Abstract: The present invention relates to a supercooling system and a method for displaying a supercooled state which can accurately display a supercooled state of a stored object in spite of the external influence.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a refrigerator including a door, a liquid reservoir, a dispenser mounted at the door for dispensing liquid, the dispenser having an outlet located above the liquid reservoir, and a pump in communication with the dispenser. Further provided is a method of operating a refrigerator including the steps of providing a refrigerator comprising a refrigerator cabinet, a door attached to the refrigerator cabinet, a liquid reservoir, and a dispenser mounted at the door for dispensing liquid through the door, the dispenser having an outlet located above the liquid reservoir, providing a pump having an inlet in communication with the liquid in the liquid reservoir and an outlet in communication with the dispenser, and providing a user interface in communication with the pump, whereby selectively entering a dispensing function input into the interface actuates the pump.

Abstract: A two-stage cascade refrigeration system is provided having a first refrigeration stage and a second refrigeration stage. The first refrigeration stage defines a first fluid circuit for circulating a first refrigerant, and has a first compressor, a condenser, and a first expansion device that is in fluid communication with the first fluid circuit. The second refrigeration stage defines a second fluid circuit for circulating a second refrigerant, with the second refrigeration stage having a second compressor, a second expansion device, and an evaporator that is in fluid communication with the second fluid circuit. A heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the first and second fluid circuits to exchange heat between the first and second refrigerants. At least one of the first or second compressors is a variable speed compressor.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a motor that rotates a motor shaft to rotate a fan. An operating speed of the motor shaft determines an airflow through a heat exchanger coil. The heat exchanger also includes a sensor that detects a parameter of the motor shaft and a control. The parameter detected by the sensor is communicated to the control. The parameter is one of the operating speed of the motor shaft and a motor shaft torque. If the parameter is the operating speed, the control initiates a defrost cycle when the operating speed of the motor shaft is less than or equal to a threshold value. If the parameter is the motor shaft torque, the control initiates the defrost cycle when the torque application to the motor shaft is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control method for a refrigerator that can acquire a pump-down effect without performing an additional pump-down process and furthermore, efficiently utilize residual cool air remaining in a freezer evaporator.

Abstract: A cooling system is disclosed. The cooling system may have an evaporator, an evaporator fan, a condenser, and at least one compressor. The compressor may be either a single speed or a variable speed compressor. In addition, the system can use a mechanical or electrical pulsed operation refrigerant flow control valve for controlling refrigerant flow to the evaporator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator which can display a supercooled state or the proceeding degree of the supercooled state. The refrigerator includes a control apparatus which is formed in a storing space in which the cooling is performed, has a storing space composed of an upper space and a lower space between which the air or heat exchange is limited, stores a stored object in the storing space in a supercooled state, and controls the temperature of the upper space and the lower space, respectively. The refrigerator includes: a determination means determining the supercooled state of the stored object or the proceeding degree of the supercooled state; and a display means visually or aurally displaying the supercooled state or the proceeding degree of the supercooled state determined by the determination means.

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus has at least one intermediate heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a refrigerant changing in two phases or a refrigerant in a supercritical state and a heat medium such as water and anti-freezing fluid different from the refrigerant, a refrigeration cycle in which a compressor, a heat-source side heat exchanger, at least one expansion valve, and a refrigerant-side channel of the intermediate heat exchanger are connected via a pipeline through which the refrigerant flows, and a heat-medium circulation circuit in which a heat-medium side channel of the intermediate heat exchanger, a pump, and a use-side heat exchanger are connected via a pipeline through which the heat medium flows, in which in the heat-medium circulation circuit, a fourth temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the heat-medium flowing out of the use-side heat exchanger is provided, and leakage of the heat medium from the heat-medium circulation circuit is detected on the basis of a change amount of

Abstract: An environment control unit including an environment control system, a reactive oxygen species (ROS) generator, and a controller. The refrigeration system and the ROS generator positioned within a housing of the environment control unit and providing conditioned air to the interior of a cargo space to clean and condition air and surfaces within the cargo space.

