Abstract: An optical-fiber-network (OFN) radio-frequency identification (RFID) system for deploying and/or maintaining and/or provisioning service and/or locating faults in an OFN. The system includes a plurality of OFN components, and at least one RFID tag that includes RFID tag data that has at least one property of the OFN component associated with the RFID tag. The RFID tag data is written to and read from the RFID tags using one or more mobile RFID readers either prior to, during or after deploying the OFN components. An OFN-component-data database unit is used to store and process the RFID tag data and is automatically updated by the one or more mobile RFID readers. This allows for different maps of the OFN to be made, such as an inventory map and a maintenance map, and for the maps to be automatically updated. The OFN-RFID system allows for mobile automated operations and management of OFN components by service personnel, and provides for faster and more accurate OFN system deployment and maintenance.

Abstract: A secure safe for dealing with large volumes of cash at point of sale and storing in a safe box, the safe including: a slidably mounted front access door; a note validator mounted in the door; a dual-level access means for securing the door at two different positions, wherein the dual-level access means includes a first locking stage that enables a retail operator to move the door to a first position where access to a note-receiving means in communication with the note validator is exposed; a second locking stage enabling a cash removal operator to move the door to a second position to expose the contents of the safe box; and the note validator being in communication with the safe box for storing validated notes in the safe box.

Abstract: A system for actuating a spray pump assembly comprises a reference platform, a motor, a drive transmission, a spray pump holder, a force coupler, a force transducer, and a system controller. The motor receives a power and control input, and produces a rotary drive output. The drive transmission receives the rotary drive output and produces a linear drive output. The spray pump holder secures the spray pump assembly. The force coupler couples the linear drive output to the spray pump, and applies a force to the spray pump. The force transducer produces a force signal proportional to the force applied to the spray pump. The system controller receives a set of test inputs and provides the control input to the motor as a function of the set of test inputs. The system actuates the spray pump mechanism according to an actuation profile defined by the set of test inputs.

Abstract: A glyceride compound comprising a first aliphatic group and a first substituent group bonded to said first aliphatic group. The first substituent group has the formula —O(CH2CH2O)nP where n is 1 to 14 and P is a polymerisable group. An aqueous emulsion of the glyceride can be used in an emulsion polymerisation reaction to yield a polymer resin, which can then be mixed with a suitable base material, such as wood strands, to produce a composite material, such as Oriented Strand Board.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I) and salts and solvates thereof, wherein: R10 is a nitrogen protecting group and R11 is either OH or O—R12, wherein R12 is an oxygen protecting group, or R10 and R11 together form a double bond between N10 and C11; and R10? and R11? are selected from the same options as R10 and R11 respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for interfacing with devices using different communication protocols. The apparatus may scan a range of known frequencies for a communication protocol. The apparatus may decode and translate the communication protocol into a common interface language. The apparatus may include a pair of separate and co-located transceivers to accomplish the interface.

Abstract: A catechin is modified in at least one position (most preferably in the 3-position of the C-ring) to increase its lipophilicity. Contemplated catechins are demonstrated to have significantly improved antibacterial properties, likely due to catastrophic membrane damage.

Abstract: There is provided a novel compound of the general formula I in which each of R8 to R10 is hydrogen, aryl, C1-6 alkyl, trialkylsilyl or acyl; R1 to R5 are individually selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-6 alkoxy and acyloxy; R6 and R7 are H, C1-4 alkyl, trialkylsilyl or acyl; X is O or NR, and R is H or Me; in which any of the alkyl groups including alkyl groups in alkoxy, acyl and acyloxy groups may be substituted by aryl, C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, hydroxyl, trialkylsiloxy or acyloxy groups; with the proviso that R2 and R3 are not both OH when R4 is H or OH, R1 and R5 are both H, and X is O. The amide compounds (X is NR) are analogues of epigallocatechin gallate or epicatechin galate, with an amide bond in place of the natural ester bond, with resistance to hydrolysis by esterase enzymes. The ester compounds (X is O) have a different hydroxylation pattern on the B ring as compared to the natural products.

Abstract: A hand-held RFID scanner has an extendable shaft with a handle for gripping of the RFID scanner. The shaft expands and retracts with a plurality of telescoping segments, either manually or with an electrical mechanism. An RFID antenna/reader is disposed on one end of the shaft. The RFID reader communicates with an RFID tag by RF communication link. A local controller, implemented as a PDA, is mounted to the extendable shaft and electrically connected to the RFID antenna/reader to receive data from the RFID tag. The local controller has an antenna for transmitting the data to a remote computer. The local controller executes software which allows the user to select whether the data is stored in the RFID tag or the remote computer. The software uses the RFID tag, RFID scanner with local controller, and remote computer to manage data associated with an object such as a wine barrel.

Abstract: A hand-held RFID scanner has an extendable shaft with a handle for gripping of the RFID scanner. The shaft expands and retracts with a plurality of telescoping segments, either manually or with an electrical mechanism. An RFID antenna/reader is disposed on one end of the shaft. The RFID reader communicates with an RFID tag by RF communication link. A local controller, implemented as a PDA, is mounted to the extendable shaft and electrically connected to the RFID antenna/reader to receive data from the RFID tag. The local controller has an antenna for transmitting the data to a remote computer. The local controller executes software which allows the user to select whether the data is stored in the RFID tag or the remote computer. The software uses the RFID tag, RFID scanner with local controller, and remote computer to manage data associated with an object such as a wine barrel.

