Abstract: A filter for a smoking article such as a cigarette, comprising several grooves of varying depth between a shallow inlet end and a deep outlet end thereof, the outlet end face being air permeable to an extent greater than are the floor or the sides of each groove. A tipping enwrapping the filter plug has ventilation perforations in the region of the inlet end of each groove.Alternatively, the grooves may have their median axes in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the filter plug, whereby the grooves extend circumferentially of the filter plug between the shallow inlet ends and the deep outlet ends.

Abstract: A filter cigarette is provided which is adjustable to provide a wide range of air dilution values and which comprises a tobacco rod, a wrapped substantially cylindrical filter plug, and air transmissive tipping paper. The filter plug comprises a first mouth-end segment and a second, axially aligned, abutting rod-end segment which are joined such that the first segment is rotatable about the common axis. The second segment abuts and is joined to the tobacco rod.

Abstract: A portable dental kit having, a handle having two ends, a toothbrush attached at one end of the handle, the other end of the handle being open, the handle defining a hollow interior, removable cover means for the toothbrush, toothpaste container shaped and adapted to be inserted into the hollow handle, through the open end, such container having a flexible side wall, and a dispensing opening and closure cap at one end, and at the other end, there being a filling member inserted into the side wall, a filling bore on the interior of the member, and a closure cap removably attachable to the member, the side wall of the container being of reduced diameter with respect to the diameter of the interior of the hollow handle, and there being an enlarged diameter portion at the other end of the container, and a clamping collar encircling the flexible side wall around a portion of filling member and fastening the two together.

Abstract: A cosmetics applicator brush includes a ribbed flexer at the distal portion of the rod. Bristles extend outwardly from the flexer, some of the bristles being supported on the ribs and some being supported in grooves between the ribs. When the brush is loaded with cosmetics and drawn through a wiper diaphragm of the cosmetics container, the bristles on the larger diameter ribs are wiped relatively clean and the bristles in the grooves are subjected to less or no wiping action and carry a substantial amount of cosmetics for application. The relatively clean bristles extending from the ribs provide good combing action of the applied cosmetics. The ribs of a particular flexer may be differently sized, shaped, or offset in order to provide flexers having a wide variety of contours. In some flexers, the ribs define a longitudinal notch mounting a foam pad for extra cosmetics carrying capability.

Abstract: A retractable comb and brush includes a casing having a perforated pad drilled with plurality of bristle holes, a bristle means fixed with plurality of bristles extendible and retractable through the bristle holes and a bristle extender raising the bristles outwards for combing use, wherein the bristles may be automatically retracted by depressing a releasing button to separate a latch normally locking a positioning gear formed on the bristle extender.

Abstract: A device for automatic cashiers, for example in vending machines, for the sale of goods or for dispensing services, for storing coins. The device has a slot for coins, a subsequently-arranged storage channel, a return slot, and a coin-collecting opening. A spiral spring for receiving respective coins between adjacent turns of the spring is disposed in the storage channel. The spring can be rotated at least one full turn in either direction by a motor. In order structurally to simplify and reduce the space required by such devices, which can be used either as intermediate storage devices or as remaining-money storage devices, the storage channel is constructed as a lateral guide for the spiral spring, and the return slot is offset relative to the money slot by at least one pitch of the spiral spring. The money slot is disposed on one side of the storage channel, and the return slot is disposed on the other side thereof.

Abstract: Automatic vehicle washer. The washer includes a vehicle washing apparatus, source of electrical power, manual input, code verifier and activator. The manual input allows a driver of a vehicle to transmit a numerical signal to the code verifier. If the code verifier determines that the numerical signal corresponds to a predetermined numerical code, the energizer interconnects the vehicle washing apparatus with the source of electrical power.

Abstract: A foldable cane constructed in three sections each joined by pairs of hinge links having laterally displaced hinge pins which permit adjoining sections to be swung through 180.degree. relative to each other so that in the folded configuration of the cane the three sections are disposed along side each other in essentially parallel relationship to occupy a minimum amount of space. The pairs of hinge links are equipped with spring urged slidable locking sleeves for locking the hinge links in axial alignment when the cane is in use.

