Abstract: A composite material comprising a substrate and a deposition product and the use of a deposition product for providing an antimicrobial effect. The substrate of the composite material is a medical device. Further, in each of the composite material and the use, the deposition product consists essentially of at least one oxidized silver species and wherein the deposition product is comprised of a compound having the formula Ag7O8X, where X is an anion.

Abstract: The reverse vending machine (RVM) receives, handles, sorts, and stores returnable items or objects. The RVM includes an item supporting, rotating, sorting and conveyor unit, an upright storage chamber for such items, a safety apparatus to avoid operational hazards, a camera aided detection device for detecting at least one of a bar code on and other characteristics, e.g. contour, of an item, a simplified token system , and a drive system with a releasable power coupling for operating the sorting device and a further storage device.

Abstract: A cycle apparatus for physical exercise, rehabilitation of injuries and increased balance, the apparatus designed as a stationary exercise cycle. The apparatus consist of a first lower stable frame configured to be supported on a floor and a second upper frame rotary connected on axle fixed cantilever on first frame. The upper frame has an adjustable tilt movement relative the lower frame crosswise the flywheel's revolving motion. Stabilizing of the upper frame is done by turning handlebars.

Abstract: A magnesium-based alloy consists of 1.5-4.0% by weight rare earth element(s), 0.3-0.8% by weight zinc, 0.02-0.1% by weight aluminium, and 4-25 ppm beryllium. The alloy optionally contains up to 0.2% by weight zirconium, 0.3% by weight manganese, 0.5% by weight yttrium and 0.1% by weight calcium. The remainder of the alloy is magnesium except for incidental impurities.

Abstract: A method for recovering natural gas from a group of subterranean zones containing natural gas, including injecting an amount of a displacing gas into a first subterranean zone, producing a first produced gas from the first subterranean zone, collecting an amount of the first produced gas wherein the quality of the collected first produced gas is higher than or equal to a threshold production quality for the first produced gas, injecting an amount of the first produced gas into a second subterranean zone wherein the quality of the injected first produced gas is higher than or equal to a threshold injection quality for the first produced gas, producing a second produced gas from the second subterranean zone, and collecting an amount of the second produced gas wherein the quality of the collected second produced gas is higher than or equal to a threshold production quality for the second produced gas.

Abstract: The reverse vending machine (RVM) receives, handles, sorts, and stores returnable items or objects. The RVM includes an item supporting, rotating, sorting and conveyor unit, an upright storage chamber for such items, a safety apparatus to avoid operational hazards, a camera aided detection device for detecting at least one of a bar code on and other characteristics, e.g. contour, of an item, a simplified token system, and a drive system with a releasable power coupling for operating the sorting device and a further storage device.

Abstract: The safety apparatus for controlling operation of functional equipment having movable parts is configured to use a camera to view and cause detection of a safety related event in a field of view of the camera. The device is useful in a reverse vending machine (RVM) for receiving, handling, sorting and storing returnable items or objects. The RVM includes an item supporting, rotating, sorting and conveyor unit, an upwardly oriented storage chamber for such items, the safety apparatus to avoid operational hazards, a camera aided detection device for detecting at least one of a bar code on and other characteristics, e.g. contour of an item, a simplified token system, and a drive system with a releasable power coupling for operating the sorting device and a further storage device.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing an energy consuming load in a group of energy consuming loads comprising the load and a plurality of other loads, including a transmitter to transmit a set of load state data generated from the load and a receiver to receive sets of load state data generated from the other loads. A processor generates the set of load state data from the load, to compile the set of load state data from the load with the sets of load state data from the other loads, and to process the compiled sets of load state data in order to make an enablement state decision for the load, wherein the enablement state decision reflects an enablement state of the load which is either a load enabled or a load disabled state. The enablement state decision is made independently of the other loads, and is implemented by a controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for a flanged connection between a tubular member having a flange and a valve fitting having a valve flange and a valve body, and in particular to an apparatus for axially loading the mated threads of the valve flange and the valve body after geometrical alignment of the bolt holes of the flange on the tubular member and of the bolt holes of the valve flange.

