Abstract: A piece of luggage, rucksack or satchel is provided having a pair of spaced shoulder straps. At least one strap has a stress/strain unit to monitor the stress/strain in the strap as the piece is worn on the shoulder of a user. The at least one strap also has an indicator that provides a visual indication when the stress/strain of the strap has exceeded a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for generating personalized information includes receiving age data related to the age of a first person, receiving a request for information from a user, and automatically identifying relevant event data in a database based on the age data. The relevant data includes information about a second, famous person different from the first person and wherein the second, famous person was involved with an associated event. The relevant data is associated with an age of the second, famous person when the second, famous person was involved with the associated event. The age of the second, famous person is with respect to a granularity of less than a year. The method further includes automatically providing the relevant data to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for crystallizing substances from solutions or dispersions containing these substances, in a crystallizer containing a classifying zone (3), comprise a) an inner and an outer circulation system (1; 2), the inner circulation system (1) being present in the crystallizer, the inlet of the outer circulation system (2) being connected to the inner circulation system (1) via the classifying zone (3), the outer circulation system, being present outside the crystallizer, the outlet of the outer circulation system (2) being connected to the inner circulation system (1) of the crystallizer, and a means for dissolving crystals being arranged in the outer circulation system (2), before its outlet, b) an inflow (4) for solution and/or dispersion, which inflow is present on the crystallizer or on the outer circulation system, and c) an outflow (5) for dispersions, which outflow is arranged on the crystallizer or on the outer circulation system.

Abstract: A weighing device (10) for providing a indication of the weight of a piece of luggage (5), the device comprising load bearing means (1) adapted to be placed on or form part of the carry means of the piece of luggage (H) and indicator means (19) associated with the load bearing means whereby when the luggage is lifted by the carry means (H), the load bearing means is subjected to the mass of the piece of luggage and the indicator means provides an indication of the weight of the piece of luggage.

Abstract: A method for obtaining an approximate standard color definition for a sample color (2) without the need for standard conditions of illumination or observation. The method comprises using color sensing equipment such as a digital camera (6) to sense under non-standard conditions both the sample color and a plurality of reference colors (5) each being provided on a template (1) and each having a known standard color definition. The sensing under non-standard conditions produces a non-standard color definition both for the sample color and for each of the reference colors.

Abstract: System and methods are described for dynamically controlling operation of a rheometer. A program is created on a programming interface for executing a test upon a sample in a rheometer by receiving user selections of a plurality of nodes and connections of each node to another node according to directional connection indicators. Nodes indicate steps for performing a test upon a sample or configuring a rheometer for performing a test upon a sample. Scripts are created for generating a sequence of instructions to the rheometer. The scripts include instructions for performing steps indicated by each of the selected nodes and in accordance with the directional connection indicators. Low-level instructions are downloaded from the scripts for execution in the rheometer, and drivers in the rheometer are instructed for performing the downloaded instructions.

Abstract: A drill resistant lock (30) comprises a bolt member (33) for fitting into a similar sized and shaped slot (35) to secure closure of entry to a property, a locking mechanism (31, 32) associated with the bolt member (33), whereby release and/or closure of the bolt member (33) into the slot (35) is effected by insertion and rotation of an appropriate key in the locking mechanism (31, 32), wherein the bolt member (33) is provided with a core (34) containing a material with different mechanical properties to the main body of the bolt member (33), the material of the core (34) being more drill resistant than the material of the main body.

Abstract: The invention provides a currency selectable stored value instrument, whose currency may be chosen or converted at the time value is loaded, after load but prior to redemption of value, at the time of redemption, or at other times. One embodiment of the system is configured so that the stored value instrument may be a plastic card with a magnetic stripe, compatible with card readers on Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) or other terminals. In one embodiment, U.S. dollars may be converted to Mexican pesos when the stored value instrument is loaded at an ATM or other location in the United States. A user may subsequently redeem that value for legal tender in pesos at an ATM located in Mexico, for example, or for goods, services, or cash in other currencies.

Abstract: A method for obtaining an approximate standard colour definition for a sample colour (2) without the need for standard conditions of illumination or observation. The method comprises using colour sensing equipment such as a digital camera (6) to sense under non-standard conditions both the sample colour and a plurality of reference colours (5) each being provided on a template (1) and each having a known standard colour definition. The sensing under non-standard conditions produces a non-standard colour definition both for the sample colour and for each of the reference colours.

