Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for producing flakes, the apparatus comprising: a) a support structure for supporting each of two supply cylinders, made of a first material from which flakes are to be produced, and a fatiguing rod assembly including at least one fatiguing rod made of a second material, each fatiguing rod having a diameter smaller than an initial diameter of the two supply cylinders; b) a compression mechanism for urging the surfaces of the two supply cylinders into contact with each fatiguing rod, and c) a drive mechanism for causing the supply cylinders to rotate while making rolling line contact with each fatiguing rod. The contact pressure between the supply cylinders and each fatiguing rod is set sufficiently high to modify the surface of the supply cylinders by fatigue and result in separation of flakes of the first material from the surfaces of the supply cylinders.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing flakes of a first material, the method comprising: a) supporting two supply cylinders of the first material and a fatiguing rod assembly, that includes at least one textured fatiguing rod, so that each fatiguing rod is sandwiched between the two cylinders, each fatiguing rod having a diameter smaller than an initial diameter of the two supply cylinders and being made of a second harder material; b) urging the surfaces of the two supply cylinders into contact with each fatiguing rod; and c) causing the supply cylinders and the fatiguing rod(s) to rotate while making rolling line contact with one another; wherein the supply cylinders and each fatiguing rod are urged against one another with sufficiently high contact pressure to modify the surface of the supply cylinders by fatigue and result in separation of flakes from the surfaces of the cylinders.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for releasing agents are described. In some examples, apparatuses may be provided for releasing a releasable agent in a microwave. The apparatus may have a capsule at least partially containing a phase change material and a releasable agent, wherein releasable agent is configured to be released from enclosure responsive to a phase change of the phase change material. The phase change may occur responsive to heating, which may be promoted using microwave energy in some examples.

Abstract: An ink cartridge has a container to contain ink and a valve member. The container has an outlet to output ink contained in the container. The valve member is moveable transverse to the outlet to open and close the outlet and carries a seal to seal the outlet when closed by the valve member.