Abstract: A device for picking fruit is provided with an optical detection means and a robot arm, fitted with a gripper mechanism. The processing unit actuates the robot arm to make the gripper mechanism move about the piece of fruit to be picked from below. Once grasped, the piece of fruit to be picked is rotated in such a way about a substantially horizontal axis that the stalk of the piece of fruit comes away from the plant.

Abstract: A method and an electronic device are provided that include receiving at the electronic device a start and an end of an out-of-office period and an out-of-office preference for responding to new invitations to events occurring during the out-of-office period received at the electronic device, receiving at the electronic device a new invitation to an event occurring during the out-of-office period, and automatically transmitting at the electronic device a response to the new invitation based on the out-of-office preference.

Abstract: A method and an electronic device are provided that include receiving at the electronic device a start and an end of an out-of-office period and an out-of-office preference for responding to new invitations to events occurring during the out-of-office period received at the electronic device, receiving at the electronic device a new invitation to an event occurring during the out-of-office period, and automatically transmitting at the electronic device a response to the new invitation based on the out-of-office preference.

Abstract: A device and a method for attaching a label for identifying a bale to an elongate flexible object, wherein the device comprises storage means for the label and attachment means for attaching the label to the elongate flexible object, and wherein the label, on its edge, has an opening which is adapted to attach the label to the elongate flexible object.

Abstract: A method and an electronic device are provided that include receiving at the electronic device a start and an end of an out-of-office period and an out-of-office preference for responding to new invitations to events occurring during the out-of-office period received at the electronic device, receiving at the electronic device a new invitation to an event occurring during the out-of-office period, and automatically transmitting at the electronic device a response to the new invitation based on the out-of-office preference.

Abstract: A method and an electronic device are provided that include receiving at the electronic device a start and an end of an out-of-office period and an out-of-office preference for responding to new invitations to events occurring during the out-of-office period received at the electronic device, receiving at the electronic device a new invitation to an event occurring during the out-of-office period, and automatically transmitting at the electronic device a response to the new invitation based on the out-of-office preference.

Abstract: Forces in a vehicle interface between the suspension and a body are identified. Rather than using many or all strain gauges, some more easily and rapidly installed acceleration sensors are instead used to measure local deformation. To remove or reduce the effects of rigid-body motion captured by accelerometers, an inertial measurement unit is also used. The forces are estimated from a behavior model accounting for both rigid and flexible motions.

Abstract: A method and an electronic device are provided that include receiving at the electronic device a start and an end of an out-of-office period and an out-of-office preference for responding to new invitations to events occurring during the out-of-office period received at the electronic device, receiving at the electronic device a new invitation to an event occurring during the out-of-office period, and automatically transmitting at the electronic device a response to the new invitation based on the out-of-office preference.

Abstract: Forces in a vehicle interface between the suspension and a body are identified. Rather than using many or all strain gauges, some more easily and rapidly installed acceleration sensors are instead used to measure local deformation. To remove or reduce the effects of rigid-body motion captured by accelerometers, an inertial measurement unit is also used. The forces are estimated from a behavior model accounting for both rigid and flexible motions.

Abstract: A carboxylate detergent prepared by the process comprising (a) alkylating a hydroxyaromatic compound with at least one alpha olefin oligomer, derived from C8 to C20 alpha olefins, to thereby produce an alkylhydroxyaromatic compound, and wherein at least 90% of the molecules in the alkylhydroxyaromatic compound have the alkyl group attached at the 4-position or higher from the terminus of the longest chain of the alkyl group, and further wherein the alkyl group comprises at least one hydrocarbon tail of at least 7 carbons; (b) neutralizing the resulting alkylated hydroxyaromatic compound with an alkali metal base; (c) carbonating the alkali metal salt from step (b) with carbon dioxide; (d) acidifying the salt produced in step (c); and (e) overbasing the resulting alkylated hydroxyaromatic carboxylic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to mattresses such as a pressure relieving mattress and in particular ones for profiling beds. The mattress comprises a base portion 11, a carriage portion 12, an upper portion 13 and an inflatable pressure relieving underlay 14 disposed between the carriage 12 and the upper portion 13. The facing surfaces 15 and 16 of the base portion 11 and the carriage portion 12, respectively, are coated with a low friction material so that the two slide easily relative to one another. This sliding movement is restricted to longitudinal relative movement by the engagement of co-operating formations 17, 18. The combination provides particularly flexible mattress arrangement which also avoids the problem of the leg section of the mattress kicking upwardly when a profiling bed is articulated.

