Abstract: The galacturonic acid derivatives of formula: ##STR1## R1 being a linear or branched alkyl having 2 to 22 carbon atoms, R being: ##STR2## for which the carbon carrying the hydroxyl group is attached to the endocyclic oxygen atom.R2 being hydrogen, R1, an alkali metal atom, an alkaline-earth metal atom or a quaternary ammonium group of formula: ##STR3## in which R3 to R6 is each independently of the other hydrogen, an alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a hydroxyalkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, are surface-active agents.

Abstract: A computer aided design (CAD) or computer aided manufacturing (CAM) system may be used to generate a drawing containing many elements with certain parameters. Commands or functions and their parameters that are used to generate the elements are stored for later retrieval. The user may directly select an element from the drawing displayed in another activated window or some part of the screen or on a digitizer. After a user selects the element, a similar element is automatically displayed. A menu may be displayed after selecting an element in order for the user to modify various parameters for the similar element.

Abstract: A device for lifting sheets of glass brought on a conveyor, has at least one arm rotatable about a horizontal spindle, situated at the lower end of the arm, between a substantially vertical position for gripping the sheets on the conveyor and a substantially horizontal position for depositing the sheets. The device also has a support mounted on the upper end of each rotating arm, the support being slidable along the axis of the arm. The support carries first suction cups for gripping the sheets and at least two retractable arms fastened with the support, the arms being rotatable between a substantially horizontal axis carried by the support, each retractable arm being provided with second suction cups. The retractable arms and the second suction cups are disposed symmetrically with respect to the conveyor axis and in such a way that the sheets of large dimensions are gripped while being in equilibrium.

Abstract: An installation for lifting and stacking or unstacking sheets of glass and particularly sheets of small dimension (i.e. one meter by 1.5 meters). The installation has a secondary conveyor (1), an elevator and a panel (24). The elevator has at least one arm (5) provided with suction cups (7) mounted on the sliding support. The arm is driven in rotation through an angle of about 90 degrees by a connecting rod-crank system (13) provided with at least one balancing jack (18) as well as a jack for laterally displacing the elevator and the secondary conveyor. The installation makes it possible to obtain very rapid operating rates (of the order of two seconds) at a reduced power output.