Abstract: A method is described of depositing film of an amorphous or microcrystalline material, for example silicon, from a plasma on to a substrate. Microwave energy is introduced into a chamber as a sequence of discrete microwave pulses, a film precursors gas is introduced into the chamber as a sequence of discrete gas pulses, and gas for generating atomic hydrogen is supplied to the chamber at least during each microwave pulse. Each microwave pulse is followed in non-overlapping fashion with a precursor gas pulse, and each precursor gas pulse is followed by a period during which there is neither a microwave pulse nor a precursor gas pulse.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing a plasma for a work surface, for example to deposit material thereon. The apparatus comprises an enclosure which contains an ionizable gas, a plurality of plasma excitation devices each of which is arranged to enable microwaves to travel from a first end thereof to a second end and radiate therefrom into the gas, and means for generating a magnetic field in the gas. A source of microwaves feeds microwaves to the first ends of the excitation devices. In use, regions exist within the said gas where the direction of the electric vector of the microwaves is non-parallel to the lines of the magnetic field, and the magnetic field has value B, and the microwaves have a frequency f such as to substantially satisfy the relationship: B=?mf D e where m and e are the mass and charge respectively of an electron.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to pre-crystallize real chocolate in the form of Beta V crystals, said method comprising the steps of—determining an initial temperature (TCi) for a chocolate mass to have before seed crystals are admixed thereto, said TCi exceeding the critical temperature, —obtaining a liquid chocolate mass by melting it to the initial temperature (TCi), —dispersing into said liquid chocolate mass at the initial temperature (TCi), solid crystal seeds consisting of at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of cocoa butter, a cocoa butter equivalent and/or real chocolate, wherein the crystal seeds contain a dominating amount of stable Beta V crystals, —mixing the chocolate mass and the crystal seeds until the seeds are almost completely melted, —cooling down the thus obtained mixture, that is continuously stirred, to a pre-crystallization temperature (Tpc), said cooling being achieved through the admixing of the crystal seeds and through heat exchange with the environ

Abstract: The invention relates to method for preparing a chocolate composition comprising at least 10% cocoa butter, said method comprising the steps of: (a) Preparing a chocolate mixture comprising at least 10% cocoa butter by admixing a chocolate mass with a blend of an oil and/or fat having a Solid Fat Content higher than 2% when measured at 30° C. with IUPAC method 2.150 a, and having a Trans Fatty Acid Content below 4%, preferably below 2%, (b) Feeding this mixture in molten state to a scraped surface heat exchanger, wherein the temperature of the scraped surface is below +10° C., advantageously is below 0° C., (c) Crystallization and stabilization of said melt with the aid of said scraped surface heat exchanger, (d) Optionally, extrusion of the thus chilled mixture in block shape. This method advantageously allows the preparation of trans-free chocolate fillings, advantageously without the need of specialty products.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing a plasma for a work surface, for example to deposit material thereon. The apparatus comprises an enclosure which contains an ionizable gas, a plurality of plasma excitation devices each of which is arranged to enable microwaves to travel from a first end thereof to a second end and radiate therefrom into the gas, and means for generating a magnetic field in the gas. A source of microwaves feeds microwaves to the first ends of the excitation devices. In use, regions exist within the said gas where the direction of the electric vector of the microwaves is non-parallel to the lines of the magnetic field, and the magnetic field has value B, and the microwaves have a frequency f such as to substantially satisfy the relationship: B=?mf D e where m and e are the mass and charge respectively of an electron.

Abstract: A mixer blade which is adapted to be mounted on the shaft of a vertical continuous granulating mixer, characterised in that an inner portion of the leading edge of the blade is bevelled upwards and an outer portion of the leading edge of the blade is substantially vertical or is bevelled downwards. A vertical continuous granulating mixer which comprises a shaft fitted with blades rotating within a tubular housing and having an inlet for solid particles and a spray inlet for liquid to contact the solid particles above the blades, characterised in that an inner portion of at least one of the blades is angled forwards and upwards over at least part of its area so that particles hitting the angled portion of the blade acquire an upwards velocity component.

Abstract: In an agglomeration process for the preparation of granules encapsulating a hydrophobic active material, the active material and a molten binder which has a melting point above ambient temperature are sprayed onto water soluble carrier particles while agitating the particles. A liquid which interacts exothermically with the carrier particles is sprayed onto the carrier particles separately from and just before or simultaneously with the active material and binder, so that the heat generated by the interaction reduces the cooling rate of the binder during the agglomeration process. For example the liquid can be water when the carrier particles have a positive heat of hydration and/or solution by water.

Abstract: An improved method of making glass building elements filled with cured polydiorganosiloxane compositions. The method comprises first coating the interior surfaces of a hollow glass block with a first curable polydiorganosiloxane composition. This first composition is then cured. Next, the block is charged with a quantity of a second curable polydiorganosiloxane composition. This second composition is then cured to form the building element. The resultant element has improved aesthetics because of the decreased quantity of entrapped bubbles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining surface characteristics of a layer (e.g. anodised aluminum) by measuring electrical impedance thereof and solving specified equations.

Abstract: The specification describes and claims a method of bonding a sealant to an anodised aluminium surface the method comprising the steps of (1) measuring the electrical impedance of anodised aluminium substrates, (2) selecting at least one substrate having an electrical phase shift of from 0.4 to 0.5, (3) cleaning the anodised surface of the substrate, (4) applying to the anodised surface a curable silicone sealant composition and (5) bringing about curing of the sealant composition to form a bond between the anodised surface and the sealant.

Abstract: A foamable silicone composition comprises a polysiloxane having silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms, a polysiloxane having siloxane units including unsaturated groups, a polysiloxane having silicon-bonded hydroxyl groups, a noble metal catalyst and from 3 to 40 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the composition of entities of borosilicate or silicate glass or mixtures thereof. The composition comprises first and second Parts A and B having viscosities which are sufficiently similar to each other to permit facile machine mixing of the Parts; the first Part comprises the noble metal catalyst and a portion of the entities and the second Part comprises the polysiloxane having silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms and a portion of the entities pretreated with a compatible silane or a polysiloxane having silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms. Preferred entities comprise hollow spherical particles or hollow entities which have an irregular configuration.

Abstract: The specification describes and claims a method of making silicone foam compositions comprising the steps of introducing into a moulding cavity a quantity of foamable silicone compositions which is curable at room, or slightly elevated, temperature and bring about curing in the cavity to produce a cured silicone foam. The moulding cavity is closed prior to foaming thereby restricting expansion of the foam. The volume of the closed moulding cavity is a minimum 10% less than that which would be occupied by the composition if it foamed and cured at room temperature without restriction. Lower density foams formed by the above procedure may be converted into rigid elastomeric low density materials by a heat or microwave post cure. For a given composition and foam density the fire resistance of a foam produced by a method according to the invention is greater than a foam which is allowed to foam freely.