Abstract: A method of and apparatus for increasing the fullness of tone of electronic musical instruments having at least one set of tone generators corresponding to the tonal range of the instrument through the playing of individual registers and/or groups of registers optionally selectible from these tone generators, by one or more key systems. Electric sound oscillations which are provided by the tone generators and optionally combined to form registers are subjected to cyclic phase shifts, the period of the cycle of which is so low that these shifts are not acoustically discernible in the individual sound or register or group of registers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a horticultural aid in the growing of plants of all kinds in beds, pots, tubs or baskets.The horticultural aid includes the provision of a loose felted web or organic or inorganic fibres or mixtures thereof, applying an adhesive and/or bonding substance to the web, compressing the web to a thickness and compactness suitable to form a ground cover mat for plant beds or soil cover in tubs or pots. Alternatively the web may, after having the adhesive and/or bonding substance applied thereto be formed into tubs, pots, baskets or liners for baskets and the like in which plants may be grown or propagated.

Abstract: A closure to be slidably fitted in a container to exclude air from the surface of the material in said container or to be withdrawn to allow access to said material, includes a disc-like closure body, an air vent through said body, a plug to close said vent, a flexible handle attached to said body, characterized by a connection between said plug and said handle whereby force on said handle to withdraw said closure retracts said plug from said vent.

Abstract: The invention relates to copolyamides containing caprolactam, lauriclactam, hexamethylene diamine adipate and hexamethylene diamine salt of an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid with a carbon chain of 9, 10, 12 or 13 carbon atoms. The copolyamides are useful as heat-sealing agents.

Abstract: In an optical transformation drawing apparatus in which an image is projected by a projector on to a rear face of a projection screen so that a draftsman can trace on the front face of the screen the image transmitted through the screen, both the projection screen and a projector support frame supporting the projector are mounted on a fixed frame to pivot about an axis with the projector support frame and the projector thereon acting as a counterweight for the screen and with the projector support frame arranged parallel to the pivot axis, a mirror being provided to deflect the image from the projector on to the rear face of the screen.

Abstract: The invention relates to copolyamides containing caprolactam, lauriclactam and 11-aminoundecanoic acid, useful as heat sealing agents.

Abstract: A device for cleaning immersed surfaces comprising a supporting structure rrying rotary circular brushes for cleaning the surface and wheels for moving the device on the surface. When rotated the brushes produce a force of attraction towards the surface. Transmission means, for example, calibrated springs, transmit to the wheel a predetermined part of the force of attraction so that the force with which the brushes are pressed against the surface is diminished and the adhesion of the wheels to the surface is ensured.

Abstract: Metal foil is applied to sheet metal by a film of polythene adhering to both and separating the two from direct contact, for improving the heat-insulating qualities of the sheet metal, by superimposing the film on the sheet metal, superimposing the foil on said film, and drawing the laminated assembly under tension along a convex curved surface, said foil next to said surface, and simultaneously heating said sheet metal to heat, by conduction, said film, heat and pressure on said foil causing it to bond to said foil and said film.

Abstract: Animal noise protection devices of various forms are provided for insulating the animal from environmental noise. In certain forms, an enclosure for the animal is constructed of sound insulation material, with means in the form of hinged doors being provided for permitting ingress and egress of the animal to and from the shelter. Other type devices comprise a collar harness or head band for the animal which encircles at least the ears of the animal and is formed by or has associated therewith sound insulation material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of organic acids by biologically hydrolysing the corresponding nitriles.This process is distinguished by the fact that the nitrile in aqueous solution is subjected to the action of bacteria showing nitrilasic activity, preferably selected from the species: Bacillus, Bacteridium as defined by Prevot, Micrococcus and Brevibacterium as defined by Bergey.The process according to the invention can be used in particular for the production of racemic lactic acid.

Abstract: In apparatus for continuously pressing panels of particulate material, such as chips or fibres, a press drum with an endless belt looped partially therearound and pressed against the drum to press the panels between the drum and the belt, an inlet roller adjacent the drum, between which inlet roller and drum the belt carrying the particulate material to be pressed passes, a plurality of return rollers and a tensioning and control roller spaced from the inlet roller to form therebetween a horizontal pass of the belt onto which the particulate material to be pressed is sprinkled, the tensioning and control roller being adjustable in position to control tension and lateral movement of the belt.

Abstract: A method for pneumatically conveying material through a conveyor conduit comprises automatically interposing into the conveying operation cleaning phases in which no material is introduced into the conduit, to remove material previously deposited in the conduit. Apparatus has a timing means which rhythmically interrupts the introduction of material, and the strength of the air flow in the cleaning phases can be greater than that of the air flow during the conveying phases.

Abstract: A ring to be interposed between the adjoining ends of two lengths of cylinder barrel of a worm extruder, each length of which comprises an inner cylindrical member and an outer cylindrical member disposed concentrically therewith with a duct for flow of heating and/or cooling fluid provided between the cylindrical members, the ring having an inside diameter corresponding to the inside diameter of the inner cylindrical member end faces, having sealing rings therein, to abut and seal against the end faces of the cylindrical members and a covered in recess in its periphery for connection to a source of heating and/or cooling members, clamping means being provided to pull the outer cylindrical members into abutment with the ring.

Abstract: Glassware treating apparatus in which bottles which have been coated with a non-abrading coating are treated to remove surface irregularities in the coating on the bottom of the bottles. The bottles are gripped and suspended from conveyor means and pass consecutively over a heating zone, a cooling zone and a drying zone for removing the surface irregularities.

Abstract: Apparatus for the continuous production of chipboard, fibreboard or like panels, comprising a tensioned endless steel belt guided over a plurality of rollers and partially around a heated revolvable press drum such that said rollers press the belt against said drum, sprinkler apparatus disposed over a portion of the belt which extends horizontally before said drum in the direction of movement of the belt such that material to form said panels sprinkled onto said portion of the belt is pressed between the belt and the drum to form a web of material, wherein at least one of said plurality of rollers has over its width a convexly ground surface, whereby panels produced on the apparatus can have substantially uniform thickness and weight.

Abstract: An in-ground swimming pool, includes rigid planar ends, a pair of parallel inwardly-extending curved flanges on each said end, the sides and bottom being a sheet of flexible springy sheet material, capable of transportation in rolled form, the edges of said sheet being engaged between said flanges and a highly-compressed gasket of resilient material between said sheet and the inner flange of each said pair.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the insulative coating of electrical conductors with thermosetting resins. According to the invention, the resins used are thermosetting ester resins produced from polyhydric alcohols, carboxylic acids with two or more carboxyl groups attached to an aromatic ring and, as optional components, an aliphatic carboxylic acid and amino group-containing compounds. Low molecular weight resins are used containing from 0.85 to 1 mol of polyhydric alcohols per equivalent of co-condensed carboxylic acid. The resins used have a melt viscosity of at most 40,000 m Pa s at 120.degree.C. Coating is preferably carried out using a solvent-free composition, and at a low temperature.