Abstract: Apparatus for transporting a scalloped stream of paper sheets from a first horizontal path into an aligned second horizontal path or into a downwardly sloping third path has a flap which is pivotable in a gap separating the first and second paths between a first position of coplanarity with the first and second paths so that the stream can enter the second path by traveling along the upper side of the flap and a second position in which the flap extends above the first and second paths to block the entry of the stream into the second path while permitting the stream to advance from the first into the third path. An intercepting plate is moved across the discharge end of the first path prior to pivoting of the flap from the first to the second position to temporarily prevent (e.g., for an interval of a few milliseconds) the advancement of sheets beyond the first path.

Abstract: In a method of cleaning filter elements a removal of filter cakes formed on the filter cloth of the filter elements is accomplished by the application pressure and vacuum in the alternating fashion to the filter elements after the filtration process has been completed. The cleaning effect is improved due to the pressure fluctuations because the filter cloth expands upon those fluctuations and filter cake formed thereon is peeled off that filter cloth.

Abstract: A biochemical-action vessel accommodates a substrate in which biochemical reactions are caused by microorganisms. A heat-exchange arrangement is provided in the vessel and removes the heat generated in the substrate by such reactions. The substrate is circulated in the vessel advanced by an advancing arrangement in a closed path which passes through the heat-exchange arrangement. Aerating gaseous medium is introduced into the substrate upstream of the advancing arrangement and in the region of suction generated by the same, and entrained by the circulating substrate so as to supply the oxygen necessary for the aerobic growth of the microorganisms.

Abstract: A backwashing alluvial filter has a vertical filter container, a plurality of collecting pipes removably mounted in the container, a plurality of filter elements suspended on the collecting pipes, separating walls subdividing the interior of the filter container into at least two chambers, and communicating with one another via vertical overflow shafts. Washing off of solid matter is performed by supplying a washing liquid via pipes directly under the overflow shafts.

Abstract: In a method for the recovery of enzymes, the activity of which after the treatment of starch-containing raw materials used for the production of fermentation alcohol is still not exhausted, the liquid phase containing solutions with still active enzymes after the first separation of the protein fraction is led to a fermentation, then a distillation. The wash water for the protein fraction is provided with a portion of the total amount of alpha-amylase necessary for starch hydrolysis of the raw material and then solids are again separated. The enzyme-containing wash water for the second separated solids is led back into the first enzymatic degradation stage simultaneously with a portion of the slop coming from the distillation.

Abstract: Date fruits are extracted by a wet grinding operation after addition of water and subsequent filtration of the homogenized product with the aid of a cellulosic filter aid. The date pits may be used as the filter aid. A fermentation may be carried out before the filtration. A high concentrate feed material is thus obtained.

Abstract: A method of aerating liquids, particularly for aerobic growing of microorganisms, has the steps of forming a circumferential stream of liquid, forming a longitudinal stream of liquid, and superimposing these streams so as to form a combined closed spiral-shaped stream. An arrangement is provided in which the circumferential stream is formed by an upright conduit tube and an impeller, the longitudinal stream is formed by a distributing element with a plurality of nozzles, and the superimposing of the streams is attained by fixedly mounting the distributing element relative to the impeller.

Abstract: There is provided a process for improving mineral asphaltic coatings for streets and roadways comprising preparing a mixture to be used as the base mineral asphalt coating material, homogeneously mixing in 0.1 to 10 weight % of silica which is either (1) a precipitated silica, (2) a precipitated and spray dried silica or (3) a pyrogenically produced silica and further working this mixture into a mineral asphalt coating for streets and roadways.

Abstract: Precipitated, jet ground silica with specific physical-chemical properties is mixed with silicone oil, homogenized and heated to produce an antifoam agent. This type of antifoam agent can be used in pharmacy, in producing foam stopping latex emulsion, in the food field, in washing formulations, in the textile industry as well as in the pigment and varnish industries.

Abstract: A filter apparatus has an elongated shaft, a plurality of filtering elements mounted on the shaft and spaced from one another in direction of elongation of the latter, and means for cleaning the filtering elements. The cleaning means includes a source of cleaning medium under elevated pressure and a plurality of nozzle elements communicating with this source. The nozzle elements face toward surfaces of filtering material provided on the filter elements and are turnable relative to these surfaces. The cleaning medium is ejected from the nozzle elements at a pressure between substantially 5 and 100 bar toward the surfaces of the filtering material of the filter elements so that the cleaning medium removes a cake deposited during a filtering process from the surfaces of the filtering material and thereupon also cleans the filtering material of the filter elements.

Abstract: To ensure that a socket formed on a pipe-end in plastically deformable condition is in no part thinner than the pipe material out of which it is made, the pipe-end is first enlarged in diameter and encased within a contour die formed as envelope for the external shape required of the socket. The enlarged pipe-end is then longitudinally compressed to thicken it and internally formed so as to smooth the internal surface of the pipe-end and impose on it the internal shape and dimensions required of the socket. The required socket shape preferably includes a circumferential groove to house a resilient sealing ring.