Abstract: A carboxylate detergent prepared by the process comprising (a) alkylating a hydroxyaromatic compound with at least one alpha olefin oligomer, derived from C8 to C20 alpha olefins, to thereby produce an alkylhydroxyaromatic compound, and wherein at least 90% of the molecules in the alkylhydroxyaromatic compound have the alkyl group attached at the 4-position or higher from the terminus of the longest chain of the alkyl group, and further wherein the alkyl group comprises at least one hydrocarbon tail of at least 7 carbons; (b) neutralizing the resulting alkylated hydroxyaromatic compound with an alkali metal base; (c) carbonating the alkali metal salt from step (b) with carbon dioxide; (d) acidifying the salt produced in step (c); and (e) overbasing the resulting alkylated hydroxyaromatic carboxylic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to mattresses, such as a pressure relieving mattress, comprising a base portion and an upper portion overlying the base portion and having an interface between the portions which has a coefficient of friction low enough such that the portions can slide relative to each other. This configuration enables relative movement of the portions, when the mattress is lying on a profiling bed and the bed is being profiled.

Abstract: This invention relates to mattresses such as a pressure relieving mattress and in particular ones for profiling beds. The mattress comprises a base portion 11, a carriage portion 12, an upper portion 13 and an inflatable pressure relieving underlay 14 disposed between the carriage 12 and the upper portion 13. The facing surfaces 15 and 16 of the base portion 11 and the carriage portion 12, respectively, are coated with a low friction material so that the two slide easily relative to one another. This sliding movement is restricted to longitudinal relative movement by the engagement of co-operating formations 17, 18. The combination provides particularly flexible mattress arrangement which also avoids the problem of the leg section of the mattress kicking upwardly when a profiling bed is articulated.

Abstract: A spraying device that sprays of a mixture of fluids is monitored to determine whether it is functioning properly. The spraying device has inlets for at least two fluids, such as water and air, and a mixing chamber in which the fluids are mixed. A mixture pressure sensor is mounted on the spraying device to detect the pressure of the mixture. The input pressures of the fluids entering the spraying device are also measured. A formula having left- and right-hand sides is provided for describing a relationship between the actual mixture pressure and the actual pressures of the first and second fluids. Based on the relationship provided by the formula, a comparison process is used to determine whether the spraying device is functioning properly.

Abstract: A spraying device that sprays of a mixture of fluids is monitored to determine whether it is functioning properly. The spraying device has inlets for at least two fluids, such as water and air, and a mixing chamber in which the fluids are mixed. A mixture pressure sensor is mounted on the spraying device to detect the pressure of the mixture. The input pressures of the fluids entering the spraying device are also measured. The measured input pressures of the fluids are used to calculate a predicted mixture pressure based on an empirical formula, which has parameters that can be derived when the spraying device is installed in its operating position. The calculated pressure value and the measured actual mixture pressure are then used in a comparison process to determine whether or not the spraying device is functioning properly.

Abstract: The present invention provides magnetic resonance imaging coils for pursuing large volume images at high magnetic field strengths of 3 Tesla or higher. Also provided are methods of obtaining images by utilizing such magnetic resonance imaging coils. Specifically, the present invention provides a high field large volume resonator comprising a conductive cavity with segments of coaxial cable with exposed center conductors passing through, thereby creating a voltage node corresponding to the center of the conductive cavity. The cavity dimensions of the high frequency large volume resonator are sufficiently large to accommodate a human subject or other appropriate subject of similar size.

Abstract: The present invention provides magnetic resonance imaging coils for pursuing large volume images at high magnetic field strengths of 3 Tesla or higher. Also provided are methods of obtaining images by utilizing such magnetic resonance imaging coils. Specifically, the present invention provides a high field large volume resonator comprising a conductive cavity with segments of coaxial cable with exposed center conductors passing through, thereby creating a voltage node corresponding to the center of the conductive cavity. The cavity dimensions of the high frequency large volume resonator are sufficiently large to accommodate a human subject or other appropriate subject of similar size.

Abstract: An aircraft cargo container (10) is provided with one or more expandable regions for expansion under blast loading thereby to absorb a portion of the blast energy from a blast within the container (10). The absorbing means may comprise corrugated or concertina shaped sheets (20, 22, 34) which expand under blast loading and together with a blast absorbing material (24). The sheets (20, 22, 34) and material (24) may be provided in one or more panels (12, 14) and/or at one or more edged if required.