Abstract: Apparatus for filtering plasticized material between two discrete inlets and a main outlet of a housing has two passages each of which connects one of the inlets with the main outlet. Each passage receives a reciprocable cylindrical filter carrier which can establish or interrupt a path for the flow of plasticized material from the respective inlet to the main outlet, depending on the selected axial position of the carrier. In order to expel contaminants which gather at the upstream side of the filter in a carrier, the carrier which is to be relieved of contaminants is moved to an axial position in which the respective inlet is sealed and the space at the downstream side of the filter receives filtered plasticized material substantially centrally of the filter. Contaminants are expelled from the space at the upstream side of the filter by way of a second outlet which is provided in the housing and communicates with the filter chamber of the carrier which is in the process of being relieved of contaminants.

Abstract: That flywheel of a torsional vibration damping apparatus which is connected to the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle has a concentric annular lubricant-containing compartment for a relatively small number of elongated arcuate coil springs which bear against the teeth of a flange secured to a second flywheel which is coaxial with the first wheel and carries a friction clutch. The latter can be engaged to transmit torque from the second flywheel to the input element of a variable-speed transmission in the power train of the motor vehicle. The compartment of the first flywheel is lined by resilient shells which are installed in stressed condition and at least substantially surround the coil springs. The shells have integral abutments for the end portions of the springs, or the abutments are fixed to or alternate with arcuate portions of the shells.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling large bottles with a beverage has a rotating vessel which contains a supply of pressurized beverage and admits the beverage into a series of metering chambers forming part of container filling modules at the underside of the vessel. The outlet opening of each metering chamber is controlled by a valve which can permit or prevent the flow of beverage into a casing having an inlet for reception of beverage from the metering chamber, an outlet which is radially and vertically offset relative to the inlet, and a helical swirling channel which extends from the inlet to the outlet and surrounds the central vertical axis of the outlet along an arc of approximately or exactly 360.degree.. The cross-sectional area of the channel decreases proportionally with the distance from the inlet, and the intermediate portion of the channel communicates with the outlet by way of a conical passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for optically scanning a reflective object includes a first reflector having a frustoconical reflecting surface with a central opening. A second reflector has a flat reflecting surface which faces the frustoconical surface and is inclined with respect to the axis thereof. To the side of the flat surface is an optoelectronic sensor which is connected to a processing unit. Between the sensor and the flat surface is a focusing system which functions to focus light reflected from such surface onto the sensor. In operation, an object to be scanned is moved through the central opening of the frustoconical surface along the axis of the latter. As the object moves, a light source illuminates successive, circumferentially complete bands of the object at a predetermined location within the space surrounded by the frustoconical surface. Light from the source impinges upon the object from laterally thereof and at an angle to the axis of the frustoconical surface.

Abstract: A single stream of comminuted tobacco leaves is divided into two discrete streams each of which contains a surplus of tobacco particles. The surpluses are removed by discrete trimming devices and the thus removed surpluses are conveyed into the distributor which forms the single stream in such a way that the surplus which is removed from one of the discrete streams is reused for the making of a next-following portion of the one discrete stream or for the making of a next-following portion of the other discrete stream. The surplus which is removed from the other discrete stream is reused for the making of a next-following portion of the other discrete stream or for the making of a next following portion of the one discrete stream.

Abstract: The combined mass flow of solid and liquid fractions of a fibrous material which is converted into a tobacco rod or filter rod in a rod making machine of the tobacco processing industry is ascertained by monitoring the liquid fraction in the distributor of the machine and by monitoring the solid fraction downstream of the monitoring station for the liquid fraction. Electric signals which are obtained as a result of such monitoring are processed in a computer which transmits a signal denoting the combined mass flow of solid and liquid fractions. Such signal is used to maintain the combined mass flow at or close to a preselected value, particularly by adjusting a trimming device which removes the surplus of fibrous material ahead of the station where the fibrous material is draped into a web of cigarette paper, imitation cork or other wrapping material.

Abstract: A unit which serves to fill trays with surplus cigarettes adjacent the path of movement of a mass flow of cigarettes from a maker to a processing machine is disposed at a level beneath a unit which empties the contents of filled trays into the mass flow when the requirements of the processing machine exceed the output of the maker. Each unit stores empty trays at an upper level and filled trays at a lower level. The two units are adjacent a device which serves to transfer trays between the storeys as well as between the two units on the one hand and a reservoir for additional empty and filled trays on the other hand.

