Abstract: A fiber spinning device and process for manufacturing a web of fibers including a homogeneous mixture of fibers of different characteristics. Monocomponent fibers of different polymers can be extruded side-by-side from the same die system. Sheath/core bicomponent fibers can be alternated with monocomponent fibers formed of the same core polymer as used in the bicomponent fibers. Bicomponent fibers having a common core polymer and different sheath polymers can be extruded from alternate spinneret orifices in the same die plate. Multiple distribution plates are provided with surface grooves or depressions to direct polymer materials from independent sources to only selected spinneret openings in an array of spinneret openings while maintaining the polymers segregated from each other.

Abstract: A fiber spinning device and process for manufacturing a web of fibers in the nature of a homogeneous mixture of fibers of different characteristics. Monocomponent fibers of different polymers can be extruded side-by-side from the same die system. Sheath/core bicomponent fibers can be alternated with monocomponent fibers formed of the same core polymer as used in the bicomponent fibers. Bicomponent fibers having a common core polymer and different sheath polymers can be extruded from alternate spinneret orifices in the same die plate. Multiple distribution plates are provided with surface grooves or depressions to direct polymer materials from independent sources to only selected spinneret openings in an array of spinneret openings while maintaining the polymers segregated from each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonwoven metal fabric for various uses, such as a filter used for purification of exhaust gas from automobiles or semiconductor manufacturing gas, a catalyst carrier of fuel cell, and so forth, in which the corrosion resistance is improved without compromising the property in terms of pressure loss. The nonwoven metal fabric of the present invention is formed with the metal fibers wherein the relation of the fiber diameter Da at the surface part of the gas inlet side and the fiber diameter Db at the central part of the thickness direction is expressed as the equation Da≧1.5×Db and the fiber diameter Da at the surface part of the gas inlet side is not less than 15 &mgr;m and not more than 60 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A filter system for adsorbing contaminants from an exhaust stream from a molten carbonate fuel cell including a filter substrate, a high surface area inorganic adsorbent secured to the filter substrate by an inorganic binder and an inorganic acid secured to the filter substrate. Also disclosed is a process for preparing the filter system for filtering exhaust gas from the molten carbonate fuel cell and a process for using the filtering system in a molten carbonate fuel cell system.

Abstract: A fiber spinning device and process for manufacturing a web of fibers including a homogeneous mixture of fibers of different characteristics. Monocomponent fibers of different polymers can be extruded side-by-side from the same die system. Sheath/core bicomponent fibers can be alternated with monocomponent fibers formed of the same core polymer as used in the bicomponent fibers. Bicomponent fibers having a common core polymer and different sheath polymers can be extruded from alternate spinneret orifices in the same die plate. Multiple distribution plates are provided with surface grooves or depressions to direct polymer materials from independent sources to only selected spinneret openings in an array of spinneret openings while maintaining the polymers segregated from each other.

Abstract: A smoke filter device for use in medical procedures such as laparoscopy is disclosed, the device comprising a filter housing having an inlet port and first and second side walls, the side walls comprising non-woven media, and a smoke filter capable of filtering smoke from gas, wherein the filter is disposed in the housing.

Abstract: The present invention describes a glass honeycomb structure having a variety of shapes and sizes depending on its ultimate application. Unlike prior art honeycomb structures made from ceramics, the inventive glass honeycomb can be readily bent and/or redrawn. Furthermore, the inventive honeycomb structure is lightweight, yet able to support heavy loads on its end faces. Therefore, the inventive honeycomb can be used as a light-weight support for such objects as mirrors. Other useful properties of the extruded glass honeycomb are its high softening temperature, its transparency to ultraviolet and visible light, and its ability to be redrawn. Embodiments that rely upon one or more of these properties include: a bio-reactor, a membrane reactor, a capillary flow controller, a high efficiency filtration system, in-situ water treatment, high temperature dielectric material, and photonic band gap material.

Abstract: A filter unit for removing particulates in a gas to be treated, which unit includes a gas impermeable bulkhead that forms a channel through which the gas advances in the filter unit at least one round, and a filter member laminated on at least one side surface of the bulkhead without closing the channel. The filter unit or filter of the present invention reduces a load on a harm removing equipment, which in turn lowers the cleaning frequency and markedly prolongs the service life of the equipment.

