Abstract: Elemental analysis of an earth formation is obtained using measurements from a gamma ray logging tool. From the elemental analysis, an estimate of the Calcium, Magnesium and Carbon content of the formation is determined. The amount of organic carbon in the formation is estimated from the total Carbon content and the inorganic carbon associated with minerals in the formation. An indication of source rock may be obtained from the Th/U ratio. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.

Abstract: A low value of Th/U ratio as determined from natural gamma radiation is indicative of deepwater sedimentation. This, together with estimates of total organic carbon from pulsed neutron measurements, is used to characterize source rocks. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understand that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A device enables direct, continual analysis by mass spectrometry of one or more analytes in a complex liquid sample. A first sprayer nebulizes the liquid sample, forming sample droplets. A second sprayer provides multiple charged droplets of a liquid solvent or solution. The first sprayer forms a first angle (?) relative to the second sprayer such that the analytes are transferred to the charged droplets and are desolvated to generate free gas phase ions in an interface of a mass spectrometer (MS).

Abstract: A method for obtaining information on a mass of an object by time-of-flight mass spectrometry. This method includes placing colloidal metal particles for promoting ionization of the object inside the object at a depth ranging from 0.1 nm to 100 nm in opposition to a primary beam for the ionization; irradiating the object with the primary beam selected from the group of ions, neutral particles, and electrons, which can be focused, pulsed, and are capable of scanning, and laser beams, which can be focused, pulsed, and are capable of scanning to ionize a constituent of the object and to allow the ionized constituent to fly out of the object; and obtaining information on the mass of the flying constituent of the object by time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Abstract: An arrangement for a MALDI sample plate for ion mass spectroscopy is disclosed. The sample is configured to shape the hypersonic explosion which creates the ions generated in a MALDI-type time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The MALDI sample plate includes a glass wafer formed from a plurality of clad glass fibers and has a first planar surface. The plate also has a plurality of micro-wells formed in the glass wafer. The micro-wells extend to a depth that is less than the thickness of the glass wafer and act to hold a spot sample in a manner that prevents spreading, maximizes the formation of ions, and shapes the resulting ion cloud to improve ion migration.

Abstract: A compact, low power ambient pressure pyroelectric ionization source. The source can be constructed using a z-cut lithium niobate or lithium tantalate crystal with an attached resistive heater mounted in front of the atmospheric pressure inlet of an ion trap mass spectrometer. Positive and negative ion formation alternately results from thermally cycling the crystal over a narrow temperature range. Ionization of molecules such as 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol or benzoic acid results in the observation of the singly deprotonated species and their clusters in the negative ion mass spectrum. Ionization of molecules such as triethylamine or triphenylamine with the source results in observation of the corresponding singly protonated species of each in the positive ion mass spectrum. The pyroelectric crystals are thermally cycled by as little as 30 K from ambient temperature. Ion formation is largely unaffected by contamination of the crystal faces. This ion source is robust.

Abstract: An ion detection device, method and computer readable medium storing instructions for applying voltages to shutter elements of the detection device to compress ions in a volume defined by the shutter elements and to output the compressed ions to a collector. The ion detection device has a chamber having an inlet and receives ions through the inlet, a shutter provided in the chamber opposite the inlet and configured to allow or prevent the ions to pass the shutter, the shutter having first and second shutter elements, a collector provided in the chamber opposite the shutter and configured to collect ions passed through the shutter, and a processing unit electrically connected to the first and second shutter elements.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, resonant quantum tunneling microscopy allows surface imaging while allowing characterization of physical properties associated with the surface.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to suppress measurement errors caused by the fact that the shrink amount due to scan of an electron beam differs pattern by pattern. To accomplish this object, according to the invention, functions indicative of a process of change of pattern dimension when the electron beam is irradiated on a sample are prepared in respect of the kinds of sample patterns, and dimension values of a particular pattern measured by scanning the electron beam on the particular pattern are fitted to a function prepared for the particular pattern to calculate a dimension of the particular pattern before it changes.

Abstract: A microreactor for use in a microscope, comprising a first and second cove layer (13), which cover layers are both at least partly transparent to an electron beam (14) of an electron microscope, and extend next to each other at a mutual distance from each other and between which a chamber (15) is enclosed, wherein an inlet (4) and an outlet (5) are provided for feeding fluid through the chamber and wherein heating means (8) are provided for heating the chamber and/or elements present therein.

