Abstract: An axle assembly includes a carrier housing having a deflector, a differential assembly, and an input shaft. The carrier housing has a main body and a pinion nose extending from the main body. The pinion shaft and the differential assembly are each rotatably supported by the carrier housing in driving engagement with one another. The pinion shaft extends through an aperture in the pinion nose. The deflector extends across at least a portion of an outer surface of the pinion nose to redirect contaminants from entering the carrier housing.

Abstract: An axle assembly includes a carrier housing having a deflector, a differential assembly, and an input shaft. The carrier housing has a main body and a pinion nose extending from the main body. The pinion shaft and the differential assembly are each rotatably supported by the carrier housing in driving engagement with one another. The pinion shaft extends through an aperture in the pinion nose. The deflector extends across at least a portion of an outer surface of the pinion nose to redirect contaminants from entering the carrier housing.

Abstract: In an apparatus and process for manufacturing a detergent bar, the bar comprises a first distinct zone comprising a first component and at least a second distinct zone comprising a second component. In an injection step, the first and second components are injected into the mould cavity via nozzle means having a first orifice through which the first component is injected. The second component is injected through a second orifice of the nozzle means. The first and second components solidify in the cavity to form the bar. The interface between the zones may be non-planar and/or such that the zones cannot be separated by a unidirectional cut. The first and second zones may respectively comprise detergent and a benefit agent. The first and second zones may differ in texture.

Abstract: In an apparatus and process for manufacturing a detergent bar, the bar comprises a first distinct zone comprising a first component and at least a second distinct zone comprising a second component. In an injection step, the first and second components are injected into the mold cavity via nozzle means having a first orifice through which the first component is injected. The second component is injected through a second orifice of the nozzle means. The first and second components solidify in the cavity to form the bar. The interface between the zones may be non-planar and/or such that the zones cannot be separated by a unidirectional cut. The first and second zones may respectively comprise detergent and a benefit agent. The first and second zones may differ in texture.

Abstract: A deodorant or antiperspirant soft solid composition is filled into dispensing containers by injection moulding, i.e. under pressure, preferably in the vicinity of its normal setting temperature. The deodorant or antiperspirant composition is preferably continuously produced in a screw extruder, especially a twin screw extruder, controlled to deliver the composition in a suitably viscous state under low shear and particularly for formulations in which a particulate antiperspirant is suspended in a fluid carrier. The pressure in the injection head at the point of injection is greater than 120 kPa and in many instances from 800 to 2000 kPa. The combined process offers benefits for controlled fill of dispensing containers, particularly for formulations incorporating sensitive ingredients and offers tolerance in composition temperature at the time of fill.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a process for forming deodorant or antiperspirant sticks by continuously forming a mobile composition for dispensing into containers or molds at a rate matched with the rate at which it is dispensed, and in other aspects a process in which a mobile deodorant or antiperspirant composition is dispensed by injection molding, i.e. a process in which the deodorant or antiperspirant composition is dispensed under pressure. The composition at the time of injection moulding is preferably either in the vicinity of its regular set temperature, particularly in the range of about 0-3° C. below the regular set temperature and/or partially structured at the time of its delivery it into a container or mold.

Abstract: In some aspects a process for forming deodorant or antiperspirant soft solid in which a mobile deodorant or antiperspirant composition is filled into dispensing containers by injection moulding, i.e. a process in which the deodorant or antiperspirant composition is filled under pressure. The composition at the time of injection moulding is preferably in the vicinity of its normal setting temperature. The deodorant or antiperspirant composition is preferably continuously produced in a screw extruder, especially a twin screw extruder, which is controlled to deliver the composition in a suitably viscous state under low shear, at a temperature in the vicinity of its normal setting temperature. Use of the twin screw extruder is particularly advantageous for formulations in which a particulate antiperspirant is suspended in a fluid carrier.

Abstract: In an apparatus and process for manufacturing a detergent bar, the bar comprises a first distinct zone comprising a first component and at least a second distinct zone comprising a second component. In an injection step, the first and second components are injected into the mould cavity via nozzle means having a first orifice through which the first component is injected. The second component is injected through a second orifice of the nozzle means. The first and second components solidify in the cavity to form the bar. The interface between the zones may be non-planar and/or such that the zones cannot be separated by a unidirectional cut. The first and second zones may respectively comprise detergent and a benefit agent. The first and second zones may differ in texture.

Abstract: An energy storage and conversion apparatus (1) comprising a containment (5) defining a vacuum chamber (7), a support shaft (9) within the vacuum chamber (7), a stator (11) on the shaft (9) and a cylindrical rotor (13) which, in use, is driven by the stator (11) to store energy as kinetic energy of the rotor (13) and acts with the stator (11) as a generator to release energy, wherein the rotor (13) is supported by the shaft (9) via an end cap (29) which, as the rotor (13) speed increases, deflects from a conical shape towards a planar shape. As a result, failure of the apparatus (1) does not occur when the rotor (13) expands due to centrifugal forces. Further, the position of the rotor (13) relative to the stator (11) and magnetic bearing on the shaft (9) is kept essentially constant, even if the length of the rotor (13) decreases due to Poisson effects.

Abstract: An X-ray microscope having an incident X-ray beam (10) from an X-ray source, a first crystal element (14) extending at an angle (.beta.