Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for decorating a drinking or eating vessel, the method comprising: a. providing: i. a drinking or eating vessel, wherein the vessel comprises an inner surface that defines a volume for receiving a liquid or a solid food and an outer surface comprising a polymeric coating; and ii. a transfer sheet, wherein the transfer sheet comprises a printed decoration; and iii. a supporting means comprising a recess for receiving the vessel; and b.

Abstract: There is provided a drinking or eating vessel comprising an inner surface that defines a volume for receiving liquid or solid food and an outer surface that supports a polymeric coating and a decorative layer; wherein the polymeric coating comprises a polymer formed by curing a coating mixture on the outer surface of the drinking or eating vessel, said coating mixture comprising a matting agent; wherein the polymeric coating has an inner surface in contact with the drinking or eating vessel and an outer surface exposed to contact by a user of the vessel; and wherein the decorative layer forms a diffuse layer within the polymeric coating. Also provided are corresponding processes for producing the drinking or eating vessel.

Abstract: There is provided a drinking or eating vessel comprising an inner surface that defines a volume for receiving liquid or solid food and an outer surface that supports a polymeric coating and a decorative layer, wherein the polymeric coating comprises a polymer formed by curing a coating mixture on the outer surface of the drinking or eating vessel, said coating mixture comprising a matting agent, wherein the polymeric coating has an inner surface in contact with the drinking or eating vessel and an outer surface in contact with the decorative layer, and wherein the decorative layer comprises a dry toner image applied to the outer surface of the polymeric coating. Also provided is a corresponding process for producing the drinking or eating vessel.

Abstract: There is provided a drinking or eating vessel comprising an inner surface that defines a volume for receiving liquid or solid food and an outer surface that supports a polymeric coating and a decorative layer, wherein the polymeric coating comprises a polymer formed by curing a coating mixture on the outer surface of the drinking or eating vessel, said coating mixture comprising a matting agent, wherein the polymeric coating has an inner surface in contact with the drinking or eating vessel and an outer surface in contact with the decorative layer, and wherein the decorative layer comprises a dry toner image applied to the outer surface of the polymeric coating. Also provided is a corresponding process for producing the drinking or eating vessel.

Abstract: There is provided a drinking or eating vessel comprising an inner surface that defines a volume for receiving liquid or solid food and an outer surface that supports a polymeric coating and a decorative layer, wherein the polymeric coating comprises a polymer formed by curing a coating mixture on the outer surface of the drinking or eating vessel, said coating mixture comprising a matting agent, wherein the polymeric coating has an inner surface in contact with the drinking or eating vessel and an outer surface in contact with the decorative layer, and wherein the decorative layer comprises a dry toner image applied to the outer surface of the polymeric coating. Also provided is a corresponding process for producing the drinking or eating vessel.

Abstract: There is provided a drinking or eating vessel comprising an inner surface that defines a volume for receiving liquid or solid food and an outer surface that supports an anti-microbial coating and a decorative layer, wherein the anti-microbial coating comprises a polymer formed at a curing temperature of less than 600° C. and contains anti-microbial particles distributed within said coating, wherein the anti-microbial coating and/or the decorative layer define an outermost surface that is exposed to contact by a user of the vessel, and wherein the anti-microbial particles provide anti-microbial protection across the entire surface of said outermost surface. Also provided are corresponding process for producing the drinking or eating vessel.

Abstract: There is provided a drinking or eating vessel comprising an inner surface that defines a volume for receiving liquid or solid food and an outer surface that supports a polymeric coating and a decorative layer, wherein the polymeric coating comprises a polymer formed by curing a coating mixture on the outer surface of the drinking or eating vessel, said coating mixture comprising a matting agent, wherein the polymeric coating has an inner surface in contact with the drinking or eating vessel and an outer surface in contact with the decorative layer, and wherein the decorative layer comprises a dry toner image applied to the outer surface of the polymeric coating. Also provided is a corresponding process for producing the drinking or eating vessel.

Abstract: There is provided a drinking or eating vessel comprising an inner surface that defines a volume for receiving liquid or solid food and an outer surface that supports an anti-microbial coating and a decorative layer, wherein the anti-microbial coating comprises a polymer formed at a curing temperature of less than 600° C. and contains anti-microbial particles distributed within said coating, wherein the anti-microbial coating and/or the decorative layer define an outermost surface that is exposed to contact by a user of the vessel, and wherein the anti-microbial particles provide antimicrobial protection across the entire surface of said outermost surface. Also provided are corresponding process for producing the drinking or eating vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an implantable device for improving the pump function of the heart of a human patient by applying an external force on the heart muscle, said device comprising at least one pump device comprising: a first part having a first surface, and a second part having a second surface. The first part is displaceable in relation to the second part and said first and second surfaces abut each other, at least partially. The second part exerts, directly or indirectly, force on an external part of said heart muscle.

