Abstract: A method of mechanically connecting two or more components together comprises the steps of: i. mounting an elongate keyway connector (10) comprising regularly spaced keyways (13) to a first component wherein the keyways (13) provide a longitudinal keyway passage (16); ii. mounting at least one elongate key connector (11) comprising regularly spaced keys (14) to a second component; and iii. extending the keys (14) longitudinally within the keyway passage (16) and engaging the keyways (13) with the keys (14) to connect the first and second components together.

Abstract: A method for connecting at least a first component and a second component together, wherein each said component comprises at least one keyway arrangement extending along the component and keyways of the keyway arrangement are spaced apart from one another. The method comprises the steps of: aligning the keyway arrangements of the first and second components such that the keyways intermesh to provide a continuous keyway passage extending longitudinally between the intermeshed keyways; and, extending a keyway connector comprising an arrangement of keys longitudinally within the continuous keyway passage such that the keys are retained by the keyways of the keyway arrangements. In the slip flange assembly 1001 embodiment shown, the first and second components are each in the form of a pipe (1002, 1003) or tube, the keyway arrangements are in the form of collars (1004, 1008) that extend around abutting ends of said pipes (1002, 1003) or tubes, and the keyway connector (1015) is annular.

Abstract: A method for connecting at least a first component (1) and a second component (2) together, wherein each said component (1, 2) comprises at least one keyway arrangement extending along the component (1, 2) and keyways (11, 13) of the keyway arrangement are spaced apart from one another. The method comprises the steps of: aligning the keyway arrangements of the first and second components (1, 2) such that the keyways (11, 13) intermesh to provide a continuous keyway passage extending longitudinally between the intermeshed keyways (11, 13); and, extending a keyway connector (3) comprising an arrangement of keys longitudinally within the continuous keyway passage such that the keys are retained by the keyways (11, 13) of the keyway arrangements.

Abstract: A method of mechanically connecting two or more components together. In one embodiment the method comprises the steps of: i. mounting at least one elongate keyway connector (10) comprising regularly spaced keyways (13) to a first component wherein the keyways (13) provide a longitudinal keyway passage (16); ii. mounting at least one elongate key connector (11) comprising regularly spaced keys (14) to a second component; and iii. extending the keys (14) longitudinally within the keyway passage (16) and engaging the keyways (13) with the keys (14) to connect the first and second components together. The connecting method can be used in the construction of flat-pack and ready-to-assemble designed furniture, in the construction of buildings or other structures, in the construction of storage, packaging, transportation and materials handling products, as well as for the ready replacement of components that tend to wear out during operation or use.

Abstract: A method for connecting at least a first component and a second component together, wherein each said component comprises at least one keyway arrangement extending along the component and keyways of the keyway arrangement are spaced apart from one another. The method comprises the steps of: aligning the keyway arrangements of the first and second components such that the keyways intermesh to provide a continuous keyway passage extending longitudinally between the intermeshed keyways; and, extending a keyway connector comprising an arrangement of keys longitudinally within the continuous keyway passage such that the keys are retained by the keyways of the keyway arrangements. In the slip flange assembly 1001 embodiment shown, the first and second components are each in the form of a pipe (1002, 1003) or tube, the keyway arrangements are in the form of collars (1004, 1008) that extend around abutting ends of said pipes (1002, 1003) or tubes, and the keyway connector (1015) is annular.

Abstract: A method for connecting at least a first component (1) and a second component (2) together, wherein each said component (1, 2) comprises at least one keyway arrangement extending along the component (1, 2) and keyways (11, 13) of the keyway arrangement are spaced apart from one another. The method comprises the steps of: aligning the keyway arrangements of the first and second components (1, 2) such that the keyways (11, 13) intermesh to provide a continuous keyway passage extending longitudinally between the intermeshed keyways (11, 13); and, extending a keyway connector (3) comprising an arrangement of keys longitudinally within the continuous keyway passage such that the keys are retained by the keyways (11, 13) of the keyway arrangements.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for combination membrane/biolytic filtration. In one embodiment a filtration system is operated under suction. The arrangement includes a feed tan (5) having a smaller filtrate vessel (6) positioned therein. The region within, the feed tank (5) not occupied by the filtrate vessel (6) is partially filled with layers of decomposing and decomposed solid organic waste material to form an aerobic filter bed (7) of the type used in biolytic filtration as described above. A further module vessel (8) is mounted within the filtrate vessel (6) to form a membrane chamber (9) containing a membrane filtration module (10).

Abstract: A membrane filtration system (5) including: a feed containing vessel (7); a membrane module (6) including one or more hollow permeable membranes (8) for filtering feed liquid, located in the feed containing vessel (7); means for applying a pressure differential across walls of the membranes (8) to induce filtration therethrough; a feed liquid reservoir (9) in fluid communication with the membrane module (6) to supply feed liquid thereto; a source of feed liquid (12); a source of gas (10) and means (11) for selectively producing a flow of gas from the gas source (10) and feed liquid from the feed liquid source (12) through the membrane module (6) and into the feed liquid reservoir (9). The flow of gas producing gas bubbles within the feed liquid to clean the membranes (8).

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for combination membrane/biolytic filtration. In one embodiment a filtration system is operated under suction. The arrangement includes a feed tan (5) having a smaller filtrate vessel (6) positioned therein. The region within, the feed tank (5) not occupied by the filtrate vessel (6) is partially filled with layers of decomposing and decomposed solid organic waste material to form an aerobic filter bed (7) of the type used in biolytic filtration as described above. A further module vessel (8) is mounted within the filtrate vessel (6) to form a membrane chamber (9) containing a membrane filtration module (10).

Abstract: A filtration bed support for biolytic filtration wherein the filtration bed comprises a bed of solids in various stages of decomposition ranging from raw unprocessed organic material on the surface of the bed to fully decomposed humus which forms the bulk of the bed. The bed is kept from blocking by living organisms. The support comprises a three dimensional humus matrix lattice.

Abstract: A filtration bed support for biolytic filtration wherein the filtration bed comprises a bed of solids in various stages of decomposition ranging from raw unprocessed organic material on the surface of the bed to fully decomposed humus which forms the bulk of the bed. The bed is kept from blocking by living organisms. The support comprises a three dimensional humus matrix lattice.

Abstract: A self cleaning filter for aqueous media such as sewage effluent which comprises a ventilated bed of discrete filtration material such as particulates, finely ground or shredded non-oil plastic materials, clay particulates, ground zeolite, diatomaceous earth powdered activated carbon, short fibre carbon and fine crushed charcoal, in which is dispersed a population of living organisms such as worms, insects, mothfly larvae, collembola, crustaceans and mites, which organisms have the ability to maintain at least a surface layer of the bed in an open and aerobic state.

Abstract: A treatment system for liquid or liquid and solid effluent. The system is enclosed within a pipe, duct (10) or trench and comprises one or more sloping filter beds (12, 13, 14) with a population of effluent decomposing organisms such as earthworms and mothflies, and an overlying air space. The aqueous media effluent inlet (11) is located above the uppermost filter bed at an upper end and the solid waste input inlet (31), when included, is located downstream of the aqueous media inlet so that the aqueous media flows through and around the solid waste material. A filtrate outlet (28) is located downstream of the flow through the system and manual or conveyor means are provided for solids removal.