap is at least partially connected to the closure body by at least one predetermined breaking point between an annular cover of the closure body and a cap shell.

Abstract: An improved container for wine that allows for inverted storage includes a cylindrical bottle, with a bottom defining a first plane, sidewalls, shoulders, and a neck, a cork within the neck, and a cap, wherein the cap is received over the neck of the bottle by an annular extension and retained in a frictional engagement. The cap is also shaped in the form of a cylinder and has the same diameter as the bottle and has a top surface that also defines a plane that is parallel with the plane defined by the bottom of the bottle. The outside walls of the cap engage the shoulders of the bottle at the location the shoulders extend from the sidewall of the bottle and thereby the walls of the cap provide support to the shoulders when the bottle is in an inverted position. This bottle may be stored in either an upright position or in an inverted position. When the bottle is in the inverted orientation wine is allowed to come into contact with the cork.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plastic container with a substantially circular base, a lower body portion, a mid body portion, and an upper body portion, each having a respective width. The lower body portion is connected to the base and the mid body portion, the mid body portion lies between the lower and upper body portion, and the upper body portion is between the mid body portion and container neck. The mid body portion contains a substantially flat portion, with the flat portion merging into the upper and lower body portions. The container also has a waist located at approximately the center of the mid body portion, the waist having a width.

Abstract: A rectangular plastic container having a shoulder region adapted for vacuum pressure absorption, a sidewall portion having a rigid support ledge and a tapered base structure having an octagonal shaped footprint. The shoulder region including vacuum panels being moveable to accommodate vacuum related forces generated within the container. The shoulder region, sidewall portion and base each having differing horizontal cross sectional shapes.

Abstract: The invention presents a novel polyimide-based thin film self-assembly technology, including five process steps described as follows: (1) deposits a sacrificial layer and a low-stress microstructure layer on a silicon substrate; (2) patterns and etches the low-stress microstructure layer to provide a stationary part and a movable part of the microstructure; (3) coats a photosensitive polyimide thin film as elastic joint of the microstructure layer and defines the shape by using photolithography technique; (4) releases the sacrificial layer beneath the movable part of microstructure layer by wet etching; (5) lastly proceeds the reflow process of polyimide to result in the contraction of the elastic joint further to rotate and lift the movable part in completion of the self-assembly of the microstructure. As the invention can be extensively applied to a myriad of miniaturizing industries, it can solve all the drawbacks of the prior art manufacturing process and miniaturization.

Abstract: A method of fabricating at least one nanochannel in a semiconductor material applied on a substrate, comprising the semiconductor material being subjected to an etching treatment and the substrate to a bonding treatment so as to attach a covering layer to the substrate, in which bonding treatment the semiconductor material is applied as bonding agent, and wherein prior to etching, the semiconductor material is locally doped for the formation of electrodes.

Abstract: An etching solution of the invention includes 3-65% by weight of a diol containing 3 to 6 carbon atoms or a triol containing 4 to 6 carbon atoms, 10-55% by weight of an alkali compound, and water in an amount of 0.75-3.0 times the amount of the alkali compound. Such a solution may be used at 65° C. or higher to rapidly etch a polyimide resin layer having an imidation degree of 50-98% without unfavorably affecting the working atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of forming a discrete track recording pattern on a soft magnetic underlayer of a perpendicular magnetic recording disk. In one embodiment, the soft magnetic underlayer is continuous throughout the discrete track recording pattern.

