Abstract: A space station includes a housing that defines an interior space. An inner chamber is located in the interior space and defines an inner cavity that is sealable from the remainder of the interior space. At least one bulkhead is arranged in the interior space to partition the interior space into at least two compartments that are hermetically sealable from one another. One compartment can be accessed from another compartment via the inner cavity of the inner chamber. The inner cavity is sealable against each compartment. Openings in an outer surface of the housing enable crew members to leave a damaged compartment through the opening. Thus, alternative routes exist to leave a damaged compartment, i.e., either through the inner cavity or through the opening in the outer surface of the housing. When one compartment is damaged, the adjacent compartments are still operative because they are sealed from the damaged compartment.

Abstract: An installation for managing a database, the database having a database filter to provide the data sought in response to a query defining the filter and at least one data hierarchy of at least three hierarchical levels. The installation includes an interrogator to provide at least one query defining a filter to select data sought by using the database filter. The installation includes a representation of a hierarchy table that includes, for each hierarchised datum, the data on which it is dependent, regardless of the number of hierarchical levels separating them, the data being contained in a separate record of the table which also contains the hierarchised datum. During an interrogation on the basis of a query pertaining to hierarchised data, the database filter provides a response to the query formulated on the basis of the hierarchy table without resorting to external interrogation tools.

Abstract: A method of interrogation or modification of a database having a plurality of tables each with fields and relationships between the fields of various tables, the method including: filling in a single privileged table; filling in at least one field in another table for which data are sought or to be modified; filling in at least one filter pertaining to a field of another table allowing the selection of the data sought or to be modified; identifying in the database, using the input fields and the fields appearing in the input filters, the tables containing these fields; identifying in the database, using the input fields and the fields appearing in the input filters, the relationships between these fields of various tables; reformulating a query to the database by stating in full the fields, the identified tables, joins representative; and applying the query to the database.

Abstract: An installation for managing a database, the database having a database filter to provide the data sought in response to a query defining the filter and at least one data hierarchy of at least three hierarchical levels. The installation includes an interrogator to provide at least one query defining a filter to select data sought by using the database filter. The installation includes a representation of a hierarchy table that includes, for each hierarchised datum, the data on which it is dependent, regardless of the number of hierarchical levels separating them, the data being contained in a separate record of the table which also contains the hierarchised datum. During an interrogation on the basis of a query pertaining to hierarchised data, the database filter provides a response to the query formulated on the basis of the hierarchy table without resorting to external interrogation tools.

Abstract: A method of interrogation or modification of a database having a plurality of tables each with fields and relationships between the fields of various tables, the method including: filling in a single privileged table; filling in at least one field in another table for which data are sought or to be modified; filling in at least one filter pertaining to a field of another table allowing the selection of the data sought or to be modified; identifying in the database, using the input fields and the fields appearing in the input filters, the tables containing these fields; identifying in the database, using the input fields and the fields appearing in the input filters, the relationships between these fields of various tables; reformulating a query to the database by stating in full the fields, the identified tables, joins representative; and applying the query to the database.

Abstract: An interface system for accessing data stored in corresponding storage elements includes at least a zone (2) for storing data proper and a zone (3) for storing a data dictionary defining structurally the database, the data base being accessible through elements forming an access interface (4). The elements forming an access interface are associated with a dictionary (5) of interface defining descriptors, accessible through elements modifying its content to enable programming of the configuration of the elements forming an interface to be programmed by creating, suppressing or modifying descriptors in the dictionary (5) of interface defining descriptors and elements (6) are provided for automatically updating the dictionary (3) of data structurally defining the database to adapt the latter to the programmed configuration of the elements forming an interface.

Abstract: Closure systems for food containers, and methods for mixing foods in portable containers is disclosed, using new apparatus for closing portable containers to store and transport foods, and new processes for mixing those foods prior to final or on-site dispensing and use, in which the food mixing takes place within the container, generally prior to its opening, as chambers or compartments within a container are opened to other chambers or compartments within the same container by transmission of pressure or tension from the exterior of the container, to one or more points, lines, or channels in one or more walls of chambers within the container, thereby opening one or more channels between such chambers through which food, fluids, or materials may travel.

Abstract: Closure systems for food containers, and methods for mixing foods in portable containers is disclosed, using new apparatus for closing portable containers to store and transport foods, and new processes for mixing those foods prior to final or on-site dispensing and use, in which the food mixing takes place within the container, generally prior to its opening, as chambers or compartments within a container are opened to other chambers or compartments within the same container by transmission of pressure or tension from the exterior of the container, to one or more points, lines, or channels in one or more walls of chambers within the container, thereby opening one or more channels between such chambers through which food, fluids, or materials may travel.

Abstract: An interface system for accessing data stored in corresponding storage elements includes at least a zone (2) for storing data proper and a zone (3) for storing a data dictionary defining structurally the database, the data base being accessible through elements forming an access interface (4). The elements forming an access interface are associated with a dictionary (5) of interface defining descriptors, accessible through elements modifying its content to enable programming of the configuration of the elements forming an interface to be programmed by creating, suppressing or modifying descriptors in the dictionary (5) of interface defining descriptors and elements (6) are provided for automatically updating the dictionary (3) of data structurally defining the database to adapt the latter to the programmed configuration of the elements forming an interface.