Abstract: A minipleat synthetic filter assembly is provided. The filter assembly includes a frame assembly and a section of pleated filter media mounted within the frame assembly. The frame assembly includes a plurality of corner members and an equal plurality of side members interconnecting the corner members. The frame assembly may be made in any desired size and shape to accommodate a wide variety of applications. The section of filter media is a sheet of a synthetic nonwoven material folded to form minipleats having a spacing between adjacent peaks of no greater than 20 mm.

Abstract: A filter is provided for coalescing droplets of oil in a stream of gas, comprising an oil coalescing layer of a microfibrous material and a second layer of an oil drainage material located downstream of and in face to face contact with the first layer. The drainage layer is for receiving oil from the coalescing layer and providing a path for oil to flow by gravity from the filter. Oil carry-over is reduced by providing a drainage layer which is a non-woven felt or wadding thermally bonded by bi-component polyester fibers.

Abstract: A pleatable and cleanable filter media (22) that has a HEPA filtration rating. The filter media (22) includes a porous primary filtration layer (22). The primary filtration layer tending to be less than HEPA rated upon being damaged. A first substrate layer (64) attached to said primary filtration layer (62) for maintaining the shape of the filter media (22). The first substrate layer (64) includes a non-woven filtration media and being less than HEPA rated. A second substrate layer (82) attached to the first substrate layer (64) functioning as a secondary filter in the event of damage to the primary filtration layer (62). The second substrate layer (82) includes a non-woven filtration media and being less than HEPA rated.

Abstract: Membrane filters for the collection and detection of air-borne microorganisms are made from gelatin treated with an osmoprotective agent and exhibit the capacity to at least double the number of viable bacteria captured in a given sample relative to conventional gelatin membrane filters.

Abstract: An expansion plug filter assembly adapted to be mounted in an axle spindle for communicating filtered air from an axle to a rotary union assembly in a tire inflation system. The assembly includes a head portion, a body portion, an internal air flow channel extending longitudinally through the head and body portions. A press plate cavity is provided in the head portion of the assembly. A filter unit is carried by the body portion and a press plate is disposed within the press plate cavity. An o-ring mounted in a groove about the head portion provides an airtight seal between the head portion and the interior of the axle spindle. Tightening a plurality of securement bolts embedded in the head portion draws the press plate into the press plate cavity and causes a downstream portion of the head portion of the assembly to expand against the spindle to releasably secure the assembly within the spindle such that air passing therethrough is first caused to flow through the filter unit.

Abstract: The invention is a humidification and filtration mask having an open cell foam reservoir attached to the facial or inner surface of a paper filtration mask. The reservoir provides for evenly wetting the paper mask by capillary action, after being charged with water. The device offers low inspiratory airway resistance compared to other art and is lighter and less costly.

Abstract: Novel heat treatment techniques for improving and optimizing the hydrogen permeability of thin palladium-copper alloy foil membranes and, in particular, Pd/40%Cu alloy membranes.

Abstract: A TEOS trap for controlling TEOS polymerization from reaction furnace effluent in a vacuum pump line a SiO2 CVD process includes a molecular species-selective flow impeding medium that adsorbs and retains TEOS and water molecules from the effluent long enough to consume substantially all the water molecules in TEOS hydrolysis reactions while allowing non-hydrolyzed TEOS, ethylene, and other gaseous byproducts to pass through the trap and retaining solid and liquid phase SiO2-rich TEOS polymers formed by the hydrolysis reactions in the trap for subsequent removal and disposal. The molecular species-selective flow impeding medium has a plurality of adsorption surfaces to make a surface density that performs the TEOS and water flow impeding function and solid and liquid phase TEOS polymer trapping function.

Abstract: Low-boron, high-barium glass compositions and fine-diameter glass fibers for forming clean room HEPA and ULPA filters, are provided. The compositions and resulting glass fibers preferably comprise a low concentration, less than about 1 weight percent, of boric oxide, a relatively high concentration of barium, such as from about 5.5 to about 18 weight percent barium oxide, and a concentration of alkali oxide ranging from about 10 to about 14.5 weight percent. Alumina is preferably present in the glass fiber compositions and the resulting glass fibers in a range of from about 4 weight percent to about 8 weight percent, and calcium oxide and magnesium oxide are preferably present in a range of from about 1 weight percent to about 6 weight percent and from about 0 weight percent to about 3.5 weight percent, respectively. The glass fiber compositions also preferably include from about 2 to about 6 weight percent zinc oxide, from about 0.1 to about 1.

