Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting designated reactions utilizing a base instrument and a removable cartridge. The removable cartridge includes a fluidic network that receives and fluidically directs a biological sample to conduct the designated reactions. The removable cartridge also includes a flow-control valve that is operably coupled to the fluidic network and is movable relative to the fluidic network to control flow of the biological sample therethrough. The removable cartridge is configured to separably engage a base instrument. The base instrument includes a valve actuator that engages the flow-control valve of the removable cartridge. A detection assembly held by at least one of the removable cartridge or the base instrument may be used to detect the designated reactions.

Abstract: A fluid analysis cartridge includes a reference well including a macromolecular coloring reagent having an optical characteristic that varies according to a thickness of the reference well, and a test well including a test reagent having an optical characteristic that varies according to a concentration of a component of a fluid sample that reacts with the test reagent and a thickness of the test well.

Abstract: A cartridge for detecting a target analyte in a sample includes (a) a capillary channel with a detection region configured for detection of the target analyte, (b) an inlet port configured to hold the sample before entering the capillary channel and including a dried reagents for rehydrating into the sample, the inlet port and the capillary channel being shaped in part by a common structure, and (c) a vent having a frangible seal configured to prevent flow of the sample into the capillary channel until the frangible seal is broken, the capillary channel being airtight between the inlet port and the vent.

Abstract: A micro well plate is described for capturing and distributing single cells in individual wells is described, wherein at least one individual well is provided with a bottom plate having at least one pore to pass sample liquid, such that if one object or cell of interest is collected on the bottom plate of the well, the sample flow rate through that particular well is significantly reduced, minimizing the possibility that multiple cells or objects of interest entering the same well. The presented invention is particularly suited for obtaining single cells and/or microorganisms suspended in fluid samples for subsequent detailed interrogation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for performing droplet assays with automatic calibration. An exemplary assay system may comprise a cartridge including a plurality of droplet generators to form emulsions of droplets having a same nominal volume. A tag may be associated with the cartridge and may encode calibration data or an identifier thereof. The calibration data may include a respective value specific to each droplet generator. The system further may include a detection system to detect a signal representing an analyte from droplets of each emulsion, and a reader to read the calibration data or the identifier from the tag. The system still further may include a processor configured to receive the signal and the calibration data and to calculate, for each emulsion, a concentration of an analyte using at least the signal and the respective value specific to the droplet generator that formed the emulsion.

Abstract: A microfluidic droplet system that employs flow-focusing methods to generate droplets of desired sizes for encapsulating particles, cells or beads. The microfluidic droplet system can comprise an air cavity that can be vibrated to reduce trapping of cells or beads in flow-focusing regions of the microfluidic droplet systems thereby increasing the encapsulation efficiency of the cells/beads.

Abstract: A sealing connection assembly for fluid-tightly sealing of a first tubular part (1) to a second tubular part (2), wherein the sealing connection assembly comprises a first locking element (3) being adapted to at least partly enclose said first tubular part (1) and comprising at least one gripping element (5), a second locking element (4) being adapted to at least partly enclose said second tubular part (2).

Abstract: This disclosure provides a thermocycler system for performing polymerase chain reaction. The thermocycler system can comprise a plurality of bus bars, a microplate, a clamp and a current application device in electrical communication with the bus bars. The clamp is suitable for forming a low resistance electrical connection between the microplate and an individual bus bar of the plurality of bus bars. In some instances, the clamp includes a spring-loaded pivot and a ram. Operation of the clamp forces the microplate into contact with the bus bar, or vice versa, to provide an electrical contact between the microplate and the bus bar. The microplate can comprise a substrate having a metallic material for heating samples, and a barrier layer disposed adjacent to the substrate.

Abstract: An improved grinding mill that utilizes mill stones that minimizing the mechanical processes required to regulating the mill stones and allow an user to gain quick and easy access to the mill stones by removing a hopper. In addition, to provide a base frame for the mill that secures both mechanical and electrical parts including the mill housing to reduce manufacture and repair time.