Abstract: A heat pump system includes: a heat-source-side refrigerant circuit having a heat-source-side compressor, a first usage-side heat exchanger operable as a radiator of heat-source-side refrigerant, and a heat-source-side heat exchanger operable as an evaporator of heat-source-side refrigerant; and a usage-side refrigerant circuit having a usage-side compressor arranged to compress usage-side refrigerant with a pressure of the usage-side refrigerant corresponding to a saturated gas temperature of 65° C. that is 2.8 MPa or less at gauge pressure, a refrigerant-water heat exchanger operable as a radiator of usage-side refrigerant to heat an aqueous medium, and a first usage-side heat exchanger operable as an evaporator of usage-side refrigerant by the radiation of heat-source-side refrigerant. The weight of usage-side refrigerant enclosed in the usage-side refrigerant circuit is one to three times the weight of refrigeration machine oil enclosed to lubricate the usage-side compressor.

Abstract: A modular door system is provided including at least one substantially transparent panel and a frame extending about a perimeter of the panel. The frame includes a pair of horizontal frame elements and a pair of vertical frame elements. One vertical frame element is configured to pivot about a pivot axis so that the other vertical frame element is movable between an open and a closed position. The modular door system further includes at least one receptacle disposed in the frame and a first cartridge removably receivable in the receptacle to facilitate pivoting the one vertical frame element about the pivot axis. The first cartridge is replaceable or interchangeable with at least a second cartridge. The cartridges may provide for the modular door system to be post-formation customized to change, add, or remove certain functionalities or features.

Abstract: A tank-less refrigerated display device having an open floor is configured to sit directly upon a floor in a facility such as a supermarket or other food product retail facility. The tank-less and floorless display device includes a front wall section that is substantially free of fans or other electrical components. The front wall section may be readily removable to permit convenient roll-in and roll-out of food product display devices. A cooling coil is mounted in a lower portion of a rear wall. A single set of fans are configured to push air to be chilled through the cooling coil and into a chilled air distribution system. The chilled air distribution system includes a rear wall flue having a vertical profile that is at least partially tapered, and a horizontal top wall flue having a frontal outlet configured to discharge chilled air over an open front in the form of an air curtain.

Abstract: A counter flow indirect evaporative heat exchanger (10) having vertically stacked alternate counter flow wet (14) and dry (12) passages where the wet passages are wetted during operation of the heat exchanger by wetting means (50, 52, 53, 54, 70, 72, 74, 76) travelling vertically of the stack. Elongately wetting of a small plurality of the total number of passages (14, 12) of the heat exchanger (10) occurs at a time during vertical travel of the wetting means.

Abstract: A heat pump system includes a refrigerant circuit, an inlet temperature sensor measuring a heat exchanger inlet temperature of an aqueous medium in a usage-side heat exchanger of the refrigerant circuit, an outlet temperature sensor measuring a heat exchanger outlet temperature of the aqueous medium in the usage-side heat exchanger, a variable-capacity circulating pump circulating the aqueous medium inside a hot-water circuit of a loop, and a controller. The controller controls refrigerant-side circulation rate in the refrigerant circuit to bring a temperature of the aqueous medium at the outlet of the usage-side heat exchanger to a targeted first target temperature, and operating capacity of the circulating pump to bring a medium temperature differential of the aqueous medium between the outlet and the inlet of the usage-side heat exchanger to a targeted second target temperature differential.

Abstract: A heat pump system includes a heat source unit, a first usage unit, and a second usage unit. The heat source unit has a heat-source-side compressor, a heat-source-side heat exchanger, a heat-source-side blower, and a heat-source-side switching mechanism. The first usage unit has at least a radiation amount adjusting element, and a first usage-side flow rate adjustment valve. The second usage unit has at least a second usage-side flow rate adjustment valve. In a case in which the second usage unit performs an air-cooling operation and the first usage unit performs an aqueous medium heating operation, the amount of radiation adjusted by the radiation amount adjusting element or operating capacity of the heat-source-side blower is controlled in accordance with a state of the first usage-side flow rate adjustment valve and the second usage-side flow rate adjustment valve.

Abstract: A heat pump system includes a first usage unit operable to perform a hot-water supply operation to heat an aqueous medium and a second usage unit operable to perform air-cooling and air-warming operations to cool or heat an air medium. The first and second usage units are both connected to a heat source unit in such a manner that the first and second usage units are incapable of individually selecting and performing a hot-water supply operation, an air-cooling operation, or an air-warming operation. The heat pump system is capable of switching operation to a thermoregulation mode different from the switched state of a heat-source-side switching mechanism in response to a thermoregulation mode command issued by a first usage-side controller, a second usage side controller or a centralized controller.