Abstract: A thermal imaging device is provided for converting an image in the terahertz radiation range to the visible range. In one embodiment, the device includes a converter having a thermochromic liquid crystal layer mounted on a sapphire base. In another embodiment, the device includes a thermal absorption layer including a metal selected from the group of iron, aluminum, tin, and copper. In a further embodiment, the device has an light source shaped as an annulus for illuminating a rearward surface of the converter, configured to permit visible light rays to pass through the annulus for capture by a digital detector. In a final embodiment, the device has a thermal adjustment device for adjusting the temperature of the thermochromic liquid crystal layer to an optimal temperature.

Abstract: A direct-view focal plane array (FPA) having a detector layer, an amplification layer, a non-uniformity correction layer and a display layer. A direct path from the detector to the display element in each pixel may be established via a configurable digitally set analog circuit that controls gain and level for non-uniformity correction. The detector layer is operative to detect an infrared image with a raw image pixel response x and convert the infrared image into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is then fed into the amplification layer for amplification and the non-uniformity layer for offset and gain correction. An offset correction coefficient b and a gain correction coefficient m are inputted to the non-uniformity layer, to transform the raw image pixel response x into a corrected pixel response y, which prevents the true scene content from bein masked by the fixed pattern.

Abstract: A coherent radiation imaging system that produces digital images with a reduced amount of speckle. Radiation from a long coherence length source is used to form an image of a sample. The output coherent wave is temporally divided into a plurality of wavelets. The spatial phase of each wavelet is then modulated a known and different amount. Each phase modulated wavelet illuminates the sample and is perturbed by its interaction with the sample. A spatial phase map of each perturbed wavelet is then created and converted to a sample image with an image reconstruction program. The plurality of sample images thus formed is statistically averaged to form a final averaged image. The high frequency speckle that is not optically resolvable tends to average to zero with continual statistical averaging, leaving only the optically resolvable lower frequency phase information.

Abstract: A hand-held metal detector for checking persons with a probe section serving for housing a metal detection probe implemented as a detector coil, followed by a shaft serving as a handle that holds display elements and operating elements as well as metal detection electronics. In addition to the metal detection probe, the hand-held metal detector is equipped with a radiation detection probe with associated radiation detection electronics, with the radiation detection probe preferably formed by a scintillation detector. The metal and the radiation detection electronics are coupled with a differentiated signaling and alarm system.

Abstract: An imaging system (20) includes an array (24) of photonic band gap material cells. The band gap material has an absorption edge at about the emission frequency of a source (22) of electromagnetic energy. Images from a field of view (26) directed onto the photonic band gap array (24) increase the temperature of the illuminated cells, shifting the absorption edge frequency for those cells. A focal plane array (28) detects the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the photonic band gap array (24) from the source (22). The intensity of the transmitted radiation is proportional to the shift in the photonic band gap edge.

Abstract: In an infrared detector package, a first annular metallized layer (6a, 6b) is formed along the annular shoulder (4a) of a casing member (4), and a second annular metallized layer (7) is formed along the annular mating surface of a window member (5). Brazing material (8) is integrally interposed between the first and second metallized layers. At least one of the first and second annular metallized layers comprises a mutually separated concentric portions (6a, 6b), and the brazing material extends across the two mutually separated concentric portions. During the manufacturing process, brazing material is deposited on one of the two mutually separated concentric portions, and is allowed to flow along the opposing metallized surface until the brazing material reaches the other of the two mutually separated concentric portions.

Abstract: An electronic device according to the present invention includes: at least one heat sensing section (13), which includes a first contact portion (24) and of which a physical property varies responsive to an incoming infrared ray; a detector circuit section, which includes a second contact portion (42) and which senses the variation in the physical property of the heat sensing section (13); and a driving section (112), which is able to change a first state, in which the first and second contact portions (24, 42) are in contact with each other and electrically connected to each other, into a second state, in which the first and second contact portions (24, 42) are out of contact with each other and electrically disconnected from each other, and vice versa.

