Abstract: A heat-seal apparatus having an improved structure for easily replacing a heater therein. The heat-seal apparatus includes a crimping lever, a base portion for grasping and crimping the sealed portion of a sealed substance with the crimping lever to heat and seal the sealed portion, a heater mounted to the base portion for heating and sealing the sealed portion, a slackness preventing means for preventing slackness caused by thermal expansion of the heating portion, and a means for easily removing and mounting the heating portion which achieves easy removal and mounting the heating portion by pressing back and correcting displacement of the heating portion by the slackness preventing means when the crimping lever portion is separated and held open from the base portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing a decorative covering for a floral grouping. The method includes the step of providing a decorative covering assembly comprising a header assembly and at least one sheet of material detachably connected to the header assembly. The header assembly is secured to a holder assembly such that the decorative covering assembly is supported by the holder assembly and at least one sheet of material can be detached from the header assembly. At least one sheet of material is detached from the header assembly and is disposed about at least a portion of the floral grouping to provide a decorative covering for the floral grouping.

Abstract: A zipper strip for a reclosable package having a transverse zipper is provided. The zipper strip comprises a male interlocking profile and a female interlocking profile. Each profile includes an interlocking member and an integral web which defines a trailing flange. One or both of the profiles are provided with high compression members which allow one or both of the interlocking members to be sealed to thermoplastic film without being crushed or distorted.

Abstract: Method of closing tubular bags for fruit and vegetable products.The method comprises:1) closing the bag which has been filled, forming a region with a structure similar to a cord by twisting or other means;2) superimposing a laminar element which can be welded to the bag on the closure region so that the said laminar element is partially wound on the closure region of the bag surrounding it completely, the said laminar element being partially superimposed on itself at the end of the winding;3) intimately welding the superimposed laminar element to the closure region of the mesh bag on which it has been superimposed and onto itself in the overlapping region;4) once welded, cutting the welding region transversely, defining two closure regions at the upper end of one bag and at the lower end of the next bag.

Abstract: A packaging method and apparatus for packing items in selectively variable numerical quantities includes a track assembly adapted to support a plurality of strip items in parallel array. In a first section of the track assembly, a lateral slot receives consecutive batches of strips in parallel array. A plurality of pusher elements extend through a track slot, pushing the strips to impinge on each other in edge-adjacent fashion, and to translate distally from the first stage. A second stage of the track assembly includes a sufficient length of the track to accumulate a large number of strips. At the distal end of the track, a strip collection cylinder receives the strips. One end of the cylinder is configured to receive the open end of a bottle package, and the other receives a plunger to push the accumulated strips from to the bottle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to sequentially capture the lead bottle from a row of bottles in a multi-pocketed bottle indexing wheel means, and sequentially rotate and push pocketed bottles from said index wheel means to an inclined traying means, automatically collecting said bottles in a gravity compressed hexagonal pattern within said inclined traying means. Inclined traying means includes a means for trayed bottle removal.

Abstract: An inexpensive inner bag loaded into a cylindrical container such as a drum. The inner bag has excellent airtightness and facilitates transferring the inner bag to a separate container. The inner bag comprises two hexagonal first sheets and two pentagonal second sheets. Each first sheet has a pair of opposite sides extending longitudinally and a trapezoidal portion formed around one longitudinal end of the sheet. Each second sheet has a pair of opposite sides extending longitudinally and a triangular portion formed around one longitudinal end of the sheet. The first and second sheets are placed in an opposite relation to each other. The peripheries of the first and second sheets, excluding the other ends, are bonded together by heat-sealing.

Abstract: A bale push-off device is provided for pushing bales off from a bale wrapping machine for wrapping bales end to end in a row. The bale push-off device comprises a bale push-off member which in use faces a bale discharging side of a bale wrapping device of the bale wrapping machine. The bale wrapping machine comprises a bale mover having a pair of hydraulic rams and a ram cross member for moving bales towards the bale wrapping device. The bale push-off member is connected to the rams by links so as to be driven by the rams.

