Abstract: A method of printing a number of superimposed or otherwise geometrically related layers on a substrate with exact registration which comprises printing said layers over one or more areas on said substrate so as to overlap the boundary of said one or more areas and then removing the layers outside said areas. The product produced by the method and the intermediate product prior to removal of layers outside the areas can be used for security purposes.

Abstract: A tree shelter comprises two parts joined by clips along a longitudinal axis. Each part comprises a funnel portion and a base portion. Each funnel portion is formed to allow the shelter to mimick the natural bending of a tree stem under the action of wind and is contoured internally to increase the area available for condenstation and evaporation of moisture. Each base part is formed to restrict growth of weed around the base of the sheltered tree. The shelter acts to protect the tree whilst permitting its natural growth in its early years.

Abstract: A machine particularly for applying labels to non-uniform items such as fruit and vegetables, the labels being provided along a carrier strip and the carrier strip having profiled edges, said machine including means for separating the labels from the carrier, a profiled means, such as a profiled roller, engageable with the edges of the carrier to advance the carrier strip from a storage means to the separating means.

Abstract: A transportable, articulated-arm crane comprising three hydraulically actuated members; the third member, considered from bottom to top, is articulated with a platform able to support persons and/or other objects; the articulated arms have a lever structure that is rendered lighter and reinforced by a struts designed so that the machine has considerably reduced dimensions when in the completely lowered position against the bed of the vehicle transporting it.

Abstract: An assembly for suspending electricity power supply rails comprising a cross member (2), bolts (6) or the like for fixing the cross member to a fixed structure (4) in a direction which is perpendicular to the direction of the power supply rails (8), and members for suspending the rails from the cross member. The members for suspending the rails comprise: a series of at least two generally T-shaped half-clamp elements (10) comprising a crossbar (12) and a riser (14) perpendicular to said crossbar (12), with the length of the crossbars corresponding to the spacing between centers of two adjacent power supply rails (8) or to a multiple of the spacing, with the riser (14) of each T shape including a hooking rim (16) on opposite rail engaging faces. A slidable connection is formed between each T-shaped element (10) and the cross member (2) and locking elments (20,22) are provided to lock the endmost T-shaped elements (10e) of the series against translation.

Abstract: A portable device for transporting skis comprises a cradle (10) made of a material which is at least semi-rigid and comprising a web (11) which is generally horizontal and two flanges (12, 13) which are generally parallel and vertical and which together with said web define an upwardly open, U-shaped, ski-receiving channel. A belt (20) is fixed to the cradle (10) and is suitable for being worn by the user to hold the cradle (10) substantially at waist height and on the hip of the user.

Abstract: A mixture of a basic thermoplastic and of a more orientatable and crystallizable reinforcing polymer is extruded through a nozzle of an extruder or of an injection molding machine, and these molten elements have a temperature in the nozzle of about the melting temperature of the polymer, to at most 10.degree. C. thereabove.The reinforced polymer product presents excellent strength properties.

Abstract: The invention concerns a mechanical separation head intended particularly for the treatment of crushed carcases and machine which is equipped with it. In such a separation head (100), and thus in the machine equipped with it, the drive under pressure against the grille (4) forming a sieve of the product to be treated is obtained by means of a vane (16) pump (P) serving at the connection of the crusher (18) and the head and which cooperates with a member (2) of which the double function is on the one hand to mash the product, and on the other hand to scrape the interior of the grille. Such a member (2) has a plurality of teeth (a,b,c . . . n) having a scraping surface (101), these teeth being spaced so that the totality of the internal face of the grille (4) is scraped. The invention is applicable to the treatment of any type of product having recoverable residual flesh such as animal carcases, fishbones, and shellfishes' shells.

Abstract: A panel which comprises a substrate of transparent or translucent material having applied to one or both sides a design superimposed on, or forming part of, an opaque pattern so that the design on one side of the panel cannot be seen from the other side.

