Abstract: Flexible packaging material suitable for making peelable form-fill-seal packages of the "pillow" type comprises a paper web which is coated with a normally non-tacky pressure- or heat-activatable adhesive and which is treated with a composition having release properties with respect to the adhesive, e.g. by means of a size press. The release composition is preferably a polysiloxane, an organo-chromium stearate complex, a ketene dimer or a paper fluoridizing agent.

Abstract: Means for collating a flow of rod-like elements moving in a lengthwise direction comprising a rotatable drum arranged to receive the elements on its outer surface and move them transversely to their lengthwise direction, said drum having a porous wall and being rotatable through a reception zone where a fluid bed is created on its outer surface to assist reception of the elements thereon, a holding zone where a vacuum is created to hold the elements on the drum, and a discharge zone where fluid pressure is provided to assist discharge of the elements.

Abstract: Fibre recovery process for pressure-sensitive carbonless copying paper which comprises defibrating the wastage in aqueous media, preferably in the presence of a cationic quaternary ammonium surface active agent, treating the wastage with acid to destroy the microcapsules, and bleaching the defibrated wastage with a bleaching agent.

Abstract: A stylus having an electrically-conductive writing tip is used to write on an electrically-sensitive paper, for example a metallized paper in which the metallization is eroded by the current passed by the stylus. The stylus is energized by a coded train of electrical pulses whereby the coding is reproduced in the writing which can thus be verified as genuine. The material to be written on, for example an airline ticket whose fraudulent alteration is to be exposed, may be supported on a stand having a conductive resilient arm bearing on the electrically sensitive surface to provide a return path for the stylus current. The principle can be applied with coded optical pulses directed onto an optically-sensitive paper.

Abstract: A photographic support is produced by heat consolidating paper made wholly of thermoplastic synthetic fibres. The consolidation is carried out in such a way as to produce a homogeneous surface film having a desired surface finish for receiving a photographic coating, a fully bonded but still fibrous layer adjacent the film, and a lightly bonded fibrous layer adjacent the fully bonded fibrous layer. The homogeneous surface film is produced in such a manner that its surface is substantially free of pits. This may be achieved by consolidating the web by heating it on one surface while cooling it on the other surface.

Abstract: A device for severing a continuous rod-like member into separate elements during axial movement along a predetermined path through a severance zone comprising a ledger for engaging and maintaining said member in said path during its passage though said zone, means for causing a cutting knife to move along an endless course substantially at right angles to said path, and said course intersecting transversely with said path to sever the member and means for causing the knife to move at a greater speed while it is travelling across said path than in other parts of its movement.