Abstract: Balloon catheter comprising an elongate distal section and a flexible and expandable balloon accommodating said distal section, further comprising means for the supply of a pressure medium for expansion of said balloon and heating means for heating said medium, further comprising an intermediate section and a a proximal section containing a central tube, whose distal part is provided with at least one outlet for said medium within said balloon, and whose intermediate part is surrounded by an axially extending tube. The catheter has a first annular space containing a heat-insulating medium and a second annular space for a cooling medium. The invention also provides for a method for treatment by pressure and chat of a mammalian duct or cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a coating composition onto a moving web especially a paper web, in which an excess of said coating composition is applied to said web. The web thereafter passes smoothing means to uniformly regulate the final thickness of the coating and simultaneously to remove the excess coating composition. This smoothing operation is performed under an adjustable partial vacuum. The removed excess coating composition is recirculated without being mixed with the coating composition within the application area and is mixed with fresh coating composition before reuse within the process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating both faces of a moving web, such as a paper web in which the web is fed longitudinally at a speed in excess of 200 meters per minute and a coating material is applied to each face of the web, and is smoothed out by means of two blades, one on each face of the web. The blades are formed with a bevel at the point of contact with the web, the width of this bevel measured in the direction of movement of the web is at most 0.08 centimeters and the angle of the blade with respect to the web is less than 25.degree.. Preferably the blades are urged against the web with a force not exceeding 0.20 kgf. per centimeter width of web.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating both faces of a moving web, such as a paper web, in which the web is fed longitudinally at a speed in excess of 300 meters per minute, between a rotating support roller and a blade, the blade having a bevel at the point of contact with the web. Coating material is fed into the nip between the roller and the web to coat the paper web on both faces. The angle which the blade forms with is chosen to be not greater than 20.degree. and the bevel width, as measured in the direction of movement of the web, is at most 0.15 centimeters. Preferably the blade is urged against the web with a force not exceeding 0.20 kgf per centimeter width of web.

Abstract: Method and blank for producing safety bags comprising foldable enclosures expandable by means of a gas-tight channel network arranged along the surface of the enclosure to cause the enclosure to fill with ambient air in the expansion process. The enclosure is formed of sections joined along their peripheries whose shapes serve to define the final expanded three-dimensional shape of the enclosure. The channels lie at or near the jointure between sections. Various methods of forming and assembling the channels, sections and shells are set forth.

Abstract: A safety bag formed of a flexible foldable material occupying a small volume when collapsed and expandable to form a hollow enclosure substantially completely surrounding an interior space by means of interconnected channels arranged along the surface of the shell and adapted to receive and retain a pressurized gas. The interior is filled with ambient air during the expansion process and its volume is preferably at least five times and, in some cases, of the order of forty times greater than the total interior volume of the inflatable channels. Means, including the shell itself, serve to limit the extent of inflation of the channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a coating composition onto a web, in which the coating composition is subjected to a first general smoothing during the passage of the web between relatively stiff surfaces of a primary coating member and the final smoothing of the coating is effected in a nip formed between relatively flexible flat surfaces of a secondary coating member. Said coating members being spaced from each other in the running direction of the web. The web is both stabilised and pre-coated by the primary coating member, whereas the coating is finalised by the secondary coating member.