Abstract: Dynamic Insulation for a building or structure comprising an external surface and an internal surface; at least one heat transfer layer between the internal and external surface; a supply for supplying air to the heat transfer layer, and a collector for collecting air that has flowed through the heat transfer layer. Pressure is regulated through the dynamic insulation. Air is supplied to the dynamic insulation from the interior or the exterior of the building or structure and/or exhausted to the Interior or exterior of the building or structure.

Abstract: Apparatus for recovering thermal energy escaping through a wall structure. The apparatus comprising a wall structure (2) provided with a thermal energy recovery layer, the thermal energy recovery layer having an arrangement of one or more air breathable sections provided adjacent one or more non-air breathable sections. Rising or falling air (3) at an outer surface of the wall structure (2) passes over the one or more non-air breathable sections to collect escaping hot or cold thermal energy before passing through the one or more breathable sections to thereby be recovered. Further provided is an air collection means (4) for collecting warmed air rising up or cold air flowing down an external wall of said building. The air collection means comprising a tapering converging guide member extending outwardly from the building's wall (2) for collecting and directing rising or falling air into the building.

Abstract: A multi-layered web is provided that includes an elastic web bonded to an inelastic web. The inelastic web has extensible and inextensible regions arranged along the machine direction. In the extensible regions, the inelastic web is bonded to the elastic web in a creped structure that is extensible by virtue of the creping. A continuous process is provided to manufacture a multi-layer web having extensible regions that are conjoined with regions that are inextensible by varying the tension that is applied during manufacture of the multi-layer web. The apparatus comprises an elastic web that is fed into a bonding nip, into which one or more inelastic webs are also provided. The elastic web is fed into the bonding nip under a tension that is alternated between a low value that is sufficient to ensure processing stability, and a higher value that provides an elongation to the elastic web.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture are disclosed for providing breathable elastic laminates comprised of one or more elastic materials bonded to on or more nonelastic materials. Articles of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A teat locating sensor for use in farming equipment such as robotic milking machines and teat disinfection units. One or more cameras capture an image of the udder. The captured image is processed by applying an edge detector to provide an edge image. A Hough transform is applied for detecting edges using semi-circles and near vertical forms. A feature detector then matches these to provide teat ends and teat sides and thus produces a teat location map. Colour or monochrome cameras can be used and a 2D or 3D map can be generated. Filtering is described to improve the accuracy if required.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite web includes supplying two or more webs to an activation mechanism, where the webs are in an unbonded state relative to each other. The method further entails simultaneously activating the webs while they are in a face to face relationship and in an unbonded state, and then bonding the webs to form a composite web.

Abstract: A multi-layered web is provided that includes an elastic web bonded to an inelastic web. The inelastic web has extensible and inextensible regions arranged along the machine direction. In the extensible regions, the inelastic web is bonded to the elastic web in a creped structure that is extensible by virtue of the creping. A continuous process is provided to manufacture a multi-layer web having extensible regions that are conjoined with regions that are inextensible by varying the tension that is applied during manufacture of the multi-layer web. The apparatus comprises an elastic web that is fed into a bonding nip, into which one or more inelastic webs are also provided. The elastic web is fed into the bonding nip under a tension that is alternated between a low value that is sufficient to ensure processing stability, and a higher value that provides an elongation to the elastic web.

Abstract: An elastic web that can be made breathable upon application of a tensile force such as would be encountered in certain applications, such as in absorbent articles and other hygienic or non-hygienic articles, and bandages is described. Breathability is achieved by insertion into the web of slits whose open area increases upon application of a force on the web acting along the major axis of said slits.