Abstract: A meat grinding reclamation system is disclosed herein. The system uses a plate having a plurality of holes through which meat is processed, and a smaller number of waste material indentations that feed waste material away from the meat into separate uniform curved openings. The center of the plate is provided with a shaft opening, which allows use of a center drive shaft across the plate.

Abstract: A filtration material comprising a blend of polypropylene and acrylic fibers of round, flat, dog bone, oval or kidney bean shape in any size from 0.08 to 3.3 Dtex. A preferred blend contains about 50 weight percent polypropylene fibers and about 50 weight percent acrylic fibers. The fibers can be blended ranging from 90:10 to 10:90 polypropylene to acrylic. The shape contains 25 weight percent round, flat, oval, dog bone and kidney bean shapes. The fiber blend contains 25 weight percent of at least one size between 0.08 and 3.3 Dtex. Electret fibers incorporated within these blends have 0.02 to 33 weight percent of a charge control agent. These fibers can be used in producing electret material by corona or triboelectric charging methods.

Abstract: A separator for the treatment of a flowable product by centrifugation has a rotatable drum delimiting a centrifuging space. The separator also includes, arranged in the drum, an agent for clarification of a product to be treated in the centrifugal field. The drum includes an outer support and an inner drum arranged in the outer support, and in the agent for the clarification of the product to be processed in the centrifugal field is arranged in the inner drum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifuge (10) having a safety vessel (30) with a vessel wall (32), a rotor (17), which is arranged in the safety vessel (30) and is connected via a drive shaft (20) to a drive device (22), wherein at least the drive shaft (20) extends through the safety vessel (30), a cooling system for cooling an interior space (31) of the safety vessel (30), which comprises a heat transfer medium (19) for taking up heat from the safety vessel (30), a refrigerating unit (12) and conducting means (18) for the heat transfer medium (19). The invention is distinguished by the fact that the refrigerating unit (12) is based on the magnetocaloric effect, and the interior space (31) of the safety vessel (30) is cooled by a first cooling circuit (111), the magnetocaloric effect of the refrigerating unit (12) extracts heat from the heat transfer medium (19) of the first cooling circuit (111) and feeds the heat to a second cooling circuit (113).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a portable cyclone dust separator, which comprises a first stage cyclone separation unit having an intake for suctioning air to be dedusted, the air suctioned through the intake rotating around a first rotational axis in the first stage cyclone separation unit; and a second stage cyclone separation unit having an air inlet, the air inlet being configured to be adapted to suction the air, which needs to be dedusted secondarily by the second stage cyclone separation unit, from the first stage cyclone separation unit, the air suctioned through the air inlet rotating around at least one second rotational axis in the second stage cyclone separation unit, wherein the first rotational axis is disposed to be nonparallel to the second rotational axis. The present invention also discloses a dedusting system comprising such a portable cyclone dust separator. The portable cyclone dust separator of the present invention is fit for the operating orientations within the greater angular range.

Abstract: One variation of a showerhead includes: a body defining a fluid circuit, a first region on a ventral side of the body, and a second region adjacent the first region on the ventral side of the body; a set of hollow cone nozzles distributed within the first region, fluidly coupled to the fluid circuit, and discharging sprays of fluid droplets within a first size range; a set of flat fan nozzles arranged within the second region, fluidly coupled to the fluid circuit, and discharging sprays of fluid droplets within a second size range; and a set of orifices fluidly coupled to the fluid circuit and discharging fluid drops between sprays discharged from the set of hollow cone nozzles and sprays discharged from the flat fan nozzles, fluid drops discharged from the set of orifices within a third size range exceeding the first size range and the second size range.

