Abstract: A sleeve for a photoprint cassette having a feature for holding a paper bag which accommodates strips of photographic negatives. The sleeve, combined with the photoprint cassette and the paper bag, forms a module of a photo archive.

Abstract: Combined in a very compact unit (1) are means for trimming and for compressing tobacco during the cycle of formation of a cigarette rod. Dense-end disks (3, 4) are made up of beveled circular cutters in contact (at 21) at their peripheries. The trimmed tobacco drops by the force of gravity into a discharge container without being subjected to buffeting by extraction brushes. The cyclic compression of the cigarette rod at locations corresponding to the tips of cigarettes is carried out by a rotary cam (7) placed slightly upstream and below the dense-end disks.

Abstract: A carriage (6) is moved so that the periphery of a roller (4) rests against the reel (3). The blade (14) of a knife (5) cuts the closing belt of the reel and a few of the outer turns of the strip. The roller is started up so that the scraps are drawn into a device (8) by suction, the free end of the strip also entering this device. The suction device pivots downward so that the free portion of the strip comes to rest upon a presentation block (54) which has meanwhile been advanced.

Abstract: A pallet (4) bearing a load of objects (5) disposed in horizontal layers formed of parallel rows aligned in a certain direction (Y) is raised step by step on a frame (1) by a lift (2, 3). A transfer arrangement (7) provided with claws (31) is mounted on a carriage (8). A control causes the claws to engage under each of the objects of a row so that this row is secured to the transfer arrangement, after which the row is placed on a conveyor (10) which then transfers it to another conveyor (11). This latter conveyor moves in the aforementioned direction and brings each object to the entry station (14) of a machine (15).

Abstract: A smoking article in which a flavored aerosol is generated by heat transfer to a flavor bed from the combustion of a carbon heat source is provided. The article generates substantially no sidestream smoke. The transfer of heat from the heat source to the flavor bed is accomplished by convective and radiative heat transfer.

Abstract: A production line capable of producing more than one variation of a particular type of electric motor component (e.g., more than one variation of armature or more than one variation of stator) is provided. The line includes at each workstation either a machine adjustable to the different variations to be produced, or more than one machine. Workpieces are carried down the line on coded pallets from which it can be determined automatically which variation it is, so that the workstation can be adjusted to perform the correct operation, or so that the pallet can be directed to the correct machine.

Abstract: A smoking article (10) is disclosed, in which a tube (12) of combustible, heat fusible material is surrounded by tobacco filler (14) and wrapper (16). Tube (12) extends from approximately 5 mm from the mouth end of the filter to within approximately 10 mm of the opposite end of smoking cylinder (17). By directing essentially unfiltered, undiluted smoke to the smoker during the initial puffs, tube (12) gives the impression of a stronger flavored cigarette. After the first several puffs, the tube (12) is melted shut and normal dilution occurs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing graphic compositing operations in a computer system, with improved system performance, is provided. The apparatus and method performs the plurality of compositing operations by implementing a series of write functions, selected from a group of write functions, in a predetermined combination or order.

Abstract: A smoking article in which a flavored aerosol is generated by heat transfer to a flavor bed from the combustion of a carbon heat source is provided. The article generates substantially no sidestream smoke. The transfer of heat from the heat source to the flavor bed is accomplished by convective and radiative heat transfer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for applying foamed material to tobacco, and for drying and setting the foamed material, particularly in connection with the making of cigarettes. The foamed material may be added to the tobacco, for example, in the paper guide section of a cigarette maker, at the garniture mouth or through the short tongue or through both, or at the chimney. Drying and setting can occur in the chimney, on the vacuum belt, or in the garniture, after the material has been applied to the tobacco filler, Drying can be accomplished, for example, by using heated air or microwave radiation. Addition of material to tobacco filler, during the cigarette making process in the form of foam, results in a cigarette in which the material added is more uniformly distributed.