Abstract: A stirrup has a pair of arms, an eye on the arms for receiving a strap, and a foot on the arms for supporting the foot of a rider. The eye and the foot of the stirrup are rotatable relative to the arms. The arms define a plane and the upper surface of the foot of the stirrup is perpendicular to this plane in one terminal position of the foot of the stirrup. The foot of the stirrup can only rotate backwards from this position. The eye has an opening for a strap, and the eye is freely rotatable relative to the arms through an angle of 90 degrees to and from a position in which the opening is coplanar with the arms.

Abstract: A combination tow and pressure relief valve for use in a hydraulic fluid circuit used in a hydraulically driven wide area lawn mower. The valve includes a cylindrical valve body having a hexagonal head. A slideable valve tip with a shank and a valve head has its shank slidably mounted within the valve body. The valve tip is biased by a spring to move in a direction away from the hex head. In operation, the valve is inserted into a suitable chamber placed in series with a bypass passage. The valve tends to block the bypass passage under steady state conditions. When a surge in hydraulic pressure occurs, as would occur in response to operator input or at startup, the hydraulic fluid overcomes the bias of the spring and urges the valve tip away from the otherwise blocked orifice which links the bypass passage to the chamber. Opening the orifice tends to diminish the magnitude of the pressure peak and helps eliminate jerky starts of the mower.

Abstract: A grass catcher for receiving air and grass clippings from a mower cutter deck includes an inlet for admitting air and clippings into the grass catcher, an outlet port for exhausting air out of the grass catcher, and at least two cylindrical, perforate air filters interposed between the inlet and the outlet port. The filters separate grass clippings from the air and permit air to pass through the filters and on to the outlet port. The grass catcher also includes a wave form energy transmitter and a wave form energy receiver positioned in the grass catcher. The transmission of wave form energy between the transmitter and the receiver is interrupted when the level of accumulated grass clippings in the catcher exceeds a predetermined level. The interruption of the transmission triggers an alarm to alert an operator of the mower of the high clipping level within the catcher.

Abstract: A fusion-bonded carpet system and method of manufacture which method includes providing as all or a portion of the wear face surface cut yarn material in rope form prepared in rope bundles and implanting one or both ends of the rope bundle in an adhesive layer on a backing sheet to provide one or two I-bond, fusion-bonded carpet material having a selected pattern on the wear face surface. The fusion-bonded carpet has a wear face surface composed of all or part of a yarn material in rope bundle form, for example, of a multicolored random or selected pattern. The carpet material may have a backing layer and form carpet tile.

Abstract: A line splice has two lengths of fibrous rope that have multiple strands and interstices. The two lengths are held adjacent to each other by a plastic encapsulate that both surrounds the two rope lengths and fills the interstices. In forming the splice a two part polyurethane complex plastic is injected into the mold to create an exothermic reaction and heat sufficient to cause the plastic to flow both inside and outside the two lengths of fibrous rope.

Abstract: A process of producing an assembled yarn, including the steps of providing two or more yarns moving downstream from a supply to a take-up, inserting alternating-direction zones of twist into at least one of the yarns, the at least one yarn having an area of zero twist between said alternating direction zones of twist, combining the at least two yarns to form a single, integrated yarn strand, and intermittently exposing the yarn strand to an air blast to create a zone of intermingled yarns at spaced-apart points along the length of the yarn strand to prevent torsional movement of one yarn relative to the other yarn. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the step of exposing the yarn strand to an air blast includes the step of intermingling the yarns at the areas of zero twist.

Abstract: A structural part of a gas turbine plant is cooled by branching off a partial mass air stream, after being compressed by a compressor of the gas turbine plant, from a main mass air stream. The cooling partial mass air stream is ducted in a closed duct to the structural part to be cooled. At the same time, the partial mass air stream undergoes, independently of the main mass air stream, additional compression which is carried out by utilizing the rotational energy of a turbomachine shaft of the gas turbine plant. The novel gas turbine plant therefore is provided with a secondary compressor. The invention is suitable particularly for use in stationary gas turbine plants.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine having an air compressor and a combustion chamber connected to the air compressor for burning fuel with air from the air compressor. The combustion chamber also has water and/or steam as input. The water and/or steam is combined with the gases generated by the burning of the fuel to generate a gaseous output that drives first and second turbines. A heat recovery system recovers heat and water from the gaseous output after the gaseous output has passed through the turbines. The water is used as the water source for the combustion chamber and for cooling the turbines. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heat recovery system utilizes a supercritical heat exchanger. Some of the recovered heat is preferably utilized to drive a third expander.

