Abstract: A method of coating a container (1) including a structure defining an aperture comprises the steps of supporting the container (1) by the said structure, causing the container (1) to rotate about an axis thereof, causing the rotating container (1) to translate across the surface of a liquid coating composition (7) a portion of the container being immersed in the composition, and causing the composition to solidify upon the surface of the container. The method is particularly applicable to coating plastics bottles.

Abstract: A kite has an inflatable body and flexible sheet material flaps extending to a tail thereof. Along the trailing edge of each flap is provided an inflatable tube, the degree of inflation of which can be variable to change the characteristics of the kite to suit different circumstances.

Abstract: A variable frequency oscillator 10 has an output frequency Fo responsive to a voltage input Vo derived from an analogue integrator 11 controlled by potentiometer 15, 16, the frequency Fo being displayed on frequency meter 19 having a ghost least significant digit. A converter 24 responds to the digit of a digital output fed to a digital to analogue converter 20 providing an error voltage Ve whose magnitude is proportional to the deviation of the digit from a datum, e.g. 5, and whose polarity depends on whether the deviation is + or -. The voltage Ve is also fed to the integrator 11 to control the voltage Vo.An arrangement is also described in which the voltage Ve is derived from the divider chain of a gate period generator controlling a frequency counter whose input is Fo.

Abstract: An anode element for use in a cathodic protection system comprises a tube 1 having a pointed front extremity 2 and a rear extremity 3 adapted to be acted upon by an impact force. The tube 1 is filled with a granular carbon-containing material 18 having a metal rod provided therein. Connected to the rod 4 is an electrical connecting cable 10 which, via a passage 14 provided in the wall of the tube 1, extends to the outside of the tube 1 through a pipe 13 provided on the outer wall of the tube 1, said pipe 13 having a diameter smaller than that of the tube and extending parallel to the center line of the tube 1 from the passage 14 to the rear extremity 3 of said tube.

Abstract: Pigments which are unstable at high temperatures are protected by inclusion in zirconium silicate crystals. Improved protected pigments are produced by the step of precipitating the constituents of the protected pigments from aqueous or non-aqueous solution. Especially applicable to pigments for ceramics such as those containing cadmium and pigments for use in plastics where contamination of foodstuffs is to be avoided.