Abstract: A static mixer comprising a group of deflector elements distributed within a conduit through which a fluid flows in a direction generally parallel to an axis of the conduit. Each deflector element defines a surface which is inclined to the conduit axis such that fluid is deflected by the surface in a direction transverse to that axis. The deflector elements are positioned so as to generate an asymmetric vortex flow such that the intensities of adjacent vortices are different. The deflection elements may be in the form of, for example, asymmetric pairs of tabs, for example spaced apart pairs of tabs of different lengths. The angle of inclination of the tabs to the conduit axis may be adjustable.

Abstract: An optical device includes a waveguide bounded by a region containing a photonic band gap the properties of which determined the transfer characteristic of the waveguide. Such a device may serve as a component of, for example a wavelength division multiplexer, a monochromatic laser or a chemical sensor. It may serve as an optical bus for an electronic component such as a microprocessor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medicament delivery device such as an injector for self-administration of a medicament. Those using such devices are often infirm or have impaired vision There is accordingly a dead for a medicament delivery device in which an amount of a dosage of medicament to be delivered can be selected relatively quickly by the firm and infirm alike and in which the amount of the dosage may readily be controlled and determined. Also there is a need to display the amount of the dialled dosage of medicament on the rotatable knob in figures sufficiently large and clear to be legible by those having a degree of impaired vision.

Abstract: An impeller suitable for use in a centrifugal pump, the pump including a pump chamber and a pump inlet. The impeller includes a main body portion which includes a plurality of primary pumping blades or vanes and one or more flow inducing blades or vanes which project from the main body portion of the impeller and when installed into the pump inlet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of planning a travel route including maintaining in a memory a reference database comprising one or more travel data sets, each travel data set representing a travel option from a travel origin to a travel destination and including an origin identifier and a destination identifier, obtaining one or more travel preferences for a travel route from a user, retrieving one or more travel data sets from the reference database to construct one or more candidate travel plans, calculating a plurality of penalty values based on the user travel preferences, each penalty value associated with a corresponding travel data set, and selecting one or more candidate travel plans so as to minimize the sum of penalty values associated with the travel data sets of a candidate travel plan. The present invention encompasses hardware, software and firmware suitable to accomplish the method.

Abstract: In combination an item of underwear (10) including a front part (11), a back part (12), a waist part (13) and a crotch part (14) which in use extends front to back between the legs of a wearer and a sanitary pad (30) of the kind having side wings (34) which carry an adhesive, characterised in that the item of underwear includes an inside lining part (20) which extends over at least a substantial portion of the crotch part (14) and has sides (25,26) which are unattached to the crotch part (14) over at least part of the front to back extent of the crotch part (14), and the side wings (34) of the pad are foldable into a position between the crotch part (14) of the item (10) and the inside lining part (20) with the adhesive adhered to the inside lining part (20).

Abstract: This invention is directed to improvements in paper incorporating an elongate impermeable element, to a method of making such paper and to documents made therefrom.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with security elements for security articles such as banknotes, cheques and the like. The invention further comprises a security element for use with security materials, said element comprising a first layer, to one side of which is applied at least one optically variable device, and on the other side of said first layer are applied indicia, and a thermochromic coating applied over the indicia, wherein the thermochromic coating comprises a thermochromic material which is coloured when the temperature of said thermochromic coating is below an activation temperature, which colour substantially obscures the indicia and enhances the visibility of the optically variable device, and wherein the thermochromic material becomes colourless at or above said activation temperature, to thereby reveal the indicia, and to render the optically variable device substantially invisible in reflected light.

Abstract: A fire barrier material comprising a combination of materials capable of melting progressively as the temperature rises under fire conditions, namely a relatively high melting devitrifying frit, one or more substances to reduce melt and flow temperature of the frit and, optionally, an intumescent substance and/or a pH buffer. The material is particularly suitable for use in thermoplastic materials.

Abstract: A submersible article comprises a buoyancy body formed from polyurethane foam having a first density, which is at least partly overmolded with a protective skin of polyurethane foam having a second density higher than the first density. The lower density foam of the body gives the article buoyancy, while the higher density protective skin strengthens the article and gives impact resistance. The protective skin can be stiffened, either uniformly or locally, by the addition of glass fiber or other reinforcing material which is arranged over the buoyancy body prior to the overmolding. The article can be made by a two-stage molding process.