Abstract: A plate heat exchanger has a number of adjacent plates with vents arranged to vent material from transfer bridge zones to atmosphere. An electrode extending lengthwise of the apparatus and through apertures of the plates contacts the vented material when an unacceptable level of accumulation of vented material occurs in dead spaces adjacent the apertures. A detectable change of effective electrical capacitance or resistance caused by the accumulated material approaching or touching the electrode is used to generate a warning signal.

Abstract: Apparatus 1 for sampling the contents of a pressurised vessel 2 comprises a valve 3 having an inlet 4 and an outlet 5. The inlet 4 is in communication with the interior of the vessel 2. A sample-receiving pressure receptacle 7 is connectable to the valve outlet 5 in a sealing manner, and a pressure venting line 8 is provided for equalizing the interior of the receptacle 7 with the atmosphere. When the valve 3 is open, a sample of pressurized vessel contents can enter the receptacle 7. When the valve is then closed, the sample remains in the receptacle 7. A probe 31, operable from outside the pressurized vessel 2, is provided so that, when the valve 3 is open, a sample of the vessel contents can be drawn through the valve and into the receptacle 7.

Abstract: Biscuit creaming apparatus (1) comprises a stencil tube (2) rotatably mounted on a rotatable stencil sleeve (3), the stencil sleeve having spaced-apart outlet ports (5) alignable with discharge orifices (6) in the stencil tube. Alignment can take place with both the tube (2) and sleeve (3) stationary whereby cream supplied to the stencil sleeve is caused to discharge from the discharge orifices of the stencil tube at an angle, (preferably between about 45.degree. and 120.degree.), to the vertical, during air purging operation, such that a tray (47) can easily be placed in position to collect the cream for reuse. Alternatively, alignment with the stencil sleeve (3) stationary and the stencil tube (2) rotatable thereabout, causes cream supplied to the stencil sleeve to discharge downwardly and sequentially from orifices (6) in the stencil tube on to biscuit shells carried by a conveyor band 44.