Abstract: A steam cooled gas turbine system in a combined power plant, constituted such that gas turbine blade cooling steam and combustor tail pipe cooling steam are bled from an outlet of a high pressure turbine, passed through a fuel heater for heat exchange with fuel, sprayed with water to be cooled to predetermined temperatures, and then supplied to cooling areas, whereby the cooling steam supply temperatures can be maintained at predetermined values during partial load operation as well as rated operating to achieve effective cooling.

Abstract: Condensate of a combined-cycle gas and steam turbine plant is deaerated. The condensate is heated in a feedwater tank to which preheated condensate is supplied. The condensate is preheated in a waste-steam generator heated by waste heat of the gas turbine. Feedwater is extracted and warmed in heating surfaces connected in the water/steam loop of the steam turbine and heated by the exhaust gas from the gas turbine. In order to guarantee adequate deaeration of the condensate at a simultaneously high efficiency of the plant through especially high energy utilization of the waste heat from the gas turbine, a partial flow of the preheated condensate or a partial flow of preheated feedwater is used as heating medium for heating the condensate. A low-pressure economizer is connected downstream of a condensate preheater in the waste-heat steam generator via a feedwater tank. The condensate preheater or the low-pressure economizer have at their outlet an outflow line leading into the feedwater tank.

Abstract: An engine exhaust system is disclosed which in operation is capable of substantially reducing the quantities of hydrocarbons emitted to the atmosphere during engine start-up. The system utilizes molecular sieve means, such as a high-silica zeolite, which function to adsorb hydrocarbons emitted during engine start-up, before the catalytic converter has attained its effective operating temperature. The system is designed so that, once the catalytic converter has attained an effective operating temperature, the hydrocarbons can be desorbed from the molecular sieve means and conveyed to the converter for conversion to non-toxic by-products.

Abstract: A method of purifying the lean exhaust gas of lean mix engines or diesel engines. The exhaust gas is first contacted with a permanent reduction catalyst and subsequently contacted with a nitrogen oxide storage catalyst. This procedure yields a uniformly good conversion of pollutants of the exhaust gases under differing operating conditions both as regards the air ratios and the exhaust gas temperatures.

Abstract: A diagnostic equipment for an exhaust gas cleaning apparatus installed for an engine, comprising a misfire detector which detects the misfire of the engine, and a secondary-air-system failure detector which detects the failure of a secondary air system. An index corrector corrects a deterioration index calculated by a deterioration-index calculator, in accordance with the detected result of the detector. A deterioration decision unit decides if the diagnostic equipment has failed, by the use of the corrected deterioration index. In a case where the extent of the misfire or the like is severe, a decision interrupter interrupts the decision of the deterioration decision unit. Thus, even when the misfire of the engine or the failure of the secondary air system has occurred, the detection of the deterioration of a catalyst does not err. It is therefore avoided to erroneously replace the catalyst which has not deteriorated yet, or to run the engine in spite of the deterioration of the catalyst.

Abstract: An engine exhaust gas purification system having a catalyst in an exhaust system of the engine, said catalyst reducing nitrogen oxide when exhaust gas generated by the engine is in an oxidizing state. In the system, engine operating parameters, including at least an engine speed and an engine load, are determined and catalyst temperature is determined, and air/fuel ratio is controlled in response to the detected parameters and the determined catalyst temperature, thereby enabling the catalyst to purify NOx in its optimum temperature characteristic range to achieve enhanced NOx constituent purification performance in an oxidizing environment. Alternatively, the air/fuel ratio is controlled in the stoichiometric or richer direction when the catalyst temperature is high, thereby protecting the catalyst from being damaged. The catalyst is a selective-reduction type nitrogen oxide reduction catalyst.

