Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for associating auxiliary information with principal information, and to a device for monitoring the reproduction of principal information recorded on a track, whereby the auxiliary information is coded in an auxiliary signal of limited frequency and superposed on the principal signal, to be recorded in said track. The device comprises a detection circuit connected at the output of the reader head to detect an auxiliary signal associated with the principal information and occupying a limited range of frequencies and a recording device for recording the auxiliary information. The invention is more particularly applied to the monitoring of the public reproduction of recordings.

Abstract: A microcapsule containing a microorganism. It contains a microorganism of the genus Lactobacillus and/or Bifidobacterium and/or other geni of the intestinal flora coated with a fat which is solid at body temperature.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for continuously coating a sheet article.The sheet article 21 is continuously driven and passes, upwardly along a vertical portion of its travel path, between two flexible blades 38 mounted on an holder 34 in such a manner that their feet are spaced from the sheet article 21.A coating composition 42 is injected into the corner 41 formed between the element 21 and the blade.The planer shape of the end zone of the blade applied against the sheet article in a parallel direction may be carried out by a pneumatic tube 40, as shown, or by other means such as flexible counterblades.The invention may be used, among others, in the coating of paper or paperboard.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for trimming molluscs, especially squid. According to the invention, the apparatus comprises a number of successive stations of treatment, consisting of (a) holding means (8) for holding the squid during trimming; (b) a cutter (37) for cutting the tentacles of the squid; (c) means for loosening (41) and gripping (43) of the head and viscera of the squid and extraction of these; (d) means (46) for removing part of the tissue from the inside of the mantle of the squid at the part where the pen is located; (e) means (54) for gripping and extracting the pen; and optionally (f) means (58) for removal of the squid from the holder (8); and (g) means (1) for transport of the squid between the treatment stations.

Abstract: A sterilized processed cheese which has the texture of a thermally non-sterilized processed cheese and a process for producing a sterilized processed cheese of this type are disclosed.

Abstract: A humidifier arrangement for at least one web of travelling hydrophilic material is provided to distribute humidity in a pre-determined manner over the width of the web in order to correct a tendency to warping of a material formed by the connection of this web to a second web. The arrangement comprises a plurality of jets distributed transversely with respect to the direction of travel of the first web over a table and opposite to the path of at least one side of the latter. Means for individual regulation of the rate of flow of each jet is provided and comprise, for each jet, a slide for regulating the rate of flow through this jet. The various slides corresponding to the various jets are able to move longitudinally on the table so that the position of the slides on the table for a given regulation provides vizualization of the shape of the cross-section of the material which is to be corrected by this regulation.

Abstract: Freeze dried soluble coffee having a density of about 0.2 to 0.3 gm/cc is prepared from concentrated coffee extract by foaming the extract with inert gas, freezing the foam and freeze drying the particulated frozen foam. Other features of the invention appear in the following specification.

Abstract: A process for improving coffee oil characterised in that the coffee oil is contacted, under conditions of agitation, with a solution of a strong mineral acid in a monohydric aliphatic alcohol containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and separating the oil layer from the alcohol layer.

Abstract: An adjustable deflecting shoe which can be displaced towards or away from a grinding-wheel is formed by a series of blocks fixed in closely spaced relation on an elastically deformable arcuate strip which is displaceable between two cheeks of the shoe. The curvature of the deflecting surface is adjusted by means of supports for the central portion and the two end portions of the strip. The end supports are capable of displacement between the two cheeks both in the direction of a component parallel to the direction of adjustment and in the direction of a component at right angles to said direction, as well as angularly about an axis at right angles to the two directions aforesaid in response to suitable operating means.

Abstract: A process for reducing the acidity of a coffee extract is described in which the coffee extract undergoes electrodialysis. The non-cathodic extract is collected, contacted with subdivided chitosan and, after removal of the chitosan, is mixed with at least a part of cathodic extract to provide a deacidified coffee extract.

