Abstract: A Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) biosensor system comprising: a SPR sensor surface, an illumination unit arranged to direct a wedge shaped beam of light at a line shaped detection area on the SPR sensor surface transverse to the direction of propagation of light, and a detection unit with detection optics for directing light reflected from the SPR sensor surface onto a two-dimensional optical detector unit such that the angle of reflection is imaged along one dimension and the width of the detection area along the other, wherein the illumination unit is arranged to selectively direct the wedge shaped beam of light at two or more spaced apart line shaped detection areas on the SPR sensor surface transverse to the direction of propagation of light.

Abstract: In an aspect, an electrical vehicle for traveling in a forward direction has two wheels on opposing side of a platform without a steering column. A motor and a battery are adapted to drive one wheel and controlled via a fold-out foot control. The steering wheel is controlled via a fold-out foot control. Both the driving wheel and the steering can also be controlled remotely by radio, smartphone app or the like. The two fold-out foot controls are integrated into the general shape of the platform when not in use. The vehicle is equipped with lateral balancing means and connected to a network, which enables it to be driven autonomously.

Abstract: A Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) biosensor system comprising: a SPR sensor surface, an illumination unit arranged to direct a wedge shaped beam of light at a line shaped detection area on the SPR sensor surface transverse to the direction of propagation of light, and a detection unit with detection optics for directing light reflected from the SPR sensor surface onto a two-dimensional optical detector unit such that the angle of reflection is imaged along one dimension and the width of the detection area along the other, wherein the illumination unit is arranged to selectively direct the wedge shaped beam of light at two or more spaced apart line shaped detection areas on the SPR sensor surface transverse to the direction of propagation of light.

Abstract: A vibratory appliance includes a tool driven to oscillate by a rotary electric motor. A mechanism for converting rotary movement to oscillatory movement includes magnetic couplers moveable relative to one another. A displacement mechanism moves one of the magnetic couplers relative to the other magnetic coupler and varies the amplitude of oscillation of the tool.

Abstract: A vibratory appliance includes a tool driven to oscillate by a rotary electric motor. A shaft supported, at an intermediate portion by a pivot, is driven by an orbital drive mechanism. The orbital drive mechanism includes a rotor rotated about a rotor axis by the motor, an elongate part, and a coupler. The elongate part and the coupler are each fixed to a respective one of the inner end and the rotor. The elongate part and the coupler are mutually connected for sliding movement relative to one another, between first and second relative positions in which the inner end orbits about the rotor axis at first and second orbital radii, respectively, to vary the amplitude of oscillation of the tool.

Abstract: Embodiments include a stapler with a built-in staple remover, the staple remover movable between a non-operational position where it is retracted in a stapler body of the stapler and locked by a locking device and an operational position where it is partly extended from the stapler body, the staple remover being acted upon by a first elastic unit which is tensioned when the staple remover is in the non-operational position and which pushes the staple remover to the operational position when the locking device is released in the non-operational position.

Abstract: A stapler (1) using staples for stapling together a workpiece (5), particularly a sheaf of papers, which stapler comprises a base part (3) against which the workpiece is placed, a magazine part (4) in which the staples are stored and a built-in staple remover arrangement (7) comprising a staple remover (8) which is movable between a non-operational first position where it is re-tracted in the stapler body (2) and locked by a locking device (9) and an operational second position where it is partly extended from the stapler body, the staple remover (8) being acted upon by a first elastic means (10) which is tensioned when the staple remover is in a non-operational position and which pushes the staple remover to the extended position when the locking device (9) is released in the non-operational position.

