Abstract: A laser system is disclosed comprising a laser device for emitting laser radiation and an optical fiber adapted to connect, in use, to the laser device for delivering the laser radiation. The optical fiber contains a label, such as an RF identification tag, a barcode or a color code. The laser device interrogates the optical fiber and receives information back from the optical fiber. If the usage of the optical fiber has exceeded safety limits then the laser device may be prevented from operating. The laser device on receiving information from the optical fiber may also be configured to deliver laser radiation having a specific power, pulse width, pulse interval and treatment duration.

Abstract: The invention provides a dispersant for an aqueous dispersion of boehmite particles which comprises a compound having an anchoring moiety linked to a polymeric hydrophilic moiety, the anchoring moiety containing at least one acid and/or hydroxy group and having overall acidity or neutrality and the polymeric moiety having a lower affinity for a boehmite surface than the anchoring moiety. The anchoring moiety preferably contains at least two acid groups, preferably carboxylic acid groups, attached either in a [1,1], [1,2] or [1,3] relationship and is linked to the polymeric moiety, which is preferably derived from acrylamide or methacrylamide monomer units, preferably by a sulfur atom. The dispersant can reduce the viscosity of the boehmite dispersion and the tendency of the boehmite dispersion to increase in viscosity and/or form a gel or a yield stress material following periods of high shear stress.

Abstract: When using graphical diagrams, cutting and pasting operations may take advantage of predefined relationships to intelligently insert and remove items from the diagram. A text data model may be interpreted sequentially or hierarchically to construct various diagrams. Pasting operations will bring new data into the diagram and data model while conforming the new data to the diagram definition. Cutting operations may cause the data model and diagram to be healed to conform to the diagram definition.

Abstract: The invention provides an inkjet recording element comprising a support having thereon an image-receiving layer, said inkjet recording element containing colloidal particles having a charged or chargeable surface and having associated therewith at least two polymers having ionised or ionisable groups thereon, wherein one of those polymers has ionised or ionisable groups of opposite charge to that of the surface of the colloidal particles and another of those polymers has ionised or ionisable groups the same as that of the surface of the colloidal particles. When printed with ink the element can impart good image stability, has a short dry time, can give any required gloss, provides good optical density and is suitable for use with a wide range of inks.

Abstract: A parison (110) for a container having a substantially constant wall thickness, the container having a base, a top edge defining a round opening, the top edge defining a plane which is not parallel to the plane of the base, a neck portion disposed at the same angle as the plane defined by the top edge, a front outer surface, and a rear outer surface having a lower portion and an upper portion. The parison comprises a cylindrical upper neck portion (140) having a cavity extending therethrough, the upper nock having a top surface (145) edge defining a top plane. The parison also has a hollow, elongated body portion (150) having a closed lower end (155) and an upper end (160), the lower body portion having a major axis extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical upper neck portion, and having a front wall (170) and a rear wall (175). The front wall is thicker than said rear wall. Also included in the invention is a method of producing a bottle (100) from the parison.

Abstract: A hydrophilic colloid composition having hydrophobic material dispersed therein and comprising an anionic surface active agent further comprises a cationic surface active agent in an amount sufficient to reduce the viscosity of the composition, the cationic surface active agent comprising a hydrophobic moiety, a non-ionic hydrophilic moiety and a cationic hydrophilic moiety.