Abstract: High pressure injection apparatus (2) for addition of a liquid formulation into a melt stream comprises a first pump which is arranged to accurately meter the liquid formulation (including highly loaded formulations comprising solids comprising particles of relatively large size) and a second pump which boosts the pressure of the formulation to that of the melt stream into which it is to be injected. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a tank (4) for initially receiving liquid formulation. The tank is subjected to ambient temperature and pressure and need not be stirred or otherwise agitated. The tank is arranged to deliver the formulation via pipe (6) into a first pump (8) (which may be a diaphragm pump or a progressing cavity pump). The pump is arranged to work at a pressure up to 120 bar to boost pressure. Downstream of pump (8), a pipe (10) is arranged to deliver formulation from the pump (8) to a gear pump (12), driven by a motor (13). The gear pump acts to meter the liquid formulation.

Abstract: A process for production of dialkyl succinate from bio-succinic acid feedstock where solid bio-succinic acid is fed to a reactor to react with alkanol by autocatalytic esterification. Products from the reactor including unreacted succinic acid, mono alkyl ester, dialkyl ester, alkanol, water and impurities are sent to a reaction distillation column for esterification of succinic acid and further esterification of mono alkyl ester with upflowing alkanol. The bottoms products from the reaction distillation column including residual succinic acid, mono alkyl ester, dialkyl ester, impurities and alkanol are sent to a bottoms stream separation zone where di-alkyl ester is separated from alkanol, succinic acid, mono alkyl ester and impurities. The tops products from the reaction distillation column including alkanol, water and organic components are sent to a top stream distillation zone where alkanol is separated from water and organic components. The organic components are recycled to the reaction zone column.

Abstract: A process for the production of dialkyl succinate from a bio-succinic acid feedstock commencing by feeding bio-succinic acid to a reaction distillation column to enable esterification of the succinic acid. The feedstock is passed co-currently with upflowing alkanol such that an esterification reaction occurs. An overhead vapour stream is removed from the reaction distillation column comprising di-ester, alkanol, water of esterification and organic components. The vapour stream is sent to an alkanol separation column where alkanol is separated from the water of esterification and organic components. A side draw is removed from the alkanol separation column comprising partially immiscible organic and aqueous phases. The side draw is passed to a phase separation apparatus where the partially immiscible organic and aqueous phases are separated. The organic phase is passed to a column where the dialkyl succinate is recovered from residual water and other organic components.

Abstract: A device and method for populating a legal filing with an individual's name exactly as it appears on a government-issued identification document. The individual's name is read using a symbolic barcode on the government-issued identification document without storing, or even reading, other information contained in the symbolic bar code that may contravene applicable laws or regulations relating to the storage of such information. The individual's name exactly as it appears on the government-issued identification document is used to populate a legal filing document.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clutch for a laundry appliance. The clutch selectively connects a laundry vessel to a variable speed drive. A driven member is rotationally coupled to the variable speed drive and a driven member is rotationably coupled to the laundry vessel. The driven member is at least partially rotationally coupled to the driven member by friction. At least one locking element is moveable from an unlocked position to a locking position. The driven member and the driven member are rotationally coupled together once the driven member accelerates to a rotational speed above a first rotational speed, connecting the laundry vessel to the variable speed drive.

Abstract: A sample may be prepared for measurement by pressing, for example for XRF. In some cases, the sample may include a component that may mobilise on pressing. Such samples may be prepared by adding a binder to the sample. The binder includes an additive for binding the component that may mobilise and may include an additional component or components such as wax. The binder may be activated carbon, graphite or a mixture. The sample may be mixed using a mill, for example, and pressed into a pellet. Measurements may then be made on the pressed sample.

Abstract: An example force sensor module for a touch-sensitive electronic device can include a force sensor, a bias assembly and an opposing bias assembly that is coupled to the bias assembly. The bias assembly can have a top wall and a plurality of side walls extending from the top wall. The top and side walls can define a chamber. The force sensor can be arranged between the bias assembly and the opposing bias assembly within the chamber. Additionally, the bias and opposing bias assemblies can be configured to apply a preload force to the force sensor, which is approximately equal to a spring force exerted between the bias and opposing bias assemblies.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (“MEMS”) load sensor device for measuring a force applied by a human user is described herein. In one aspect, the load sensor device has a contact surface in communication with a touch surface which communicates forces originating on the touch surface to a deformable membrane, on which load sensor elements are arranged, such that the load sensor device produces a signal proportional to forces imparted by a human user along the touch surface. In another aspect, the load sensor device has an overload protection ring to protect the load sensor device from excessive forces. In another aspect, the load sensor device has embedded logic circuitry to allow a microcontroller to individually address load sensor devices organized into an array. In another aspect, the load sensor device has electrical and mechanical connectors such as solder bumps designed to minimize cost of final component manufacturing.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional track pad is described that acts as human-machine interface (HMI). Inputs to the HMI can be made not only using the tradition two-dimensional (X-Y) inputs of a track pad, but also a third dimension, force, and even a fourth dimension, time. Tactile or audible feedback to the inputs can be provided. Methods of using the HMI to control a system are described as well as a track pad system that utilizes the HMI in communication with a processor.

