Abstract: A driving method is provided for arrays of liquid crystal elements having a linear response to an applied electric field, and specifically ferroelectric liquid crystals capable of two surface-stabilized states. The presented schemes write simultaneously both states in one scan of the array, recognizing both the threshold as a critical voltage-time area and keeping this integrated averaged area equal to zero for symmetrically responding pixels. The voltage pulse trains are optimized to intrinsically assure stabilizing rms torques without applying separate holding voltages. Improvements in contrast and frame writing speed are achieved by optimizing driving parameters and scan procedures, such as scanning in loops, in combination with impedance switching.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for start spinning or piecing at least two yarns of fibers, which process includes forming strands for start-spinning or piecing by introducing a continuous filament into each roving, false twisting the strands, assembling the strands at a given point of convergence, cutting each filament upstream of its introducing point, removing the filament from the strands and twisting the strands without the filament to a twisted yarn. This process serves to overcome the problem of breaking at the start of the spinning. Also by the present invention, the problem of breaking while twisting the assembled intermediate yarns to a twisted yarn is avoided by introducing a false twisting of the assembled intermediate yarns, supplementing to the false twisting of the intermediate yarns, before the last twisting.

Abstract: A multifurrow reversible semi-mounted plough comprising a large number of plough-bodies fixed on a beam. The beam is constituted by at least two elements (12) connected two by two via an articulation (13) about an axis (16), horizontal in the working position of the plough, with structure (20, 21) for locking the articulation or articulations, the articulation (13) being preferably provided in the central portion (7) of the beam substantially in line with the wheel support group (8-10) of this central portion. The invention allows having a ploughing depth of the ploughshares almost equal on all the ploughshares in spite of the large width of the plough.

Abstract: Machine for the automatic production of meat and/or vegetable kebabs threaded onto skewers.The object of the invention relates to the sector involving the shaping or treatment of food products.According to this addition, the arrangements taking the skewers (20) are made up of a plurality of tubes (38) corresponding to the perforations of the container lid, the said tubes (38) being fixed at one end into holes made out in the thickness of a coupling plate (38b) making up a guiding and positioning assembly for the said skewers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multi-position, foldable armchair whose backrest inclination and seat height are adjustable, comprising, on each side, a crossed support of which the rear leg is articulated about a pivot pin under the front part of a seat and of which the front leg is connected to the rear part of the latter by a finger-rack arrangement. It also comprises a backrest articulated about a pivot pin on the front leg. Finally, it comprises an armrest articulated about a pin on the backrest and connected by a pin-rack arrangement to a compass element of which the front arm is articulated about a pin on the seat and of which the rear arm is articulated about the pin on the front leg. According to the invention, the rack of the seat is disengageable from the finger of the front leg and the rack of the armrest is releasable from the finger of the compass element, so that the armchair can be folded down flat.

Abstract: A stream of air is circulated by a blower along an endless path a portion of which is defined by an upright duct having an air inlet at its lower end, an air outlet at its upper end, and an inlet for comminuted tobacco particles intermediate its air inlet and air outlet. The particles of tobacco which are admitted into the duct are classified according to weight by the ascending air stream which advances satisfactory particles toward the outlet where the particles are attracted to a driven foraminous belt conveyor to form a growing tobacco stream. The air inlet of the duct contains a rotary impeller which distributes the inflowing air across the full width of the duct so that the thus formed air stream ensures a predictable classifying action and the formation of a homogeneous shower of satisfactory particles which are advanced toward the stream growing zone.

Abstract: A new liquid crystal electro-optic device similar to the SSFLC device is described. It uses the same kind of polar chiral smectics and the same geometry as the SSFLC device (thin sample in the "book-shelf" layer arrangement) but instead of using a tilted smectic phase like the C* phase, it utilizes the above-lying, essentially non-ferroelectric A phase. The achievable optical intensity modulation is considerably lower than for the SSFLC device, but the device is about one hundred times faster. It is thus appropriate for modulator rather than for display applications. Sample fabrication is simpler and, finally, the device is insensitive to polarization compensation from external charges. The electro-optic switching at moderate applied voltages can be detected through the full range of the A phase.

