Abstract: A secondary containment system is used with a screenless reactor. The secondary containment system includes a screen sized to prevent the passage of catalyst particles, and is affixed to the screenless reactor with supports to hold the screen a desired distance from the reactor.

Abstract: A screen for use in distributing a fluid in a process flow system. The screen provides support, and provides for the ability to clean particulates from the screen. The screen includes profiled wires affixed to a support, where the support provides channels to distribute the fluid over the screen. The support includes spacing to improve the cleaning of particulates from the screen.

Abstract: A plasma reactor for etching a workpiece such as a rectangular or square mask, includes a vacuum chamber having a ceiling and a sidewall and a workpiece support pedestal within the chamber including a cathode having a surface for supporting a workpiece, the surface comprising plural respective zones, the respective zones of the surface being formed of respective materials of different electrical characteristics. The zones can be arranged concentrically relative to an axis of symmetry of the wafer support pedestal.

Abstract: A microporous paper filter (10) for particulates emitted together with the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, made in the form of a folded up sheet to form a “Greek key” i.e. having several filtering layers (13) placed substantially parallel, connected by means of folds (14), the layers (13) being separated and maintained equidistant through the interposition of spacers (20) each comprising at least one corrugated paper sheet (21, 22) or pleated paper (23).

Abstract: A fuel reformer for reforming hydrocarbon base fuel into hydrogen rich gas, with one embodiment comprised of material containing at least 15 to 25% by mass Cr, 8 to 35% by mass Ni, 2 to 4% by mass Si and the remainder Fe and inevitable impurities (C, Mn, P, S or others). The material provides sigma brittleness resistance and cementation resistance, and provides a reformer that is lightweight, low-cost, highly reliable and durable. A second embodiment adds to the composition 0.05 to 1% by mass Nb, providing improved oxidation resistance, cementation resistance, intergranular corrosion resistance, with further improved reliability and durability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a highly pure, aqueous hydroxylamine solution by distilling an aqueous solution, devoid of salt, of a hydroxyl ammonium salt in a plate column comprising at least two mechanical plates. Said method is characterised in that packing bodies are arranged between at least two plates of the plate column over the cross-section of said column.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a filter system for sterilization containers which secures a gas permeable filter onto a vented portion of the container. The filter system of the invention includes a locking mechanism that is comfortable and easy to use, and that requires a simple sliding movement of the users hand to lock and unlock the filter system components in place. The invention further includes a filter system structured such that the openings of the filter system plates permit transport of air across the filter while at the same time the openings are arranged to reduce or prevent undesirable physical perforation of the filter. By virtue of its structure, the need for particular rotational positioning of filter components in relation to one another is significantly reduced. The filter system of the invention also reduces or eliminates the need for perimeter gaskets.

Abstract: A tray system composed of a vertical stack of trays especially adapted to contain, and protect surgical instruments being carried from a sterilizer to an operating site. The trays may have various heights and be arranged in any order in the stack. Each tray includes a plurality of latches, each latch having an arm swingably mounted to the tray and terminated by a projection spaced a selected distance D1 above the tray rim or top when the latch is swung to its latching position. Each tray also includes a corresponding plurality of latching surfaces located under the latches on that tray. The distance D2 between the seating surfaces and latching surfaces of each tray corresponds substantially to the distance D1 of that tray. This enables the latch arms of each tray to be latched to the latching surfaces of an overlying tray in the stack or to a cover so as to form a closed compact transportable package. Different latch embodiments for securing the trays together are also disclosed.

