Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plate suitable for use as a bipolar plate 500 in a bipolar battery 1 is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of extruding a first polymer containing conductive particles to form a conductive polymer plate 505, cutting a conductive polymer core 512 from the conductive polymer plate 505, and overmoulding the conductive polymer core 512 with a second polymer to provide a non-conductive polymer surround 516. A bipolar battery 1 is also disclosed, as well as a method of making a bipolar battery 1.

Abstract: A bipolar battery (1) comprising a stack of multiple bipolar plates (9) sandwiched between two monopolar plates (6, 8) is disclosed. The bipolar plates (9) each comprise a conductive polymer core (22) and an integrally formed non-conductive polymer surround (4), a layer of cathode material (16) on a first side of the bipolar plate (9), and a layer of anode material (28) on a second, opposite side of the bipolar plate (9). The integrally formed non-conductive polymer surround (4) extends from the conductive polymer core (22) further on one side than the other, such that on one side a first recess (19) is defined for accommodating electrolyte material of the battery (1). The layers of anode material (28) and cathode material (16) are contained within a casing formed at least in part by the integrally formed non-conductive polymer surrounds (4) of all of the bipolar plates (9).

Abstract: A process for preparing a dispersion comprising the stages: i) providing a dispersion comprising a particulate solid, a liquid medium and a dispersant having cross-linkable groups and a weight averaged molecular weight of from 1,000 to 70,000; and ii) cross-linking the dispersant in the presence of the particulate solid and the liquid medium thereby preparing a dispersion of an encapsulated particulate solid, wherein the cross-linking is performed such that 0.01 to 0.5 mmoles of cross-linkable groups in the dispersant are cross-linked per g of dispersant; said process also comprising at any stage: iii) adding a metal chelating agent to the dispersion; and after stage iii) the stage of: iv) removing at least some of the metal chelating agent from the dispersion.

Abstract: A process for preparing a dispersion comprising the stages: i) providing a dispersion comprising a particulate solid, a liquid medium and a dispersant having cross-linkable groups and a weight averaged molecular weight of from 1,000 to 70,000; and ii) cross-linking the dispersant in the presence of the particulate solid and the liquid medium thereby preparing a dispersion of an encapsulated particulate solid, wherein the cross-linking is performed such that 0.01 to 0.5 mmoles of cross-linkable groups in the dispersant are cross-linked per g of dispersant; said process also comprising at any stage: iii) adding a metal chelating agent to the dispersion; and after stage iii) the stage of: iv) removing at least some of the metal chelating agent from the dispersion.

Abstract: A toilet seat assembly includes a toilet seat (40) and a seat holding bar assembly (30,130) for removably holding the seat on a toilet bowl (10,110), the seat having a rearwardly directed extension (72,74,172) including two spaced upwardly directed surfaces (80,190) each of which has one or more recesses (79,179), the seat holding bar assembly (30,130) being rigidly attachable to the toilet bowl (10,110) and having an outwardly directed projection (39,139) at each end which extends beyond the edges of the rear of the toilet bowl so that the seat (40) can be fitted to the bowl with the upwardly directed surfaces below the bar projections (39,139) with the projections located in said recesses (79,179).

Abstract: An electric storage heater which is heated from a source of electricity made available only over an off-peak (low tariff) period. The heater includes an air flow control mechanism comprising a damper in the form of a flap (10) controlled by bimetallic elements that can be set at any stage during an on-peak period (such as a manually operative boost switch to increase the heat output of the heater) and automatically reset during the next subsequent off-peak period.

Abstract: A storage heater of the kind which is heated from a source of electricity made available only over an off-peak (low tariff) period, and of the kind which does not require a supply of power during operation outside the off-peak period. The heater comprises a body, a heat store within the body, electrical heating means for the store, air passages extending through the store from an inlet to an outlet, through which air is caused to flow in the operation of the heater solely by convective pressure, and a flow control damper or flap mounted adjacent to the outlet for controlling flow of air from the heater.

Abstract: A heating device having a thermal store provided with an electrical heater has said heater controlled by a charge control circuit which includes a programme generator delivering an output signal in the form of a programme corresponding to a load balancing condition and includes a state of charge sensor which delivers a state of charge signal compared with the programme in a comparator. The heater for the store comprises a plurality of heating elements, the number of which brought into operation to charge the store is controlled by a weather signal provided by an outside temperature sensor. Preferably the comparator provides a delay from the beginning of the off-peak period before energization of the heater starts.