Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flat cut textile piece possessing variable stiffness over its surface, which comprises fabricating cut textile pieces from a dimensionally stable web-like flat structure. There is applied to the cut textile pieces, in accordance with a predetermined pattern and in a predetermined quantity, a preparation containing at least one substance forming a film at the prevailing processing temperature. This film possesses a Shore hardness A of at least 50 at a temperature of about 20.degree. C. and at a temperature of about 100.degree. C. possesses at most 80 percent of the hardness value measured at 20.degree. C. This film does not melt at a temperature below about 180.degree. C. Then the cut pieces are dried. The flat cut textile pieces produced according to the invention are preferably used as inserts for various clothes or garments, such as collars and cuffs.

Abstract: An apparatus working according to the vacuum vaporization principle for heating one or a number of fluid mediums which are separated from one another wherein a separate heat exchanger for each fluid medium to be heated is arranged in an evacuated vessel partially filled with a vaporizable heating liquid medium. All of the heat exchangers are practically exclusively heated by the vapor of the vaporizable heating liquid medium. One or a number of components of the evacuated vessel which at least embody a respective heat exchanger are constructionally separated from the remaining component thereof constituting a heating component and connected therewith only by one or a number of connection conduits. The connection conduit or conduits are constructed and/or arranged such that recycling of the condensate of the heating liquid medium from the heat exchanger components or components to the heating component can occur without hindering the function of the apparatus.