Abstract: A full-flow mechanical failsafe is composed of a cylindrical shell having a movable sealing plug therein, for attachment to a reaction tube of a fluid treatment system, such as a gas clean up system in a power plant. The sealing plug rests on locking spheres within the shell during normal operation. Upon reaction tube failure or breakage, the flow of fluid will be substantially increased, causing an increase in upward pressure against the sealing plug, forcing it upward off the spheres and into a sealing contact with a flow aperture, shutting off fluid flow. The spheres move downward into a locking position upon movement of the sealing plug, to secure the sealing plug in its upward sealing position. The failsafe can be used in fluid flow control systems other than fluid filtering systems, such as oil or gas pipelines, and can be used to prevent improper reverse fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions of oil-soluble inhibitors suitable for use in inhibiting scale formation in a hydrocarbon production system, such as in an oil field. The compositions comprise an acid form of a known scale inhibitor and 2-ethylhexylamine and similar amines. These compositions possess advantages over conventional compositions used for inhibiting scale formation in that they are less toxic, more biodegradable, and less likely to invade the fatty tissues of marine life.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an instrument count stand for supporting scissors or scissor-like instruments having a pair of blades and a pair of handles. The stand includes a base having a plurality of slots for receiving portions of the instruments. A pair of side walls extending from the base support a roller. A handle is attached to the roller for moving the roller from a first position disengaged from the handles of the instruments to a second position which contacts the handles of the instruments and spreads the handles and accordingly the blade-like members of the instruments.

Abstract: A storage container for autoclaving and storage of a medical instrument cassette includes a tray portion and a lid assembly which are securely closed together by means of a pair of spring-biased end latches. The lid assembly includes a lid gasket which is compressed by an outer lip of the tray portion and further includes a pair of low profile filter assemblies. Each filter assembly includes a retainer plate with an assembled edge seal, a paper filter, and a cover plate. The stack of these components creates a low profile design whose overall thickness in a direction normal to the surface of the lid is less than 3/8 of an inch. The cover plate is easily attached and removed for replacing the paper filter by means of keyhole-shaped apertures in the cover plate and lock studs assembled to the lid assembly which fit within the keyhole-shaped apertures. The two latch assemblies provide a visual indication as to whether the lid assembly is securely sealed onto the tray portion or is open.

Abstract: Process for airtight and/or moisture-proof packaging of air-sensitive and/or moisture-sensitive materials for the introduction of the packaged materials in a chemical reactor. Described is a process for the airtight and/or moisture-proof packaging of air-sensitive and/or moisture-sensitive materials in a foil and a method for introducing the packaged materials in a reactor, whereby the polymer foil is dissolved in an organic solvent.

Abstract: A softshell reservoir has threaded fittings, one on each side of a central axis. Venous and cardiotomy blood are mixed in a mixer which screwthreadedly engages either of these fittings so the reservoir can be positioned on the right or the left of the perfusionist without crossed lines, and with a minimum of priming volume. A threaded outlet fitting may be provided on the central axis to cooperate with threaded outlet tubing to facilitate packaging and sterilizing, as well as setup and disposal.

Abstract: A molecular detection apparatus comprises a molecular receptor (20), a detection element (22) responsive to the molecular receptor (20), and a substrate (24) which supports the detection element (22). The molecular detection apparatus further includes a grasping member (26) and an elongated member (30) to couple the grasping member (26) to the substrate (24).

Abstract: An injection system and method for feeding a particulate material to a process vessel, including a valve with at least one cavity adapted for receipt of a predetermined volume of particulate and a sweep stream source for providing a sweep stream having flow in a direction generally toward the valve to remove substantially all of the particulate from the cavity of the valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary drum structure for a sterilizer. The structure includes: four beams (30, 32, 34, 36) disposed parallel to said axis and defining a rectangular parallelepiped volume; a plurality of spacer elements (52, 54, 56) disposed in the four faces defining said parallelepiped volume and forming triangulated structures; a second end part (60) fixed to second ends of the beams to define an inlet opening (64) into said drum; and a circular running path (62).

Abstract: An article treatment system which provides improved solution mixing and concentration uniformity. The treatment system includes a container, a closure and a channel for guiding fluid flow. The treatment system is especially advantageous for use with effervescent tablets and for use in treating contact lenses. Cleaning and disinfecting of articles is improved by use of a tubular channel which guides upwardly gas and other components released from an effervescent tablet which is located at the bottom of the treatment container. The upward central flow through the channel induces a downward flow between the container walls, the exterior walls of the channel, and the article-retaining means and towards the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A filter (32) is provided for a medical sterilization container (10) having a port (18,22,24) allowing fluid communication between the interior of container (10) and the surrounding environment. A peripheral frame (44) is adapted to cooperate with the port (18,22,24). A plurality of cross-members (54) span an aperture (48) formed by a frame (44). A filter medium (58) is disposed across the aperture (48) so as to be interposed between the interior of the container and the cross-members (54).

