A container storing an anesthetic is disclosed. The container is sealed by a closure and stores a liquid anesthetic solution. The anesthetic is from 0.1% to 10% by weight of the liquid anesthetic solution. The container is made of a material that is inert to the anesthetic and the closure is made of siliconized rubber or a metal. A concentration of the anesthetic in a liquid anesthetic solution stored in the container following a predetermined time period is at least 93% of a concentration of the anesthetic in a liquid anesthetic solution before the liquid anesthetic solution is stored in the container.

The invention relates to a device for holding sheets in a binder which form a folded stack, comprising a holding element (3) connected to the spine (2) of the binder (1). According to the invention, the holding element (3) engages behind the innermost sheet of the stack (4) at its fold (9).

A response form security device is provided for use with a generally planar response form having an answer area bearing answer blanks upon which a respondent makes marks to indicate a plurality of responses. The security device includes a sleeve adapted and constructed to slidably receive and cover the response form. An access window is formed in the sleeve, and permits visual access by the respondent to a number of fewer than all of the answer areas of the response form. The length of the sleeve and the configuration of the answer window are chosen so as to prevent anyone other than the user from seeing a number of marks on the answer area sufficient to observe a repeatable pattern of marks.

The present invention relates to a multilayer information page (1) for a security document, which includes an information part (3) manufactured from a material allowing at least some identification information of the information page to be entered thereto by utilizing laser engraving, the identification information provided on the information page (1) being readable from an upper surface thereof, and a flexible and bending resistant connecting part (2) for connecting the information page (1) to the security document, the connecting part (2) comprising a fastening end (8) by means of which the connecting part (2) is fastened to the information part (3). In order to ensure that detachment of the information part and the connecting part from one another leaves visible marks, the fastening end (3) of the connecting part (2) is arranged to overlap with a lower surface of the information part (3). Furthermore, the information page (1) includes a transparent surface layer (7) which covers at least the fastening end (8) and at least a part of the lower surface of the information part (3) and through which at least the fastening end (8) is visible.

A device for forming containers from heated parisons of thermoplastic material, which includes a heating section and a blow molding unit provided with at least one blow molding station. The parisons are held along at least a portion of a transport path between the heating section and the blow molding unit by a carrying element, which has a head that can be inserted into a mouth section of a parison and which includes at least two positionable clamping elements. At least one of the clamping elements is positioned in a recess provided on a side of the head relative to a longitudinal axis of the carrying element. The recess has upper and lower sliding surfaces that extend obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis for acting on the clamping element. The upper head part and the lower head part are braced relative to each other by at least one spring.

An apparatus having a frame; a shuttle member, adapted to receive and hold a needle blank, and movably mounted to the frame; a clamp member detachably mounted on the frame for supplying needle blanks to the shuttle member; a transfer mechanism mounted on the frame for facilitating the transfer of the needle blanks from the clamp member to the shuttle member; a press mechanism for imparting first flat surfaces to first opposing sides of the needle blanks held by the shuttle member; a mandrel mounted on the frame for imparting an arcuate profile to the needle blanks; a transport mechanism for transporting the needle blanks from the shuttle member to the mandrel; and a needle side press for imparting second flat surfaces to second opposing sides of the needle blanks. A method of forming a curved, rectangular bodied needle from substantially round-elongated needle blanks is also disclosed and comprises the steps of: transferring needle blanks from a clamp to a holding shuttle having die surfaces on needle engaging faces thereof; flat pressing first opposing sides of the needle blanks between die surfaces; transporting the needle blanks from the shuttle onto a rotatable mandrel; curving the needle blanks between the rotatable mandrel and a reciprocable belt; rotating the needle blanks about the mandrel and adjacent side press dies and depositing the needle blanks therebetween; and side pressing second opposing sides of the needle blanks between side press dies.

An apparatus for preparing drilled needle blanks from a spool of coiled stock wire may include a laser for drilling a bore in the end of the stock wire and a cutting device for cutting the drilled wire into needle blanks.

