Abstract: A bearing support that includes a body through which a bore extends and a plurality of grooves formed in a wall of the bore. Each groove extends from a first end of the bore and terminates prior to a second end of the bore. A bearing can be secured within the bearing support by injecting adhesive into one or more of the grooves.

Abstract: A laundry appliance such as a washing machine includes an outer housing and a drum rotatably mounted therein. The drum has an inner wall and an outer wall separate from the inner wall, the inner and outer walls being perforated to allow washing liquid to flow into and out of the drum via the perforations. The area of the perforations per unit area of the outer wall is greater than the area of the perforations per unit area of the inner wall.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of operating a laundry appliance (10) comprising an outer casing (12) and a drum (50) rotatably mounted within the outer casing (12), the drum (50) having at least two rotatable portions (60, 70) which are capable of being rotated in either a synchronized mode or a non-synchronized mode, the method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing water to the interior of the drum (50); (b) heating the water to a desired temperature; (c) rotating the drum (50) to effect a washing action; and (d) spinning the drum (50) at a relatively high speed so as to remove water therefrom. In one aspect, the drum (50) is rotated in the non-synchronized mode either during or immediately after the step of introducing water to the interior of the drum (50). This helps to distribute the washing liquid throughout the wash load.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of operating a laundry appliance (10) comprising an outer casing (12) and a drum (50) rotatably mounted within the outer casing (12), the drum (50) having at least two rotatable portions (60, 70) which are capable of being rotated in either a synchronized mode or a non-synchronized mode, the method comprising the steps of: (a) introducing water to the interior of the drum (50); (b) heating the water to a desired temperature; (c) rotating the drum (50) to effect a washing action; and (d) spinning the drum (50) at a relatively high speed so as to remove water therefrom. In one aspect, the drum (50) is rotated in the non-synchronized mode either during or immediately after the step of introducing water to the interior of the drum (50). This helps to distribute the washing liquid throughout the wash load.

Abstract: A laundry appliance (100;200) comprises an outer housing (102;202) and a drum (122;222) rotatably mounted therein. The drum (122;222) comprises an inner wall (32;132;232,232a) and an outer wall (34;134;234,234a), the inner and outer walls (32,34;132,134;232,234;232a,234a) being perforated to allow washing liquid to flow into and out of the drum (122;222) via the perforations (42,44;42a,44a;42b,44b;42c,44c;42d,44d;42e,44e). According to the invention, the area of the perforations (44;44a;44b;44c;44d;44e) per unit area of the outer wall (34;134;234,234a) is greater than the area of the perforations (42;42a;42b;42c;42d;42e) per unit area of the inner wall (32;132;232,232a).

Abstract: Recoverable articles including an inner resilient tubular member that is held in a laterally expanded configuration by engagement with an outer holdout member are provided. The outer surface of the inner member is provided with a plurality of channels extending therealong. The holdout member occupies the channels so as to provide the holdout engagement. The holdout engagement is arranged to be weakened mechanically without any substantial change in the molecular structural properties of the holdout member, thereby to allow recovery of the inner tubular member towards its unexpanded configuration.

Abstract: A recoverable article includes an inner resilient tubular member that is held in a laterally exapanded configuration by engagement with outer holdout strips, wherein the outer surface of the inner member is provided with a plurality of channels extending therealong and the holdout strips occupies the channels so as to provide said holdout engagement, wherein the holdout strips is arranged to be removed intact without any substantial change in the molecular structural properties of the holdout strips; thereby to allow recovery of the inner tubular member towards its unexpanded configuration.

Abstract: A recoverable article comprising an inner resilient tubular member that is held out in a laterally expanded configuration by engagement with outer holdout structure, wherein the outer surface of the inner member is provided with a plurality of cavities, and wherein the holdout structure occupies the cavities so as to provide the holdout engagement, wherein the holdout structure comprises at least one initiating portion that is structurally different from the remaining portion that engages at least one associated cavity, whereby release of the initiating portion from its cavity facilitates subsequent release of the remaining portion of the holdout structure.

Abstract: A two part range-taking member for providing a seal around a substrate includes a mating pair of resilient components for enclosing the substrate and a co-operating pair of rigid components for urging the resilient components into conformity with the substrate. The member may provide an electrical stress cone for a power cable, for example with two such members being provided in a cable joint.

Abstract: A 15 kv cable joint is enclosed within two half shells filled with sealant material. Displacement or thermal expansion of the sealant is accommodated by various configurations of stress cones that have apertures or surfaces that are flexible and arranged to maintain pressure on the sealant for example during thermal cycling of the joint.

Abstract: A 15 kv cable joint is enclosed within two half shells filled with sealant material. Displacement or thermal expansion of the sealant is accommodated by various configurations of stress cones that have apertures or surfaces that are flexible and arranged to maintain pressure on the sealant for example during thermal cycling of the joint.

Abstract: An arrangement for delivering an elastic sleeve on to an electric cable comprises an elastic sleeve (20) expanded radially on to a hollow rigid tubular support tube (18) with a tubular mesh (22) of plastics material interposed therebetween. The mesh (22) extends beyond one end of the support tube (18) and is then fed back through its hollow center. The one end of the tube (18) is disposed adjacent the end of the cable, and the mesh (22) within the tube (18) is progressively pulled so as to invert the sleeve (20) on to the cable end.