Abstract: A hinged protective collar for a kiln with rigid first and second body portions, each with a shape and size corresponding to the shape and size of a portion of a peripheral edge surface of the kiln sidewall and a hinge structure that pivotally couples the first and second body portions so they can be pivoted from a collapsed configuration to an expanded, use configuration. For a kiln with a faceted shape, each of the first and second body portions has a given number of corresponding facets. The hinged protective collar can span a portion of the periphery of the kiln, or the hinged protective collar could span 360 degrees and could have first and second hinge structures coupling the first and second body portions. The first and second body portions can have upturned proximal and, additionally or alternatively, distal end portions to prevent damage to kiln brick.

Abstract: A hinged protective collar for a kiln with rigid first and second body portions, each with a shape and size corresponding to the shape and size of a portion of a peripheral edge surface of the kiln sidewall and a hinge structure that pivotally couples the first and second body portions so they can be pivoted from a collapsed configuration to an expanded, use configuration. For a kiln with a faceted shape, each of the first and second body portions has a given number of corresponding facets. The hinged protective collar can span a portion of the periphery of the kiln, or the hinged protective collar could span 360 degrees and could have first and second hinge structures coupling the first and second body portions. The first and second body portions can have upturned proximal and, additionally or alternatively, distal end portions to prevent damage to kiln brick.

Abstract: A protective collar for a kiln that has a rigid body portion and a shape and size substantially corresponding to the shape and size of at least a portion of the peripheral edge surface of the kiln sidewall. Depending on the kiln, the protective collar can be round, oval, faceted, or otherwise shaped. The collar can be a complete ring or just a portion thereof. A plurality of stops, which can be fixed or pivoting, spaced along the body portion of the protective collar can prevent dislocation of the collar when applied to the kiln. The stops can be adjustable in location to avoid obstructions on the kiln. A properly selected protective collar can enable a method for protecting the firebrick in a kiln where the protective collar is applied with the shapes of the protective collar and the peripheral edge surface of the kiln sidewall substantially aligned.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspection of a security article (10) is provided in which a substantially collimated light beam (15) from a point light source (14) is directed onto a diffractive optical projection element (DOE) (11). The light beam is transformed by the DOE (11) into a patterned beam (17) which is reconstructed to form a projected image at a particular position in space remote from the surface of the security article 910). An optical detection device 916) is located at which the patterned beam (17) is reconstructed to detect the projected image. The inspection method and apparatus may be used in equipment for handling, sorting, counting or otherwise processing security articles, in particular security documents such as banknotes. The apparatus may include a processor for generating a signal when the absence or poor quality of a DOE is detected and which is used to isolate or mark the security article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspection of a security article (10) is provided in which a substantially collimated light beam (15) from a point light source (14) is directed onto a diffractive optical projection element (DOE) (11). The light beam is transformed by the DOE (11) into a patterned beam (17) which is reconstructed to form a projected image at a particular position in space remote from the surface of the security article 910). An optical detection device 916) is located at which the patterned beam (17) is reconstructed to detect the projected image. The inspection method and apparatus may be used in equipment for handling, sorting, counting or otherwise processing security articles, in particular security documents such as banknotes. The apparatus may include a processor for generating a signal when the absence or poor quality of a DOE is detected and which is used to isolate or mark the security article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspection of a security article (10) is provided in which a substantially collimated light beam (15) from a point light source (14) is directed onto a diffractive optical projection element (DOE) (11). The light beam is transformed by the DOE (11) into a patterned beam (17) which is reconstructed to form a projected image at a particular position in space remote from the surface of the security article 910). An optical detection device 916) is located at which the patterned beam (17) is reconstructed to detect the projected image. The inspection method and apparatus may be used in equipment for handling, sorting, counting or otherwise processing security articles, in particular security documents such as banknotes. The apparatus may include a processor for generating a signal when the absence or poor quality of a DOE is detected and which is used to isolate or mark the security article.

Abstract: A process for the environmentally safe disposal of used fluorescent lamp potted ballast assemblies and the like, with the potential for component part reclamation and/or recycling, involving preferred cryogenic freezing of the potted assembly to the extent that the frozen potting becomes sufficiently brittle throughout to enable it to be pulverized away in small particles, cleanly from all the components, with only that component with a hazardous material needing to be incinerated or otherwise environmentally safely disposed of, and with all the other components and parts in condition for salvage, re-use, and/or reclamation.