Abstract: A method of prolonging the life of a tool joint on a drilling pipe, the tool joint including an external tapered surface of 18.degree. providing an elevator shoulder, including steps of preparing or treating the tapered eroded surface, depositing in the area of said tapered surface a selected amount of material of selected metal hardness, and grinding the external surface portions of said deposited material to provide a smooth external uninterrupted surface of selected hardness and smoothness and inclined at 18.degree. to the longitudinal axis of said pipe. A tool joint for a drill pipe having an external cylindrical surface and an external tapered surface merging with the surface of the pipe length, said external tapered surface on hardened metal being smooth, uninterrupted, and lying in a surface generated by rotating a straight line at an angle of 18.degree. to the axis of the drill pipe.

Abstract: Reconstituted tobacco sheet coated with a hydrophobic coating containing a spectrophotometrically-determinable metal cation, including the process of making such products and the process of monitoring the coating process to assure even distribution of coating on tobacco sheet.

Abstract: A Dough Divider having a ram driven by hydraulic means exerting a constant feeding force on dough in the charging chamber, and having an operating cycle which includes purging of the charging chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooling dough in a mixer comprising a multi-section direct expansion jacket provided on the main sheet and both end walls of the mixing bowl, the jacket providing a flow path for liquid coolant progressively increasing in cross-sectional area from the inlet to the outlet, and having flow control and heat transfer maximizing means so that the velocity of coolant flow through and a minimum pressure drop across the flow path remain substantially constant and the liquid coolant is always maintained in contact with the heat transfer surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning pipe ends having a closed system, for recycling cleaning fluid by removing contaminants, which includes independently positionable pin end and box end wash heads each of which can be used alone or simultaneously with the other; each wash head providing a high pressure spray of cleaning fluid impinging on the exposed threads of the pipe end being washed within a sealed wash chamber formed by the wash head.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for producing an elastomeric extrudate having a constant cross section area. The extrudate is shaped in to a ribbon through a roller die and applied to a tire surface mounted on a rotating spindle. Digital electronic circuitry is employed to provide precise shaft synchronization at a pre-selected rotational velocity ratio between the rotating shafts. The synchronization assures repeatable velocity synchronization between the source of elastomeric material and a take-up device at the axis of rotation of the two components. The elastomeric material is extruded in a manner permitting control over the wrap operation and the amount of elastomeric material employed for a given cycle.

Abstract: Processes for the selective removal of lipid constituents from elements of the tobacco plant comprising treating said elements in a solvolysis system consisting essentially of a mixture constituted by a major proportion of a hydrocarbon fat solvent and a minor proportion of a lower alkanol, whereby residual lipid level as determined by Soxhlet extraction is substantially reduced; and smoking compositions incorporating the processed tobacco material.

Abstract: Reconstituted tobacco compositions comprising tamarind gum as an adhesive agent, and processes for preparing reconstituted tobacco at high solids levels with controlled viscosity.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning product being conveyed in a forward direction where a conveying element urges product to be re-distributed laterally for advancement to an adjacent accumulation plate to form interlocking hexagonal close pack clusters. Further distribution in the longitudinal and lateral directions takes place along a downwardly sloping contiguous conveyor having a series of flaring spacers until product is finally distributed in a desired fashion.

Abstract: A filter cartridge assembly is formed of a series of stacked disc members interlocking with one another and held in compression by a preload force exerted through respective end members at opposite ends of the assembly. Each of the disc members is provided with a series of raised surfaces -- bosses, for positioning filter media thereon and providing fluid flow paths for the filtrate to pass through openings in the disc members into a central passage and out of the cartridge. Cooperating raised edge surfaces adjacent to the outer and inner periphery, engage and seal the filter media under a compressive load along the surfaces adjacent the outer and inner edges of the media, when the respective disc members are in stacked relationship and the media is sandwiched between neighboring discs.

Abstract: A method of preparing dough having an improved mixing cycle after the introduction of dough ingredients into a mechanical mixer where the mixing function takes place in a three sequential step operation, with the objective of improving heat removal and/or shortening mix time. A first predefined time interval is employed at a first select speed then a second mixing speed is employed in excess of the first speed for an interval of time in excess of the first interval and finally, the mixer operates at a speed less than the second speed, but not less than the first speed. The speed of rotation for the second time interval is always the greatest of the three speeds employed.

