Abstract: The present invention relates to a non yeast-leavened fine bakery product with increased shelf life and to a process for increasing the shelf life of intermediate and high moisture fine bakery products. The fine bakery product comprises an intermediate or high moisture baked product having a water activity aw>0.8. Its surface has deposited thereon an effective amount of natamycin, which is sufficient to keep the product mould free when packaged for a storage time of 2 weeks or more at ambient temperature. In the process the outer surface of a baked product is sprayed with natamycin to deposit an effective amount of natamycin thereon, whereafter the sprayed product is packaged in a protective envelope.

Abstract: A safety device (23) for a fluid hose (14) having at one end one part (19) of a separable connector (18) by means of which the hose (14) may be connected to another pipe (21) carrying the other part (20) of the connector, the connector parts separating when the connector (18) is subjected to a tensile load. The device (23) includes an elongate tether (24) having one end attached to the hose (14) at or adjacent the one connector part (19) and its other end attached to the pipe (21) at or adjacent the other connector part (20). The tether (24) is arranged to break when the connector parts has exceeded a pre-set distance, the breaking strain of the tether (24) being lower than the load required to separate the connector (18).

Abstract: A process and apparatus to enable the continuous isolation of an organometallic compound, such as trimethylindium form a liquid feedstock. The liquid feedstock is delivered to a distillation column (2) having two heating zones (6, 8) to effect dissociation of the feedstock thereby liberating the organometallic compound which is collected as a vapour form the top (4) of the column.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved means of purifying water which comprises a water treatment apparatus comprising a treatment housing (10, 60) having an inlet (18, 65) for the water to be treated, an outlet (25, 67) for the treated water, a heater (17, 76) within the housing to come into direct contact with the water and a filter (22, 23, 78, 79) between the heater and the outlet, characterised in that means (38, 81) are provided to fill the housing with water up to a maximum level which leaves a headspace (10A, 80A) between the water and the roof (14, 61) of the housing, the entrance to the outlet being below the operating water level (10B, 80).

Abstract: An automatically operating valve for use for example in a forecourt fuel pump has a body (10) defining a flow passage (20) within which is formed a valve seat (22), the body having a weakened zone (16) around the flow passage (20) such that an impact on the body will fracture the body at the weakened zone. A valve member (30) is mounted for movement within the flow passage (20) and is engageable with the valve seat (22) to close the valve. A closing mechanism effects movement of the valve member (30) to its closed position in the event that the body (10) is fractured at the weakened zone. Further, the valve member (30) is configured to move to its closed position under the influence of excessive flow of liquid through the flow passage (20).

Abstract: PURPOSE: To improve the evaporation efficiency of a raw material by mounting an element of a porous sintered metal having the pore size smaller than the size of the solid raw material to a port for introducing a carrier gas into a bubbler vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the bulk delivery of a precursor, such as an organometallic compound, from a bulk container, such as a bubbler (1) to a plurality of reactor sites (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) wherein a carrier gas (2) is introduced into the container (1) of the precursor to pick up the precursor to form a gaseous mixture. The gaseous mixture is then selectively distributed to one or more of a plurality of reactor sites (12, 14, 16, 18, 20). The gaseous mixture may be stored in a reservoir (9) and be drawn by means of a pressure differential or under vacuum to each of the reactor sites, when required.

Abstract: A method of constructing a wardrobe or cupboard is disclosed which comprises securing to a wall two vertical tracks each having an apertured surface. Two side panels each having projections at its rear edge that engage in the apertures in the tracks are then mounted on the tracks to secure the side panels to the wall without the tracks supporting the weight of the side panels. Subsequently, horizontal elements of the wardrobe or cupboard are secured to the side panels.

Abstract: A safety device (23) for a fluid hose (14) having at one end one part (19) of a separable connector (18) by means of which the hose (14) may be connected to another pipe (21) carrying the other part (20) of the connector, the connector parts separating when the connector (18) is subjected to a tensile load. The device (23) includes an elongate tether (24) having one end attached to the hose (14) at or adjacent the one connector part (19) and its other end attached to the pipe (21) at or adjacent the other connector part (20). The tether (24) is arranged to break when the connector parts has exceeded a pre-set distance, the breaking strain of the tether (24) being lower than the load required to separate the connector (18).

Abstract: An automatically operating valve for use for example in a forecourt fuel pump has a body (10) defining a flow passage (20) within which is formed a valve seat (22), the body having a weakened zone (16) around the flow passage (20) such that an impact on the body will fracture the body at the weakened zone. A valve member (30) is mounted for movement within the flow passage (20) and is engageable with the valve seat (22) to close the valve. A closing mechanism effects movement of the valve member (30) to its closed position in the event that the body (10) is fractured at the weakened zone. Further, the valve member (30) is configured to move to its closed position under the influence of excessive flow of liquid through the flow passage (20).

Abstract: A highly reliable and safe, modular automatic refill (bulk delivery) system for ultra-high purity pyrophoric metalorganic chemicals employing: a manifold that insures contamination-free operation; a liquid-level detection system with fail-safe redundancy; and an evacuation system which leaves the system's manifold and transfer lines relatively free of chemical fire hazards; leaves them free of oxygen contamination; and leaves the composition of the system's carrier gas unaffected, between refills.

Abstract: A highly reliable and safe, modular automatic refill (bulk delivery) system for ultra-high purity pyrophoric metalorganic chemicals employing: a manifold that insures contamination-free operation; a liquid-level detection system with fail-safe redundancy; and an evacuation system which leaves the system's manifold and transfer lines relatively free of chemical fire hazards; leaves them free of oxygen contamination; and leaves the composition of the system's carrier gas unaffected, between refills.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the continuous production of organometallic compounds from a metal precursor and an alkylating agent. The reactants are delivered separately to a reaction centre (26) in a distillation column (2) wherein the reaction is maintained at a predetermined temperature to allow collection of the vaporised organometallic compound from the top of the column and removal of the waste products from the bottom of the column.

Abstract: A highly reliable and safe, modular automatic refill (bulk delivery) system for ultra-high purity pyrophoric metalorganic chemicals employing: a manifold that insures contamination-free operation; a liquid-level detection system with fail-safe redundancy; and an evacuation system which leaves the system's manifold and transfer lines relatively free of chemical fire hazards; leaves them free of oxygen contamination; and leaves the composition of the system's carrier gas unaffected, between refills.

Abstract: A highly reliable and safe, modular automatic refill (bulk delivery) system for ultra-high purity pyrophoric metalorganic chemicals employing: a manifold that insures contamination-free operation; a liquid-level detection system with fail-safe redundancy; and an evacuation system which leaves the system's manifold and transfer lines relatively free of chemical fire hazards; leaves them free of oxygen contamination; and leaves the composition of the system's carrier gas unaffected, between refills.

Abstract: A forecourt fuel pump has a casing locating means for metering and delivering to a flexible hose liquid fuel to be dispensed, and a processing unit arranged to monitor and control the delivery of fuel and the display of information concerning that delivery. The pump is provided with at least one sensor for an environmental parameter associated with the pump, such as the sensing of hydrocarbon liquids in the casing. Further sensors external of the pump may be provided to sense other parameters such as the presence of hydrocarbon vapor or liquids. Each sensor provides an output which is supplied to the processing unit which is arranged to monitor the output and provide an indication if the sensed value falls outside a pre-set range.

Abstract: A tracking method for a signal echo system, including generating a plurality of gates for respective propagation modes on the basis of a target state prediction for a dwell time, and generating a target state estimate for the dwell time on the basis of target measurement points which fall within the gates.