An apparatus for forming at least one curved, rectangular bodied surgical needle which comprises frame means, flat press means associated with said frame means for imparting first flat surfaces to opposite sides of at least a portion of at least one needle blank, curving means associated with said frame means for imparting an arcuate profile to at least a portion of the at least one needle blank and side press means mounted on said frame portion for imparting second flat surfaces to opposite sides of the needle blank, wherein said second flat surfaces are imparted substantially perpendicular to said first flat surfaces. There is also disclosed a method of forming a curved rectangular bodied needle from a substantially round-elongated needle blank comprising the steps of flat pressing opposite sides of the needle blanks between a pair of flat press dies, drawing the needle blanks from at least one of said flat press dies onto a rotatable mandrel, curving the needle blanks between said rotatable mandrel and a reciprocable belt, rotating the needle blanks adjacent side press dies and depositing the needle blanks therebetween and side pressing opposite sides of the needle blanks between said side press dies, on sides of the needle blanks substantially perpendicular to the flat pressed sides. A surgical needle is also disclosed having a tapered distal portion, a rectangular central portion and a bored proximal portion formed according to the apparatus and method described above. The tapered distal portion of the needle has a generally circular cross-section, the rectangular central portion is generally square and the bored proximal portion also has a generally circular cross-section.

There is disclosed an apparatus for forming a surgical incision member comprising which includes a first die associated with a base and having a first groove therein for receipt of at least a portion of a needle blank. A second die is mounted for movement on the base between a position remote from the first die and a position adjacent the first die. The second die includes a second groove alignable with the first groove to hold a needle blank therebetween, the first and second dies each having spaced apart channels intersecting the first and second grooves. A notching die is provided and is mounted for movement within at the channels so as to engage and notch an edge of the needle blank contained within the first and second grooves. The apparatus also includes structure for curving a needle blank contained within the first and second grooves. A method of forming a surgical incision member is also disclosed, and a surgical incision member blank.

An apparatus for forming at least one curved, rectangular bodied surgical needle which comprises frame means, flat press means associated with said frame means for imparting first flat surfaces to opposite sides of at least a portion of at least one needle blank, curving means associated with said frame means for imparting an arcuate profile to at least a portion of the at least one needle blank and side press means mounted on said frame portion for imparting second flat surfaces to opposite sides of the needle blank, wherein said second flat surfaces are imparted substantially perpendicular to said first flat surfaces. There is also disclosed a method of forming a curved rectangular bodied needle from a substantially round-elongated needle blank comprising the steps of flat pressing opposite sides of the needle blanks between a pair of flat press dies, drawing the needle blanks from at least one of said flat press dies onto a rotatable mandrel, curving the needle blanks between said rotatable mandrel and a reciprocable belt, rotating the needle blanks adjacent side press dies and depositing the needle blanks therebetween and side pressing opposite sides of the needle blanks between said side press dies, on sides of the needle blanks substantially perpendicular to the flat pressed sides. A surgical needle is also disclosed having a tapered distal portion, a rectangular central portion and a bored proximal portion formed according to the apparatus and method described above. The tapered distal portion of the needle has a generally circular cross-section, the rectangular central portion is generally square and the bored proximal portion also has a generally circular cross-section.

There is disclosed an apparatus and a method for progressively forming high strength surgical needles from bulk needle stock material. The apparatus generally includes a series of progressive needle processing stations. A first series of needle processing stations removes material from needle stock material to rough form needle blanks attached to a carrier strip while a second series of processing stations refine the rough formed needle blanks attached to the strip into the desired surgical needles. The disclosed method generally includes the steps of gutting needle stock material to rough form needle blanks attached to a carrier strip and progressively coining the rough formed blanks into surgical needles. Finally, there is disclosed a high bend strength surgical needle formed on the disclosed apparatus or by the disclosed method. Preferably, the surgical needle is a surgical incision member having a predetermined radius of curvature and an optimized conical radius at the tips.

