Author: claimsbot

1. An apparatus for the extraction of a solvent from a first solution using osmosis comprising:
a. a first chamber having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of the first chamber being connected to a source of the first solution;
b. a semi-permeable membrane separating the first chamber from a second chamber;
c. the second chamber having an inlet and a first and second outlet;
d. a third chamber having an inlet to receive a solvent-enriched second solution from the first outlet of the second chamber and a reagent from the second outlet of the second chamber and having an outlet;
e. a filter for filtering the solvent-enriched second solution connected to the outlet of the third chamber, the filter having a first and second outlet, the first outlet is connected to the inlet of the second chamber in order to recycle a precipitated solute to the second chamber; and
f. a fourth chamber receiving the solvent-enriched second solution from the second outlet of the filter, having a heater for heating a solvent-enriched second solution to decompose any remaining solute into its constituent gasses, a first outlet for returning the constituent gasses to the inlet of the second chamber, and a second outlet by which the final product exits the apparatus.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filter comprises a hydrocyclone, sedimentation tank, column filter, or screen filter.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first outlet for the fourth chamber incorporates a device for generating airflow.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the device for generating an airflow comprises a vacuum or a fan.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heater is comprised of at least one of a solar collector, geothermal collector, electrical heater, steam condenser, heat exchanger, and heat circulator.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for applying an external pressure to the first solution to increase the amount of solvent drawn from the first solution through the membrane and into the second solution.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising recycling means for recycling solutes from at least one of the third chamber or the fourth chamber back into the second chamber to maintain a desired concentration of the second solution in the second chamber.
8. An apparatus for the extraction of a solvent from a first solution using osmosis, the apparatus comprising:
a first chamber for receiving a first solution;
a second chamber for receiving a second solution;
a semi-permeable membrane disposed intermediate and coupling the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the semi-permeable membrane allows solvent from the first chamber to pass through to the second chamber, thereby producing a solvent-enriched second solution in the second chamber; and
solute removing means, coupled to the second chamber, for removing soluble species of solute from the solvent-enriched second solution to obtain only the solvent, wherein the solute removing means comprises a precipitator for precipitating solute out of the solvent-enriched second solution, and a heater means, fluidly coupled to the precipitator, for heating the solvent-enriched second solution; wherein the remaining solute in the solvent-enriched second solution is decomposed into its constituents gases and the constituent gases are vaporized out of the solvent-enriched second solution.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the solute removing means comprises a filtration device, coupled to the precipitator, for filtering precipitated solute from the solvent-enriched second solution.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, comprising means for applying an external pressure to the first solution to increase the amount of solvent drawn from the first solution through the membrane and into the second solution.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising recycling means for recycling solutes from the solute removing means back into the second chamber;
whereby a desired concentration of the second solution is maintained in the second chamber.
12. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising recycling means for recycling gasses from the solvent-enriched second solution back into the second chamber; and
means for permitting the gasses to move between the second chamber and the precipitator;
whereby a desired concentration of the second solution is maintained in the second chamber.
13. The apparatus of claim 8, comprising means for applying an external pressure to the first solution to increase the amount of solvent drawn from the first solution through the membrane and into the second solution.
14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first chamber includes an inlet connected to a source of the first solution and the second chamber includes an inlet connected to a source of the second solution.
15. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising recycling means for recycling solutes from the solute removing means back into the second chamber;
whereby a desired concentration of the second solution is maintained in the second chamber.
16. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising recycling means for recycling gasses from the solvent-enriched second solution back into the second chamber;
whereby a desired concentration of the second solution is maintained in the second chamber.
17. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising recycling means for recycling gasses from the solvent-enriched second solution back into the second chamber; and
means for permitting the gasses to move between the second chamber and the precipitator;
whereby a desired concentration of the second solution is maintained in the second chamber.
18. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are contained within a single vessel that is partitioned into two chambers by the semi-permeable membrane.
19. An apparatus for the extraction of a solvent from a first solution using osmosis, the apparatus comprising:
a first chamber for receiving a first solution;
a second chamber for receiving a second solution;
a semi-permeable membrane disposed intermediate and coupling the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the semi-permeable membrane allows solvent from the first chamber to pass through to the second chamber, thereby producing a solvent-enriched second solution in the second chamber;
one or more chambers coupled to the second chamber for removing soluble species of solute from the solvent-enriched second solution to obtain only the solvent, comprising:
a third chamber for precipitating solute out of the solvent-enriched second solution; and
a heating chamber coupled to the third chamber for heating the solvent-enriched second solution, wherein solute remaining in the solvent-enriched second solution is decomposed into its constituent gasses and the constituent gasses are vaporized out of the solvent-enriched second solution.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a filtration device, coupled to the third chamber, for filtering precipitated solute from the solvent-enriched second solution.
