Abstract: A number of identical articles, for example, coiled filaments for electric lamps are retained by a shutter member at a starting station. When the article is not present in a hopper station which is arranged at an intermittent feeding mechanism of an article assembling station and which temporarily retains the article, the shutter member is opened so as to feed the article from the starting station to the hopper station through two chutes which are slanted at different angles. The article is fed to the intermittent feeding mechanism of the article assembling mechanism from the hopper station at the operating timing of the intermittent feeding mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting different kinds of coins for use in a coin handling machine includes a coin selecting groove and a cam actuating the coin selecting groove to select the width of the coin selecting groove. Coin kind setting switches are provided for setting the particular kind of coins to be handled in accordance with the material thereof. The coin kind setting switches are actuated by coin kind selecting cams operatively associated with the cam to set detection levels. A detection coil device is provided adjacent to the coin selecting groove and detects the passing coin to issue a level signal in accordance with the material of the coin. A control circuit includes a comparator for comparing the detection levels set by the coin kind setting switches with the level signal detected by the detection coil device to detect an abnormal coin.

Abstract: So that a freight or storage tank for bulk material, that has at least one long emptying hole on the bottom, can be closed and opened, the tank has at least one flexible belt that extends essentially over the length of the opening and whose one end is attached to the tank, and under which is a roller or roller system that is approximately of the same length and that supports the belt when in the closed position and that can be removed from the closed position, as well as elements to move the roller or roller system across the opening between two extreme positions.