There is disclosed an apparatus and method for forming curved and pointed needle blanks from a coiled length of wire needle stock material. The apparatus includes an inner mandrel having a circumferential wire receiving groove and at least one longitudinally extending broach receiving channel formed in the outer surface. The apparatus also includes an outer member having an inner surface defining a bore sized to receive the inner mandrel wrapped with wire needle stock. The outer member includes at least one longitudinal broach receiving channel formed in the outer member inner surface. The outer mandrel further includes a circumferential wire receiving groove formed in the inner surface such that, when wrapped with the length of wire needle stock material, the inner mandrel is threaded into the outer member. The apparatus further includes at least one broach which is movable within the channels to cut the length of wire needle stock into curved and pointed needle blanks. The method includes wrapping a length of wire needle stock around an inner mandrel and inserting the wire wrapped mandrel within an outer member. The method further includes moving at least one broach within a longitudinal channel formed in at least one of the mandrel and outer member to cut the length of wire needle stock into needle blanks. A needle blank formed by the apparatus and method is disclosed.

There is disclosed an apparatus for forming curved and rectangular bodied needle blanks from a length of needle stock which includes a generally cylindrical inner mandrel having a plurality of longitudinal channels formed in an outer surface thereof, the mandrel being dimensioned and configured for insertion within the length of needle stock. The apparatus also includes a plurality of broaches insertable into the longitudinal channels such that an edge of each broach projects radially outwardly of the mandrel to form a plurality of inner grooves on an inner surface of the length of needle stock. There is also provided structure for forming outer grooves in an outer surface of the length of needle stock to form a substantially grooved length of needle stock, cutters for cutting the grooved length of needle stock to form rings of curved rectangular bodied needle blanks interconnected by web portions and structure for dividing the rings at the web portions to form a plurality of curved rectangular bodied needle blanks. There is also disclosed a method of forming needle blanks from a length of needle stock having a longitudinal cavity therethrough and defining a longitudinal axis by forming at least two inner grooves in an inner surface of the length of needle stock and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, forming a number of outer grooves, equal to the number of inner grooves, in an outer surface of the length of needle stock and in substantial radial alignment with the at least two inner grooves to form a grooved length of needle stock and sectioning the grooved length of needle stock to form individual needle blanks.

A new machine for and method of manufacturing fluted pin fasteners and the pins produced thereby are disclosed which utilize a circular grinding arrangement of a plurality of grinders which grind flutes into a threaded pin. An internally threaded collar threads onto the pin. When the collar engages a surface of a work piece, resistance to further threading increases. When sufficient resistance to threading occurs, the driver deforms the lobes of the collar radially inward toward the axis of the collar. Material of the collar positioned internally from the lobes responds to deformation of the lobes and flows radially inward into the flutes of the pin to lock the collar, pin, and work piece together. The driver then rotates freely, and a joint has been made with a predetermined axial load thereby locking the component parts together. The apparatus grinding the flutes into the pins comprises a vibratory feed bowl loading threaded pins into a four station rotary drum assembly rotationally driven by a drive mechanism through a plurality of stations.

There is disclosed an apparatus for forming curved and rectangular bodied needle blanks from a length of needle stock which includes a generally cylindrical inner mandrel having a plurality of longitudinal channels formed in an outer surface thereof, the mandrel being dimensioned and configured for insertion within the length of needle stock. The apparatus also includes a plurality of broaches insertable into the longitudinal channels such that an edge of each broach projects radially outwardly of the mandrel to form a plurality of inner grooves on an inner surface of the length of needle stock. There is also provided structure for forming outer grooves in an outer surface of the length of the needle stock to form a substantially grooved length of needle stock, cutters for cutting the grooved length of needle stock to form rings of curved rectangular bodied needle blanks interconnected by web portions and structure for dividing the rings at the web portions to form a plurality of curved rectangular bodied needle blanks. There is also disclosed a method of forming needle blanks from a length of needle stock having a longitudinal cavity therethrough and defining a longitudinal axis by forming at least two inner grooves in an inner surface of the length of needle stock and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, forming a number of outer grooves, equal to the number of inner grooves, in an outer surface of the length of needle stock and in substantial radial alignment with the at least two inner grooves to form a grooved length of needle stock and sectioning the grooved length of needle stock to form individual needle blanks.

