EXPANSIBLE SLEEVE FOR FACILITATING THE INSTALLATION OF WALL-HUNG OBJECTS, KIT COMPRISING SAID SLEEVE AND RELATED METHOD - ALDERO INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES S.R.L.
A kit is disclosed for installing bathroom fixtures or other objects to be hung to a wall. The kit comprises a sleeve (1) having a first element (1a) with a through axial cavity (101) and a second element (1 b) that can coaxially engage the first element (1a). A screw coupling (107, 117) is also provided between the first element (1a) and the second element ( 1b), with a first thread ( 107) at a first end of the first element ( 1a) and a second thread ( 117) on the second element (1b), that can engage the first thread ( 107). The screw coupling is so configured that when the first thread (107) and the second thread (117) engage each other, the reciprocal rotation between the first element (1a) and the second element (1b) causes a change in the axial length of the sleeve (1). The second element (1 b) of the sleeve (1) comprises a connection means (123) so configured and arranged to be engaged by means of a maneuvering tool (125) through the through axial cavity (101).
wherei n the second element (1 b) of the sleeve (1) comprises a connection means (123) so configured and arranged to be engaged by means of a maneuvering tool (125) through the through axial cavity (101), to rotate the second element (1 b) with respect to the first element (1 a) so as to cause ad adjustment in the axial length of the sleeve (1).
2. T he kit of claim 1, wherein the first thread (107) is a female thread and the second thread (117) is a male thread, and wherein the female thread (107) is provided in an inner surface of the through axial cavity (101) of the first el ement (1a) of the sleeve (1).
3. T he kit of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first element (1 a) of the sleeve (1) comprises a first hollow body (103) and a second hollow body (105) integral and substantially coaxial with each other. 4. T he kit of claim 3, wherein the first thread (107) is provided on the second hollow body (105) of the first element (1 a) of the sleeve (1), projecting from an end ( 106) of the f i rst hoi I ow body ( 103) .
5. T he kit of clai m 3, wherei n f i rst thread ( 107) is a male thread and the second thread (117) is a female thread, and wherein the first thread (107) is provided on the second hollow body (105) of the fi rst el ement (1 a) of the sleeve (1).
6. T he kit of one or more of the previous claims, wherein the second element (l b) of the sleeve (1) has a body with a threaded collar (115; 124) and a wall (121) transverse to the collar, the wall forming the connection means (123) for engagi ng the maneuveri ng tool ( 125) . 7. T he kit of one or more of the previous claims, further comprising an anchoring pin (131 ) that can be inserted into said through axial cavity (101) of the sleeve (1), the anchoring pin (131) being insertable into the through axial cavity (103) from and end of the f i rst el ement ( 1 a) opposite to the second el ement (1 b).
8. T he kit of one or more of the previous claims, wherein the first element (l a) of the sleeve (1) comprises a substantially radial through hole (111), and a constrai nt member ( 113) i nsertabl e i nto sai d through hoi e ( 111 ) .
9. T he kit of claim 8, wherein the constraint member (113) comprises a screw, and wherei n the through hole (111) is threaded to engage said screw (113).
10. T he kit of claim 8 or 9, wherein the anchoring pin (131) comprises a flaring (131 A) elongated according to an axial direction of the anchoring pin (131) and of the sleeve (1), co-acti ng with the constraint member (113), to generate on the anchori ng pi n ( 131 ) a tracti on force by i nserti ng the constrai nt member ( 1 13) i nto the through hole (111).
11. T he kit of one or more of the previous claims, wherein the first element (1 a) comprises a centering ring (109) substantially coaxial with the through axial cavity (101 ) and provided on an end surface opposite with respect to the second element (1 b).
12. T he kit of one or more of the previous claims, further comprising a maneuvering tool (125). 13. System comprising an object to be hung (WC), in particular a bathroom fixture, and at least one kit of one or more of the previous claims.
- generati ng a tracti on force on the anchori ng pi n i n order to press the object to be hung agai nst the beari ng structure.
16. T he method of claim 15, wherein the step of generating a traction force on the anchori ng pi n comprises the step of i nserti ng a constrai nt member through a substantially radial hole of the si eeve, said constraint member co-acting with a flaring provided in the anchoring pin and extending according to the axial direction of the anchoring pin, a radial thrust of the constraint member generating a thrust onto the object to be hung in axial direction with respect to the anchoring pin and against the beari ng structure.
- adapted to moveforward relatively with respect to said first el ement under the action of the maneuvering wrench.
18. T he expansible sleeve of claim 17, characterized by being installed in a niche with the centering ring facing a hole provided on the bathroom fixture so as to ensure coaxial ity between hole and sleeve.
19. T he expansible sleeve of claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the dimension of said sleeve, when the second element is completely screwed to the first element, is lower than the length of the niche.
20. T he expansible sleeve of claim 17, 18 or 19, characterized in that the dimension of said sleeve, when the second element is completely unscrewed with respect to the first el ement, is greater than the length of the niche. 21. T he expansible sleeve of one or more of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the surfaces of the sleeve, when touch the two opposite sides of the niche generating interference between the parts, ensure the immobility of said sleeve with respect to the bathroom fixture following the application of the maneuver! ng wrench.
E xpansible sleeve for facilitating the installation of wall-hung obj ects, kit comprising said sleeve and related method.
TE CH NICA L FIE L D [0001 ] T he present i nventi on rel ates to systems for f ixi ng obj ects that shal I be hung to beari ng structures, for i nstance to a wal I, i n particular systems for fixi ng wal l-hung bathroom fixtures. More specifically, embodiments disclosed herein relate to kits comprising a sleeve to be positioned before mounting the bathroom fixture and able to adapt to the di mension of a niche provided i n the bathroom fixture.  T he invention also relates to a method for mounting wall-hung bathroom fixtures or other objects to be hung to a bearing structure.
 For wal I -mounti ng of wall-hung bathroom fixtures, specific brackets shall be positioned i n the wal I, which are designed accordi ng to U NI standards and are requi red for positioning and anchoring the bathroom fixtures. The brackets end with threaded bars, allowing interaction with the various fixing systems.
 T he fixi ng systems are constituted by several modul ar el ements.
 One of these elements is a pin made of steel, which shall be applied to the threaded bars mentioned above. Once this connection has been done, the bathroom fixture can be anchored by means of the fixing system. E P2857604 A 1, DE 202009014171 U1, DE 201310112005 A 1, E P1338711 A 1, E P2847393 A 1 descri be various fixi ng systems.
 For the anchoring, the fi rst thing to do is to position a system element in a specific area of the bathroom fixture and then to make it interact with a pin made of steel.
 T his system element is a sort of plastic sleeve, the i nner diameter whereof is al most equal to the diameter of the steel pi n. T his positioni ng procedure is done before the mounting, as these operations are typically characterized by low or nul l visibility. The operator shall therefore be sure that all the elements are positioned in the right way in the specific areas, so as to perform this operation.
 T he area of the bathroom fixture where the plastic sleeve shall be positioned is constituted by a niche, whose shape is not standardized. The niche is accessible from the bottom and is in communication with the anchoring wall through a hole. The steel pi n passes through this hoi e so as to i nteract with the rest of the f ixi ng system.
 T he plastic sleeve shall therefore remain in a fixed position inside the niche, against the action of gravity so that the hole of the niche and the hole of the sleeve are coaxial with each other.  T his need is satisfied, according to the prior art, through different methods, disclosed in the above-mentioned documents.
 E P2857604 discloses a system comprising a sleeve, on the upper surface of which plastic brushes or, alternatively, a spongy pad are provided, so that the height of the overall element is greater than the length of the niche. The brushes allow positioning the sleeve inside the niche through interference, so that the sleeve remains in the position chosen by the operator. Obviously, i n order to operate, this system shall contrast two wal Is of the niche. T his known system has some disadvantages as, duri ng the storing step, damages can occurto the plastic/spongy elements. T his drawback can result i n problems duri ng the mounti ng step, as the system does not ensure i nterference between sleeve and walls of the niche.
 DE 202009014171 discloses a fixing system comprising a sleeve and an innovative element shaped like a hollow truncated cone. A n end of the element shaped like a hollow truncated cone is constituted by an enlargement so that the diameter thereof is slightly greater than the greater diameter of the truncated cone. T he other end is constituted by a thread whose nominal diameter is equal to the lower diameter of the truncated cone. T he sleeve has a corresponding thread allowing the coupling between truncated-conical element and sleeve. Once the sleeve has been positioned inside the niche of the bathroom fixture to be wall-hung, from the side of the rear surface of the bathroom fixture, the truncated cone is inserted into the hole in communication with the niche so that the two elements can be coupled. T he end part with the enlargement has a diameter greater than the diameter of the hole and it will be therefore possible to realize an integral fixed coupling in correspondence of the hole.
 DE 201310112005 discloses a fixing system constituted by sleeve and truncated cone. T he difference with respect to the system descri bed above is only the different method for coupling the sleeve and the truncated cone, as in this case it uses a toothi ng.
