A novelty device forms from a cube-shaped container in which a gift may be disposed. The container includes opposite walls (4b,4d) extending upwardly so as to define respective tabs (8,9) each of which is folded back on itself to define tab parts (8a, 8b and 9a, 9b). A snap is connected between the tabs (8, 9) and extends within the container. In use, an operator grasps tabs (8, 9) and urges them apart. In doing so, the container opens to reveal the gift and the snap emits a sharp, explosive sou...

An internal device contained in an electronic device includes a housing, a part of which has a step portion; and a fan provided in a vicinity of the step portion, so that a space is provided as a pathway for an air flow generated by the fan, a part of the space having a boundary defined by the step portion of the housing when the internal device is positioned in the electronic device.

Plasma apparatus comprises a vacuum vessel, a device for creating an open-ended magnetic field containing a plasma, a plurality of electrostatic plugs disposed at the open-ended portions of the magnetic field. At least one of the electrostatic plugs comprises a limiter attached to the vacuum vessel, provided with an inner hollow portion and arranged so as to confine the plasma, an anode electrode disposed at the open-ended portion and provided with an inner hollow portion extending along a direc...

A valve device is provided for use in a pressurized hydraulic fluid path, for example the hydraulic path of a hydraulic leg of a mine roof support which is required to yield under two different sets of conditions. The valve device has a port 15 for connection to the pressurized hydraulic fluid path, a bleed valve 25 being arranged to permit hydraulic fluid to bleed from the path at a first rate when the pressure in the path exceeds the first limit, for example to permit the hydraulic leg to coll...

A lifting device for animals, such as downer cows, has an inflatable bag (1) on a stabilizing frame (2). When inflated, the bag has a valley (4), accentuated at one end, for the cow's belly and udder. A harness (3) is provided for strapping the cow to the bag. A cow can be rolled on to the deflated bag and strapped on, and as inflation proceeds she is raised up straddling the bag. This ultimately takes her entire weight while circulation is restored. The bag may be compartmented so that inflatio...

The invention provides a new orthodontic device for use with the arch wire that is employed in an orthodontic procedure to connect together the orthodontic brackets attached to the teeth. The device comprises a core member having an axial bore to permit it to be threaded onto the wire, the external face of the core member being frustro-conical. The core member is pressed axially into a cylindrical sleeve having a tapered inner face complementary to the core frustro-conical outer face, and the co...

A fixing device, such as an anchor or cavity wall tie, employs a deformable (radially expandible) sleeve element (6) to lock an end of a rod (1) in a bore (12) of a wall or like structure (11). Radial expansion may be achieved by axially compressing the sleeve element between a stop member (2) and an internally threaded member 9 arranged on a threaded portion (5) of the rod (1). The sleeve includes a rib (10), projecting from its radially outermost circumferential surface, which provides an inte...

A smoking device is disclosed which allows the user to regulate the air he inhales to consist of pure tobacco smoke, pure air, pure air carrying volatile substances, or a mixture of tobacco smoke and air carrying volatile substances. This is accomplished by a smoking device having three air passages and means to selectively open and close these passages.

A fluidic diverter comprising a housing forming a chamber having an inlet at one end and two diverging outlets at the opposite end. An asymmetric configuration is produced within the chamber by axially spaced steps in opposing walls of the chamber and a single control port communicates with the chamber at a position associated with the step adjacent the inlet. In use and in the absence of a control at the control port, flow will emerge through the outlet at the side of the chamber associated wit...

A pair of rotating flywheels which engage a ram for moving a tool which impacts a part, such as a nail to be driven, are rotated in opposite directions from a single motor or other rotating means, through a pair of substantially identical gears, one of which drives one flywheel and the other of which drives the other flywheel. The drive connection between the respective gears and each of the flywheels may include a belt and pulley arrangement, so that each flywheel may be driven directly by the ...