Abstract: The invention provides a showerhead water deflector effective for diverting showerhead water from its spray path. The showerhead water deflector includes a water-deflecting means coupled to a mounting device for attaching the water-deflector to a structure in the shower.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations a pneumatic ported atomizing fluid delivery manifold includes a fluid delivery housing, the fluid delivery housing having a frustum geometry, the fluid delivery housing has a first end and a second end, the first end has a first plane and the second end having a second plane, the fluid delivery housing has at least one chamber through which cleaning solution is operable to pass from the first end to the second end, and a free-floating pneumatic rotating exit tube positioned along a longitudinal center axis of the fluid delivery housing, the free-floating pneumatic rotating exit tube has only air passing through the free-floating pneumatic rotating exit tube, wherein fluid from the fluid delivery housing and the air from the free-floating pneumatic rotating exit tube are mixed together creating a fine mist in a rotational motion.

Abstract: A lubricant dispensing system having particular utility for applying a tightly controlled thin line of lubricant about the perimeter of cans as they are processed. The lubricant dispensing system includes an electrostatic spray head having a nozzle body that defines a lubricant receiving chamber for electrically charging lubricant therein and a capillary tube supported by the nozzle body having an inlet end communicating with the lubricant receiving chamber and an outlet that defines a discharge orifice of the electrostatic spray head. The capillary tube has a diameter between about 0.2 and 0.3 inches for directing electrostatically charged lubricant onto an item to be lubricated in a controlled thin line having a width no greater than 0.125 inches. The electrode is adjustably positionable relative to the capillary tube for selectively controlling the rate of discharging lubricant, and the electrode is configured for enhancing electrostatic charging of lubricant through the capillary tube.

Abstract: Systems and methods in which the flow of fluid is electrically driven, including electrospinning and electrospraying systems and methods, are generally described.

Abstract: A squeeze bottle, useful for atomizing liquids such as perfumes, medications, insecticides, or the like, by manually squeezing the bottle while orienting the bottle to direct the resulting atomized spray for a desired application. The squeeze bottle utilizes ambient air and contains an inner, compliant pouch for storing a liquid. The pouch is configured so that it deforms by the hydrostatic air pressure generated within the bottle during a squeezing action. This deformation assists in transferring liquid from the pouch into the bottle's spray nozzle where the liquid is atomized in a swirl airflow and dispersed by the expelled ambient air.

Abstract: A device includes a rotary portion, which is mounted so as to rotate on a support structure around a rotation axis (X-X) between an angularly moved away condition and an angularly moved close condition relative to an outlet mouth. A shutter portion pivots relative to the rotary portion around a pivoting axis (Y-Y) lying on a plane that is transverse relative to the rotation axis (X-X). An actuating apparatus moves the rotary portion between the moved away condition and the moved close condition. The shutter portion is suited to pivot around the pivoting axis (Y-Y) from an open position, in which the shutter portion is spaced apart from the outlet mouth, to a closed position, in which the shutter portion lies against the outlet mouth, when the rotary portion shifts from the moved away condition to the moved close condition.

Abstract: A paint guard for protecting a stair covering during the painting of a skirtboard on a staircase, the paint guard having a plurality of interconnected and generally perpendicular planar surfaces, including a surface for covering a portion of a stair tread, a surface for covering a portion of a stair riser, and a plurality of surfaces for covering the edges of the stair covering nearest the skirtboard. The paint guard also includes a concave portion attached to the surface for covering a portion of a stair tread, the concave portion covering a forward edge portion of a staircase tread. The paint guard is either rigidly made or constructed of a durable material that can be bent and folded into the final shape, and is adjustable in size to fit on staircases of varying dimension.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rotor or sprinkler that allows its watering arc to be rotated, increased, or decreased by user-rotation of the sprinkler's rotating nozzle base.