Abstract: A sterilizing container is provided with a seal. The container has a lower part, a cover sealingly placeable thereon, and a closure for securing the cover on the lower part. A seal secures the closure in the closed position. The seal is formed in a planar substrate, such as paper or paperboard, and includes a bar or finger insert element that is insertable into a loop that projects from the closure of the container. The seal is provided with a region adjacent to the free end of the insert element that is coated with contact adhesive. This region is foldable along a fold line to form an unreleasable seal with the free end of the insert element.

Abstract: A single one-piece plastic panel that is bent to form a bottom, side, and top of a device. The bottom will act as a means of supporting the device. The side will act as a means of supporting the top and joining the top and bottom portions of the panels. The top portion of the panel will have a plurality of holes in which a tube can be inserted in each hole. The tube will have a sealed bottom to hold a disinfecting solution to sanitize scissors. The design of the tube may have a lip to easily grab and remove the tube from the base of the device. Another alternative design of the tube, may include a tube with a screw top cap so that the solution could be covered when not in use.

Abstract: A medical instrument soaking, transport and storage container intended for receiving surgical instruments and containing a cleaning solution or disinfectant for cleaning the instruments. A lid mounts on the bowl for transport of the instruments to a cleaning/decontamination area of a hospital. The lid portion carries a projecting seal that is received in a circumferentially extending groove in an outwardly extending rim portion of the bowl. Accordingly, sealing is effected between the lid and the bowl. A pivoting clasp is mounted on each side of the lid for engagement with the corresponding portion of the bowl, and therefore secures the lid on the bowl for transport.

Abstract: A support for medical instruments is provided to securely grasp the instrument during sterilization and storage. The support can be readily rearranged on a sterilization tray and can be securely locked in whatever position is desired. It employs a novel arrangement of locking bayonet fingers and a simple removal tool for changing location of the support.

Abstract: A sterilization tray assembly for sterilizing, transporting and storing surgical instruments, having top and bottom mating enclosures. The mating enclosures each have a plurality of ports for permitting ingress and egress of gaseous sterilant. A rack dimensioned to fit within the bottom enclosure is fitted within the enclosure. The rack has a plurality of spaced apertures into which are mounted grommets formed of an elastomeric material having an inside diameter dimensioned to receive a selected surgical instrument therein.

Abstract: A filter (32) is provided for a medical sterilization container (10) having a port (18,22,24) allowing fluid communication between the interior of container (10) and the surrounding environment. A peripheral frame (44) is adapted to cooperate with the port (18,22,24). A plurality of cross-members (54) span an aperture (48) formed by a frame (44). A filter medium (58) is disposed across the aperture (48) so as to be interposed between the interior of the container and the cross-members (54).

Abstract: A surgical instrument rack is provided for improving the efficiency, quality, and safety of the processing and delivery of ring-handled surgical instruments. The rack includes a base having opposing front and rear panels, each having multiple slots therein for supporting the instruments. Each slot in the front panel corresponds to one of the slots in the rear panel so that the end of each of the surgical instruments having the ring handles can be positioned in the slot in the front panel and the opposite end of the instrument can be positioned in the corresponding slot in the rear panel. The instruments can thus be held in an upstanding, parallel, side-by-side arrangement. The base also includes apertures therein near the front panel for receiving a spindle such that the spindle may be extended through the apertures and the first ring handles of the surgical instruments to couple the instruments with the base.

Abstract: A door (B) of a countertop decontamination unit (A) is opened to gain access to a well (20) for receiving an anti-microbial agent carrying cup (D). A knife blade assembly (E) includes a central shaft (30) which supports a blade (40). The blade has cutting edges (46) extending in a sloped manner downward from an apex portion (42) of the blade. The blade is divided into two blade sections (44) by the shaft. The cutting edges have beveled peripheral edges which face the front of each blade section. The blades has a curvilinear configuration that defines oppositely facing upper and lower cam surfaces (50, 52). The central shaft has apertures (34a, 34b, 34c) communicating between a shaft interior passage 32 and the outside of the shaft for providing jets of fluid to the inside of the reagent cup for dissolving and flushing the reagent material from the cup. The curved configuration of the blades deflect fluid flow from the apertures into the reagent cup.