Abstract: A refrigerator has an air duct that brings a supply of chilled air to an air flow pathway that leads to an ice maker. A low profile impeller within the pathway forces the chilled air toward the ice maker. A curved vane guides the flow of air towards the ice maker. An impinger with a plurality of nozzles focuses the air flow from the impeller onto the ice maker.

Abstract: An ice maker for a refrigerator and a method for making ice are provided. The ice maker includes an ice-making tray configured to be disposed at one side of a refrigerating chamber, that stores water to be used to make ice, and an ice-making pipe that freezes the water stored in the ice-making tray. In an ice-releasing process, the ice-making tray is instantly heated by applying power thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling apparatus including a non-freezing apparatus which can stably store a liquid in a container in a supercooled state by maintaining an upper space receiving an upper portion of the container at a higher temperature than a lower space receiving a lower portion of the container. A cooling apparatus includes a cooling space, a door opening and closing the cooling space, and a non-freezing apparatus installed in the cooling space or the door, an upper space thereof being maintained in a higher temperature region than a lower space thereof. The non-freezing apparatus of the cooling apparatus includes a separation film formed between the upper space of a high temperature and the lower space of a low temperature and limiting the heat exchange between the upper space and the lower space, thereby stably maintaining the liquid in the supercooled state.

Abstract: A food service system is formed using a plurality of units capable of being interlocked together in a variety of customizable configurations. The units of the food service system include a food service bar with buffet pan chillers, a work table, a cashier station, and variety of connecting pieces for linking each of the units together. The food service bar comprises a sneeze guard that protects the food contained within the bar on three sides and can be broken down and folded down and into itself when the bar is being transported or stored. The buffet pan chillers are double sided and configured such that when frozen, may accommodate a shallow food pan on one side and then flipped over to accommodate a deep food pan on the other side while still maintaining the same serving height. Each unit is configured to receive multiple sizes of wheels or casters.

Abstract: A rotary-type fluid machine (10A) includes: a closed casing (1) having a bottom portion utilized as an oil reservoir, a rotary-type fluid mechanism (expansion mechanism) (15) that is provided in an upper portion of the closed casing (1) and in which working chambers (32, 33) in cylinders (22, 24) are partitioned into a suction side working chamber and a discharge side working chamber by vanes (28, 29), a shaft (5) having therein an oil supply passage (51) for supplying oil to the fluid mechanism (15), the shaft being connected to the fluid mechanism (15) and extending an oil reservoir (45), an oil pump (52) provided at a lower portion of the shaft (5), an oil retaining portion (65) for retaining oil, which is pumped up by the oil pump (52) and supplied through the oil supply passage (51), in a surrounding region around the fluid mechanism (15) to allow the partitioning members of the fluid mechanism (15) to be lubricated, the oil retaining portion formed so that the liquid level of the oil retained therein is

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of capturing carbon dioxide in a fluid comprising at least one compound more volatile than carbon dioxide CO2, for example methane CH4, oxygen O2, argon Ar, nitrogen N2, carbon monoxide CO, helium He and/or hydrogen H2.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for recovering rare gases from a multiple column oxygen plant, wherein the multiple column oxygen plant comprises a higher pressure column, a lower pressure column, a middle pressure intermediate column, and a low pressure intermediate column, said middle pressure intermediate column comprising a first bottom reboiler and said low pressure intermediate column comprising a second bottom reboiler. The process includes providing a first oxygen rich liquid stream containing rare gases from the higher pressure column, wherein said first oxygen rich liquid stream is introduced to the first bottom reboiler. The process also includes removing a second oxygen rich liquid stream rich in rare gases from the bottom of the middle pressure intermediate column, wherein said second oxygen rich liquid stream is introduced to the low pressure intermediate column.

Abstract: A communication system for conveying needs between two individuals who cannot verbally communicate with one another. The system is especially useful for use with incapacitated patients and includes a plurality of items which represent several conditions that the patients may experience and which may be corrected by a caregiver. The items are bound together such that an incapacitated patient may easily access an appropriate item and point to it to indicate to the caregiver that corrective action needs to be taken. In this manner, a communication system is developed between the incapacitated patient and the caregiver that does not rely on verbal communications.