Abstract: A method for controlling a variable turbine geometry of an exhaust gas turbocharger which supercharges an internal combustion engine for driving a motor vehicle. The turbine geometry is set as a function of the operating load of the internal combustion engine between the opening position in idling and the closed position in full load operation. The turbine geometry is brought into an operating position predetermined for the prevailing load point. To improve the non-steady-state operating performance of the exhaust gas turbocharger and the internal combustion engine, in particular during long acceleration phases of the motor vehicle, the turbine geometry is guided during a switching pause for changing gear levels of the motor vehicle into a switching pause position which is independent of the operating load. In the switching pause position a reduced flow cross section of the turbine for the exhaust gas stream is set.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system for an internal combustion engine. The present invention includes a turbocharger, restrictor valve, and exhaust gas recirculation valve. The restrictor valve is upstream of the turbine of the turbocharger, and restricts the flow of exhaust gas into the turbine. This restriction results in an increase in pressure of the exhaust gas provided to the restrictor valve. The increased pressure exhaust gas is provided to the inlet of an exhaust gas recirculation valve which may be actuatable independently of the actuation of the restrictor valve. The restrictor valve may be modulated until exhaust pressure is greater than the pressure of the intake gas. The restrictor valve creates a pressure differential suitable for recirculating a portion of exhaust gas through the EGR valve and into the intake manifold of the engine.

Abstract: This heat recovering apparatus for a cogeneration system with an engine comprises a turbocharger driven by an exhaust gas, an energy recovering turbine provided on the downstream side of the turbocharger, and a heat exchanger provided on the downstream side of the energy recovering turbine. The energy recovering turbine comprises a gas turbine driven by an exhaust gas, and a steam turbine driven by steam occurring in the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger comprises a casing joined to an exhaust gas passage, oxidation resisting ceramic pipes, in which the water and steam flow, provided in the casing, and oxidation resisting ceramic porous members, through which an exhaust gas can pass, provided in the portions of the interior of the casing which are on the outer sides of the ceramic pipes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a power production plant (10) and method. The power production plant includes a chimney (12), a conduit (18) in the chimney, the conduit having an inlet and an outlet, and a solar energy collector (30) having an outlet connected to the chimney characterised by the solar collector output being connected to the inlet of the conduit, by a rotor (50) in the said outlet, and by the conduit being offset from the central axis (A) of the chimney. The provision of a conduit in the chimney allows the plant to be constructed in stages, and to permit power output before full completion of the plant.

Abstract: A system and a method for regasifing LNG aboard a carrier vessel before the re-vaporized natural gas is transferred to shore. The pressure of the LNG is boosted substantially while the LNG is in its liquid phase and before it is flowed through a vaporizer(s) which, in turn, is positioned aboard the vessel. Seawater taken from the body of water surrounding said vessel is flowed through the vaporizer to heat and vaporize the LNG back into natural gas before the natural gas is off-loaded to onshore facilities.

Abstract: The flue gas temperature coming from an air preheater to a particulate collection device such as an electrostatic precipitation or fabric filter is reduced to improve the operation of the particulate collection device. This may be done by reducing the exit flue gas temperature from the air preheater or reducing the temperature after exiting. In one embodiment, air in excess of that needed for combustion is passed through the air preheater with the heated excess air either being dumped or used for a variety of purposes in the plant. A particular embodiment involves segmenting the air outlet side of a rotary regenerative air preheater and withdrawing the excess air from the segment where the dust loading is the lowest. Further, additional cooling of the flue gas can be provided by reducing the quantity of primary air that typically bypasses the air preheater and then providing other ways to control the primary air temperature to the pulverizers.

Abstract: A steam-augmented gas turbine comprises a direct contact steam generation combustor for generating a first working fluid composed of steam and combustion product, a first turbine for receiving and expanding the first working fluid to generate a first power output and discharging an exhaust product, a heat recovery evaporator for receiving the exhaust product to generate a second working fluid from an organic mixture liquid, a first feed pump for feeding the feed water to the combustor, a second feed pump for feeding the organic mixture liquid under pressure to the evaporator, a second turbine for receiving and expanding the second working fluid to provide an expanded organic mixture, and a condensor for receiving and condensing the expanded organic mixture to provide the organic mixture liquid to be fed to the second feed pump.

