Abstract: Brush, in particular toilet brush, with a brush head and a handle. The brush head can be detachably pushed onto the handle. The handle has a release mechanism for the brush head.

Abstract: A photopatternable structure (10) comprises an optically transparent substrate (12) having first and second faces (14, 16), coated respectively with first and second photosensitive materials (18, 20), the coated substrate being opaque to electromagnetic radiation of one or more wavelengths to which the photosensitive materials are sensitive. In use, the faces (14, 16) are exposed (sequentially or simultaneously) to curing radiation to which the photosensitive materials are sensitive and to which the coated substrate is opaque, resulting in two sided photopatterning without through -cure occurring.

Abstract: A display device comprises a first insulating substrate (10) carrying on one surface thereof a first electrically conductive material (12) constituting a first electrode; a second electrically conductive material (16) constituting a second electrode disposed in opposed relation to the first electrically conductive material and spaced therefrom; and an electrolyte providing a conductive pathway between the first and second electrically conductive materials. In use of the device, a potential difference is applied between the first and second electrically conductive materials, causing the first material to be fully removed from the first substrate selectively in one or more regions where the first and second materials are directly opposed, thus forming a detectable image. Because the first material has been fully removed from one or more regions of the first substrate, and because the first substrate is not electrically conductive, the process is not reversible and so results in a fixed display.

Abstract: A method of forming a ramp of material on a stepped portion of an item, comprises applying material in liquid form to the item in the vicinity of the stepped portion, the liquid having properties such that the liquid moves by capillary attraction to the stepped portion, and causing or allowing the material to solidify to form a ramp on the stepped portion. By using capillary flow, it is not necessary for the material to be placed in position very accurately. Variations in position of placement can be accommodated by the flow to the stepped region. The greater tolerance in accuracy of positioning means that processing can be performed more quickly.

Abstract: A method of forming a ramp of material on a stepped portion of an item, comprises applying material in liquid form to the item in the vicinity of the stepped portion, the liquid having properties such that the liquid moves by capillary attraction to the stepped portion, and causing or allowing the material to solidify to form a ramp on the stepped portion. By using capillary flow, it is not necessary for the material to be placed in position very accurately. Variations in position of placement can be accommodated by the flow to the stepped region. The greater tolerance in accuracy of positioning means that processing can be performed more quickly.

Abstract: According to the invention, a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror device for reflecting at least a proportion of electromagnetic radiation of essentially one given optical frequency impinging on said device, comprises a substrate with a Bragg reflector, and on top of this Bragg reflector a layered structure with at least one layer with saturably absorbing semiconductor material. A low index dielectric coating layer is placed on said outermost surface of said structure. The Bragg reflector and said layered structure are designed in a manner that the field intensity of radiation of said given frequency takes up a maximum at or near the interface between said structure and said dielectric material. The thickness of said dielectric coating layer may be varied and may for example be a quarter of a wavelength of said electromagnetic radiation in the dielectric material.

Abstract: According to the invention, a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror device for reflecting at least a proportion of electromagnetic radiation of essentially one given optical frequency impinging on said device, comprises a substrate with a Bragg reflector, and on top of this Bragg reflector a layered structure with at least one layer with saturably absorbing semiconductor material. A low index dielectric coating layer is placed on said outermost surface of said structure. The Bragg reflector and said layered structure are designed in a manner that the field intensity of radiation of said given frequency takes up a maximum at or near the interface between said structure and said dielectric material. The thickness of said dielectric coating layer may be varied and may for example be a quarter of a wavelength of said electromagnetic radiation in the dielectric material.