Abstract: A method for preventing plasma charge-up of a semiconductor wafer includes defining a semiconductor chip region and a scribe line region on a semiconductor wafer, forming an interlayer insulating layer pattern on the wafer, the interlayer insulating layer pattern exposing the scribe line region, plasma etching the interlayer insulating layer pattern to form a contact hole that exposes the semiconductor chip region, and during the plasma etching, discharging an electric charge generated by the plasma etching through the scribe line region.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a substrate includes providing the substrate in a process chamber, the substrate having an oxide layer formed thereon, and exposing the substrate to an etching gas containing F2 gas at a first temperature to remove the oxide layer from the substrate. The substrate may subsequently be heated to a second temperature greater than the first temperature, and a film may then be formed on the substrate at the second temperature. In one embodiment, a Si film is epitaxially formed on a Si substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for spectrum-based endpointing. An endpointing method includes selecting two or more reference spectra. Each reference spectrum is a spectrum of white light reflected from a film of interest on a first substrate and has a thickness greater than a target thickness. The reference spectra is selected for particular spectra-based endpoint determination logic so that the target thickness is achieved when endpoint is called by applying the particular spectra-based endpoint logic. The method includes obtaining two or more current spectra. Each current spectrum is a spectrum of white light reflected from a film of interest on a second substrate when the film of interest is being subjected to a polishing step and has a current thickness that is greater than the target thickness. The method includes determining, for the second substrate, when an endpoint of the polishing step has been achieved.

Abstract: The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing system comprising a water-soluble silicate compound, an oxidizing agent that oxidizes at least a part of a substrate, water, and a polishing pad, wherein the polishing system is substantially free of abrasive particles. The invention further provides a method of chemically-mechanically polishing a substrate with the aforementioned polishing system. The polishing system is particularly useful in the removal of tantalum.

Abstract: Reducing CMP wafer contamination by in-situ clean is disclosed herein. The invention can be employed in a method in which a conductive layer is formed on a surface of a semiconductor wafer. After a portion of the conductive layer is removed, an acidic solution is directly or indirectly applied to the semiconductor wafer. Then the semiconductor wafer is engaged with a polishing pad as the acidic solution is applied directly or indirectly to the semiconductor wafer. In one embodiment, the portion of the conductive layer is removed by a CMP tool, and the semiconductor wafer is engaged with the polishing pad before the semiconductor is removed from the CMP tool.

Abstract: A loadbreak, switch safety device mechanism, which provides easily visible, positive alignment and engagement of high-voltage switch loadbreak actuating and trip arms. The apparatus can be easily adapted to various types of high-voltage loadbreak designs. The apparatus is comprised of a new high-voltage loadbreak switch interrupter safety flag, constructed of a molded, rotatable arm about a pivot axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and generator for generating a time sequence of EDM pulses having a predefined ignition voltage for electrical discharge machining. An AC voltage is generated from a DC voltage, furnished by a bipolar current source. The AC voltage is applied to an isolating transformer disposed between the bipolar current source and the spark gap. A first pulse capacitor is charged by the bipolar current source to a voltage corresponding to the ignition voltage. The ignition voltage provided by the isolating transformer is switched with a selected polarity to the spark gap.

Abstract: A method is described for laser welding of sintered materials, in which the laser weld is executed with the addition of a weld material, the latter being adducted simultaneously to the welding step in the form of metal dusts, at a junction area between the parts to be joined (1,2).

Abstract: A dispensing assembly dispenses a colloidal mixture onto a part at a weld position. The dispensing assembly includes a supply reservoir for holding the colloidal mixture therein. The dispensing assembly also includes an inline mixer in fluid communication with the supply reservoir for mixing the colloidal mixture received from the supply reservoir. A valve is in fluid communication with the inline mixer for dispensing the colloidal mixture at the weld position. A preliminary mixer is disposed within the supply reservoir for preliminarily mixing the colloidal mixture prior to transmission of the colloidal mixture to the inline mixture.

Abstract: Device for separative machining of a component made from brittle material by generation of a thermally induced stress fracture on the component in a separation zone includes a laser device for directing a laser beam onto the component for separative machining. The component partially transmits the laser beam, in use, at least twice and with partial absorption of the laser beam, and one of simultaneously and serially along the separation zone, and at one of the same point(s). Mounting device is provided including a bearing surface upon which the component made from brittle material for machining can be mounted, in use, to avoid externally induced mechanical stresses on the component. Bearing surface includes a material highly transmissive for the laser beam. The bearing surface may include a material that is reflective for the laser beam instead of or in addition to the material highly transmissive for the laser beam.