Abstract: A brush includes a movable handle in the form of nippers and a head having a housing at least on one side, sized for receiving the handle. The latter is made up of two rods of equal length joined together at one of their ends and secured to the head by a set of notches and detents provided in the housing and the free ends of the handle. Securing of the handle to the head is obtained by latching of the detents in the notches. Such a brush is particularly advantageous inasmuch as it makes it extremely simple to replace the head by another one having identical or different size or shape.

Abstract: A non conductive, edge-strip for use on an electrolytic metal refining anode or cathode to prevent metal deposit problems over the edge contours of this cathode. The edge-strip is in the shape of an elongated profile member with a U-shaped cross-section sized to extend over, and fit snuggly onto an edge of the cathode. The edge-strip is made by pultrusion of fiberglass impregnated with a polymeric resin resistant to acids and alkalis, and externally covered with a surfacing veil resistant to acids and electrochemical attacks.

Abstract: A process for producing salted potato chips having a fat content lower than 32% by weight. The process comprises the steps of preparing potato slices, washing the slices in an aqueous solution of sodium chloride to salt the same in depth, drying the salted slices, preheating the dry slices with infrared radiations, and frying the preheated slices by immersion in a bath of edible oil or fat heated at an appropriate frying temperature.

Abstract: A construction toy assembly includes brick-like units of which one wall only has connecting plugs. One unit is made of two parts solid with one another and extending at 45.degree. therebetween; another unit is also formed of two parts but the parts can pivot with respect to one another about a common axis and still another unit is in the form of a hollow open-ended tube which is rectangular in cross-section.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus capable of X-ray beaming in a multiplicity of directions around and through the body of a patient lying horizontally stationary on a table. The X-ray equipment is fixed to a ring which circumscribes the table and the patient. This ring is held on a support and is able to be driven into rotation, relative to the support, about its center. The apparatus also includes a fork-like suspension member which has a pair of side legs located each on one outward side of the support; the lower ends of the legs being connected with the support such as to allow the latter, and the ring it holds, to be oscillated in unison by a suitable motor mechanism about a horizontal axis joining the two lower ends of the legs; this horizontal axis being further normal to the axis of rotation of the ring. The suspension member is in turn connected to a carrier assembly provided on a top structure of the frame of the X-ray apparatus.

Abstract: A device for introducing an additive liquid into a carrier liquid, which comprises a pipe section with a venturi in which the carrier liquid is caused to flow. A first tube has an end connected to the pipe section upstream of the venturi, while a second tube of small diameter is formed in the walls of the first tube and pipe section. The second tube has a two-branched end defining a first orifice in the pipe section downstream of the venturi and a second orifice inside the venturi. The first and second tubes comprises adjacent free ends. A third tube has an end communicating with a first compartment of a plastic bag, while a small diameter fourth tube formed within the wall of the third tube has an end communicating with a second compartment of the bag containing the additive liquid. The third and fourth tubes comprise adjacent free ends. A quick-fit connector removably and simultaneously connects together the free ends of the first and third tubes, and the free ends of the second and fourth tubes.

Abstract: A tree harvester comprises a head boom at the lower free end of which is mounted a tree felling head having a cylindrical cutting knife behind which is formed a storage area for felled trees. The head includes pivotable gripping arms for pressing the trees to be felled against the cylindrical knife and for driving them and holding them in the storage area.

Abstract: In a waveguide structure, there is provided a waveguide section rotatable about its longitudinal axis and an electric DC stepper motor arrangement. The rotor of such an arrangement is constituted by magnetic returns fixedly mounted on the waveguide section, and has a rotation axis which coincides with the longitudinal axis of the section. The rotor is therefore rotatable with the waveguide section about the longitudinal axis of the same. The motor arrangement further includes a stator provided with a plurality of poles which cooperate with the magnetic returns to rotate the waveguide section so as to adjust as desired its angular position. When the waveguide section has a circular cross section and is provided with two diametrically opposed lines of tuning screws, the waveguide structure forms a microwave polarizer which can be used in a variable power combiner.

Abstract: A disposable litter for cats or the like domestic animals, comprising a flat-bottom shallow container having an open top, made of rigid or semirigid material of the waterproof type or made waterproof. The litter also comprises a layer of absorbent material disposed at the bottom of the container and a membrane sealed directly to the container to hold the thick layer of absorbent material as long as desired in position at the bottom of the container. Once removed, the membrane gives access to the layer of absorbent material and thus allows transforming the latter and the container into which the absorbent material rests into a litter for cats or the like domestic animals. Advantageously, the container and the membrane are made of a low-cost material such as cardboard or a moulded plastic material in such a way as to form together a package of the disposable type that may be discarded with the thick layer of absorbent material once the latter is soiled.

Abstract: A device for detecting the onset of parturition of a pregnant animal which comprises a thin, electrically conducting wire passing through the left and right sides of the animal's vulva region so that a middle portion of the wire lies across the vaginal orifice of the animal. Two stoppers are fixedly mounted on the two end portions of the thin wire and positioned so as to cause, upon separation of the left and right sides of the animal's vulva region at the onset of parturition of the animal, a tensile stress into a central portion of the thin, electrically conducting wire defined between the two stoppers and including the wire middle portion lying across the vaginal orifice, which tensile stress breaking this central portion. A switching unit connected to the two end portions of the thin, electrically conducting wire detects breaking of the wire central portion to thereby detect the onset of parturition of the animal.

Abstract: A steam cooking device having an outer shell with an open top and an open bottom. A cover closes the open top. The open bottom is sized to fit about a heating element. A support member is provided within the outer shell, for supporting food to be cooked. This support member is spaced above the bottom of the outer shell to provide space within the shell for a water container.

Abstract: A combination hand weight and water dispenser has a hollow D-shaped watertight body with a straight portion, suitable to be hand gripped by the user; a water filling and discharging aperture, and a teat drinking assembly screwed around the aperture. The combination allows easy filling of the hollow body and withdrawing of water when the teat assembly is operated by the mouth of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing materials for making animal feed, comprising a mixer including a pair of endless chains interconnected by parallel mixing members spaced from one another and forming a travelling endless conveyor. The chains are supported solely by two pairs of upper sprocket wheels, one of which is a driving pair. The length of the chains is selected so that the belt has a lower arcuate strand below the sprocket wheels and a substantially linear upper strand in between the sprocket wheels, the lower strand being longer than the upper one, both of these strands defining an inner mixing zone. The mixer is mounted in an open-top casing having an arcuate bottom beneath and adjacent to the lower strand and a linear strand between the sprocket wheels. A rotary lump breaking member is provided in the mixing zone close to an parallel to the mixing members, in front of a mixture discharge opening provided in the casing.

Abstract: A membrane element pumping and circulation mechanism comprising a pressure vessel containing a centrifugal pumping mechanism and a membrane module wherein aqueous fluid to be purified undergoes active circulation and purification while following a continuous path without leaving the primary container; as well as a purification process using the mechanism.

Abstract: An observation stand has a rectangular platform acting as a floor and removably secured, at its center, at the upper end of a mast. The latter is made up of a series of cylindrical tubes having generally the same length but decreasing in diameter, from one tube to the next, in order that the tubes may be slid one into the other with, of course, the larger tube on the outside. The mast is mounted by its base on a stake, driven into the ground, by means of a device which allows the mast to pivot with respect to the stake so that the stand may be completely mounted when lying over the ground before being straightened up into vertical position and then fixed in that vertical position. The mast is provided with removable rungs capable of giving access to a trap-door formed on the very platform. The latter is surrounded by a removable guardwall.