 E P1338711 A 1 discloses a system where, on an end of the sleeve, positioning wings are provided whose length is equal to the length of the hole provided on the bathroom fixture in question, the wings are made of a deformable plastic. The sleeve is positioned i n the niche and the operator shal I deform these elements so that they can be i nserted i nto the hoi e. W hen not deformed, the wi ngs do not al I ow the i nserti on i nto the hole, as, if we imagine a circle circumscri bed to the wings, it has a greater diameter than the diameter of the hole. A small projection is provided on the end of each wing. The projections allows gripping the rear surface of the bathroom fixture. Installation difficulties will occur when the small dimensions of the niche do not allow the insertion of the positioning wings inside the hole. Further problems can occur in case the length of the hole is lower than the length of the positioning wings: in this case the system will be poor and does not ensure immobility between sleeve and bathroom fixture.  E P2847393 A 1 discloses a fixing system providi ng for accessing the niche for positioning the sleeve from the rear surface of the bathroom fixture. On the sleeve, projections are provided, and the hole allowing accessing the niche has such a shape to allow the entrance of this latter. Once the sleeve has been inserted inside the niche and by rotating it by a given angle, it will grip the adjacent areas of the bathroom fixture. The relative position of the sleeve with respect to the hole, in the instant f ol I owi ng the rotati on, prevents the removal thereof. T his system requi res, to al I ow an adequate positioning, small tolerances for realizing the niche.
 It is necessary to realize a system for mounting bathroom fixtures or other wall-hung objects, which overcome, completely or at least partially, the prior art drawbacks.
 In particular, it will be useful to have available a mounting system provided with a sleeve that can be adapted efficiently to different shapes and/or dimensions of the mounting seats or niches provided inside the object to be hung.
 Itwould be also useful to have avail able a mounting system that can be easily removed from the wall-hung object. It would be also useful to have available a fixing system wherein the sleeve does not require anchoring elements projecting from the rear surface of the object to be hung.
 According to a first aspect, a kitfor mounting wall-hung objects, in particular wall-hung bathroom fixtures, is described comprising an expansible sleeve. The expansible sleeve comprises a first element with a through axial cavity and a second el ement that can coaxi ally engage the f i rst el ement. T he f i rst el ement and the second element can be connected together by means of a screw coupling having a first thread at a fi rst end of the fi rst element and a second thread on the second element. T he two threads can be mutually engaged and the screw coupli ng is so configured that, when the first thread and the second thread engage each other, the reciprocal rotation between the first element and the second element causes a change in the axial length of the sleeve. T his allows adapting the sleeve to the variable sizes of a seat or niche housi ng the si eeve, provi ded i n the obj ect to be hung. T he second el ement of the si eeve comprises a connection means configured and arranged to be engaged by means of a maneuvering tool through the through axial cavity of the first element of the sleeve. Through the maneuvering tool, the second element can be rotated with respect to the fi rst element so as to cause an adjustment i n the axial length of the sleeve.
 In some embodiments, the kit also comprises an anchoring pin, which can be introduced into the through axial cavity of the sleeve. T he anchoring pin can be introduced into the through axial cavity from an end of the first element opposite to the second element.
 In some embodiments, the first element of the sleeve comprises a substantially radial through hole, i.e. transverse with respect to the through axial cavity, and a constraint member, for example a screw, that can be inserted in said through hole. The through hole is advantageouslythreaded to allowscrewingthescrew to the sleeve. The screw, or other suitable constraint member, can be introduced into the sleeve through the radial hole until it projects in the through axial cavity of the sleeve. In this way, during mounting the constraint member can co-act with an anchoring pin introduced into the axial cavity of the sleeve and generate a thrust resulting in the object to be hung resting by pressure against the bearing structure. To this end, the anchoring pin may comprise a flari ng elongated according to an axial direction of the anchoring pin and of the sleeve. T he constraint member co-acts with an inclined surface of the flaring to generate a traction force onto the anchoring pin.
 According to a further aspect, the invention also provides for a system comprising an object to be hung, in particular a bathroom fixture, and at least a kit as descri bed above. T he kit may comprise a si ngle sleeve, or more sleeves, for example two sleeves, with respective elements associated thereto.
through said maneuvering tool, rotating the second element of the sleeve with respect to the f i rst el ement of the sleeve, so as axi al ly to el ongate the si eeve up to I ock it i n the niche by interference.
Fig.16 is an axonometric view analogous to that of Fig.1, with the maneuver! ng tool i nserted i nto the sleeve.
 A fi rst embodi ment of a kit comprisi ng a sleeve for mounti ng a hung object, especially a wall-hung bathroom fixture (a bidet or a WC) is shown in Figs.1 to 5. Figs. 6A-6I show the operations for mounti ng a bathroom fixture by usi ng the kit comprisi ng the sleeve of Figs.1 to 5. Figs.6A-6I also illustrate the modes of using the mounting kits comprising the sleeves according to the other embodiments described below with reference to F i gs. 7 to 16.
 With initial reference to Figs. 1 to 5, a kit is provided for mounting a wall- hung bathroom fixture, the kit comprising an expansible sleeve 1. T he sleeve 1 comprises a first element 1 a and a second element 1 b. In the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, the first element 1 a has a through axial cavity 101 extending from one to the other of two axial ly opposite ends of the element 1 a.
 In some embodi ments, the f i rst el ement 1 a compri ses a f i rst hoi I ow body 103 and a second hollow body 105 that are substantially coaxial with each other, i.e. having a common longitudinal axis A-A. The two hollow bodies 103 and 105 can be made in a single piece, for example made of molded plastic. However, other materials can be also used, for instance metals. T he two hollow bodies 103, 105 may be realized also as separate components, subsequently assembled together.
 T he through axial cavity 101 extends through both the hollow bodies 103, 105 and can have a substantially constant diameter, i.e. a diameter equal in both the hollow bodies 103, 105. In practical embodiments, the first hollow body 103 has two end surfaces 104 and 106. T he second hoi I ow body 105 extends i n axi al di recti on from the end surface 106.
 On the end surface 104 of the first hollow body 105, opposite to the end surface 106 from which the second body 105 extends, an annular projection, or ring, 109 is provided, which is substantially coaxial with the through axial cavity 101 for the purposes detai I ed bel ow.
 In some embodiments, the through axial cavity 101 is at least partially threaded. Reference 107 indicates the female thread provided on part of the longitudinal extension of the through axial cavity 101. In the illustrated embodiment, the female thread 107 extends from a distal end (i .e. opposite to the hoi I ow body 103) of the hollow body 105, for a given depth inside the through axial cavity 101, for i nstance up to i nsi de the f i rst hoi I ow body 103.  In the embodi ment i 11 ustrated i n F igs. 1 to 5, the second hoi low body 105 has a substantially cylindrical outer shape, the diameter whereof is preferably smaller than the maxi mum transverse di mensi on of the f i rst hoi I ow body 103.
 In the embodi ment i 11 ustrated i n F igs. 1 to 5 the f i rst hoi I ow body 103 has a generally cylindrical outer surface, or a surface that can be enveloped in a cylindrical surface, the diameter whereof is greater than the outer diameter of the second body 105.
 It is also possible to provide the side outer surfaces of the hollow bodies 103, 105 with a different shape, for example giving to one or the other hollow bodies a prismatic shape.
 In the embodiment il lustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 the first element 1 a of the sleeve 1 also has a transverse hole 111 (Fig.3) that is preferably approximately orthogonal to the axis A-A of the sleeve 1. The transverse hole 111 can be threaded in order to engage a constraint member, for example a screw 113. The screw 113 is preferably a headless screw.
 T he second element 1 b of the sleeve is shown in detail in Figs. 1 and 2. T he second element 1 b may have an outer cylindrical shape, even if this is not necessary in this embodi ment. T he outer diameter of the second element 1 b of the sleeve 1 , if of cylindrical shape, may be substantially equal to the outer diameter of the first element 1 a, but also this feature is not mandatory.
 T he second el ement 1 b of the si eeve 1 has a porti on 115 f ormi ng a mal e thread 117. For example, the second element 1 b may have an outer mantle 119, extending around an axis A-A that (when the si eeve 1 is assembled, as in Figs. 4 and 5) coincides with the longitudi nal axis A-A of the first element 1 a of the sleeve 1. T he portion 115 may be i n the form of a cylindrical collar inside the outer mantle 119 and coaxial with the axis A-A, and therefore with the outer mantle 119. T he male thread 117 can be provi ded on the outer surface of the collar f ormi ng the porti on 115. T he col I ar 115 and the preferably cyli ndrical outer mantle 119 extend from a transverse wall 121 that is preferably orthogonal to the axis A-A.
 T he second element 1 b of the sleeve 1 has a connection means so as to be engaged by a maneuveri ng tool, generically indicated with number 125 in Figs. 4 and 5, for the purposes that will be detailed with reference to the sequence of Figs. 6A-6I. The connection means may be a slot or a notch provided i n the transverse wall 121 of the second element 1 a of the sleeve.  In the illustrated embodi ment the connection means, indicated with 123, is formed by a cross-shaped notch, i.e. by two cuts approximately orthogonal to each other. Even if in the illustrated example the cross-shaped notch 123 extends through the whole thickness of the wall 121, however this is not necessary. However, this is the preferred conf igurati on as, the thickness of the transverse wal 1 121 bei ng the same, a larger contact surface between the maneuveri ng tool 125 and the element 1 b of the sleeve 1 and therefore a better transmission of torque between maneuvering tool 125 and element 1 b can be obtai ned.