Abstract: The invention refers notably to the technical sector involving the forming or treatment of food products. The machine has a combination, suitably mounted on a frame (S), of a sliding support plate (1) arranged axially at the base of the container (7) and mounted with guided vertical displacement capability, being coupled to a control mechanism, with the said plate (1) having a removable chassis (4) arranged to permit removable vertical positioning of a number of skewers (6) with a view to pressing them into the various layers during action on the above-mentioned control mechanism; one or more cutting devices being connected to a control mechanism with horizontal outward and return motion, while being mounted with a guided sliding motion in relation to the frame (S) and perpendicular to at least one of the faces of the container (7) with a view to cutting the layers of meat and/or vegetables, with the skewering and cutting devices being controlled synchronously from a single control point.

Abstract: The device is of the clip-frame type designed to display a document in the form of a text or picture. It comprises spring clips designed to hold the edge of the document against a rigid plane support by means of claws. Each clip is rivetted to the support and the claw on each clip is at the end of a curved branch incorporating a lever. The curvature and elasticity of this branch tend to hold the claw against the document or an optional piece of glass over it. When the lever is depressed the clip "opens" and the claw moves back to enable a document to be inserted or removed.

Abstract: A target or clay pigeon may comprise a stopper for hermetically sealing an outlet hole. The stopper may automatically or non-automatically open the outlet hole. In one embodiment, the outlet hole (91) is hermetically sealed by a film (92) with a thread integrated with this stopper, the free extremity of which departs from the film (92) and is connected to a weight (94). With the rotation of the clay pigeon or target, the weight (94) pulls on the wire and tears the stopper, thus freeing the colored material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a foldable armchair incorporating adjustable backrest and footrest, in which the connecting elements which control orientation of the footrest are connected to the backrest by pivoting crank pins provided with bearing faces cooperating with stops on said backrest, so as to make a unidirectional angular connection which ensures modification of the orientation of the footrest during any angular modification of the backrest, while allowing the armchair to be completely folded.

Abstract: A compact, self-contained apparatus and method for expanding loose fill foam material for packaging includes an eductor having a fan, a venturi chamber, and a wire mesh cage arrangement for automatically feeding expandable loose fill material to a hopper. The loose fill material is then uniformly fed through the hopper by air pressure in conjunction with gravity to an expansion chamber. The expansion chamber includes a stepped conveyance platform disposed over a stepped steam chamber, and a track arrangement for simultaneously conveying and tumbling the loose fill material across each conveyance platform step. A condensing unit disposed above the expansion chamber removes excess moisture from the expansion chamber and provides warm dry air to a discharge housing from which the expanded loose fill material is discharged from the expansion chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a die device for forming tube from a metal band, wherein the die comprises a long die block comprising, lengthwise and passing through it, a conduit comprising an inlet orifice of larger cross section and an outlet orifice of smaller cross section. The conduit converges from the inlet orifice towards the outlet orifice. At the level of the inlet orifice, the conduit is of a width slightly greater than that of said metal band. As the planar metal band passes through the conduit, it is formed by the interior surface, or generatrices, of the conduit into a tube of the desired configuration. Means are provided for creating tubes of differing cross-sectional shapes, such as a square, or a circular configuration. The die block is removably mounted on a carriage, which carriage is movable horizontally in front of a horizontal mandrel driven in rotation. The tube created by passage through the die block is wound around the mandrel.

Abstract: A syringe for injecting a pasty material comprising: a main cylindrical body; a piston slidable in the body; and a tube slotted in the largest part of its length and provided with a handling ring at its rear part, the internal diameter of the main cylindrical body substantially corresponding to the external diameter of the tube so that, when the tube is arranged into the cylinder, this set defines an injection chamber delimited by the internal wall of the tube and, in front of the slot of the tube, by the internal wall of the cylindrical body.