Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing polymers, in particular to a method for preparing recycled polymers from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The method comprises producing a high quality BHET product which is used as a monomer feedstock in an integrated polymerisation process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing polymers, in particular to a method for preparing a polymer comprising constitutional units derived from bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET). The BHET used in the method is a high quality recycled BHET product, which allows plastic preparation methods in which the BHET is used to be simplified.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods to generate an inhalable vapor in an electronic vaporization device. The vaporization device may generate a vapor with one or more defined characteristics. In some cases, the vapor may have a predetermined aerosol number density and/or a predetermined average aerosol diameter. The vaporization device may generate a vapor from a vaporizable material. In some cases, the vaporizable material may be a liquid material housed in a cartridge. The vaporization device may comprise a rechargeable power storage device.

Abstract: A pressure control device for use in an oil well is described. The pressure control device comprises a support member configured to be located on a mandrel or a tubular, the support member defining at least one conduit throughbore configured to receive a conduit and a flexible cup member mounted to the support member. In use, a conduit can pass through the pressure control device intact.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure control device (10) suitable to be mounted on a rigid mandrel or the like and to form a seal in an oilwell, for example, in order to deploy a zonal control system. The pressure control device comprises a flexible sealing element (18), a first support member (30, 32) and a second support member (34, 36). One of the support members (34, 36) comprises a composite material.

Abstract: A pressure control device for use in an oil well is described. The pressure control device comprises a support member configured to be located on a mandrel or a tubular, the support member defining at least one conduit throughbore configured to receive a conduit and a flexible cup member mounted to the support member. In use, a conduit can pass through the pressure control device intact.

Abstract: A downhole device having a body comprising a male end portion, a female end portion and a mandrel portion disposed between the male end portion and the female end portion. A recess is disposed in the outer surface of the male end portion and is configured to receive a retainer for securing the downhole device to another downhole device.

Abstract: A seal assembly for establishing a seal in an annulus between a mandrel and a bore wall includes a mandrel, a radially expandable seal element mounted on the mandrel, and a setting arrangement mounted on the mandrel and being arranged to displace the seal element radially outwardly from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration. The expandable seal element defines a cup seal when in the extended configuration.

Abstract: An annular seal (12) is operable to seal an annular gap (140) between a first member (120) and a second member (130). The seal (12) is configured to be received in a recess (20) in the first member (120) and to close/seal the annular gap (140). The seal (12) comprises a substantially solid body (13) comprising a first surface (24), which in use abuts the recess (20) in the first member (120) and a second surface (26), which in use faces/abuts the second member (130). The first surface (24) comprises, a width wise concave section (32) across at least part of the width of the seal (12).

Abstract: A pressure control device for isolating a section of a conduit comprises a support member, a flexible cup member mounted to the support member, a first swellable element, the first swellable element adapted, upon activation by an activation fluid, to urge a first portion of the cup member outwards into engagement with a conduit surface and at least one bypass arranged to permit the activation fluid to bypass the swellable element and build up behind a second portion of the cup member.

Abstract: Floor tiles, systems and methods of interconnecting floor tiles in which the tile(s) have a base substrate and a laminate layer. The substrate can have upstanding edges on a top surface where the edges define a rim at a perimeter of the substrate for aligning the laminate layer on the top surface of the substrate. The substrate can have connecting means for engaging with connecting means of a substrate of another tile to form an interconnected floor system. By engaging the connecting means of a tile with another tile aligns and positions a side edge of the tile with the side edge of the another file in a side by side arrangement to provide a grout effect for the tiles when they are connected.

Abstract: A downhole seal assembly for establishing a seal against a bore wall includes a mandrel, a seal element mounted on the mandrel, a setting support member mounted on the mandrel, and at least one setting element mounted on the mandrel axially between the seal element and the setting support member. Relative axial movement between the seal element and the setting support member over a first actuation distance causes the seal element to be deflected radially outwardly by an axially adjacent setting element. Relative axial movement of the seal element and the setting support member over a subsequent actuation distance causes radial expansion of at least one setting element to further expand the seal element.