Abstract: A volume control device for a sealed reservoir for storing oil under pressure and which supplies oil to a power circuit. The volume control device has an expansible bellows assembly which contracts upon a predetermined increase of volume of oil in the reservoir to bring a rod into engagement with a ball check valve and unseat the valve for dumping of oil overboard from the reservoir. The dumping of excess oil from the reservoir is controlled by an increase of volume of oil in the reservoir, rather than an increase in oil pressure.

Abstract: Friction loss normally occurring in hydrocarbon carrying conduits during the transportation of hydrocarbon liquids is reduced by adding to the hydrocarbon liquids small amounts of copolymers of butene-1 and another alpha-monoolefin having 5 to 20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A device for automatically opening a gas supply valve when the device reaches a predetermined depth, e.g. when diving, has a gas reservoir, a pressure sensing means providing a control signal when the ambient pressure exceeds that of the gas reservoir, and a supply valve which is opened upon receipt of that signal. A preferred embodiment has a flexible diaphragm exposed at its faces respectively to the ambient pressure and to the gas reservoir pressure, and arranged to move an actuator which acts directly or indirectly on the gas supply valve. Underwater buoyancy apparatus, for use for example by a diver, has a buoyancy chamber to which as can be supplied to alter buoyancy, and the device is incorporated between a gas supply and the buoyancy chamber to give automatic increase of buoyancy when a predetermined depth is reached.

Abstract: A temperature compensation circuit is provided which can be used for span temperature compensation in an electropneumatic transducer system and which includes a constant current generator circuit coupled to a bridge of piezo resistances in a pressure transducer to supply a constant current through one piezo resistance of the bridge to common. The Electropneumatic Transducer System includes a zeroing circuit, a voltage chopping circuit, a linearity correction circuit, a low-current shut-off circuit, and a high-current shut-off circuit to provide hard turn-ons and hard turn offs of the system at the lower and upper ends of the pressure output range or span. The Electropneumatic Transducer System also includes a voltage railsplitting circuit arrangement to minimize the operating currents, and voltages. With these features, the Electropneumatic Transducer System is particularly adapted for use in hazzardous combustible atmospheres where Intrinsic Saftey and accuracy are required.

Abstract: The condensation discharger comprises a tank (1) including a float (8) and an elastic cut-off blade (14) the blades of which being connected in such a way to the forked arm (6) of the float (8) that the discharge orifice is opened when the float is moved beyond a certain level.

Abstract: An automatic beverage tube cleaner especially applicable to beer distribution coils includes controllable valves for isolating individual pressurized beverage sources from their respective conduits and for connecting the conduits together to a discharge pump, the pump being of a type which defines an open discharge path whether or not the pump is operating, a vacuum fitting connected to a source of cleaning solution for drawing the cleaning solution into the conduits, and a system of supply valves for sequentially flushing the conduits with cleaning solution and clean rinse water. An automatically-actuated controller initiates operation in off-hours, providing a self-cleaning maintenance-free beverage delivery system.

Abstract: A structural kit for the installation of a flow regulator valve in pipeline without interruption of the fluid flow in the pipeline. To make precise cutting of the desired portion of the pipeline in simple cutting operation and to just fit the valve into the cut-away portion thereof, a plane of the ring-shaped gear having cutting tools is tilted against a plane perpendicular to the axis of the pipe so as to cut away the pipe section the upper portion of which is longer than that of the bottom portion thereof.

Abstract: A valve assembly for dispensing a gas, particularly for medical use into a connector of a gas using device, comprising: an outer body with an internal passageway containing a valve seat and a valve member which is lifted from said seat by rearward pressure, an inner body threaded into the passageway of the outer body and having an internal passage and a plunger within said passage which includes an activating member adopted to hold the valve member away from the valve seat when the plunger is moved rearwardly, the plunger and inner body having interlocking parts by which rotation of the plunger requires rotation of the inner body, said inner body has a stepped profile on the outside for mating with a complementary stepped bore in the outer body and a stepped bore on the inside for mating with a hose connector.

Abstract: A safety valve in combination with a resilient tube for preventing the free flow of fluid through the resilient tube comprises a valve body which is connected to a valve head of generally circular cross-section which is formed with a flat peripheral land. The resilient tube is disposed over the valve head for snug fluid-sealing engagement between the inner surface of the tube and the flat land on the valve head. Also, the resilient tube is fluid sealed to the valve body for fluid communication therebetween. Stretching the resilient tube separates a portion of the inner surface of the tube from the flat land on the valve head to permit fluid flow past the valve head. When the resilient tube is unstretched, the engagement between the inner surface of the tube and the flat land of the valve head prevents free fluid flow.

