Abstract: An apparatus (200) and method for preparing a cylindrical object having a protective surface coating, such as a necked can (100), for decorating thereon using a printing technique. According to the method, a primer is applied onto the surface coating, and the primer is then dried to form a surface for decorating the object. The apparatus comprises a priming station (260) for applying a primer onto said surface coating, and a drying station (270) for drying the primer.

Abstract: A single phase aqueous curable composition suitable for thermal inkjet printing comprises a mixture of curable materials, water in amounts in the range 10 to 30% of the weight of the compositions, and one or more co-solvents for the curable materials. Because the water content is relatively low, a drying step is not required before curing, increasing printing speeds. The composition has good performance and has good adhesion to a wide range of substrates including non-porous and semi-porous materials as well as porous materials.

Abstract: An activator composition for forming an activator-containing region on a substrate for activating a chemical reaction to form a conductive metal region on the substrate, the composition being suitable for thermal inkjet printing, the composition comprising a single phase aqueous composition including one or more curable materials and one or more co-solvents for the curable material(s); and an activator for reaction to form a conductive metal region. Conductive metal regions may be formed on the resulting activator-containing regions by a metallisation reaction such as electroless deposition.

Abstract: A single phase aqueous composition suitable for thermal inkjet printing comprises a mixture of curable materials including at least two curable oligomers; and one or more co-solvents for the curable materials.

Abstract: Use of helper probes in dipstick assays is described. In a dipstick assay to test for the presence of a target nucleic acid in a sample solution, the sample solution is contacted with the contact end of the dipstick to cause the sample solution to move by capillary action to a capture zone of the dipstick at which target nucleic acid is captured. The target nucleic acid may be captured at the capture zone by a capture probe capable of hybridising to the target nucleic acid. A labelled detection probe capable of hybridising to the target nucleic acid may be used to detect the target nucleic acid at the capture zone. A helper probe may be used to enhance the binding of the capture and/or detection probe to the target nucleic acid, thereby improving the sensitivity of target nucleic acid detection. Dipsticks and kits are also described.

Abstract: A single phase aqueous curable composition suitable for thermal inkjet printing comprises a mixture of curable materials, water in amounts in the range 10 to 30% of the weight of the compositions, and one or more co-solvents for the curable materials. Because the water content is relatively low, a drying step is not required before curing, increasing printing speeds. The composition has good performance and has good adhesion to a wide range of substrates including non-porous and semi-porous materials as well as porous materials.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for inkjet printing, particularly thermal inkjet printing, in which at least one radiation-curing device for curing the radiation-curable ink is integral with, and downstream of, the inkjet printing station. The inkjet printing apparatus further includes a plurality of commercial replaceable inkjet printer cartridges with integral printheads, mounted into a print carriage in fixed array positioned at a set distance above a continuously—moving industrial print media carried on a conveyor or on a web or sheet to engage non-contact printing on said industrial print media with photo-quality, multi-colour print capability.

Abstract: A single phase aqueous composition suitable for thermal inkjet printing comprises a mixture of curable materials including at least two curable oligomers; and one or more co-solvents for the curable materials.

Abstract: An activator composition for forming an activator-containing region on a substrate for activating a chemical reaction to form a conductive metal region on the substrate, the composition being suitable for thermal inkjet printing, the composition comprising a single phase aqueous composition including one or more curable materials and one or more co-solvents for the curable material(s); and an activator for reaction to form a conductive metal region. Conductive metal regions may be formed on the resulting activator-containing regions by a metallisation reaction such as electroless deposition.

Abstract: In a sampler for sampling a first portion of a liquid flow, the liquid flow enters at a sampler inlet (12). The sample passes through a valve (30) into a sample chamber (8) and then the valve closes, diverting the remainder of the liquid flow to a sampler overflow (6). The valve comprises a valve inlet (24) coupled to the sampler inlet, a valve outlet (38, 36) opening into the sample chamber and positioned, in use, substantially below the valve inlet, a shut-off chamber (32) separating the valve outlet from the valve inlet, and a valve overflow (34) leading from the shut-off chamber to the sampler overflow (6). When the liquid level in the sample chamber rises to a predetermined level it disrupts the flow of liquid through the valve outlet and diverts later flow through the valve inlet into the shut-off chamber and through the valve overflow.

Abstract: Use of helper probes in dipstick assays is described. In a dipstick assay to test for the presence of a target nucleic acid in a sample solution, the sample solution is connected with the contact end of the dipstick to cause the sample solution is contacted with the contact end of the dipstick to cause the sample solution to move by capillary action to a capture zone of the dipstick at which target nucleic acid is captured. The target nucleic acid may be captured at the capture zone by a capture probe capable of hybridising to the target nucleic acid. A labelled detection probe capable of hybridising to the target nucleic acid may be used to detect the target nucleic acid at the capture zone. A helper probe may be used to enhance the binding of the capture and/or detection probe to the target nucleic acid, thereby improving the sensitivity of target nucleic acid detection. Dipsticks and kits are also described.

Abstract: Inks for continuous ink jet printer, containing polyamide resins as binders and wherein the polyamide resins are characterized by having a glass transition onset temperature of 95.degree. to 175.degree. and preferably 120.degree. to 140.degree..