21. The apparatus of claim 19, comprising means for applying an external pressure to the first solution to increase the amount of solvent drawn from the first solution through the membrane and into the second solution.
22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first chamber includes an inlet connected to a source of the first solution and the second chamber includes an inlet connected to a source of the second solution.
23. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising recycling means for recycling solutes from the third chamber back into the second chamber;
whereby a desired concentration of the second solution is maintained in the second chamber.
24. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising recycling means for recycling gasses from the heating chamber back into the second chamber;
whereby a desired concentration of the second solution is maintained in the second chamber.
25. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising recycling means for recycling gasses from the heating chamber back into the second chamber; and
means for permitting the gasses to move between the second chamber and the third chamber;
whereby a desired concentration of the second solution is maintained in the second chamber.
26. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are contained within a single vessel that is partitioned into two chambers by the semi-permeable membrane.
27. An apparatus for the extraction of a solvent from a first solution using osmosis, the apparatus comprising:
a first chamber for receiving a first solution;
a second chamber for receiving a second solution;
a semi-permeable membrane disposed intermediate and coupling the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the semi-permeable membrane allows solvent from the first chamber to pass through to the second chamber, thereby producing a solvent-enriched second solution in the second chamber;
one or more chambers coupled to the second chamber for removing soluble species of solute from the solvent-enriched second solution to obtain only the solvent, comprising:
a third chamber for precipitating solute out of the solvent-enriched second solution;
a filtration device, coupled to the third chamber, for filtering precipitated solute from the solvent-enriched second solution; and
a heating chamber, coupled to the filtration device, for heating the solvent-enriched second solution, wherein solute remaining in the solvent-enriched second solution is decomposed into its constituent gasses and the constituent gasses are vaporized out of the solvent-enriched second solution.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, comprising means for applying an external pressure to the first solution to increase the amount of solvent drawn from the first solution through the membrane and into the second solution.
29. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising recycling means for recycling solutes from the third chamber back into the second chamber;
whereby a desired concentration of the second solution is maintained in the second chamber.
30. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising recycling means for recycling gasses from the heating chamber back into the second chamber; and
means for permitting the gasses to move between the second chamber and the third chamber;
whereby a desired concentration of the second solution is maintained in the second chamber.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1-16. (canceled)
17. An aqueous teeth whitening composition comprising:
a. a bleaching agent;
b. an acrylate; and
c. an amino alcohol
wherein the amino alcohol is a primary or secondary amino alcohol, has a carbon chain of from three to eight carbon atoms and is provided in molar excess of the acrylate.
18. A composition according to claim 17, wherein the composition is in the form of a gel formed between the acrylate and amine.
19. A composition according to claim 17, wherein the volume ratio of amino alcohol to acrylate is between 5:1 and 500:1.
20. A composition according to claim 17, wherein the amino alcohol comprises a primary amine having four carbon centers.
21. A composition according to claim 17, wherein the amino alcohol has the general formula R1(NH2)\u2014CH2OH; or H2N\u2014R2OH; or H2N\u2014R3OH\u2014R4, where:
R1 represents CH3\u2014(CH2)n\u2014CH, where n=1, 2, 3, 4 or 5;
R2 represents (CH2)n, where n=3, 4, 5, 6 or 7;
R3 represents (CH2)n\u2014CH, where n=1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; and
R4 represents CH3.
22. A composition according to claim 17, wherein the bleaching agent is hydrogen peroxide.
23. A composition according to claim 17 further comprising a bioactive glass.
24. A method of whitening teeth comprising applying a composition according to claim 17 to at least one tooth.
25. A teeth whitening composition comprising:
a. a bleaching agent;
b. an acrylate; and
c. an amine,
wherein the amine is a primary or secondary amine and wherein the amine is provided in molar excess of the acrylate.
26. A composition according to claim 25, wherein the amine is an amino alcohol.
27. A composition according to claim 25, wherein the amine has a carbon chain of from three to eight carbon atoms.
28. A composition according to claim 25, wherein the composition is in the form of a gel formed between the acrylate and amine.
