Abstract: A commercially viable paper wrapped foam cup comprising a taper portion that prevents the shrinkage-induced curling from interfering with the un-nesting of nested paper wrapped foam cups. The paper wrapped cup further comprises a fillet for strengthening the cup foot to retard shrinkage-induced curling of the foot. The paper wrapper has abutting to overlapping opposing ends to completely hide the foam cup to enhance the visual appearance of the cup. The overlapping portions of the paper wrapper are not bonded to each other to prevent wrinkling of the paper wrapper as the cup shrinks. A machine and corresponding method provide for automatically supplying foam cups and paper wrappers, wrapping the paper wrapped cup, and stacking the wrapped cups.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dumping surge bleed air into a primary nozzle of a free gas turbine engine. The surge bleed air is introduced into gas turbine exhaust flow within the primary nozzle to create a mixed flow which may be used as a combined driver flow to compensate for reduced engine exhaust flow during periods when operation of the turbine engine may be exclusively dedicated to only electric load operation. The surge bleed air may not be the educted flow or the secondary driven flow, while cooling air passing through an oil cooler may be an educted flow. Surge bleed air may flow through, for example, mixer lobes, hollow struts, or the center body before mixing with the gas turbine exhaust flow.

Abstract: A connector for securing a protective sleeve about an electrical cable portion of an electrical cable assembly. The connector is formed of heat-shrinkable tubing and is slipped over the cuff of the sleeve and a portion of an adjacent plug of the cable assembly. Upon the application of sufficient heat to the connector, the connector shrinks around and onto the sleeve cuff and plug portion to form a relatively thin, smooth, mechanical attachment between the sleeve cuff and plug portion. The protective sleeve is thereby immovably disposed about the cable portion of the electrical cable assembly to minimize wear and tear to the cable portion during use in supplying temporary electrical power to planes at an airport.

Abstract: A commercially viable paper wrapped foam cup comprising a taper portion that prevents the shrinkage-induced curling from interfering with the un-nesting of nested paper wrapped foam cups. The paper wrapped cup further comprises a fillet for strengthening the cup foot to retard shrinkage-induced curling of the foot. The paper wrapper has abutting to overlapping opposing ends to completely hide the foam cup to enhance the visual appearance of the cup. The overlapping portions of the paper wrapper are not bonded to each other to prevent wrinkling of the paper wrapper as the cup shrinks. A machine and corresponding method provide for automatically supplying foam cups and paper wrappers, wrapping the paper wrapped cup, and stacking the wrapped cups.

Abstract: A personal computer (2) is responsive to the presence of an authorised user to transmit release signals from a CPU 22 to a CPU 28 to cause the CPU 28 to effect the release of a locking mechanism (34) controlling access to drawers of a desk or filing cabinet for example. In the absence of periodic refresher signals from the PC 2, the CPU 28 causes the locking mechanism to lock the drawers to prevent unauthorized access. The transmitted signals from the PC 2 may also be used to prevent or allow use of electrical or electronic apparatuses and/or to control environmental conditions appropriate to the presence or absence of users.

Abstract: Apparatus for an interactive video system comprising a transmissive projection screen (8) from which an image projected on to the rear surface is visible from the front side but not visible from the rear side, a projector (20) to project display images on to the rear surface of the screen (8); and a video camera (22) positioned to video a user (2) in front of the screen (8). The user (2) effects a writing action on the screen (8) using a dry pen (24) comprising infrared LEDs (64) which operate when the dry pen (24) is pressed against the screen (8). These emissions are detected and position decoded, and a corresponding image projected on the screen (8) so it appears as direct writing to the user (2). The videoed image of the user and the input written data may be combined and transmitted during a videoconference to corresponding apparatus used by a further user (4) who thereby sees interaction between the first user (2) and the written data.

Abstract: A connector for securing a protective sleeve about an electrical cable portion of an electrical cable assembly. The connector is formed of heat-shrinkable tubing and is slipped over the cuff of the sleeve and a portion of an adjacent plug of the cable assembly. Upon the application of sufficient heat to the connector, the connector shrinks around and onto the sleeve cuff and plug portion to form a relatively thin, smooth, mechanical attachment between the sleeve cuff and plug portion. The protective sleeve is thereby immovably disposed about the cable portion of the electrical cable assembly to minimize wear and tear to the cable portion during use in supplying temporary electrical power to planes at an airport.

Abstract: A scuff cover (10) for protecting an elongate inner element (14), such as a hose or a cable, comprises a flexible base tube (30) having an inner surface (34) defining a central passage (38) for movably receiving the inner element. The base tube (30) has an outer surface (36). A rub strip (40) projects from the outer surface (36) of the base tube (30). The rub strip (40) comprises an inner layer of material (42) on the base tube (30) and an outer layer of material (44). The outer layer of material (44) has a lower coefficient of friction than the inner layer of material (42) and forms the radially outermost surface of the scuff cover (10). The outer layer of material (44) is preferably ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene.

Abstract: An optical backplane interconnect comprises a backplane comprising parallel D-fibers (1) that form an optical bus embedded in a plastics substrate (15), which form a coupling with respective parallel D-fibers (23) at an angle .PHI. in a connecting block (21) that is mounted on a card (2). Circuit components on the card are connected by optical fibers (9) to the fibers in the connecting block. The card is held by connections (18, 19), and as the card is pushed into position, coupling means, comprising balls (25, 26) on the connecting block, it self-aligns in groove (27) on the backplane, to set the angle .PHI. between the fibers, to provide a controlled, reliable optical coupling.

Abstract: An optical fibre feedthrough in which a polarization maintaining (PM) fibre is sealed within a metallic sleeve by a glass seal. The seal applies asymmetric stresses to the fibre which is orientated so that they reinforce its PM properties. This arrangement reduces the manufacturing tolerances needed to avoid destroying the PM properties of the fibre associated with symmetric stress seals. It has application to packages for opto-electronic components. A double optical fibre feedthrough is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ground effects device of the type that introduces pressurized air into a plenum chamber, that then travels through a perforated flexible sheet to form an air cushion, the improvement therein that no air dispersion means are present in the plenum chamber.

Abstract: A hose of improved impulse life is described including an inner polymeric tube which has a relatively hard outer surface, a tightly packed wire reinforcement e.g., braid or spiral, telescoped over the tube, and an expanded polymeric cushion matrix encapsulating at least a portion of the strands of the reinforcement and also promoting wire-to-wire and tube-to-wire adhesion. A method for producing the hose employing a foamable material applicator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hose of improved impulse life is described including an inner polymeric tube which has a relatively hard outer surface, a tightly packed wire reinforcement e.g., braid or spiral, telescoped over the tube, and an expanded polymeric cushion matrix encapsulating at least a portion of the strands of the reinforcement and also promoting wire-to-wire and tube-to-wire adhesion. A method for producing the hose employing a foamable material applicator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A molded rubber article is described having an exterior or surface layer which is formed of a blend including a heat setting rubbery polymer, and a halogenated polyethylene acting as an internal mold release agent during processing and also enhancing the surface qualities of the molded article.

Abstract: A molded rubber article is described having an exterior or surface layer which is formed of a blend including a heat setting rubbery polymer, and a halogenated polyethylene acting as an internal mold release agent during processing and also enhancing the surface qualities of the molded article.