Abstract: A method and system for imaging an object includes transmitting distinguishable electromagnetic waves from a plurality of radiators of an antenna array, wherein each of the distinguishable electromagnetic waves is distinguishable from others by a detector. Each of the radiators transmits radiation comprising a different distinguishable electromagnetic wave. The method also includes imaging at least a portion of the antenna array onto a targeted object, wherein each image area of a plurality of image areas on the targeted object corresponds to an image of a respective radiator of the antenna array, and detecting a plurality of resultant electromagnetic waves, wherein the resultant electromagnetic waves are transmitted, scattered, or reflected by respective image areas on the targeted object in response to each of the respective image areas being illuminated by the radiation transmitted by the respective radiator of the source array.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging an object including a source of pulsed signals in the range of frequencies from 100 GHz to over 2 THz focused on the object; and a detector for acquiring spectral information from signals reflected from the object and using a heterodyning process to generate an electrical signal representative of some characteristics of the object. The source of pulse signals and the detector is a photoconductive switch activated by a pulsed laser beam.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging an target including a source of pulsed signals in the range of frequencies from 100 GHz to over 2 THz focused on or transmitted through the target; and a detector for acquiring spectral information from signals reflected from the target and using a multi-spectral heterodyning process to generate an electrical signal representative of some characteristics of the target. The source of pulse signals and the detector are photoconductive switches activated by a pulsed laser beam from a single mode-locked laser.

Abstract: A system for certifying a concentration of gas in a cylinder includes a gas cell configured to receive a sample gas from a cylinder, and an FTIR module coupled to the gas cell for scanning the sample gas and forming a beam spectrum. A processor is coupled to the FTIR module for calculating an intensity response of the sample gas based on the beam spectrum. A storage device is included for storing data points of a plot of intensity response of a known gas versus concentration levels. The processor is configured to interpolate between the stored data points of the plot to determine an interpolated data point corresponding to the intensity response of the sample gas. The processor provides to the user a concentration level of the sample gas, based on the interpolated data point.

Abstract: Concentrations of a target analyte in a gas mixture containing one or more background analytes having potentially interfering spectral absorption features can be calculated by compensating for background analyte absorption at a target wavelength used to quantify the target analyte. Absorption can be measured at a reference wavelength chosen to quantify the concentration of the background analyte. Using a background gas adjustment factor or function, the absorption measured at the reference wavelength can be used to calculate absorption due to the background analyte at the target wavelength and thereby compensate for this background absorption to more accurately calculate the target analyte concentration in real or near real time. Additional background analytes can optionally be compensated for by using one or more additional reference wavelengths.

Abstract: An apparatus for triggering image acquisition in radiography includes an interconnect, a detector to detect radiation and a switch coupled between the interconnect and the detector to charge the interconnect in response to the radiation while the switch is in an open-circuit state. The apparatus also includes control circuitry coupled to the interconnect to detect the charge on the interconnect and to generate a signal indicating presence of the radiation in response to the charge. A method for triggering image acquisition in radiography includes coupling a switch between an interconnect and a detector, then charging an interconnect with that switch in response to radiation incident upon the switch while the switch is in an open-circuit state. Next, the charge on the interconnect is monitored and a signal is generated indicating the presence of the radiation in response to that charge.

Abstract: It is made possible to provide a light-emitting material having a short decay time of 10 ?s or less and an emission wavelength of 650 nm or longer. A light-emitting material includes a material having a composition represented by ARS2:Eu, wherein A represents at least one element selected from Na, K, Rb, and Cs, and R represents at least one element selected from Y, La, Gd, and Lu.

Abstract: A scintillator panel comprising: a scintillator sheet comprising a substrate having thereon a phosphor layer produced with a vacuum evaporation method; and a protective film covering the scintillator panel, wherein the protective film comprises a light absorbing layer which is colored so as to absorb a light emitted from the phosphor layer.

Abstract: A nuclear radiation detection system using narrowband UV crystal filters is disclosed. Since the photons produced during the decay of ?- and ?-radiation can be detected in the spectral range of about 200-350 nm (the ultraviolet range), UV filter based photo sensors are utilized for detection. The nuclear radiation detection system comprises an optical assembly capable of focusing on a source of radiation, a UV filter assembly having a narrowband UV crystal filter and positioned to receive light transmitted through the optical assembly, and a light detector positioned to receive light transmitted through the UV filter assembly. The narrowband UV crystal filter is fabricated from crystals selected from the group consisting of nickel fluorosilicate, nickel fluoroborate, and potassium nickel sulfate. The nickel fluorosilicate, nickel fluoroborate, and potassium nickel sulfate may be doped to achieve even narrower band filter.

