Abstract: A holding device for fastening bar cutters in order for the cutting edges thereof to be coated, wherein the fastening is configured in such a way that a plurality of bar cutters can be arranged in a row such that the cutting faces and tips thereof have the same orientation, and the holding device includes a screen which at least partially protects the cutting faces from the coating, wherein, with bar cutters arranged in a row in the manner described, the top edge of the screen projects beyond the knife tips in such a way that no knife tips protrude.

Abstract: A holding device for fastening bar cutters in order for the cutting edges thereof to be coated, wherein the fastening is configured in such a way that a plurality of bar cutters can be arranged in a row such that the cutting faces and tips thereof have the same orientation, and the holding device includes a screen which at least partially protects the cutting faces from the coating, wherein, with bar cutters arranged in a row in the manner described, the top edge of the screen projects beyond the knife tips in such a way that no knife tips protrude.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method and apparatus is provided for maintaining the coherency of victim data from a time when the data is stored in a victim data buffer until a time when the data is written into a main memory. Alternatively, the coherency of the victim data is preserved until a determination is made that pending probe messages do not target the victim data. At that time the victim data buffer can be deallocated.With both arrangements, a central processing unit can release a victim data buffer at a point in time other than when the data that is stored therein is read from the buffer. Thus, the central processor unit can perform the release or deallocation of the buffer when it is most efficient and when no further access to the data is required.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method and apparatus is provided for storing victim data evicted from a cache and for satisfying pending requests or probe messages that target victim data, using a set of victim data buffers coupled to a central processing unit of a computer system. Storage locations referred to as a "victim valid bit" and a "probe valid bit" are associated with each victim data buffer in the computer system to indicate a release condition for the coupled victim data buffer. With such an arrangement, the victim data buffer can be deallocated when the victim valid bit and the probe valid bit have both been cleared.