Abstract: An inflation device mechanism (10) for inflation of an inflatable article comprises a housing (11) for supporting a container (18) of pressurized fluid and a piercing device (16) displaceable from a retracted position to penetrate the container to release pressurized fluid, bias means (22) to move the piercing device to penetrate the container, and actuation means comprising co-operating latching elements (26, 30) which, in an engaged, latched configuration, retain the piercing device retracted, said actuation means being actuable by either a first (35) or a second (36) control member to allow the latching elements to disengage and permit the piercing device to penetrate the container under action of the bias means, the first control member (35) comprising a water sensitive member which surrounds the latching elements and has a strength sufficient normally to support the latching elements in the engaged configuration but to allow the elements to disengage when reduced in strength by exposure to water, and the

Abstract: A simple and low cost device to detect the presence of mercury or other trace metals in the environment and quantify said concentration by spectrophotometric, colorimetric, or electrical conductivity is disclosed. Owing to its small size, it is suitable for portable mercury detectors or detectors that may be worn as badges in the breathing zone of workers.

Abstract: Compounds and methods that release 1-methylcyclopropene, 1-trifluoromethylcyclopropene, and other substituted cyclopropenes are disclosed. The compounds are of the class of chemical analogue of 2-oxa-bicyclo[2.1.0]penta-3-one useful as vessels for molecular plant ethylene receptor inhibitors. The compounds and methods overcome present limitations for storage, transportation, and application of the cyclopropene containing compounds by using light, including sunlight, and/or heat as the primary release trigger. Additional products released include innocuous gases and value added aryl-group compounds.

Abstract: An inflation device mechanism (10) for inflation of an inflatable article comprises a housing (11) for supporting a container (18) of pressurised fluid and a piercing device (16) displaceable from a retracted position to penetrate the container to release pressurised fluid, bias means (22) to move the piercing device to penetrate the container, and actuation means comprising co-operating latching elements (26, 30) which, in an engaged, latched configuration, retain the piercing device retracted, said actuation means being actuable by either a first (35) or a second (36) control member to allow the latching elements to disengage and permit the piercing device to penetrate the container under action of the bias means, the first control member (35) comprising a water sensitive member which surrounds the latching elements and has a strength sufficient normally to support the latching elements in the engaged configuration but to allow the elements to disengage when reduced in strength by exposure to water, and the

Abstract: Compounds and methods that release 1-methylcyclopropene, 1-trifluoromethylcyclopropene, and other substituted cyclopropenes are disclosed. The compounds and methods overcome present limitations for storage, transportation, and application of the cyclopropene containing compounds by using light, including sunlight, and/or heat as the primary release trigger. Additional products released include innocuous gases and value added aryl-group compounds.

Abstract: A simple and low cost device to detect the presence of mercury or other trace metals in the environment and quantify said concentration by spectrophotometric, colorimetric, or electrical conductivity is disclosed. Owing to its small size, it is suitable for portable mercury detectors or detectors that may be worn as badges in the breathing zone of workers.

Abstract: A new invention in cathode composition, arrangement, and design for primary and secondary batteries that offers high power, high capacity, and high specific energy is proposed herein. The claimed technology described herein incorporates materials into the cathode that results in a cathode which may accept two electrons per active site. Other advantages of the technology included herein include: 1) lower cost, 2) environmental friendliness, 3) safety, 4) a wide operational temperature range, 5) backwards compatibility with present electrochemical cells, and 6) versatility. The technology is cross-cutting, and has high impact applications, such as for electric vehicles, which require both high power and high specific energy.

Abstract: Compounds and methods that release 1-methylcyclopropene, 1-trifluoromethylcyclopropene, and other substituted cyclopropenes are disclosed. The compounds and methods overcome present limitations for storage, transportation, and application of the cyclopropene containing compounds by using light, including sunlight, and/or heat as the primary release trigger. Additional products released include innocuous gases and value added aryl-group compounds.

Abstract: A new invention in cathode composition, arrangement, and design for primary and secondary batteries that offers high power, high capacity, and high specific energy is proposed herein. The claimed technology described herein incorporates materials into the cathode that results in a cathode which may accept two electrons per active site. Other advantages of the technology included herein include: 1) lower cost, 2) environmental friendliness, 3) safety, 4) a wide operational temperature range, 5) backwards compatibility with present electrochemical cells, and 6) versatility. The technology is cross-cutting, and has high impact applications, such as for electric vehicles, which require both high power and high specific energy.

Abstract: An incandescent lamp element comprises an envelope and a filament (10) supported therein by a plurality of spaced supports. The filament comprises a helical coil of wire with sections (20, 21) having at least two different pitches. The first sections (20) have a pitch which enables the filament to be operated at a required colour temperature, and the second sections have a pitch which enables the filament to be supported by the supports.

Abstract: An inflation device (5) for an inflatable article (such a life jacket), includes a housing (8) for holding a container of pressurised fluid (6), a displacement means (12) including a piercing means (15) displaceable so as to penetrate the container (6) and allow the release of said pressurised fluid, and actuation means (23, 27, 28, 29) having engaging co-operating elements (17, 25) which engage to retain the displacement means (12) in an unactuated configuration. The actuation means (23, 27, 28, 29) release the displacement means (12) both through the presence of water or by manual operation. The co-operating elements (17, 25) are substantially radially arranged. The line along which the displacement means (12) acts may be coaxial with the radii of the co-operating elements (17, 25). One of the co-operating elements (17) is capable of inward radial movement, and the actuation means (27, 28, 29) operates to prevent that co-operating element's (17) radially inward movement.

Abstract: The balloon catheter has a portion of its tubular shaft sequentially squeezed between a ram reciprocating in a box and a saddle arranged in a cover closely fitting on the box. The pressurised fluid medium supplied to the balloon is pulsated by the squeeze and release action of the ram and saddle arrangement.

Abstract: The balloon catheter has a portion of its tubular shaft sequentially squeezed between a ram reciprocating in a box and a saddle arranged in a cover closely fitting on the box. The pressurized fluid medium supplied to the balloon is pulsated by the squeeze and release action of the ram and saddle arrangement.