Abstract: A process for torrefaction of biomass is provided in which biomass are passed into a fluidized bed or a non-fluidized bed reactor and heated to a predetermined temperature in an oxidizing environment. The dried biomass is then fed to a cooler where the temperature of the product is reduced to approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing coal, asphalt, liquid hydrocarbon, organic acids, methane gas and/or hydrogen from a waste material comprising: a) providing a waste material; b) subjecting the waste material to irradiation with low frequency macro waves, with a wavelength of between 700 nm and 1 mm, whereby the temperature is between 2050 C and 9000 C and the pressure is between 1.0 bar and 19.0 bar, thereby producing coal; c) optionally subjecting the residual materials in gaseous state from step b) to a physicochemical reaction in the presence of a solid metal identified as DPP B102, whereby the temperature is between 1800 C and 5000 C and the pressure is between 0.98 bar and 5.5 bar, thereby producing asphalt; d) optionally subjecting the residual materials in gaseous state from step b) or c) to a physicochemical reaction and/or condensation, whereby the temperature is between 1500 C and 7500 C and the pressure is between 0.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing a torrefied biomass fuel are disclosed. Moisture is initially extracted from relatively wet biomass fuel to produce a relatively dry biomass fuel. Remaining moisture is then extracted from the relatively dry biomass fuel in a final drying stage, using steam at a temperature of about 900° F. The resulting dried biomass fuel is conveyed downward using gravity and undergoes torrefaction, which produces torrefied biomass fuel and torrefaction gases. A gaseous mixture of steam and torrefaction gases is vented to a heat exchanger, where the gaseous mixture is heated by a flue gas, and the heated gaseous mixture is used to support the extraction of the remaining moisture in the final drying stage and to support the torrefaction of the dried biomass fuel. Embodiments disclosed herein efficiently use available energy resources to the benefit of manufacturers, consumers, and the environment.

Abstract: Irrigation systems (36) and methods are provided that are based on measurements of oxygen levels and availability to the root of the plant. The irrigation management system comprises at least one sensor (24) deducing data indicating the level of oxygen wherein the data collected from the sensors is used to determine irrigation amounts and timing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plant propagation medium, the improvement comprising a manure having a moisture content of 10 to 35 wt % with a salt level sufficient to achieve a conductivity of less than 0.35 dS/m. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a manure product and the manure product itself.

Abstract: A plant container for reducing root circling and promoting air pruning comprising an open top portion, a closed bottom portion, a side wall extending from the open top portion to the closed bottom portion and a pair of handles woven on either side of the closed side wall. The open top portion, the closed bottom portion and the closed side wall defines the container made of non-woven geotextile fabric for providing higher air and water permeability for effective plant growth. The fabric promotes air pruning which boosts natural apical dominance of the roots leading to additional root branching. A skeletal support is provided internally or externally to provide a rigid internal structure to the fabric. The rigid internal structure helps easy filling, irrigating, moving and maintaining of the plant container. A pair of hook and loop-type fasteners helps the plant container to remain in a collapsed position when not used.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing a hydrocarbon are provided. The method can include gasifying a feedstock within a gasifier to provide a raw syngas. The raw syngas can be processed within a purification system to provide a treated syngas. A first portion of the treated syngas can be converted into a first effluent in a first methanator. The first effluent can be mixed with a second portion of the treated syngas to provide a first mixed effluent. The first mixed effluent can be converted into a second effluent in a second methanator. The second effluent can be mixed with a third portion of the treated syngas to provide a second mixed effluent. The second mixed effluent can be converted into a third effluent in a third methanator.

Abstract: Exemplary baffles for inhibiting noise transmission through a pillar structure, and exemplary methods of making the same, are disclosed. An exemplary baffle may include a body configured to be secured in a cavity, the body defining a passage for selectively receiving a line extending through the body. The baffle may further include an expandable material extending substantially about a perimeter of the passage. The expandable material may be configured to expand to seal the cavity about the body. The body may include a flap configured to open to allow the line to extend through the passage. The body may further include a biasing element urging the flap toward a closed position, substantially obstructing the passageway.

Abstract: A motor vehicle includes, but is not limited to a rear flap, pivotable about a horizontal axis, to which a sensor, operating in a contactless manner, is associated, which on an approach to an obstacle present in the pivoting range of the rear flap actuates a device that prevents or interrupts the pivoting of the rear flap.