Abstract: A shaper for shaping an ion beam and that can be used for both deposition and etching is described. The shaper includes a plate that is placed between an ion beam grid and an ion beam source. The plate has two axes of reflection symmetry. The uniformity of both deposition and etching is improved.

Abstract: A charged-particle beam emitting device which includes the following configuration devices so that a lowering in the image resolution will be suppressed even if a primary beam is tilted relative to a sample: A device for causing orbit of the primary beam to pass through off-axes of a plurality of lenses, and controlling off-axis orbit of the primary beam. This device allows the aberration which occurs in the objective lens at the time of beam tilt to be cancelled out by the aberration which occurs in the other lens. Also, there is provided a device for simultaneously modulating excitations of the plurality of lenses including the objective lens.

Abstract: An emitting apparatus 50 has a gas cluster generation chamber 2 and a nozzle 3 as means for generating a gas cluster and emitting the gas cluster to a processing object 10. A group of gas clusters jetted from the nozzle 3 is shaped into a gas cluster stream 8 in a beam form when passing through a skimmer 4. Electrons are emitted from an electron gun 12 to the gas cluster stream 8, whereby the gas cluster in the gas cluster stream is ionized.

Abstract: A multi-purpose multifunction electron microscope specimen box has a box body, a sliding transparent lid fitting over the box body, and an array of piece holes formed on the top surface of the box body. At least one piece hole has a tweezer trough connected to the at least one piece hole. A material recording card is mounted in sliding connection underneath the box body. The grid hole is diamond shaped and the tweezer trough is rectangular to make a spade shaped hole. The grid hole has a pitch, wherein a trough side is higher than a lower side. The box body top surface has a transparent plastic cover piece that has at least two holes in offset orientation. The grid hole is diamond shaped and the tweezer trough is elliptical to make a spade shaped hole. The multifunction electron microscope specimen box also optionally has a specimen block store cavity and a specimen block store cavity having a symmetrical bulge for storing semi-thin sections.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that is capable of interleaving detection of fluorescence and luminescence signals emitted from a plurality of samples. The apparatus is suitable for analysis of samples containing single cells or tissues up to and including living organisms. It contains an optical assembly or “sandwich” for producing a spectrally pure and spatially disperse light source for illuminating the sample. The invention also provides a plurality of optical sandwiches that can be variously geometrically arranged and their intensities programmed to create spatially uniform illumination over a large sample. The invention further provides an apparatus having at least one of the optical sandwich and a detector system capable of interleaving detection of fluorescent and luminescent signals when a suitable sample is illuminated by the light source of the optical sandwich. Methods for preparing samples and using the sandwiches, arrays and apparatus, are further provided by this invention.

Abstract: Exciting light is irradiated through a dielectric material block toward an interface between the dielectric material block and a metal film formed on one surface of the dielectric material block, such that total reflection conditions may be satisfied. A fluorescence detector detects fluorescence produced by a fluorescent substance, which is contained in a sample and produces the fluorescence by being excited by an evanescent wave oozing out from the interface when the exciting light impinges upon the interface. The exciting light has a wavelength causing the fluorescent substance, which is contained in the sample, to undergo multiphoton absorption. The fluorescence detector has sensitivity to a wavelength region of the fluorescence produced by the fluorescent substance through the multiphoton absorption.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of identifying a unidentified substance, comprising directing light from a light emitting source directly upon a stationary unidentified substance; collecting fluorescence from the unidentified substance in a detector; wherein the detector comprises a lock-in detection system; analyzing the fluorescence; and identifying the unidentified substance. Disclosed herein is a detection system comprising a light emitting source; a circuit board; wherein the trigger is operative to trigger a pulse of electrons from the circuit board to the light emitting source; a detector; and a central processing unit, wherein fluorescence generated from an unknown unidentified substance that is illuminated by light from the light emitting source is collected in the detector and analyzed in the central processing unit.

