Abstract: A network of monitoring devices for monitoring the condition of the surface of railway track rails is described. A monitoring device includes a spectrometer configured to monitor at least one frequency that indicates the presence of a contaminant on a railway track rail and to provide an output indicative of the presence or absence of the contaminant on a railway track rail. The monitoring device also includes a transmitter arranged to transmit its output to a central database. The central database is configured to store data from the monitoring devices in the network over time, establishing historical data of track conditions as monitored by the monitoring devices. A comparator is configured to compare current track conditions over the network with historical track conditions over the network, providing an indication of likely developments of track conditions.

Abstract: A surface conditioning device for railway track rails and/or railway vehicle wheels includes a DC power supply, a supply of gas, a plasma delivery head connected to receive DC power from the power supply and gas from the gas supply, and an igniter for igniting the gas in the plasma delivery head. In use, plasma is generated within the delivery head by ignition of the gas in the delivery head. Plasma with gas is blown from the delivery head onto a railway track rail and/or railway vehicle wheel, thereby conditioning the rail and/or wheel.

Abstract: A ski locking device and method for securing a pair of snow skis equipped with snow brakes are provided. The ski locking device comprises a housing having a rear portion, and a lockable closure member connected to the housing. The housing and the lockable closure member are configured such that, when the ski locking device is in a closed position locking a pair of skis, with a slide surface of the first ski facing a slide surface of the second ski, the rear portion of the housing faces a first edge of the first ski and a second edge of the second ski. The lockable closure member encloses the snow brakes at a crossing point of the snow brakes.

Abstract: A ski locking device and method for securing a pair of snow skis equipped with snow brakes are provided. The ski locking device comprises a housing having a rear portion, and a lockable closure member connected to the housing. The housing and the lockable closure member are configured such that, when the ski locking device is in a closed position locking a pair of skis, with a slide surface of the first ski facing a slide surface of the second ski, the rear portion of the housing faces a first edge of the first ski and a second edge of the second ski. The lockable closure member encloses the snow brakes at a crossing point of the snow brakes.

Abstract: A ski locking device and method for securing a pair of snow skis equipped with snow brakes are provided. The ski locking device comprises a housing (1320) having a rear portion (240), and a lockable closure member (1370) connected to the housing (1320). The housing (1320) and the lockable closure member (1370) are configured such that, when the ski locking device is in a closed position locking a pair of skis, with a slide surface of the first ski (3010) facing a slide surface of the second ski (3020), the rear portion (240) of the housing (220) faces a first edge (3012) of the first ski (3010) and a second edge (3022) of the second ski (3020). The lockable closure member (1370) encloses the snow brakes (3040; 3050) at a crossing point (3060) of the snow brakes.

Abstract: A ski locking device and method for securing a pair of snow skis equipped with snow brakes are provided. The ski locking device comprises a housing (1320) having a rear portion (240), and a lockable closure member (1370) connected to the housing (1320). The housing (1320) and the lockable closure member (1370) are configured such that, when the ski locking device is in a closed position locking a pair of skis, with a slide surface of the first ski (3010) facing a slide surface of the second ski (3020), the rear portion (240) of the housing (220) faces a first edge (3012) of the first ski (3010) and a second edge (3022) of the second ski (3020). The lockable closure member (1370) encloses the snow brakes (3040; 3050) at a crossing point (3060) of the snow brakes.

Abstract: A waste storage device is provided including a waste storage cassette receiving chamber (132) for receiving a cassette (172) rotatable within the chamber and containing tubing for enveloping waste. The device further includes a waste inlet and a throat area therebetween, wherein a releasable gripping assembly (155, 158, 159, 168) is provided in the throat area and arranged for actuation between a released configuration defining an aperture for passage of waste therethrough and a gripping configuration defining a restriction in the throat area.

Abstract: A waste storage device is provided including a waste storage cassette receiving chamber for receiving a cassette rotatable within the chamber and containing tubing for enveloping waste. The device further includes a waste inlet and a throat area therebetween, wherein a releasable gripping assembly is provided in the throat area and arranged for actuation between a released configuration defining an aperture for passage of waste therethrough and a gripping configuration defining a restriction in the throat area.

Abstract: A waste storage device is provided including a waste storage cassette receiving chamber (132) for receiving a cassette (172) rotatable within the chamber and containing tubing for enveloping waste. The device further includes a waste inlet and a throat area therebetween, wherein a releasable gripping assembly (155, 158, 159, 168) is provided in the throat area and arranged for actuation between a released configuration defining an aperture for passage of waste therethrough and a gripping configuration defining a restriction in the throat area.

