Abstract: Trephine apparatus has an outer casing with means defining a substantially cylindrical passage, or aperture, opening at a substantially circular lower end element, and an inner, substantially cylindrical tube having a bore opening at a substantially circular lower end element, the lower end element of the inner tube being upwardly spaced, or recessed, from the lower end element of the outer casing within the passage. A substantially cylindrical trephine blade is mounted within the bore of the inner tube by means that is so constructed as to enable raising and lowering of the blade relative to the end elements of the outer casing and the inner tube. At least a lower end element of the outer casing, or a base portion including it, is made of a non-opaque material, enabling edge-on viewing of the basal element of the inner tube and the blade, such as by use of a microscope, without parallax between the blade and the basal element of the inner tube.

Abstract: A replaceable flow assembly for use in a water cooler or similar bottled liquid dispenser includes a liquid reservoir 7 and a manifold 48 incorporating a bottle connector 5, 49 for releasable sealing engagement with a neck formed on an inverted bottle. The manifold is mounted on the reservoir and incorporates a first pathway for conducting liquid from a feed tube 5 to the reservoir 7, and a second pathway for conducting liquid from the reservoir to a discharge outlet 53. A third pathway within the manifold conducts atmospheric air through an air filter 28 and into the interior of the bottle through the feed tube 5 without passing through the reservoir 7. The manifold preferably also incorporates a dispense valve between the reservoir 7 and the discharge outlet 53 (e.g. in arm 52), which co-operates with a fixed valve-operating member within the dispenser.

Abstract: The method enables control over carbon pore structure to provide sorbents that are particularly advantageous for the adsorption of specific gases. It involves preparation of a sorbent precursor material, carbonization of the precursor material, and, usually, activation of the carbonized material. The resultant material is subjected to heat treatment and/or to surface conditioning by a reducing gas at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A closure device includes a base (1) and a top (23). The base (1) has an aperture (13) and the top (23) has an aperture (27). The top (23) is movable laterally relative to the base (1) between a first position in which the aperture (13) of the base and the aperture (27) of the top are not in alignment and a second position in which the apertures are in alignment. Biasing spring (22, 43) is provided with in the top so as to extend laterally between the base and the top with a free end of the biasing spring urging the top towards the first position in which the apertures (13, 27) are not in alignment.

Abstract: A micro-algae growing method employs a greenhouse having a transparent, double-pane roof structure and containing an open-top receptacle for a bed of aqueous micro-algae medium, which roof structure and receptacle are substantially coextensive and rectangular. A series of remotely controllable nozzles, capable of producing thin, sheet-like discharges, withdraw the aqueous liquid medium from subsurface regions along the length of the bed and discharge it into the overlying space, thus optimally exposing the medium to solar radiation passing through the roof structure and thereby promoting micro-algae growth. Ambient air, heated during passage through channels in the transparent roof structure, is used in a second greenhouse for lofting small droplets that comprise sprays of the concentrated micro-algae medium received from the first greenhouse, thus promoting evaporation of free water and cooperating in harvesting of micro-algae product.

Abstract: A closure for the neck of a container such as a water bottle includes a cap 32 for engagement with the neck, and a valve plug 44. The cap has an inner guide sleeve 38 which sealingly receives the valve plug 44, which is provided with latches 50. When the bottle is placed on a liquid dispensing station such as a water cooler a probe 5 sealably enters the sleeve 38 and an actuator head 70 engages the latches 50 to carry the plug out of the sleeve 38. The probe requires minimum insertion force. One or more water flow ports 72 are provided in the probe 5 to conduct water out of the bottle, while air may enter the bottle via a vent port 73 and vent apertures in the valve plug 44. This allows simultaneous exchange of air and water without risk of air entrainment whilst providing a short penetration distance.

Abstract: A clamp assembly is provided for securing an ancillary device (16) to a standing seam (8), the standing seam comprising a protruding web portion (10) with a head portion (12) at an outer extremity. The clamp assembly includes a substantially rigid member (18; 54) adapted to overlie and contact the head portion of the standing seam. First and second substantially rigid arms (22, 24; 58, 60) extend from the member and are adapted to embrace the head portion in co-operation with the member, at least one of the arms (24; 58, 60) being pivotally interconnected with the member at hinge means (28; 62, 64). The first and second arms have first and second free extremities (36, 38; 70, 72) adapted to face one another and to contact opposite sides of the web portion. Threaded fastener means (40, 41; 86) passes through the ancillary device and into a threaded aperture (46; 88) in the member, from an outer surface of the member.

Abstract: A stationary medium is employed both to separate chemicals from a sample solution and also to generate surface-enhanced Raman scattering, so that spectral analysis of the separated analyte chemical can be performed. Applied driving force causes the sample to flow into the stationary medium and to distribute therethrough, thereby causing rapid separation of the analyte chemical, and surface-enhanced Raman scattered radiation is quickly detected, at a plurality of locations along a flow path defined by the stationary medium, for ultimate analysis.

Abstract: A technique for acoustic detection of a disbond within a bonded structure involves thermal excitation of the surface of the bonded structure to induce a lifting and membrane vibration and is applicable to laminates and coated structures, as well as foam core structures or a honeycomb structures. The technique does not require access to both sides of the bonded structure. A large etendue interferometer is used to provide surface displacement measurement. The surface displacement measurement can be analyzed both by frequency or amplitude to determine existence of a disbond by membrane vibration, and further a thickness of the disbond can be determined using traditional pulse-echo time analysis. The technique may allow detection of stick bonds.

Abstract: Elevating a handle of the lifter tool creates a clamping force between a bottom support plate and a top clamping plate operatively attached to the handle, allowing a worker to transfer, simultaneously, a number of stacked pavers, or similar block-like objects, quickly, efficiently and safely. A push-off plate facilitates unloading of the pavers from the tool.

Abstract: A boundary screed rail assembly with screed rails (14) supported by feet members (42). The screed rails (14) providing a perimeter part (24) with upper and lower protection parts (26). The upper part (26) provides a planar horizontal surface (28), with a plurality of recesses (30) extending thereinto, alternating with downwardly extending engagement members (32) engageable in the concrete of a slab.