Abstract: An arrangement for separating a hydrophobic liquid phase from a gaseous stream includes a coalescer filter, a housing, a gas flow direction arrangement, and a liquid collection arrangement. The coalescer filter includes a non-woven media of fibers. The housing includes an interior having a gas flow inlet and a gas flow outlet. The liquid collection arrangement is positioned within the housing construction and is oriented for receiving liquid collected from the coalescer filter and drained therefrom. Methods for conducting the separations are also provided.

Abstract: A filter mask is provided for use in environments of smoke and toxic gas which includes a filter element having a filling of shiftable bodies coated with a flowable, aloe vera extract having a gel-like viscosity and a retainer for holding the filter element over the mouth and nose of the wearer. The coating has a pH level which is alkaline which aids in the reduction of toxic gases such as hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride and acrolein inhaled by the wearer. The filter element is preferably replacably mounted to the retainer, and may be provided as a bag-like flexible fabric container adapted to shift so as to conform to the face of the wearer. The filter element itself is adaptable to a variety of different uses for removing smoke particulates and toxic gases from air flowing therethrough.

Abstract: Activated carbon filters containing transition metals, are prepared by (a) exchanging the transition metal with a cellulose ion exchange material to produce a cellulose material containing the transition metal; (b) charring of the product of (a); activating the product of (b) to form an activated carbon filter having a pore network throughout; and removing surface carbon substantially throughout the pore network of the filter formed in (c). Methods of filtering an atmosphere containing a gaseous contaminant by passing the contaminated atmosphere through a filter made by this process are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing high concentration ozone gas, characterized by employing a pressure swing adsorbing apparatus having a plurality of adsorbing layers filled with ozone adsorbent, in which the ozone adsorbent is one or two or more kinds of adsorbent selected from the group consisting of high silica pentasyl zeolite, dealuminized fogersite, and mesoporous silicate.

Abstract: A dual- or multi-layer filter medium for air filtration, having at least one meltblown layer (2, 2a and 5) at least one meltblown layer (2 and 2a) is placed on the inlet side of the filter medium. The meltblown layer has a pore size larger than that of the next following layer or layers.

Abstract: A composite filtration medium web of fibers containing a controlled dispersion of a mixture of sub-micron and greater than sub-micron diameter polymeric fibers is described. The filtration medium is made by a two dimensional array of cells, each of which produces a single high velocity two-phase solids-gas jet of discontinuous fibers entrained in air. The cells are arranged so that the individual jets are induced to collide in flight with neighboring jets in their region of fiber formation, to cause the individual nascent fibers of adjacent jets to deform and become entangled with and partially wrap around each other at high velocity and in a localized fine scale manner before they have had an opportunity to cool to a relatively rigid state. The cells are individually adjusted to control the mean diameters, lengths and trajectories of the fibers they produce.

Abstract: The technique of the present invention enhances the separation efficiency and the production efficiency of hydrogen in a hydrogen production system for fuel cells, while reducing the size of the whole fuel gas production system. In the fuel gas production system of the present invention, a hydrocarbon compound is subjected to multi-step chemical processes including a reforming reaction, a shift reaction, and a CO oxidation to give a hydrogen-rich fuel gas. Gaseous hydrogen produced through the reforming reaction is separated by a hydrogen separation membrane having selective permeability to hydrogen. The residual gas after the separation of hydrogen has a low hydrogen partial pressure and undergoes the shift reaction at the accelerated rate. The hydrogen-rich processed gas obtained through the shift reaction and the CO oxidation joins with the separated hydrogen and is supplied to fuel cells.

Abstract: Novel boron-free glass compositions are described which are particularly suited for making fine diameter glass fibers for HEPA electronic clean-room filtration media using flame-attenuation or rotary glass processing.

