Abstract: A stack of sheets, in particular hinged-lid blanks B for cigarette packets, are disposed in a vertical stack S from the top of which successive sheets are lifted by a suction member and removed by mechanical means, e.g. by a pair of conveyors 21 provided with pushers 23.The suction member may be a gang of sleeves 14 to which suction is continuously supplied, so that when a sheet B is engaged by the sleeves they are lifted automatically by suction in readiness for the pushers 23 to remove the raised sheet B, after which the sleeves again drop by gravity. The stack S may be inched around a J-shaped stack, or lifted by a pair of divergent conveyors 30 to which replenishing groups of blanks G are fed from underneath.

Abstract: A hinged lid packet has an integral inner frame comprising a recessed panel extending upwardly from the front wall of the body of the packet, and a pair of side flaps extending backwards from the sides of the recessed panel. A cut-away part is formed at the top of each side flap to provide access for securing each outer flap of the lid of the packet to the respective inner flap. Each inner flap may be of a shape corresponding to the cut-away part, so that with the lid closed the inner flap and the respective side flap are substantially contiguous.

Abstract: A packing machine for cigarettes, in particular for soft packs, with a plurality of pack-forming assemblies 1-16, has at least one operating member 21-23 in each assembly which is movable, e.g. to clamp a sheet of foil 300 or a paper lable 400 against a packet mandrel 20. The assemblies are each indexed past a number of stations at each of which a drive shaft 33 (FIG. 3) engages a coupling shaft 35 connected to the respective operating member. The shafts lie perpendicular to the direction of movement of the assemblies and they engage with one another through a tongue 34 and fork 36 coupling.The coupling shaft 35 may be connected to the operating member through an eccentric 52 or, where the operating member has to be moved linearly, through a rack and pinion 61.

Abstract: In stereophonic reproduction using a dummy head process, the frequency responses of the microphones are equalized by free-field matching filters to provide overall transfer constants independent of frequency. Signals produced by the above-equalized dummy head apparatus are applied to a decoupling filter which corrects for the directional pattern of the dummy head. The decoupled signals are suitable for loudspeaker reproduction. The decoupled signals can be further applied to a second decoupling network which can be adjusted to produce headphone stereophonic signals matched to a listener's individual directional hearing pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing metal profile members, hollow bodies and the like wherein a plurality of continuous band-like metal strips of constant wall thickness as viewed in cross-section are continuously fed along separate paths which converge. The band-like metal strips are heated at predetermined selected areas to a welding temperature and then continuously press-welded together to form the profile members. One or more of the band-like metal strips may be deformed by cold-shaping prior to the press-welding operation. Hot-shaping may occur simultaneously with or immediately after the press-welding operation. Also, cold-shaping of the welded material may take place following the press-welding and hot-shaping steps to form a metal profile member of predetermined configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus for successively lifting sliding molds during construction of concrete buildings and the like having a variable cross-section of straight or curved walls includes a plurality of yoke structures for supporting the sliding molds, each yoke structure being associated with a hoist means. Each of the yoke structures comprises a lower traverse secured to a hoist means, an upper traverse, spaced inner and outer yoke posts extending between and pivotally secured to the traverses and an adjustable brace extending between the outer yoke post and the upper traverse such that the traverses and inner and outer yoke posts form a parallelogram yoke structure which may be adjusted by the brace. Each of the yoke structures is displaceably secured to a star beam system permitting radial movement of the yoke structures therealong. An annular framework system including work platforms is connected to the yoke structures and adapted to be arranged tangentially at the periphery of the building.

Abstract: A system comprising a plurality of complementary numerically controlled machine tools in which different workpieces are each subjected to appropriate selected machining operations on selected machine tools in a selected order by appropriate delivery of common form pallets loaded with the workpieces. Transporters deliver pallets between the machine tools, a storage rack, and work-setting stations where workpieces, automatically delivered in bins from a bin store, are loaded on pallets. Tool magazines are delivered between a rack and the machine tools by transporter. Transport and machining operations are computer controlled, and monitors feed back signals indicative of location of pallets, tool magazines, and bins in the system.