Abstract: An instrument tray assembly including a tray and an optional cover for the storage, transport and sterilization of medical instruments is disclosed. Each tray and cover is perforated to permit the flow of sterilizing medium therethrough, and each is comprised of materials which will withstand soaking and steam or gas autoclaving. Interchangeably disposed along the surfaces of the tray and cover are a plurality of support members, each including variously dimensioned notched receptacles for receiving medical instruments. Each tray may also include a set of handles which may be extended at a variety of angles, thereby avoiding contact and possible contamination between gloved hands and instruments, depending upon the orientation of each handle. Alternative embodiments for resilient instrument support members are disclosed. One embodiment includes resilient projections which are insertable directly into the perforations on the trays and covers. An alternative embodiment further includes a rigid extrusion.

Abstract: A locking device in the shape of a unitary body formed from a bio-degradable material which includes an element with at least one free end formed integral with said body. The severable element is designed to engage and secure a container lock mechanism when the container is in a closed position, whereby the free end of the element is capable of being mechanically or adhesively secured to said unitary body to form a seal, with said device being designed to fracture upon opening of the container lock mechanism thereby providing visible evidence of the lock mechanism being opened.

Abstract: A spring-biased system for suspending a reactor tube in a reactor (e.g. a hydrogen reforming furnace) which allows the tension in each reactor tube to be easily monitored while the reactor is in operation. The suspension system includes high precision springs, the compression of which is adjusted to pre-tension a respective reactor tube so that abnormal expansion of that tube during heat-up will be readily apparent from any change in length (i.e. compression) of the springs.

Abstract: A device for sterilizing products packed in cylindrical containers, includes an elongate, essentially cylindrical housing and an essentially cylindrical rotor located therein which can be driven via a central shaft. The circumferential wall of the housing is provided on the inside with a helically running, raised rib. The rotor is designed as a cage having a plurality of rings placed behind each other, the center line of which coincides with the axis of the rotor, and a plurality of raised ribs fastened to the circumference of the rings parallel to the axis of the rotor. The outer edge of the ribs on the rotor is located near the inner edge of the helically running rib on the inner wall of the housing so that spaces are formed between the ribs for receiving the cylindrical containers. Within the rotor between neighboring rings bracing elements in the form of pipes are provided to reinforce the rotor.

Abstract: A continuous powder catalyst supply apparatus and a catalyst supply system that is suitable for olefin gas phase polymerization. The supply apparatus comprises a catalyst storage chamber having a catalyst inlet port and a catalyst supply port for transmitting the catalyst to the reactor. Inside the catalyst storage chamber is a catalyst supply mechanism which substantially continuously supplies the catalyst to the catalyst supply port, and a forcible discharge mechanism which forcibly discharges the catalyst, supplied from the catalyst supply mechanism, through the catalyst supply port with a pressurized gas. The apparatus can be used to supply the catalyst to the reactor with low amounts of pressurized gas. Further, the system can be configured so as to avoid contamination of stored catalyst by reactant gas.

Abstract: An autoclavable cassette for the receipt and storage of dental and surgical instruments includes a metal tray portion including a base, four sides and two outwardly extending flanges and a metal lid portion which covers the open tray portion and assembles to the outwardly extending latches by means of a cooperating latch and pin combination. The metal cassette tray is configured with a variety of slots, apertures and pins which are used to receive customizing components so that the dentist or surgeon can, by his own selection of specific component options create his own customized cassette. Some of the customizing options include a generally rectangular rack which sets in and can be lifted out of the tray and which includes a series of aligned receiving channels for the receipt of dental or surgical instruments. Another customizing option includes a finger mat which fits within the tray with a snap-in/snap-out feature, providing greater versatility.