Abstract: A ring including a shank having indicators at predetermined locations on an inner surface of the shank, where the indicators identify preferred positions for setting gemstones. The preferred positions may be based on the number of and sizes of the gemstones and/or on a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is a setting for a gemstone or diamond having a groove cut, based on gemstone or diamond shape, which acts as the setting. The groove in the gemstone or diamond is on the side surface or edge or other parameter which surrounds the face of the gemstone or diamond. The setting material is inserted into the groove and connected together outside or inside the groove, forming the frame around the gemstone or diamond. Once the frame is connected it becomes the setting.

Abstract: A gemstone cut with a table facet, where the gemstone receives existing light from around the viewer and the facets on the bottom of the diamond effectively reflect the existing light back into the eyes of the beholder in such a manner as to maximize light performance, and to produce a unique and distinct look of light in the form of a Maltese cross under the table facet which can be observed in natural ambient light.

Abstract: Task of the invention is a method and the required auxiliary devices for producing foamed glass, in particular for producing foamed glass plate. The method is characterized by several steps. In step 1, the raw mixture (1) is supplied from a mixture container (2) via an application apparatus (3) and applied to a glass fleece strip (4) in the form of segments (5). The glass fleece strip (4) lies on a linked chain. The application height is adjusted by a wiper (6). In step 2, the segments (5) on the glass fleece strip (4) pass through the expansion oven (7) with various heat zones (8). In step 3 at the end of the expansion oven (7) pre-cooling takes place. The externally hardened segments (5) are tilted onto a cross slide (10) and transported into an annealing lehr (11). Specific auxiliary devices are an application apparatus (3), a special expansion oven (7) and equipment for transporting foamed glass blocks during the production of foamed glass.

Abstract: A method to produce a clear glass or a clear drawn glass includes the steps of melting starting materials to obtain a glass batch melt, refining the obtained glass batch melt, homogenizing the obtained glass batch melt, and producing a glass product in the drawing process. A sulfate refining agent, selected from an alkali-, alkaline earth- or zinc sulfate or mixtures thereof is utilized in a predetermined amount and a predefined refining temperature during refining of the glass batch melt which is 0° C. to 100° C. higher than that in a refining process using a refining system which contains antimony oxide on its own or in combination with one or several other refining agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of solar grade silicon comprising crystallization of large high purity silicon crystals in a hyper eutectic binary or ternary alloy containing silicon, or a refined silicon melt, wherein small silicon crystals are added to the melt and the resulting large silicon crystals are separated from the melt. The separation may be performed by centrifugation or filtration.

Abstract: A method, press station (12), and system (10) for forming glass sheets that are initially formed with an upwardly concave curved shape with end portions (86) and an intermediate portion (88) having straight line elements that are subsequently formed with curved shapes to provide curvature along transverse directions. The forming is performed by initially providing curvature to the straight line elements of the glass sheet end portions while the intermediate portion (88) still has the straight line elements. The glass sheet intermediate portion is subsequently formed to provide curvature to its straight line elements so the glass sheet has curvature in transverse directions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the stress in, and the shape of, the glass ribbon (15) formed in a downdraw glass manufacturing process (e.g., the fusion downdraw process) are provided. In certain embodiments, the control is achieved by cooling the bead portions (21a, 21b) of the ribbon (15) at a rate which provides a heat flux Q?b at the thickest part of the bead (23a, 23b) which is given by Q?b=Q?q+?Q?, where (i) Q?q is the heat flux at a transverse position adjacent to the bead portion (21a, 21b) at which the ribbon's thickness equals 1.05*tcenter, where tcenter is the final thickness at the ribbon's center line (17), and (ii) ?Q??(tb/tq?1)Q?q+10 kilowatts/meter2, where tb is the thickness of the thickest part of the bead portion. The cooling can take place along the entire length of the ribbon (15) or at selected locations, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a primary preform for optical fibres, using an internal vapour deposition process, wherein a gas flow of doped undoped glass-forming gases is supplied to the interior of a hollow substrate tube having a supply side and a discharge side via the supply side thereof, wherein deposition of glass layers on the interior of the substrate tube is effected as a result of the presence of a reaction zone.