Abstract: A TEOS trap for controlling TEOS polymerization from reaction furnace effluent in a vacuum pump line a SiO2 CVD process includes a molecular species-selective flow impeding medium that adsorbs and retains TEOS and water molecules from the effluent long enough to consume substantially all the water molecules in TEOS hydrolysis reactions while allowing non-hydrolyzed TEOS, ethylene, and other gaseous byproducts to pass through the trap and retaining solid and liquid phase SiO2-rich TEOS polymers formed by the hydrolysis reactions in the trap for subsequent removal and disposal. The molecular species-selective flow impeding medium has a plurality of adsorption surfaces to make a surface density that performs the TEOS and water flow impeding fuction and solid and liquid phase TEOS polymer trapping function.

Abstract: A filter unit for exchangeable insertion in a housing of a filter system having a supporting component for supporting a filter unit in the housing; a multiplicity of individual, hollow filter elements wherein each filter element has an outer afflux surface for fluid to be filtered and an open surface portion for the outflow of filtered fluid from an interior of the filter element; and a casting resin. The hollow filter elements are united with the supporting component in such a manner that the filter elements are located substantially in their entirety on the second side of the supporting component. The filter elements are inherently stable filter elements composed with porously sintered together particles. The unification of the filter elements and the supporting component is effected by the casting resin covering the filter elements with a height of at least 1 cm.

Abstract: A multi-passage capillary arrangement can be formed from ductile glass material into an assembly that has an essentially round outer cross section and multiple capillary passages with diameters of 250 micrometers or less. The multiple capillary assembly provides multiple capillary sized passages of a regularly recurring shape in a single cohesive bundle. The round outer cross section facilitates the use of the multiple capillary by providing a suitable surface for connections. The multiple capillary arrangement can be made by a method that provides uniform or nearly uniform capillary passages throughout the arrangement. The capillaries are useful for chromatograph applications and as flow restrictors.

Abstract: There is provided a vacuum cleaner filer bag including at least two sidewalls which sidewalls are joined by seams. At least one first sidewall comprises a film laminate of a heat sealable film layer and a film support layer. At least one second sidewall comprises a filter laminate comprising at least a synthetic fiber filter layer and synthetic fiber support layer where the at least one first sidewall is joined to adjacent sidewalls by thermal seams. The filter layer is preferably a high efficiency microfiber filter media which provides HEPA level performance for the vacuum cleaner bag.

Abstract: A filter assembly for removing soot from gas from an engine includes a housing and a filter disposed in the housing. The housing includes a housing body and a cover disposed on the housing body. The housing body has an inlet connection to a gas line of an engine and an outlet. The cover is removable from the housing body without breaking fluid lines to the inlet or the outlet. In one embodiment, a soot filter for removing soot particles from bleed gas from a engine includes a sintered fiber metal medium having a voids volume of about 50% to about 95% and including metal fibers having a diameter about 20 microns to about 100 microns and a nominal length of at least about 100 microns, the sintered fiber metal medium having an upstream surface communicating with bleed gas containing soot particles, a downstream surface communicating with filtered bleed gas, and a bore extending through the sintered fiber metal medium between the upstream surface and the downstream surface.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a solid material in the form of a microperforated sheet transparent to light of wavelengths in the visible and infrared, characterized in that the mean distance between two immediately neighbouring perforations is at least 5, and preferably 7 .mu.m, and is so over each face of the material. Preferably, the mean angle of inclination of the perforations through the thickness of the material is less than 10.degree., even 5.degree.. In a particular embodiment, the material is a membrane produced from a flexible polymer film with a thickness lying between 0.1 and 100 .mu.m, more generally between 5 and 50 .mu.m, and the perforation diameters lying between 0.01 and 15 .mu.m. The membranes obtained according to the invention are particularly useful as support membranes for viewing in an optical microscope or in infrared spectroscopy. They may also be used as filter membranes or, amongst other applications, as a support for cell culture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter arrangement including a pleated nonwoven layer for use as a motor vehicle interior filter. The nonwoven layer is in the form of a single-layer, self-supporting micro-spunbonded fabric, the weight per unit area thereof being between 70 g/m.sup.2 and 200 g/m.sup.2, preferably between 110 g/m.sup.2 and 150 g/m.sup.2, the thickness thereof being between 0.7 and 1.5 mm, and the fibre thickness being between 2 and 20 .mu.m with an average fibre thickness of 3 to 5 .mu.m.