A method and an apparatus is disclosed for forming a one-piece introducer needle having a member portion and a needle portion by introducing a photoresist on a substrate. The temperature of the substrate is increased and then decreased. A photomask is deposited onto a substrate.

An apparatus for forming armed sutures has a swaging station for receiving, holding and swaging needles that are deposited therein. A linear motor drives a suture insertion gripper, which pulls suture from a supply reel and inserts a cut end thereof into a needle held in the swaging station. A ganged needle transfer assembly with a plurality of spaced needle gripper units carries needles along a line substantially at right angles to the suture line and transfers them to and from the swaging station and other needle processing stations. A precisor orients needles prior to placement in the swaging station and a pull test assembly tests armed sutures in both destructive and non-destructive modes. Both ends of the production line may be automated, e.g., by robots which load and offload needles prior to and after swaging, respectively. The apparatus is capable of forming double armed sutures by using a rotatable mount for the suture insertion gripper and a secondary, loop gripper. A suture transfer gripper extending up to the suture from a multi-tiered stack of slide tables. The suture transfer gripper cooperates with the suture insertion and loop grippers to hold the suture during cutting, insertion and transfer to the pull test apparatus and thereby protects the suture during processing.

Graphite and/or carbon surfaces are coated with a titanium nitride coating by exposing the substrate to electric arc thermal spray process wherein titanium wire as the source of titanium and nitrogen is used as the propelling (atomizing) gas.

An information handling system (IHS) employs a power fault protection circuit to protect the IHS from overvoltages which may occur on an information line from a power adapter to the IHS. The system includes a processor coupled to the protection circuit. The circuit is operative in a first mode to decouple an information line from the IHS in response to a disable command and operative in a second mode to decouple the information line from the IHS when a voltage in the information line exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage.

A railcar coupler knuckle includes a tail section, a hub section, and a nose section. The tail, hub, and nose sections define internal cavities including (i) a kidney cavity, (ii) a pivot pin cavity, and (ii) a finger cavity. The kidney and pivot pin cavities are formed using at least one internal core during manufacturing of the coupler knuckle. The finger cavity is formed from a finger section of cope and drag mold portions of a mold used during manufacturing of the coupler knuckle, wherein the finger section of the mold defines the entirety of the finger cavity of the coupler knuckle.

A railroad coupler knuckle includes a single, solid rib at a horizontal centerline of the knuckle that passes through a pivot pin hub thereof. The single, solid rib extends generally from a flag hole of a finger cavity of the knuckle to an opposite side of the knuckle from the flag hole. In another aspect, a railcar coupler knuckle includes a tail section, a hub section, and a nose section. The tail, hub, and nose sections define internal cavities including (i) a combined void that defines a pivot pin hub cavity and a kidney cavity and (ii) an isolated finger cavity. The combined void is formed using a first internal core during manufacturing of the coupler knuckle. The isolated finger cavity is formed using a second internal core during manufacturing of the coupler knuckle, such that molten alloy substantially separates the combined void and the isolated finger cavity.

Methods of reclaiming plastic from plastic medical waste containers containing medical waste and manufacturing recycled medical devices are described. Recycled medical devices made from plastic medical waste containers containing medical waste are also described.

Systems and methods of the invention generally relate to altering the functionality of a non-transient electronic device. A container holding an agent is located proximal to a non-transient electronic device capable of performing at least one function. The agent is capable of rendering the device incapable of performing the at least one function. The container is configured to controllably release the agent to the electronic device in a variety of passive and active eventualities.

A device for filtering liquids has a container, units for introducing a liquid to be filtered into the container, a container outlet for unfiltered liquid to be discharged from the container, and at least one rotor, which is drivable to rotate around the container axis. The rotor has a hollow shaft mounted in an end wall and a support device fastened thereon for filter elements, which are arranged with a clearance to the container axis or rotate around their own axis. The interior of the filter elements opens via the support device and the hollow shaft out of the container as the discharge for filtered liquid. To provide improved filtration conditions, the container internal radius of the inner wall of the container circumferential shell is enlarged up to a maximum in the container circumferential direction while bulging the inner wall between two minima. The bulge forms a guide unit which guides the liquid toward the filter elements.

