Abstract: A die and method for extruding an extrudable material to form an extruded member is described. In one embodiment, the die comprises a barrier member comprising a plurality of feed channels that extend through the barrier member. Furthermore, the die incorporates a passage forming member extending from the barrier member substantially in the direction of extrusion. The feed channels are arranged with respect to the passage forming member to allow the extrudable material to substantially flow about the passage forming member to form a corresponding passage in the extruded member.

Abstract: A system (10) for converting power comprising a plurality of modules (14) connected in series and having each at least one DC power source. Storage devices (18) are provided with each module (14) to store power from the power source and voltage control circuitry (19) in each module (14) connects the storage device between a maximum module voltage, a minimum module voltage to create a stepwise approximation of a mains signal. A compensator unit (20) is provided in series with the modules (14) including a storage device charged by the power sources. While each of the modules (14) is supplying either its maximum or minimum voltage to the system a control unit ramps up or down the voltage between the input and output of the compensator unit (20) to follow the desired AC signal.

Abstract: A lubricating composition comprising a base oil of lubricating viscosity and one or more lubricant additives, wherein the base oil comprises or consists of a base stock which comprises or consists of at least one isoprenoid compound comprising: (i) one or two oxygen-containing moieties independently selected from ether and ester moieties; (ii) a first acyclic isoprenoid moiety containing 1 to 5 isoprenyl units; and (iii) optionally, a second acyclic isoprenoid moiety containing 1 to 5 isoprenyl units with the proviso that at least one isoprenoid moiety contains 3 to 5 isoprenyl units where the isoprenoid compound contains a single ether moiety.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar energy collection apparatus and design method. In particular, the invention provides a solar energy collection apparatus incorporating one or more reflectors and a solar collector for receiving incoming solar radiation, including reflected radiation from the one or more reflectors, wherein the one or more reflectors and the collector are oriented according to a pre-calculated offset length and offset angle based at least on the latitude of the apparatus. The invention further provides a computer-implemented method of designing a solar collection apparatus including determining the optimal offset length and offset angle between the one or more reflectors and the collector for a given latitude and other inputs.

Abstract: The use of an oil-soluble mono-, di-, or tri-glyceride of at least one hydroxy polycarboxylic acid, or a derivative thereof, as an anti-wear additive and/or friction modifier in a non-aqueous lubricant composition and/or in a fuel composition. Also, a non-aqueous lubricant composition and a fuel composition for an internal combustion engine which comprise at least one additive which is an oil-soluble mono-, di-, or tri-glyceride of at least one hydroxy polycarboxylic acid, or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: A controlled discharge ostomy appliance assembly comprises (i) a stoma seal that is self-urging with a dynamic damping characteristic that resists changes of seal volume, (ii) a press-fit coupling member displaceable from an unlocked position to a locked position as part of a press-fit process, and (iii) a single-use frangible portion. The assembly further includes a protector shield removably fastened to the appliance forming a combined assembly therewith. The protector shield comprises (i) a seal displacer manipulable for displacing the stoma seal to a non-operative position ready for fitting, (ii) a substantially rigid coupling member guard portion for protecting the state of the coupling member, and (iii) a bracing portion for bracing the single-use frangible portion.

Abstract: A controlled discharge ostomy appliance assembly comprises (i) a stoma seal that is self-urging with a dynamic damping characteristic that resists changes of seal volume, (ii) a press-fit coupling member displaceable from an unlocked position to a locked position as part of a press-fit process, and (iii) a single-use frangible portion. The assembly further includes a protector shield removably fastened to the appliance forming a combined assembly therewith. The protector shield comprises (i) a seal displacer manipulable for displacing the stoma seal to a non-operative position ready for fitting, (ii) a substantially rigid coupling member guard portion for protecting the state of the coupling member, and (iii) a bracing portion for bracing the single-use frangible portion.

Abstract: A carton has a closure flap (18, FIG. 4) held in a closed condition prior to initial opening of the carton by a connection between a face of the closure flap and an opposing face of an adjacent wall (4) of the carton. The flap is connected is to a part (30) of the adjacent wall which is removable from the remainder of that wall along one or more first patterns of weakness (32). The connection being in a predetermined zone (34) of the removable part defined by one or more second patterns of weakness (36) so that when the part (30) is removed from the remainder of the wall (4), the predetermined zone (34) can be separated from the remainder of the part (30) along the second pattern(s) of weakness (36) to remain attached to the closure flap. The carton may be formed from a blank (10, FIG. 4).

Abstract: The use of an oil-soluble mono-, di-, or tri-glyceride of at least one hydroxy polycarboxylic acid, or a derivative thereof, as an anti-wear additive and/or friction modifier in a non-aqueous lubricant composition and/or in a fuel composition. Also, a non-aqueous lubricant composition and a fuel composition for an internal combustion engine which comprise at least one additive which is an oil-soluble mono-, di-, or tri-glyceride of at least one hydroxy polycarboxylic acid, or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: A controlled discharge ostomy appliance assembly comprises (i) a stoma seal that is self-urging with a dynamic damping characteristic that resists changes of seal volume, (ii) a press-fit coupling member displaceable from an unlocked position to a locked position as part of a press-fit process, and (iii) a single-use frangible portion. The assembly further includes a protector shield removably fastened to the appliance forming a combined assembly therewith. The protector shield comprises (i) a seal displacer manipulable for displacing the stoma seal to a non-operative position ready for fitting, (ii) a substantially rigid coupling member guard portion for protecting the state of the coupling member, and (iii) a bracing portion for bracing the single-use frangible portion.