Abstract: A flushing tank for a toilet has a housing which accommodates a body of flushing water. An evacuating unit is disposed in the flushing water and includes a flushing valve, a vertical tubular member whose lower end constitutes part of the flushing valve and a vertical suction pipe for the removal of foul odors from the toilet. The upper end of the suction pipe is connected to the upper end of the tubular member while the lower end of the suction pipe communicates with a filter or with a line which conducts foul odors away from the toilet. A suction generating unit draws foul air into and through the suction pipe. The tubular member is movable up-and-down to open and close the flushing valve. The evacuating unit is mounted in an opening in the bottom of the housing and the opening is connected to the toilet bowl. The flushing water flows through the flushing valve and the opening into the toilet bowl when the flushing valve is opened.

Abstract: A torsion damping apparatus which is installed between the crankshaft of the engine and the friction clutch in a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other against the opposition of a composite damper. The composite damper has two dampers which operate in series and a friction generating device which operates between one of the dampers and one of the flywheels. One of the flywheels has an axial projection which centers a flange of the composite damper.

Abstract: A filter changing apparatus for use with an extruder for plasticized synthetic plastic material has a housing with one or more bores for reciprocable cylindrical carriers of tubular filters. Each carrier is movable between at least one first position in which a stream of plastic material can flow from an inlet of the housing, axially into one end of the filter, radially outwardly from the filter and into an outlet of the housing, and at least one second position in which the carrier seals the inlet from the outlet or permits expulsion of contaminants and plastic material from the filter in a direction toward the inlet or into a second outlet of the housing.

Abstract: A bipolar coagulation forceps wherein the switch at the inner side of one of its legs can be closed by an actuator at the inner side of the other leg. The switch and the actuator have cooperating centering and guide elements which engage one another to prevent any shifting of the jaws at the working ends of the legs during that stage of pivoting of the legs when the jaws already engage each other but the pivoting of the legs relative to each other must continue in order to close the switch. The latter is connected with a terminal at the rear ends of the legs by a conductor which is confined in a tube at the inner side of the leg carrying the switch. The outer side of the leg which carries the actuator has a finger-receiving flute which enhances the flexibility of the respective leg and renders it possible to pivot the legs relative to each other subsequent to engagement of the jaws with one another.

Abstract: A hand tool for splitting straw into strips has a pot-shaped element with a bottom and an open side opposite the bottom. A tube is mounted in the bottom coaxially with the pot-shaped element and has an end face which is flush with the outer side of the bottom. The tube, which defines a passage for stalks of straw to be split, extends from the bottom into the pot-shaped element. A rod is disposed internally of the tube coaxially therewith and has a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional areas of the stalks to be split. A plurality of blades project radially from the rod to the inner wall of the tube and are uniformly distributed circumferentially of the latter. Each of the blades has a cutting edge which faces the bottom of the pot-shaped element. The cutting edges extend along respective generatrices of a cone which converges towards the bottom of the pot-shaped element.

Abstract: A torsion damping apparatus which is installed between the crankshaft of the engine and the friction clutch in a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other against the opposition of a composite damper. The composite damper has two dampers which operate in series and a friction generating device which operates between one of the dampers and one of the flywheels. One of the flywheels has an axial projection which centers a flange of the composite damper.

Abstract: A long or short firearm wherein an essential part for the firing of ammunition can be disconnected from the housing to be replaced with an attachment which carries a laser. The laser is operated to emit a beam of radiation against a selected target in response to depression of the trigger which is carried by the housing. A circuit is provided to determine the duration of emission of radiation in response to depression of the trigger. The energy source or sources for the laser can be confined in the magazine of the housing and/or in the attachment. A sight on the attachment assumes the same position with reference to the housing as a sight of the detachable essential part when the attachment is connected to the housing in lieu of the essential part. The essential part can include the barrel and the firing chamber of a short firearm or the bolt action of a long firearm.

Abstract: Pressurized petroleum flows from a well into a turbine. The petroleum undergoes a pressure reduction in the turbine and then enters a separation chamber where it is separated into liquid and gaseous phases. The liquid phase is sent to a pump which serves to transfer the liquid phase to a station remote from the well. Similarly, the gaseous phase is directed to a compressor which functions to transfer the gaseous phase to a station remote from the well. The pump and the compressor are coupled to the turbine which uses the energy liberated by the petroleum during pressure reduction to drive the pump and the compressor.