Abstract: Stapler (1) which comprises a base part (2) and a stapling unit (3). The base part consists of a lower part (5) and an upper part (6) which are connected together such that they from each other, and between which parts is arranged a first elastic element (8) which, in an initial position, moves the upper and lower parts apart. A workpiece to be stapled is placed on the upper part (6), where an opening (31) is arranged through which the legs of the staple is driven after that the legs have driven through the workpiece, and to which upper part bending devices (21, 22), pivotable about pivot pins (25, 26), are connected. The upper part being blocked from moving downward by a blocking arrangement (21, 22, 25, 26, 44, 45) when the driver drives the staple legs through the workpiece. The blocking device is disengaged by means of a releasing device (53, 54, 55, 56) when the staple crown (40) contacts the upper surface (17) of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of examining thin layer structures on a surface for differences in respect of optical thickness, which method comprises the steps of: irradiating the surface with light so that the light is internally or externally reflected at the surface; imaging the reflected light on a first two-dimensional detector; sequentially or continuously scanning the incident angle and/or wavelength of the light over an angular and/or wavelength range; measuring the intensities of light reflected from different parts of the surface and impinging on different parts of the detector, at least a number of incident angles and/or wavelengths, the intensity of light reflected from each part of the surface for each angle and/or wavelength depending on the optical thickness of the thin layer structure thereon; and determining from the detected light intensities at the different light incident angles and/or wavelengths an optical thickness image of the thin layer structures on the surface.

Abstract: A method of examining thin layer structures on a surface for differences in respect of optical thickness, which method comprises the steps of: irradiating the surface with light so that the light is internally or externally reflected at the surface; imaging the reflected light on a first two-dimensional detector; sequentially or continuously scanning the incident angle and/or wavelength of the light over an angular and/or wavelength range; measuring the intensities of light reflected from different parts of the surface and impinging on different parts of the detector, at least a number of incident angles and/or wavelengths, the intensity of light reflected from each part of the surface for each angle and/or wavelength depending on the optical thickness of the thin layer structure thereon; and determining from the detected light intensities at the different light incident angles and/or wavelengths an optical thickness image of the thin layer structures on the surface.

Abstract: A housing for an electric motor for driving a fan for a vacuum cleaner, comprising respective parts fitting together so that at least part of the housing comprises spaced inner and outer walls between which exhaust flow of air from the fan takes place, wherein there is provided at least one formation extending into the space between the inner and outer walls to cause the air to flow in an elongated flow path therebetween.

Abstract: Stapler (1) which comprises a base part (2) and a stapling unit (3). The base part consists of a lower part (5) and an upper part (6) which are connected together such that they from each other, and between which parts is arranged a first elastic element (8) which, in an initial position, moves the upper and lower parts apart. A workpiece to be stapled is placed on the upper part (6), where an opening (31) is arranged through which the legs of the staple is driven after that the legs have driven through the workpiece, and to which upper part bending devices (21, 22), pivotable about pivot pins (25, 26), are connected. The upper part being blocked from moving downward by a blocking arrangement (21, 22, 25, 26, 44, 45) when the driver drives the staple legs through the workpiece. The blocking device is disengaged by means of a releasing device (53, 54, 55, 56) when the staple crown (40) contacts the upper surface (17) of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of examining thin layer structures on a surface for differences in respect of optical thickness, which method comprises the steps of: irradiating the surface with light so that the light is internally or externally reflected at the surface; imaging the reflected light on a first two-dimensional detector; sequentially or continuously scanning the incident angle and/or wavelength of the light over an angular and/or wavelength range; measuring the intensities of light reflected from different parts of the surface and impinging on different parts of the detector, at at least a number of incident angles and/or wavelengths, the intensity of light reflected from each part of the surface for each angle and/or wavelength depending on the optical thickness of the thin layer structure thereon; and determining from the detected light intensities at the different light incident angles and/or wavelengths an optical thickness image of the thin layer structures on the surface.