Abstract: A gate arm saver is provided. The gate arm saver includes a cam and cam follower arrangement. A biasing element biases the cam follower into engagement with a detent formed in the cam upon rotation of the cam from a rest position due a loading placed upon a gate arm extending from the gate arm saver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical garage door with a secondary power supply, comprising: a garage door mechanism, a driving mechanism, a power receiving device, and a controlling and boosting device. In the present invention, it mainly installs the power receiving device and the controlling and boosting device to the garage door mechanism; therefore, once the city power discontinues to supply power to the controlling device and the driving mechanism of the garage door mechanism, user may connect a car cigarette lighter power cable to the power receiving device and provide a secondary power to the power receiving device, and then the controlling and boosting device can convert the voltage value of the secondary power to a target voltage value, and then the controlling and boosting device outputs the secondary power with the target voltage value for driving the driving mechanism to operate.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises an outer shell having an opening and a cover for the opening. The cover comprises: a housing, a window and a motor for moving the window. The motor management unit stores three predetermined positions of the window relative to the housing. When the housing is engaged with the opening: in the first predetermined position the window is resiliently retained within the seal and the cover can be released from the opening without damage to the cover; in the second predetermined position the window does not engage with the seal; and in the third predetermined position the window extends into the seal and the window is prevented from being released from the seal without the window first being retracted to the first or second positions. The motor management unit causes the motor to extend the window to the third predetermined position when the vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed.

Abstract: A barrier element for protecting an interior vehicle door panel comprises a body shaped to fit over the vehicle door interior panel and to block access to at least one of an interior door handle, a lock control and a window control. The barrier element is removably securable to the vehicle door or to the vehicle door panel such that the barrier element can be removed to expose the panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bendable thermoplastic reinforcement for a profiled seal or profiled molding in a motor vehicle, such a profiled element comprising the reinforcement, and a method for producing thermoplastic reinforcements, including those of the invention. The reinforcement includes at least one longitudinal section having a substantially U-shaped or L-shaped cross-section and includes a top and at least one leg extending from said top. Along its length, the reinforcement has a non-continuous series of transverse portions joined to each other by longitudinal connecting elements. The connecting elements have a generally longitudinal rib structure integral with the transverse portions in the leg/s and is designed to form a neutral fiber for the profiled element.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a super abrasive element containing a substantially catalyst-free thermally stable polycrystalline diamond (TSP) body having pores and a contact surface, a base adjacent the contact surface of the TSP body; and an infiltrant material infiltrated in the base and in the pores of the TSP body at the contact surface. The disclosure additionally provides earth-boring drill bits and other devices containing such super abrasive elements. The disclosure further provides methods and mold assemblies for forming such super abrasive elements via infiltration and hot press methods.

Abstract: To provide a method for producing an alkali silicate aqueous solution containing a reduced amount of foreign substance of plate-like fine particles and a method for producing a silica sol containing a reduced amount of foreign substance of plate-like fine particles. A method for producing an alkali silicate aqueous solution fulfilling the following condition: the existing amount of plate-like fine particles having a length of one side of 0.2 to 4.0 ?m and a thickness of 1 to 100 nm is determined to be 0 to 30%. The method for producing an alkali silicate aqueous solution includes the steps of adjusting a silica concentration of an alkali silicate aqueous solution to 0.5 to 10.0% by mass and filtering the alkali silicate aqueous solution through a filter having a removal rate of particles with a primary particle size of 1.0 ?m of 50% or more.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a rostrum support structure for a rostrum comprises a pair of frame units which are inclined towards one another, extending from floor contacting portions to rostrum support points, truss members being provided extending downwardly and inwardly from the first frame members towards a linking member or towards the other frame member, to provide a triangulated structure. In a second aspect, a rostrum structure comprises a first rostrum unit and a second rostrum unit, a latch being provided for fixing the second rostrum unit with respect to the first rostrum unit in an extended position, the latch comprising a movable member mounted on one of the first and second rostrum units and a latch surface mounted on the other of the first and second rostrum units, the movable member being movable into and out of engagement with the latch surface, preferably by rotation, in a direction parallel to the planes of the decks and substantially normal to the retraction direction.

Abstract: A roof mounted gutter guard device with unfolding arms which extend for the purpose of receiving a support rail. The deployed support rail allows ladders to be supported away from the roofline and gutters in a safe and effective manner. The deployed support rail of the gutter guard device is also used to hang decorations and other accessories from the rail without placing stress on the roofline and gutters.