 Moreover, even if it is possible to use a notch with a simpler shape, for example a rectili near notch, instead of a cross-shaped notch, this latter contributes to i ncrease the contact surface with the maneuveri ng tool 125 and therefore to i ncrease the torque that can be transmitted by the maneuvering tool 125 to the element 1 b of the sleeve 1, thus reducing the risk of deformations of the element 1 b. T he maneuvering tool 125 has a head 127, the shape whereof is complementary to the notch 123 and which is adapted to couple torsional ly to the element 1 b of the sleeve 1 , i n the illustrated example a cross-shaped head 127.
 T he sleeve 1, the screw 113 and, in case, the tool 125 may be part of a mounting kit that can also comprise an anchoring pin for wal I -anchoring, the shape and function whereof (in combination with the sleeve 1) are described below with reference to Figs. 6A-6I. In Fig. 6A-6I the anchoring pin is indicated with 131.  in Figs. 6A-6I the operations are shown for mounting a toilet WC on a wall P by usi ng two kits, each of which comprises a sleeve 1 , a screw 113 and a pi n 131. T he same operations may be performed for mounting other objects to be hung using the same mounting kit.
 Fig.6A shows a flash pipe 141, feeding water from a tank, not shown, and a discharge pipe 143 projecting from a wall P onto which the toilet WC shall be mounted. To fix the toilet WC to the wall P two threaded bars 145 are provided, anchored to the wall, for example integral with a bracket (not visible) arranged below the coveri ng of the wal I P, i n a way known by those ski 11 ed i n the art. Two anchori ng pins 131 are screwed on the two threaded bars 145 previously cut to-measure. In Fig.6A one of the two anchoring pins 131 has been already screwed on the respective threaded bar 145, whilst the other one shall be mounted. To this end, the anchoring pins 131 have a threaded blind axial hole engaging, in screw-like fashion, the respective threaded bar 145. In Fig. 6F both the anchoring pins 131 are screwed on the respective threaded bars 145.
 As shown in Figs. 6A, 6F, near the end opposite to the end that (in mounted arrangement) faces the wall P and where the respective threaded bar 145 is screwed, each anchoring pin 131 has an elongated flaring 131 A, extending in the direction of the axial extension of the respective anchoring pi n 131. T he screw 113 co-acts with the el ongated f I ari ng 131 in the ways and for the purposes descri bed bel ow.
 T he operations for mounting the toi let WC to thewall P comprise, in addition to screwing the anchoring pins 131 on the threaded bars 145, the mounting of two sleeves 1 on thetoiletWC and more in particular in two respective niches 151 provided i n the materi al of the toi I et WC . T he ni ches 151 are accessi bl e from the outsi de of the toiletWC, for example they can be opened downwards, when the toiletWC is fixed to the wall P, so as not to be visible. Each niche 151 is delimited by a first wall 153 and by a second wal 1 155. E ach fi rst wal 1 153 may have a through openi ng 157, preferably shaped like a hole with circular cross-section, accessible from the outside of the toilet WC and ending in the niche 151. The outer surface 153A of the first wall 153 is intended to rest against the wal I P where the toilet WC shall be mounted.
 Figs. 6A, 6B, 6C show the steps of inserting and stopping a sleeve 1 in each niche 151 of the toilet WC. To this end, the toilet WC may be rotated with the mouth thereof facing downwards, so as to make the niches 151 easily accessible by the operator. E ach sleeve 1 is inserted in the respective niche 151 with the axis A-A substantially orthogonal to the walls 153, 155, i.e. so that the axis A-A is parallel to the axis of the opening 157. T he ring 109 facilitates aligning the sleeve 1 with the hole or openi ng 157.
 To allow inserti ng the sleeve 1 into the niche 151, the elements 1 a and 1 b are completely screwed together, so as to reduce the overall axial dimension of the sleeve 1, or they are screwed to an extent sufficient to have a dimension of the sleeve 1 in direction of the axis A-A smaller than the distance between the opposite surfaces of the walls 153 and 155.  Once the sleeve 1 has been positioned in the niche 151 so that the through axial cavity 101 thereof is aligned with the opening 157, the operator can insert the maneuvering tool 125 through the openi ng 157 and inside the through axial cavity 101 up to engage the element 1 b of the sleeve 1 with the head 127 of the maneuveri ng tool 125. By rotating the element 1 b of the sleeve 1 with respect to the element 1 a in the direction of reciprocal unscrewing, the axial dimension of the sleeve 1 is increased until the sleeve 1 is locked in the niche 151.
 T his operation is performed for each of the sleeves 1 i nserted i n the two niches 151 of the toi let WC.
 E ach sleeve 1 may be suitably oriented around the axis A-A thereof before being locked in the niche 151 so that the hole 111 thereof is aligned with a through hole 159 provided in the side wall of the toilet WC. This orientation allows inserting from the outside of the toilet WC the screw 113 into the threaded hole 111 for the purposes explained below.
 When both the sleeves 1 have been fixed in the niche 151 the toilet WC can be anchored to the wall P. As shown in Fig.6F, the toilet WC is rotated and brought to the position of use. T he correctly oriented toilet WC is moved towards the wall P by aligning the openings 157 with the anchoring pins 131 previously screwed on the threaded bars 145. T he pins are so rotated as to arrange the elongated flarings 131A directed opposite to each other. In Fig.6G an enlargement is shown of the sleeve 1 with the screw 113 partially screwed in the transverse hole 111 of the sleeve.
 By moving the toilet WC towards the wall P, the anchoring pins 131 are inserted through the opening 157 and enter the through axial cavities 101 of the sleeves 1, as shown in Fig. 6H. Advantageously, the axial dimension of the pins 131 and/or the position thereof on the threaded bars 145 are so selected that the elongated flarings 131 A are approxi mately i n correspondence of the side holes 159 when the toi let WC is moved towards the wal I P.  At this point, by screwi ng the screws 113 into the threaded holes 111 by means of a wrench inserted through the holes 159, a thrust of the tips of the screws 113 is generated on the i nclined parts of the flarings 131 A. In the enlargement of Fig. 61 the screw 113 has been screwed inside the hole 111 with respect to the position shown in Fig. 6G. T hanks to the inclination of theflarings 131 A the thrust of the screw 113 transforms into a traction force onto the respective pins 131 and therefore in a thrust of the toilet WC agai nst the wal I P, as known to those skilled in the art.
 It is clearly apparent that with the above descri bed configuration of the sleeve 1 in two parts (elements 1 a, 1 b) it is possible preliminarily to anchor the sleeve 1 in the respective niche 151, by telescopically adapting the length of the sleeve 1 to the width of the niche 151. In this way the sleeve 1 can adapt to bathroom fixtures of different shape and may also compensate for the construction tolerances typical of the bathroom fixture made of ceramic, tolerances that vary significantly with the wear of the molds and that can result into changes, also of several mi llimeters, in the width of the niche 151 among different items of the same bathroom fixture.
 T he particular shape of the sleeve 1 described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 allows to have some particular advantages, in addition to the possibility of being adapted to the size of the niche 151. In particular, the presence of a female thread 107 allows to use the described kit, and more precisely the element 1 a of the sleeve 1 and the screw 1 13, even with other f ixi ng systems for f ixi ng to the bathroom fixture, for example systems of the type described in DE 202009014171.
 T he shape of the el ement 1 b, with the threaded col I ar 115 proj ecti ng towards the element 1 a, further allows to introduce the anchoring pin 131 for a great extent inside the sleeve 1, thus providing for a particularly safe anchoring to the wal I P.  A second embodiment of the sleeve 1 is shown in Figs. 7 to 11. E qual or equivalent parts to those illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 and described above are indicated with the same reference numbers and wi 11 not be descri bed agai n. H ere bel ow the mai n differences between the two embodi ments wi 11 be highl ighted.
 T he sleeve 1 of Figs. 7 to 11 mainly differs from the sleeve of Figs. 1 to 5 in the different shape of the element 1 b. T his has substantially the shape of a small cylinder with a wall externally threaded with a male thread 117 formed on a wall 115 functionally corresponding to the cylindrical collar 115 of Figs. 1 to 5.
 T he outer surface of the wall 121 of the element 1 b may be provided with reliefs 121 A increasing the friction against the wall 155 of the niche 151. Similar reliefs 121 A may be also provided in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5.  T he element 1 a has a single hollow body 103 and is not provided with the hoi I ow body 105. T he f emal e thread 102 extends enti rely i nsi de the hoi I ow body 103.
 T he method of use of the sleeve of Figs. 7 to 11 is the same as descri bed with reference to Figs. 6A-6I and will not be described again.
 In Figs. 12 to 16 a third embodiment of the sleeve 1 is shown. E qual or equivalent parts to those illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 and described above are indicated with the same reference numbers and will not be described again. Below the main differences between the two embodi ments wi 11 be highl ighted.
 T he sleeve 1 of Figs. 12 to 16 differs from the sleeve of Figs. 1 to 5 mainly for the different shape of the element 1 b. T his latter substantially has the shape of a small cyli nder with a wall or outer collar 124 with a thread 117, having the same f uncti on as the thread 117 descri bed i n the previ ous exempi ary embodi ments, but that in this case is a female thread.
 T he female thread 117 engages in screw- 1 ike fashion with a male thread 107 provi ded on the hoi I ow body 105 proj ecti ng from the hoi I ow body 103 of the el ement 1 a of the sleeve 1.
 T he operation of the sleeve of Figs. 12 to 16 is substantially the same as that described with reference to Figs. 6A to 61.
 W hi I st the invention has been described above with specific reference to non- limiting embodiments, the scope of the invention is defined by the attached claims.
- adapted to moveforward relatively with respect to said first el ement (1 a) under the action of the maneuvering wrench (125).


