Abstract: A method of producing one or more precipitable substances such as salt (NaCl) from a feed liquid source (such as sea water) in a precipitation apparatus, the method involving steps of providing a first solar energy treatment arrangement having at least one treatment panel construction having an upper solar energy transmission wall capable of passing solar energy to a treatment member located beneath the upper solar energy transmission wall, the or each treatment panel construction being arranged to receive liquid from the feed liquid source, the solar radiation energy concentrating the precipitable substance or substances in the treatment liquid within the or each said treatment panel construction, the method further sensing via a sensor the density of the treatment liquid discharged from the first solar energy treatment arrangement, returning the liquid discharged from the first solar energy treatment apparatus to an inlet region of the first solar energy treatment apparatus if the sensed density is below a

Abstract: A solar energy treatment device such as a solar still for producing clean water from a contaminated or saline water source, the solar energy treatment device having at least one wall formed by a flexible plastic sheet member, the solar energy treatment device further including a rectangular or square perimeter frame with edge portions formed by an edge connector, each edge connector being formed by a first member defining a first elongated recess extending longitudinally along the first member, the edge connector also including a second member having a first elongated flange when in use projecting into the first elongated recess to retain an edge zone of the flexible plastic sheet member within the first elongated recess.

Abstract: A solar energy water treatment device for minimizing bacteria and other pathogens in treatment water supplied to the device, the device having an inclined metal surface for receiving treatment water via a supply pipe at an upper end of the metal surface for flow downwardly thereon in a thin surface flow, a clear or translucent solar energy transfer panel being spaced above and adjacent to the metal surface whereby solar energy passes to the water on the metal surface, and water collection means at a lower end region of the metal surface after passage thereon, the treatment water flowing at a rate of between 0.1 and 2 litres/m2/min of the metal surface.

Abstract: A solar still module for use in a solar still arrangement for producing a desired condensate from a feed treatment liquid. The solar still module includes a treatment chamber including a treatment member positioned below an upper solar energy transmission wall to receive, in use, solar energy therethrough. The solar still module includes a treatment liquid supply supplying treatment liquid to an upper end of a first region of the treatment member to flow in a liquid film flow gravitationally downwardly thereover while a component of the treatment liquid is at least partially evaporated and condensed to form a condensate on an inner surface of the upper solar energy transmission wall. The condensate flows gravitationally downwardly on the inner surface of the upper solar energy transmission wall and is collected at a lower location by condensate collection and discharge means.

Abstract: The specification discloses bag making apparatus for making a tube from plastics material web material and for making bags therefrom, the apparatus including a support frame defining a desired internal area of the tube formed thereon, first plastics material film web dispensing means for dispensing first film webs in a longitudinal direction relative to the support frame such that the film webs overlap and adhere to one another, a second plastics material film web dispensing means for laying at least one further film web in overlapping spirals over the longitudinally extending first film web, and a third plastics material film web dispensing means for dispensing third film webs in a longitudinal direction relative to the support frame over the overlapping spiral web material, the apparatus further including movement conveyor means extending longitudinally of the support frame to enable the tube formed thereon to be moved to a discharge region and transverse tube sealing means and associated transverse tube se

Abstract: The specification discloses both a method of protecting a metal pipeline length (10) from corrosion, in use, and such a pipeline length (10) produced by the method, the method involving winding at least one plastics material web (14, 16) under tension in a plurality of at least partially adhering overlapping spiral windings (20) to form a barrier layer (17) around the pipe (10) to prevent moisture penetrating from an outer surface of the barrier layer (17) to an outer surface (24) of the pipe (10), the pipeline length further having an outer protective layer (21) also formed by winding plastics film web about the pipeline length, the webs forming the protective layer (21) being more loosely wound than those forming the barrier layer (17).

Abstract: A rock boring device includes a rotary disc cutter. The disc cutter is driven in an oscillating manner and may be driven or free to nutate, and the device includes a mounting section for the rotary disc cutter and a driven section. The mounting section may be angularly offset from the axis of the driven section whereby the rotary disc cutter can oscillate and/or nutate.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a method of treating plastics material fibers, filaments or film to improve their resistance to degradation by UV radiation and/or increase their resistance to gas (oxygen) transmissivity and an improved plastics material so treated, the method including stretching the fiber, filament or film beyond its yield point and allowing the film to at least partially relax.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a method of treating plastics material fibres, filaments or film to improve their resistance to degradation by UV radiation and/or increase their resistance to gas (oxygen) transmissivity and an improved plastics material so treated, the method including stretching the fibre, filament or film beyond its yield point and allowing the film to at least partially relax.

Abstract: The specification discloses a panel or object construction including an inner support frame and an outer skin that encloses the support frame, the outer skin being formed by a plurality of layers of at least one flexible plastics material film web wound about the support frame at least partially overlapping a previously positioned said flexible plastics film web, whereby at least some overlapping regions of a said web or webs are adhered to each other, the panel or object construction being utilized to form containers, to form graphics display panels, to form evaporation restriction panels and to form desalination apparatus. The specification also discloses apparatus for forming panel constructions in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: A rock boring device (10) including a rotary disc cutter (11). The disc cutter (11) is driven in an oscillating manner and also driven or free to nutate, and the device includes a mounting section (22) for the rotary disc cutter and a driven section (21), and wherein the mounting section (22) is angularly offset from the axis of the driven section whereby the rotary disc cutter will both oscillate and nutate.

Abstract: This specification discloses apparatus and a method for producing a laminate material whether perforate or imperforate, the apparatus including a support frame having laminate take off means in the form of at least two conveyors having outwardly facing conveyor runs that are generally parallel to one another and carriage means arranged to travel about said laminate take off means to dispense one or more webs about said laminate take off means to form the laminate material in tubular form thereon and, in one embodiment, longitudinally severing the tubular formed laminate material to form a single layer of the laminate material.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a plastics material film (1) that is stretched beyond its yield point to about 100% to 400% elongation and thereafter only partially relaxed to release part of the elastic deformation component in the film to retain between about 20% and 80% of the elastic deformation in the film (1), the film thereafter being stored in this partially relaxed state whereby, when it is used, the retained elastic deformation capability is useable for the intended purpose of the film, for example, wrapping a load.

Abstract: There is disclosed the provision of a plastic film for covering soil for use in cropping or covering a frame for greenhouse effect. At least part of the plastic film has been stretched beyond its yield point prior to application. In alternative forms, the film undergoes a secondary stretch to form a predetermined pattern of weakness in certain localized areas of the film. The film may be photodegradable and biologically degradable to accelerate decomposition of the film when exposed to the elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for palletizing and wrapping a load of material which may be irregularly shaped solid articles; liquid or flowable granules comprising a support base and an open upstanding framework adapted to form a volume to be at least partially filled with articles, wherein said framework provides a formwork for plastic film wrapped there around at least on its vertical periphery.

Abstract: A system for forming a container (21) suitable for storage of flowable or non-flowable material, comprising the steps of forming an open container of flexible material having walls and a closed bottom with a retractable or removable framework (11) therein; at least partially filling the container (21) with material; removing or retracting said framework (11) from said container (21); closing the container (21); and subsequently over-wrapping the closed container (21) with stretch plastic film (16) to form reinforcing strips to reinforce the container (21), and to allow engagement with handling apparatus such as the forks of a lift truck.