Abstract: There is provided a sturdy yet compact pivot hinge assembly using a preset spring and plunger assembly comprising a spring between a plunger and a spring plate, on each side of an axis, which provides, on the axis, a detent force that maintains the door closed when the door is closed and a restoring force closing the door when the door is part way open.

Abstract: There is disclosed an adjustable light emitting device for selectively projecting light directionally and omnidirectionally, the device comprising a stepped surface lens having a focal point and a light source positioned substantially along an optical axis of the lens and adapted for movement along the axis between the focal point and the lens. There is also disclosed a light emitting device comprising a partially collimated light source and a lens. When light emitted by the light source passing through the lens is simultaneously projected in an arc of at least 180° and further wherein a measured intensity of the projected light within the arc is at least one half of a maximum intensity of the emitted light. Both devices may also include a light sensor, or the light sensor may be included together with the lens in a separate package for use in light sensing applications.

Abstract: There is disclosed a balanced interconnector comprising first and second like connecting elements, each of the connecting elements comprising an elongate centre section and a pair of parallel IDCs opening in substantially opposite directions, the IDCs attached substantially at right angles to and at opposite ends of the elongate centre sections, each of the connecting elements lying in different parallel plains. The first and second connecting elements are arranged such that the elongate centre sections are opposite one another and the IDCs of the first connecting element are not opposite the IDCs of the second connecting element. In a particular embodiment the connecting elements of adjacent pairs of connecting elements are at right angles.

Abstract: A process to manufacture ice skate blades and the ice skate blades that result from this process where the blades of made from a nitridable steel hardened to a medium hardness (Rockwell C 38-55) then nitrides by a plasma nitriding process disclosed which prevents hardness loss in the steel while adding very hard nitride layer of a thickness in excess of 50 microns that gradually drops to the base steel hardness. The plasma nitriding process control is enhances dy addition of an intert gas and by the pulsing of the plasma field on and off for millisecond periods to prevent overheating of the ice skate blade during processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical inspection of manufactured products, such as integrated circuits wafer bumps. There are provided methods and apparatus for acquisition of optical inspection data of said object, as well as for optical inspection and manufacturing of said object. The invention comprises a 2D optical scanning system and a 3D optical scanning system that can have common image trigger control and/or operate simultaneously without interference to have the same field of view.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical inspection of integrated circuit devices, such as QFP and TSOP devices. There are provided methods of inspecting objects, such as integrated circuit devices, using a single laser triangulation system oriented in a fixed direction, where the given inspection system rotates the inspection tray for scanning the objects placed therein in different directions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for stabilizing and conditioning wastewater sludge. The invention is characterized in that it consists in treating sludge in an acid environment (3.0?pH?5.0), with an inorganic acid and two oxidizing agents, that is a ferric iron salt and hydrogen peroxide. The ferric iron salt is used in such an amount as to obtain a concentration ranging between 5 and 40 kg of Fe per ton of dry sludge; the hydrogen peroxide is used in such an amount as to obtain a concentration ranging between 5 and 40 kg of H2O2 per ton of dry sludge; mixing the treated sludge for a time interval sufficient to stabilize the sludge and improve its dehydrability; then flocculating the stabilized sludge by adding an organic polymer; then dehydrating the flocculated sludge. Said method enables to significantly improve the dehydrability properties of the sludge while increasing the dry solid content during its mechanical dehydration.

Abstract: A therapeutic apparatus, comprising a base and a container supported by the base, the container being hollow, elongate, with angles comprised between 30 and 60 degrees, the container comprising a front part that slides relative to a rear part on rails, the container being made of stainless steel and wood; in which a user lies to be submitted to heat diffused by radiant strips, the head of the user remaining out of the container and isolated from the rest of the body by a removable flap mounted on the front part of the container.

Abstract: A multi-mode electromagnetic radiation emitting device comprising at least one source of electromagnetic radiation which emits radiation according to predefined or programmable user selectable instruction sets is disclosed. Reversal of the polarity of the device's power supply allows for enhanced features to be accessed including multiple instruction sets per switch setting, reprogramming mode, infra-red (covert) mode, night mode and water activation mode. A switch mechanism for providing selectable switched circuit connections is also disclosed as well as a power supply for supplying DC power to an electronic circuit comprising at least one microcontroller or microprocessor.

Abstract: Described herein are novel thermally reactive near-infrared absorbing acetal copolymers that undergo chemical and physical changes upon exposure to near-infrared radiation. Also described are the methods of preparation of the novel acetal copolymers starting either with vinyl-alcohol polymers or with acetal copolymers. Also described are the methods of use of the new near-infrared absorbing acetal copolymers in coatings used in lithographic offset printing plates that can be directly imaged with near-infrared laser imaging devices in computer-to-plate and digital offset printing technologies. The novel acetal copolymers are also useful in photoresist applications, rapid prototyping of printed circuit boards and chemical sensor development.

Abstract: A lightning protection device for reducing exposure of an object to be protected from conventional and upward lightning strikes. The device includes a support structure adapted to be grounded and space charge producing conductors wound around the support structure and forming coils for producing space charge of opposite polarity to a cloud charge, in a proximity of the object to be protected. The space charge induces a charge on the object to be protected of an opposite polarity to a charge induced on the object to be protected by the cloud charge and inhibits a formation of streamers from the object to be protected. Each space charge producing conductor has a diameter not exceeding 0.1 mm for reducing a corona inception voltage of the support structure upon which each space charge producing conductor is wound, in both dry and wet conditions.

Abstract: A signalling device comprising an emission module operative on the application of battery power from a battery pack for the emission of a signal from at least one electromagnetic radiation emitting element, a battery compartment and a cap for retaining said battery pack in said battery compartment. The cap comprises at least one sensor and a switch for controlling the application of battery power. The switch is actuated when the at least one sensor detects a change in the environment in the vicinity of the device. Alternatively, the switch can be actuated remotely through a wireless interface or via a trip wire.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for analysing and authenticating a luminescent tag are provided wherein a luminescence is triggered in the tag and relative light intensities emitted thereby measured within at least two luminescence bands. The measured intensities are compared with at least one reference tag representative of relative intensities emitted by an authentic tag to determine whether the luminescent tag corresponds with any of the at least one reference tag. If the measured intensities match the representative intensities, the luminescent tag is authenticated. A computer program to be implemented by the apparatus and system is also disclosed. Further, a method and system for verifying the authenticity of one or plural objects are disclosed, wherein each of the objects is to be associated with a respective tag. The respective tags are coded to emit light, when triggered, within at least two luminescence bands at respective predetermined relative light intensities.