Abstract: An evaporative cooling device (40) is disclosed for cooling water or other liquids comprising a vessel (50) adapted to receive water or another liquid, said vessel comprising a vessel wall (53, 54, 55), an outer layer (90) of absorbent material and a wick (85) extending through said vessel wall, such that said wick is positioned to contact said water or other liquid within the vessel and is adapted to transport a portion of said water or other liquid through the wall by capillary action to said absorbent material, said wick being substantially impermeable to gas or vapour, so that the cooling device (40) can be connected in-line in an hydration system of the kind comprising a reservoir (12) and a drinking tube (32).

Abstract: An item of clothing (in this case is shown as a hat) 10 comprises wall 30 having formed of netting 10. There is also a silvered layer 50 in proximity to the wall 30. In use, heat rays from the Sun are reflected from the wearer's body by the silvered layer 50 while walls 30 allow heat to be vented away from the wearer's body. Optionally, gel layer 60 is present which results in evaporation of liquid away from the body, so further cooling the wearer.

Abstract: The invention relates to concretes and mortars comprising a hydrophilic component such as hemp, flax or straw; a binder which sets in air through absorption of carbon dioxide after reduction in an aqueous phase; at least one additive which forms a microcapillary system array; and at least one matrix water repellency additive.

Abstract: A sheathed receptacle device for securing objects within an associated enclosure includes an object receptacle having outwardly-extending tabs which engage with respective slots in the enclosure to secure the receptacle within the enclosure. In a particular embodiment, the receptacle includes gripping portions integrally formed with the outwardly-extending tabs in a cantilevered body having a spring action such that manual depression of the gripping portions directly actuates the tabs into and out of respective slots in the associated enclosure.

Abstract: A blow-molded container has a central axis, a neck and a cylindrical sidewall connected with the neck, generally centered about the central axis and having an end. A generally hemispherical base wall encloses the end of the sidewall. A plurality of legs extend from and are circumferentially spaced about the base wall. Each leg has a radially outermost portion offset inwardly from the sidewall and toward the central axis. An upper portion of each leg connects the leg with the base wall and has a radially outermost edge offset toward the central axis with respect to the sidewall. Preferably, each leg includes a leg sidewall having a generally cylindrical portion, a first, open end integrally formed with the base wall and a second end. An end wall encloses the second end of the leg sidewall and has a generally flat section providing a foot surface configured to support the container on a surface. Preferably, the leg sidewall has a closed perimeter extending proximal the open end.

Abstract: A hardware add-on including an interface to external I/O, a voice processor, and a micro-controller along with a terminate and stay resident program allow a digital dictation and voice mail system to run transparently on a PC operating under DOS. A hardware DTMF transceiver and software template files which equate strings representing DTMF tone signals to DOS commands permits dictation through a touch-tone phone. Voice sampling and playback speed are controlled with a reference signal and a feedback loop to an oscillator controlling the sampling rate of the voice processor. Dictation, template, and message files are DOS formatted.