Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating flexible articles comprising an openable dispenser (116) for retaining one article (123) disposed along the dispenser (116) and arranged so that the (116) dispenser continues to support the article (123) when it is opened and in that the apparatus includes movable gripping means (400) arranged to grip the hose (123) at two predetermined positions and thereafter lift the article (123) from the dispenser (116). The gripping means (400) may comprise a pair of spaced-apart grippers (402) or a gripper and suction tube arrangement mounted on a common support (404) and moveable towards and away from the dispenser by a pneumatic or hydraulic piston and cylinder (406) arrangement. A method of manipulating a flexible article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for coloration of a substrate comprising printing an ink onto the substrate using a thermal ink jet printer, characterised in that the ink comprises water and a water-dissipatable polyester dyed using a disperse dye or solvent soluble dye. An ink comprising a water-dissipatable polyester dyed using a disperse dye or solvent dye and an aqueous medium.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for orienting flaccid material such as hose blanks having toe ends and bulkier welt ends while they are being conveyed from a supply point to a receiving point to ensure that blanks arriving at the receiving point are received, for example, toe end first. The apparatus includes first and second suction conduits in communication with an outlet. The first conduit has an inlet to which hose blanks are successively presented. An orientation determining mechanism senses which end of a blank enters the inlet. If a toe end is sensed, the hose is permitted to travel unhindered to the outlet. If, however, a welt end is sensed at the inlet, suction is created in the second conduit, and the welt end is temporarily drawn into the second conduit. While the welt end is thus located, suction in the first conduit causes the toe end to be drawn therealong, past the second conduit and toward the outlet.

Abstract: Infectious medical waste is rendered non-infectious by an apparatus that includes a hopper into which the infectious waste is charged, a pair of grinders or other destruction devices that reduce the waste materials to small particles, a first heating station where harmful life forms are destroyed and a cooling station where the ground and heated materials are cooled to a level safe for handling by conventional trash removal personnel. Sharps containers are cut apart by an externally mounted sharps container cutter that cuts the containers apart before they reach the grinders.

Abstract: A method of preparing small samples for analysis by instrumental techniques is disclosed, wherein the method includes steps of holding a representative plurality of samples in contact with a surface of a backing member, with said samples in close proximity to each other, and linishing or grinding an area of said samples across a surface parallel or tangential to said surface of said backing member.

Abstract: A lute for coke ovens and the like is of clay-like consistency and contains a blowing agent which produces gas at least within the temperature range 160.degree. to 290.degree. C, and can appreciably cut pollution.

Abstract: A cellular material may be made by vulcanizing a mixture containing between 15% and 50% of an ebonite-forming rubber and sufficient vulcanizing agents to form an ebonite with the rubber, between 5% and 87% of a coal digested in pitch, tar or tar oil, between 10% and 40% of a particulate filler and a chemical blowing agent, whereby an ebonite structure is formed, so that, during the vulcanization, the chemical blowing agent decomposes or reacts to produce a gas, the viscosity of the composition during the production of the gas increasing whereby cells are retained in the composition. The digested coal has a penetration, converted to a Ring and Ball softening point of 85.degree. C, of between 10 and about 45. Cellular plastics material produced by this process may contain at least 25% by volume of closed cells.

Abstract: The invention comprises the production of a cellular material by vulcanizing a mixture containing between 10% and 90% of an ebonite-forming rubber and sufficient vulcanizing agents to form an ebonite with the rubber, not more than 10% of a solid filler preferably in the absence of such filler, and a chemical blowing agent, whereby an ebonite structure is formed, so that, during the vulcanization, the chemical blowing agent decomposes or reacts to produce a gas, the viscosity of the composition during the production of the gas increasing whereby cells are retained in the composition wherein the mixture further contains between 5% and 87% of a bituminous material.

Abstract: Cellular materials based on epoxy resins are known but are difficult to manufacture because of high exotherm. The addition of coal pitch which may be coal tar pitch or coal digest mitigates this to an extent not related to the heat capacity of the coal pitch. Cellular materials having fine even cells can easily be made. Certain epoxy resins enable flexible cellular materials to be manufactured.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fish lure which emits light having a peak wave length in the range from about 4500 A to 5000 A. The lure comprises a light source such as a luminescent material comprising a phosphor such as zinc sulfide, an extender such as magnesium carbonate and a suspending agent such as silica and zinc palmitate and a carrier for the luminescent material such as a transparent or translucent plastic. The invention also relates to a method of fishing comprising displaying the above described lure in the presence of a means for catching fish.