Abstract: A document transformation system automatically transforms documents electronically transferred between senders and recipients, even where documents of a given type from a given sender which are assumed to be identically formatted differ in various aspects, for instance in scaling, alignment, concatenating, resizing, etc. Document transformation instructions selected based on sender, recipient, or both specify transformation instructions which include one or more maps, document layouts, page layouts, sections extraction instructions, allowing extraction of data or information, and generation of documents or information in a format specified by recipient. Headers and footers may be extracted, and a remaining body concatenated. The system continues to searching for additional instructions on failure of previous instructions to successfully extract a previous section, without terminating. Documents may be converted from a large variety of file formats into a common file format.

Abstract: A linear compressor has a hollow piston with crown and sidewall. The piston reciprocates in a cylinder. A piston rod connects the piston to a spring. A connection between the piston rod and the piston transmits axial forces directly to the piston crown. The connection transmits lateral forces to the piston at an axial location away from the piston crown. The connection allows rotational flexibility between the piston and the piston rod transverse to and uniformly around the piston reciprocation axis. Other improvements in or relating to linear compressors are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A substantially planar suspension spring for supporting a linear compressor housed within a hermetic shell. A hub portion (36) connects to the body of the compressor assembly while a spiral arm portion (38) curves around the hub portion (36) at least one full turn before attaching to the wall of the compressor housing. Provides lateral stability to the reciprocating compressor assembly while maintaining axial flexibility.

Abstract: A computer-based process for generating a composite search document for use in the electronic search and retrieval of corresponding and relevant documents and/or information from an existing database or collection of electronic documents. A composite search document is created by aggregating blocks of text in an interface into a single document, which is submitted to the mathematical space of a conceptual search index or similar search engine for the purpose of performing a query and returning results.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (“MEMS”) load sensor device for measuring a force applied by a human user is described herein. In one aspect, the load sensor device has a contact surface in communication with a touch surface which communicates forces originating on the touch surface to a deformable membrane, on which load sensor elements are arranged, such that the load sensor device produces a signal proportional to forces imparted by a human user along the touch surface. In another aspect, the load sensor device has an overload protection ring to protect the load sensor device from excessive forces. In another aspect, the load sensor device has embedded logic circuitry to allow a microcontroller to individually address load sensor devices organized into an array. In another aspect, the load sensor device has electrical and mechanical connectors such as solder bumps designed to minimize cost of final component manufacturing.

Abstract: The invention provides a landing gear 120 for an aircraft 110, the landing gear comprising a main strut 121 having a first upper end arranged to be moveably mounted to a structure of the aircraft, a landing gear wheel assembly 131, 132 connected to a second lower end of the main strut, the landing gear wheel assembly comprising at least one landing gear wheel arranged to roll in a fore-aft direction with respect to the main strut, and a stay 122 having a first upper end arranged to be connected to a structure of the aircraft, and a second lower end pivotally mounted to a mounting element 140 on the main strut, wherein the mounting element on the main strut is positioned substantially in line with the main strut in the fore-aft direction. The invention also provides a main strut, an aircraft and a kit of parts.

Abstract: Robots, robot systems, and methods may interact with users. Data from a sensor may be received by a processor associated with a robot. The processor may determine a user input based on the data from the sensor. The processor may send the user input to a remote service via a communication device. The processor may receive command data from the remote service via the communication device. The processor may cause an expressive element to perform an action corresponding to the command data.

Abstract: Bed-ridden patients may need to be removed from their beds several times a day, for changing of soiled linens, or showering. This may create an exceptional burden on cardiac, paralyzed, traumatized, post-operative, burned or obese patients. It also takes a toll on medical staff and caretakers. Close monitoring of fluid balance in such patients and those suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, incontinence, or bodily discharges, is often required, but currently such fluid losses cannot be measured. Handling of contaminated sheets can spread life threatening infections, and replacement of stained sheets is costly. The Bib sheet Poop sheet System addresses these problems and the problem of pressure sores. The Bib sheet, Poop sheet and Poop mattress may be made of impervious fabric to protect the patient's clothing, underlying sheets and mattress. A porous mat and marginal rim conduct fluids down to tubes draining into measuring buckets at the foot of the bed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clutch for a laundry appliance. The clutch selectively connects a laundry vessel to a variable speed drive. A driven member is rotationally coupled to the variable speed drive and an un-driven member is rotationably coupled to the laundry vessel. The un-driven member is at least partially rotationally coupled to the driven member by friction. At least one locking element is moveable from an unlocked position to a locking position. The un-driven member and the driven member are rotationally coupled together once the un-driven member accelerates to a rotational speed above a first rotational speed, connecting the laundry vessel to the variable speed drive.

Abstract: Fasteners, such as rivets (60), are fed to a fastener insertion tool (1) via a buffer magazine (5) adjacent to the tool. The buffer is movable with the tool and C-frame (6) between an operative position where fasteners can be inserted into a workpiece and a re-filling position where it is docked at a docking station (13) to reload. Fasteners are delivered to the docking station from a source (14) and held there ready for when the tool docks. Once docked a transfer gate (25, 28) is opened at an interface between the buffer magazine and the docking station and fasteners from the docking station are transferred into the buffer magazine. The quantity of fasteners in the buffer magazine is detected and the last fastener is retained so as to support preceding fasteners loaded into the buffer magazine. Any subsequently loaded fasteners back to the docking station either under gravity, under the influence of a pressurized gas or both.

Abstract: The invention concerns an enantiomerically enriched compound of formula (1) or the opposite enantiomer thereof wherein each of Ar1—Ar4 represent the same or different aromatic groups of up to 20 carbon atoms and the bridging group X is the formula (5) in which * denotes points of attachment to phosphorus atoms and methods of making thereof.