Abstract: A device for use in the humane slaughter of animals has a barrel and a cap arranged for limited reciprocal axial movement and urged to an inoperative position by a spring. A captive bolt is received in the barrel for reciprocal axial movement, the bolt being driven out of the barrel by a driving force provided by an explosive cartridge adapted to be received in a breech in the barrel. The cartridge is fired by striking a firing pin provided in the cap. The cartridge is mounted on a strip movable in response to a manual operation, and a registration device is provided between the strip and the cap to locate the cartridge relative to the open breech in the inoperative position.

Abstract: A device for use in the humane slaughter of animals has a barrel and a cap arranged for limited reciprocal axial movement and urged to an inoperative position by a spring. A captive bolt is received in the barrel for reciprocal axial movement, the bolt being driven out of the barrel by a driving force provided by an explosive cartridge adapted to be received in a breech in the barrel. The cartridge is fired by striking a firing pin provided in the cap. The cartridge is mounted on a strip movable in response to a manual operation, and a registration device is provided between the strip and the cap to locate the cartridge relative to the open breech in the inoperative position.

Abstract: A guide start location is located in a guide segment of a guide track. The guide segment has a segment length. A part start location of a part corresponding to the guide start location is located. N phase correlations are performed between N successively overlapped part segments of the part from the part start location and the guide segment from the guide start location within a first interval. Each of the N successively overlapped part segments has the segment length. A best match is determined from the N phase correlations using a match threshold. The best match provides a first offset.

Abstract: A guide start location is located in a guide segment of a guide track. The guide segment has a segment length. A part start location of a part corresponding to the guide start location is located. N phase correlations are performed between N successively overlapped part segments of the part from the part start location and the guide segment from the guide start location within a first interval. Each of the N successively overlapped part segments has the segment length. A best match is determined from the N phase correlations using a match threshold. The best match provides a first offset.

Abstract: An embodiment is a method and apparatus to provide a technique to scale up an image. A first image at a first size is expanded to a second size in first and second dimensions. The second size is larger than the first size and includes the first size and interpolating positions. The expanded image is convolved with a two-dimensional finite-impulse response (FIR) filter having coefficients determined by a two-dimensional interpolating function to generate interpolated pixels at the interpolating positions. The interpolated pixels are part of an up-scaled image at the second size.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a semi-frozen beverage is disclosed in which a freeze cylinder 12 for converting a beverage to a desired semi-frozen condition is positioned at a remote location from a dispense tap 10. The freeze cylinder 12 is connected to the tap 10 by a flow line 13 for maintaining the semi-frozen condition of the beverage between the freeze cylinder 12 and the tap 10. The flow line 13 may be insulated and additional cooling may be provided between freeze cylinder 12 and the tap 10. The flow line 13 may be in the form of a re-circulation loop for returning semi-frozen beverage to the freeze cylinder 12 for re-conditioning. A dosing unit 71 may be provided for adding flavours, spirits or other components to the semi-frozen beverage such that a range of beverages may be provided for dispense from the tap 10.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a semi-frozen beverage is disclosed in which a freeze cylinder 12 for converting a beverage to a desired semi-frozen condition is positioned at a remote location from a dispense tap 10. The freeze cylinder 12 is connected to the tap 10 by a flow line 13 for maintaining the semi-frozen condition of the beverage between the freeze cylinder 12 and the tap 10. The flow line 13 may be insulated and additional cooling may be provided between freeze cylinder 12 and the tap 10. The flow line 13 may be in the form of a re-circulation loop for returning semi-frozen beverage to the freeze cylinder 12 for re-conditioning. A dosing unit 71 may be provided for adding flavours, spirits or other components to the semi-frozen beverage such that a range of beverages may be provided for dispense from the tap 10.

Abstract: A settable control valve (13, 50, 113) has a closure member moveable within a passage-way (17, 71, 81A, 101, 117), there being at least one groove for fluid flow (25, 26, 44, 56, 57, 97, 98, 107, 108, 125, 126) in the wall of the passageway. The groove is of varying transverse cross-sectional area along its length and the closure member may be set at different positions so as to expose varying lengths of the groove to fluid flow, hence enabling different fluid flow rates to be established.

Abstract: Cooler for a beverage, e.g. beer, which enables dispense at low temperature with good appearance of the dispensed beverage, comprises an inlet and an outlet, at least one heat exchanger (10, 30, 32) between the inlet and the outlet through which the beverage can be passed to cool it and at least one Peltier plate assembly (12, 14, 42) connected to a voltage supply whereby a cold side and a hot side may be generated at the assembly, characterised in that the assembly (12, 14) is positioned whereby the beverage can also be cooled by passage past the cold side of the assembly (12, 14) on its passage to the outlet or whereby the coolant after passage through the heat exchanger (32) is cooled by passage past the cold side of the assembly (42) before being recirculated to the heat exchanger (32).

Abstract: A beverage dispense apparatus having one or more outlets for fluids to be dispensed, a fluid supply line for each fluid, each outlet being governed by a valve, and a valve actuator to open and close each valve. A flow sensor is positioned in each fluid supply line and connected to a control which controls the opening of its respective valve on receiving a start signal and actuates closing of the valve when the pre-determined amount of fluid flow has been achieved. Each valve includes a closure member movable in a passageway from a first position in which the valve is fully closed to a second position in which the valve is fully open. The closure member comprises a groove having a transverse cross section that increases in area in the downstream or upstream direction, whereby movement of the closure member from the first position towards the second position opens a flow channel through the groove.

Abstract: A beverage dispense apparatus having one or more outlets for fluids to be dispensed, a fluid supply line for each fluid, each outlet being governed by a valve, and a valve actuator to open and close each valve. A flow sensor is positioned in each fluid supply line and connected to a control which controls the opening of its respective valve on receiving a start signal and actuates closing of the valve when the pre-determined amount of fluid flow has been achieved. Each valve includes a closure member movable in a passageway from a first position in which the valve is fully closed to a second position in which the valve is fully open. The closure member comprises a groove having a transverse cross section that increases in area in the downstream or upstream direction, whereby movement of the closure member from the first position towards the second position opens a flow channel through the groove.

Abstract: A mercury and formaldehyde free histological fixative. The fixative employs standard non-toxic components comprising one or more alkanols, one or more diols and triols such as ethylene glycol, and one or more acids such as acetic and formic acid in an aqueous solution. A salt of a metal ion having an oxidation state of at least two may be added as an optional mordant. Osmotically active substances such as sodium chloride may be used as an option as desired to control osmotically induced cell volume changes.