Abstract: A retractable roof structure for crop protection includes pitch sections of roof defined by a retractable membrane. The membrane is moved by cables connected to a drive tube with a spring regulate minimum tension of the cable. The drive system ensures that the membrane adjacent to the drive tube is able to travel the same distance as the second membrane from the drive tube. The rafter contains profiles to allow the stationary end of said membrane to be attached continuously to the rafters to provide a water tight connection. The rafter also contains clips which inhibit vertical, lateral and horizontal movement of the guide wires used to suspend the membrane. The guide wires are supported by flexible cables or rods. A secondary clear membrane is installed below a white upper retractable membrane.

Abstract: A modular underground utilities vault enclosure and distribution system providing an integrated utilities interconnection system within a single modular enclosure and a single unified set of utility service connections leading from the vault to the premises of one or several utilities customers. The vault design comprises a set of modules suitable for assembly at the user site within a suitable excavation. The unified design permits installation of all utilities service lines within a single one-time trench connecting the vault to each of one or several premises through a common service-entry module. The vault assembly enables utilities access within the vault for connecting main utilities lines to individual premises utilities line sets. Each utility can service its own lines within the vault connecting to each premises served. The individual vault modules include assembly and alignment and interface aids to resist lateral displacement forces and seal the vault against groundwater leakage.

Abstract: A two-component deck flashing system and method for installing the same. The system utilizes “L” flashing strips with attached cleats utilizing clinch lock joints to alleviate the need for fasteners which might otherwise penetrate and easily damage waterproof sheeting materials. A cover plate is attached to the cleats to define the outside edge of the topping surface. This two component system is designed for installation at wall-to-deck junctures by incorporating a form of a wall “saddle” flashing having one or more wall plates with attached “L” flashing extension with cleats and cover plate extensions. All components are integrated with and overlapping adjacently installed components to provide a flush, easily sealed and maintained, top surface. This two-component deck flashing system can be installed more easily and effectively in the field than prior art systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet metal profile (9a,b, 19a,b, 22a,b, 23a,b, 24a,b, 25) primarily intended for installation against parts of a building, for example for the protection of bargeboards (2) or other wooden component parts of the building, comprising a bent metal sheet having a central section and at least one lateral part (3a,b) with inward-folded edge sections (15a,b) at the bottom.

Abstract: A house constructed from finished product components and a method for constructing such house are disclosed. The components of the house such as the finished product main frame, the finished product enclosed wall, the finished product floor cover plate, the finished product top cover plate and the finished product stair are finished product industrially constructed in different manufactories, and then transported to the constructing location respectively, and then assembled at the base of the house, so as to form a house constructed from finished product components. By using finished product components, the construction of the house has high efficiency, good quality, less material consumption and shorter construction period. Furthermore, comparing with traditional site operation, constructing house from finished product components is more environment-friendly.

Abstract: A modular house building system has floor module supports; floor modules; wall modules; window panel modules; door panel modules; and fasteners, wherein the modules are connected to one another in any of a number of configurations using the fasteners to form a chosen modular house configuration; wherein the wall, window panel, and door panel modules each include horizontal planks, vertical planks that define an outer perimeter of each the module, and interstitial planks connected between the vertical planks that are used to increase the strength of each the module, and are connected together in any one of a plurality of configurations to form each respective module in a pre-chosen dimension and configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a regular quadrilateral pyramid shaped pyramid building for the utilization of pyramid energy, which has isosceles triangle shaped supporting side walls and a square shaped base, with a free pyramid shaped internal space and with a podium in the pyramid shaped space. The invention is characterized in that the side walls (1b, 1c, 1d, 1e) and the base (1a) of the pyramid building (1) are made of several layers (2), and the external layer (2a) of the side walls (1b, 1c, 1d, 1e) and the external layer (2a) of the base (1a) facing the ground is made of walling units (3) dominated by positive ions the internal layer (2c) of the side walls (1b, 1c, 1d, 1e) and the internal layer (2c) of the base (1a) is made of electrically controllable covering units (5) dominated by negative ions.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a gable overhang structure used in the building construction industry to support the gable end of the roof. The gable overhang structure allows for the pre-assembly of an overhang gable and the set back or elimination of the gable end rafter while providing the gable overhang with superior strength. The structure generally consists of a vertical member, at least one horizontal member, and fastening means. In addition, two or more structures are provided together to form a kit, wherein the vertical members are not of the same length.

