Abstract: The invention provides a method of assessing the potential colour protecting effect in vivo of a test formulation such as rinse-off hair treatment formulation, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sample of the test formulation to be assessed; providing a model substrate in the form of a hair switch which has been artificially coloured; applying the test formulation to the hair switch; subsequently rinsing the test formulation from the hair switch; collecting the rinse liquor and analysing it for the presence of eluted colour; characterised in that the artificial colour used to colour the hair switch is a permanent hair colorant with a shade level 1 or 2 according to the International Colour Chart (I.C.C.). The method provides improved sensitivity and differentiation, and enables the tester to compare different technologies in terms of effectiveness.

Abstract: An input device having a sensing region overlapping an input surface includes a first substrate, a second substrate physically coupled to the first substrate, and a sensor electrode disposed on the first substrate and configured to detect input objects in the sensing region. A first force sensor includes a first electrode disposed on the first substrate and a first conductive portion of the second substrate capacitively coupled with the first electrode. The first conductive portion is configured to move relative to the first electrode such that a first variable capacitance of the first force sensor changes in response to force applied to the input surface in a first direction parallel to the touch surface.

Abstract: An input device having a sensing region overlapping an input surface includes a first substrate, a second substrate physically coupled to the first substrate, and a sensor electrode disposed on the first substrate and configured to detect input objects in the sensing region. A first force sensor includes a first electrode disposed on the first substrate and a first conductive portion of the second substrate capacitively coupled with the first electrode. The first conductive portion is configured to move relative to the first electrode such that a first variable capacitance of the first force sensor changes in response to force applied to the input surface in a first direction parallel to the touch surface.

Abstract: A shampoo composition comprising: i) at least 10 wt % of the total composition of water, ii) at least 0.5 wt % of the total composition of anionic surfactant, iii) from 0.02 wt % of the total composition to 5 wt % of perfume iv) at least 0.01 wt % of the total composition of a emulsified silicone conditioning agent; and v) a suspending agent comprising at least 0.15 wt %, of the total composition citrus fibre that has been mechanically pulped and swollen in water.

Abstract: A non-invasive thermal dispersion flow meter with chronometric monitor for fluid leak detection includes a heater, an ambient temperature sensor and a flow rate sensor which are configured to sense the temperature of a fluid in a conduit, and then monitor the flow of that fluid through the conduit. The fluid flow sensor is incorporated into a Wheatstone bridge circuit which is used to provide increased sensitivity to the outputs of the sensors. Based upon the ambient temperature sensor readings, the flow rate sensor and heater may be adjusted to optimize the operation of the system to detect leaks. An alternative embodiment utilizes a single sensor and separate heater which work together to determine heat propagation times which in turn is used to calculate flow rate. Based on the sensor readings, the flow may be adjusted to prevent damage and leaks by relieving the system of excess pressure.

Abstract: A non-invasive thermal dispersion flow meter with chronometric monitor for fluid leak detection includes a heater, an ambient temperature sensor and a flow rate sensor which are configured to sense the temperature of a fluid in a conduit, and then monitor the flow of that fluid through the conduit. The fluid flow sensor is incorporated into a Wheatstone bridge circuit which is used to provide increased sensitivity to the outputs of the sensors. Based upon the ambient temperature sensor readings, the flow rate sensor and heater may be adjusted to optimize the operation of the system to detect leaks. An alternative embodiment utilizes a single sensor and separate heater which work together to determine heat propagation times which in turn is used to calculate flow rate. Based on the sensor readings, the flow may be adjusted to prevent damage and leaks by relieving the system of excess pressure.

Abstract: An input device having a sensing region overlapping an input surface includes a first substrate, a second substrate physically coupled to the first substrate, and a sensor electrode disposed on the first substrate and configured to detect input objects in the sensing region. A first force sensor includes a first electrode disposed on the first substrate and a first conductive portion of the second substrate capacitively coupled with the first electrode. The first conductive portion is configured to move relative to the first electrode such that a first variable capacitance of the first force sensor changes in response to force applied to the input surface in a first direction parallel to the touch surface.

Abstract: An insulator inspection tool and method for identifying defects or conditions that may prevent the insulator from performing properly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a launcher adapted to launch a projectile towards an insulator being tested, a listening device adapted to receive a response signal from the insulator upon being struck by the projectile, and a processing device adapted to measure the response signal received by the listening device and process the response signal to determine whether the insulator contains any defects or conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a hair treatment composition comprising a hair substantive polymer, the hair substantive polymer comprising a polymeric backbone bearing: (a) at least one side chain which is formed from a hair fiber targeting group which is covalently linked to the polymeric backbone, the hair fiber targeting group being a non-cationic species which is capable of specifically interacting with the protein surface of the hair fiber in a non-covalent interaction having a bond energy ranging from 0.5 to 3 Kcal/mol, when the composition is applied to hair; (b) preferably, at least one side chain which is different to side chain (a) and which comprises a hair benefit agent. Compositions of the invention provide for deposition and delivery of benefit agents to hair in a more efficient and targeted manner.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to arbitrate valve position sensor redundancy are disclosed. A disclosed example method comprises measuring a first value representative of a position of a valve, measuring a second value representative of the position of the valve, computing a first estimated position of the valve, selecting one of the first and second values based on the first estimated position, and generating a first valve control signal for the valve based on the selected one of the first and second values.