A voltage regulator compensation circuit provides power to a dynamic load and includes a power transistor configured to drive the dynamic load, a reference determining transistor configured to establish a voltage reference proportional to a regulated output voltage of the power transistor, and a control circuit coupled to a gate input of both the power transistor and the reference determining transistor. Also included is a comparison engine configured to compare the regulated output voltage and the voltage reference, and a current consuming transistor operatively coupled to an output of the power transistor and configured to provide a varying secondary load. The comparison engine is configured to control the current consuming transistor to increase current draw or decrease current draw from the power transistor based on the difference between the regulated output voltage and the voltage reference.

A method for linearizing voltage transmission through a transformer including a magnetic core and, input and output windings. A measurement signal is supplied to the input winding at a first frequency and an output signal is measured at the output winding of the transformer, wherein the voltage of the measurement signal may be so low that the transformer operates in a non-linear region. The method includes, for a conditioning signal, selecting a second frequency different from the first frequency, defining an amplitude value of the conditioning signal and supplying the conditioning signal to the input winding at the second frequency with the defined amplitude value so that the transformer operates in its linear region.

There is provided a DC-DC converter which converts an input voltage into an output voltage for supply to a load, in which an input terminal receives the input voltage, an output terminal outputs the output voltage, power stages each includes: a high side switch, a low side switch and an inductor, the control unit executes a first mode and a second mode wherein the first mode controls the high side switch and the low side switch in each of the power stages so that a ratio of an output current in each of the power stages to a load current flowing through the load becomes a set value and the second mode controls the high side switch and the low side switch in each of the power stages so that duty ratios of the high side switch and the low side switch are equalized among the power stages.

A method and apparatus for lighting a flight deck on an aircraft. A status of the aircraft is identified by a processor unit. The processor unit controls the lighting on the flight deck in response to the status of the aircraft to indicate the status of the aircraft.

Fluid treatment systems and compositions are provided including (a) at least one material including (1) at least one carboxylic acid functional group and (2) at least one sulfur-containing group selected from the group consisting of sulfonyl functional groups, sulfonate functional groups and mixtures thereof; and (b) at least one friction reducing agent selected from the group consisting of guar gums, polyacrylamides, hydratable cellulosic materials, viscoelastic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. The fluid treatment systems and compositions can be used to treat aqueous systems, for example as fracturing fluids for use in fracturing subterranean formations. Methods for inhibiting formation and/or precipitation of metal oxides in an aqueous composition using the fluid treatment systems or compositions also are provided.

Methods of treating a wellbore in a subterranean formation including providing an oil-external treatment fluid, wherein the oil-external treatment fluid is a 3D-network comprising a chemical interaction between a hydrocarbon fluid, an aqueous fluid, and a surface modification agent; providing proppant particulates; suspending the proppant particulates in the oil-external treatment fluid; and introducing the oil-external treatment fluid comprising the proppant particulates into the wellbore in the subterranean formation.

A method of forming a plug in a wellbore includes disposing a work string in a wellbore. The work string includes a first tool comprising a port providing fluid communication between an interior space of the first tool to an exterior space to permit placement of a plug in a wellbore. The method includes introducing a first fluid volume via the work string to form a plug in the wellbore, and includes load testing the plug at least in part by applying an axial force on the plug with the work string to determine that the plug is set.

The invention relates to a three-armed pivot system, the two upper pivot arms having a V shape and representing part of a parallelogram, and the lower arm being a single, centrally situated pivot arm which represents the second part of the parallelogram. The active cylinder is assisted by a gas spring, and a personal protection safety net covers the gap between the vehicle and the platform, which may optionally be horizontally displaced. The active cylinder has a lift sensor which is connected to the controller, and the offset positioning of the active cylinder with respect to the bracket and of the fastening point to the pivot arm or support produces an improved lifting force.

Keratinous fiber treatment formulations and methods of providing a long lasting set in keratinous fibers such as hair by applying a polymer system to the hair which provides a stable set to the hair which will last at least until the hair is thoroughly washed. The set is made more permanent by incorporating a reducing agent such as L-cysteine into the polymer system and allowing the system to air oxidize over time or optionally applying a second chemical oxidizing system to the treated hair which will accelerate the oxidation process and the setting rate of the hair.

