Abstract: An immunoassay method in which, by using a sensor chip on which a plurality of capture regions which capture a material to be detected by a first capturing body are arranged separated from each other, the material to be detected captured by the first capturing body is individually detected, wherein the plurality of capture regions are formed by using a different type of first capturing body depending on the type of a material to be detected to be captured, the method having: a detection processing order determination step of determining a detection processing order between the capture regions based on information about a detection processing order between the plurality of the capture regions; and a detection processing step of performing a detection processing for each of the capture regions according to the detection processing order between the plurality of the capture regions, and an immunoassay system using the method.

Abstract: A laser processing unit includes a workpiece loading station, and a laser workstation having a laser robot that performs a laser operation. A flexible endless loop extends from the loading station through the workstation for delivering a workpiece from the loading station to the workstation. A first stationary wall section separates the workstation from the loading station. A second stationary wall section is offset from the first stationary wall section. A first movable door is configured to form a laser light-tight seal with the first stationary wall section. A second movable door configured to form a laser light-tight seal with the second stationary wall section. A seal projection is attached to the flexible endless loop. The seal projection forms a laser light-tight seal with the first movable door when the workpiece is located in the loading station and forms a laser light-tight seal with the second movable door when the workpiece is located in the workstation.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, while cooling equipment and the biomass to prevent overheating and possible distortion and/or degradation. The biomass is conveyed by a conveyor, which conveys the biomass under an electron beam from an electron beam accelerator. The conveyor can be cooled with cooling fluid. The conveyor can also vibrate to facilitate exposure to the electron beam. The conveyor can be configured as a trough that can be optionally cooled.

Abstract: A retorted liquid soup concentrate package (of about 70 to 100 g contents) expressible from the package when opened and dilutable with boiling or near boiling water (at a dilution ratio water/concentrate of from 1.9:1 to 2.5:1) to a lump free ready to eat soup form at at least 55° C. (preferably 60 to 65° C.) and a target volume less than 400 mls (preferably 250-300 mls).

Abstract: Materials such as biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) and hydrocarbon-containing materials are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, or oil sands, oil shale, tar sands, bitumen, and coal to produce altered materials such as fuels (e.g., ethanol and/or butanol). The processing includes exposing the materials to an ion beam.

Abstract: A test vessel agitator assembly that agitates test vessels and the contents therein within an immunoassay automated analyzer system. The test vessels are transported along an element that is comprised of ridges and troughs such that the test vessel is moved in a directions that is approximately perpendicular to the direction of transportation.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus is described having a product transport surface (24) for transporting products thereon in a transporting direction (26). The product transport surface (24) has a plurality of grooves (28) which extend substantially parallel to each other and transversely to the transporting direction (26). In a cross section along the transporting direction (26), the upward sloping edges (32) and the downward sloping edges (30) of the grooves (28) form a saw tooth profile, wherein, when viewed in the transporting direction (26), each transition from the upward sloping edge (32) to the downward sloping edge (30) of two adjacent grooves (28) is sharp-edged. The product transport surface is particularly adapted for the transport of products having a soft, flexible and/or sticky surface. Also described are product transporting members in a weighing apparatus which are provided with such a product transport surface.

Abstract: A device consisting of a low-RPM motor wherein the motor spins a flat disk, a peg is attached to the disk, a stationary spring armature wherein the peg can activate the stationary spring armature as the disk rotates, and a tube containing beads in a fluid positioned in a top plate wherein the spring armature can contact the tube. This device can further include a soft closed-cell foam top mounted on the top plate wherein the tube is inserted and maintained by the foam in such a way as to allow for slight motion of the tube induced by the contact by the spring armature.

Abstract: The invention provides a storage device with storage racks and a shaker where the undesired horizontal oscillations of the upper ends of the storage racks are small. In a first embodiment a vertical shaking motion is generated. In a second embodiment, a moving counterweight assembly is provided that counteracts the oscillations.

Abstract: The agitation machine is installed either independently or in a conveyor line to shake, vibrate, oscillate, and/or agitate a container or containers in order to compact and settle the contents thereof. The machine includes at least one (and preferably two) elongate rotating bar or rod of non-circular cross section, or of eccentric circular cross section. The bars extend beneath the containers in the direction of their travel across or through the machine, with rotation of the bars resulting in the shaking or oscillating of the containers and resulting settling and compaction of the contents of the containers. The rotating oscillator bars may be adjusted so that their high edges are either in phase or out of phase with one another, respectively producing an alternating lifting and lowering action or a rocking action of the container resting thereon. The rotational speed of the bars may be adjusted as desired, as well.