Abstract: An avian nesting diverter system for inhibiting a bird from building a nest on a structure includes a base and a spring member. The base is adapted to be mounted on the structure. The spring member has first and second ends. The first and second ends are secured to the base and the spring member extends over the base. The spring member presents a resilient, unstable platform for a bird attempting to perch on the spring member. The spring member also presents an impediment to a bird attempting to perch on the base.

Abstract: Telescopic crane arm for a crane, in particular a mobile crane, with: at least one boom, and at least one boom extension that can be moved telescopically relative to the boom, and at least one hydraulic line arranged in the crane arm for an implement that can be attached to the crane arm and operated hydraulically, wherein the hydraulic line has at least one first tube and a second tube that is movable relative to the first tube, wherein a connection is formed from the first tube and/or the second tube to at least one oil compensation chamber arranged in the inside of the crane arm to compensate for effects of changing the length of the crane arm, wherein the first tube, the second tube and the oil compensation chamber are formed in the inside of the boom extension.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for constructing pre-insulated structural panels is disclosed that has a tongue and groove assembly arrangement. Each panel may include one or more c-channels or profiles embedded in expandable polystyrene (EPS) foam to provide structural integrity to the panels, and resulting wall. The panels may be covered with siding, stucco, or similar materials. A chase may be formed horizontally in the panels to provide a wiring conduit through the panel. The panel may also provide when assembled, a vertical chase formed between the mated panels along the length of the panel for wiring. Acoustical properties may be formed in the surface of the EPS portions to provided added acoustical damping measures.

Abstract: An earthquake-resistant strengthening structure for building column structures, includes: a plurality of strengthening plates which are made of fiber sheet, are coupled by a concavo-convex structure in a vertical direction and are coupled by a sliding coupler in a horizontal direction; and mortar which strengthens a coupling between the strengthening plates and adheres the strengthening plates to an earthquake-resistant object. The earthquake-resistant strengthening structure is light, can be easily coupled or assembled, and provides a large binding force and tensile force by structural engagement between pieces of the strengthening plates and fusion of bonding materials. In addition, since the strengthening plates are made of glass fiber or carbon fiber, it is possible to provide an optimal earthquake-resistant strengthening structure having high durability, flexibility and strength with no corrosion.

Abstract: A heating system for use with roofing shingles, the heating system including a flexible grounding layer having a transverse dimension that is no greater than substantially equal to a transverse dimension of the roofing shingles, a flexible heater laminated to the flexible grounding layer, wherein the flexible heater includes a substrate, a conductive resistive ink pattern disposed on the substrate, wherein the ink pattern generates heat when electricity passes through the ink pattern, wherein the heating system includes a nailing portion that extends longitudinally along one side of the heating system, the nailing portion of the heating system having a transverse dimension that is at least substantially equal to a transverse dimension of a nailing portion of the roofing shingles, wherein the flexible heater is disposed on the flexible grounding layer such that the ink pattern is disposed outside of the nailing portion of the heating system.

Abstract: A U-shaped spacer element supporting and retaining a photovoltaic panel assembly spacedly over a rooftop corrugated sheet; one shorter side leg thereof having an oblong bore, the other side leg having an intermediate ridge section. A screw engages into the ridge web and axially clears the shorter leg, anchoring the main body to the supporting rooftop frame elements through the corrugated sheet. The ridge section conformingly abuts against a longitudinal rib of the corrugated sheet. An L-shape bracket inner leg abuts against the main body short leg, the bracket outer leg abutting sideways against a registering portion of the photovoltaic panel assembly. A second oblong bore is made into the outer leg and extends parallel to the plane of the main body base leg. Two bolts engage the oblong bores and adjustably interlock the L-shape bracket to the spacer element main body and to the photovoltaic assembly.

Abstract: A system composed of a special Tile, to cover whole roof, thermally insulating, ventilated, with no environmental impact, producing solar and photovoltaic energy, adequate to make hot water and/or electrical energy. Two functions, thermal and photovoltaic, are designed to operate in synergy, or independently. The photovoltaic can help the thermal system, if covered surfaces are too small for heating needs of the building, or in non-ideal climates, sending part of electrical energy to electrical water heaters positioned in the boiler, to complement hot water production during low irradiation seasons. The resulting roof is optimal in any climate; in areas with snowfall snow will melt on tiles that anyway develop heat; in hot areas during summers very high temperatures occur, thus transforming heat in heat exchangers into cooling, obtaining air conditioning or cold water below the floor. It will be possible to obtain heated water for pools from excess of hot water in summer and in winter.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a photovoltaic roofing element for disposal on a roof deck. The photovoltaic roofing element includes a roofing substrate including a top end and a bottom end. The roofing substrate includes an upward-facing zone having an upward-facing surface and a bottom end; a lateral flexible zone extending adjacent the bottom end of the upward-facing zone, the lateral flexible zone having a bottom end; and a strip of material disposed at the bottom end of the lateral flexible zone having a first surface on the same side of the substrate as the upward-facing surface and a height of at least about 1 cm as measured along a line from the top end to the bottom end of the roofing substrate; and a photovoltaic element disposed on the upward-facing surface of the upward facing zone of the roofing substrate.