Abstract: Folded cover sheets are conveyed seriatim from a first magazine into each of several parallel channels during each of a series of successive intervals. Such sheets are opened up on entry into the channels and are transported past one or more locations where they receive inserts which are supplied from one or more additional magazines, again in such a way that each additional magazine admits an insert into each channel during each of the successive intervals. The thus obtained groups of sheets are gathered into larger groups which are assembled into a continuous stream of partly overlapping groups.

Abstract: A gathering machine wherein the platforms for deposition of sheets prior to accumulation into piles on the horizontal track of the conveyor system are of adjustable width so as to properly confine and guide wider or narrower sheets. Each sheet which rests on a platform is accelerated prior to removal from the platform by the oncoming prong of a series of equidistant prongs on an endless chain which forms part of the conveyor system. The accelerating devices are elongated elastic bars having rectangular sheet-engaging undersides which bear against the upper sides of sheets on the respective platforms and accelerate the sheets in the direction of travel of the oncoming prongs shortly before the sheets are engaged by the prongs. The platforms carry recessed idler rollers below the respective accelerating devices to reduce friction between the sheets and the platforms during acceleration of the sheets by the undersides of the accelerating devices.

Abstract: A method of feeding fish in a tank with water comprises the steps of forming in the fish tank a region for feeding fish, introducing into the region a water-stable fodder and forcedly moving the water in the fish tank so as to maintain the fodder floating in the feeding region. In an arrangement for performing the method means forming a feeding station, and means for forcedly moving water in the feeding station are provided. The method of the invention may also comprise the step of utilizing heat liberated during operation of a biological reactor for heating agitated water in the fish tank. A water-stable fish fodder comprises particulate nutrient matter and a protein-containing binder imparting substantial water stability to the fodder formed as a pallet. The binder may be admixed with or may outwardly cover the particulate nutrient matter.

Abstract: Apparatus for conversion of a stream of partially overlapping imprinted sheets into discrete stacks each of which contains a fixed number of fully overlapping sheets has a chute one side wall of which arrests successive foremost sheets of the stream and causes such sheets to descend in the chute and to pile up on top of each other. A rotary separating device has three prongs which are moved seriatim from an upwardly inclined first position above the path of the stream to an upwardly inclined second position in which the respective prong intercepts the oncoming sheets of the stream. In to a horizontal third position, the respective prong continues to intercept the oncoming sheets and supports the lowermost intercepted sheet from below while the respective prong allows the intercepted sheets to descend in the chute in a fourth position. The stacks of piled-up sheets are removed during the intervals between movements of successive prongs between their second and fourth positions.

Abstract: To ensure that a socket formed on a pipe-end in plastically deformable condition is in no part thinner than the pipe material out of which it is made, the pipe-end is first enlarged in diameter and encased within a contour die formed as envelope for the external shape required of the socket. The enlarged pipe-end is then longitudinally compressed to thicken it and internally formed so as to smooth the internal surface of the pipe-end and impose on it the internal shape and dimensions required of the socket. The required socket shape preferably includes a circumferential groove to house a resilient sealing ring.

Abstract: Powdery bitumen concentrates are prepared containing 10 to 85 weight %, preferably 40 to 80 weight %, of synthetic silica. The concentrate is used in asphalt mixtures for building roads to give high stiffening value thereto.

Abstract: A mastic asphalt composition is disclosed which comprises, in addition to the mastic asphalt, 0.2 to 5 wt. % of a crystalline, powdered, synthetic zeolite or zeolite mixture. In addition, the mastic asphalt composition may further contain precipitated silica.

Abstract: A cylindrical drum of a rotary transfer conveyor rotates below an opening at the bottom of a magazine for a stack of superimposed sheets. The drum carries a first pivotable gripping lever and one or more second pivotable gripping levers. The common pivot axis of the levers is parallel to the axis of the drum, and the levers are pivotable by cams so that their speed relative to the magazine is less than the peripheral speed of the drum during travel immediately below the opening in the bottom of the magazine. At such time, a set of suction cups flexes a portion of the lowermost sheet of the stack through the opening and between the first and second gripping levers so that the speed of the engaged sheet need not be immediately accelerated to the peripheral speed of the drum but merely to the relatively low absolute speed of the levers.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing and opening successive folded sheets of a stack has a transfer conveyor whose gripper engages the folded backs of successive sheets and propels them into the elongated channel of a straight guide extending tangentially of the flanges of the transfer conveyor. When a sheet is released, its folded back is leading and the sheet continues to travel in the channel. Such sheet is braked by a stop which is moved at the speed of the sheet during disengagement of the sheet from the transfer conveyor, which has a clamping device that grips the folded back of the sheet, which moves at a gradually decreasing speed subsequent to engagement of its clamping device with the folded back to brake the sheet in the channel, and which is disengaged from the sheet not later than at the time when one or both front edge portions of the sheet are engaged by rotary spreading members which open the sheet during removal from the channel and drop the opened sheet onto a roof-shaped evacuating conveyor.