Abstract: A profile strip 1 is composed of a rectangular cross-sectional body 2 having on each edge a recessed fastening means 3, 4, one male and the other female. Each fastening means 3-4 comprises an axial support flange 10, 13 which lengthens one of the exterior and interior surfaces 5, 6 of the body 2. The two adjacent flanges are abutting, and the two fastening means when engaged define, with the adjacent sides 7 of the body, a U-sectioned space which is filled by a border insert 16 having a complementary cross-section. The invention enables large diameter tubes of plastic material to be formed without any internal or external projections.

Abstract: The insulated pipe comprises an inner pipe and a foam of thermally insulating plastics material which adheres to the inner pipe and to an outer protective layer. The foam material covers the major part of the inner pipe but terminates at a distance from each end thereof in a portion having an inclined surface of frustoconical shape. The outer protective layer comprises a cover which is relatively rigid and terminates before reaching each frustoconical surface and a protective case for each frustoconical surface of the foam material. The case is at one end fixed to the cover and at the other end integral with the inner pipe. The case has sufficient elasticity to allow the foam to follow the expansion of the inner pipe while the cover remains immobilized.

Abstract: A remote adding and reading device useful in reading a utility meter is disclosed. The device includes a main totalizing register having a first decade counter adapted to be driven by the measuring device of the meter and an auxiliary totalizing register having a second reversible decade counter respectively contained in two distinct cases. The case containing the auxiliary totalizing register is removable, and the auxiliary totalizing register is driven by the main totalizing register through a contactless drive. Reading is accomplished by means of a portable apparatus which plugs into the case containing the auxiliary totalizing register. The portable apparatus causes the second decade counter to be reset to zero and, in the process, the quantity accumulated by the auxiliary totalizing register since the preceding reading is read out.

Abstract: A meter to be read which has indicator drums and an exterior connector and, on the other hand, a reading apparatus for making a reading of the indications of the drums detachably connected to the connector. A coding unit in the meter comprises for each drum a stepped cam connected to rotate with the corresponding drum. A movable follower is elastically biased against the stepped cam. A smooth cam driven by drive means is capable of maintaining the follower spaced away from the stepped cam outside periods in which the reading apparatus makes said reading. A device detects the movement of the follower.The smooth cam has, in part, a camming surface whose radius increases regularly between values corresponding to the bearing of the follower on end sectors of the stepped cam. A substantially radially extending surface interconnects the maximum and minimum radius parts of the camming surface.