text:
Cuba's opposition group Ladies in White finally collects prize awarded in 2005
April 23, 2013 · 11:47 PM UTC
By Jill Langlois
(L to R) Cuban Ladies in White (Damas de Blanco) Laura Maria Labrada Pollan, Belkis Cantillo Ramirez, Elena Larrinaga and Blanca Reyes Castanon hold hands at the European Parliament in Brussels on April 23, 2013. Over seven years after they were awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought by the European Parliament, they were able to receive their award.
Credit: THIERRY CHARLIER
Members of the Cuban opposition group Ladies in White have finally collected their Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, which was awarded in 2005.
The group had to hold off on collecting its prize in Brussels until now because Cuba had barred members from leaving the communist-run country. Because exit permits were abolished by the Cuban government in January, the women were able to make the trip to Europe.
"No dictatorship in the world will be able to stop democracy in the long run," European Parliament President Martin Schulz said at the award ceremony in Brussels. "No people can be oppressed forever."
Group cofounder Berta Soler, who attended Tuesday's ceremony with several other members, said the work in their country was not yet over.
More from GlobalPost: Cuba opens the gates, hoping for a trickle, not a flood
"We need a Cuba where there is proper freedom and human rights," she said, urging "real reforms, not just cosmetic change."
The Ladies in White were given the prize for their campaign to free 75 jailed dissidents.
The women in the group meet every Sunday to pray at the Santa Rita church in Havana, and the Ladies in White movement started as a spontaneous political protest.
The movement was first known as the Black Spring when it began in May 2003. The 75 dissidents involved included poets, doctors, journalists and activists, who were all given between 15 and 28 years in prison for allegedly threatening "the security of the State."
While some have been exiled and others have been released due to health issues, their cases all remain legally active.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: WebStorm поддержка NodeJs and NPM. Нашел на просторах следующий код и попытался его реализовать в WebStorm.
var http = require('http');