Abstract: The floor member has a top surface for walking upon and a bottom surface for placement on a floor base as part of a floating floor installation. The floor member includes a flexible plastic main substrate layer that is sandwiched between a flexible plastic wear layer and a bottom portion formed of meltable adhesive material. The meltable adhesive material has an exposed bottom surface that is the bottom surface of the floor member. The exposed bottom surface is non-adhesive and non-tacky at normal room temperatures. The meltable adhesive material has frictional properties that enable the floor member to resist manual sliding movement on a floor base but still permit manual sliding movement, thereby providing the floor member with positional stability when placed on a floor base as part of a floating floor installation.

Abstract: A system for refacing an existing set of stairs without having to remove the existing set in its entirety or cause destruction to the existing set of stairs and surrounding structure including a stringer refacing component, a stringer cap, a stair tread, a nosing, a cove moulding, a riser cap, and a shoe moulding. The stair retread system may be placed over a set of stairs without removing or destroying the staircase as is common with typical staircase refinishing processes.

Abstract: A passive fire resistant system for filling a space or gap confined by construction elements, for resisting the spread of a nearby fire through the space or gap, wherein the system comprises: at least two first layers of a first, material which comprises a fire resistant elastomeric foam raving a closed cell structure; and at least one second layer of a second material sandwiched between two first layers, the second material comprising a polymer and each second layer having surfaces which, as an initial response to a rise in their temperature from room temperature, exhibit a transition into an adhesive, the first and second layers extending parallel to each other, the second material being stiffer than the first material.

Abstract: Simulated log siding is formed of an engineered cementitious composite. Single or dual flanges on each log piece is used to apply siding units to a surface. Some siding members are molded into a three dimensional configuration to appear as a structural wood log. Individual end pieces and molded tail clusters when used with the siding provide the appearance of the characteristic stacked or staggered corners of a log structure.

Abstract: A system for constructing a structure comprises a plurality of composite panels having a laminate structure comprising a foam core to which are attached cover layers of the same or different material. One or both of the cover layers may be comprised of composite sub-layers. The system includes a number elongate and preferably extruded components for connecting the panels to form walls, roofs or floors for the structure. The system is modular, thereby allowing for a time and cost efficient means of erecting a structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise apparatuses and methods of manufacturing and installing reinforced concrete structures. The reinforced concrete structures utilize trusses and rebar to form a support structure. A screed guide bar is removeably coupled to the support structure. Concrete is supplied to the support structure, and screeding occurs to form the reinforced concrete structure from the support structure (e.g., rebar mats and trusses) and concrete. The use of trusses and the screed guide bar allow for the formation of a reinforced concrete structure without the need for using spacers and standees to position the mats, or performing position checks to determine the position of the concrete during screeding. The screed bar guide allows workers to quickly form the desired surface of the reinforced concrete structure, remove the screed bar, and fill any void left by the screed bar, as necessary.

Abstract: A folding beam system 16 for use in the assembly of pre-fabricated modular building units having beam members 20, 22 for supporting the floor and ceiling structures of the modular unit, said beam members being adjacent to each other when the modular units are arranged in a vertical stack, an open web structure 24 pivotally associated with one of the beam members 20 to allow the web structure 24 to be folded from a stored position, to an operative position in which the web structure is connected to the other beam member 22 of a vertically adjacent unit to form a structural truss 16 between the adjacent units, and means 28, 29 for locking the web structure to the other beam 22 in the operative position.

Abstract: The current application is directed to a moisture-and-UV barrier that can be applied to a corner of a deck cap during deck construction or subsequently retrofit to the corner of the deck cap in order to prevent deterioration of the deck cap and of the deck structure below the deck cap. The moisture-and-UV barrier includes a waterproof, UV-resistant, and crack-and-tear resistant top surface that conforms to the top surface of the deck-cap corner as well as vertical sides that together enclose a portion of the deck cap at the deck corner to prevent exposure of the miter joint between deck-cap members at the deck-cap corner to UV radiation, water, and other harmful substances and agents.