Abstract: A carton has a closure flap (18, FIG. 4) held in a closed condition prior to initial opening of the carton by a connection between a face of the closure flap and an opposing face of an adjacent wall (4) of the carton. The flap is connected is to a part (30) of the adjacent wall which is removable from the remainder of that wall along one or more first patterns of weakness (32). The connection being in a predetermined zone (34) of the removable part defined by one or more second patterns of weakness (36) so that when the part (30) is removed from the remainder of the wall (4), the predetermined zone (34) can be separated from the remainder of the part (30) along the second pattern(s) of weakness (36) to remain attached to the closure flap. The carton may be formed from a blank (10, FIG. 4).

Abstract: An ostomy appliance is described in the form of a controlled discharge device for controlling discharge from the stoma and/or an ostomy pouch for collecting discharged waste. The appliance may include one or more of: an elastomeric stoma seal for providing a seal around or directly against the stoma; a stoma occluder for occluding the stoma without passing internally into the stoma; a peristomal foam wall; a confinement seal for confining at least solid excreta to a confinement region adjacent to the stoma; a stowable collector bag; and interchangeable controlled discharge devices and ostomy pouches. The foam wall may provide a barrier to stool, but allow escape of flatus. The foam wall and/or the stoma occluder and/or the confinement seal may apply a force in a direction to increase the sealing force on the stoma seal.

Abstract: A liquid lubricant base oil composition comprising (i) a base stock comprising at least 95% by weight saturated hydrocarbons such as for example a Group II base stock, a Group III base stock and/or a base stock derived from Fischer-Tropsch synthesised, waxy, paraffinic hydrocarbon material and (ii) 0.2 to 30% by weight of an aromatic extract which has a dimethyl sulphoxide extractable polycyclic aromatics content of less than 3 weight % may be made by blending the components together and may be used with one or more additives in a lubricant composition which may be used in applications such as marine engine lubricants.

Abstract: Provided are multi-channel valves comprising first and second siphon channels comprising first ends that are operably connected to each other; and (ii) at least one actuator, the actuator capable of movement between at least a first position (where the first siphon channel is occluded) and a second position (where the second siphon channel is occluded). Also provided are spray containers operable in a plurality of positions, the containers comprising multi-channel valves wherein movement of an actuator causes communication between a sprayer head and liquid contents of the container via at least one of two dip tubes to be disrupted, thereby facilitating the drawing of the liquid contents from the lowest point in the container.

Abstract: A die and method for extruding an extrudable material to form an extruded member is described. In one embodiment, the die comprises a barrier member comprising a plurality of feed channels that extend through the barrier member. Furthermore, the die incorporates a passage forming member extending from the barrier member substantially in the direction of extrusion. The feed channels are arranged with respect to the passage forming member to allow the extrudable material to substantially flow about the passage forming member to form a corresponding passage in the extruded member.

Abstract: A cosmetic method for treating strands of hair comprising the subsequent steps of: placing the strands of hair to be treated between two substrates on which a first and second compositions capable of reacting together are applied, and implement for the same. The implement for carrying out the method may comprise a first and a second substrates in the form of strips of material that may be folded over each other such that at least one section of the strands of hair to be treated is sandwiched between the first and second compositions.

Abstract: A cosmetic method for treating strands of hair comprising the subsequent steps of: placing the strands of hair to be treated between two substrates on which a first and second compositions capable of reacting together are applied, and implement for the same. The implement for carrying out the method may comprise a first and a second substrates in the form of strips of material that may be folded over each other such that at least one section of the strands of hair to be treated is sandwiched between the first and second compositions.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance is described in the form of a controlled discharge device for controlling discharge from the stoma and/or an ostomy pouch for collecting discharged waste. The appliance may include one or more of: an elastomeric stoma seal for providing a seal around or directly against the stoma; a stoma occluder for occluding the stoma without passing internally into the stoma; a peristomal foam wall; a confinement seal for confining at least solid excreta to a confinement region adjacent to the stoma; a stowable collector bag; and interchangeable controlled discharge devices and ostomy pouches. The foam wall may provide a barrier to stool, but allow escape of flatus. The foam wall and/or the stoma occluder and/or the confinement seal may apply a force in a direction to increase the sealing force on the stoma seal.

Abstract: An ostomy appliance is described in the form of a controlled discharge device for controlling discharge from the stoma and/or an ostomy pouch for collecting discharged waste. The appliance may include one or more of: an elastomeric stoma seal for providing a seal around or directly against the stoma; a stoma occluder for occluding the stoma without passing internally into the stoma; a peristomal foam wall; a confinement seal for confining at least solid excreta to a confinement region adjacent to the stoma; a stowable collector bag; and interchangeable controlled discharge devices and ostomy pouches. The foam wall may provide a barrier to stool, but allow escape of flatus. The foam wall and/or the stoma occluder and/or the confinement seal may apply a force in a direction to increase the sealing force on the stoma seal.