Abstract: The invention relates to a method to apply a material which assists in the maintenance of a crease (4) or other formation in a garment (2), such as a crease line in the leg of a pair of trousers. The material (15) which is applied is of a form which minimizes the opportunity for the material (15) to be visible at the time of application and/or during subsequent use of the garment (2). The material (15) is applied using a method and apparatus (100) in which the spacing of the apparatus nib (14) from which the material (15) is applied, from the garment (2) and/or contact of the nib (14) with the garment (2) is controlled by support members (112, 114) such that the material (15) is applied onto the garment (2) and adheres thereto in a manner in which the desired effect of the material (15) is achieved without the material subsequently causing discolouration and/or passing through the garment (2).

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for assessing the condition of at least a portion of a pipeline to predict the possibility of occurrence of leakage from the pipeline. The method includes the steps of identifying at least one portion of the pipeline to be assessed, undertaking an assessment of the wall of the portion to identify defects located thereon and the assessment includes identifying the depth, width and length of identified defects and including reference to a value for the pressure of the fluid passing through the pipeline portion. This allows the condition of the pipeline at the portions of the same which are most critical to be identified and this is used to provide an indication of the pipeline as a whole without the need to investigate the entire pipeline.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device and method which can be used to detect the location of one or more leaks within a pipeline, by passing the device along the interior of the pipeline. The device includes audio detection means to detect the presence of leaks. Surface mounted apparatus is also provided to allow the passage of the device along the pipeline to be monitored and the position of the device with respect to the pipeline to be detected.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting the condition of a pipeline wall and analysis and estimate of the life of the pipeline by using an apparatus mounted externally of the pipeline and provided to be moved about and/or along at least a portion of the same. The apparatus includes at least one sensor array which includes a plurality of sensors axially offset to provide data for analysis and identification of pipeline defects.

Abstract: The current invention relates to a method and apparatus for assessing the condition of a pipeline and also predicting the future rate of deterioration and/or possible failure of the pipeline. The method includes the steps of selecting at least one portion of the pipeline for which the prediction is to be made and, for that portion, monitoring or inspecting and assessing the condition of the pipeline wall, and typically also assessing the condition of any coating of the pipeline at said portion as well as the condition of the soil adjacent the pipeline. The measurement is performed along the length of the portion and preferably around the circumference of the pipeline at said portion. Data is collected for each cell of a grid which represents the said portion and on the basis of the measured data and, selectively, previous data and or reference data, an accurate prediction can be made as to the future condition of the pipeline and also identify potential future problems or required remedial works.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and a method for detecting the condition of the material of a pipeline wall. The apparatus includes means for inducing and detecting magnetic flux at a location on the pipeline and, at said location, sensing means detect whether any change in material condition is on or near the external wall of the pipeline. By analysing the two sets of monitored values a change in condition, such as corrosion, can be detected, located and determined to be at or near the external or internal surfaces of the pipeline wall.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the invention relates to the formation of ducts or passageways, referred to as ducts underground by using existing lengths of plant such as pipes, cables or wires, or a length of plant laid in predetermined position as a guidance or reference for the drill head used to form the duct or passageway as it passes through the ground. The plant is used to generate an electromagnetic field which is sensed by at least one electromagnetic field sensor mounted in the drill head, said sensor rotated to allow comparison of signals and the distance of the drill head from the plant to be calculated. Other sensors can also be provided to determine other positional characteristics of the drill head with respect to the plant. This allows the duct to be formed with the avoidance of potentially hazardous plant and/or along a path which is determined with reference to the plant.