Abstract: A container for transportation and/or storage of items is in the form of an enclosure having a securing arrangement with an upright restraint configured to be advanced and retracted across the width of the container for holding the items in an upright orientation; and/or access to the enclosure provided through an uppermost portion and end portion of the container, and a movable side panel proximate an end of the container; and/or spaced slide elements extending in the direction of the width of the container, in the region of the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A suction device has a flexible sucker membrane having a peripherally extending skirt, and an actuator arranged to act to reconfigure the sucker between a suction enhanced configuration and a suction released configuration. The actuator is also operable to lift an outer edge of the peripherally extending skirt which enables more convenient release of the suction device than would otherwise be possible.

Abstract: The condition of a glazing panel (2) is investigated using a viewing device (1) to view an illuminating electromagnetic radiation profile at a target zone. Data relating to the viewed radiation profile is compared to datum data, to produce an output related to the condition of the glazing panel at the target zone.

Abstract: A container for transportation and/or storage of items is in the form of an enclosure having a securing arrangement with an upright restraint configured to be advanced and retracted across the width of the container for holding the items in an upright orientation; and/or access to the enclosure provided through an uppermost portion and end portion of the container, and a movable side panel proximate an end of the container; and/or spaced slide elements extending in the direction of the width of the container, in the region of the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A hand-held operator manipulatable applicator device is used for dispensing adhesive bonding material to bond a panel (such as an automotive glazing panel). The device has a body containing a delivery channel for delivering adhesive to an outlet nozzle and a heating system disposed within the body for heating the bonding material in the channel to produce a substantially uniform outlet dispensing temperatures via the nozzles.

Abstract: A glazing panel is fitted in a frame by placing the glazing panel in register with the frame with soft state bonding material interposed. An energy field is then set up to act upon the bonding material the energy field acting to promote curing of the bonding material. Preferably a microwave energy field is set up and the energy is applied for a predetermined period, typically less than 60 seconds.

Abstract: Glazing panels such as vehicle glazing panels bonded to a supporting frame are released by firstly arranging light energy delivery means adjacent the panel and subsequently transmitting light energy from the delivery means through the panel thereby to effect release of the panel from the frame. The light may be pulsed according to a predetermined regime and may be delivered by a discharge lamp having rapidly attenuating intensity. The mechanism of panel release may be by thermal degradation of the bonding material, cleavage of material at a surface of, or within the body of the panel, or a combination of such mechanisms.

Abstract: Glazing panels such as vehicle windscreens bonded to a supporting frame are released by firstly arranging light energy delivery means adjacent the panel and subsequently transmitting light energy from the delivery means through the panel thereby to effect release of the panel from the frame. The light may be pulsed according to a predetermined regime and may be delivered by a discharge lamp having rapidly attenuating intensity, or quasi continuous wave pulsed laser. The mechanism of panel release may be by thermal degradation of the bonding material, cleavage of material at a surface of, or within the body of the panel, or a combination of such mechanisms.

Abstract: Bonded screens such as vehicle windscreens (1) bonded to a supporting frame (5) by homogeneous bonding material (6) are released by firstly arranging energy delivery means (9) adjacent the screen and subsequently transmitting energy from the delivery means through the screen thereby to effect release of the screen (1) from the frame (5) by either causing degradation of some of the homogeneous bonding material and/or cleavage or degradation of the screen material. The energy delivered may, for example, be ultrasonic or laser radiation, and is preferably arranged to be concentrated at a predetermined localized region to enhance the release mechanism.