Abstract: By setting a robot installing area at a higher pressure than an adjacent painting area, there is formed an air flow which flows from the robot installing area into the painting area. With this, in a painting facility in which a painting object is painted by paint spraying from a sprayer while displacing the painting object held to an arm leading end portion of a painting robot relative to the sprayer by an action of the painting robot, adhesion of paint to the painting robot and to a painting area lateral wall is prevented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous separation liquid comprising at least 49.9 wt. % water, 5 to 50 wt. % of at least one organic water-soluble polyol, based on the total weight of the aqueous separation liquid, and at least one low molecular weight cellulose derivative as rheology modifier, and to the use of this liquid in a process for removing paint overspray from a paint spray booth.

Abstract: The garden fountain and planter includes a lower container, a middle container and an upper container. A water pump positioned in the lower container pumps water up into the middle container. The upper container rests in the middle container. Using a combination of the water level in the middle container and the spacing of the bottom of the upper container with respect to the water level in the middle container, the user can accurately control the water flow to the upper container.

Abstract: A dispensing device includes a drive unit, a detector and a controller. The drive unit is configured to operate a material dispenser. The detector is configured to detect a velocity of the material sensor. The controller is programmed to maintain the material dispenser at a constant velocity based on the velocity detected by the detector.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a crack and groove stain and paint tool and method of staining or painting a crack or groove with the crack and groove stain and paint tool comprising a handle, a flat blade attached to the handle and having a first face and a second face separated by an edge, and a backing fabric secured to the blade with the backing fabric having a stain or paint holding nap thereon with the backing fabric extending from the first face to the second face of the blade.

Abstract: A coater includes a chuck, a source of a coating material, a dispensing head, an exhaust system, and a liner. The chuck is configured to support a wafer. The dispensing head is configured to dispense the coating material onto the wafer. The exhaust system is configured to exhaust the excess coating material. The liner is present at least partially on an inner surface of the exhaust system. The liner has a stick resistance to the coating material, and the stick resistance of the liner is greater than a stick resistance of the inner surface of the exhaust system.

Abstract: A satellite paint waste recovery system for a painting system which reduces hazardous waste generation, providing instead a plurality of solvent mixes which are reusable by the painting system. The satellite paint waste recovery system employs a method of capturing reusable solvent when changing paint colors in the painting system which includes flushing a discrete color of paint loaded in the painting system with fresh solvent and capturing the discrete color of paint flushed and some of the flushing solvent as a discrete color solvent mix in a discrete container each time the paint color sought to be used in the painting system is changed. The discrete color of solvent mix can subsequently be reused to thin a new container of paint instead of using new solvent.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to a method for preparing an OLED display panel, comprising: providing a substrate; disposing a spray device above the substrate, and applying a forward voltage to the spray device; applying a reverse voltage to a section of the substrate on which organic material being going to be deposited, and applying a forward voltage outside the section; the spray device spraying organic material in fog form, such that the organic material in fog form depositing on the section. The disclosure further provides an OLED display panel prepared by the method. In the disclosure, sub pixels can be prepared without masks, the spray device sprays out the organic material in fog form by electro spraying, and a higher accuracy is not necessary for the spray device, which sprays by electro spraying, such that the cost is significantly decreased.

Abstract: A coating can be provided on a substrate. Fabrication of the coating can include forming a solid layer in a specified region of the substrate while supporting the substrate in a coating system using a gas cushion. For example, a liquid coating can be printed over the specified region while the substrate is supported by the gas cushion. The substrate can be held for a specified duration after the printing the patterned liquid. The substrate can be conveyed to a treatment zone while supported using the gas cushion. The liquid coating can be treated to provide the solid layer including continuing to support the substrate using the gas cushion.

Abstract: A method of lining an inner surface of a tubular with a polymer, includes positioning a polymer injecting head within the tubular, forming an annular space between the injecting head and an inner surface of the tubular, injecting polymer through the injecting head into the annular space, and moving the polymer injecting head longitudinally relative to the tubular while injecting polymer.