Abstract: A valve assembly with a bank or row of switching valves has a base plate of u-like cross section with two flanges and a web therebetween. Within one of the flanges there is a common supply duct and in the other there is a common air outlet duct for the valves placed on the plate. The housings of the valves are generally block-like and their inlet and outlet ports are placed in opposite sides thereof. The sides with the air outlet ports furthermore have electrical connection pins for the solenoid magnets of the valves. A common electrical plug connector is placed covering over the pins of all the switching valves. There is a single muffler for all the switching valves.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve having a single inlet and dual outlets. A lever means is pivotally disposed in a valving chamber and is provided with poppet means which upon movement of the lever alternately closes one outlet while the other outlet remains open. An external solenoid coil moves an armature disposed in said chamber which effects lever movement. One embodiment employs separate spaced poppets for each outlet and another embodiment employs a single poppet with opposing sealing faces for each outlet. Spring means biases said lever means against said armature means.

Abstract: The star-shaped rotor (10) accommodated in a discoid cavity (9) defines first chambers (27) formed in the arms (20) of the rotor and second chambers (26) for receiving fluid under pressure delimited between two adjacent arms of the rotor, the constitutive elements of the stator (3-5) being joined together by fastening means (50) extending through the second chambers (26), the lateral faces of the cavity opposite the stator incorporating passage apertures (32', 33) which have a trapezoidal profile with radial edges coincide substantially with the web zones (31) of the arms of the rotor, the edges of which define with the edges of the apertures adjustable restrictions (250, 280) the first chambers (27) communicating permanently with return passages (38) in the stator.

Abstract: The valve of the invention is provided with a movable slide valve operable to open a first flow passage between a supply duct, which connects a source of fluid under pressure with the valve, and a utilization duct, which connects the valve itself with the utilizer, and a second flow passage between this utilization duct and a discharge duct; the slide valve is in equilibrium between a resilient force generated by a spring which acts on it and the force, in the opposite direction, generated by the fluid pressure which is supplied to a control chamber and the discharge flow cross section of which is controlled by a valve member operated by an electromagnet.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for filling containers with a required liquid to a predetermined level are disclosed. The apparatus includes a main valve means for controlling the flow of liquid through the apparatus and into the container; a fluid amplifier means for receiving at least a portion of the liquid from the main valve means and for generating a pressure signal until such time as the liquid within the container reaches the predetermined level; and pilot valve means for maintaining the main valve means open in the presence of the pressure signal from the fluid amplifier and for closing the main valve means in the absence of the pressure signal. The system includes the aforesaid apparatus together with liquid supply conduit and valve means.

Abstract: The check valve is used to control the flow of fluid through a cylindrical passageway having a cylindrical wall surface and comprises an elongate umbrella valve member having a frusto-conical shaped skirt extending radially outwardly and axially of the valve member. The skirt is positioned to extend in the downstream direction of the flow of fluid through the passageway and in frictional, sealing engagement with the cylindrical wall surface of the passageway but yet being flexible enough to deflect inwardly under fluid pressure to allow fluid to flow downstream past the skirt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flow regulator in which a diaphragm of elastically deformable material is disposed between a pressure chamber at supply pressure and an end face of a base member having open radially extending grooves. A supply passage extends from the regulator inlet circumferentially around the diaphragm into fluid communication with the grooves and a discharge passage is axially disposed in the base member in fluid communication with the radially inward ends of the grooves. Pressure variations in the supply passage cause the diaphragm to cover varying lengths of the grooves to vary the throttling effects of the grooves. The regulator is adapted for different ranges of flow quantities by providing two or more grooves in the face of the base member and by providing valving apparatus for selectively connecting one or more of the grooves to the supply passage.

Abstract: Guide members with bifurcated forked ends are fastened to the cleaning apparatus, by means of which this cleaning apparatus can be mounted upon the reed. An endless belt is seated in the cleaning device and rotating cleaning brushes are contained in such cleaning apparatus. In this way, the cleaning apparatus can be slowly moved forward on the reed by means of at least one compressed air motor. By so doing, the reed wires or lamellae or the dents between them can be freed of dirt or other contaminants. The cleaning can take place without removing the reed from the weaving machine.

