Abstract: In a drainage inspection chamber of the kind having a manhole access and a base with at least one channel in the base extending between an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the base is formed from plastics material and has an integral side wall structure, circular openings in the side wall structure constituting the inlet and outlet openings. Separately formed socket members for receiving inlet and outlet pipes are located at each of the openings, each of the socket member being provided with a resilient sealing member for sealing with the outer surface of a pipe fitted into the socket member, the sealing member also serving simultaneously to seal the socket member with the internal surface of the inspection chamber.

Abstract: A flexible wallcovering is made by applying a foamable composition (13) to a woodchip paper (12, 14) having woodchips defining a relief surface on the paper by a screen printing process and then foaming the composition. Preferably, the wallcovering is of two ply construction with a woodchip content between the plies and the paper is formulated so that the upper ply is dry removable from the lower ply. The woodchips are at least 2 mm in average length; and the woodchips form 20 to 35% by weight of the paper.

Abstract: Foam plastics sheet material, such as a wallcovering, has a pronounced decorative relief finish and comprises a substrate web with a foam coating some at least of which is blistered. The blistering is achieved by having two foamable coatings on the web, the lower of which is sacrificed to produce the blistering in the upper. In one method the lower coating is foamed, the upper coating is then applied in its pre-foamed state, and then heated so that the lower coating is sacrificed and the upper coating is foamed and blistered. In another method both coatings are applied in their unfoamed state with the lower coating having a lower foaming temperature than that of the upper coating. Both coatings are then heated together. The lower coating foams and is then sacrificed. The upper coating foams and blisters.

Abstract: Foam plastics sheet material, such as a wallcovering, has graduated color toning. The material comprises a substrate web having a pigmented base coat and a foam coat in which the pigment has migrated to the surface of the foam coat in varying degrees, or, in some areas, not at all.The foam coat can have at least two thicknesses or can be applied to a pre-embossed substrate web.

Abstract: A patient transfer device comprises a belt connected at its ends to first and second reels and in its extension from the first reel to the second reel defines in turn an upper patient supporting portion and a lower ground engaging portion. Each of said reels is selectively rotatable so that in a first mode of operation of the transfer device with said first reel driven the belt is taken-up by the first reel and let out by the second reel and in a second mode of operation the belt is taken up by the second reel and let out by the first reel. An auxiliary belt take-up and let-out device is connected to the belt at a position between its upper patient supporting portion and its lower ground engaging portion and is selectively lockable to enable the first and second modes of operation to be performed.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a differentially expanded sheet material comprises applying an organic solvent to the surface of an expandable thermoplastic sheet containing a blowing agent and allowing the treated sheet to at least partially dry before a composition comprising an ink and a kicker for the blowing agent is applied to selected areas of the treated surface. The sheet is then heated so that differential expansion occurs.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a differentially expanded sheet material comprises applying an organic solvent to the surface of an expandable thermoplastic sheet containing a blowing agent and allowing the treated sheet to at least partially dry before a composition containing a metallic powder and a kicker for the blowing agent is applied to selected areas of the treated surface. The sheet is then uniformly heated to a temperature at which the blowing agent in contact with the kicker decomposes but below that at which it decomposes in the absence of the kicker, so that the areas of the sheet in contact with the kicker expand to a greater extent than the uncontacted areas.

Abstract: A float controlled valve for controlling the flow of a pressurized water supply to a cistern, is of the kind having a flexible diaphragm dividing a valve housing into an inlet chamber and a back-pressure chamber, the pressurized supply acting on both sides of the diaphragm to maintain the valve closed. A float controlled pilot valve is pivotally connected to the valve housing and is operable by the float to relieve the pressure in the back pressure chamber. The float operated pilot valve has an actuating lever which is pivoted at one end to the valve housing and carries the float at its other end, the lever being shaped to extend from its float-carrying end up one side of the valve housing and over the top of the valve housing to its pivotal connection at the opposite side of the valve housing.

Abstract: A supporting arrangement for supporting a porous diffuser over a discharge opening of a gas supply pipe comprises a diffuser supporting body which defines a chamber with the porous diffuser and which connects with the discharge opening whereby gas is supplied to the chamber from the pipe. The diffuser supporting body has downwardly extending limbs which straddle the gas supply pipe and positively locate with the pipe in order to mount the supporting body on the pipe.

Abstract: The conjoint use of (a) a pigment treated with a hydrophilic agent and (b) a binder composition based on a component having a relatively high hydroxyl value in an organic solvent based coating composition.