Abstract: A liquid-injected compressor with at least two cooperating compressor elements (2 and 3) is provided. The compressor elements are mounted in a housing (1). At least one of the compressor elements is rotatable and is bearing-mounted with a shaft end (7, 8, 13, 14) in the housing (1). The compressor is provided with an inlet (22) and an outlet (17-18-19) which are connected to the inside of the housing (1). The shaft end (14) of the rotatable compressor element (3) is situated in the outlet (17-18-19) in the housing (1). At least one body (20 or 41), made of material which is permeable to gas, is fixed on this shaft (14), forming a filter which practically entirely seals the outlet (17-18-19) and only lets the compressed gas through.

Abstract: Provided is a filter favorably used in high-temperature long-term exposure conditions, for example, in coal boilers, cupola furnaces for steel and cast iron production, cement kilns, aggregate drying furnaces, furnaces for non-iron metals, etc. For the filter, provided are a filter material comprising a web or a web and its support, which contains a polycyanoaryl ether in an amount of not smaller than 5% by weight relative to the weight of the filter material; and a filter material comprising a substrate of polycyanoaryl ether fibers or of polycyanoaryl ether fibers and other organic fibers, and a web of at least one type of fibers selected from polycyanoaryl ether fibers and other organic fibers, wherein the amount of the polycyanoaryl ether fibers is not smaller than 5% by weight relative to the total weight of the substrate and the web.

Abstract: An effluent treatment system for removing effluent gases from a gas stream including a packing having a plurality of randomly arranged elements of calcareous material. The elements may be spent shells of shellfish, especially half mussel shells and have a liquid retention portion which may form an individual liquid reservoir depending on the orientation of the element with the packing. Suitable bacteria are retained in at least some of the reservoirs. The system may be operated as a biofilter or a bioscrubber.

Abstract: A column packing for use in the scrubbing of gases by aqueous liquid, the packing comprising material that is electrically conductive and material that is non-conductive with such materials being intimately mixed with each other, such that the packing as a whole provides the gas-liquid surface for absorption and the conductive material in particular serves as a bipolar electrode for electrolysis.

Abstract: Porous materials suitable for a variety of uses including waterproof/breathable fabrics, air filters, liquid filters, liquid/liquid separation membranes, vascular grafts, mechanical seals, etc. which comprises an intimate combination of about 50 to 99.9 wt % polytetrafluoroethylene polymer and about 0.1 to 50 wt % of a fluorinated organic polymer which is liquid under ambient conditions, such as the perfluoroether fluids, wherein the material has a microstructure characterized by nodes interconnected by fibrils.

Abstract: An air cleaning apparatus for vehicles includes an ozone generator, diffusing plate, and activated charcoal filter, which are disposed sequentially from the upstream side of air flow in an air cleaning duct. The activated charcoal filter contains acid treated activated charcoal and alkali treated activated charcoal. Thus, in the air cleaning apparatus for vehicles, the ozone generator oxidizes ammonia and acetaldehyde and then absorbs and removes the products by acid activated charcoal and alkali activated charcoal. As a result, ammonia, acetaldehyde and acetic acid which are bad odor components of cigarette smoke can be removed sufficiently and effectively.

Abstract: Nonevaporable getter alloys containing Zr, Co, and a third component A selected from the rare each metals and mixtures thereof, e.g., mischmetal. A most preferred alloy contains about 80.8 wt % Zr, about 14.2 wt % Co, and about 5 wt % A. These alloys are advantageous because they are suitable for general use, i.e., they have a relatively low activation temperature, are capable of sorbing a wide variety of gases, and minimize the environmental and safety risks associated with known nonevaporable getter alloys.

Abstract: An effluent gas stream treatment system for treatment of gaseous effluents such as waste gases from semiconductor manufacturing operations. The effluent gas stream treatment system comprises a pre-oxidation treatment unit, which may for example comprise a scrubber, an oxidation unit such an electrothermal oxidizer, and a post-oxidation treatment unit, such as a wet or dry scrubber. The effluent gas stream treatment system of the invention may utilize an integrated oxidizer, quench and wet scrubber assembly, for abatement of hazardous or otherwise undesired components from the effluent gas stream. Gas or liquid shrouding of gas streams in the treatment system may be provided by high efficiency inlet structures.