Abstract: A waste storage device is provided including a waste storage cassette receiving chamber for receiving a cassette rotatable within the chamber and containing tubing for enveloping waste. The device further includes a waste inlet and a throat area therebetween, wherein a releasable gripping assembly is provided in the throat area and arranged for actuation between a released configuration defining an aperture for passage of waste therethrough and a gripping configuration defining a restriction in the throat area.

Abstract: A counter mechanism useable with a dry powder inhaler is disclosed. The mechanism features first and second indicator members rotatable about a central axis. The indicator members have counting indicia visible to indicate inhaler doses remaining or dispensed. A coupling transmits rotary motion from the inhaler to the second indicator member when the inhaler is charged with a dose. A slave wheel, rotatable about an axis offset from the central axis, has a drive transfer wheel on one face and a gear on an opposite face. The gear engages the second indicator member, the drive transfer wheel intermittently engages and rotates the first indicator member in response to rotary motion of the second indicator member.

Abstract: A sub-assembly or kit for forming a shoe comprises a flexible member for incorporation in the base of a shoe. The flexible member is capable of a plurality of foot supporting shapes to adapt to heels of different heights. A removable heel and shaping member has a heel part supporting the rear end of the flexible member at a heel height. A shaping part is removably fastened to the flexible member to cause the flexible member to adopt a particular foot supporting shape or configuration adapted to the heel height.

Abstract: A flexible bag having expansible and collapsible cells can be used in a liquid dispenser. A rigid manifold, and in one instance a rigid frame is provided in the bag to keep passages open in use and to isolate one of the cells from the remaining cells. The manifold is capable of altering the volume of one of the cells so that the same bag can be used in different applications.

Abstract: A valve is disclosed for dispensing a flowable material. The valve has a first chamber (40) at a first pressure wherein said first chamber (40) defines an outlet (28) in communication with said first chamber (40). A second chamber (42) is at a second pressure. The valve has a stop (18) indexed against a third pressure, operating to selectively place the first chamber (40) into communication with the second chamber (42). The stop (18) is operative to connect the second chamber (42) to said first chamber (40) when the first pressure is less than the third pressure.

Abstract: A stop (20) for a dispensing valve (10) is adapted to be moveable between a first position abutting a valve surface (28) to seal an opening (30), and a second position spaced from the surface (28) to open the opening (30). The stop (20) has a base (52), and a sealing member (54) connected to the base (52) by a hinge member (60). The sealing member (54) has a sealing surface (66) at a distal end. The sealing member (54) extends away from the base (52) in a first molded position (MP). The sealing member (66) is foldable at the hinge member (60) to a second position (FP) wherein the sealing surface (66) faces generally towards the base (52). The method of making the valve stop (20) includes injection molding the stop (20) such that the sealing surface (66) is free of split-lines.

Abstract: A valve is disclosed for dispensing a flowable material. The valve has a first chamber (40) at a first pressure wherein said first chamber (40) defines an outlet (28) in communication with said first chamber (40). A second chamber (42) is at a second pressure. The valve has a stop (18) indexed against a third pressure, operating to selectively place the first chamber (40) into communication with the second chamber (42). The stop (18) is operative to connect the second chamber (42) to said first chamber (40) when the first pressure is less than the third pressure. The valve includes a vent (520) for venting the second chamber (42) when flowable material is removed.

Abstract: A valve is disclosed for dispensing a flowable material from a container. The valve has a first chamber (40) at a first pressure wherein said first chamber (40) defines an outlet (28) in communication with said first chamber (40). A second chamber (42) is at a second pressure. The valve has a stop (18) indexed against a third pressure, operating to selectively place the first chamber (40) into communication with the second chamber (42). The stop (18) is operative to connect the second chamber (42) to said first chamber (40) when the first pressure is less than the third pressure. The valve has structure capable of balancing internal forces acting on the valve such as from pressure from the flowable material in the container.

Abstract: A valve is disclosed for dispensing a flowable material. The valve has a first chamber (40) at a first pressure wherein said first chamber (40) defines an outlet (28) in communication with said first chamber (40). A second chamber (42) is at a second pressure. The valve has a stop (18) indexed against a third pressure, operating to selectively place the first chamber (40) into communication with the second chamber (42). The stop (18) is operative to connect the second chamber (42) to said first chamber (40) when the first pressure is less than the third pressure. The valve includes a vent (520) for venting the second chamber (42) when flowable material is removed.

Abstract: A valve is disclosed for dispensing a flowable material. The valve has a first chamber (40) at a first pressure wherein said first chamber (40) defines an outlet (28) in communication with said first chamber (40). A second chamber (42) is at a second pressure. The valve has a stop (18) indexed against a third pressure, operating to selectively place the first chamber (40) into communication with the second chamber (42). The stop (18) is operative to connect the second chamber (42) to said first chamber (40) when the first pressure is less than the third pressure. The valve includes a vent (520) for venting the second chamber (42) when flowable material is removed.