Abstract: Dobby for a weaving loom in which control of the operative and non-operative positions of retaining hooks or hook arms which are engaged with and disengaged from hooks of heald frame-driving levers to actuate desired heald frame is electrically performed through solenoids corresponding to the respective levers, which are actuated by an electronic control system having a micro-computer.

Abstract: Two sensors are arranged on the catch side of the weaving shed of the weaving machine. These two sensors scan the length of the weft-thread end which protrudes from the weaving shed beyond the catch side end thereof and define a range of reference or set values for the length of the protruding weft-thread end. When the front end of the weft-thread, upon standstill of the weft thread after the weft insertion operation, is located within the range of the reference or set values, there is not accomplished readjustment of the weft-thread brake. When the front end of the weft thread falls short or upstream of a first one of the two sensors which is placed close to the catch side end of the weaving shed, then the closure of the weft-thread brake is effected at a later moment of time during the next weft insertion operation.

Abstract: A power driven wire twister is suitable for twisting relatively heavy multi-strand wires. The strands are twisted by means of a chain and sprocket drive. The wire twister housing and output sprocket are suitably slotted to allow placement of the wire at the axis of rotation of the twisting sprocket. A tooth carried by the output sprocket separates the strands of the wire into two approximately equal groups prior to twisting. A large angle of contact between the chain and slotted output sprocket insures that a sufficient number of sprocket teeth are always in mesh with the chain for heavy duty continuous operation.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing compressed gas from a storage tank is disclosed in which the temperature and pressure in the tank is measured before and after the dispensing cycle and electric signals representative of these values are applied to a processor/computer which is programmed to compute from these signals the volume of gas dispensed.

Abstract: An improved fuel filler restrictor assembly including a reinforcing wall member adjacent to the aperture through which a fuel filling nozzle is inserted. The reinforcing wall member is secured to the filler neck restrictor body and extends across the filler tube with opposite edge portions adjacent to the filler tube wall so as to prevent prying of the restrictor assembly by a bar or the like and thereby to prevent removal of the restrictor portion of the assembly by back and forth prying movements by the bar.

Abstract: A duplicating attachment for an ordinary turning lathe which includes means for converting a conventional wood or metal lathe into a precise but simple tool for duplicating a particular pattern or model turning. Means are provided to attach a pattern or template to a lathe which is manually traced by an operator with a feeler member. Means are provided to interconnect the said feeler member or tracing element with a rotary cutting tool which contacts and cuts a lathe-rotated work piece simultaneously with the tracing operation, creating an exact replica of the pattern or template.

Abstract: An automatic lopping machine comprises a main body including a drive unit, a chain saw and a plurality of drive wheels each rotatable in a plane inclined relative to the trunk of a standing tree, and an auxiliary unit including a plurality of idle wheels and adapted to be connected together with the main body so as to encircle the tree trunk. The drive unit is used to drive the chain saw and also the drive wheels when and so long as the machine revolves helically around the tree trunk so as to ascend the tree trunk.

Abstract: A wood chipping assembly having a discharge chute that includes a directional flap such that, depending upon the position of the flap, the wood chips and the residual material generated by the wood chipping assembly may be commingled or they may be maintained in separate chutes so as to be individually discharged. This directional flap is maintained in its desired position by a latching mechanism.

Abstract: A bench having a horizontal working surface and a fence at the rear edge which defines a straight edge. The fence includes a forwardly extending ledge which overhangs the rear portion of the working surface. The working surface can be raised and lowered, so that a workpiece on the working surface can be releasably clamped between the ledge and the working surface. A bridge is secured to the fence and includes guide rails extending forwardly accurately perpendicular to the fence to guide a carriage on which can be mounted a power tool, such as a router, e.g. to form an accurate edge on the workpiece.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire for passenger cars having a low rolling resistance and an excellent wet skid resistance is disclosed. The radial tire comprises a carcass of a radial construction toroidally extending between a pair of bead cores with the ends turned thereover, a tread portion arranged outside a crown portion of the carcass and having a two laminate structure of tread base rubber and tread cap rubber, and a reinforcing belt layer embedded in the tread base rubber and superimposed about the crown portion of the carcass. The tread base rubber and tread cap rubber have resiliences of not less than 65% and not more than 60%, respectively. The tread portion has a sectional ratio of a sectional area of the tread cap rubber occupied in the equatorial section of tire to a total sectional area of the tread portion of not less than 50% and a negative ratio of not more than 45%. The belt layer has a flatness of not more than 15%.