function onRequest (requare , response) {
console.log(request.uri);

response.writeHead(200, {"Content-Type" : "text/plain"});
response write("Hello World!");
response.end();
}

http.createServer(onRequest).listen(8888);
console.log("Server is renned");

Однако IDE знать не знает о(requare , response) При нажатие alt + enter импорта не предлагает. NodeJs и NPM установлены, в path так же добавлены.
При подключении node.exe npm, как видно на скрине, таки отображается. В общем, как заставить это работать?

A: Более корректный (работающий) пример кода:
var http = require('http');

function onRequest(request, response) {
    console.log(request.url);

    response.writeHead(200, {"Content-Type": "text/plain"});
    response.write("Hello World!");
    response.end();
}

http.createServer(onRequest).listen(8888);
console.log("Server is renned");

в любом случае, тип параметра не указан явно нигде; IDE пытается ресолвить методы httpserverrequest и httpserverresponce просто по имени

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Facing up to uncomfortable realities in the Middle East
The proclaimed ambitions of Spain's foreign minister have caused confusion about EU foreign policy, but typify the challenges it now faces.
By Toby Vogel
January 6, 2010	11:00 pm
Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Spain's foreign minister, said last month that his country would take up the rotating presidency of the European Union on 1 January "with modesty and discretion". Herman Van Rompuy, the new permanent president of the European Council, and Catherine Ashton, the EU's new foreign policy chief, would be in charge of the EU's relations with the wider world. Moratinos then added that he would work toward the establishment this year of a Palestinian state that could live "in peace and security with Israel".
In addition to spreading confusion about the roles of the EU's foreign policy actors, Moratinos's ambitions for Palestine betray an optimism that borders on delusional. Moratinos, who was the EU's special envoy to the region in 1996-2003, must be well aware that peace in the Middle East has eluded some of the world's most capable diplomats since the end of the Cold War. To offer the idea of a Palestinian state without some kind of plan is foolhardy. There is no evidence, alas, of such a plan lying around either in the office of the Arabic-speaking foreign minister of Spain or in the drawers of Ashton's desk. Moratinos's comments on a Palestinian state reflect personal enthusiasms rather than diplomatic strategies.
His goal is not radical and it is widely shared: two states – Israel and Palestine – co-existing side by side, in peace, on the territory of former British Palestine. But one of the many frustrations of the seemingly intractable Middle East problem is that the outlines of a settlement are agreed by most mainstream forces in the region and further afield while nobody appears to have any idea of how to get there. Meanwhile, the Islamic radicals of Hamas who run the Gaza Strip, backed by an increasingly aggressive Iran, are busy undermining the two-state solution, and Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel's right-wing prime minister, appears distinctly uninterested in making peace with the Palestinians.
A year ago, Hamas's rocket fire on Israel and Israel's retaliation against Gaza showed how powerless the EU and the rest of the 'international community' is on matters involving Israel's security. The Gaza war was a humiliation for the EU, set back hopes of a settlement and paved the way for Netanyahu's return to power in February. Barack Obama, the US president, put the conflict at the top of his foreign policy agenda and on his second day in office named George Mitchell, a former senator and experienced peacemaker, as his special envoy to the Middle East. By now, Obama has already reached the point that his predecessors from Jimmy Carter onward reached only toward the end of their time in office – the point where nothing in the Middle East appears to be going their way.
In addition to Moratinos, another Spaniard with a keen interest in the Middle East is Javier Solana. As Ashton's predecessor, he carved out a niche for himself as the point man on Iran for the entire international community. His departure leaves the position of top trouble-shooter on Iran vacant – for now. On the surface, the complicated question of what to do about Iran's nuclear ambitions and its defiance of international demands would lend itself to the kind of quiet diplomacy that Ashton seems to favour. But Ashton has not yet revealed her particular interests among international policies, and it is uncertain whether she will take over with Iran where Solana left off. Moreover, Solana's job was as much about maintaining a minimal consensus among the world's leading powers as about negotiating with Tehran. That consensus, to the extent that it was ever real, is unlikely to survive the coming months, when even the Obama administration will be forced to acknowledge that its engagement with Iran has failed. The US and the EU will then have to choose whether unilaterally to tighten their sanctions against Iran.
The most effective solution to the Iran question would be regime-change – driven by Iran's restless youth, not US tanks or covert operations. The events of the past few weeks inside the country have brought that possibility one step closer. But they also raise a dilemma for the EU and the US. It would be disturbing to let Iran get away with its suspected weapons programme. But tougher sanctions, currently being prepared by US and European diplomats, are likely to strengthen the hand of the clerical regime in its brutal clamp-down on internal dissent. To balance these two pressures – the political need for stricter sanctions and the likely negative impact on Iran's domestic situation – will be one of the toughest questions facing international policymakers in the coming months. In the end, it is hard to imagine Ashton talking to Iran's brutish regime while it is throwing dissenters into the torture chambers – which leaves the current approach in tatters.
On Palestine, the EU has specialised in slightly tougher rhetoric on Israel while in reality following the lead of the US. It will do much the same on Iran and take its cue from Washington. Moratinos would do well to tailor his public pronouncements to these uncomfortable realities. Force of personality alone will not solve the problems – as Tony Blair, the international Middle East envoy, might testify, were he not so invisible.
More from ... Toby Vogel
EU brings in new Belarus sanctions
By William Adkins
Belarus opposition leader Tikhanovskaya: 'We can win by spring'
By Hannah Brenton
Germany to Turkey: Calm tensions or face EU sanctions
By Hans von der Burchard
The anatomy of a ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh
By Jérôme Sessini
Israel	Spain	United Kingdom
Barack Obama	Catherine Ashton	Herman Van Rompuy


