Abstract: Filter cigarettes of unit or multiple unit length are produced in a tipping machine wherein successive groups of coaxial plain cigarettes and filter rod sections are caused to roll within a channel bounded by surfaces at least one of which moves relative to the other(s). This results in the conversion of uniting bands, which are carried by successive groups into the inlet of the channel, into tubular sleeves connecting the tubular wrapper(s) of the filter rod section(s) to the plain cigarette(s) of the respective group. The wrappers, and normally also the uniting bands, are perforated in the channel subsequent to, or in part simultaneously with, the conversion of uniting bands into the respective sleeves. Each filter cigarette can be provided with one or more arrays, such as annuli, of perforations, e.g., by mutually inclined laser beams.

Abstract: An endlessly circulating conveying device is provided for strengthening a conveyable fiber lap. The device has first and second converging rollers for conveying the fiber lap. Each roller has an outer surface and at least the first roller is provided with profile elements on its outer surface. The rollers are for subjecting the fiber lap to a pressure when the fiber lap passes through a gap between the rollers, and strengthening the fiber lap by exerting the pressure by the converging rollers and the profile elements.

Abstract: A flat bar assembly is provided for use with a carding machine having a carding cylinder, the carding cylinder having clothing. The assembly has a flat bar, flat bar clothing attached to the flat bar, and an equalizing layer between the flat bar and the flat bar clothing. The flat bar clothing is for positioning opposite the carding cylinder clothing, and the equalizing layer fills a space between the flat bar and the flat bar clothing to compensate for distance differences between the flat bar clothing and the flat bar and to locate the flat bar clothing at a predetermined position relative to the flat bar.

Abstract: With a method for converting an analog input signal (S1) to a digital output signal (S7), the analog input signal (S1) is amplified in a first signal path (2, 3, 5) and is subjected to an analog-to-digital conversion (5). In a second signal path (4, 6), another analog signal (S4) is obtained for transmitting larger signal amplitudes and is subjected to an analog-to-digital conversion (6). The signal (S5) digitized in the first signal path (2, 3, 5) and the signal (S6) that is digitized in the second signal path (4, 6) are fed to a digital signal processor (7), which generates the digital output signal (S7). To avoid an abrupt reduction in the signal resolution and achieve the highest possible dynamic scope, it is suggested that the analog signal fed to the second signal path (4, 5) be distorted non-linear and counter to the amplified analog signal (S2) in the first signal path (2, 3, 5).

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an item group in a container, includes a first conveyor carrying the items; a second conveyor; and a plurality of container carriers mounted on the second conveyor. Each container carrier has a support for holding and positioning a container such that a container bottom and a container side wall are oriented obliquely to the advancing direction of the second conveyor. A pickup device lifts an item from the first conveyor, transports it to the second conveyor and deposits it into a container positioned by a container carrier. A control device controls the motions of the pickup device to selectively deposit items in a flat-lying orientation on the container bottom or on the container side wall. After uprighting the containers subsequent to their charging with items, each item is either in a flat-lying orientation or in an edge-wise standing orientation with respect to the container bottom.

Abstract: Double-filter cigarettes are produced by inserting different filter components between two rods of tobacco. This is attained by inserting filter components of different final lengths, obtained from separate supplies and processed along separate feed paths, successively between the tobacco rods.

Abstract: A device for creating a spread-out stream of tobacco fibers includes a concave-curved guide track along which the fiber stream of tobacco fibers are conveyed. The guide track has a generatrix based on a uniform generating curve. At least one air jet has an air flow opening interrupting the guide track so that air exiting the air flow jet acts in a conveyance direction of the fiber stream for spreading out the tobacco fibers.

Abstract: A feeder device for removing folded or unfolded signatures from a stack of signatures in an adjacent signature magazine and feeding a production line with the signatures. The device includes a conveying rotor having an approximately circular circumference and being rotatable in a conveying direction. The conveying rotor includes a recess at the approximately circular circumference for holding a front edge, in the conveying direction, of a printed product removed from the stack of signatures. A conveying belt partially rests against the circumference of the conveying rotor, and is drivable in the same direction as the conveying rotor, and together with the conveying rotor forms a conveying gap through which the signatures are conveyed to the processing line. At least one synchronously driven separating element includes a control device comprising a pivotal control shaft arranged parallel to the rotational axis of the conveying rotor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a diagnostic method for detecting cell-proliferating diseases characterized by analysis of the methylation level of cytosine residues in the region involved in the expression of cytokine receptor gene.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piston internal combustion engine comprising upper camshafts (2, 3) for actuating gas exchange valves, whereby respectively adjacent lying bearings of the induction-side camshaft (2) and the exhaust-side camshaft (3) are provided with a covering element (5) scaling both bearings. The inventive engine is also provided with direct fuel injection by means of a respective injector device (7) which has a nozzle part and which is associated with a cylinder (I, II, III, IV). The nozzle part is sealingly inserted into an opening in the cylinder head (1) and a cross brace (8) is fixed to the cylinder head (1) in a deflection-resistant manner, overlapping with at least one injector device (7). The cross brace is connected to tightening elements (11) enabling the injector devices (7) to be sealingly tightened in relation to the cross brace (8). The cross brace (8) is connected to least two neighbouring bearing-covering elements (5).