Abstract: A tire tool for facilitating the removal of a tire from a wheel rim and particularly a large diameter tire from its associated wheel rim, the tool having a substantially flat main body portion provided with an aperture in the proximity of one end and an arcuate flange at the opposite end, an arm member extending outwardly from the body in a direction away from the flange and at a planar angle with respect to the body, a plurality of first roller members journalled at the outer end of the arcuate flange for engagement with the inner wall of the tire during a tire removal operation, and a plurality of second roller members journalled at the outer end of the arm member for engagement with the wheel rim and moving axially therealong during the tire removal operation, the bore being adapted for engagement by an elongated lever member for pivoting the tire tool in a direction for moving the second roller members axially along the wheel rim as the first roller members deform the tire for disengagement of the tire fr

Abstract: Liquid metal M in a casting ladle 1 located under a mold A is cast uphill under low pressure into the mold cavity 10 through a vertical shaft 3. The metal is treated by a soluble inoculation wire 13 suspended down through the cavity over a length L greater than the height h of the mold with its lower part H submerged in the liquid metal filling the shaft. The ladle pressure is maintained until the wire is fully dissolved, and then raised to fill the mold cavity with the inoculated liquid metal.

Abstract: A plant for continuously casting a metal, in particular steel, is provided comprising an open-ended mold. In order to provide an arrangement by which the hazards to the operators due to the emissions emerging from the mold are prevented, with an unobstructed view into the mold cavity being ensured, an emission collecting device covering the mold cavity and connected to an exhaust duct is provided above the mold at a distance therefrom to suck off the emissions emerging from the mold.

Abstract: Due to the inclination of a centrifuge arm of a centrifugal casting arrangement the mass of a muffle or retort and a compensation or balancing mass come to lie essentially in the same rotational plane. The infinite adjustment of a muffle or retort holder and the compensation or balancing mass is accomplished by a drive rod movably arranged within the centrifuge arm as well as by a gear rack driven by the drive rod and upon which there is seated the muffle holder. A housing structure containing a cover member prevents access to the centrifugal casting arrangement during operation of the centrifugal casting machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed to increase the line speed in a permanent mold casting system by eliminating the acceleration and stopping of a shuttle car system to remove mold wagons from the system by means of a continuous chain drive for the system and the use of a single shuttle car in combination with a chain release means eject a mold wagon from the return line to a wagon storage line of the system.

Abstract: An improved roll caster tip apparatus is disclosed capable of providing metal flow therein with a near Hele-Shaw profile comprising a molten metal reservoir having a bottom plate and at least one sidewall and a nozzle tip member attached to the sidewall and terminating in an exit port spaced from the sidewall, the nozzle tip member comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, a pair of side riser members between the top wall and the bottom wall to form a passageway in cooperation with the top and bottom walls; and at least one spacer member between the top wall and the bottom wall spaced from the side risers to provide support for the top wall and bottom wall and having a chord length extending from the leading edge of the spcer facing the reservoir to the trailing edge of the spacer facing the exit port, the chord length of the spacer and the distance between the top wall and bottom wall of the nozzle tip being preselected with respect to the velocity and viscosity of the molten metal flowing through the nozzle tip

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a cast metal ribbon with a slit along the ribbon length includes the step of or a means for generating a controlled disturbance of the cast ribbon along a defined and localized width. The disturbance may be generated by a highly defined, needle-sized stream of gaseous media into the ribbon prior to complete solidification, or alternatively, a needle-like ceramic stylus. The dynamic pressure of the gaseous media or depth of stylus may be adjusted to completely penetrate the ribbon, severing the ribbon into multiple ribbons in a single casting; or alternatively, to only partially penetrate the ribbon, forming a score line of weakening and producing multiple ribbons readily detachable from each other along adjoining edges.