text:
Q: How to leverage Spring Integration in a real-world JMS distributed architecture? For the following scenario I am looking for your advices and tips on best practices:
In a distributed (mainly Java-based) system with:

*

*many (different) client applications (web-app, command-line tools, REST API)

*a central JMS message broker (currently in favor of using ActiveMQ)

*multiple stand-alone processing nodes (running on multiple remote machines, computing expensive operations of different types as specified by the JMS message payload)

How would one best apply the JMS support provided by the Spring Integration framework to decouple the clients from the worker nodes? When reading through the reference documentation and some very first experiments it looks like the configuration of an JMS inbound adapter inherently require to use a subscriber, which in a decoupled scenario does not exist.
Small side note: communication should happen via JMS text messages (using a JSON data structure for future extensibility).

A: This doesn't really answer your question, but make sure you look into Apache Camel for connecting your different components. I found it extremely useful for connecting a JMS queue up to an existing web service and plan to use it for other components also.
An example that monitors an ActiveMQ queue for messages, transforms them, and posts them to a web service:
<beans xmlns="http://www.springframework.org/schema/beans"
   xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
   xmlns:camel="http://camel.apache.org/schema/spring"
   xsi:schemaLocation="
      http://www.springframework.org/schema/beans http://www.springframework.org/schema/beans/spring-beans-2.5.xsd
      http://camel.apache.org/schema/spring http://camel.apache.org/schema/spring/camel-spring-2.3.0.xsd">

<bean id="callbackProcessor" class="com.package.CallbackProcessor"/>

<bean id="activemq" class="org.apache.camel.component.jms.JmsComponent">
    <property name="connectionFactory" ref="jmsFactory" />
</bean>

<camel:camelContext id="camel">
    <!-- Must put this in camel:endpoint because camel:from doesn't support property substitution -->
    <camel:endpoint id="callbackQueue" uri="activemq:queue:${jms.callback-queue-name}"/>
    <camel:route>
        <camel:from ref="callbackQueue"/>
        <camel:process ref="callbackProcessor"/>
        <camel:to uri="http://dummy"/><!-- This will be replaced by the callbackProcessor with the callback URL in the message -->
    </camel:route>
</camel:camelContext>
</beans>

That's all that's necessary in our Spring application to fire up Camel and start processing messages.

A: Here is the Spring Integration I was coming up with today, if you find things which could be improved please follow up.
On the client side the messages can be send out and received through a SimpleMessagingGateway:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<beans xmlns="http://www.springframework.org/schema/beans"
    xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
    xmlns:context="http://www.springframework.org/schema/context"
    xmlns:integration="http://www.springframework.org/schema/integration"
    xmlns:jms="http://www.springframework.org/schema/integration/jms"
    xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.springframework.org/schema/beans
            http://www.springframework.org/schema/beans/spring-beans.xsd
            http://www.springframework.org/schema/context
            http://www.springframework.org/schema/context/spring-context.xsd
            http://www.springframework.org/schema/integration/jms
            http://www.springframework.org/schema/integration/jms/spring-integration-jms.xsd
            http://www.springframework.org/schema/integration
            http://www.springframework.org/schema/integration/spring-integration.xsd">

    <import resource="integration-common.xml"/>

    <!-- Communication Gateway for the Client (send/receive) -->
    <bean id="gateway" class="org.springframework.integration.gateway.SimpleMessagingGateway">
        <property name="requestChannel" ref="SenderChannel"/>
        <property name="replyChannel" ref="InboundChannel"/>
        <property name="replyTimeout" value="1000"/>
    </bean><!-- TODO: could use integration:gateway -->

    <!-- Sending out message to JMS request queue -->
    <integration:channel id="SenderChannel"/>
    <jms:outbound-channel-adapter
                        channel="SenderChannel"
                        destination="requestQueue" />

    <!-- Listen to incoming messages on JMS reply queue -->
    <integration:channel id="InboundChannel">
        <integration:queue/>
    </integration:channel>
    <jms:message-driven-channel-adapter
            destination="replyQueue"
            channel="InboundChannel" />

</beans>

And the configuration on the processing node side looks like (please see the comments inline for more explanation of the Spring Integration elements):
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<beans xmlns="http://www.springframework.org/schema/beans"
    xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
    xmlns:context="http://www.springframework.org/schema/context"
    xmlns:integration="http://www.springframework.org/schema/integration"
    xmlns:jms="http://www.springframework.org/schema/integration/jms"
    xmlns:stream="http://www.springframework.org/schema/integration/stream"
    xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.springframework.org/schema/beans
            http://www.springframework.org/schema/beans/spring-beans.xsd
            http://www.springframework.org/schema/context
            http://www.springframework.org/schema/context/spring-context.xsd
            http://www.springframework.org/schema/integration/jms
            http://www.springframework.org/schema/integration/jms/spring-integration-jms.xsd
            http://www.springframework.org/schema/integration
            http://www.springframework.org/schema/integration/spring-integration.xsd">

    <import resource="integration-common.xml"/>

    <!-- Read in Message Endpoint Service Activator classes -->
    <context:component-scan base-package="sample.integration.jmsbasic"/>

    <!-- Listen to incoming messages on the JMS request queue -->
    <integration:channel id="jmsinToProcChannel"/>
    <jms:message-driven-channel-adapter
            destination="requestQueue"
            channel="jmsinToProcChannel"/>

    <!-- Delegate message to service implementation and take care of answer -->
    <integration:service-activator
            input-channel="jmsinToProcChannel"
            ref="procService"
            output-channel="jmsBackChannel" />

    <!-- Send answer back to JMS reply queue -->
    <integration:channel id="jmsBackChannel"/>
    <jms:outbound-channel-adapter
                        channel="jmsBackChannel"
                        destination="replyQueue" />

</beans>

A: Are you asking if Spring Integration can be used to implement a protocol bridge? Then the answer is yes, and does so quite simply.


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text:
Comic for Tuesday, Feb 25, 2014
- Diane's first appearance in this storyline
- Diane full of mongoose rage
- Susan head shaking
Elliot has all the best pickup lines.
Don't worry, Diane! You have not yet begun to feel disappointed by the events of the previous day! Well, current day. Sort of. It's clearly night, but it's presumably before midnight on the same day of the calendar, so it's not really the previous "day". That would be yesterday. But it's no longer daytime, so I guess the daytime that came before could be considered the previous day? I mean, it was the day that came before the night, so it certainly qualifies as "previous", but that's bound to make people think of yesterday (as I have previously stated), but it could still be considered technically correct? I'm not sure, but...
I'm sorry. What was this comic about? Oh. Right. Susan sent Mongoose--er, Diane a message.


