Abstract: A biaxially oriented polyester film including polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and at least one hydrolysis stabiliser selected from a glycidyl ester of a branched monocarboxylic acid, wherein the monocarboxylic acid has from 5 to 50 carbon atoms, wherein the hydrolysis stabiliser is present in the film in the form of its reaction product with at least some of the end-groups of the polyester; a process for making the same; and use of the film as a layer in a photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A heat-sealable, peelable, coextruded composite polymeric film comprising a substrate layer of polymeric material having on a surface thereof a heat-sealable layer, wherein said heat-sealable layer comprises a copolyester of least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid, at least one aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and one or more glycol(s); the thickness of said heat-sealable layer is in the range of from about 0.3 to about 3 ?m; and the heat-sealable layer comprises one or more wax(es) is described.

Abstract: A heat-sealable, coextruded composite polymeric film comprising a substrate layer comprising a first copolyester material having on a surface thereof a heat-sealable layer comprising a second copolyester material wherein: (i) the first and second copolyester materials are different from each other; (ii) the copolyester of the substrate layer comprises an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and a saturated aliphatic dicarboxylic acid of formula CnH2n(COOH)2 wherein n is 2 to 8; (iii) the heat-sealable layer comprises one or more wax(es); and (iv) the composite film is shrinkable or thermoformable; and the use thereof as a packaging film, particularly as, or in the manufacture of, a lidding film for heat-sealing to a receptacle containing a food product.

Abstract: A heat-sealable, peelable, coextruded composite polymeric film comprising a substrate layer of polymeric material having on a surface thereof a heat-sealable layer, wherein said heat-sealable layer comprises a copolyester of least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid, at least one aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and one or more glycol(s); the thickness of said heat-sealable layer is in the range of from about 0.3 to about 3 ?m; and the heat-sealable layer comprises one or more wax(es) is described.

Abstract: A horizontally extendable and contractible container for handling relatively flat objects. The container comprises a plurality of receptacles interconnected in series. A single receptacle has the capacity to store a relatively flat object or a plurality of flat objects. The receptacles are formed as open sided pockets, allowing for a wide range of object thicknesses to be contained. The facing walls of the receptacles are absent of any protrusions or holes that could inhibit an object during the insertion of the object. When transportation of the container is desired, a flap on the back most panel is wrapped over the top of the container and an elastic strap secures the container and the contained objects for transportation. A sliding mechanism, substantially isolated from the contained objects is fully integrated into the design of the receptacles and provides the necessary functionality to horizontally extend and contract the container.

Abstract: A horizontally extendable and contractible container for handling relatively flat objects. The container comprises a plurality of receptacles interconnected in series. A single receptacle has the capacity to store a relatively flat object or a plurality of flat objects. The receptacles are formed as open sided pockets, allowing for a wide range of object thicknesses to be contained. The facing walls of the receptacles are absent of any protrusions or holes that could inhibit an object during the insertion of the object. When transportation of the container is desired, a flap on the back most panel is wrapped over the top of the container and an elastic strap secures the container and the contained objects for transportation. A sliding mechanism, substantially isolated from the contained objects is fully integrated into the design of the receptacles and provides the necessary functionality to horizontally extend and contract the container.

Abstract: A frequency hopping spread spectrum wireless transmission system includes a transmitter and a receiver system. The transmitter is configured to transmit radio frequency data signals in sequential time periods on respective transmit channels according to a pre-determined sequence. The data signal in each time period includes information relating the data signal to its position within the pre-determined sequence. The receiver system is configured to monitor a plurality of receive channels over a frequency range that includes the transmit channels and to receive the data signals on the receive channels.

Abstract: An improved system and method for obtaining photogrammetric measurements which eliminates optical distortions created by thermal gradients on windows that are used to protect the photogrammetry camera. A gate valve is introduced between the window and the wall that opens for a limited time to allow the camera to take measurements of a test article contained within a thermal testing chamber. This limits or eliminates any thermal gradients on the window and improves photogrammetric measurements. With a gate valve the window can be removed entirely, as the gate valve can prevent a thermal gradient from being introduced to the lens of the photogrammetry camera. The improved system is suited for making close-in photogrammetric measures of test articles on earth.

Abstract: The RF meter reading system includes a transmitter having an encoder. Meter data is encoded and modulated using a bi-phase modulating scheme. In order to uniquely identify the start of a data transmission, a super start field, which is an "illegal" bi-phase signal is used. The super start field is selected such that it cannot be recognized if transmissions from more than one transmitter are being received by the receiver.

Abstract: A two wire/three wire utility data communications system for remotely reading utility meter registers. In the two wire version, a hand-held reading unit is inductively coupled over two wires via a port located remotely from a meter register. Alternatively, a meter interface unit (MIU) may be connected directly to the register via three wires. Each register includes one or more wheel position encoders. An AC interrogation signal is applied by the reading unit to encoder circuitry at the meter which powers the circuitry and causes the position of each encoder wheel to be read. In the two wire mode, register display information (e.g. the current meter reading) is transmitted back to the reading unit by varying the load (impedance) presented by the register side of the circuit. This causes a corresponding variation of the amount of current drawn from the reading unit. The current-modulated signal is decoded by the reading unit and converted into a register reading.

Abstract: Barriers against atomic oxygen attack, e.g. on substrates such as parts of space vehicles in low earth orbit, consist of layer minerals, especially vermiculite and selected smectites.

Abstract: A two wire/three wire utility data communications system for remotely reading utility meter registers. In the two wire version, a hand-held reading unit is inductively coupled over two wires via a port located remotely from a meter register. Alternatively, a meter interface unit (MIU) may be connected directly to the register via three wires. Each register includes one or more wheel position encoders. An AC interrogation signal is applied by the reading unit to encoder circuitry at the meter which powers the circuitry and causes the position of each encoder wheel to be read. In the two wire mode, register display information (e.g. the current meter reading) is transmitted back to the reading unit by varying the load (impedance) presented by the register side of the circuit. This causes a corresponding variation of the amount of current drawn from the reading unit. The current-modulated signal is decoded by the reading unit and converted into a register reading.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for reading a meter, e.g., a utility meter, over a telephone line. The system includes circuitry for detecting when an input signal within a predetermined frequency range is present. The input signal is fed to two timing devices. One of the timing devices is set to produce a constant output when the input frequency is above the higher limit of the predetermined frequency range. The other device is set to produce a constant output when the frequency is above the lower limit of the same range. The outputs of both timing devices are connected to logic circuitry. The two timing devices are connected to the telephone line. When a signal in the selected frequency range is received from the telephone exchange, the frequency detector acknowledges to the exchange the receipt of that signal, and activates a recorder in a meter reading apparatus at the subscriber's location to transmit the recorded reading of the meter over the telephone line to the exchange, where it is suitably recorded.

Abstract: A roller skate of the shoe-attached two wheel type includes for each skate a pair of U-shaped wheel support members appropriately spaced for the size shoes it is to be used with by a pair of side support members and attachable to a heel plate and a toe plate respectively which are attached to the shoe.