Abstract: A sterilizing container is provided with a seal. The container has a lower part, a cover sealingly placeable thereon, and a closure for securing the cover on the lower part. A seal secures the closure in the closed position. The seal is formed in a planar substrate, such as paper or paperboard, and includes a bar or finger insert element that is insertable into a loop that projects from the closure of the container. The seal is provided with a region adjacent to the free end of the insert element that is coated with contact adhesive. This region is foldable along a fold line to form an unreleasable seal with the free end of the insert element.

Abstract: A special sealing arrangement provides a chamber between hot metallic internals attached to cold wall pressure vessel shells to preserve the integrity of the lining and to minimize thermal stresses imposed on the shell and the internals. The sealing element of this invention is a mesh blanket composite having opposite ends secured by different brackets to the internal structure and the cold wall pressure vessel shell. The membrane composite allows gases to escape from a heat transfer chamber between the internal structure and the pressure vessel shell while blocking the passage of catalyst into the chamber. This catalyst seal device is particularly useful in FCC units where fine catalyst particles can migrate into expansion chambers provided between an internal cone and the regenerator shell.

Abstract: A plastic autoclave enclosure for retaining and storing medical instruments and apparata which must be autoclaved includes a molded tray, a molded lid and a pair of oppositely disposed slide latches which are used to secure the molded lid to the molded tray. The molded tray has an outwardly extending flange and disposed therein a pair of spaced-apart keyhole slots. The slide latches are attached to opposite ends of the molded lid and include a protruding pin portion from each latch which has an enlarged head and this enlarged head is received by the corresponding keyhole slot. The base of the molded tray is configured with two spaced-apart ribs and the molded lid has a pair of spaced-apart ribs which define the top surface into three generally rectangular areas. The spacing and length dimension of the tray ribs is such that the base of the tray may be stacked onto the top of the lid thereby allowing a plurality of autoclave enclosures to be stacked one on top of the other.

Abstract: An autoclavable cassette for the receipt and storage of dental and surgical instruments includes a metal tray portion including a base, four sides and two outwardly extending flanges and a metal lid portion which covers the open tray portion and assembles to the outwardly extending latches by means of a cooperating latch and pin combination. The metal cassette tray is configured with a variety of slots, apertures and pins which are used to receive customizing components so that the dentist or surgeon can, by his own selection of specific component options create his own customized cassette. Some of the customizing options include a generally rectangular rack which sets in and can be lifted out of the tray and which includes a series of aligned receiving channels for the receipt of dental or surgical instruments. Another customizing option includes a finger mat which fits within the tray with a snap-in/snap-out feature, providing greater versatility.

Abstract: An improved sulfider is provided for receiving high temperature catalysts from the hydrocarbon cracking operation and subjecting the catalyst to a sulfur-containing gas. The sulfider unit includes a plurality of gas injector tubes each individually removable from the sulfider while gas is continually injected into the sulfider treatment chamber through other of the injection tubes. Each injector tube may extend through a lowermost end of the sulfider, and has a central tube axis arranged substantially vertically when the tube is mounted to the sulfider housing. Fluid output ports are provided in sidewalls of an upper portion of the tube, and the tubes may be continually operated for extended periods of time without significant plugging problems. A service valve and packing unit associated with each injector tube enable partial removal of the tube from the treatment chamber without leakage of hydrogen sulfide gas, followed by closing of the valve and complete removal of the tube and packing unit.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved apparatus for stripping hydrocarbons from spent catalyst which offers ready access to stripper baffles for inspection and maintenance. The inner baffles move upwardly or downwardly on a conduit that slides over the central riser.

Abstract: A shielded fluid-stream injector assembly is provided for particle bed reactors. The assembly includes a perforated pipe injector disposed across the particle bed region of the reactor and an inverted V-shaped shield placed over the pipe, overlapping it to prevent descending particles from coming into direct contact with the pipe. The pipe and shield are fixedly secured at one end to the reactor wall and slidably secured at the other end to compensate for thermal expansion. An axially extending housing aligned with the pipe and outside the reactor and an in-line reamer are provided for removing deposits from the inside of the pipe. The assembly enables fluid streams to be injected and distributed uniformly into the particle bed with minimized clogging of injector ports. The same design may also be used for extraction of fluid streams from particle bed reactors.

