Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a detection system for determining whether an object is present at a predeterminable location, the system comprising a sensor tool including an air outlet at a forward surface thereof from which an air flow is in use delivered; an air catch sensor pneumatically connected to the air outlet of the sensor tool and being operative to detect a change in pressure of the air flow as delivered from the air outlet indicative of the air outlet being moved proximate a surface of an object; a positioning mechanism to which the sensor tool is attached; and a control unit for controlling the positioning mechanism to advance the sensor tool such that the air outlet of the sensor tool is advanced through at least one detection point to sense for a surface threat and determine whether an object is present at a predeterminable location.

Abstract: A first aspect of the invention provides an object holding tool for holding objects, comprising a gripping unit which is operable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration to grip and release objects in transporting the same, wherein the gripping unit defines a first, outwardly-facing gripping surface which, with the gripping unit in an expanded configuration, acts to grip an inner peripheral surface of an object of one kind, and a second, inwardly-facing gripping surface which, with the gripping unit in a contracted configuration, acts to grip an outer peripheral surface of an object of another kind.

Abstract: A flexible bag for dispensing medical liquid, such as intravenous solutions, to a patient. The bag has an improved additive port for periodically injecting medication or other liquid into the bag through a puncturable, resealable plug. The additive port includes a flexible support tube segment sealed between opposed walls of the bag and a substantially stiffer puncture tube sealed to an outer end of a port tube segment, which substantially stiffer puncture tube is in turn sealed to a tear-off closure. A puncturable, resealable plug is held against an integral puncturable (nonresealable) diaphragm of the puncture tube by the retaining member sealed within the puncture tube. This construction provides more reliable, leak proof sealing between components of an additive port of a medical liquid bag.

Abstract: Calcite is separated and purified from mineral impurities by grinding calcite ore, separating calcite from the impurities by conditioning the ground ore with a cationic flotation reagent selected from the group consisting of 1-hydroxyethyl-2-heptadecenyl glyoxalidine and 1-hydroxyethyl-2-alkylimidazolines and salt derivatives thereof, wherein the alkyl portion of the imidazoline is the alkyl portion of a fatty acid, dry or wet classifying the separated calcite and, if wet, settling the classified calcite in a thickener in the presence of an anionic settling agent.