Abstract: A combustor assembly comprises a plurality of circumferentially arranged fuel nozzles, which fuel nozzles have a first end coupled to a combustion chamber and a second end attached to an endcover. The plurality of fuel nozzles define a central region therebetween. A baffle is disposed within the central region. The baffle has an upstream base portion adjacent the endcover and a contoured downstream portion having a width that is smaller with respect to a width of the upstream base portion so as to transition a recirculating flow into a downstream flow to minimize flashback occurrences within the central region.

Abstract: This invention provides a gaseous wave refrigeration device (GWRD) primarily comprising an adjustable nozzle, an adjustable oscillating chamber, a bundle of resonant tubes, a flow regulator, wave impedors, and a chiller to monitor the gaseous wave behavior in GWRD and to produce the refrigeration effectively in the condition of varying flow state through GWRD. This characteristic is achieved by means of controlling resonant periodic flow phenomenon of gaseous column and wave interactions through the adjustment of said adjustable nozzle and adjustable oscillating chamber under varying conditions of flow states in pressurized supplying gas streams to retain the optimal performance of GWRD. With this characteristic, the GWRD in the present invention can be applied in practices to fit the controlling requirements on fluctuations of system operations in industries.

Abstract: A fluid storage and dispensing system comprising a vessel for holding a fluid at a desired pressure. The vessel has a pressure regulator, e.g., a single-stage or multi-stage regulator, associated with a port of the vessel, and set at a predetermined pressure. A dispensing assembly, e.g., including a flow control means such as a valve, is arranged in gas/vapor flow communication with the regulator, whereby the opening of the valve effects dispensing of gas/vapor from the vessel. The fluid in the vessel may be constituted by a liquid that is confined in the vessel at a pressure in excess of its liquefaction pressure at prevailing temperature conditions, e.g., ambient (room) temperature. In another aspect, the vessel contains a solid-phase sorbent material having sorbable gas adsorbed thereon, at a pressure in excess of 50 psig. The vessel may have a >1 inch NGT threaded neck opening, to accommodate the installation of an interior regulator.

Abstract: A process for using the cold of pressurized liquefied natural gas (PLNG) to compress boil-off vapors produced by handling of liquefied natural gas to produce a higher pressure gas product and at the same time produce power that preferably provides at least part of the power for the process. The PLNG is pressurized, passed to a first heat exchanger for vaporization, and the vaporous material is passed to a second heat exchanger for further heating to produce a first gas product. A refrigerant is circulated in a closed cycle through the first heat exchanger to heat the PLNG, through a pump to pressurize the refrigerant, through a second heat exchanger to vaporize the refrigerant, and through a work-producing device to generate energy. Boil-off gas is compressed and passed through the first heat exchanger, further compressed, and then passed through the second heat exchanger to produce a second gas product.

Abstract: An ice storage and delivery system for radially displacing fragmentary ice stored within an ice storage bin. The ice storage and delivery system has a rotating ice rake of elongated members which radially displaces a portion of the fragmentary ice stored in the storage bin as each elongated member passes through the pile of fragmentary ice. The ice rake pivots in the storage bin between first and second positions such that the rotating elongated members may radially displace the fragmentary ice into a screw conveyor in the floor of the storage bin while in the first position and level-out the fragmentary ice stored in the storage bin while in the second position. In order to displace the fragmentary ice into the screw conveyor and remove the fragmentary ice from the storage bin while in the first position, the displacement assembly translates in the storage bin along the length of the storage bin.

Abstract: A method of mounting a compressor above a heat exchanger. The method comprises the steps of: attaching a transfer device to the exterior of the heat exchanger where the transfer device has a lower arc surface and an upper sloped surface; positioning the compressor relative to a reference point to form a gap between the compressor and the heat exchanger; and placing a positioning device in the gap. The positioning device includes a lower sloped surface in slideable contact with the upper sloped surface of the transfer device. The method also includes the steps of: adjusting the positioning device so that the top surface of the positioning device contacts the compressor; and securing the positioning device to the heat exchanger and to the compressor.

