Abstract: An abradable seal coating for application to one of a pair of members having relative rotational movement and its method of manufacture are described.The abradable seal coating comprises a two phase composition consisting of a first phase of a metallic alloy matrix of approximately 88% aluminium - 12% silicon, and a second phase of an organic dispersoid material. The first and second phases are codeposited onto a substrate in the ratio 80:20 respectively.The two phases are modified after codisposition onto the substrate by heat treating at a temperature of 450.degree. C. for about sixteen hours. The heat treated coating can be used at elevated temperatures and has improved abradability whilst maintaining its integrity.

Abstract: Meat is processed by introducing it into a mobile cooking vessel after which the vessel is sealed from the atmosphere. A stock liquor is heated by a heat exchanger to a cooking temperature of at least 60.degree. C. and circulated through the vessel and the heat exchanger for a time sufficient to heat and cook the meat. After the meat is cooked, the circulating stock liquor is cooled by the heat exchanger to a temperature suitable to cool the heated, cooked meat to a temperature of no more than 15.degree. C. within 45 minutes.

Abstract: A rotating or moving metal component such as a blade for a gas turbine engine is made from a composite bar of titanium alloy with the sides of the bar having a surface layer of e.g. nickel which is less likely to ignite in particle form or by frictional heating when present in oxygen or air. After the surface layer has been bonded to the titanium alloy it is then parted to provide sections which extend perpendicularly to the plane of the surface layers. Each parted section may then be machined into a blade with the nickel portion forming the tip of the blade. Alternatively, each parted section may itself form the blade tip by attachment on its titanium alloy side to a blade stem.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying and marking the visual center of the cornea of a human eye includes a cylindrical tube for placement over the cornea of a human eye. The tube is open at one end and includes, inside the tube, a disk-shaped member having a central pinhole-sized opening near the open end of the tube. Farther from the open end of the tube are one or more illuminated disks having central pinhole-sized opacities, one in the shape of a ring, another in the shape of a dot. While a viewer focuses through the pinhole on these opacities, a movable member mounted coaxially with the tube is moved to engage and mark the central visual axis of the cornea.

Abstract: A precision intraocular surgical tool for removal or severing and removal of tissue from the eyeball of a patient includes a first tube of very small diameter having a port near one end, with the port including a tissue-shearing portion and, towards the closed end of the tube, a portion of substantially smaller size than the tissue-shearing portion, and a second tube concentric with the first tube. The first and second tubes fit snugly together, and one of the tubes is slidable with respect to the other. The end of the second tube adjacent to the port has a sharp cutting edge portion, and may also include a second smooth portion. The tool includes a mechanism for drawing tissue into the port for moving one of the tubes so that the sharp cutting edge portion can cross the port and cut tissue sucked into the port or, alternatively, so that the opening in the port can be restricted to the smaller-sized portion for aspirating tissue from the eyeball of a patient without cutting such tissue.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating a foodstuff in a container which is to be hermetically sealed characterized in that the container is extended by means of an extension piece, foodstuff is added so that it fills the container and at least part of the extension piece, the extended container is fitted with a closing member to form a closed assembly provided with an outlet for the escape of air, the contents are purged with steam until they have shrunk to such an extent that the foodstuff in the extension piece has subsided into the container and the required degree of heat processing has been achieved after which the container, extension piece and closing member are separated from each other.

Abstract: A piston filler for metering two fluids intermittently comprising a cylinder having a first and a second inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, means for closing the communication between the cylinder and the first inlet conduit and between the cylinder and the outlet conduit alternately, there being present inside the cylinder a first piston for drawing in a primary fluid from the first inlet conduit and discharging it into the outlet conduit and a second piston for drawing in a secondary fluid from the second inlet conduit which piston has at least one port provided with one or more valves through which the secondary fluid can flow to occupy the space between the two pistons where it can transmit the motion of the second piston to the first piston, and means for conveying secondary fluid from the space between the pistons to the outlet conduit.

Abstract: A process for treating solid foodstuff pieces in a container which is to be hermetically sealed characterized in that the container is extended by means of an extension piece, solid foodstuff pieces are added so that they fill the container and at least part of the extension piece, the extended container is fitted with a closing member to form a closed assembly provided with an outlet for the escape of air, the contents are purged with steam until they have shrunk to such an extent that the foodstuff pieces in the extension piece have subsided into the container and the required degree of heat processing has been achieved after which the container, extension piece and closing member are separated from each other.

Abstract: A pump for metering two fluids comprising a cylinder having a first and second inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, means for closing the communication between the cylinder and the first inlet conduit and between the cylinder and the outlet conduit alternately, there being present inside the cylinder a first floating solid piston for drawing in a primary fluid from the first inlet conduit and discharging it into the outlet conduit and a second piston for drawing in a secondary fluid from the second inlet conduit which piston has at least one port provided with one or more valves through which the secondary fluid can flow to occupy the space between the two pistons where it can transmit the motion of the second piston to the first piston, and a by-pass for conveying secondary fluid from the space between the pistons to the outlet conduit.