29. A composition according to claim 25, wherein the volume ratio of amine to acrylate is between 5:1 and 500:1.
30. A composition according to claim 25, wherein the bleaching agent is hydrogen peroxide.
31. A composition according to claim 25, further comprising a bioactive glass.
32. A method of whitening teeth comprising applying a composition according to claim 25 to at least one tooth.
33. A two-part teeth whitening composition comprising a first solution including a bleaching agent and an acrylate and a second solution including an amine, wherein in use the first and second solutions are mixed together in a ratio between 1:5 and 5:1 to form a polypeptide gel, wherein the amine is a primary or secondary amine, and wherein the amine is provided in molar excess of the acrylate.
34. A composition according to claim 33, wherein the amine is an amino alcohol.
35. A composition according to claim 33, wherein the amine has a carbon chain of from three to eight carbon atoms.
36. A composition according to claim 33, wherein the ratio of amine to acrylate is between 5:1 and 500:1.
37. A composition according to claim 33, wherein the bleaching agent is hydrogen peroxide.
38. A composition according to claim 34, wherein the amino alcohol comprises a primary amine having four carbon centers.
39. A composition according to claim 34, wherein the amino alcohol has the general formula R1(NH2)\u2014CH2OH; or H2N\u2014R2OH; or H2N\u2014R3OH\u2014R4, where:
R1 represents CH3\u2014(CH2)n\u2014CH, where n=1, 2, 3, 4 or 5;
R2 represents (CH2)n, where n=3, 4, 5, 6 or 7;
R3 represents (CH2)n\u2014CH, where n=1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; and
R4 represents CH3.
40. A composition according to claim 33, wherein the first solution and second solution are mixed in a ratio between 1:4 and 4:1.
41. A composition according to claim 33, wherein the bleaching agent is present at a concentration of 3-50 volumevolume % of the first solution.
42. A composition according to claim 33, wherein the amine is present at a concentration of 50-100 volumevolume % of the second solution.
43. A composition according to claim 33, wherein the acrylate is present at a concentration of 1-2 volumevolume % of the first solution.
44. A composition according to claim 33, further comprising a bioactive glass.
45. A method of whitening teeth comprising applying a composition according to claim 33 to at least one tooth.
46. A method of whitening teeth comprising the steps of:
mixing a first solution including a bleaching agent and an acrylate with a second solution including an amine in a ratio between 1:5 and 5:1 to form a polypeptide gel wherein the amine is a primary or secondary amine, and wherein the amine is provided in molar excess of the acrylate; and
applying the polypeptide gel to at least one tooth.
47. A method according to claim 46, wherein the amine is an amino alcohol.
48. A method according to claim 46, wherein the amine has a carbon chain of from three to eight carbon atoms.
49. A method according to claim 46, wherein the ratio of amine to acrylate is between 5:1 and 500:1.
50. A method according to claim 46 further comprising use of a dual-barrelled syringe, wherein the first solution is located in a first barrel of the syringe and the second solution is located in a second barrel of the syringe.

1. A method of producing glass pipettes or glass capillaries, for patch-clamp experiments comprising:
fixing at least one glass pipette or glass capillary, which has a conical tip and tubular section adjoining the tip in a retaining device,
introducing the fixed glass pipette into a thermal-radiation field of a heating device, wherein the fixed glass pipette is moved into the thermal-radiation field of the heating device with the aid of a positioning device,
softening or optionally melting the glass pipette at least in a region of the tip at a base surface of the cone and, optionally, in a part of the tubular section which adjoins the tip, the softening operation taking place in sections,
prior to the softening operation andor in the softened state, subjecting the interior of the glass pipette to a gas pressure such that the diameter of the pipette between the base surface of the cone and the tubular section of the glass pipette widens abruptly over a short length, to a larger diameter than that at the base surface to a diameter of at least 100 \u03bcm,
removing the widened glass pipette from the thermal-radiation field of the heating device, the glass pipette being moved out of the thermal-radiation field with the aid of the positioning device, wherein
abrupt widening of the diameter of the glass pipette is monitored and controlled with an optical observation device.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the glass pipette is transferred into the retaining device directly from an apparatus for drawing such glass pipettes.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, upon introduction and upon removal from the thermal-radiation field, the fixed glass pipette is moved essentially only axially in its longitudinal direction, with the positioning device.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, following softening in the thermal-radiation field, the glass pipette is moved back essentially into a starting position, in which it was located prior to being introduced into the thermal-radiation field.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a continuous gas pressure is built up in the interior of the glass pipette.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein various longitudinal sections of the glass pipette are introduced one after the other into the thermal-radiation field and widened when subjected to gas pressure, wherein the length of the resulting widened contour of the glass pipette in axial direction is greater than the extent of the thermal-radiation field in the axial direction.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, to monitor and control abrupt widening of the diameter, change in the outer contour of the glass pipette is observed, with values being determined for change in dimensions of the glass pipette at predefined locations.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein values are determined for at least one diameter of the glass pipette at a fixed distance from the tip of the glass pipette.