Abstract: To facilitate direct conversion to digital form of an acoustic signal acting on the acoustic receptor of an acoustic receiver while satisfying requirements of dynamic range, noise and adequate quantization, the following is proposed: the acoustic receptor should be exposed to a counter-signal when the acoustic signal acts on it in such a way that the acoustic receptor is largely maintained in its rest state despite the action of the acoustic signal. The counter-signal is derived from the control variable of a control circuit which is a component of the acoustic receptor. The control variable contains the information on the acting acoustic signal. Any deviation of the receptor from its rest state immediately generates a digital “nought” or “one.

Abstract: A coiler plate is provided for sliver coil depositing. The coiler plate has a rotational axis, a spatially curved sliver channel having a wall, an inside wall surface, a sliver inlet, and a sliver outlet. The sliver inlet is arranged substantially coaxial with the rotational axis, and the sliver outlet is arranged at a radial distance and an axial distance from the sliver inlet. The device has a field producer that produces at least one of a magnetic field and an electric field. The field is for acting on the sliver such that the sliver is positioned away from at least a portion of the sliver channel inside wall surface.

Abstract: Blanks for conversion into hinged-lid packets for block-shaped arrays of cigarettes in metal foil envelopes are supplied by a first turntable to an assembling station where successive blanks are overlapped by successive arrays furnished by a second turntable. Each blank is draped around the envelope of the respective array in part at the assembling station and in part at a further station downstream of the assembling station, as seen in the direction of joint advancement of the arrays and the corresponding blanks toward an evacuating station. Each array is moved at the assembling station vertically downwardly from a pocket of the second turntable into a pocket of the first turntable; the latter thereupon advances the arrays and the blanks jointly to the further station, and the finished packets—with the arrays confined therein—to the evacuating station.

Abstract: Packs of rod-shaped smokers' products comprise containers of a material which permits monitoring of their contents by a suitable detector serving to generate signals which indicate the presence of characteristic indicia on one or more packed smokers' products. Such signals are encoded and the encoded information is applied to the respective containers. The information can be decoded and compared with signals furnished by the detector in order to ascertain whether or not the smokers' products are genuine, i.e., made by the manufacurer whose trademark(s) and/or other identifying information appear or appears on the containers.

Abstract: A carding machine includes a carding cylinder and a plurality of traveling flat bars. Each flat bar has a flat bar clothing carried on an underside of the flat bar for cooperating with the cylinder clothing. The flat bar clothing of the flat bars is oriented at an adjustable angle to the cylinder clothing. Each flat bar has first and second flat bar parts at a longitudinal flat bar end. A first arcuate slide guide is supported adjacent a radial face of the carding cylinder, and the first flat bar part of the flat bars rides on the first slide guide. A second arcuate slide guide is supported adjacent the radial face of the carding cylinder, and the second flat bar part of the flat bars rides on the second slide guide. The second slide guide is wedge-shaped and is shiftable in a circumferential direction of the carding cylinder.

Abstract: A control system for a group of fiber processing machines includes a superordinate control console; and separate machine-specific control consoles connected to each respective fiber processing machine. The superordinate control console and the machine-specific control consoles are connected to one another by control and regulating devices via a network. The superordinate control console is utilized for all and only for those inputs and displays which require no personal control and display acknowledgment at the machines and the machine-specific control consoles are utilized for all and only for those inputs and displays which, for the operation of the machines require a personal control and display acknowledgement at the machines.

Abstract: A method for the operation of the cover of a slide-and-tilt sunroof for closing a roof opening of a vehicle from an open position, at least partially exposing the roof opening is provided. To close it, the cover is slid into the area of the roof opening and moved towards an opening edge of the roof opening, and, after commencement of the movement towards the opening edge of the roof opening, the movement of the cover is driven in such a way that the cover reaches the closed position in the same closing direction as when closing from its elevated position.

Abstract: A recliner mechanism for a seat has a support structure (1, 2) to be connected to the squab of the seat. This structure pivotally (17) supports an arm (13) to be connected to the back of the seat so that the back of the seat may move about a pivot axis. The mounting arm has a projection (15) spaced from the pivot axis (17) engaging a link (24). The link engages a pin (30) which passes through a slot (10) formed in the support structure. The pin also passes through a diametric slot (31) formed in a drive wheel (32) which is mounted for rotation relative to the support structure. The slot (10) in the support structure is located and configured to intersect the slot (31) on the drive wheel (32) at a plurality of rotational positions thereof. The drive wheel (32) is provided with a catch means (40) adapted to retain the drive wheel (32) in predetermined selected positions.

Abstract: A device for removing rod-shaped objects from a production line includes a turning arrangement adapted for receiving the rod-shaped objects removed from the production line. The turning arrangement has at least one essentially fixed in place and rigid guide mechanism for swiveling the rod-shaped objects.