Abstract: A brace for use in tilt-up construction is disclosed. The brace includes a bottom surface and a vertical side surface. The bottom surface of the brace is affixed to a permanent horizontal surface (e.g., a slab) in a manner that allows the brace to be removed without damaging the permanent horizontal surface. The vertical side surface of the brace is attached to a concrete pour form. The bottom surface of the brace is affixed to the permanent horizontal surface using an adhesive. Alternatively, a shoe is attached to the permanent horizontal surface and the brace sits in the shoe. A flange is releasably securable with the brace to batter the form when the flange is place in contact therewith. Alternatively, the shoe has an upwardly extending inclined ramp that is operable to orient the brace so that the vertical side surface of the brace is disposed at a battering angle to batter the form.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a braking apparatus for a vehicle having a brake pedal. The braking apparatus includes a master cylinder having a reservoir for retaining a brake fluid. At least one hydraulically actuated brake is in fluid communication with the master cylinder and a control unit is in electrical communication with the hydraulically actuated brake. A replenishment system is in fluid communication with the master cylinder and in electrical communication with the control unit for feeding the brake fluid into the replenishment system during a first condition and feeding the brake fluid from the replenishment system into the hydraulically actuated brake during a second condition after initial depression of the brake pedal to provide consistent pedal feel and braking pressure.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to arbitrate valve position sensor redundancy are disclosed. A disclosed example method comprises measuring a first value representative of a position of a valve, measuring a second value representative of the position of the valve, computing a first estimated position of the valve, selecting one of the first and second values based on the first estimated position, and generating a first valve control signal for the valve based on the selected one of the first and second values.

Abstract: The invention provides an aqueous shampoo composition comprising: (i) one or more anionic cleansing surfactants; (ii) preferably, discrete, dispersed droplets of a water-insoluble conditioning agent with a mean droplet diameter (D3,2) of 4 micrometers or less; (iii) one or more cationic polymers (A) selected from cationically modified acrylamide polymers having a cationic charge density at pH7 of less than 1.0 meq per gram, cationically modified celluloses and mixtures thereof, and (iv) one or more cationic polymers (B) selected from cationically modified acrylamide polymers having a cationic charge density at pH7 of greater than 1.0 meq per gram, cationically modified polygalactomannans, and mixtures thereof, wherein the composition comprises a cationic polymer other than a cationically modified acrylamide polymer.

Abstract: The invention provides a hair treatment composition comprising a hair substantive polymer, the hair substantive polymer comprising a polymeric backbone bearing: (a) at least one side chain which is formed from a hair fibre targeting group which is covalently linked to the polymeric backbone, the hair fibre targeting group being a non-cationic species which is capable of specifically interacting with the protein surface of the hair fibre in a non-covalent interaction having a bond energy ranging from 0.5 to 3 Kcal/mol, when the composition is applied to hair; (b) preferably, at least one side chain which is different to side chain (a) and which comprises a hair benefit agent.

Abstract: An aqueous hair conditioning composition comprising discrete, dispersed droplets of a hydrophobic conditioning oil with a mean droplet diameter (D3,2) of 4 micrometers or less, a cationic deposition polymer and a block copolymer of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol according to the Formula (I) with the mean value of y from 10 to 60 and the values of x and z both from 1 to 150, or a block copolymer according to Formula (II) wherein the mean value of a is 2 or more and the mean value of b is 2 or more.

Abstract: The invention provides an aqueous shampoo composition comprising: (i) one or more anionic cleansing surfactants; (ii) preferably, discrete, dispersed droplets of a water-insoluble conditioning agent with a mean droplet diameter (D3,2) of 4 micrometres or less; (iii) one or more cationic polymers (A) selected from cationically modified acrylamide polymers having a cationic charge density at pH7 of less than 1.0 meq per gram, cationically modified celluloses and mixtures thereof, and (iv) one or more cationic polymers (B) selected from cationically modified acrylamide polymers having a cationic charge density at pH7 of greater than 1.0 meq per gram, cationically modified polygalactomannans, and mixtures thereof, wherein the composition comprises a cationic polymer other than a cationically modified acrylamide polymer.

Abstract: A brake-by-wire braking system including a braking unit, an electro-hydraulic actuator in fluid communication with the braking unit by way of a first fluid path, a master cylinder in fluid communication with the braking unit by way of a second fluid path, a normally open solenoid valve operatively associated with the second fluid path, and a control unit adapted to actuate the normally open solenoid valve, wherein actuation of the normally open solenoid valve generally fluidly isolates the master cylinder from the braking unit.

Abstract: An aqueous hair conditioner composition comprising: a) a cationic conditioning surfactant, b) discrete, dispersed droplets comprising a water-insoluble conditioning oil and c) a block copolymer with a mean molecular weight of 1000 unified atomic mass units or more, comprising polyethyleneoxide and polypropyleneoxide blocks selected from the group consisting of (i) poloxamers according to formula (I), wherein the mean value of (y) is from 18 to 60 and the mean value (x) is from 7 to 140 such that the mean value of the ratio (x/y) is from 0.4 to 3.0 and (ii) poloxamines according to formula (II), wherein the mean value of (a) is 2 or more and the mean value of (b) is 2 or more.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a braking apparatus for a vehicle having a brake pedal. The braking apparatus includes a master cylinder having a reservoir for retaining a brake fluid. At least one hydraulically actuated brake is in fluid communication with the master cylinder and a control unit is in electrical communication with the hydraulically actuated brake. A replenishment system is in fluid communication with the master cylinder and in electrical communication with the control unit for feeding the brake fluid into the replenishment system during a first condition and feeding the brake fluid from the replenishment system into the hydraulically actuated brake during a second condition after initial depression of the brake pedal to provide consistent pedal feel and braking pressure.