9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the value is determined for a length of the tip between the base surface and top surface of the cone.
10. An apparatus for producing glass pipettes or glass capillaries (1), in particular for patch-clamp experiments, having
a retaining device (2) for fixing the glass pipette (1),
a heating device (3) for softening, in particular melting, regions of the glass pipette with the aid of a thermal-radiation field,
a positioning device for the controlled movement and positioning of the glass pipette, at least in the axial direction thereof, in relation to the heating device, it preferably being possible for the retaining device to be moved with the aid of this positioning device,
a device for subjecting the interior of the glass pipette to a gas pressure in a defined manner,
an observation device (4) for the optical observation of the glass pipette, in particular of the region of the tip of the glass pipette, as the glass pipette is heated up and subjected to gas pressure, and
a controlmonitoring device for selecting and influencing the parameters of the method implemented by the apparatus, in particular for influencing the temperature in the heating device, the gas pressure and the movement of the positioning device.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the retaining device (2) is a clamping means.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the glass pipette can be fixed in a pressure-tight manner in the retaining device.
13. The apparatus as claimed claim 10, characterized in that the heating device (3) is a so-called heating filament.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the heating device (3), in particular the heating filament, is of U-shaped design and, accordingly, at least partially encloses the glass pipette around its outer circumference.
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the heating device (3), in particular the heating filament, is positioned obliquely in relation to the longitudinal direction of the glass pipette, preferably at an angle of approximately 45\xb0.
16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the heating output of the heating device is current-controlled.
17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the device for subjecting the interior of the glass pipette to a gas pressure in a defined manner is designed for subjecting the glass pipette to pressure on a continuous basis.
18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the observation device is a measuring microscope (6) with a CCD camera (7).
19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the controlmonitoring device comprises an image-processing system, with the aid of which it is possible to track the change in the outer contour of the glass pipette as the latter is heated up and subjected to pressure.
20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, further characterized by a device for drawing glass pipettes or glass capillaries.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An ink delivery regulation apparatus, comprising:
an ink chamber configured to contain a quantity of ink;
a support configured to be coupled to said ink chamber; and
a resilient deflection member coupled to said support, said resilient deflection member extending into said ink chamber and occupying a volume thereof, said resilient deflection member being configured to resiliently deflect between a generally concave shape and a generally convex shape in response to a change in a negative pressure in said ink exterior to said resilient deflection member, said resilient deflection member comprising a plurality of pressure tuned panels disposed at angles with respect to each other.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said support is configured to sealingly engage said ink chamber.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said resilient deflection member comprises first, second, and third pressure tuned panels.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said second panel is coupled to said support, said second panel being initially at a first angle relative to said first panel, at a second angle relative to said support, and at a third angle relative to said third panel.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said deflection member comprises an elastomeric material.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, where said elastomeric material comprises EPDMButyl.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said resilient deflection member is of substantially uniform thickness.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said deflection member is configured to change shape in response to a change in ambient conditions so as to maintain said negative pressure within predetermined limits.
9. An ink delivery apparatus, comprising:
an ink chamber; and
a pressure regulation member having a support configured to be coupled to said ink chamber and a resilient deflection member extending from said support and into said ink chamber occupying a volume thereof, said resilient deflection member being configured to resiliently deflect between a generally concave shape and a generally convex shape in response to a change in a negative pressure in said ink chamber exterior to said resilient deflection member, said resilient deflection member comprising a plurality of pressure tuned panels disposed at angles with respect to each other.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a fitment associated with said ink chamber.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said fitment is configured to couple with a print head.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a bubble generator associated with said chamber.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said bubble generator is configured to limit said negative pressure within said chamber to a pressure equivalent to about 6\u2033 of water column during an operational period of said apparatus.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said bubble generator is disposed in said fitment.
