Abstract: There are provided methods and systems for testing the continuity of optical fiber links under test and/or a fiber arrangement, polarity or mapping of optical fiber connections within optical devices under test using the backscattering pattern as a signature. The device under test may comprises a single fiber, a duplex link, a multifiber cable or another multi-port device such as a backplane device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a piece of sporting equipment is provided. A namebar is affixed to a surface of the sporting equipment, the namebar being blank and adapted to receive thereon a printed design. A solvent-based clear coat is applied to the surface of the sporting equipment including the namebar, subsequent to the affixing of the namebar. A removable covering is applied over the namebar, subsequent to the applying of the solvent-based clear coat. Then, a gripping material is applied to at least a portion of the surface of the sporting equipment including the removable covering over the namebar, subsequently to the applying of the removable covering.

Abstract: There are provided methods and systems that enable the use of the backscattering pattern produced by an optical fiber in an OTDR trace as a signature (also referred to herein as the “RBS fingerprint”) to recognize an optical fiber. It was found that it may be difficult to obtain repeatable signatures as those are sensitive to the wavelength of the OTDR laser source and the temperature of the fiber. OTDR methods and systems that are adapted to compare the backscattering pattern in a more repeatable manner are therefore provided. Once the repeatability issue is overcome, such signature can be used for identification purposes and enable new applications.

Abstract: There are provided methods and systems for testing the continuity of optical fiber links under test and/or a fiber arrangement, polarity or mapping of optical fiber connections within optical devices under test using the backscattering pattern as a signature. The device under test may comprises a single fiber, a duplex link, a multifiber cable or another multi-port device such as a backplane device.

Abstract: There are provided methods and systems that enable the use of the backscattering pattern produced by an optical fiber in an OTDR trace as a signature (also referred to herein as the “RBS fingerprint”) to recognize an optical fiber. It was found that it may be difficult to obtain repeatable signatures as those are sensitive to the wavelength of the OTDR laser source and the temperature of the fiber. OTDR methods and systems that are adapted to compare the backscattering pattern in a more repeatable manner are therefore provided. Once the repeatability issue is overcome, such signature can be used for identification purposes and enable new applications.

Abstract: A hockey stick blade with a rear face and a front face having a heel portion, a toe portion spaced apart from the heel portion, and a central portion intermediate the toe and heel portions. The front face has a textured zone defined by a plurality of front protrusions, and a front face reduced-texture zone. At least part of the textured zone extends in the central portion from a lower edge of the blade. The reduced-texture zone extends adjacent the front face textured zone. At least part of the reduced-textured zone extends in the central portion from an upper edge of the blade and in the toe portion from the lower edge of the blade. The textured zone extends in the toe portion upwardly from the reduced-texture zone.

Abstract: A hockey stick blade with a rear face and a front face having a heel portion, a toe portion spaced apart from the heel portion, and a central portion intermediate the toe and heel portions. The front face has a textured zone defined by a plurality of front protrusions, and a front face reduced-texture zone. At least part of the textured zone extends in the central portion from a lower edge of the blade. The reduced-texture zone extends adjacent the front face textured zone. At least part of the reduced-textured zone extends in the central portion from an upper edge of the blade and in the toe portion from the lower edge of the blade. The textured zone extends in the toe portion upwardly from the reduced-texture zone.

Abstract: A blade of/for a hockey stick having: a toe, a heel, rear face, and front face. The front face has a striking surface intermediate the toe and the heel, and a plurality of front protrusions forming a front face textured zone extending along a portion of the front face proximate the toe and the striking surface. The front protrusions are shaped to be engageable with a puck to hinder slippage of the puck along the front face when the puck is in contact with the front protrusions. The front face also has a front face reduced-texture zone (which may be at least one of a front face non-textured zone and a front face less-textured zone). The rear face may optionally be similarly configured.

Abstract: A blade of/for a hockey stick having: a toe, a heel, rear face, and front face. The front face has a striking surface intermediate the toe and the heel, and a plurality of front protrusions forming a front face textured zone extending along a portion of the front face proximate the toe and the striking surface. The front protrusions are shaped to be engageable with a puck to hinder slippage of the puck along the front face when the puck is in contact with the front protrusions. The front face also has a front face reduced-texture zone (which may be at least one of a front face non-textured zone and a front face less-textured zone). The rear face may optionally be similarly configured.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the purification of water with a view to separating therefrom at least one organic substance, particularly olfactory pollutants such as (-)geosmine and (+)2-methyl-isoborneol.This process consists of contacting the water to be purified with a cyclodextrin of formula: ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 alkyl group or the acetyl group CH.sub.3 CO--, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, which can be the same or different, represent H or R.sup.1, and n=5, 6 or 7, in order to include therein the organic substance or substances to be separated and separating the purified water from the cyclodextrin.