Abstract: A method of casting is provided which uses boxless moulds. The method comprises the steps of stacking a plurality of boxless moulds substantially horizontally on one another in a frame to form a substantially vertical stack, pivoting the frame with the moulds therein through an angle of approximately 90.degree. so that each mould stands substantially vertically, and filling the moulds with molten metal while they are in the substantially vertical position.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for producing porous elastomeric sheet material, wherein ungelled elastomer liquid material is admixed with hollow spherical filler particles and then spread to form a sheet, which is then dried and gelled. The dried and gelled sheet of filled elastomer is subjected to rigorous biaxial stretching, wherein the elastomeric material surrounding at least some of the particles is stretched and ultimately broken by the rigorous stretching, to form a porous sheet material.

Abstract: This invention provides a solar energy collector including a Fresnel lens substantially fixed in orientation and position relative to the Earth, a receiver situated at a focal point of the said Fresnel lens, a mounting mechanism which constrains the receiver to move along the focal surface of the Fresnel lens, and orientation means for continually orientating the receiver so that the said receiver remains in a region of high intensity of radiation during periods of direct sunlight.The solar energy collector according to the invention is particularly suitable for inclusion in building structures.

Abstract: Hydrogen Fluoride is manufactured from fluorosilicic acid. The fluorosilicic acid is reacted with ammonia to produce aqueous ammonium fluoride and solid silica. The ammonium fluoride is hydrolised in the presence of a mixture of ammonium fluoride and ammonium bifluoride, and the net production of ammonium bifluoride is converted to sodium bifluoride. The sodium bifluoride is decomposed by heating to hydrogen fluoride gas.

Abstract: An implement for gathering objects lying on the ground having an elongate handle. A transverse member is mounted at a forward end of the handle. This member has a rearward surface extending at an oblique angle to the axis of the handle. A movable member is pivotally mounted at or adjacent the forward end of the handle for movement between an inactive position and an active position. In the active position it cooperates with the rearward surface of the transverse member for picking up objects from the ground. The movable member is biassed towards its inactive position by spring means.

Abstract: This invention provides coated tobacco product having a hydrophobic coating on at least one surface thereof, the coating comprising a cellulose propionate having an acetyl content of less than about 6% by weight, a hydroxyl content of at least 1.5% by weight, and a content of acyl groups of more than about 3 carbon atoms of less than about 10% by weight. The coating preferably comprises a mixture of the aforesaid cellulose propionate with a glyceride having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein preferably one of the R groups is a group selected from the group consisting of acetyl and propionyl, at least another R residue group represents an acyl containing at least about 12 carbon atoms, any remaining R group is hydrogen. The coating composition is applied, e.g. to a reconstituted tobacco product, as a clear solution in a volatile solvent. The volatile solvents which are suitable include alcohol-water mixtures, esters, and anhydrous alcohol-ester mixtures.

Abstract: The invention relates to the recovery of chlorine values from iron chloride by-produced from the chlorination of a titaniferous material containing more than 5% by weight iron oxide, and particularly from the carbo-chlorination of ilmenite, which, for example, can be the first stage in the so-called chloride route to form titanium dioxide pigment.The iron chloride which may be ferric chloride or ferrous chloride is subjected to a combination of reduction and oxidation reactions. In the reduction reaction, ferric chloride is dechlorinated to ferrous chloride by a reducing agent suitable for producing a chloride compound for recycle to the chlorination process or for sale and in the oxidation reaction ferrous chloride is oxidized to ferric oxide and ferric chloride, the ferric chloride being recycled to the reduction reaction.

Abstract: An impact and energy absorbing mat is produced by extruding sheets of resilient compressible foamed polymeric resin sheets, preferably of a foamed ionomer, and having self formed skins on opposite faces. The sheets are stacked and the stack sliced along planes perpendicular to the sheets by hot wires to fuse the borders of contiguous sheets and form individual coherent slabs. Each slab is sandwiched between preferably similar polymeric resin films which are heated by hot plates to fuse the films to the slab surfaces and further fuse the skin borders to each other. Alternatively, the films may be omitted and self skins formed by the hot plate. The resulting mat includes side by side narrow foamed resilient resin strips having side skins, the borders of contiguous skins being fused to each other and the joined strips having their opposite faces covered by self or film formed skins fused thereto. The mat possesses unexpected superior energy and impact and other desirable properties.