Abstract: A kit and method for retrofitting an R-12 air conditioner into an R-134a air conditioner are provided. The kit includes a first pressurized container of R-134a lubricant or oil sufficient to fully charge an automobile air conditioner. Preferably, the first container also contains pressurized refrigerant 134a to act as a propellant to deliver the lubricant in aerosol form. A second pressurized container may also be provided containing a full charge of R-134a for an auto air conditioner. The kit includes a service port adapter, configured to be convertible to the service port of an automobile air conditioner wherein both the first and second containers may be hooked up to the auto air conditioner via the same service port adapter.

Abstract: A high-speed evaporator defrost system is comprised of a defrost conduit circuit connected to the discharge line of one or more compressors and back to the suction header through an auxiliary reservoir capable of storing the entire refrigerant load of the refrigeration system. Auxiliary reservoir is at low pressure and is automatically flushed into the main reservoir when liquid refrigerant accumulates to a predetermined level. The auxiliary reservoir of the defrost circuit creates a pressure differential across the refrigeration coil of the evaporators sufficient to accelerate the hot high pressure refrigerant gas in the discharge line through the refrigeration coil of the evaporator to quickly defrost the refrigeration coil even at low compressor head pressures and wherein the pressure differential across the coil is in the range of from about 30 p.s.i. to 200 p.s.i.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a reversible HVAC system of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The HVAC system includes an electric compressor for circulating a refrigerant through a heat pump. The speed of the compressor is controlled by a compressor control signal having a variable duty cycle. Inside and outside heat exchangers transfer heat energy between an outside environment and a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. A refrigerant flow switching device switches the direction of refrigerant flow towards the inside heat exchanger in a heating mode and towards the outside heat exchanger in a cooling mode. A pressure reducing assembly supplies pressure reduced refrigerant to the inside heat exchanger in the cooling mode and to the outside heat exchanger in the heating mode. The pressure reducing assembly includes an electronic expansion valve in which the flow rate is set by an EXV control signal having a variable duty cycle.

Abstract: The process of creating and maintaining an Integrated Mini Ice Surface is through the combination of a continuous pattern of copper pipe filled with freon covered with water connected to a series of thermostatic expansion valves which are connected to a 6 horse power condenser/compressor with a dehumidifier within the space which produces 3 mini ice surfaces. These ice surfaces allow an individual to practice or receive instruction in a confined shooting alley or lane which eliminates the risk of injury to another participant and the utility of quick ice hockey puck retrieval for continuous reuse.

Abstract: A refrigerated food preparation table having a food preparation surface, a refrigerated food storage chamber, and a food plenum chamber adjacent to the food preparation surface. An air baffle assembly including a venturi restriction creates a resilient and uniform cool air curtain distributed across the top of food bins disposed within the food plenum chamber. One portion of the returning airflow, which is relatively warmer, having been exposed to higher ambient temperatures, circulates around the food bins and another portion of the returning airflow cools the refrigerated food storage chamber before entering a refrigeration coil/blower chamber to begin the cycle anew. The configuration maintains foodstuffs within the unit between 32.degree. and 40.degree. F.

Abstract: A structural system for an auger type poultry chiller in which the air header and structural system are integrated together. A hollow box beam on the longitudinal upper edge of the housing of the chiller provides structural strength and ridigity to the housing. The box beam is airtight and the box beam is connected to a source of pressurized air so that the box beam also serves as an air header. Air hoses connect a series of connectors along the length of the box beam to inlets on the bottom of the chiller housing to introduce pressurized air to the chilled water to prevent clumping of the chilled poultry carcasses. The strength of the box beam air header allows the supports for the auger to be mounted directly to the top of the box beam. In order to provide mounting connections without sacrificing the airtight integrity of the box beam, one or more tubes are run vertically through the box beam at points of attachment for the auger support structure.

Abstract: A transport container comprising a plurality of layers (4) of flexible insulating material, an envelope (2) containing said layers (4) and shrunk against said layers (4), and a latent cavity (14) within the layers of flexible insulating material and openable to receive a product (16) to be transported in the transport container.