The disclosed invention relates to the use of molybdenum (VI) peroxo complex containing an amino acid, such as MoO(O2)2(GLY)(H2O), in marking applications, as well as to ink formulations comprising such complexes.

A method of forming an opaque layer includes forming a first layer by discharging droplets of an ink composition containing a metallic pigment on a record medium by an ink-jet recording process and forming a second layer by discharging droplets of an ink composition containing a white pigment on the record medium by an ink-jet recording process. The opaque layer is formed on the record medium on the side where the first layer and the second layer are formed in a region where the first layer and the second layer overlap each other.

A coil spring forming apparatus including a core bar 2 which rotates around an axis thereof and on which a wire material W fed from a wire material-feeding means is wound; a clamping portion 22 which rotates integrally with the core bar 2 and grips an end of the wire material W on the core bar 2; and first guide rollers 30 and second guide rollers 40 for guiding the wire material W onto the core bar 2; wherein the first guide rollers 30 and the second guide rollers 40 are provided so as to move independently from each other in parallel with the axis of the core bar 2, and a coil spring formed by the above coil spring forming apparatus.

The present invention is a method and apparatus for forming wire loops using wire looping pliers. In one embodiment of the invention, the pair of wire pliers having a cylindrical jaw and a recessed jaw for accepting the cylindrical jaw allows the user of the tool to make symmetrical wire loops on a consistent basis. Additionally, the width of the recessed jaw can be set such that the user can use the recessed jaw to measure the distance from a particular point where the neck of the wire loop should be broken. The recessed surface of the recessed jaw and the cylindrical jaw mate together in such a manner as to provide uniform pressure around a significant portion of the loop so as to prevent marring of the surface of the wire.

An apparatus and method for forming a single strand wire with improved flexibility and a stranded cable from a single strand wire. In one embodiment, the flexible single strand wire has a solid, single strand wire body and at least one helical groove formed on an outer circumferential surface of the wire body. The stranded cable includes a plurality of strands. In one embodiment, one of the strands has a planar surface that extends along a longitudinal axis of the cable body.

In a bead wire winding and forming device, a guide mechanism guiding a bead wire to a former is supported to be movable in a tangential direction of the former and includes a movable body capable of clamping and unclamping the bead wire, a guide body supported on the movable body to be swingable in a plane parallel to a rotational axis of the former and having a guide portion for guiding the bead wire in the tangential direction of the former, and a restriction member for allowing the swing motion of the guide body when the movable body is at a retracted position but for restricting the swing motion of the guide body when the movable body is at an advanced position.

A method and an apparatus for handling and/or servicing components of a wind turbine, such as installing and/or dismantling components into or from a wind turbine nacelle or such as servicing exterior components such as blades, hub, tower and nacelle of the wind turbine are disclosed. The gripping apparatus comprising at least one arm for gripping around the wind turbine tower, the at least one arm capable of forming a gap between gripping elements of the gripping apparatus. The at least one arm extends around the entire outer circumference, seen perpendicular to a horizontal plane, of the wind turbine tower.

A valve box platform is disclosed. The valve box platform may include a peripheral wall having a receiving surface for receiving a valve box. A first recess may be positioned within the peripheral wall. The first recess may include a knockout portion selectively disclosed therein. The peripheral wall may also include a U-shaped recess having a rounded receiving portion with the U-shaped recess being aligned with the first recess.

A medical balloon with a variable diameter that is reinforced with continuous fibers woven to form a fabric with a varying number of layers and fiber densities. Portions of the balloon having a relatively smaller diameter are reinforced with a fabric having a reduced fiber density and an increased number of layers to facilitate the placement of the layers. The fabric also includes a braiding pattern that facilitates the transition from a single layer fabric to a multiple layer fabric. Also described is a manufacturing method for the braiding and layering.

