Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a dispensing system for dispensing a product from a canister, comprising a solid/gas arrangement in which the gas is adsorbed onto the solid under pressure and desorbed therefrom when the pressure is released and in which the solid comprises activated carbon and the gas comprises at least one of nitrogen, oxygen or mixtures thereof including air, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and argon, the canister having valve means to allow the gas adsorbed onto the carbon to be desorbed for generating a pressure in the canister and effect product dispense, the activated carbon is held from the time of its production up to its installation in the canister under a blanketing gas atmosphere which does not prevent the gas to be adsorbed from occupying the adsorption sites of the activated carbon in the canister.

Abstract: A sensor and method for detecting a target substance, particularly CO2, in a gas stream comprises a sensing element disposed to be exposed to the gas stream, the sensing element comprising a working electrode; a counter electrode; and a solid electrolyte precursor extending between and in contact with the working and counter electrodes; whereby the gas stream may be caused to impinge upon the solid electrolyte precursor such that water vapour in the gas stream at least partially hydrates the precursor to form an electrolyte in electrical contact with the working electrode and the counter electrode. The method measures the current flowing between the working counter electrodes as a result of the applied potential; and determines, from the measured current flow, an indication of the concentration of the target substance. The sensor and method are particularly suitable for analyzing tidal carbon dioxide concentrations in the exhaled breath of a person.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a canister from which product is to be dispensed by a dispensing system comprising a solid/gas arrangement in which the gas is adsorbed on to the solid under pressure and desorbed therefrom when the pressure is released the solid comprises an adsorbent for the gas, the container being sealed and having valve for dispensing the product. The method includes filling the canister with the gas by applying a pressure of gas to the adsorbent via an aperture in the canister and sealing the canister the size of the aperture and the applied pressure being controlled such that sufficient gas is allowed freely to contact the adsorbent and achieve a pre-determined pressure in the sealed canister.

Abstract: In a dispensing system for dispensing a product from a canister, which comprises a solid/gas arrangement with a gas adsorber for storing gas, the canister having valve means for dispensing the product while allowing the gas adsorbed by the carbon to be desorbed, the system incorporates a scavenger for the removal or neutralization of a substances which detrimentally affects the performance of the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the respiration of a subject, the apparatus comprises means for detecting the concentration of each of oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitric oxide in an inspired and/or exhaled gaseous stream of a subject; and a display for displaying the concentration of each of oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitric oxide. A method for monitoring the respiration of a subject comprises analysing the composition of the inspired and/or exhaled gas of the subject and determining the concentration of carbon dioxide, oxygen and nitric oxide in the gas; and displaying the results of the analysis on a display to provide an indication of the respiratory state of the subject. A method of determining the extent of resuscitation of a patient comprises measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide, oxygen and nitric oxide in the inspired gas stream and/or exhaled gas stream of the subject.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting a target substance, in particular carbon dioxide, in a gas stream comprises a sensing element (8) disposed to be exposed to the gas stream, the sensing element comprising a working electrode (12); a counter electrode (14); and a solid electrolyte precursor (16) extending between and in contact with the working electrode and the counter electrode; whereby the gas stream may be caused to impinge upon the solid electrolyte precursor such that water vapour in the gas stream at least partially hydrates the precursor to form an electrolyte in electrical contact with the working electrode and the counter electrode.

Abstract: A method of filling and sealing a gas capsule having (i) a hollow body portion and (ii) an elongate hollow neck portion having a free open distal end extending from the body portion is disclosed. The method is accomplished by applying a filling cap to the open end of the neck portion while evacuating the capsule and refilling with helium. Two crimping steps while pressure is maintained finishes the filling and sealing method.

Abstract: A gas container is made from metal foam and the spaces defined by the open-celled structure are filled with a solid adsorbent material such as a zeolite or an activated carbon. The container may be made in the form of a panel.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling the composition of the atmosphere within a refrigerated container during the storage and/or transportation of perishable and/or respiring produce in which carbon dioxide and ethylene (and other evolved hydrocarbons) are removed from the container atmosphere by adsorption, the adsorptive materials being regenerated with ambient air.

Abstract: An apparatus for refrigerating goods in a container storing a cryogenic fluid and means for discharging the fluid into the container in order to reduce the temperature therein, characterized in that the storing means is adapted to operate at atmospheric pressures but not at pressures substantially greater than atmospheric. Such a system provides a single and inexpensive means for refrigerating goods in a transportable container, which may be divisible into smaller compartments, and may also be provided with eutectic plates to act as a thermal “buffer” whenever the container/a compartment is opened for loading/unloading.