Abstract: One belting end 12 is joined to an adjacent belting end 13 using the apparatus shown in FIG. 3. The belting comprises a body element and a longitudinally extending constraining element embedded in the body element.The ends 12 and 13 are preferably shaped as shown in FIG. 4 and are pressed by the apparatus against opposite faces of a heating element 21. The application of heat and pressure causes the ends of the constraining element to be displaced transversely with respect to their associated body elements, the displacement of one end taking place in the opposite direction to the displacement of the other end so that in the finished joint the ends of the constraining element form an overlapping joint embedded in the fused material of the body element.

Abstract: A supporting pad for a hatch cover of a ship is provided. The supporting pad comprises a first receptacle firmly connected to the ship. A first slide block is displaceably arranged in the first receptacle. A second receptacle is firmly connected to the hatch cover and a second slide block is displaceably arranged therein. A variable accommodation space is provided at least between the first receptacle and the first slide block. The supporting pad further has an inlet opening oriented toward the variable accommodation space and a pump and a conduit for feeding a volume-stable curable composite material into the variable accommodation space for displacing and adjusting the slide block in the receptacle. By this measure, the bearing surfaces associated with one another are adjusted relative to one another individually.

Abstract: Cigarettes, as they are grouped in batches to be packed, have their ends detected for firmness or for missing filter tips, by having an array of individually actuated plungers (9) applied to their ends. Each plunger is actuated by air pressure acting on a piston (13) integral with the plunger. If a cigarette (C) is faulty a protuberance (21) on the plunger engages a common impingement plate (20), whose oscillation causes a piezoelectric transducer (22) to emit a fault signal, enabling that cigarette group subsequently to be rejected.

Abstract: A chromatically corrected deflecting device for particle-beam equipment, particularly electron-beam equipment, comprises an electric deflecting field and a magnetic deflecting field which are simultaneously employed for the deflection of a beam. The two deflecting fields are normal to each other and are oriented relative to each other in such a manner that the beam deflections due to the associated deflecting fields occur in one and the same plane, i.e. in the plane containing the undeflected beam. The electric deflection is at the same time directed in opposition to the magnetic deflection.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for laying fiber fleeces or the like delivered from a carding machine of the like onto a withdrawal belt driven at a predetermined speed. The device comprises a feed belt driven at a predetermined speed, storage, layer and balance cars all arranged for oscillating movements, respectively, a first continuous conveyor belt extending about rollers on the storage and layer cars and a second continuous conveyor belt extending about rollers on the storage and layer cars and extending from the storage car to a roller on the balance car. One run of each of the conveyor belts extending between the storage and layer cars confront each other for receiving the fiber fleece therebetween. Common drive means connects the storage and layer cars and further drive means extends from the feed belt to the layer car.

Abstract: A rotary steam boiler comprises a rotatable member mounted in a housing including heating means. The rotatable member comprises a shaft with a plurality of axially extending ducts arranged about the shaft and a plurality of pipes each having opposite ends connected to one of said ducts and having a spiral configuration, the pipes extending radially about the shaft. Inlet and outlet heads are positioned at opposite ends of the ducts, respectively, and are arranged to communicate with the ducts during rotation of the shaft whereby steam may be continuously directed through the ducts and pipes to heat the steam as the shaft rotates. A preheater and a superheater increase the efficiency of the rotary steam boiler. The rotary steam boiler may be adapted for use with nuclear power stations.

Abstract: A novel method of treating gastrointestinal, spasmolytic and ulcerogenic disorders by the administration of amidinoureas is disclosed.

Abstract: A digital time-division multiplex telecommunication system of flexible network configuration, including line, branch, ring, and star networks. Decentralized control of channel assignment is provided. Branching nodes coupling subscriber stations into bidirectional transmission lines are provided. The branching nodes comprise decentralized control means for confining communication connections between two subscribers to occupy transmission channels only on those portions of the transmission lines between the two subscribers. Thus, channels used by the two subscribers are free for use between subscribers whose connection path does not overlay that of the two subscribers.

Abstract: A soft pack made from a composite laminate blank has inner and outer films 6, 8 of polyethylene laminated to a paper substrate 4. The outer film is formed with an integral tear strip 26 thicker than the remaining film.The blank is folded as a tube around the cigarette bundle, the ends closed by the conventional tuck-and-fold closure and then heat sealed. To one side of the revenue stamp 20 is provided a perforated band 24 which is torn away on pulling of the tear strip.