Abstract: A radiation image conversion panel containing a substrate having thereon a phosphor layer, wherein the phosphor layer is formed with a vapor deposition method, and an adhesion force of the phosphor layer with the substrate is greater than a breaking strength of the phosphor layer.

Abstract: The radiation image conversion panel includes a substrate having a metallic surface, a polyparaxylylene layer formed on the metallic surface of the substrate, an oxide layer being formed on the polyparaxylylene layer and including an oxide represented by the following formula: MxOy wherein M is an element selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr and Al, when M is Si, Ge, Sn, Ti or Zr, x is 1 and y is 2, and when M is Al, x is 2 and y is 3, and a phosphor layer formed on the oxide layer by vapor-phase deposition.

Abstract: A particle therapy system is provided. The particle therapy system may include a gantry that has a radiation unit and is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The gantry encloses a radiation chamber with a movable floor segment. A patient table is positionable in the radiation chamber. The movable floor segment is coupled to the gantry such that upon a rotation of the gantry, the floor segment remains in a horizontal zero position and as needed executes a motion about the axis of rotation of the gantry.

Abstract: A technique improving the performance and extending the lifetime of an ion source with gas dilution is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method for improving performance and extending lifetime of an ion source in an ion implanter with gas dilution. The method may comprise releasing a predetermined amount of dopant gas into an ion source chamber, and releasing a predetermined amount of dilutant gas into the ion source chamber. The dilutant gas may comprise a mixture of a xenon-containing gas and a hydrogen-containing gas for diluting the dopant gas to improve the performance and extend the lifetime of the ion source.

Abstract: An ion beam apparatus includes a plasma chamber with a grid assembly installed at one end of the plasma chamber and a plasma sheath controller disposed between the plasma chamber and the grid assembly. The grid assembly includes first ion extraction apertures. The plasma sheath controller includes second ion extraction apertures smaller than the first ion extraction apertures. When the plasma sheath controller is used in this configuration, the surface of the plasma takes on a more planar configuration adjacent the controller so that ions, extracted from the plasma in a perpendicular direction to the plasma surface, pass cleanly through the apertures of the grid assembly rather than collide with the sidewalls of the grid assembly apertures. A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus and method for forming an ion beam are also provided.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell device, e.g., solar cell, solar panel, and method of manufacture. The device has an optically transparent substrate comprises a first surface and a second surface. A first thickness of material (e.g., semiconductor material, single crystal material) having a first surface region and a second surface region is included. In a preferred embodiment, the surface region is overlying the first surface of the optically transparent substrate. The device has an optical coupling material provided between the first surface region of the thickness of material and the first surface of the optically transparent material.

Abstract: A device is disclosed which may comprise a system generating a plasma at a plasma site, the plasma producing EUV radiation and ions exiting the plasma. The device may also include an optic, e.g., a multi-layer mirror, distanced from the site by a distance, d, and a flowing gas disposed between the plasma and optic, the gas establishing a gas pressure sufficient to operate over the distance, d, to reduce ion energy below a pre-selected value before the ions reach the optic. In one embodiment, the gas may comprise hydrogen and in a particular embodiment, the gas may comprise greater than 50 percent hydrogen by volume.

Abstract: An EUV light generation system and method is disclosed that may comprise a droplet generator producing plasma source material target droplets traveling toward the vicinity of a plasma source material target irradiation site; a drive laser; a drive laser focusing optical element having a first range of operating center wavelengths; a droplet detection radiation source having a second range of operating center wavelengths; a drive laser steering element comprising a material that is highly reflective within at least some part of the first range of wavelengths and highly transmissive within at least some part of the second range of center wavelengths; a droplet detection radiation aiming mechanism directing the droplet detection radiation through the drive laser steering element and the lens to focus at a selected droplet detection position intermediate the droplet generator and the irradiation site.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a long-term storage container for storage of radioactive material to inhibit radioactive radiation therefrom, said container having a bottom and upright wall extending therefrom, the top of said container to be closed by a screw-on radioactive radiation inhibiting lid, said container having an integral inner container part of plastic material with a bottom and upright wall, an integral outer container part of plastic material with a bottom and upright wall, and radioactive radiation inhibiting material in an inter space between the walls and bottoms of said inner and outer container parts. To fill the inter space an inter space container part is integrally molded through injection or pressure molding and then fitted to either the inner container part to subsequently mold the outer container part, or fitted inside the outer container part to subsequently mold the inner container part.