Abstract: A process for treating a coffee extract is disclosed which comprises adjusting the pH of the extract to a value of from 3.0 to 4.5 and then eliminating the subsequently formed flocculate. The pH of the extract is preferably adjusted to a value of from 3.8 to 4.2.The coffee extract treated in accordance with the present invention may be used in the production of coffee-based gaseous beverages. A gaseous beverage produced in this way does not spurt from the container holding it when the container is opened.

Abstract: A device for regulating the tension of a travelling web moved as a result of the application of traction includes a roller freely rotatable about its axis arranged transversely with respect to the direction of web travel. This roller is in contact with one side of the web and deflects the latter upstream of the traction means. A spindle of the roller is supported at each end by a support which allows a movement of the end in a direction substantially perpendicular to the web, by applying to the end, in this direction and towards the web, a predetermined force which is identical from one support to the other and is constant, whatever the position of the end. The device applies tension over the length and width of the web such as a paper web as is used in the corrugated cardboard industry.

Abstract: An aqueous extract of tea, containing native tea tannins and caffeine, is cooled to provide an aqueous solubles phase containing cold-water soluble components of the extract, including a minor portion of the caffeine, and an insolubles phase containing tea tannins complexed with a major portion of the caffeine. The aqueous solubles phase is separated from the insolubles phase, and the latter is subjected to decaffeination to provide decaffeinated tannins which may then be recombined with the aqueous solubles phase. The resulting treated extract from which the major portion of the caffeine has been removed can be dried or, if desired, subjected to further decaffeination and thereafter dried to provide a cold-water-soluble decaffeinated tea. Further features of the invention are set forth in the following description.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for rolling pieces of soft material in leaf form, more particularly food products, such as pancakes. According to the invention, the pieces of material are delivered on a substantially horizontal conveyor belt (1) and are brought into contact with at least one other conveyor belt (8) which crosses the first conveyor belt and has an oblique upward movement relative to the direction of movement of the first conveyor belt. The two belts (3, 9) of the two conveyors are formed by several cords or strings (4, 10) which are parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another, the belt (9) of the second conveyor crossing the horizontal belt (3) of the first conveyor by passage of its cords or strings through the spaces between the cords and strings of the first conveyor.

Abstract: A process for moulding a food product consisting of a plastic mass, such as ice cream, and firm elements, such as biscuits. A multiple-cavity mould open downwards is placed on a fixed platform, a base is arranged in the mould on a vertically displaceable support, the biscuits are arranged between the base and the cavities and the mould is fitted with ice cream while the base is lowered.

Abstract: Photo-optical keyboards for providing electrical signals responsive to the keying of the keyboard. The keyboard structure consists of an arrangement of individual keys disposed and identified in accordance with the particular application and adapted for longitudinal motion on depression thereof. Located below the plurality of keys is a matrix of light sources and photo detectors disposed in such a manner that depression of any single key will interrupt the light path between one of the light sources and one of the detectors to provide a change in the electrical state of the associated circuitry. The light sources and detectors are arranged so that in general a single light source illuminates a plurality of detectors, and each detector may be illuminated by any of a plurality of light sources, so that the number of light sources and sensors required for the complete keyboard is substantially less than the number of keys to be sensed.

Abstract: A chain shackle has a U-shaped body with flat parallel limbs interconnected by a bight portion with a longitudinal slit accommodating an end link of a chain which is engaged inside the shackle by a half-link resting against the inner surface of the bight portion. The half-link has an integral lug which is traversed by a pin laterally offset from the slit serving to hold that half-link in a chain-retaining position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for heading and eviscerating fish in which the head and the entrails are integrally removed from the body of the fish. According to the invention, only the neck of the fish is cut, after which the head is turned down through approximately 90.degree. in relation to the axis of the body and, finally, the head undergoes a relative displacement along the body of the fish towards the rear thereof. As a result, the fish is completely eviscerated. The apparatus for carrying out the process essentially comprises a cutter for cutting the neck, a guide for turning down the body of the fish and two holders, one for the head and the other for the body of the fish, which receive different movements responsible for the above-mentioned displacement.