Abstract: A vibration motor is disclosed. The vibration motor includes a vibration part including a weight and a magnet accommodated in the weight; a fixation part including a housing having an accommodation space, a circuit board fixed in the housing, and a coil opposed to the magnet and connected with the circuit board electrically, the housing including an upper cover, a lower cover opposite to the upper cover, and an outer frame forming the accommodation space with the upper and lower covers; an elastic connector having for elastically suspending the vibration part in the accommodation space of the housing; and an anti-drop protective structure arranged on the outer frame and applied to protection of the elastic connector from collision with the housing when the vibration motor drops.

Abstract: A scraping cleaner can include a bottle, a sprayer mechanism, and at least one scraping edge. The bottle can have a body portion extending along a vertical axis from a base that is substantially flat to a top that defines a connecting portion. The body portion can be configured to receive and retain a liquid cleaning solution in a cavity. The sprayer mechanism can include a pump assembly. The pump assembly can have a pump and a lever. The lever can be pivotally engaged with the pump such that pivoting movement of the lever induces the pump to draw the liquid cleaning solution from the cavity. The scraping edge is integral with the body portion and is positioned at the base. The at least one scraping edge extends along a path in a plane that is transverse to the vertical axis.

Abstract: An elastically deformable compressible polishing material having a functional and repeating pattern of lowered reservoirs and raised plateaus on the elastically deformable compressible polishing material, and a tool and method for making a functional and repeating pattern of lowered reservoirs and raised plateaus on an elastically deformable compressible polishing material and a method and system for removing strongly adhered foreign matter from a work surface, such that an operator can both measure and control polishing force and identify when to clean and/or discard the elastically deformable compressible polishing material, thus reducing costs, waste and operator fatigue while maximizing overall performance and value of the polishing operation.

Abstract: A pneumatic pressure pulse cleaning machine includes a container body, which has a rear side to which a container cover is rotatably mounted and also has an interior space in which a pipe assembly that includes pipes connected together to form a grating configuration is received. The pipe assembly has a plurality of through holes formed therein and facing upwards. A support board is received in the interior space and arranged above the pipe assembly so that an article disposition zone is provided in the container body above the support board. The pipe assembly includes a joint, which is connectable with a tube for connection with a pneumatic pressure source. Articles to be washed are positioned on the support board. The pneumatic pressure source is activated to generate pneumatic pressure pulses that are ejected through the through holes to impinge and thus clean the articles.

Abstract: Check valves including in situ cleaning mechanisms are shown and described. The check valves include a side wall, an opening, a disc disposed within the opening and configured to be moveable between an open position and a closed position, and a cleaning mechanism. The cleaning mechanism includes a port in the side wall configured to be coupled to a fluid source to spray fluid onto an inner surface of the side wall and the disc to clear debris from the check valve. In some examples, the port is an access port configured to be coupled to a nozzle for coupling the fluid source to the port. In some further examples, the cleaning mechanism includes a handle operatively coupled to the disc to move the disc between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: To provide a cleaning apparatus which is flexibly adaptable to a wide variety of workpieces so as to improve productivity while being suitably adaptable to high-pressure cleaning so as to improve cleaning work efficiency. The cleaning apparatus 10 for cleaning a workpiece W by jetting cleaning liquid from nozzles 22 disposed in a cleaning region E includes: a moving device 70; a feeding device 40 that is disposed facing the cleaning region E to hold and move the workpiece W; a holding device 17 that is disposed on the feeding device 40 to hold the workpiece W; a moving device 70 that movably supports the feeding device 40; and a cover device 14 that shields the moving device 70 from the cleaning region E and allows the feeding device 40 to pass therethrough. The feeding device 40 moves the workpiece W to the cleaning region E for cleaning.

Abstract: A novel technique is provided for preserving a liquid pharmaceutical preparation safely and stably. The nano-bubble water of the present invention, which is produced in the presence of a surfactant, a hydrophilic resin and/or an electrolyte and contains not less than 2.0×108 bubbles/mL of nano-bubbles, shows a superior antibacterial action, and can be used as a base of a liquid pharmaceutical preparation showing safe and stable preservation property.