Abstract: Wastewater treatment facilities having biofilm contact and solid-liquid separation functions are disclosed, wherein a biofilter unit having biofilm contact, inclination plate precipitation and de-filming functions comprises an inclination plate settler formed with a plurality of inclination plates (2), each plate spaced in parallel relative to water surface at a predetermined downward angle and a predetermined distance apart, and spacings formed by the plates (2) are filled by biofilm media (3,3a) formed with specific surface-increased and bio-affinity materials so that micro-organisms can attach and grow in the shapes of biofilms therein, and de-filming means for separating biofilms attached to and grown on the biofilm media (3, 3a) and solids deposited on the surfaces of the inclination plates (2) by applying shearing force to biofilm media (3, 3a) and inclination plates (2).

Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus for use in transferring heat to a heat sink. Preferably, the heat sink is comprised of a natural gas supply line at a pressure reduction station. Alternately, the heat sink is comprised of a storage tank. The apparatus is comprised of a heat exchange vessel, adapted to contain an amount of a heat exchange fluid, and a heat source. The heat exchange vessel includes a sump section at a lower end thereof, and a heat transfer section for transferring heat to the heat sink. The heat exchange vessel further includes a single communication junction between the sump section and the heat transfer section which provides fluid communication therebetween. The heat source is associated with the sump section and adapted to add heat to the heat exchange fluid in order to cause the heat exchange fluid to evaporate in the heat exchange vessel.

Abstract: A device for use with an exercise apparatus consisting of at least one hanging, length-adjustable and lockable rope (10, 11) which at its lower end has a gripping means (13, 14), e.g., a gripping loop. A vibration means (12; 16) is designed, when attached via a rope engaging member (8, 9) to a portion of such rope, to impart to the rope and thus its gripping means (13, 14) a vibratory motion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating liquid droplets from a gas stream. The method includes the steps of conditioning the gas stream which contains the droplets so that the gas stream exhibits substantially turbulent flow, passing the gas stream generally axially through a flowpath so that the gas stream is in communication with a collector surface, collecting the droplets on the collector surface, and draining the collector surface to remove the collected droplets from the collector surface. The apparatus includes a flowpath, a collector surface for collecting the droplets, a flow conditioner for conditioning the gas stream, and a drainage mechanism for draining the collected droplets from the collector surface.

Abstract: A method and device for individually transporting articles of different type, size, weight, material or shape to one delivery location of a plurality of delivery locations that is designated for the respective article. The articles are placed one by one in respective transport containers, and the respective article is caused at a desired respective delivery location to be transferred from its transport container to a collecting or storage bin, disintegrator or further conveyor dedicated to the article, the transport container at the designated delivery location being made to discharge the article under the effect of gravity or with the aid of a separate, controlled actuating means. The respective article is identified prior to it being placed in a transport container. Identification may, for example, be related to the material of which the article is made.

Abstract: A system for the sale of consumer goods, wherein the system comprises a device for providing a customer with a non-validated token that represents an article of merchandise. The article is to be paid for by the customer at a checkout unit when the token is checked by said unit. Said checkout unit has a means for providing a validated token that bears a transaction code. Said checkout unit has a means for communicating with an article dispensing device and providing the article dispensing device with said transaction code after the article has been paid for. The validated token is used to obtain the purchased article from the article dispensing device with the aid of a comparator device within the article dispensing device which compares the transaction code on the validated token with the transaction code communicated by said communication device, wherein the article dispensing device delivers the purchased article when there is a defined code correspondence.

Abstract: The reverse vending machine (RVM) receives, handles, sorts, and stores returnable items or objects. The RVM includes an item supporting, rotating, sorting and conveyor unit, an upright storage chamber for such items, a safety apparatus to avoid operational hazards, a camera aided detection device for detecting at least one of a bar code on and other characteristics, e.g. contour, of an item, a simplified token system, and a drive system with a releasable power coupling for operating the sorting device and a further storage device.

Abstract: A long-term storage container (1) for storage of radioactive material to inhibit radioactive radiation therefrom to the outside of the container, the top of said container to be closed by a screw-on radioactive radiation inhibiting lid (7), said container having an integral inner container part (2; 34; 62; 62?) of a first material, e.g. plastic material, an integral outer container part (3; 43; 69) of a second material, e.g. plastic material, and radioactive radiation inhibiting material (4; 38; 68) in an inter-space between the walls and bottoms of said inner and outer container parts. To fill the inter-space an inter-space container part (4; 38; 68) is integrally moulded through injection or pressure moulding and then fitted onto the inner container part (2; 34; 62; 62?) to subsequently mould the outer container part (3; 43; 69) onto the outside of the inter-space container part (4; 38; 68). A specially made container lid (7) is provided.