Abstract: A seal assembly for establishing a seal in an annulus between a mandrel and a bore wall includes a mandrel, a radially expandable seal element mounted on the mandrel, and a setting arrangement mounted on the mandrel and being arranged to displace the seal element radially outwardly from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration. The expandable seal element defines a cup seal when in the extended configuration.

Abstract: Floor tiles, systems and methods of interconnecting floor tiles in which the tile(s) have a base substrate and a laminate layer. The substrate can have upstanding edges on a top surface where the edges define a rim at a perimeter of the substrate for aligning the laminate layer on the top surface of the substrate. The substrate can have connecting means for engaging with connecting means of a substrate of another tile to form an interconnected floor system. By engaging the connecting means of a tile with another tile aligns and positions a side edge of the tile with the side edge of the another file in a side by side arrangement to provide a grout effect for the tiles when they are connected.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus (10) for use in establishing a seal in an annulus (12) between a mandrel (18) and a bore wall (14) has an annular seal element (20) initially activateable between a first, retracted, configuration and a second, expanded, configuration. The seal element (20) is disposed around a mandrel (18) and is free to move relative the mandrel (18) such that when the seal element (20) defines the second, expanded, configuration, pressurised fluid from the annulus (12) urges the seal element (20) into sealing or enhanced sealing engagement with the bore wall (14).

Abstract: A downhole device having a body comprising a male end portion, a female end portion and a mandrel portion disposed between the male end portion and the female end portion. A recess is disposed in the outer surface of the male end portion and is configured to receive a retainer for securing the downhole device to another downhole device.

Abstract: An improved sealing apparatus (10, 110) for use in establishing a seal in an annulus (12,112) between a mandrel (18,118) and a bore wall (14,114) has an annular seal element (20,120) initially activateable between a first, retracted, configuration and a second, expanded, configuration. The seal element (20, 120) is disposed around a mandrel (18,118) and is free to move relative the mandrel (18,118) such that when the seal element (20,120) defines the second, expanded, configuration, pressurised fluid from the annulus (12;112) urges the seal element (20,120) radially outwards into sealing or enhanced sealing engagement with the bore wall (14,114).

Abstract: A sealing element (10) for use in establishing a seal in an annulus (50) between a mandrel (52) and a bore wall (54) comprises an annular body (12) which defines a through bore (14) to permit mounting of the sealing element (10) on a mandrel (52), and further defines an inner surface (16), an outer surface (18) and opposing axial ends (20, 22). A pair of inner circumferential grooves (24, 26) are formed in the inner surface (16) of the annular body (12), wherein each groove (24, 26) is defined by first and second opposing ramp surfaces (224a, 24b, 26a, 26b) extending from the inner surface (16) of the annular body (12), wherein the first ramp surface (24a, 26a) defines a shallower ramp angle than the second ramp surface (24b, 26b).

Abstract: A sealing apparatus (10) for use in establishing a seal in an annulus (12) between a mandrel (14) and a bore wall (16) has an annular seal element (18) which extends to sealingly engage the bore wall (16) and a back-up assembly (30) for supporting the seal element (18) and preventing or resisting extrusion of the seal element (18). The back-up assembly (30) includes a collar (54) interposed between a support member (40) of the back-up assembly (30) and the end (32) of the seal element (18) and which defines a sea-engaging surface (60), the collar (54) in use preventing or mitigating damage to the support member (40) from the seal element (18).

Abstract: A sealing apparatus for sealing an annulus is described. The apparatus comprises a first sealing element (20) adapted for sealing the annulus against fluid pressure from above the sealing apparatus and adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure from above the apparatus and a second sealing element (40) adapted for sealing the annulus against fluid pressure from below the sealing apparatus and adapted to be actuated by fluid pressure from below the apparatus. In use, the sealing elements are arranged such that the second sealing element is above the first sealing element.