Abstract: A laundry drying unit includes a process air circuit and a component arranged in the process air circuit. Provided above the component is a washing tank for dispensing a cleaning fluid, with a flow of cleaning fluid dispensed from the washing tank to the component being controlled by a controllable valve. The valve can be controlled on the basis of an amount of cleaning fluid in the washing tank.

Abstract: A roller assembly for a laundry treating appliance, such as a clothes dryer, may have an axle, a wheel having a hub defining an axle opening, a tire coupled with the wheel and having an outer surface in contact with the drum, and a lubricant reservoir configured to communicate with the axle opening such that lubricant in the reservoir may lubricate the axle.

Abstract: A key cylinder installation structure includes a key cylinder including a flange that is fixed to a trunk of a vehicle, the flange including a mounting hole through which a mounting bolt is inserted into a reference hole and a secondary reference hole, respectively, formed in the trunk, the key cylinder being operable to lock and unlock the trunk, and a pad that is attached to the flange of the key cylinder and includes a hole through which the mounting bolt is inserted and a projection projecting toward a center of the key cylinder in the hole of the pad. When the mounting bolt is inserted into the mounting hole, the projection of the pad lies between the mounting bolt and the mounting hole.

Abstract: A key-key holder combination includes a key shank and a key holder. The key shank includes a distal tip and a proximate end. The key holder is fixedly connected to the proximate end of the key shank. The key holder includes a key holding portion for retaining a plurality of other keys thereon. The other keys are releasable and reattachable to the key holder.

Abstract: An adjustable turn piece extension includes a first member, a second member, and a connecting pin. The first member includes a slot and the second member is configured to fit in the slot. Apertures on the first and second members can be aligned to receive the connecting pin and thereby determine the length of the turn piece.

Abstract: A key includes a body that is plate-shaped to be inserted into a locking device, and a groove that is formed in the body and engages with a plurality of tumblers of the locking device to allow locking and unlocking operations. The groove includes, at a location corresponding to one tumbler of the locking device, a non-engagement part that does not engage with the one tumbler. The groove may include an inside groove, and the non-engagement part may include a notch portion that the inside groove is cut to reach an edge portion of the body.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of sulphur-containing fertilizer compositions, comprising the steps of: a} providing a slurry of at least one phosphate-based fertilizer material selected from the group consisting of ammonium phosphates, ammonium phosphate based nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) compounds, super phosphates and partially acidulated phosphate rocks; b) bringing said slurry into contact with at least one anionic surfactant and elemental sulphur; c) introducing the mixture obtained in step b} into a granulator unit in order to obtain granules of the fertilizer composition, wherein the at least one phosphate-based fertilizer material is present in an amount in the range of at least 50 wt. %, the elemental sulphur is present in an amount in the range of from 1 to 25 wt. % and the anionic surfactant is present in an amount in the range of from 0.001 to 3 wt. % based on the overall weight of the fertilizer composition. The present invention also provides a fertilizer composition.

Abstract: A cutting cultivation medium, containing at least: the following components in the following volume percentages: pine scales 20-50%, vermiculite 10-40%, peat 15-40%, and perlite 10-30%, 300-700 g trace elements per cubic meter of cultivation medium being added. A preparation method for a cutting cultivation medium containing at least the following steps: mixing components and trace elements and molding them into a rod-shaped cultivation medium covered by a reticular fiber having a diameter between 4-7 cm, and cutting it into a cylinder body with a length of 5-7 cm and thus a final product is obtained. The cutting cultivation medium provides a good medium environment for cutting cultivation of plants, significantly reduces cultivation time of cutting seedlings, extends wilting time of seedlings after nursery, and provides longer transportation time and a higher survival rate for transplanting of the cutting seedlings.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a process for the manufacture of sulphur-containing fertilizer compositions, said process comprising the steps of: a) providing a slurry of at least one phosphate-based fertilizer material selected from the group consisting of ammonium phosphates, ammonium phosphate based nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) compounds, super phosphates and partially acidulated phosphate rocks; b} bringing said slurry into contact with at least one surfactant and elemental sulphur; and c) introducing the mixture obtained in step b) into a granulator unit in order to obtain granules of the fertilizer composition, wherein the elemental sulphur is present in an amount in the range of form 1 to 25 wt. %, based on the total weight of the fertilizer composition The present invention also provides a fertilizer composition.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for semiactive reduction of pressure oscillations in a hydraulic system of a cold or hot rolling mill or strip handling installation for iron, steel or aluminum materials has the following method steps in the stated sequence: a) detection of a pressure signal by a pressure sensor by permanent measurement of a pressure in the hydraulic system; b) determination of an alternating component of the pressure signal; c) determination of at least one manipulated variable, which varies over time, in real time with the aid of a regulator, taking account of the alternating component; d) application of the manipulated variable to at least one actuator, with the actuator changing a natural frequency of an oscillation damper which is connected to the hydraulic system, and thus reducing an amplitude of the pressure oscillations in the hydraulic system.