Abstract: A ball point nib is produced by injection molding of a resilient or memory possessing thermoplastic resin, the integral nib body member including a ball housing cavity having a circular front opening delineated by an annular lip and communicating by passageways to the rear of the body member. An ink transfer ball of greater diameter than the front opening is passed through the opening into the cavity, temporarily pressure expanding the opening by pressure deforming the lip which returns to its initial state following the passage of the ball. In forming the body member a mold is employed including stationary front and movable rear mold sections having registering first and second mold cavities. An axial first core is axially movable a limited distance in the first mold cavity and has a conical rear face provided with peripherally spaced protuberances and a lip forming undercut at about the plane of the first mold cavity front face when the first core is in its forward position.

Abstract: An electrosurgical apparatus has a monitor in the form of a voltage sensitive circuit. The circuit responds to an increase in the voltage of the apparatus to produce a control signal. The control signal operates a relay to switch off the apparatus and/or to produce an alarm signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a filter for use in venting a colostomy or ileostomy bag. An assembly comprising a first sheet of a gas permeable and water impermeable material, a second sheet of material which is gas permeable or is rendered gas permeable by the provision of at least one aperture therethrough, and a sheet of carbon cloth between the first and second sheets is fed to a sealing station. In the sealing station the assembly of sheets is sealed together, preferably heat sealed by a weld extending through the periphery of the carbon cloth, to form a filter comprising two pieces of the above mentioned first and second sheets with a piece of the carbon cloth sealed therebetween. The filter is then removed from the remainder of the assembly.

Abstract: A tie is provided for holding together the parts of a fractured bone. The tie includes an elongate, flexible, plastic strap provided on at least one face thereof with ratchet teeth and provided at one end thereof with an aperture through which the other end of the strap is capable of being passed. The aperture has a pawl adapted to engage the ratchet teeth. The strap is provided on that face which, when the end of the strap is passed through the said aperture, is the inner face, with at least one protrusion. Alternatively, to the use of protrusions on the strap, or in addition an elongate plate is positioned adjacent the fractured bone and straps are passed through slots in the plate. The plate then spaces from the bone.

Abstract: An inhalation device by which powdered medicaments can be self-administered to a patient comprising a chamber arranged to receive a capsule containing the powdered medicament. At least one air inlet aperture leading into the chamber. A nozzle through which air can be inhaled leads from the chamber. A magazine is slidable and rotatable in the chamber and has a longitudinal capsule loading receptacle arranged so that a capsule inserted therein will have an end portion projecting from the receptacle into the chamber. A knife is fixed in the chamber in such a position that rotation of the magazine with respect to the chamber will cause the projecting portion of a capsule located in the receptacle to engage a cutting edge of the knife thereby to sever the projecting portion of the capsule from the remainder of the capsule.

Abstract: An inhalation device for self-administration to a patient powdered medicaments contained in a capsule. A chamber receives a capsule containing a powdered medicament. The chamber has a nozzle through which air from the chamber can be inhaled and the air inlet apertures leading into the chamber and so arranged that the air flow caused by inhalation through the nozzle will cause the capsule to be agitated. A magazine is slidable in the chamber to and from an operative position and is also rotatable in the chamber. The magazine has therein a capsule loading passage and at least one other passage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a milking system.The milking system of the invention includes a plurality of valves each of which is connected to a vacuum line and a milk conveying line at a plurality of spaced locations. Connectors are used which can be readily connected to and disconnected from the valves, each connector serving to supply vacuum from the vacuum line to operate a milking device positioned on a cow's udder and also serving to pass milk from the udder to the milk conveying line.The invention also provides a novel valve for use in the milking system of the invention.

Abstract: A machine and method for continuously applying wrappers to a stream of bound cigar bunches.