Abstract: A safety device for preventing an airborne charge (1) from being armed prior to being dropped, said charge being armed by a draw wire (4) connected to the aircraft applying traction to an arming cable (3) connected to the charge. The safety device comprises a clamping assembly (2) through which the arming cable (2) passes freely while the clamping assembly is open and is clamped thereto when the clamping assembly is closed. The clamping assembly (2) comprises first and second parts (5, 7) which are movable relative to each other in the traction direction (T) of the draw wire (4), with said first part (5) being a "fixed" part which is fixed to the charge by threshold releasable fixing means (6a, 6b) sensitive to traction in said traction direction (T), and said second part (7) being slidably mounted to move relative to the charge in said traction direction (T), and being connected to the draw wire (4).

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of modifying the properties of a material.A single ion beam from a source in a vacuum chamber is deflected by an electrostatic deflection system between a target and a substrate. When on the target, the beam sputters material therefrom on to the substrate. When on the substrate the beam bombards material previously deposited on it from the target which mixes it with the material of the substrate. A modified surface layer may therefore be achieved. The target and substrate may be moved relative to the beam if desired and the process may be monitored and controlled using appropriate sensors and controls.

Abstract: An apparatus for reinjecting flown-off particles into a solid fuel fire box of a boiler or furnace of the "projector with back grid" type, in which particulate fuel is projected from a fuel source adjacent a first zone to a grid, with the fuel burned along its trajectory from the first zone to a second zone on the grid. Means are provided for separately collecting both large and small fuel particles thrown off during combustion along the trajectory to the grid, and reinjecting the collected particles with the fine particles continuously reinjected at a rate approximately proportional to the boiler load at said second zone by means of a particle conveying air stream.

Abstract: The invention involves a new structure for a distributor for a hydraulic fluid utilization means, such as a single-acting jack, controlled by the distributor in any position. The distributor includes a spool-type valve and a hollow piston valve which is piloted by a needle valve. The needle valve and spool-type valve are both mechanically connected to a single mechanical lever.

Abstract: A high pressure hydraulic distributor with a pilot pressure generator, in which a device for reducing pressure is integrated into a distribution section of a compound high pressure hydraulic distributor. The displacement of the slide of the distributor of the section concerned modifies automatically the calibration of the pressure reducer and permits obtaining a reduced pressure which is a function of the displacement of the slide. This reduced pressure is utilized as the pilot pressure for the control means of the source of hydraulic fluid pressure which feeds the distributor.

Abstract: A firearm rest including a housing, two legs coupled to the housing, and firearm mounting apparatus rotatably mounted on the housing. According to a preferred embodiment, the firearm mounting means includes a mounting element rotatably mounted on the housing and arranged for rotation about an axis parallel to the plane defined by the legs, and a firearm mounting plate pivotably mounted on the mounting element and arranged for pivoting about an axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the legs.

Abstract: A print is made of the sole of a foot in a block (1) of modelling clay. If necessary the print is corrected for orthopedic reasons. A rigid shape (23) is cast in the print, and after unmolding, the contour (26) of a sole to be made is marked on the shape in relief. The shape is then used to mark said contour in hollow form in the footprint. The block is then cut through along said contour and the central portion of the block is removed. The rigid shape is reinserted in the remaining peripheral portion of the footprint, and a sole is cast inside the peripheral portion and on the rigid shape. A first sole may be made in a single session in the presence of the patient. Thereafter, the rigid shape may be conserved, and used to make any subsequent soles that may be necessary without requiring the patient to be present.

Abstract: A lighting fitting for hazardous areas comprises a central hub. Each lateral face of the hub incorporates a connector into which a module containing control equipment for the fitting may be housed. A further connector is disposed in the underside of the hub to receive the lamp. The hub houses a microswitch, which may be flameproof, through which the power supply to the connector is controlled. Springs in the connectors, a locking plate and an actuator shaft combine to prevent operation of the microswitch unless and until a lamp and all modules are connected to their respective connectors. This construction aids manufacturing flexiblity and economy and enhances safety.