Abstract: A system for performing a Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP) process is provided. The system includes a CMP module configured to polish a semiconductor wafer. The system further includes a cleaning brush assembly configured to clean the semiconductor wafer. The cleaning brush includes a rotation shaft and a brush member surrounding a segment of the rotation shaft. The system also includes an agitation transducer arranged to be distant from the brush member and configured to produce an agitated cleaning liquid to clean the cleaning brush assembly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for identifying a contaminant on a substrate. Identification of a contaminant removed from a substrate can be useful in identifying and eliminating or reducing the source of the contamination and tailoring the removal method to minimize the potential for substrate damage. The methods and apparatus for identification of the contaminant provide liberation of molecules of the contaminant from the surface of the substrate, accounting for different geometries and substrate materials, sample preparation, and chemical analysis of the contaminant.

Abstract: A scraping tool having a handle, an arcuately-shaped blade configured to fit a curved surface of the inside of a container, a neck configured to couple the handle to the blade, and a lip extending outward from the front surface at an angle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cleaning storing, moving and displaying exercise mats. A display rack incorporates a rollable base and provides support to one or more rails for hanging an exercise mat. The display rack is designed to slide off of the rollable base into the wash chamber of a cabinet. The wash chamber is used to clean and sanitize the exercise mat hanging on the display rack, after which the display rack can be returned to the rollable base and moved to another location.

Abstract: Contaminated sediment is remediated using a sedimentation capping system comprising composite particles having a core and a coating containing a statin composition. The statins are useful for inhibiting the growth of methanogens, known anaerobes that produce methane from organic materials found in sediments. The reduction in methane production avoids several problems in capping systems, including reduced ebullition that may breach the barrier cap, reduced mobilization and bioavailability of methylated toxins to aquatic life above the cap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling method for a rolling ingot of aluminium alloy after metallurgical homogenization heat treatment of said ingot and before hot rolling, characterized in that cooling by 30 to 150° C. is performed at a rate of 150 to 500° C./h, with a homogeneity of less than 40° C. throughout the treated portion of the ingot. The invention also relates to the facility allowing use of said method and said implementation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drawing die arrangement having a drawing tool that acts on an elongated workpiece, and having a drawing tool support on which the drawing tool is mounted, counteracting the drawing tool, in which support a measurement device that measures the mass distribution of the workpiece material is disposed on the drawing tool, wherein a coupling medium circulated between the measurement device and the drawing tool is provided. Furthermore, the invention relates to a workpiece guide and to a drawing system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bending press (3) and to a method for bending sheet metal in relation to a work piece (2). The bending press (3) comprises a machine frame (7) on which lower and upper clamping jaws (5, 6) are arranged, having first and second reshaping edges. A bending tool (41) having a bending edge (42) is arranged on a bending bar (43). The bending tool (41) is mounted about a swivel axis (46) such that same can swivel. The swivel axis (46) can be moved into both a position above and a position below a work piece contact plane (40). In a position above the work piece contact plane (40), the bending edge (42) is oriented down-wards in the direction of a first reshaping edge, and in a position below the work piece contact plane (40), said bending edge is oriented upwards in the direction of the second reshaping edge. The invention also relates to a method for reshaping, in particular bending, sheet metal in relation to a work piece (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a rope terminal equipment of a hoisting device, comprising extruding a profile bar; and cutting a wedge shaped piece from the extruded profile bar; and providing a rope terminal frame comprising a tapering nest suitable for accommodating an end of a rope and said wedge shaped piece. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a rope terminal arrangement of a hoisting device and to an elevator, which implement said method for manufacturing a rope terminal equipment.

Abstract: A method includes extruding an elongate member that has a longitudinally extending cross section, bending the elongate member about a first axis and subsequently about a second axis, non-parallel to the first axis, to form a vehicle body component.