Abstract: A corner protector, e.g. for a sheet of glass, has a pair of generally triangular side walls connected by a pair of substantially perpendicular bridging walls. The internal faces of the bridging walls are substantially flat and are separated by a recess. Internal channels are provided along the junction between the side walls and the bridging walls. The margins of the side walls which extend between the outer ends of the bridging walls are curved such that they are mutually offset from each other for most of their length. At least one of the side walls contains a through-aperture for receiving an adhesive pad which adheres to the protected article in use to hold the corner protector in place. A finger notch provides access to an edge of the adhesive pad to facilitate peeling in order to remove the corner protector.

Abstract: A hand tool for tracing the course of a line of pavers at a distance selectively spaced therefrom, so as to facilitate the construction of uniform borders along a walkway, path, or the like, consists of a tracking head for running the tool along the installed line of pavers, a marking head for remotely replicating the course, a beam on which the heads are mounted, and a handle. The positions of the marking head and handle are longitudinally adjustable on the beam, relative to the tracking head.

Abstract: A suction head for a vacuum cleaner comprises a hollow body including a pair of arms (1, 3) which diverge from predetermined region of the body at an acute angle. Each arm is formed with a channel (14) for the passage of air. An outlet opening (5) is located in the region of the body from which the arms diverge for the passage of air to a vacuum cleaner. A first continuous ground-engaging barrier (21) extends along the region of an inner edge (19) of one of the arms (1). A second continuous ground-engaging barrier (21) extends along the region of an inner edge (19) of the other of the arms (3). A gap (23) is formed between the first and second barriers (21) for the passage of relatively large particles of debris into the suction head.

Abstract: The method for generating a hydrogen-rich stream from hydrocarbon fuels, ultimately to produce hydrogen gas, involves the following two steps performed in a cyclic fashion: (1) pyrolysis of the hydrocarbon fuel to obtain a carbon-rich fraction and a hydrogen-rich fraction; and (2) oxidation of the carbon-rich fraction, or a portion of it, for heat generation. The method involves the following optional steps: (3) steam gasification of part of the carbon-rich fraction to produce additional amounts of hydrogen and carbon monoxide; (4) water-gas shift reaction to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide with the simultaneous formation of additional amounts of hydrogen; and (5) steam reforming of light hydrocarbons that may be produced in step (1) to produce more hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A method is provided for enabling communication between first and second network nodes (1, 7) by way of a network address translation device (3, 9), which network nodes are each capable of communicating with a server (11). The first network node (1) establishes communication with the server (11) requesting communication with the second network node (7). The first network node then establishes communication with the second network node by way of the network address translation device (3, 9), including sending a plurality of first dummy packets from the first network node directly to the second network node. The server (11) establishes communication with the second network node requesting communication between the second network node and the first network node.

Abstract: A corneal punch comprising a base unit having a first annular mating surface surrounding a well in which a donor cornea may be located, and a separate guide unit including an inner annular guide shaft and an outer locating ring connected to the guide shaft and having a second annular mating surface. The base unit and the guide unit may be releasably positioned in registration with each other by way of the first and second mating surfaces such that the guide shaft is substantially coaxial with the well.

Abstract: A bed-depth gauge consists of a guide member, a screed member, and means for assembling them for relative movement, for effective depth adjustment, in a vertical direction that is generally perpendicular to a bottom edge of the screed member. The guide member has a pair of arms that extend laterally, at different heights, which are used to engage and follow a fixed reference surface to thereby enable the bottom edge of the screed member to level and control the depth of both a base layer and also an overlying upper layer, comprising a bed prepared for installation of paving blocks and the like.

Abstract: The roof block is highly versatile in its applications, and includes recess-forming structure that segregates and cradles a multiplicity of transversely extending conduits and other elongate members; channel-forming and passage-defining structure that facilitates the assembly and stable support of threaded rods for the attachment of accessories; structure for securing, and facilitating affixation of, hold-down means for supported members; and elements that facilitate the unified, compact assembly of a multiplicity of like blocks. The roof block is of lightweight and strong construction, is convenient to use, and is practical and economical to manufacture in bulk.