Abstract: An amorphous Co-based metal filament having a circular cross-section made of an alloy composed mainly of Co-Si-B or Co-Me-Si-B (wherein Me is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Cr, Ta, Nb, V, Mo, Mn, W and Zr). This filament is produced by jetting the above alloy into a rotating member containing therein a cooling liquid through a spinning nozzle having a hole diameter which is determined according to the amorphous metal-forming ability (critical thickness to form an amorphous phase) to thereby cool-solidify the jetted molten alloy and form a filament, and then winding the filament continuously on the inner walls of the rotating member by the rotary centrifugal force thereof. This amorphous metal filament is corrosion resistant, is tough and has high electromagnetic characteristics, and is very useful as industrial materials, such as electric and electronic parts, composite materials and fibrous materials.

Abstract: An electromagnetic within-mold stirring method and apparatus wherein electromagnetic stirring is imparted to molten steel passing through a mold, under the following conditions where the maximum flux density (in gauss) of a magnetic field induced by an electro-magnetic coil ranges from 1045.e.sup.-0.16f to 2054.e.sup.-0.12f (f: frequency, 1-15 Hz) and the place of the maximum magnetic flux density is within the range of 350 mm from the junction between the pouring nozzle and the mold in the direction of drawing of the cast-piece.

Abstract: A horizontal continuous casting installation, particularly for casting a strand of a large transverse dimension, wherein a body of molten metal stored in a tundish is continuously supplied through a tundish nozzle secured to the tundish in the vicinity of its bottom and extending horizontally therefrom to a mold connected to the forward end of the tundish nozzle and arranged coaxially therewith to cast a strand which is continuously withdrawn horizontally from the mold. The mold has an inner transverse dimension greater than the inner transverse dimension of the tundish nozzle. An electromagnetic field generating device is located between an outer surface of the tundish nozzle and an inner surface of the mold in the vicinity of an end surface of the mold facing the tundish nozzle for exerting an electromagnetic force on the body of molten metal flowing from the tundish nozzle to the mold in such a manner that the electromagnetic force is oriented toward the center of the body of molten metal.

Abstract: Regenerator packing members are constructed and arranged to form tapered passageways interconnecting regenerator flues to induce transverse flow of gas between flues for increased heat transfer. A preferred embodiment includes parallelepiped bricks arranged in an open basketweave pattern, with spaces between brick ends and side faces defining the tapered passageways.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage and transfer system includes solar energy collector means disposed to receive incident solar energy, thermal energy exchange means disposed in a utilization area, three water storage tanks, one of which is at least three times larger than the other two storage tanks. Water is selectively circulated through a first circulation loop between the solar collector and one small tank for transferring solar energy from the collector; through a second circulation loop between the second small tank and the utilization area; and through a third circulation loop between the large tank and the two smaller tanks. A heat pump is coupled between the two smaller storage tanks for transferring thermal energy between those two tanks.

Abstract: A sphere which provides a high emissivity, uniform, isothermal calibration ource which is fully instrumented for surface temperature and range measurements. The characteristics are achieved by using high thermal conductivity copper hemispheres disposed in spaced, concentric relation and containing a distributed heat pipe therebetween to minimize surface temperature gradients.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing thermal transfer between a semiconductor wafer and a heat sink or source in a vacuum processing chamber includes a platen against which the wafer is sealed to define a thermal transfer region therebetween. The platen includes a passage for gas flow between the chamber and the thermal transfer region and a conduit for circulation of a cooling fluid. The platen further includes a fluid-actuated valve responsive to the pressure of the cooling fluid for closing the passage. When the pressure in the chamber reaches a predetermined value, the cooling fluid is turned on and closes the valve. Gas at the predetermined pressure, typically in the range of 0.5 to 100 Torr, is trapped in the thermal transfer region and conducts thermal energy. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of platens are positioned on a rotating disc in an ion implantation system.

Abstract: The invention refers to a process and devices for the reutilization of low-level thermal energy. According to the invention, devices are utilized forming an evaporator-mixer, advantageously connected to devices forming an evaporator-separator in order to supply from a low-level heat source, for example at 25.degree. C., higher-level heat, for example at 80.degree. C., by making use of the phenomena of evaporation and mixing of two fluids in vapor-pressure equilibrium at different temperatures. The invention also allows and applies in particular to the utilization of the noble thermal energy consumed in a high-temperature boiler. To this end, the heat given off in the boiler is first used to assure in evaporator-separators the formation or reconstitution of concentrated solutions from diluted solutions, and these concentrated solutions are utilized according to the needs of demand to extract by means of evaporator-mixers heat coming from a low-level source.