Abstract: There is disclosed a method of and apparatus for producing a wear-resistant coating on a thin metallic strip, for example for the manufacture of coating scrapers for paper webs. After preparatory surface treatment the strip is passed longitudinally through a coating zone in which coating material in a molten state is sprayed onto the strip by a coating unit as the strip passes. The wear-resistant coating is built up in steps by the application of several coating layers one on top of the other, each being applied during a respective pass of the strip through the coating zone. The strip speed and the capacity of the coating unit are adjusted in relation to each other so that the heat supplied to the carrier material by each coating layer applied will be so slight in relation to the thermal capacity of the carrier material that the temperature increase in the carrier material does not cause any change in the physical properties of the carrier material.

Abstract: Device comprising a helically shaped spiral spring and means for bringing the spring to expand from a first state of a certain diameter to a second state of larger diameter and vice versa, characterized thereby that said means are arranged to rotate the ends of the spring relative to each other with maintained length of the spring so that the transition from said first state to said second state takes place by reducing the number of spring turns within said length and the corresponding increase of the pitch of the spring, or to supply to a given length of the spring further spring material at at least one end of the said length of the spring so that the transition from said first state to said second state takes place independent of pitch and number of spring turns within the said length; and a method for transluminal implantation of an intravascular prosthesis using the said device.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing articles is disclosed in which a preheated sheet of thermoplastic material is intermittently fed to present successive preheated portions of the sheet in a work station having a forming tool for forming articles in each successive sheet portion and a stamping tool for co-operating with the forming tool to stamp the formed articles from the sheet. The forming tool has a plurality of forming dies which are movable successively and cyclically into the work station for forming articles in respective successive sheet portions. After each forming operation the stamping tool is brought into engagement with a resilient counter-surface on the forming die to stamp from the sheet the articles formed by that die.

Abstract: A unit containing sorbent material intended for use as a thermal accumulator in a heat storage or refrigeration system operating under low pressure is manufactured by tightly enclosing sorbent material in a flexible, relatively thin casing (2,13,57,58,75,84,95,96). The casing is brought into close contact with the sorbent material in the casing by maintaining the pressure within the casing at a much lower level than the ambient pressure. This provides a rigid body and achieves satisfactory thermal conductivity. The casing is also designed to be sealingly connected to at least one inlet and/or outlet (3,15,16,37,61,82,83,106,107) for a gaseous substance cooperating with said sorbent material. The sorbent can be hermetically enclosed in a common casing composed of several casing parts, the wall parts of adjacent casing parts being joined in zones (97) in which internal passages (103-105) are arranged.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating both sides of a moving web, such as a paper web, with the same coating material on both sides by feeding the web downwardly between a rotating support roller and a coating blade directed against said roller. One side of the web is partially wrapped around said roller and a first excess of coating material intended for the web side facing said roller is applied to the roller before or at the point of contact between said web and the roller. A second excess of coating material is applied to the other side of the web by feeding the web through a dam of coating material arranged below said contact point--in the moving direction of the web--said dam being formed substantially between said coating blade and holder and the said other side of the web. The excess coating material is laterally expressed in said dam beneath the top level thereof.

Abstract: A continuous process for applying a coating to both sides of a paper web in which the web is fed at a speed of at least 400 meters per minute through the nip formed between a rotating applicator roll and an elastically yielding blade. A coating composition is fed into the sumps formed on each side of the web at the nip at a rate such that the amount of coating material applied to the web, calculated as the total of both sides of the web, exceeds 14 grams per square meter. The viscosity of the coating composition is maintained at 400 to 2000 centipoises and the web is withdrawn from the nip so that it is bent away from the applicator roll over the edge of the blade at an angle of between 8.degree. and 12.degree. to the tangient to the roll at the nip, thus reducing or eliminating the formation of mist downstream of the nip.

Abstract: Apparatus selectively convertible to perform one or more coating operations on a web of paper or the like comprises a fixed rotatable roller, a coating blade movable into and out of coating relation with the surface of the fixed roller and cooperating with a dam of coating material to coat a web as it passes through the nip between the coating blade and the fixed roller, and a second movable roller movable into and out of nip forming relation with the fixed roller with provision for adjustment of pressure in the nip and adapted to cooperate with a dam of coating material to coat a web as it passes through the nip between said rollers, said movable roller also being adapted alternatively to receive coating material and to transfer it to the fixed roller to coat one side of a web as it runs over the latter.

Abstract: A multipack for disposable bowl-shaped vessel inserts of the type having thin-walled side and bottom portions and a relatively stiff upper peripheral collar is made by vertically stacking a plurality of inserts together and folding the thin-walled bottom and side portions inside the upper collars by pushing the insert bottoms into the space enclosed by the collars. Single or multiple folds may be made and the stacked and folded inserts may be enclosed in a protective envelope. Apparatus and methods for making such multiple packs are also disclosed.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for preparing foodstuffs by boiling and/or steaming including a thin walled and, hence, crushable insert having water-tight properties and mounted within a porous structure providing support for the thin walled insert, and holding the insert in a spaced fashion relative to the bottom and side walls of a cooking vessel, thereby forming the equivalent of a heat pipe structure in the hollow gap space between the insert support and the cooking vessel. For foodstuff preparation by boiling, water may be added to both the vessel interior and the insert interior, the foodstuffs being placed within the insert.The insert may be provided with a lip bridging the aforesaid gap to facilitate filling or emptying of the insert without spilling the insert contents into the vessel, thereby keeping it substantially clean. The aforesaid lip may completely surround the insert and overlie the gap, suitable openings being provided to permit the escape of steam therethrough.

Abstract: In a method of treating a surface such as a paper web with a treating agent, the treating agent is foamed under pressure and delivered via a passsageway to an application zone so as to come into close proximity with the surface to be treated which may be moved continuously past the application zone. A constriction, upstream in the direction of foam flow, of the passageway causes a pressure drop in the body of the foam causing bubbles of the foam to burst adjacent the surface, being treated whereby the treating agent is applied to the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating at least one face of a moving web, such as a paper web, in which the web is fed longitudinally at a speed in excess of 400 meters per minute between a movable support and a blade forming, with the movable support, a nip. The blade has a bevel at the point of contact with the web, and an excess of coating material is applied at one side of the web in the nip, the coating material having a dryness content exceeding 60% and/or a viscosity exceeding 1500 cp. The angle of the blade is controlled so that it extends at most 20.degree. to the web and the bevel width, as measured in the direction of movement of the web, is at most 0.05 centimeters. Preferably, the blades are urged against the web with a force not exceeding 2 kgf per centimeter width of web.

Abstract: A method for applying a coating composition onto a moving paper web, in which the web is supplied with an excess of said coating composition. The web is passed tightly over a lower slot in a container, which by means of vacuum, is kept filled with the coating composition. A flexible blade is arranged to remove the excess coating composition and to uniformly regulate the final thickness of the coating and said removed excess coating is recirculated to the container for further use.