Abstract: A data carrier (1), such as a security, bank notes, ID card or the like, that is embossed in such a way that at least part of said embossment (2) is shaped like an oblique plane (3).

Abstract: An abstract pattern plate-making system removes an undesired pattern from an endless pattern in the process for making a plate for printing abstract patterns on architectural materials. For this purpose, it has a scramble processing part 10 and a pixel copy processing part 11.The scramble processing part 10 divides endless pattern data into blocks and repeats processing in which pattern data in two blocks selected at random from among the divided blocks are combined together by a composition technique using mask data having a predetermined pattern, thereby removing an undesired pattern. The mask pattern size may be either smaller or larger than the block size. The mask pattern may be a multi-valued pattern. Further, when the endless pattern is divided into blocks, the blocks may be allotted so as to be a little offset from the endless pattern.

Abstract: A coupling half designed to mate with an identical coupling half to form a coupling for interconnecting sections of hose or the like, has a tubular body having at one end a projecting tooth and a complementary socket arrangement constituted by a plurality of uniformly spaced arcuate connector teeth axially outstanding from the tubular body and terminating in a radially inwardly directed arcuate protrusion, a plurality of radially outwardly directed arcuate ribs circumferentially aligned with the teeth, and a plurality of tooth entrance ways located circumferentially between each of the ribs and each of the teeth, a resiliently biased detent locking device in the body biased towards an advanced position, and an annular detent unlocking ring angularly rotatable on the body and resiliently biased in one direction of rotation to an inoperative position and being angularly movable in the opposite direction to an active position wherein it engages the detent locking means to retract it away from the advanced positi