Abstract: The machine includes: a bending head movable with at least two degrees of freedom in a transverse vertical plane; a first drive is arranged to move the bending head in the plane and to move a tool of the bending head between an open position, in which it defines with a die of the bending head a free space adapted to receive a tube to be bent, and a closed position, in which it clamps the tube against the die. A tube-carrying structure is rotatable about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the plane; a second drive is arranged to cause the tube-carrying structure to rotate about its own axis of rotation; and an electronic control unit is arranged to control the first and second drives so as to move the bending head and the tube-carrying structure in a position such that the tube is received with a desired orientation in the free space between the die and the tool.

Abstract: Forge lubrication processes are disclosed. A solid lubricant sheet is placed between a workpiece and a die in a forging apparatus. Force is applied to the workpiece with the die to plastically deform the workpiece. The solid lubricant sheet decreases the shear factor for the forging system and reduces the incidence of die-locking.

Abstract: Forge lubrication processes are disclosed. A solid lubricant sheet is placed between a workpiece and a die in a forging apparatus. Force is applied to the workpiece with the die to plastically deform the workpiece. The solid lubricant sheet decreases the shear friction factor for the forging system and reduces the incidence of die-locking.

Abstract: The invention relates to a charging device for a bush expander for punched bush blanks, having a charging weight of, in the warm state, many hundreds of tonnes, for example 200 to 800 tonnes, preferably 200 to 600 tonnes, and to a method for forging punched bush blanks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a strip coiler for coiling a metal strip (20), comprising a coiling mandrel (21), pressing rollers (26) associated with the coiling mandrel (21), and adjustable deflection shells (28) for pressing the leading edge (24) of the metal strip (20) against the coiling mandrel (21). The disclosed strip coiler is characterized in that at least one of the deflection shells (28) has a tip (22) which is adjustable relative to the deflection shell (28).

Abstract: A roll forming machine includes a frame supporting a conical drive roll rotatable on a fixed axis, and a conical pinch roll rotatable and movable transversely and angularly toward and away from the drive roll. Transversely movable and angularly adjustable forming rolls are disposed on opposite sides of the pinch and drive rolls, operable to selectively bend a workpiece frictionally held between the pinch and drive rolls and moved by their counter-rotation. The drive and pinch rolls rotate the workpiece about a transverse axis as they move the workpiece through the machine, enabling a consistent and accurate bending of workpieces to desired conical geometries. The machine can employ elongate drive and pinch rolls with guides to selectively place the workpieces along the rolls, to controllably vary the ratio of small-end to large-end radii in shaped pieces. Alternative versions feature a single forming roll, and rolls that alternatively serve the pinching and forming functions.

Abstract: A modular rolling mill has a mill pass line along which products are rolled in a rolling direction. The rolling mill comprises first gear units arranged along a first line parallel to the mill pass mill line. Each first gear unit is driven individually by a motor and has a pair of mechanically interconnected output shafts. Second gear units are arranged along a second line between and parallel to both the first line and the mill pass line. Each second gear unit has a pair of mechanically interconnected input shafts driving a pair of output shafts. Rolling units are arranged in succession along the mill pass line. Each rolling unit is driven by an input shaft and has a pair of mechanically interconnected roll shafts carrying work rolls. First couplings connect the output shafts of each first gear unit to input shafts of two successive gear units, and second couplings releasably connect the output shafts of the second gear units to the input shafts of two successive rolling units.