Abstract: A method of examining thin layer structures on a surface for differences in respect of optical thickness, which method comprises the steps of: irradiating the surface with light so that the light is internally or externally reflected at the surface; imaging the reflected light on a first two-dimensional detector; sequentially or continuously scanning the incident angle and/or wavelength of the light over an angular and/or wavelength range; measuring the intensities of light reflected from different parts of the surface and impinging on different parts of the detector, at at least a number of incident angles and/or wavelengths, the intensity of light reflected from each part of the surface for each angle and/or wavelength depending on the optical thickness of the thin layer structure thereon; and determining from the detected light intensities at the different light incident angles and/or wavelengths an optical thickness image of the thin layer structures on the surface.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprises a housing having a suction airstream inlet and a suction airstream outlet. A dirt container is selectively mounted to the housing for receiving and retaining dirt and dust separated from the suction airstream. The suction airstream inlet and the suction airstream outlet are in fluid communication with, respectively, an inlet and an outlet of the dirt container. The dirt container includes a first cyclonic airflow chamber and a second cyclonic airflow chamber, each cyclonic airflow chamber including a longitudinal axis. The second cyclonic airflow chamber is spaced from the first chamber, wherein the first and second chambers are each approximately vertically oriented and are arranged in a parallel relationship. An air manifold is disposed at a top portion of the dirt container. The air manifold includes an inlet section through which dirty air passes and an outlet section.

Abstract: A head (10) for a suction cleaner is described. The head (10) including: a lower housing portion (12); an upper housing portion (14); and a rotatably mounted brush bar (26) mounted within the housing portions (12, 14). The upper housing portion (14) is pivotable relative to the lower housing portion (12) between a closed position for use and an open position in which the brush bar (26) is exposed from above and the front.

Abstract: A cyclonic separator/collector device (11) for a suction cleaner, comprising a housing (12) and at least one cyclonic separator disposed within the housing, the or each cyclonic separator having a cyclone body (52, 54) with a circumferential wall of which at least a major part is spaced from the housing (12); the space between the housing and wall of the cyclone body(s) (52, 54) receiving separated dust from the cyclonic separator(s). The arrangement provides sound insulation for the cyclonic separators.

Abstract: A method of examining thin layer structures on a surface for differences in respect of optical thickness, which method comprises the steps of: irradiating the surface with light so that the light is internally or externally reflected at the surface; imaging the reflected light on a first two-dimensional detector; sequentially or continuously scanning the incident angle and/or wavelength of the light over an angular and/or wavelength range; measuring the intensities of light reflected from different parts of the surface and impinging on different parts of the detector, at at least a number of incident angles and/or wavelengths, the intensity of light reflected from each part of the surface for each angle and/or wavelength depending on the optical thickness of the thin layer structure thereon; and determining from the detected light intensities at the different light incident angles and/or wavelengths an optical thickness image of the thin layer structures on the surface.

Abstract: A method of examining thin layer structures on a surface for differences in respect of optical thickness, which method comprises the steps of: irradiating the surface with light so that the light is internally or externally reflected at the surface; imaging the reflected light on a first two-dimensional detector; sequentially or continuously scanning the incident angle and/or wavelength of the light over an angular and/or wavelength range; measuring the intensities of light reflected from different parts of the surface and impinging on different parts of the detector, at at least a number of incident angles and/or wavelengths, the intensity of light reflected from each part of the surface for each angle and/or wavelength depending on the optical thickness of the thin layer structure thereon; and determining from the detected light intensities at the different light incident angles and/or wavelengths an optical thickness image of the thin layer structures on the surface.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for total internal reflection spectroscopy comprises: a transparent body having an internally reflective surface; at least one source of electromagnetic radiation for providing at least one beam of collimated electromagnetic radiation; optical scanning means for directing the beam or beams to the transparent body so that the radiation is internally reflected at the reflective surface, and sequentially or continuously scanning the incident angle of the radiation over an angular range; at least one detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation exiting the transparent body, and means for counteracting variation of the irradiance in the illuminated area of the surface during the angular scan, or the effect of such variation on the reflected beam or beams. An optical apparatus for examining thin layer structures on a surface for differences in respect of optical thickness and/or refractive index, and a method for total internal reflection spectroscopy are also disclosed.