Abstract: The agitation machine is installed either independently or in a conveyor line to shake, vibrate, oscillate, and/or agitate a container or containers in order to compact and settle the contents thereof. The machine includes at least one (and preferably two) elongate rotating bar or rod of non-circular cross section, or of eccentric circular cross section. The bars extend beneath the containers in the direction of their travel across or through the machine, with rotation of the bars resulting in the shaking or oscillating of the containers and resulting settling and compaction of the contents of the containers. The rotating oscillator bars may be adjusted so that their high edges are either in phase or out of phase with one another, respectively producing an alternating lifting and lowering action or a rocking action of the container resting thereon. The rotational speed of the bars may be adjusted as desired, as well.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shaking incubator with at least one specimen storage device comprising several superposed specimen storage spaces. A shaking unit comprising a specimen storage position, a shaking platform and a base unit is arranged in at least one specimen storage space. The invention makes it possible to shake different specimens, located in the same specimen storage device, individually and independently of each other under incubator conditions.

Abstract: A test vessel agitator assembly that agitates test vessels and the contents therein within an immunoassay automated analyzer system. The test vessels are transported along an element that is comprised of ridges and troughs such that the test vessel is moved in a directions that is approximately perpendicular to the direction of transportation.

Abstract: An assay apparatus includes a cell with a working electrode and a sonicating device structurally coupled to the cell for sonication the contents of the cell.

Abstract: An assay apparatus includes a cell with a working electrode and a sonicating device structurally coupled to the cell for sonication the contents of the cell.

Abstract: Method and device for relaxing a sheet of dough, comprising a first conveyor belt, a second conveyor belt, a supporting device disposed between the first and second conveyor belts and a vibration generator interacting with the supporting device, in which the first conveyor belt conveys the sheet of dough at a first speed of conveyance on the supporting device, the vibration generator by way of the supporting device exerts a mechanical vibration with an essentially constant frequency on the sheet of dough, and the second conveyor belt discharges the sheet of dough at a second speed of conveyance which is essentially the same as the first speed of conveyance of the supporting device.

Abstract: A device for blending and conveying materials which comprises an elongated trough having an inlet end, a discharge end, and two spaced apart side walls; an apparatus for vibrating the trough; a first blending apparatus connected to the trough between the inlet end and the discharge end including a first lift located adjacent one of the side walls for elevating a first proportion of materials and a second lift located adjacent the other side wall for elevating a second proportion of materials, wherein each lift comprises a ramp connected to a generally horizontal platform; and first and second diverters connected to the first and second lifts, respectively, for folding the first and second proportions of materials over onto a third proportion of materials being conveyed along the trough between the first and second lifts.

Abstract: The instant invention is drawn to an apparatus and process for, direct ultrasonic mixing of a sample by use of an ultrasonic probe, in combination with sample conveying and/or sample analysis, thereby providing: convenient automated flexible sample preparation (e.g. mixing), conveying and/or analysis; and/or greater accuracy and precision of analysis than was previously achievable.

Abstract: A method is described for cooling or heating hot filled containers, such as metallic cans. The apparatus employs countercurrent flow between the containers and a water trough and uses axial shaking and the physics of the containers to promote cooling or heating.

Abstract: Method and equipment for compacting of concrete mix when concrete products are being cast by means of a continuous method. The concrete mix is carried from the feeder device (4) forwards by means of an endless transfer unit. The compression required for the compacting of the concrete mix is produced by means of a roll (1) pressed against the transfer face (2). The compression is directed at the concrete mix by the intermediate of rigid plates (2) of a caterpillar band constituting the transfer unit, which plates are pressed against the concrete mix by means of two or more support rolls (1).

Abstract: A vibratory cleaning apparatus applies ultrasonic energy to component parts or workpieces directly resting on a vibrator surface. The surface forms part of a conveying arrangement that moves the parts as they are cleaned. Conveyance of the parts during their vibratory cleaning provides control of the time of cleaning. In various embodiments, the conveying arrangement can be an inclined plate or surface which is the vibration imparting member, an endless conveyor through which vibrations are conducted, or a wiper driven across a vibratory plate to move the workpieces thereon. The cleaning apparatus is suitable for large scale cleaning of production line parts or individual work bench application. In preferred embodiments, a further conveying arrangement automatically delivers the parts from the bath in which the ultrasonic transducer is located.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use, in discrete sample analysis apparatus, of vibratory conveyor to convey samples, and there is provided an automated discrete analysis system in which the means for conveying samples through the system comprises vibratory conveyor. A particular example described in detail is that of an automated radioimmunoassay system which in preferred form consists of a series of linked spiral vibratory conveyor modules.

Abstract: Shredded tobacco is blended with expanded tobacco on the foraminous bottom wall of an elongated vibratory conveyor which receives overlapping streams of shredded and expanded tobacco at one end of the bottom wall in such quantities that the ratio of shredded tobacco to expanded tobacco remains constant. Blowers are provided to supply compressed hot and cool air against the underside of the bottom wall whereby streamlets of air pass through the perforations of the bottom wall and travel across the particles of tobacco in the vibratory conveyor to convert such particles into a fluidized bed of substantially constant height which advances toward the other end of the bottom wall. The speed of streamlets is reduced above the fluidized bed to prevent the ascending streamlets from entraining appreciable quantities of particles from the bed. The particles which form the fluidized bed are intimately mixed with each other before they leave the conveyor.