Abstract:
A gate valve comprises a valve body having an internal working fluid passage and an internal gate chamber extending transverse to the working fluid passage. In addition, the gate valve comprises a gate disposed in the internal gate chamber and movable within the gate chamber between a closed position obstructing fluid flow through the working fluid passage and an open position allowing fluid flow through the working fluid passage. Further, the gate valve comprises an internal sealing arrangement coaxially disposed in the working fluid passage and extending between the valve body and the gate to form a barrier between the internal working fluid passage and the gate chamber. The internal sealing arrangement includes a frustoconical metal sealing surface adapted to sealingly engage an opposed mating frustoconical metal sealing surface on the valve body to form a first tapered metal-to-metal seal between the sealing arrangement and the valve body.
Abstract:
The invention provides a sanitization tracking and alerting system and method that automatically monitors hand sanitization actions of workers within a facility and reminds them of violations of hand sanitization requirements. The sanitization system may comprise a communications network providing interaction between a central computer with a database and one or more sanitizer dispenser systems, which dispense a sanitizer to the workers upon demand. The sanitizer dispensing system may have a reader for reading an identification device associated with the worker and a motion detector that detects when the worker is in the proximity of the dispensing mechanism. The sanitizer dispenser system may contain logic for determining which one of a number of workers in its vicinity may press a dispensing means, sending that information to the central computer, and activating an audio or visual indicator if the central computer determines that the worker is not sanitized, as determined by the length of time since the last hand sanitization event of the worker or whether or not the worker had done something that would require another hand sanitization action.
Abstract:
Analytical systems and methods that use a modular interface structure for providing an interface between a sample substrate and an analytical unit, where the analytical unit typically has a particular interface arrangement for implementing various analytical and control functions. Using a number of variants for each module of the modular interface structure advantageously provides cost effective and efficient ways to perform numerous tests using a particular substrate or class of substrates with a particular analytical and control systems interface arrangement. Improved optical illumination and detection system for simultaneously analyzing reactions or conditions in multiple parallel microchannels are also provided. Increased throughput and improved emissions detection is provided by the present invention by simultaneously illuminating multiple parallel microchannels at a non-normal incidence using an excitation beam including multiple excitation frequencies, and simultaneously detecting emissions from the substances in the microchannels in a direction normal to the substrate using a detection module with multiple detectors.
Abstract:
A container is provided for shipping and storing a pre-wetted and preconditioned microfluidic “sipper” chip. The container contains both dry compartments and wet compartments. A base contains a fluid-filled reservoir configured to house the capillaries. The opening of the reservoir is sealed with an O-ring. The plastic mount of the chip rests on the base in a dry compartment. The upper surface of the chip contains several wells containing fluid. A gasket is provided with plugs configured to be disposed within and seal the wells. Alternatively, the wells are first sealed with a foil film adhered to the well openings with an adhesive and a gasket is disposed between the foil and a cover, which is removably attached to the base. When the cover is closed, the gasket and O-ring seal the wet compartments to prevent leakage and to slow evaporation.
Abstract:
A new ultra light weight, spring action, stand system for supporting a golf bag is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, the stand system includes a top bracket, a pair of legs, a guide, a wire form, and a footplate. The top bracket is configured for coupling to a top portion of a golf bag. The pair of legs may be pivotably coupled to the top bracket. The guide is for coupling to a bottom portion of the golf bag to restrain lateral movement of the wire form, for example. The wire form is slidably coupled through the guide and engages the legs. The actuation of the wire form moves the legs from a retracted position to an extended position. Finally, the footplate is pivotably mounted to the wire form and is positioned to have a contact point with the ground for actuating the wire form that is behind the plane of the legs. According to other aspects of the present invention, the stand system includes one or more of the following: a bi-planar cut away base to facilitate engagement of the spring mechanism, a double clip and crimped wire form to hold the clip in place at a very high tension, oversized feet to provide increased stability and usability in soft soil conditions, a compact retracted leg arrangement that will not poke or prod the golfer as he/she carries the bag, and a novel femur design that prevents the unsightly occurrence of crossed legs.
Abstract:
A priming unit for a microfluidics device contains a pressurization unit and pressure and temperature detectors as part of a feedback loop that controls the pressure applied by the pressurization unit and the time during which the pressure is applied. This control feature is particularly useful in controlling the exposure time of the microchannels to dyes in the priming liquids since certain dyes tend to adhere to the walls of the channels and produce non-uniform results.
Abstract:
A video network includes public kiosks having digital storage capacity. Centralized inventory control manages the video files stored at individual kiosks or network LANs. A user requests a multimedia file for download, and selects various ancillary files and control features, such as languages, subtitles, control of nudity, etc. The requested file is encrypted according to an encryption key, watermarked, and downloaded from a high-speed port of a public kiosk to a hand-held proprietary high speed memory device of a user. Payment is received at the time of request or at the time of download, and royalties are distributed by the video network to copyright holders. Computer applications or playback devices allow users to store and/or play video files that have been downloaded to a hand-held device while managing and enforcing digital rights of content providers through the watermarking and/or encryption.
Abstract:
The invention provides a system and method for dissolution testing. The system includes multiple dissolution vessels and a dose carrier positioned above the dissolution vessels. The dose carrier holds multiple removable carousels that receive individual doses for dissolution tested. Carousels that receive tablets or sinkers typically have a first configuration, while carousels that receive baskets typically have a second configuration. The two different configurations of carousels are interchangeable on the same dose ring. The system further includes a drive head positioned above the dose carrier, the drive head having a basket arbor and a mixing paddle removably and interchangeably attached. A pipettor integral with the system transfers sample aliquots having volumes in the range of 50 μl to 1 ml from the dissolution vessels to wells of an external receptacle.
Abstract:
A priming unit for a microfluidics device contains a pressurization unit and pressure and temperature detectors as part of a feedback loop that controls the pressure applied by the pressurization unit and the time during which the pressure is applied. This control feature is particularly useful in controlling the exposure time of the microchannels to dyes in the priming liquids since certain dyes tend to adhere to the walls of the channels and produce non-uniform results.
Abstract:
A gate valve comprises a valve body having an internal working fluid passage and an internal gate chamber extending transverse to the working fluid passage. In addition, the gate valve comprises a gate disposed in the internal gate chamber and movable within the gate chamber between a closed position obstructing fluid flow through the working fluid passage and an open position allowing fluid flow through the working fluid passage. Further, the gate valve comprises an internal sealing arrangement coaxially disposed in the working fluid passage and extending between the valve body and the gate to form a barrier between the internal working fluid passage and the gate chamber. The internal sealing arrangement includes a frustoconical metal sealing surface adapted to sealingly engage an opposed mating frustoconical metal sealing surface on the valve body to form a first tapered metal-to-metal seal between the sealing arrangement and the valve body.