15. An ink delivery apparatus, comprising:
a plurality of ink chambers; and
a plurality of pressure regulation members, each a pressure regulation member being attached to a support that is configured to be coupled to said ink chambers, each pressure regulation member configured to be positioned within an ink chamber and comprising a resilient deflection member, said resilient deflection member being configured to resiliently deflect between a generally concave shape and a generally convex shape in response to a change in negative pressure.
16. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of ink chambers.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of pressure regulation members associated with said chambers.
18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said plurality of ink chambers is configured to contain a plurality of differently colored inks.
19. An ink delivery apparatus, comprising:
a plurality of ink chambers; and
an integral pressure regulation assembly having a plurality of pressure regulation members corresponding to said plurality of ink chambers, said assembly being configured to couple to said plurality of ink chambers;
wherein each pressure regulation member is configured to be positioned within one of said plurality of ink chambers and includes a resilient deflection member, said resilient deflection member being configured to resiliently deflect between a generally concave shape and a generally convex shape in response to a change in negative pressure, said resilient deflection member comprising a plurality of pressure tuned panels disposed at angles with respect to each other.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said plurality of ink chambers is configured to contain a plurality of differently colored inks.
21. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a fitment associated with said ink chamber.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said fitment is configured to couple with a print head.
23. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a bubble generator associated with said chamber.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said bubble generator is configured to limit said negative pressure within said chamber to a pressure equivalent to about 6\u2033 of water column during an operational period of said apparatus.
25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said bubble generator is disposed in said fitment.
26. A printing device, comprising:
an ink chamber configured to contain a quantity of ink; and
a pressure regulation member having
a support coupled to said ink chamber;
a resilient deflection member extending from said support into said ink chamber and occupying a volume thereof, said resilient deflection member being configured to resiliently deflect between a generally concave shape and a generally convex shape in response to a change in a negative pressure in said ink chamber exterior to said resilient deflection member, said resilient deflection member comprising a plurality of pressure tuned panels disposed at angles with respect to each other;
a fitment coupled to said ink chamber;

a bubble generator in communication with said ink chamber;
a print head coupled to said ink chamber.
27. The device of claim 26, wherein said pressure tuned panels comprise first, second, and third pressure tuned panels, wherein said second panel is coupled to said support, said second panel being initially at a first angle relative to said first panel, at a second angle relative to said support, and at a third angle relative to said third panel.
28. The device of claim 26, wherein said bubble generator is configured to provide a substantially constant pressure equivalent to about 6\u2033 of water column.
29. The device of claim 28, wherein said constant pressure is substantially equivalent to pressures of between about 3\u2033 and 7\u2033 inches of water column.
30. The device of claim 26, further comprising a plurality of ink chambers.
31. The device of claim 30, wherein said plurality of chambers comprises three chambers.
32. The device of claim 31, wherein said plurality of chambers are configured to contain a plurality of differently colored inks.
33. The device of claim 26, further comprising a fitment comprising first and second fluid interconnects, said first fluid interconnect being configured to fluidly couple said print head and said chamber, and said second fluid interconnect being configured to fluidly couple an ink supply and said chamber.
34. A method of delivering ink, comprising:
providing an ink chamber containing an ink and wherein is disposed a deflection member extending into said ink chamber and occupying a volume thereof, said resilient deflection member comprising a plurality of pressure tuned panels disposed at angles with respect to each other;
establishing a negative pressure in said chamber exterior to said deflection member;
supplying said ink to print head;
regulating a level of said negative pressure within a pre-determined range during said supplying of said ink by resiliently deflecting said deflection member in response changes in said negative pressure.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein said regulating step further comprises resilient deflecting said deflection member between a generally concave shape to a generally convex shape.
36. The method of claim 34, further comprising providing a plurality of said ink chambers and a corresponding plurality of said deflection members, wherein a deflection member is disposed in each of said chambers.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein each of said plurality of said chambers is configured to contain a differently colored ink.
38. The method of claim 34, further comprising using an internal pressure source.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein said internal pressure source comprises a bubble generator.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein said bubble generator is tuned to pressure equivalent to about 6\u2033 of water.
41. The method of claim 34, wherein said step of establishing said negative pressure comprises applying a positive pressure to said deflection member during a filling step, and removing said positive pressure at an end of said filling step.
42. The method of claim 34, wherein said step of establishing said negative pressure comprises removing a small amount of said ink.
43. The method of claim 34, further comprising moving said ink chamber with said print head.