Abstract: A roofing apparatus including an enclosure for containing roofing materials is provided. The enclosure is defined by a front panel, a rear panel assembly positioned at a predetermined distance from the front panel, side panels positioned at opposing ends of the front panel, and a base panel having a tail area. The front panel, the rear panel assembly, and the side panels extend upwardly from the base panel. The tail area extends beyond the rear panel assembly for receiving runoff. The rear panel assembly directs the runoff from the tail area of the base panel into the enclosure. The front panel includes orifices for releasing the runoff to a downslope roofing apparatus or for draining the runoff from the roof. The roofing apparatus precludes slippage of the roofing materials contained within the enclosure, and uplift of the roofing materials from the enclosure due to environmental conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is a tile spacing device utilized to precisely space and mounts a plurality of tiles. The tile spacing device includes an elongated rectangular spacer made of wood, plastic or synthetic material that serves as a bridge instrument that is utilized as a tile spacing device in between rows of tiles to keep the tiles aligned in a straight orientation. The elongated rectangular spacer distributes the tiles' weight evenly as a wall is being tiled. The elongated rectangular spacer is approximately 5 feet long, 1 inch wide and ¼ inch high. The elongated rectangular spacer can be made of hard plastic material or recycled hard plastic material and is reusable.

Abstract: An intake manifold (2) of comburent air is presented for an internal combustion engine (1) provided with a recirculating conduit (60) of exhaust gases. The intake manifold (2) includes a first inlet mouth (213) of the comburent air, a second inlet mouth (214) in communication with the recirculating conduit (60) of the exhaust gases, and a plurality of outlet mouths (201), having a wall (7) positioned in front of each of the outlet mouths (201) and configured for dividing the internal volume of the intake manifold (2) into two chambers (215, 204), the first chamber (215) being placed in communication with the first inlet mouth (213) and the second inlet mouth (214) and the second chamber (204) being placed in communication with the outlet mouths (201), the wall (7) defining an opening (70) adapted for placing the first chamber (215) and the second chamber (204) in communication.

Abstract: An elongate profile element has a bottom, sidewalls extending from the bottom substantially at right angles and an upper side opposite the bottom. The upper side comprises flanges which extend from the respective sidewalls towards each other and delimit between them a longitudinal slot extending over the length of the profile element. The flanges are bended inwards such that the free end of the flanges is directed towards the bottom and extends in a direction substantially at right angles with the bottom. The bottom is provided with spaced apart oblong recesses, which have longitudinal side edges which are bended inwards such that the free end of said edges extends towards the upper side in a direction substantially at right angles with the bottom.

Abstract: A modular fibre reinforced plastic flange for a structural composite beam which comprises a body formed of a plurality of elongate elements arranged in an array, wherein the dimensions of the body are substantially determined by the number and arrangement of the elongate elements in the array, and a skin member at least partially surrounding the array. Also, a structural composite beam comprising the modular fibre reinforced plastic flange and a shear web connected to the skin member of the modular flange. A method of making the modular flange and beams, and a kit of parts for making the modular flange are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is providing a whole coil packaging system comprising a coil wrapping machine (10) comprising a frame (11), a wrapping ring (12) and a wrapping head (13) arranged to rotate around the wrapping ring (12). Further the system comprises a coil rotating means (20) adapted to carry and to rotate a coil (50). The invention is characterized in that the coil wrapping machine and the coil rotating means are both attached to one transportable platform (40). The packaging system is compact, transportable and adapted to easily be unloaded and quickly to be taken into production use.

Abstract: To modify the headspace in a container to remove vacuum pressure, a container has a seal or cap which may provide a temporary opening into the container which is sealable under compression to provide a controlled raising of the internal pressure as the heated contents of the container cools. A sealing chamber (84) may enable the introduction of a fluid into the headspace (23b) to force the fluid level (40) lower. Other methods and apparatus are described.

Abstract: A water balloon packaging unit and methods are provided. The water balloon packaging unit includes a packaging structure for receiving filled water balloons. The packaging structure is transitionable between a finished state and an unfinished state. In the finished state, the packaging structure and filled water balloons form the packaging unit. The water balloons are held by the packaging structure in a tight cluster by virtue of a vacuum seal implemented on the packaging structure.