Abstract: A flexible full face mask to supply breathable air to humans when in environments where it is not possible to breathe, such as underwater masks, or in environments having toxic gases or similar toxic conditions. The mask includes a mask skirt in the form of a one-piece flexible face seal and separate rigid frame components which define separated self-contained spaces that are connected together in a manner to allow each self-contained space to individually conform and seal against the contours of the face of the wearer. The mask also includes a removable adaptor pod mounted on a lower of the frame components to enable full access to the mouth of the wearer while maintaining the mask in sealed relation on the facial surfaces of the wearer.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for crystallizing substances from solutions or dispersions containing these substances, in a crystallizer containing a classifying zone (3), comprise

Abstract: A reluctance drive includes a stator, a phase winding (16) on the stator, a rotor (12) that is movable relative to the stator, a controller for applying a current to the phase winding (13), and a sensor for measuring the phase current in the winding (16). Aspects of the invention detect when the phase current has passed its peak, compute when the peak phase current occurred using information on when the phase current passed its peak, determine rotor position using the computed position of the peak phase current.

Abstract: The invention provides a currency selectable stored value instrument, whose currency may be chosen or converted at the time value is loaded, after load but prior to redemption of value, at the time of redemption, or at other times. One embodiment of the system is configured so that the stored value instrument may be a plastic card with a magnetic stripe, compatible with card readers on Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) or other terminals. In one embodiment, U.S. dollars may be converted to Mexican pesos when the stored value instrument is loaded at an ATM or other location in the United States. A user may subsequently redeem that value for legal tender in pesos at an ATM located in Mexico, for example, or for goods, services, or cash in other currencies.

Abstract: A flexible full face mask to supply breathable air to humans when in environments where it is not possible to breathe, such as underwater masks, or in environments having toxic gases or similar toxic conditions. The mask includes a mask skirt in the form of a one-piece flexible face seal and separate rigid frame components which define separated self-contained spaces that are connected together in a manner to allow each self-contained space to individually conform and seal against the contours of the face of the wearer. The mask also includes a removable adaptor pod mounted on a lower of the frame components to enable full access to the mouth of the wearer while maintaining the mask in sealed relation on the facial surfaces of the wearer.

Abstract: A reluctance drive includes a stator, a phase winding (16) on the stator, a rotor (12) that is movable relative to the stator, a controller for applying a current to the phase winding (13), and a sensor for measuring the phase current in the winding (16). Aspects of the invention detect when the phase current has passed its peak, compute when the peak phase current occurred using information on when the phase current passed its peak, and compute rotor position using the computed position of the peak phase current.

Abstract: A fluid operated retractor for use in surgery. The retractor has a portion that is expandable upon the introduction of fluid under pressure. The expandable portion is made of a material strong enough, and is inflated to enough pressure, to spread adjoining tissues within the body. The retractor is especially useful in fiber optic surgery because it can be inserted percutaneously through a small opening then expanded to a much larger dimension when in the desired location, to retract tissue from within. The retractor may be used to spread a joint such as a knee joint or a shoulder joint, or may be used to separate tissue planes generally, to improve visualization and create a working space for the surgeon.

Abstract: A fluid operated retractor for use in surgery. The retractor has a portion which is expandable upon the introduction of fluid under pressure. The expandable portion is made of a material strong enough, and is inflated to enough pressure, to spread adjoining tissues within the body. The retractor is especially useful in fiber optic surgery because it can be inserted percutaneously through a small opening then expanded to a much larger dimension when in the desired location, to retract tissue from within. The retractor may be used to spread a joint such as a knee joint or a shoulder joint, or may be used to separate tissue planes generally, to improve visualization and create a working space for the surgeon.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus (device) has a housing including two members. These two members are telescoping arranged when the housing is in a disassembled position. Upon assembly of the housing, by moving these members with respect to each other, the members resiliently deform with respect to each other, and once the assembled position is reached, the peripheral surfaces of each member are in an abutment sufficient to inhibit the members, and thus, the housing, from collapsing. By making the housing in this manner, assembly is simple, and the feeding apparatus (device) is economical, as packaging volume, and resulting shipping volume, are reduced, when compared to contemporary feeding apparatus (devices).

Abstract: A conical tension membrane structure capable of resisting high winds in which the fabric is tensioned both radially and tangentially by radial support arms operable to provide tension peripherally by radial support arms, operable to provide tension peripherally of the fabric and being foldable to a closed position, with cover supported by radial cables, and arms held down by hold-down cables.

Abstract: A single turn induction heating coil provides a varied magnetic flux density for heating a portion of a load having a thermally and magnetically responsive sealant and tubing. The varied interior diameter of the cylindrical coil structure increases the magnetic flux density at the open ends of the coil or wherever desired, causing the ends of the magnetically responsive materials contained within the coil to be heated at a rate comparable to the middle portion of the coil. Consequently, the sealant and tubing recover faster and more uniformly avoiding the high incidence of tubing "flare up" or "flip back" common with typical single or multi-turn induction coil heaters. In the preferred application, heating produces a complete fluid block in a cable load section within the coil without overheating or damaging the load.