text:
That Thing Where a Smart Person Does and Says Stupid Things and Some People Can't Believe He's a Racist
Steve Bannon is a horrible person. The NY Times found a few people who knew or know him who won't go that far (I mean he's not Ted Cruz horrible where you can't find anybody who likes the guy), but they will say he's a contentious, driven, ideologue who believes crazy, racist and anti-democratic things. He's a workaholic and a rageaholic on his 3rd marriage, so I'd have doubts about the guy even if he were on my side.
Why is it so hard for people to reconcile the idea that he's not unpleasant to them, but that he might be really unpleasant to others? That a guy who went to Harvard and is really smart can still think some really crazy counterfactual things? And above all, that a guy who is decent to some women and minority members to their faces, can't still believe at his core that as a while man he's better than they are.
Ms. Jones, the film colleague, said that in their years working together, Mr. Bannon occasionally talked about the genetic superiority of some people and once mused about the desirability of limiting the vote to property owners.
"I said, 'That would exclude a lot of African-Americans,'" Ms. Jones recalled. "He said, 'Maybe that's not such a bad thing.' I said, 'But what about Wendy?'" referring to Mr. Bannon's executive assistant. "He said, 'She's different. She's family.'"
So Bannon can vouch for the black people he personally knows as being some of the good ones. His actions and rhetoric evidence, over and over again, that he is indeed the monster we think he is. He may like you, but he'd take your right to vote away, nothing personal.
And by the way son-in-law-in-chief Jared Cushner is also a horrible person who thought that the George Washington Bridge caper in NJ was "badass". He too went to Harvard, like Bannon (although he got in because his parents donated a shitload of money), so as an Orthodox Jew, he might just be stupid in accepting the anti-semitism his father-in-law and Bannon have been spreading. Or maybe it's just that fellow Harvard alum brotherhood that only allows you to see what a nice guy Bannon is to you and your wife.
Another possibility is that Cushner is looking to be one of the Judenrat in his very expensive ghetto – Cushner is the banality of evil incarnate. This piece by Masha Gessen in the NY Review of Books is a must and an essential follow up to her piece on Autocracy: Rules for Survival.
Trump: The Choice We Face.
We cannot know what political strategy, if any, can be effective in containing, rather than abetting, the threat that a Trump administration now poses to some of our most fundamental democratic principles. But we can know what is right. What separates Americans in 2016 from Europeans in the 1940s and 1950s is a little bit of historical time but a whole lot of historical knowledge. We know what my great-grandfather did not know: that the people who wanted to keep the people fed ended up compiling lists of their neighbors to be killed. That they had a rationale for doing so. And also, that one of the greatest thinkers of their age (Hannah Arendt) judged their actions as harshly as they could be judged.
← Battle for the DNC – Ilyse Hogue Announces a Battleplan
As The Last Generation That Saw Government Save the World Goes, So Goes Government →


text:
Search took 0.03 seconds. Search: Posts Made By: TDR
Get a Spark EV under $20K with Incentives
Posted By TDR
MSRP of the Spark EV is $27,495. With tax incentives, you can get $7500 federal tax credits, including the $810 destination charge.
Has any buyers here able to take advantage of this offer?
How futuristic does the Spark EV look to you?
I don't really see the Spark EV as very...
I don't really see the Spark EV as very futuristic, it seems to match up in design with similar cars in its segment.
Apple IOS 7 Integration wit Chevy
Apple announced the release of its IOS 7 at its annual WWDC introducing its IOS in the Car. It supposed to integrate the vehicles infotainment system with apple products. GM is a big partner in this....
Chevy Spark Sales Sinking In Europe
Chevy's sales in Europe have been declining with sales of the Spark and Matiz twins falling to 37 percent to 12,245 units through April of 2013. The Aveo has taken a similar hit while companies like...
Forum: Chevrolet Spark EV General Discussion Forum 05-22-2013, 01:53 PM
Chevy Spark EV is one of the most efficient electric vehicles in the world
Thanks. I heard of Regenerative braking on the...
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Body Kit Question ???
I'm not very familiar of body kits for the Spark....
I'm not very familiar of body kits for the Spark. Did you snap this picture yourself or did you see it online?
Life in the Forum
A Camaro to a Spark is a big change. What led to...
A Camaro to a Spark is a big change. What led to that?
I've heard of regenerative braking but still...
I've heard of regenerative braking but still somewhat unfamiliar with how it works. In order to capture the energy is there something the driver has to do or is does the car do it automatically?
What is your second choice car, if not the Spark?
Honda Fit and the Scion IQ. I like the look of...
Honda Fit and the Scion IQ. I like the look of the IQ, but the ride is not nearly as good as the Spark.
Why the Spark is better than the Camaro
Article by Jalopnik (http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/chevy-test-drive-event-why-the-spark-is-better-than-th-501898626)
Chevy Test Drive Event: Why the Spark is better than the Camaro
There's...
Forum: Chevy Spark Lounge 05-06-2013, 11:18 AM
New Jersey Punishes Electric Drivers
As a result of more electric cars on the road and less fuel tax revenue, some states and municipalities are trying to find creative ways to get their taxes. How they plan to do this is by taxing the...
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Absolutely agree, the charging stations around...
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Spark EV Mile Range
I can't seem to find the full charge time online....
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Otherwise, the Spark EV without this option takes a full 7...
2014 Chevy Spark EV First With CCS Quick-Charge Port (As Option)
Chevrolet's Spark EV will be the first car in the U.S. to offer the new SAE Combo charger for DC fast charging.
What is SAE Combo Charger, you ask?
This optional system will allow Spark EV...
Epic Test Drive
That does kind of ruin it a bit. But the...
That does kind of ruin it a bit. But the commercial was pretty good for what it is.
You also have to keep in mind that the Spark...
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Forum: Chevrolet Spark News Articles 04-24-2013, 12:49 PM
Chevrolet Spark EV EPA Rated with 82-Mile Range
The EV range seems decent. The only thing that...
The EV range seems decent. The only thing that worries me is the 7 hour charge up time, which I suppose is normal for EV cars. But it's still much more convenient to fill up at a gas station. I'm...
Lemonades -- WHEN
Congrats. Post some pics up.:)
Chevy Spark Leather Seats?
The seats are actually a leatherette vinyl...
The seats are actually a leatherette vinyl material. Another option is to get leather seat covers. You can buy those at most auto shops.
Should the Chevrolet Spark Offer a Three-Cylinder Engine?
This actually sounds like a pretty good idea, if...
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What if Chevy stuck with more of its model names?
http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18i6xtqhqe1qojpg/k-bigpic.jpg
It would have more cool-sounding models.
What if Chevy stuck with more of its model names?...
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Yesterday I asked what you guys liked about the Spark, but I think a more interesting question is what don't you like about it? Is there something you think Chevy could have done to improve the...
Domino�s Future Fleet of 5,000 Chevy Spark Pizza Delivery Vehicles
Domino's Future Fleet of 5,000 Chevy Spark Pizza Delivery Vehicles
http://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VdDMnY08BJk/UUpOBOiCzNI/AAAAAAAMIK0/TU82n0W5J-4/s1600/Marian-Cilibeanu-D-Box2-Project-5.jpg
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Why Do You Like the Chevy Spark?
I have question for you guys. Why did you choose the Chevy Spark? What makes it better than the competition for you? Was there a certain feature that first caught your attention? Was it the styling,...
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It's far too early to tell. I don't think there...
It's far too early to tell. I don't think there have been any issues on a large scale that merited anything like a recall.