A three-dimensional preform, composite components formed with the preform, and processes for producing the preform and composite materials. The three-dimensional preform includes first and second sets of tows containing filaments. Each tow of the first set has a predetermined polygonal cross-sectional shape and is embedded within a temporary matrix. The preform is fabricated from the first and second sets of tows, in which the second set of tows are transverse to the first set of tows, adjacent tows of the second set are spaced apart to define interstitial regions therebetween, and the polygonal cross-sectional shapes of the first set of tows are substantially congruent to the cross-sectional shapes of the interstitial regions so as to substantially fill the interstitial regions.

An exhaust connection coupler and a method for manufacturing a braid cover incorporated therein are provided. The method of manufacturing comprises the steps of providing a tubular sleeve formed of braided wire filaments and forming at least one end of the sleeve into shape using a forming die such that the at least one end of the cover includes a circumferential neck portion having a diameter smaller than the diameter of a body portion of the cover. In the method, the sleeve may be pressed between male and female forming dies in order to create the cover's desired shape, which can include a shoulder extending radially outwardly from the cover's neck portion and meeting the cover's body portion at a corner.

A method of manufacturing a corrugated preform that allows a fiber volume fraction and an orientation angle to be substantially the same at a concave portion and at a convex portion when the corrugated preform is manufactured based on a braiding process. The method includes braiding a composite material corresponding to an outer diameter of a cylindrical cylinder shape, braiding the composite material by connecting a plurality of separate composite materials to one side of the braided composite material, and braiding the composite material to one side of the separate composite material corresponding to the outer diameter of the cylindrical cylinder shape.

The invention relates to an apparatus and method which allows information representing a state or condition or an action to be performed as part of a control system to be present to one or more users. The information is selected and generated in a manner which removes or at least reduces the risk of potentially catastrophic error occurring which would be possible if, for example, the information is corrupt or lost during subsequent transmission, remote processing and/or displaying. One such use of the apparatus and method of the invention is in relation to transport vehicles and the control of the movement of said vehicles along predefined geographical paths.

A dynamic concrete form includes a sleeve defining a passage extending between first and second open ends. A first attachment feature extends outwardly in a first direction from the sleeve at the first open end and a second attachment feature extends outwardly in a second direction that is opposite the first direction at the second open end. In a first position, the passage has a first axial length, the first open end lies in a first plane, and the second open end lies in a second plane. In a second position, the passage has a second axial length that is greater than the first axial length, the first open end lies in the first plane or a first new plane that is parallel to the first plane, and the second open end lies in the second plane or a second new plane that is parallel to the second plane.

An insulated concrete form including of first and second spaced sidewalls forming a cavity therebetween, said sidewalls having an inside surface and interconnected by a plurality of form ties, and a form insert made of an insulative material positioned adjacent the inside surface of at least one sidewall which thereby increases the R-value of the resulting structure.

The present invention is directed to a flexible concrete form system having both flexible and rigid parts that are easily assembled and disassembled using a multi-contact point connection system. The concrete form system can be extended or stacked in a wide variety of configurations to accommodate almost any desired concrete shape.

A slab formwork system (100), consisting of a plurality of vertical supports supporting a plurality of panels is provided characterized in that the slab formwork system (100) includes a plurality of vertical main members (101,102,103) whose height is adjustable by an operator such that each top of the vertical main member (101,102,103) is at the same level when referenced from an imaginary lower horizontal line, at least one primary bearer (301), wherein the primary bearer (301) is supported by the plurality of vertical main members (101,102,103) wherein each vertical main member (101,102,103) is perpendicular to each primary bearer (301), a pair of adjustable struts (246) in each vertical main member (101,102,103), wherein each adjustable strut (246) is diagonally connectable to the vertical main member (101,102,103) and the primary bearer (301), a plurality of height adjustable props (502) connectable perpendicularly to at least one filler panel (410), a plurality of secondary bearers (303) wherein the secondary bearers (303) are disposed perpendicular on top of the primary bearers (301), a longitudinally extendable element (315) connectable to terminal end of the primary bearer (301) supported by a plurality of vertical main members (103) and a plurality of panels (407) assembled on top of the secondary bearers (303) to receive concrete wherein each filler panel (410) is disposed between at least two panels (407).