Abstract: A second condenser includes a condensation promoting portion that promotes a condensation action on a refrigerant by reduction of the sectional area of a refrigerant path. The condensation promoting portion includes a step-forming wall between the sectional area reduced portion and a refrigerant path portion in the upstream thereof A vortex/turbulent flow generator is provided as necessary in the upstream and downstream of the sectional area reduced portion of the refrigerant path. The air conditioner includes a first condenser and a second condenser that are coupled in a crossflow manner so that an object for heat exchange, that is, a coolant passes first through the second condenser including the condensation promoting portion and then through the first condenser.

Abstract: The combined plant comprises at least one furnace (F), at least one air distillation device containing at least one medium-pressure column (MP) and a mixing column (CM) which has an oxygen outlet line (O) for supply to the furnace (F), at least one blowing engine (S) which feeds at least the furnace (F) and the medium-pressure column (MP), and at least one air compressor (C) which supplies at least the mixing column (CM) with air at a pressure which is greater than the pressure of the air supplied by the blowing engine (S).

Abstract: Air is separated in a double rectification column including a lower pressure rectification column. A first oxygen product containing less than 3.5% by volume of argon impurity is withdrawn through an outlet of the column which has a packed section below the level of the outlet. The argon impurity is striped from liquid descending through the packed section and a second relatively pure oxygen product containing less than 100 volumes per million is withdrawn from below the section through an outlet thereof. Impurities less volatile than oxygen are preferably separated from the second oxygen product in a side rectification column.

Abstract: Method of making polarizing glass having integral polarizing and non-polarizing regions disclosed. The method involves applying a protective glass/frit material capable of blocking reducing gas to the surface of the glass to form a desired pattern, exposing the glass to a reducing gas atmosphere to render unprotected glass polarizing, and removing the protective glass/frit material to reveal underlying non-polarizing regions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of glass sheets, according to which molten glass is poured into a liquid support which is denser than the glass to form a glass strip. The glass strip is drawn and is accompanied in its movement using a continuous and flexible guiding element made of a solid material capable of adhering to the molten glass, the elements being brought into contact with the side edges of the strip. The product (P) of the value (s) of the speed of the strip and of the value (t) of its final thickness is less than 2.5.times.10.sup.-4 m.sup.2 s.sup.-1. The process makes it possible to obtain thin glass sheets exhibiting a constant thickness and a satisfactory optical quality.

Abstract: Process for making preforms for multicore optical fibers. According to this process, several elementary preforms are made, a first machining is performed on them such that a chosen geometric model will be obtained after they are assembled, a second machining is performed such that the assembly (11) has at least one hole (12), the preforms are assembled and an induction furnace (18) is used to fuse the preforms, while creating a vacuum in each hole.

Abstract: A method for creating an opening in tubular knitted fabric articles, including the steps of providing a knitting machine having a plurality of needles mounted in axial needle slots in a needle cylinder, the needles having a hook formed in a top end of a needle shank and a latch pivotally mounted on the needle shank below the hook for opening and closing the hook. A deflector is provided for deflecting a loop of yam being formed by a needle into the vertical plane of an adjacent needle. A needle is selected from which a loop is to be transferred. The loop on the selected needle is enlarged by deflecting the loop out of the vertical plane of the selected needle laterally into the vertical plane of an adjacent needle while the adjacent needle is in a lowered, non-interfering position relative to the deflected loop.

Abstract: A method for producing one or more pockets (13) in a knitted ready-made garment. The method comprises knitting a piece of tricot (10) having a rectangular configuration with two long sides (11) and two short sides (12). The piece of tricot is folded in at least two places, substantially in parallel with the short sides for forming the back- and side parts of the garment. The remaining parts of the tricot piece at the short sides form a divided front and an arm opening is made at each side part of the tricot piece. The tricot piece is knitted with needles in single bed or double bed or in a combination of those beds, up to a point where a pocket (13) is to be located. A segment corresponding to the two sides of the pocket is knitted in a single bed. The remaining part of the tricot piece is finished by knitting in single or double bed or in a combination of this and the two sides of each pocket are stitched together by seams.