Abstract: There is provided a gasket (100) for sealing two mating surfaces, the gasket comprising: a rigid non-metal core (102) defining an aperture (104), the core comprising a first face (106) extending away from the aperture and a second face (122) opposite the first face; and at least one sealing layer (108); wherein the first face comprises: a substantially flat inner region (112) defining a plane; and a serrated region (110) comprising a plurality of serrations (118) that extend substantially perpendicular to the plane, wherein the substantially flat inner region is located between the aperture and the serrated region, wherein the serrations are recessed in the first face such that they do not cross the plane, wherein the at least one sealing layer overlays at least part of the serrated region of the first face.

Abstract: A gasket having concentric or spiral serrations around the aperture on each side of the gasket, and wherein a facing is secured to such serrations, wherein each facing comprises a first layer which is in contact with a respective set of such serrations and a second layer which is in contact with the first layer. The first layer could be of a polyaryletherketone or polyimide, and the second layer could be of graphite or vermiculite. The serrations are designed to avoid damage to the first layer. An intact first layer can supply a property to the facing which may be absent in the second layer; for example, good dielectric properties.

Abstract: A water resistant sealing material suitable as a gasket or valve seal is described. The sealing material comprises modified chemically exfoliated vermiculite (CEV) in a proportion of 30-70% w/w sealing material and a filler in a proportion of 70-30% w/w sealing material, and optionally other additives in a proportion of 0-10% w/w sealing material. The modified CEV comprises water resistance enhancing monovalent cations. The sealing material is particularly useful to provide improved water resistance in gaskets and valve seals.

Abstract: There is provided a gasket comprising a rigid core (2) defining an aperture (4). The core has a serrated profile (8) on at least one of its upper and lower outer surfaces and the core is divided into upper and lower parts (2a, 2b) each having a respective outer surface (6a, 6b) and also an inner surface (42, 44) opposite the outer surface. The gasket also includes an optional sealing facing (12, 14) on the at least one outer serrated profile surface, wherein an inner insulating layer (40) is located between the said upper and lower parts so that it is operable to substantially reduce electrical conduction between the said upper and lower parts. There is described a method of production of the gasket and use of the gasket.

Abstract: A gasket having concentric or spiral serrations around the aperture on each side of the gasket, and wherein a facing is secured to such serrations, wherein each facing comprises a first layer which is in contact with a respective set of such serrations and a second layer which is in contact with the first layer. The first layer could be of a polyaryletherketone or polyimide, and the second layer could be of graphite or vermiculite. The serrations are designed to avoid damage to the first layer.

Abstract: A water resistant sealing material suitable as a gasket or valve seal is described. The sealing material comprises modified chemically exfoliated vermiculite (CEV) in a proportion of 30-70% w/w sealing material and a filler in a proportion of 70-30% w/w sealing material, and optionally other additives in a proportion of 0-10% w/w sealing material. The modified CEV comprises water resistance enhancing monovalent cations. The sealing material is particularly useful to provide improved water resistance in gaskets and valve seals.

Abstract: A gasket for fluidly sealing two conduits having mating surfaces is described. The gasket includes an outer seal with a first thickness and an inner seal with a thickness greater than that of the outer seal. The inner seal can be compressed at least to the thickness of the outer seal. Methods of making the gaskets are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for fluidly sealing two conduits having mating surfaces is described. The method includes positioning a gasket between the surfaces, securing the two conduits together with the gasket interposed between the mating surfaces wherein the gasket includes an outer seal with a first thickness and an inner seal with a thickness greater than that of the outer seal. The step of positioning and/or the step of securing includes compressing the thickness of the inner seal. Methods of making the gaskets are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for fluidly sealing two conduits having mating surfaces is described. The method includes positioning a gasket between the surfaces, securing the two conduits together with the gasket interposed between the mating surfaces wherein the gasket includes an outer seal with a first thickness and an inner seal with a thickness greater than that of the outer seal. The step of positioning and/or the step of securing includes compressing the thickness of the inner seal. Methods of making the gaskets are also disclosed.

Abstract: Gaskets for sealing two mating surfaces are described. The gaskets have an outer portion including a core between two sealing layers and an inner portion made of a deformable material and located in an aperature in the outer portion. The thickness of the inner portion is greater than the thickness of the outer portion. The inner portion may include a chemical treatment agent that can provide chemical protection to the mating surfaces. Methods of producing the gaskets and methods of using the gaskets for sealing joints, including corroded joints, are also described.

Abstract: A spirally wound strip (300) is thicker in the middle and is curved on both sides. Short flats (306) are formed at each side by surfaces that converge towards each other. Soft sealant material (316) extends over the flats (306).

Abstract: A sample testing device for testing for the presence of a component of interest in a liquid sample includes: (a) a capillary pathway having an upstream end and a downstream end and incorporating a reagent system capable of causing agglutination with the component; (b) optionally, a control capillary pathway; (c) a sampling region to which the liquid sample is applied and from which the sample is able to enter the upstream ends of the test and control capillaries; (d) a power source; (e) detection arrangements electrically associated with the power source for detecting the presence of liquid at a downstream region of the capillaries; (f) a display operated by the power source for indicating the result of the test; and (g) a signal processor associated with the power source, detection arrangement and display for evaluating the result of the test and providing the result on the display.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agglutination based assay system for determining the presence and/or amount of analyte in a sample comprising a test device having one or more capillary pathways comprising detection regions adapted for non-visual detection of a sample which is releasably engageable with a reader which comprises detection means for detecting the sample at the detection regions in each of said capillary pathways and electronic means for indicating the presence and/or amount of analyte.

Abstract: Gaskets for sealing two mating surfaces are described. The gaskets have an outer portion including a core between two sealing layers and an inner portion made of a deformable material and located in an aperture in the outer portion. The thickness of the inner portion is greater than the thickness of the outer portion. The inner portion may include a chemical treatment agent that can provide chemical protection to the mating surfaces. Methods of producing the gaskets and methods of using the gaskets for sealing joints, including corroded joints, are also described.

Abstract: A sample testing device for testing for the presence of a component of interest in a liquid sample includes: (a) a capillary pathway having an upstream end and a downstream end and incorporating a reagent system capable of causing agglutination with the component; (b) optionally, a control capillary pathway; (c) a sampling region to which the liquid sample is applied and from which the sample is able to enter the upstream ends of the test and control capillaries; (d) a power source; (e) detection arrangements electrically associated with the power source for detecting the presence of liquid at a downstream region of the capillaries; (f) a display operated by the power source for indicating the result of the test; and (g) a signal processor associated with the power source, detection arrangement and display for evaluating the result of the test and providing the result on the display.

Abstract: A sample testing device for testing for the presence of a component of interest in a liquid sample comprises: (a) at least one capillary pathway which has an upstream end and a downstream end and which incorporates a reagent system capable of causing agglutination with said component to be detected (the test capillary); (b) preferably, but optionally, at least one capillary pathway having an upstream end and a downstream end (the control capillary); (c) a sampling region to which the liquid sample is applied and from which the sample is able to enter the upstream ends of the test capillary(s) and if present the control capillary(s); (d) a power source; (c) detection arrangements electrically associated with said power source for detecting the presence of liquid at a downstream region of said testing capillary(s) and if present the control capillary(s); (f) display means operated by said power source for indicating the result of the test; and (g) signal processing means associated with the power source, detect

Abstract: A spirally wound strip (300) is thicker in the middle and is curved on both sides. Short flats (306) are formed at each side by surfaces that converge towards each other. Soft sealant material (316) extends over the flats (306).