Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of fruit and vegetable extracts in order to reduce the amount of bitter substances contained therein.This process comprises bringing the extract into contact with a solid ligneous adsorbent of vegetable origin, derived for example from carob, and then collecting the debittered extract after having separated it from the adsorbent.

Abstract: A collar for fitting over the upper end of the cake discharge chute of a rotatable disc filter, or the like. The collar has a plurality of downwardly and inwardly sloping walls which substantially reduce any tendency for cake to stick to the sides of the chute. For use with heavy cake, reinforcing members may be provided for the collar. The collar is configured for use with discharge chutes of diverse design.

Abstract: A temperature controller for use with a fryer of the type comprising a vat containing cooking oil and heater, such as a gas burner or electrical heating element, for heating cooking oil comprises a temperature probe for sensing the temperature of the cooking oil, a temperature selector switch producing a signal corresponding to the selected temperature for the cooking oil and also producing a signal corresponding to a normal temperature approximately 25.degree. below the selected temperature. A heat demand comparator produces a heat demand signal when the temperature of the cooking oil is below the selected temperature. A normal temperature comparator compares the temperature of the cooking oil with the normal temperature and provides a signal when the cooking oil is in the normal temperature range, and a cooking gate inhibits this signal if cooking is taking place in the fryer. A heating element control oscillator provides pulses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for deacidifying a coffee extract without the introduction of foreign products by selective absorption with a natural material, chitosan. In this process, the extract is contacted with chitosan in divided form and the deacidified extract is collected after separation from the chitosan. Preferably the coffee extract is contacted with chitosan for 5 to 30 minutes at a temperature from 10.degree. to 80.degree. C. and in ratios (extract/chitosan) of from 15 to 400 ml per gram. The chitosan may either be suspended in the coffee extract, or the coffee extract may be percolated through a column filled with chitosan.

Abstract: Cheese is produced by a process wherein milk is subjected to partial ultrafiltration, heat denatured serum proteins are added to the milk before or after ultrafiltration, the milk is coagulated to form a curd wherein 1/4 to 1/2 of the total serum proteins contained in the curd are the added heat denatured proteins, and the curd is drained to produce curd containing a total amount of serum proteins substantially equal to the total serum protein content of the starting milk. The addition of heat denatured serum proteins overcomes a problem of alternation in the normal ripening cycle of cheeses produced from ultrafiltered milk containing an increased quantity of soluble serum proteins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mould of the type shown in FIG. 3. The mould for packaging desserts, particularly ice-cream cake with coating syrup, is in the form of a cup comprising an opening through which the dessert is introduced into and removed from the mould. The mould comprises a first compartment near the opening which defines a first space and which is intended to receive a product solid at the storage temperature and a second compartment which defines a second space below the first space and which is intended to receive a syrup liquid at the storage temperature. The second compartment comprises several cells distributed in the base of the cup, each of the cells communicating through an opening with the first compartment and being separated from the other cells by walls simultaneously acting as stiffeners for the mould.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recovering proteins from lactoserum. This process comprises subjecting a lactoserum to a heat treatment to denature the proteins present in it and then separating the denatured proteins from the other non-fat constituents of the lactoserum by ultrafiltration. Alternatively, the ultrafiltered lactoserum, i.e. the retentate, is subjected to a complementary heat treatment for denaturing the proteins.The proteins thus recovered may be used in dietetic or infant nutrition and in cheese making.

Abstract: A cutter for cross cutting a main strip of material, or several elemental strips resulting from cutting of this strip in the longitudinal direction incorporates two cutting devices for cutting respectively over a width less than that of the strip, which devices are placed side-by-side at the same level in a direction parallel to the width of the strip, a cutting device for cutting over a width at least equal to that of the strip, at a level different from said level, and independently-adjustable means for the individual control of the three cutting devices for causing cutting at predetermined times which can be adjusted independently.

Abstract: A self-priming centrifugal pump is disclosed with a vertical axis adapted for pumping harmful liquids. Such pump embodies fixed body means being closed at its lower end and having a widened upper portion which includes a truncated cone surface. The widened portion acts as a seat. The pump envisions removable means which includes a pump wheel, a cage, and a driving motor with a shaft for the pump wheel and which rests on the seat. The cage of the wheel being provided with at least three generally horizontal partitions which define in conjunction with the pump body a lower suction chamber, a middle delivery chamber, and an upper venting chamber, said suction, delivery and venting chambers being, respectively, connected to a suction pipe, a delivery pipe, and a venting pipe adapted to be connected to an apparatus for the treatment of gases substantially at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A block having opposite first and second faces adapted for use in construon. The block comprises male and female assembly means for interlocking a plurality of the blocks. The block comprises at least one male assembly means protruding from the first face. Each of the male assembly means has a vertical section and two substantially horizontal sections arranged at both ends of the vertical section. The female assembly means is arranged on the second face of the block and has a substantially rectangular cross-section.A block for use in construction. The block comprises assembly means for interlocking a plurality of the blocks. The assembly means comprise first and second opposite faces provided with at least one male assembly means and one female assembly means. The male assembly means comprises a frangible section.The block covered by the invention offers the special advantage of permitting walls to be built by simple superimposition.

