Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for making strand material comprising drawing a laminar material having a first layer of drawable material and a second layer of elastically extensible material so that the first layer extends inelastically while the second layer extends elastically so that the drawn material tends to curl into a coiled strand configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates to internally bonded sewing threads and to processes for the production of the internally bonding sewing threads. The internally bonding sewing threads of the invention include three multifilament yarns wrapped helically about a thermoplastic bonding core yarn. Processes of the invention include an improved process for preparing a precursor plied thread which is thereafter thermally treated to provide the internally bonded sewing thread. In addition, the invention provides batch and continuous processes for converting the precursor plied thread into internally bonded sewing thread.

Abstract: A system for retail trading comprises an image storing arrangement storing images of items being traded (e.g. carpets), an image index arrangement connected with the said storage arrangement and containing identifiers for the images therein, an image retrieval arrangement and display means (e.g. a video screen) for displaying retrieved images. A transaction data processing arrangement includes a data input arrangement by which the displayed image identifier is automatically input from the input arrangement. Composite images can be handled.

Abstract: An ophthalmic aspirating/irrigating device incorporates a needle comprising two tubes disposed in close proximity and terminating close to one another at the distal end of the device. The distal end of the needle is insertable into an eye to be treated while the proximal end of one tube is connected to a syringe by way of a valve device. The valve device contains two one way valves, one of which provides passage only from the syringe to a discharge opening and the second of which provides passage only in the direction from the tube to the syringe. The valves are of the type comprising two flexible lips normally in contact with one another and separable by a pressure rise across the valve to present an orifice. The valves are disposed such that when the device is in a vertical position with the needle projecting downwardly, the orifice of the one valve is located at a distance of at most 1 mm below the level of the orifice of the other valve.