Abstract: An electric heater (10) incorporates at least one heating element (20), at least one wall member (16) upstanding in the heater, and a device (42) is provided for detecting a cooking utensil (6) supported on an upper surface (4) of a cooking plate (2) overlying the heater. The device (42) includes at least one inductively-operating loop (44) of electrically conductive material having a plurality of portions (50, 52, 54) adapted to extend over and spaced from the at least one electric heating element (20) between fixed supporting regions (56, 58, 60, 62) on the at least one wall member (16). The at least one loop (44) of electrically conductive material is such that the plurality of portions (50, 52, 54) are substantially incapable of self-support as such at normal operating temperatures of the electric heater. The plurality of portions (50, 52, 54) are supported by elongate members (64, 66, 68) of heat-withstanding material.

Abstract: A weak organic acid is used to effect the release of CaDPA from Bacillus or Clostridium endospores, rapidly and at room temperature, to enable detection and measurement of DPA and thereby the assessment of risk associated with exposure to Bacillus anthracis, Clostridium botulinum, and like spores. The method can be applied to airborne, food-borne, and water-borne spores, as well as to spores collected from surfaces or contained in body fluids, and analysis is advantageously carried out using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract: A polymerizable acrylate or epoxy composition includes a dye comprised of a conjugated system containing a chromophore that is subject to effective decoupling, by a reactive alkylating species generated by the polymerization initiator, to produce a permanent loss of color and thereby to indicate that curing has occurred.

Abstract: A communications module for communicating between a computer network (1, 2, 3, 4) and a private branch exchange (5), where the communications module is arranged and adapted so as: a. to receive commands from the computer network (1, 2, 3, 4) (computer network commands 13)); b. if necessary to translate the computer network commands (13) into a form suitable for input into the private branch exchange (5) (private branch exchange commands (14)); and c. to send the private branch exchange commands (14) to the private branch exchange (5); to effect programming of the private branch exchange (5).

Abstract: A novel class of proton exchange membrane materials, sulfonated poly(phthalazinones), were prepared by modification of poly(phthalazinone). Sulfonation reactions were conducted at room temperature using mixtures of 95-98% concentrated sulfuric acid and 27-33% fuming sulfuric acid with different acid ratios in order to get SPPEK with degree of sulfonation (DS) in the range of 0.6 to 1.0. The presence of sulfonic acid groups was confirmed by FT-IR analysis, and the DS and structures were characterized by NMR. The introduction of sulfonic groups into the polymer chains led to an increase in the glass transition temperature and a decrease in the decomposition temperature. Membrane films were cast from solution in N,N-dimethylformamide or N,N-dimethylacetamide. Water uptakes and swelling ratios of the membrane films increased with DS and sulfonated polymers with DS>1.2 were water soluble at 80° C. Proton conductivity increased with DS and temperature up to 95° C., reaching 10?2 S/Cm.

Abstract: An electrically powered motor vehicle includes a system for recharging the on-board batteries, which system includes an air-flow conduit with an entrance at the front of the vehicle, a plurality of electric turbines mounted in tandem within a first portion of the conduit, and an additional electric turbine mounted within a second portion of the conduit, which exits at the underside of the vehicle. The tandem-mounted turbines are disposed for effective rotation, in reaction to air flow, on a generally horizontal axis, and the additional electric turbine is mounted for rotation in reaction to air flow on a second axis, generally transverse to the first axis and disposed proximate the exit end of the conduit.

Abstract: A temperature sensor assembly (30) is provided for an electrical heating arrangement (2). The temperature sensor assembly (30) includes a substrate (32) located in a heater (12). The substrate (32) has an upper surface (38) in contact with the lower surface (10) of a cooking plate (4). The upper and/or lower surface or surfaces (38, 66) of the substrate (32) is provided with a first temperature-sensitive resistance element (40) at a first region (42) of the substrate (32) proximate a peripheral region (34) of the heater. The upper (38) and/or lower (66) surface or surfaces of the substrate (32) is or are provided with a second temperature-sensitive resistance element (54; 54A; 54B) at a second region (56) of the substrate (32) proximate the central region (36) of the heater.

Abstract: A transporting system in a packaging machine automatically merges and accumulates, usually as a shingled stream, generally flat articles having substantially continuous and discontinuous opposite sides, and includes a portion, of one of two main conveyor mechanisms, that is constructed to invert the articles, from side-to-side about endwise axes so that all of the cartons face upwardly, even though the articles of alternating groups have been inverted, during transport by that main conveyor mechanism, about their lateral axes.