Abstract: The filter assembly employs a closure portion having fluid inlet and outlet ports integral therewith enabling in-line use of the assembly. Associated with such closure is a spring biased valve handle, whereby rotation of the handle along a prescribed course of travel enables simultaneous closing of the inlet and outlet ports thusly permitting free movement of the filter assembly body from the closure. A vent is provided in the closure which acts to relieve internal pressure within the assembly thereby further enabling easy removal of the filter body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shut-off valve assembly for use with a filter carriage where the upper portion of the filter cartridge cooperates with the valve assembly for controlling fluid flowing into and out of the inlet and outlet port of the cartridge once the cartridge is removed from service. Cartridge removal causes the shut-off valve to automatically close fluid flow into and out of the cartridge. A valve abutment member in the shut-off assembly serves to shut off fluid inlet flow and a sealing member on a support member of assembly, serves to seal the shut-off assembly at the fluid inlet port. A ball check mounted in a retainer of assembly is biased in the downward direction during fluid shut-off.

Abstract: In a thresher, means for independently mounting cutters and for replacing each cutter without disturbing other cutters, the rotor or the fixed cutter mounting means.

Abstract: Inspection apparatus adapted to be propelled through a pipeline. Means are provided to establish a circumferentially directed flux field in wall of pipe, and longitudinally extending flexible fins or flaps of elastomeric material curve outwardly from apparatus to resiliently hold flux leakage detection means against wall of pipe. Means responsive to axial movement of apparatus imparts helical movement of apparatus. Apparatus is readily adapted to inspect pipelines of different sizes.

Abstract: A conveyor, particularly for feeding tobacco to a cutting drum, comprises a number of articulated slats passing around sprocket wheels. The slats are identical and each has extensions and recesses. The extensions of one slat enter the recesses of the next adjacent slat, and are retained by a pin passing through the extensions of adjacent slats. The underside of each extension has a flat surface for contacting a support plate and the top face of the sprocket teeth contact the slats so that the flat underside of each extension is not contacted by the sprocket wheel, in order to maintain a constant pitch as the band travels around the sprocket wheels. In this way the spacing between the conveyor and a dead plate positioned to remove tobacco from the band as it passes over a sprocket wheel remains constant.

Abstract: The method and apparatus therefor for separating paper particles from reclaimed shredded tobacco comprising propelling shredded tobacco with paper particles randomly mixed therein into a path of flight above an endless belt coneyor and in the direction of movement of the conveyor so that the shredded tobacco showers down and forms a blanket on the conveyor and the longer flying paper showers down atop the tobacco blanket, the conveyor moving the tobacco past scanning means and propelling the tobacco along a path of flight to receiver means, the scanning means detecting paper particles atop the tobacco, and pneumatic reject means responsive to the scanning means for diverting detected paper particles from the path of flight from the conveyor to a receiver for reject particles.

Abstract: In a tobacco cutting machine where tobacco is cut by knives mounted on a rotating drum, the knives are advanced as they are worn away. In order to prevent the knives being advanced too far, and becoming damaged by contact with other machine parts, a safety device is provided. This includes a blade positioned near the path of the knife edges to be struck by a knife if the latter is advanced too far. The resultant movement of the blade is amplified by a lever system and is used to trigger a microswitch in the cutter drum drive circuit, whereby when a knife is advanced too far the cutter drum is stopped. The advancing mechanism for the knives includes a ratchet device driven by pulses of compressed air via a piston and cylinder device.

Abstract: Inspection and conveyor apparatus have a pair of laterally spaced, substantially parallel endless belt conveyors engaging the top and bottom ends of cigarette packs and moving the packs through an inspection station and past a rejection station to a delivery station, electro-optical means programmed to inspect selected portions of the packs passing through the inspection station to detect faults and provide signals synchronized with incremental movement of the packs, the optics and light source of each electro-optical means being off-set within a range of 20.degree. to 70.degree. from a position normal to the surface being inspected, means for receiving signals from the electro-optical means and for providing a reject signal when a fault is detected and release means for laterally moving at least one of the endless belts away from the other when a reject signal is received to release a defective cigarette pack at the reject station.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for separating lighter and heavier portions of threshed tobacco by creating two adjacent vortices circulating in opposite directions the turbulence of which separates the threshed tobacco; the vortices coacting to form rising column of high velocity air for carrying off lighter portions of tobacco while heavier portions of tobacco drop to a pneumatic take-off.