Abstract: An artificial stomach for replacing the normal stomach of a patient comprises a food reservoir adapted to collect food, an inlet connected to a first opening of the food reservoir and further being adapted to upstream connect to the patient's gastrointestinal tract, and an outlet connected to a second opening of the food reservoir and further being adapted to downstream connect to the patient's gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: There is provided a method for controlling a flow of intestinal contents in the intestinal passageway of a patient's intestines. The method comprises gently constricting (i.e., without substantially hampering the blood circulation in the intestinal tissue wall) at least one portion of the intestinal tissue wall to influence the flow in the intestinal passageway, and stimulating the constricted wall portion to cause contraction of the wall portion to further influence the flow in the intestinal passageway. The method can be used for restricting or stopping the flow in the intestinal passageway, or for actively moving the fluid in the intestinal passageway, with a low risk of injuring the intestines.

Abstract: A segmented ring mounting (5) for retaining cylindrical components (2, 3) one within the other in a fluid-operated percussion drill tool, such as a downhole rock drill. The ring mounting also has application to other interengaging cylindrical components which are subject to heavy wear or pressure loading, such as compressors, pumps, borehole tools, casings and drillpipe mountings. The retaining ring (5) seats a smaller diameter cylindrical component (3) within a larger diameter cylindrical component (2), wherein one of the components is formed with a groove (12) or shoulder for seating the retaining ring in use, the ring being capable of radial compression and expansion so as to expand radially into the seating groove or shoulder for retaining the components one within the other in use.

Abstract: A deception system for deceiving enemy forces including a launcher, and pyrotechnic ammunition which is launched from the launcher and exploded at a location away from the launcher, wherein the pyrotechnic ammunition includes: a detonation mechanism which is set to detonate at the location away from the launcher, and pyrotechnic explosive material which is detonated by the detonation mechanism. When the pyrotechnic explosive material is detonated, a muzzle flash effect is created, and the muzzle flash effect is substantially similar to a real muzzle flash.

Abstract: This invention discloses a back rest, including a body member formed with a back-facing side to face the back of a user, and a plurality of spaced projections projecting from the back-engageable face to engage the back of user at a plurality of discrete points, each of the projections being stiff, formed with a rounded outer surface to contact the user's back, and circumscribed by a relatively flat surface, such that the projections produce a Shiatsu local massaging effect on the user's back.

Abstract: A folding portable play enclosure for children includes a plurality of panels connected in a series in an accordion-fold manner by a plurality of folding joints. The panels are formed by cardboard sheets sandwiched between inner and outer flexible vinyl layers. The folding joints are formed by the provision of spaces between the ends of each adjacent pair of cardboard sheets in the series. First indicia on one face of each of the panels simulates an exterior appearance of a home and includes trees, exterior windows, exterior doors, and fences, for example. Second indicia on an opposite face of the panels simulates an interior appearance of a home and includes furniture, interior windows, interior doors, and bookshelves, for example. Cooperating snap fasteners allow the enclosure to be selectively secured in an erected orientation forming a closed play space or in a compact collapsed orientation for transportation and storage.

Abstract: A reverse circulation down-the-hole hammer drill apparatus for drilling rock and overburden comprises a fluid-driven piston which reciprocates in an annular chamber to repeatedly strike a bit suspended at one end of the chamber, for example in a splined mounting. Fluid is exhausted through the bit directly to the face of the bit and cuttings and debris are returned via a central throughbore in the bit and in the drill apparatus to the surface. The bit drops forward on encountering a void during drilling operations to open by-pass passages which exhaust fluid directly into the throughbore temporarily so as to prevent any loss of return of sample to the surface.

Abstract: A valveless down-the-hole hammer drill is actuated by fluid such as compressed air. The drill includes a piston disposed within a chamber defined within an outer wear sleeve, an air diverter at one end and a suspendably mounted drill bit at the other end, wherein the piston has a slidable contact surface with the chamber towards each end of the piston, such that the piston is slidably reciprocable within the chamber. Porting and exhaust arrangements alternately supply and exhaust live pressure fluid to either end surface of the piston to reciprocate it and cause it to repeatedly strike the drill bit. An intermediate compression chamber is defined between the two sliding contact surfaces of the piston between the piston and the outer wear sleeve. Air trapped in the intermediate chamber is compressed so as to apply a retarding force on the piston towards the end of the return stroke, and to provide additional impetus to the piston on the commencement of the drive stroke.

Abstract: A disc camera drive mechanism has a manually movable film advance member reciprocable between a rest and an actuated position, a shutter and a manually movable shutter release element. Drive means actuated by the film advance member on its movement to actuated position rotates the disc film and activates spring means. Spring retainer means retains the spring means in activated position. Release of the spring means operates the shutter on actuation of the shutter release element. A spring urged film detent element is actuated by the drive means, and on release of the spring means the detent element is urged against the film during the latter part of its advance so as to engage a film detent opening when the latter comes into register. The detent element is withdrawn from the opening after the shutter is operated. A stop movable with the detent element may block shutter movement when the detent element is in its withdrawn position.