Abstract: A clog-resistant inlet structure for introducing a particulate solids-containing and/or solids-Forming gas stream to a gas processing system. The structure is composed of a gas-permeable wall enclosing a gas flow path, and an outer annular jacket circumscribing the gas-permeable wall to define an annular gas reservoir therebetween. The clog-resistant inlet structure is constructed, arranged, and operated so as to introduce a gas into the annular gas reservoir during the flow of the particulate solids-containing and/or solids-forming gas stream to a gas processing system through such inlet structure at a pressure sufficient to combat the deposition or formation of solids on the interior surface of the gas-permeable wall. The inlet structure may further optionally include a downstream annular section in which the wall surface bounding the gas stream is blanketed with a falling liquid film, to combat solids deposition or formation on the blanketed wall surface.

Abstract: An installation for the treatment of fluid having a receptacle (1) defining a non-vertical portion of a path for fluid through at least two adjacent masses (A; B; C) of particulate materials, typically different from each other, each mass being in direct contact with its neighbor or neighbors, without the interposition of a separating grid. The installation is particularly useful for the separation or drying of air.

Abstract: A water-soluble, biodegradable filter medium for removing entrained solid and/or liquid particles from an air stream, and a method of use thereof are disclosed. The filter medium is a solid solution of starch and a biodegradable, water-soluble synthetic polymer. After use, the filter medium is disposed of in an environmentally sound fashion. In particular, the filter medium is dissolved in water and the solid and/or liquid particles collected thereon are removed from the resulting aqueous solution of starch and polymer by decantation and the polymer and starch biodegraded using a conventional biological water treatment process.

Abstract: Improved anisotropic fluid separation membranes are prepared from blends of polymers with surface energy differences. The membranes are formulated by processes wherein low surface energy polymer with desirable fluid separation and permeation characteristics is preferentially concentrated in the surface discriminating layer of the membrane.

Abstract: Polymers capable of reversibly complexing carbon dioxide and other acid gases and a method of producing such polymers are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the present polymers incorporate amine groups capable of reversibly complexing carbon dioxide to produce an environmentally safe foamed polymer product. Because the reaction of an amine and CO.sub.2 is a reversible reaction, and because the amines are incorporated into the polymer backbone, the foamed polymers can be reverted to foamable polymers simply by collection, washing, granulating, and re-exposure to CO.sub.2. The polymers are environmentally desirable as carbon dioxide is non-toxic and is easily isolated from the atmosphere. Moreover, the process recycles the gas continually, rather than generating new gases.

Abstract: Porous materials suitable for a variety of uses including waterproof/breathable fabrics, air filters, liquid filters, liquid/liquid separation membranes, vascular grafts, mechanical seals, etc. which comprises an intimate combination of about 50 to 99.9 wt % polytetrafluoroethylene polymer and about 0.1 to 50 wt % of a fluorinated organic polymer which is liquid ambient conditions, such as the perfluoroether fluids, in the material has a microstructure characterized by nodes connected by fibrils.

Abstract: A face mask for covering a wearer's mouth, nose or both, with a single layer non-entraining filter medium which repulses or rejects particulate matter rather than catching or entraining particulate matter.

Abstract: A clog-resistant inlet structure for introducing a particulate solids-containing and/or solids-forming gas stream to a gas processing system, including: a gas-permeable wall enclosing a gas flow path, and an outer annular jacket circumscribing the gas-permeable wall to define an annular gas reservoir therebetween; and a flow passage for introducing a gas into the annular gas reservoir during the flow of the particulate solids-containing and/or solids-forming gas stream to a gas processing system through such inlet structure at a pressure sufficient to cause the gas to permeate through the gas-permeable wall to combat the deposition or formation of solids on the interior surface of the gas-permeable wall. The inlet structure may further optionally include a downstream annular section in which the wall surface bounding the gas stream is blanketed with a falling liquid film, to combat solids deposition or formation on the blanketed wall surface.

Abstract: Polyarylene ethers are employed as filter material for removing NO.sub.2 from gases and liquids. In the presence of an oxidizing agent having a redox potential of at least 0.96 V SHE, NO can also be removed. The filter material is used to produce NO.sub.2 -free gases, for example in the medical sector.

Abstract: A hollow body with an internal supporting frame (10) which is connected to a housing (14) at at least two contact points. The housing and the supporting frame are made of synthetic resin material with the housing, which is produced by blow molding, enclosing the supporting frame.