Abstract: A hand-held RFID scanner has an extendable shaft with a handle for gripping of the RFID scanner. The shaft expands and retracts with a plurality of telescoping segments, either manually or with an electrical mechanism. An RFID antenna/reader is disposed on one end of the shaft. The RFID reader communicates with an RFID tag by RF communication link. A local controller, implemented as a PDA, is mounted to the extendable shaft and electrically connected to the RFID antenna/reader to receive data from the RFID tag. The local controller has an antenna for transmitting the data to a remote computer. The local controller executes software which allows the user to select whether the data is stored in the RFID tag or the remote computer. The software uses the RFID tag, RFID scanner with local controller, and remote computer to manage data associated with an object such as a wine barrel.

Abstract: A system for actuating a spray pump assembly comprises a reference platform, a motor, a drive transmission, a spray pump holder, a force coupler, a force transducer, and a system controller. The motor receives a power and control input, and produces a rotary drive output. The drive transmission receives the rotary drive output and produces a linear drive output. The spray pump holder secures the spray pump assembly. The force coupler couples the linear drive output to the spray pump, and applies a force to the spray pump. The force transducer produces a force signal proportional to the force applied to the spray pump. The system controller receives a set of test inputs and provides the control input to the motor as a function of the set of test inputs. The system actuates the spray pump mechanism according to an actuation profile defined by the set of test inputs.

Abstract: A bag comprising first and second walls which are connected together along their sides and bottom and a flap portion which is connected to a top of one of the walls. The flap portion and this one wall together form a transversely extending Z-fold. An adhesive strip is provided for closing an open mouth of the bag and this strip extends in a transverse direction across an inner surface of said one wall. A protective band extends in a transverse direction across an inner section of the flap portion so as to cover and contact the adhesive strip. The flap portion also has a projecting outer section which can be pulled outwardly away from the interior of the bag to expose the adhesive strip. A method of making modified plastic sheeting suitable for making these sealable bags is also disclosed. Using one method, an aqueous coating of release material is applied as a band to a strip of plastic sheeting by means of a printing press. This band is then dried using a hot air dryer.

Abstract: A system for actuating a spray pump assembly comprises a reference platform, a motor, a drive transmission, a spray pump holder, a force coupler, a force transducer, and a system controller. The motor receives a power and control input, and produces a rotary drive output. The drive transmission receives the rotary drive output and produces a linear drive output. The spray pump holder secures the spray pump assembly. The force coupler couples the linear drive output to the spray pump, and applies a force to the spray pump. The force transducer produces a force signal proportional to the force applied to the spray pump. The system controller receives a set of test inputs and provides the control input to the motor as a function of the set of test inputs. The system actuates the spray pump mechanism according to an actuation profile defined by the set of test inputs.

Abstract: A water supply failure protection valve is connected to hot and cold water supplies. The failure protection valve is responsive to the loss of cold water supply pressure to shut off all water flow. The failure protection valve is responsive to the loss of hot water supply pressure to permit cold water flow through both a cold water flow path and a hot water flow path so as to ensure a substantial flow of water to a downstream fixture. The supply failure protection valve may be integrated with a thermal mixing valve to provide water at a preselected temperature.

Abstract: A tempering valve is connected to hot and cold water supplies. The tempering valve has first and second thermal valves, each of which mixes hot and cold water flows to produce a tempered flow at a selected temperature. the mixed flow from the first thermal valve bypasses through the second thermal valve. A small valve assembly is responsive to the flow rate therethrough. At low flow rates, direct hot and cold water flow paths to the second thermal valve are blocked. At or above a selected transition flow rate, the small valve assembly opens to permit direct hot and cold water flows from hot and cold water inlets to the second thermal valve. The tempering valve may include a failure protection valve which shuts off all flow in case of a cold water supply failure.

Abstract: A water supply failure protection valve is connected to hot and cold water supplies. The failure protection valve is responsive to the loss of cold water supply pressure to shut off all water flow. The failure protection valve is responsive to the loss of hot water supply pressure to permit cold water flow through both a cold water flow path and a hot water flow path so as to ensure a substantial flow of water to a downstream fixture. The supply failure protection valve may be integrated with a thermal mixing valve to provide water at a preselected temperature.

Abstract: A computerised management system for a business schedules a date to provide a quote for the provision of a product or service, in response to a client request; stores data relating to a quote approved by a client; schedules resources, such as labour and goods, required for the provision of the product or service relating to an approved quote; and stores a provision deadline corresponding to the date by which the product or service should be provided to the client.

Abstract: A system for actuating a spray pump assembly comprises a reference platform, a motor, a drive transmission, a spray pump holder, a force coupler, a force transducer, and a system controller. The motor receives a power and control input, and produces a rotary drive output. The drive transmission receives the rotary drive output and produces a linear drive output. The spray pump holder secures the spray pump assembly. The force coupler couples the linear drive output to the spray pump, and applies a force to the spray pump. The force transducer produces a force signal proportional to the force applied to the spray pump. The system controller receives a set of test inputs and provides the control input to the motor as a function of the set of test inputs. The system actuates the spray pump mechanism according to an actuation profile defined by the set of test inputs.

Abstract: A system for actuating a spray pump assembly comprises a reference platform, a motor, a drive transmission, a spray pump holder, a force coupler, a force transducer, and a system controller. The motor receives a power and control input, and produces a rotary drive output. The drive transmission receives the rotary drive output and produces a linear drive output. The spray pump holder secures the spray pump assembly. The force coupler couples the linear drive output to the spray pump, and applies a force to the spray pump. The force transducer produces a force signal proportional to the force applied to the spray pump. The system controller receives a set of test inputs and provides the control input to the motor as a function of the set of test inputs. The system actuates the spray pump mechanism according to an actuation profile defined by the set of test inputs.