Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical character recognition device (OCR) for reading a form provided with character frames in reading fields, into which a user fills each character. Characteristic vectors are extracted from the character images of each frame. A number of characters decision unit 16, into which the characteristic vectors are input, decides the number of characters filled in one of the character frames. A character separation unit 18 separates each of characters from the character image based on the number of characters decided by the decision unit 16. The character recognition unit 20 then recognizes each of the character. The OCR according o the present invention is able to read the form correctly, in which a plurality of characters are filled in one of the frames.

Abstract: A holding device which is adapted to be flanged to a machine for filling and for automatically twisting off sausages and which acts on the front end of a twist-off nozzle of the machine via a brake ring housing for effecting automatic twisting off. For providing, on the one hand, a possibility of exactly positioning the holding device relative to the twist-off nozzle and for maintaining, on the other hand, the twist-off nozzle in a condition in which it is always accessible for the purpose of fitting new caterpillar sausage skins, the holding device is provided with a support tube, which is supported in a guide link in a manner free from play and which permits the brake ring housing of the holding device to be pivoted away in the case of a movement taking place in the horizontal direction of a pivotable lever, said support tube having, in addition, the effect that the position which has once been adjusted is re-established when the brake ring housing is pivoted back.

Abstract: This invention relates to an inflatable article such as an air bed or the like and includes a deformable bag 12 which is coupled to the air bed 10 via a stem 18. The deformable bag is opened to allow air to enter the bag and is then deformed to force air from the bag 12 into the article 10 to inflate the article. The bag in the deformed condition forms a valve for preventing excape of air from the bed 10 and may be inserted into a pouch 20 provided on the bed 10. The invention may also include a chamber 60 disposed between the bag 12 and the air bed 10 for enabling the bed 10 to be inflated to a relatively high pressure. A first valve 64 is provided between the chamber and the bag 12 and the open condition allows air to pass from the bag 12 into the chamber 60. A second valve 62 is provided which opens upon deformation of the chamber 60 to allow air to pass from the chamber 60 into the air bed 10.

Abstract: A process for coating the surface of a material with a carbonaceous coating by vacuum deposition derives the carbon in substantially pure form from a hydrocarbon gas plasma, the surface to be coated being coupled to an A.C. power source operating at a frequency below 500 kHz at which the electrical impedance of the plasma is substantially non-varying during the deposition process. Because the plasma impedance is substantially constant the process is safe and reproducible and can be carried out without dynamic monitoring and adjustment procedures and there is no requirement for an impedance matching network between the A.C. power supply and the vacuum chamber. Frequencies in the range 300-400 kHz with applied voltages of the order of 1KV or greater have been found to give good results.