Abstract: A container for cooling/refrigerating produce comprising at least one panel made from metal foam for storing a cryogenic fluid under pressure and means for discharging said fluid into the container in order to reduce/maintain the temperature within the container.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating a refrigerated container comprising a source of a compressed gas and a vessel in thermal communication with the interior of the container and containing an absorbent material for the gas, control means being provided to allow gas to flow from the source to the vessel to be adsorbed by the adsorbent material therein when heating of the container is desired.

Abstract: A container for cooling/refrigerating produce comprising at least one panel made from metal foam for storing a cryogenic fluid under pressure and means for discharging said fluid into the container in order to reduce/maintain the temperature within the container.

Abstract: A multi-bed PSA pressure vessel includes a hollow tubular body having one or more end plates releasably secured thereto. Secured to the end plate(s) are pipes which extend along the interior of the hollow tubular body. Each of the pipes terminates at a location along the length of the tubular body different from the remaining pipes. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of perforated spacing flanges are secured to the pipe and some adjacent flanges defining between them a space for receiving adsorbing sieve material.

Abstract: A spirit chilling apparatus comprising a drink chilling tube (4) concentric within an insulated container (6) filled with a constant boiling cryogen (8), such as acetone and solid carbon dioxide or similar azeotropic mixture. The innertube (4) is held in relatively poor thermal contact with the vessel (6) containing the liquid so that over a period of time it will adopt the temperature of the liquid (8) but when a measure of spirit is poured through it the specific heat of the tube (4) will be sufficient to result in a net temperature of −5° C. for both the spirit and the tube (4), the heat flow from the surrounding vessel (6) being insufficient to materially affect this. If the tube (4) is left in place it will again cool to the previous temperature so that a further measure of spirit can be cooled.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cooling and/or gassifying a liquid 12 stored in a container 10 having an outlet 10b. The apparatus comprises an adsorbent 14 for receiving and adsorbing under pressure a quantity of gas and a three position cap 16. In a first position, said cap 16 simply acts to seal the contents within the container whilst in a second position it acts to cause release of adsorbed gas from adsorbent 14 which then passes through the beverage 12 thereby gassifying and/or cooling said beverage. A third position of the cap 16 allows for its removal from container 10 such that the beverage may be dispensed. The container may be provided with a thermochromatic coating to indicate when the liquid is at a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A thermodynamic pressure swing adsorption cycle utilizing "loudspeaker" diaphragms or pistons which are located at the top and bottom of a column containing a bed of adsorbent. The diaphragms are vibrated out of phase with each other so as to provide a displacement wave in the gas mixture within the bed of adsorbent. In addition to this displacement wave the gas is compressed prior to upward displacement and the gas pressure is lowered before the downward displacement by way of a second set of "loudspeakers" which form the side walls of the column. The second set of loudspeakers vibrate in phase with each other and operate at the same frequency as the displacement speakers.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for mixing two cryogenic liquids in which a first amount of first cryogenic liquid is introduced into a vented vessel having one or more vents. The vent or vents are then closed and a second amount of a second cryogenic level is introduced into the closed vessel at a level above the surface of the first cryogenic liquid in the vessel. The second cryogenic liquid has a greater density or both a greater density and a higher boiling point temperature than that of the first cryogenic liquid, thereby to produce a substantially homogeneous cryogenic liquid mixture of predetermined composition.

Abstract: A container (10) for the storage of perishable foodstuffs is chilled by means of a liquefied gas comprising a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen which when totally vaporised has an oxygen concentration of between 15 and 22%, the remaining concentration being substantially of nitrogen. Such an atmosphere is breathable, and hence avoids the problems associated with non breathable chilling atmospheres.

Abstract: Pure oxygen or a gas containing substantially more oxygen than air is injected under pressure into sewage held in or flowing through a rising or pumping sewer. This injection may be used to prevent the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the sewer falling to a level at which there occurs bacterial reduction to hydrogen sulphide of sulphate present in the sewage and/or to reduce the Biochemical Oxygen Demand of the sewage. The injection can also be used to oxidize to sulphur any sulphide dissolved in the sewage.The pure oxygen or the gas containing more oxygen than air may be injected into sewage flowing through a sewage pipe forming part of a rising or pumping sewer, into a pump used to transfer the sewage through the sewer, or into a part of the sewer (e.g. a sump) where sewage is collected before being transferred through the sewer.