Abstract: A siphonic water closet pan is disclosed that includes a bowl having a smooth convex rim, a water inlet passage connected to a water inlet to direct water into the bowl for flushing, a refill passage in fluid connection with the water inlet passage to allow water to refill the bowl after flushing, an outlet passage connected to an outlet for removal of waste, and a siphonic bypass connecting the outlet passage and the water inlet passage. The pan may further include a water reservoir in fluid connection with the refill passage. A barrier may be located between the water inlet and water inlet passage. The water closet pan is anti-ligature and anti-vandalism. Also disclosed is a process for producing the pan, a water closet comprising the pan, and a sanitary installation comprising one or more pans.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems and computer readable media for unified polling of networked devices and services. A system for unified polling of networked devices and services according to one embodiment comprises one or more pollers in communication with one or more devices, the one or more pollers operative to request and perform one or more polling tasks of the one or more devices. The system further comprises a unified poller in communication with the plurality of pollers, the unified poller operative to receive requests for one or more polling tasks; determine priorities of the one or more polling tasks; and assign one or more threads to control the one or more pollers on the basis of the priorities of the one or more polling tasks.

Abstract: A compressor blade (30) comprises a vibration damping coating (54) on a first surface of at least one portion of an erosion resistant material (56). The vibration damping coating (54) comprises a plurality of segments (58). The portion of erosion resistant material (56) and the vibration damping coating (54) are adhesively bonded to the compressor blade (30) such that the vibration damping coating (54) is arranged between the surface (50) of the compressor blade (30) and the portion of erosion resistant material (56).

Abstract: The present invention provides a carrier which comprises a malodour counteractant (MCA), for use in an ostomy or incontinence pouch, wherein said carrier is attached directly or indirectly to the wall of the pouch. The MCA may be in the form of a coating or a matrix on the carrier, or may be attached directly to the carrier by way of an adhesive. The invention also provides a method for use in the production of an ostomy or incontinence pouch comprising attaching directly or indirectly to plastics material forming, or for forming, a pouch wall, a carrier carrying an MCA. A preferred MCA is a hydrogen peroxide generator, for example, sodium perborate, which may be used in the above carrier, or in other delivery mechanisms.

Abstract: An adhesive composition or structure is proposed for use in skin application, e.g. drug delivery wound care, or for attaching devices to collect body waste to the wearer. The composition comprises (a) a polymer or mixture of polymers which act as a pressure-sensitive adhesive present in an amount 20-60 parts by weight of the adhesive composition; and (b) a water-swellable polymer present in an amount 20-80 parts by weight of the adhesive composition. The polymer is one which will absorb from 50 to 500 grams of pure water per 100 grams of water-swellable polymer.Additionally there may be present up to 30 parts by weight (of the adhesive composition) of a water-soluble polymer.The water-swellable polymer may be provided as a coating on non-water-soluble and non-water-swellable fibers which limit swelling of the coating to be radial of the fibers. By arranging or aligning the fibers, the direction of swelling of the composition or structure can be controlled.

Abstract: In a method of making high-absorbency articles for use in wound care, incontinence, ostomy applications, and other more varied uses, a loose high-absorbency powder is arranged between a pair of sheets. The sheets and powder are compressed in certain areas. Loose powder is extracted e.g. by vacuum or gravity, and by cutting and sealing, packet-like articles are produced.

Abstract: The malodours of an ostomy bag are reduced by including therein an article including a hygroscopic matrix and additive. The matrix is selected from polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and glycerol. The additive is selected from food preservatives, fragrances, disinfectants, and odor absorbers.

Abstract: A combination of a liquid-containing bag and a tube 28 is disclosed. The bag may be a urine drainage bag and is made up of a pair of superposed sheets 20, 22, joined by a weld 24 whose configuration is chosen to define in a single welding operation the outline of the bag and the tube integral therewith. A single weld seam 24 defines the bag volume. The tube and portion of the weld seam 24 run adjacent to one another and are separated by a row of perforations 30 or by a line of weakening. In such an arrangement, means are provided for precluding face-to-face contact of selected parts of the inner surfaces of said sheets. This may be done by effecting heat shrinkage of selected parts of one or both sheets. One or preferably both sheets is biaxially oriented.