Abstract: A solution of leucine, isoleucine and valine is concentrated at a pH-value of from 1.5 to 2.0 to produce a mother liquor enriched with isoleucine and valine and a solid phase enriched with leucine. Concentrated hydrochloric acid is added to the mother liquor enriched with isoleucine and valine and, after concentration, a mother liquor enriched with valine and leucine and a solid phase enriched with isoleucine are obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and device for continuously and rotatably cutting a sheet transversely with respect to its direction of advance, wherein the device comprises a rotor provided with cutters and mounted to rotate about an axis eccentric with respect to that of a squirrel cage surrounding this rotor, the bars of the cage defining slots for the passage of the cutters as far as a flexible belt resting on an anvil member and wound on cylinders for driving the sheet to be cut. This device is particularly applicable to the cutting of laths from a sheet of wood as said latter is peeled, for the manufacture of packing cases or the like.

Abstract: Device for closing off the opening of a container or bottle consisting of a member or frame inside which is placed the bottle, a first cap of the frame closing off the opening of the bottle while a second cap, which presses against the bottom of the bottle, urges the said opening against the said first cap.

Abstract: The invention provides an agglomeration apparatus comprising an agglomeration chamber, a distributor for particles to be agglomerated feeding said chamber, means for projecting a stream of moistening fluid onto the particles and into the chamber, a fixed obstacle generally conical in shape positioned in the chamber in the path followed by the particles and in the axis of the stream of fluid and means for collecting and drying the agglomerates obtained.Preferably the obstacle is formed by a cone and a frustum placed one on top of the other, the angle at the apex of the cone being smaller than that of the frustum.

Abstract: A liquid fuel burner has a combustion head connected to a vaporization chamber which is fed with air atomized fuel by an atomizer so that the fuel is initially atomized, in a converging tube, and then vaporized prior to mixing with air and combustion.

Abstract: On a conveyor belt, an ejection mechanism ejects objects travelling thereon which do not fulfill predetermined requirements as detected by a detecting device. To speed up the return of the ejection mechanism to its home position, the ejection cycle is divided into several movements. First a striking element is propelled against the object to be ejected, then the striking mechanism pivots on a fixed point to bring the striking element out of the path of the objects. Next the striking element is retracted and the ejection mechanism pivots back to its original position. A locking device may be used to retain the ejection mechanism in the deflected position to ensure that the striking element is completely retracted before the ejection mechanism pivots back to the home position.

Abstract: The method consists in boring a shaft in the sea floor to form a drilling station of sufficient size to accommodate personnel and equipment, in lining the shaft walls with a casing which is cemented against the walls and surmounted by a water-tight self-contained subsea chamber, in extracting sea water from the shaft, in maintaining atmospheric pressure within the shaft and the subsea chamber, in lowering personnel and drilling equipment into the shaft and in carrying out drilling operations from the bottom of the shaft.

Abstract: A multicylinder hydraulic machine of the split-shaft kind comprises a rotatable shaft and a drive plate fixed on the shaft and linked to piston and rod units received in the cylinders of the drum. Liquid flow is through orifices in a distribution plate non-rotatably positioned around the shaft, through ducts in the drive plate and through the piston and rod units which are hollow. The shaft is rotatably mounted and axially located by conical bearings. The distribution plate is mounted in an axially floating manner and a hydraulic abutment is developed between the distribution plate and the drive plate during operation of the machine so as to reduce the force on the shaft bearings.

Abstract: A mine of the formed charge type with directional effect and having an overall flat shape so that when in place, it presents an efficient upper surface parallel with the lower surface. An explosive charge is contained in the mine and is limited by a metal liner located close to each of both surfaces of the mine. An initiation system is placed between the two liners so as to be free to move in the explosive charge under the effect of gravity in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the mine such that the initiation point of the explosive charge can be positioned near the lower surface of the mine.

Abstract: The invention concerns metal cages for set screw--cage systems intended to be mounted on a metal sheet accessible from only one of its faces. According to one aspect of the invention, the sidewalls 4 of the cage 3 of such a system are provided with an annular rib 16 projecting radially outwards, the external diameter of cage 3 at the rib 16 being slightly greater than the diameter of the hole 12 in which the cage is engaged, owing to which the cage is axially locked on the metal sheet. Dies are provided for the shaping of cage members. The invention finds application particularly in the fitting out of the bodies of vehicles.