Abstract: A rear door system for transferring hot cell equipment into or out of a hot cell is disclosed. The rear door system of the present invention includes a rear door, which is provided to a rear wall of the hot cell so as to be movable to open or close the rear wall of the hot cell, and a vertical moving table, which is provided at a predetermined position on the lower portion of the front surface of the rear door so as to be movable upwards or downwards. The rear door system further includes a drive unit, which is provided at a predetermined position in the lower end of the rear door to move the rear door, and a stationary working table, which is disposed above the vertical moving table and is fixed in the hot cell in a horizontal orientation. The rear door system further includes a removable table, which is removably coupled at a predetermined position to the stationary working table, and a hot cell crane hook and a service area crane hook, which are respectively provided inside and outside the hot cell.

Abstract: A scan engine (15) includes illumination sources (48, 50) for projecting a light beam (40) upon a target object, a focusing lens (44) that receives a reflected light (34) of the target object and focuses a reflected image (35) as it passes through the focusing lens (44) along an optical axis (A-A), and a linear sensor (46) that receives the reflected image (35) from the focusing lens (44). The linear sensor (46) provides a signal (59) representing the reflected image (34). A circuit board (16) is integrally connected to the illumination sources (48, 50) and the linear sensor (46).

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve is provided for controlling liquid or gaseous media, the valve comprising at least two media ports opened and closed by an armature and a solenoid with a yoke and a coil, wherein the armature includes a magnetizable material is movably arranged inside a valve body housing having a non-magnetic material, wherein the media ports empty into the valve body housing, and wherein the valve body housing is arranged between the yoke and an additional element for magnetically interacting with the armature.

Abstract: A valve member for use in a dispensing gun and a dispensing gun. The valve member has a valve body, a metering portion located downstream of the valve body, and a seal located downstream of the valve body. The dispensing gun includes a body, a passageway formed in the body, an inlet at an upstream end of the passageway, a valve seat at a downstream end of the passageway, a valve member that engages the valve seat at a metering interface, and a seal that blocks the passageway downstream of the metering interface when the valve member is in the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfluidic devices, and in particular, flow management in such devices. In particular, the present invention provides an electrostatic valve for flow manipulation in a microfluidic device. The valve of the present invention sits on a valve seat in a microchannel and deflects away from the valve seat by electrostatic actuation to assume an opened configuration to allow fluid flow.

Abstract: Auxiliary electromagnetic valve for its incorporation into a main valve of a gas servo valve, which comprises a body with an auxiliary outlet conduit connected to an outlet conduit of the servo valve, a pivoting arm that comprises a closure member of a valve seat of the auxiliary outlet conduit, a ferromagnetic armature that closes the magnetic circuit opening the valve seat, and a return means, supported by a plate, that returns the pivoting arm in order to keep the seating closed. The body is configured by means of a peripheral surface fitted to a cavity of the main valve, a lower surface supported against the cavity by means of fitting means, an intermediate transverse surface on which the valve seat is fitted, a transverse perimetral rim upon which the plate is fixed, and an auxiliary hole that connects the valve seat to the outlet conduit.

Abstract: Devices comprising a plug positioned within a housing to regulate air within a container, for example, plastic storage containers or bags. One embodiment utilizes a plug that occludes an opening in a housing. The plug is displaced from the opening to inject or evacuate air from a container. An alternative embodiment utilizes a plug having air channels therein which can be sealed once air has been injected into or evacuated from a container. The devices are utilized with hose adaptors connected to vacuum or air hoses having specialized hose tips for coupling with the housing.

Abstract: A valve seat assembly is provided for rotatable valves. The assembly has concentric rings with a spring to apply force to cause the inner ring to slide within the outer ring. There is a sliding pressure seal between the sliding surfaces. The main seal, adapted to seal against a rotating seal element, is disposed on the outer ring. A second seal, adapted to seal against the wall of the cavity in a valve body, is disposed on the inner ring. A spring may be placed in a groove in the inner or outer ring and selected to provide a force to push apart the main seal and the second seal. The diameter of the sliding seal between the rings is greater than the diameter of the second seal and the diameter of the main seal.