Abstract: A filter (32) is provided for a medical sterilization container (10) having a port (18,22,24) allowing fluid communication between the interior of container (10) and the surrounding environment. A peripheral frame (44) is adapted to cooperate with the port (18,22,24). A plurality of cross-members (54) span an aperture (48) formed by a frame (44). A filter medium (58) is disposed across the aperture (48) so as to be interposed between the interior of the container and the cross-members (54).

Abstract: A locking device in the shape of a unitary body formed from a bio-degradable material which includes an element with at least one free end formed integral with said body. The severable element is designed to engage and secure a container lock mechanism when the container is in a closed position, whereby the free end of the element is capable of being mechanically or adhesively secured to said unitary body to form a seal, with said device being designed to fracture upon opening of the container lock mechanism thereby providing visible evidence of the lock mechanism being opened.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for maintaining the purity of solid/granular product and dispensing high purity granular product from a vessel. A noncontaminating surface is provided by a cup, cylinder, or other structure having a surface of silicon, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, sialon, or similar materials and preferably operates as an angle of repose valve in a pressurized system to prevent contamination by undue contact of the high purity product with conventional gastight valves such as ball valves, butterfly valves, pinch valves, etc.

Abstract: A medical instrument sterilization container 90 has a housing 12, a removable tray 16 adapted for holding medical instruments and a removable lid 92. Lid 92 has no apertures or other inlets and is sealingly affixed to the housing 12 so that pressure induced positive drainage occurs providing for significantly improved drying.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for maintaining the purity of solid/granular product and dispensing high purity granular product from a vessel. A noncontaminating surface is provided by a cup, cylinder, or other structure having a surface of silicon, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, sialon, or similar materials and preferably operates as an angle of repose valve in a pressurized system to prevent contamination by undue contact of the high purity product with conventional gastight valves such as ball valves, butterfly valves, pinch valves, etc.

Abstract: A packing for a vessel to contact fluid therein wherein the packing comprises a plurality of insert units, each insert unit comprising a plurality of transversely extending elements disposed longitudinally along the insert unit and angularly thereabout wherein a portion of each transverse element lies in close proximity to a first individual conceptual surface characterized in that the insert units are disposed in side-by-side relationship in a regular manner and the cross-sectional area between adjacent individual conceptual surfaces of adjacent insert units at least at one position longitudinally of the plurality of insert units is no greater than the maximum cross-sectional area within an individual conceptual surface of an insert unit between two adjacent transversely extending elements thereof at any cross-section longitudinally of the plurality of units.

Abstract: A medical instruments sterilization container (10) includes a housing (12) and a removable lid (14). A removable tray (16) is adapted to hold various medical instruments to be sterilized. The container is formed of a polymer of relatively low thermal conductivity, with a material having a relatively high thermal conductivity being added thereto in order to substantially increase the overall thermal conductivity of the container to absorb radiant heat and rapidly conduct that heat throughout the container to reduce condensate within the container.

Abstract: In a sterilizing container with a perforated zone which can be covered over in relation to the interior of the container by a filter designed so that it can be displaced and covered over, in order to improve the protection of the filter, on the one hand, and the sealing-off of a bypass under different operating conditions, on the other hand, it is proposed that force elements be used for displacing a covering disc of the filter and the filter itself which change the displacement forces acting on the covering disc and on the filter, respectively, as a function of the temperature.

Abstract: A cassette for dental instruments includes a tray having bottom and a plurality of walls extending to a particular plane, the walls defining first and second generally opposing slots. A lid having a generally planar configuration is adapted to mount on the tray with its outer surface disposed in the particular plane. A fixed tab on the lid is adapted to register with the first slot, while a moveable tab on the lid is slidable between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the moveable tab registers with the second slot.

Abstract: Catalytic regenerators, nozzle designs and processes suitable for introducing regeneration air into a catalytic cracking unit which substantially reduce erosion induced nozzle failures include a plurality of nozzle elements having a roughness defined upon the outside surface of said nozzle elements so as to reduce erosion due to the impact of fluidized catalyst particles within the catalytic regenerator.