text:
Family: Vitaceae
Gayle Engels
Josef Brinckmann
The Vitaceae or grape family includes about 900 species in 15 genera. About 70 interfertile (capable of interbreeding) species compose the genus Vitis. Of these, V. vinifera is the best known, as well as the most culturally and economically important.1 Vitis vinifera originated in central Asia, but it now occurs in many regions of the world as a result of extensive cultivation and escape.2 It is a perennial liana (woody, climbing vine) that climbs with coiled tendrils. Grapes were among the first fruits to be domesticated thousands of years ago, and there are currently an estimated 10,000 cultivars of this single species. The domesticated subspecies V. vinifera subsp. vinifera (syn. V. vinifera subsp. sativa, or V. sativa) is monoecious (hermaphroditic), having both male and female reproductive organs in a single individual. It descended from a wild ancestor V. vinifera subsp. sylvestris (syn. V. sylvestris), which is dioecious — having male and female reproductive organs in separate individuals. The subspecies sylvestris now occurs in the wild from the Atlantic coast of southwestern Europe to Tajikistan and the western Himalayas in central and southern Asia.3 More than 90% of the world production of grapes is from V. vinifera.4 However, other Vitis species, including V. berlandieri, V. riparia, and V. rupestris, are used as germplasm resources to breed rootstock for improved resistance against fungal diseases.5 Other Vitis species used for wine production, in particular V. labrusca, also provide seed material for the production of grape seed extract (GSE*).6
GSEs typically are produced from dried or fresh grape seeds that are obtained as a byproduct of the juice and wine industries. First, the grape seeds are extracted using a solvent (e.g., water, or mixtures of water with ethanol or acetone) and then filtered and subjected to further processing in order to produce GSE that contains anywhere from 50% to 90% phenolic compounds.7 There is also a pharmacopeial GSE called "Grape Seeds Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins," defined in the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) as the fraction of an extract of the ripe seeds of V. vinifera containing not less than 75.0% oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs).8
HISTORY AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
The Latin genus name Vitis means "grape vine," while the species name vinifera means "produces wine" or "wine bearing'" and is related to the Latin terms vinum ("wine") and vinea ("vineyard").9 The words "wine," vin (French), and Wein (German) stem from the ancient Greek term οίνος (oinos) and the Latin term vinum.10
Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) included Vitis vinifera in his 1749 work Materia Medica and described its occurrence as "orbis totus temperatus" (global, temperate). For therapeutic use, he did not describe the seed but rather the leaf (as Vitis Folia), stating that it was used to treat stranguria (slow, painful urination) and tussis (cough).11
Grape is considered a "cultural keystone species" and is associated with divinities and rituals, evidenced by representations on artifacts of ancient cultures of the Mediterranean.12 Archaeobotanical evidence of Vitis species is mainly in the form of waterlogged, mineralized, and charred seeds. It is difficult to determine whether these seeds originated from wild or cultivated plants13 because the seeds of V. vinifera subsp. sylvestris (wild) and V. vinifera subsp. vinifera (cultivated), for example, are morphologically very similar.14 Domestication of the cultivated grape reportedly took place between the seventh and the fourth millennia BCE in the Caucasus region (between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea) in present-day Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan,5,15 where the crop exhibits high genetic diversity. From the Caucasus, cultivation is believed to have spread to Mesopotamia and Egypt and then throughout the Mediterranean16 and beyond. Approximately 9,000-year-old grape pips (seeds) found in the southern Caucasus provide the earliest known archaeological evidence of grape cultivation.17 Based on botanical, ampelographic (the science concerned with identification and classification of grape vines), archaeological, paleontological, historical, ethnographical, and linguistic studies, Georgia is recognized as one of the earliest sites of grape domestication.18 Today, the most widely cultivated species in Georgia are V. vinifera and V. labrusca and their varieties, including V. labrusca var. izabella (purple), V. vinifera var. Rkatsiteli (white), and V. vinifera var. Saperavi (red). The fermented grape seed residue byproduct of these species are being studied in Georgia as potential source materials for commercial production of GSE.6
While there are well-documented traditional medicinal uses of other plant parts of V. vinifera — for example, the dried leaf (pharmacopeial name: Vitis viniferae folium),19 the dried fruit or raisin (Uvae passae or Vitis viniferae fructus), and processed forms such as wine (Vinum)20 — extraction of the seed for functional, nutritional, or therapeutic uses is a relatively new innovation. Development of GSE traces back to research begun in the late 1940s, although commercial products did not appear until the 1970s. In 1947, French scientist Jack Arthur Masquelier (1922-2009) extracted a colorless fraction from peanut (Arachis hypogaea, Fabaceae) skin, proposing that its major components were oligomers of flavan-3-ol units (e.g., (+)-catechin or (-)-epicatechin), which today are classified as oligomeric flavan-3-ols. Over the decades, this led to research into other potential sources of the compounds, including pine (Pinus spp., Pinaceae) bark and grape seed. By 1970, Masquelier had isolated these flavanols from grape seeds21 and applied for a patent for his extraction process, which was granted to his company, Société Civile d'Investigations Pharmacologiques d'Aquitaine (SCIPA), in 1972 by the French National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI).22 Today, GSE is used as a component of dietary supplement products and natural health products for venous insufficiency (in which veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart), to promote wound healing, and to reduce inflammation.23 It is also used as a functional food additive and cosmetic ingredient.
In 2003, San Joaquin Valley Concentrates (Fresno, California) submitted a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) notice to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a GSE to be used as an antioxidant or emulsifier component of food products at levels ranging from 0.01% to 0.08%. The FDA responded that it had no questions regarding San Joaquin's conclusion that GSE is GRAS under the intended conditions of use.24 In the same year, Polyphenolics, Inc. (Madera, California) submitted a GRAS notice for GSE and grape pomace extract (GPE) for use as antioxidants in certain fruit beverages at a concentration of up to 210 parts per million (alone or in combination with other ingredients). Again, the FDA had no questions regarding Polyphenolics' conclusion that GSE and GPE are GRAS under the intended conditions of use.25 Subsequently, in 2007, Polyphenolics, Inc. requested and received an independent GRAS extension expert opinion that justified increasing the concentration in beverages to up to 845 mg/L (200 mg/8 oz). Enovita, a GSE from Indena (Milan, Italy), is also GRAS as per an independent GRAS assessment and conclusion (G. Ris email to T. Smith, June 18, 2018).
In 2008, a new dietary supplement quality standards monograph titled "Grape Seeds Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins" was proposed for entry into the USP. A draft monograph was published in the Pharmacopeial Forum for public comment,26 after which the final monograph became official in the 33rd revision of the USP in 2010.27
In 2012, the company Nutrilinks Sarl (Lausanne, Switzerland) submitted an application to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for an opinion on scientific substantiation of its proposed health claim for GSE related to maintenance of normal venous blood flow. The subject of its application was a dry extract obtained by extraction of grape seeds with ethanol and ethyl acetate, and subsequent evaporation, filtration, concentration, and spray-drying, standardized to total polyphenol content (minimum 35% of gallic acid, catechins, and epicatechins, and minimum 7% of procyanidin dimers B1, B2, B3, and B4). The EFSA concluded that the data did not establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the consumption of this GSE and maintenance of normal venous blood flow.28 Another application by the same company was submitted to the EFSA in 2012 for an opinion on scientific substantiation of a health claim for its GSE related to the elimination of excess water in the body. The EFSA panel concluded that the applicant's proposed claim statement ("helps to drain the body in case of water accumulation") in the context of "normal venous circulation in the legs" refers to the maintenance of normal venous blood flow, and that a claim for GSE and maintenance of normal venous blood flow had already been assessed and rejected.29
CURRENT AUTHORIZED USES IN COSMETICS, FOODS, AND MEDICINES
In the United States, GSE is classified as GRAS for certain limited food uses and appears on the FDA's list of "Substances Added to Food" (formerly "Everything Added to Food in the United States," or EAFUS).30 GSE may also be used as a component of dietary supplement products, which require FDA notification within 30 days of marketing if a structure-function claim is made and product manufacturing that adheres to current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs).31 In Canada, GSE standardized to 80-85% OPCs is regulated as an active ingredient of licensed natural health products (NHPs), which require pre-marketing authorization from the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD). Depending on the dosage and strength, labels of licensed GSE NHPs may carry one or both of the following claim statements: "Source of antioxidants for the maintenance of good health" and "Helps to relieve symptoms related to non-complicated chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), such as sensation of swelling, heaviness and tingling of the legs."32
In the European Union, different types of GSE are listed as components of cosmetic products and are used for various functions (e.g., antidandruff, antimicrobial, antioxidant, oral care, skin-protecting, and UV-absorbing functions). "Oleoyl GSE" (obtained by the reaction of oleoyl chloride with GSE), "Propyl Oleoyl GSE" (obtained by the reaction of oleoyl chloride with the propyl ether of GSE), and "Undecylenoyl GSE" (obtained by the reaction of GSE with undecylenoyl chloride) are all used for antioxidant function; "Palmitoyl GSE" (GSE reaction products with hexadecanoyl chloride) is used for skin-conditioning function; and "Sodium GSE Phosphate" (sodium salt of a complex mixture of esters of phosphoric acid and GSE) is used for antioxidant and skin-conditioning functions.33
MODERN RESEARCH
Proanthocyanidins (PACs) are the major chemical compounds in GSEs. The PAC content of GSEs typically comprises 5-30% monomers (including catechins, epicatechins, and other flavan-3-ol monomers), 17-63% oligomers,† and 11-39% polymers (and their gallic acid esters). GSEs contain primarily B-type PACs (flavan-3-ol polymers where the units are linked by a single bond). The large number of grape varieties used to make GSEs accounts for the varied concentrations of bioactive chemical compounds in the seeds.7,34
There are a number of clinical studies on various GSEs for numerous conditions and functions, such as atherosclerosis prevention,35,36 chronic periodontitis,37 climacteric syndrome,35 estrogen levels,38 hyperlipidemia,36,39,40 hypertension,41,42 idiopathic male infertility,43 leg swelling during prolonged sitting,44 liver function,45 oxidative stress and reperfusion injury caused by cardiopulmonary bypass surgery,46 postprandial oxidative stress and inflammation in persons with metabolic syndrome,47 postprandial blood glucose,48 renal failure in chronic kidney disease,49 antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation in type 2 diabetes mellitus,50 and skin protection from UV radiation.51 Most of these studies are of varying degrees of quality and, while they all show some positive outcomes, they are either preliminary studies; were not randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled (RDBPC); did not explain randomization, blinding, or withdrawals; and/or had a very small study population.
One recent RDBPC study investigated the effects of GSE supplementation on oxidative stress and metabolic profiles of female volleyball players. Forty healthy volunteers (14-24 years old) were randomly assigned to take 300 mg GSE (formulated by Barij Essence Pharmaceutical Co.; Kashan, Iran; no additional information provided) or placebo twice a day, with lunch and dinner, for eight weeks. Participants kept dietary records on one weekend day and two weekdays, and physical activity records on weeks two, four, and six of the study. Fasting blood samples were obtained before and after the intervention and centrifuged, and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total glutathione (GSH, an antioxidant), malondialdehyde (MDA, a marker of oxidative stress), nitrous oxide (NO), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), serum triglycerides, serum insulin, and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and total cholesterol levels were measured. The GSE group experienced a significant increase in GSH compared to placebo, and a significant decrease in MDA compared to placebo. Additionally, GSE supplementation resulted in decreased serum insulin concentrations, decreased scores on the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance index, and increased scores on the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index compared to placebo, all of which are considered beneficial effects on insulin metabolism. There were no significant changes in CPK, TAC, NO, FPG, or serum lipid concentrations compared to placebo.52
Two meta-analyses have reported on clinical studies investigating the effects of GSE on cardiovascular risk markers. The first, conducted in 2011, included nine randomized, controlled trials published between 2000 and 2009 (N = 390) that focused on at least one of the following: systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate, triglycerides, C-reactive protein (CRP), or total, LDL-, or HDL-cholesterol. This meta-analysis concluded that GSE supplementation was associated with significantly lowered SBP and heart rate with no significant effects on DBP, CRP, or serum lipid levels. While the reduction in SBP was modest compared to that seen with prescription antihypertensive drugs, it may still be meaningful since it is estimated that "every 3 mm Hg reduction in SBP could reduce the risk of all-cause mortality by 4%, mortality after stroke by 8%, and mortality after coronary artery disease by 5%." The authors opined that GSE might have cardioprotective effects beyond SBP and heart rate reductions, and that larger studies should be done evaluating different dosages of GSE with longer follow-up durations.53
A more recent meta-analysis from 2016 included 12 articles (16 randomized trials, N = 810) that analyzed the effects of GSE on blood pressure over at least two weeks. Of the 16 clinical trials, four studied GSE's effects in patients with prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension, four included healthy subjects, three in patients with metabolic syndrome, two in patients with hypertension, two in women with at least one menopausal symptom, and one in patients with above-average vascular risk. Overall, GSE was associated with significant changes in SBP and DBP. Significant decreases in SBP and DBP occurred more often in subjects under 50 years of age, while significant decreases in SBP alone occurred in obese subjects and patients with metabolic syndrome. Additionally, the authors identified study design, randomization, and baseline blood pressure as possible causes of heterogeneity (variability between the studies). Therefore, they recommend confirmation of their findings through a "large-scale, long-term, multiple-dose randomized controlled trial, especially among hypertensive patients."54
At least seven clinical trials have studied GSE in combination with other ingredients for a variety of uses. Five of these addressed skin conditions. One found that skin radiance (e.g., for pink and olive skin tones) was significantly improved with six weeks of oral treatment with 150 mg per day of SkinAx2 (a product containing GSE, superoxide dismutase-rich melon [Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis, Cucurbitaceae] concentrate, vitamin C, and zinc; Activ'Inside; Libourne, France).55 Another oral supplement with 27.5 mg GSE, 210 mg biomarine complex, 54 mg vitamin C, 4 mg zinc, and 28.76 mg tomato (Solanum lycopersicum, Solanaceae) extract (Imedeen Man.Age.Ment; Ferrosan Laboratórios S/A; Copenhagen, Denmark) taken twice a day for 30 days improved skin hydration, dermal ultrasound density, reduction of skin pH, and overall signs of skin aging in men.56 Likewise, an oral supplement (Imedeen Time Perfection; Ferrosan S/A; Copenhagen, Denmark) with 105 mg BioMarine Complex, 14.8 mg LycoPhence GS (lycopene and GSE), and 30 mg acerola (Malpighia spp., Malpighiaceae) taken for 120 days was associated with improvements in skin hydration and pH, ultrasound density, and a histological increment of collagen and elastic fibers.57 An SPF 30 sunscreen containing GSE, vitamins E and C, and ubiquinone (Dr. Peter Hansen R&D; Stada; Bad Vilbel, Germany) effectively protected the subjects' skin against infrared A radiation.58 Finally, a nonsteroidal topical cream (MD2011001; no other information provided) containing GSE, vitamin E, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) provided a faster and statistically significant improvement in atopic dermatitis in patients who used it for 28 days, compared to placebo.59
One RDBPC study investigated the benefits of a nutritional supplement in low-income patients recently diagnosed with hyperlipidemia (N = 191; 18-65 years old). Subjects were randomly assigned to receive a placebo or a proprietary phytonutrient supplement (PreLipid; Preventions Meds, Inc.; Lebanon, NJ; no additional information provided) containing red yeast rice (a product of a yeast [Monascus purpureus, Elaphomycetaceae] grown on white rice [Oryza sativa, Poaceae]) powder, GS powder, niacin, folic acid, and black pepper (Piper nigrum, Piperaceae) powder. Subjects taking PreLipid experienced significant reductions in LDL-C and non-HDL-C at 12 weeks compared to placebo.60
Another RDBPC study investigated the effects of 150 mg GSE (MegaNatural BP; Polyphenolics; Madera, CA) in a fruit juice blend (provided by Coca-Cola) on blood pressure and metabolic indices in men and women with prehypertension (N = 28; 25-65 years old). Subjects were randomly assigned to take placebo or 300 mg GSE/juice blend per day in two doses for 12 weeks. By week six, the GSE group experienced significantly reduced SBP (5.6%) and DBP (4.7%) compared to placebo. The higher the subjects' baseline BP, the greater the reduction they experienced; in some cases, subjects taking the GSE/juice blend experienced nearly double the SPB and DBP reduction of those in the placebo group. While not significant, fasting insulin and insulin sensitivity of subjects in the GSE/juice blend group tended to improve after six weeks.61
FUTURE OUTLOOK
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assigns wild V. vinifera to the conservation category of Least Concern (LC), meaning that the species is not considered to be threatened.2 In any case, GSE is produced from seeds of the widely cultivated grape that is used for production of juices and wines worldwide. Nonetheless, long-term survival of crop wild relatives remains critical for preserving genetic diversity. Some wild grape species are becoming threatened in Europe due to habitat loss, competition with alien grape species, and intensive deforestation.62
Perhaps the biggest concern is economic adulteration of GSE, which has a direct impact on its safety and efficacy. In 2016, the American Botanical Council (ABC)-American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP)-National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR) Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program published a Botanical Adulterants Bulletin on GSE, reporting that "adulteration of GSE in commercial products appears to be a significant problem." In one of the studies cited in the bulletin, samples of several commercial GSE products contained no GSE at all and were composed primarily of peanut skin extract. Although peanut skin extracts should not exhibit allergenic potential comparable to that of peanuts themselves (due to no protein content), allergenicity could still be possible due to contact with the peanut protein. Besides the obvious matter of consumer fraud, persons with peanut allergies who unwittingly consume these products could experience adverse reactions. Other known adulterants of GSE include pine bark, green tea (Camellia sinensis, Theaceae) extract, and other PAC-rich (e.g., propelargonidin-containing) extracts from non-grape seed sources.7
While GSE is a relatively new item of commerce, evidence that supports its various beneficial uses as a functional component of cosmetic, food, dietary supplement, and natural health products continues to grow. To ensure the safety and efficacy of GSE for its intended uses, all finished product brands and marketers should specify the production and procurement of only well-characterized GSE for use in consumer products. For example, the USP quality standards monograph Grape Seeds Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins provides a useful basis for a company to establish a scientifically valid specification with suitable tests and methods for verifying identity, composition, strength, and purity.
—Gayle Engels and Josef Brinckmann
* The acronym GSE should not be confused with the acronym GFSE, which refers to grapefruit (Citrus paradisi, Rutaceae) seed extract, an entirely different material. In some original publications on GFSE adulteration, the authors use "GSE" to refer to grapefruit seed extract.
†The authors define oligomers as PACs that have 2-7 units.
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Yuan XY, Liu W, Hao JC, Gu WJ, Zhao YS. Topical grape seed proanthocyandin extract reduces sunburn cells and mutant p53 positive epidermal cell formation, and prevents depletion of Langerhans cells in an acute sunburn model. Photomed Laser Surg. 2012;30(1):20-25.
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