Abstract: A lamp socket mounting bracket which contains a pair of mounting clamps and is mounted within a reflector. The mounting clamps have reflector ends and socket ends which each have feet. The mounting clamps have curved portions to encompass a lamp socket which forms a fulcrum within the lamp socket mounting bracket. A clamp adjusting means is used at the socket ends of the mounting clamps to tighten the mounting clamps around the lamp socket, help make a substantial contact between the mounting clamps and the lamp socket, and create, along with the fulcrum, a reverse scissors action within the lamp socket mounting bracket.

Abstract: A freshness-preserving container is disclosed. The container includes a lid and a base which are connected and which pivot about a hinge line along their rear walls. The front wall of the lid has an inward facing surface disposed toward an outward facing surface on the fornt wall of the base. Between the inward and outward facing surfaces is a freshness-preserving element for preserving the freahness of the contents of the container. The freshness-preserving means includes a flap mounted on either the lid or the base which engages a shoulder on the other part of the container. As the container closes, the flap slides across the shoulder effecting a latch closing and making a clicking sound indicating the freshness-preserving characteristics of the container. An adhering element also may be provided, such as tape or magnetic pieces, for resealing the container when it is closed. In addition, the lid may overlap the base of the container, further contributing to its freshness-preserving characteristics.

Abstract: A highly accurate weighing, feeding and conditioning apparatus for powders and other fine particulate materials is provided. The material is conditioned in a hopper by pulsating inflatable pads within the hopper, or by ultrasonic transmitters mounted on the hopper walls, in apertures in the hopper walls, or on a body at least partially submerged in the fine particulate material. The material is fed by a double auger, one inside the other. In bulk feed mode, both augers rotate at a first, higher speed. In dribble feed mode, only the inner, smaller auger is rotated, at a second, lower speed. This arrangement provides a turn-down ratio of about 500:1. The entire assembly is coupled to a high resolution balance, such as a magnetic force restoration balance, for accurate control of the weight of material fed.

Abstract: An adjustable monitor stand for pivoting a monitor about a horizontal axis which is relatively simple to operate and which does not require great effort to adjust is provided. The stand includes a base, a platform for holding the monitor, and a hinge interconnecting the base and the platform. The hinge includes a torsion spring selected with regard to the mass of the monitor and the distance of its center of gravity from the axis so that the gravitational torque produced as the monitor is pivoted with the platform about the horizontal axis is always substantially balanced by the restoring torque generated by the spring. The stand therefore requires very little effort to adjust.

Abstract: A filter mouthpiece for a smoking article comprises a rod end portion having a tube extending axially therethrough and a mouth end portion. The tube is open at each end and has perforations in its wall. The peripheral surface of the filter mouthpiece is rendered air permeable in at least one discrete area by means of perforations in an impermeable tipping, to admit air to the filter. When attached to a tobacco rod this filter mouthpiece provides a substantially constant dry particulate matter delivery throughout the smoking of the article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring two components of an object, such as moisture content and density in a tobacco rod, using scattered electromagnetic radiation are provided. The invention relies on the fact that both the real imaginary parts of the dielectric constant of water vary greatly over frequencies in the gigahertz region while those of the remaining constitutents of tobacco do not, and particularly on the fact that, at frequencies approaching 100 GHz, the real part of the dielectric constant of water is much closer to that of many organic polymers, such as those making up tobacco, than it is at lower frequencies, and the imaginary part of the dielectric constant of water is much lower at frequencies approaching 100 GHz than it is in the region of 20 to 30 GHz. By comparing the scattering of electromagnetic radiation by the object--i.e.

Abstract: Apparatus for the cyclic rearrangement of a pile of rectangular or square sheets, especially a pile of photographic prints, is provided. The apparatus has a first and a second frame part which may be moved relative to one another and parallel to the main plane of the pile, and a picture changer which, on movement of the frame parts backwards and forwards, removes an individual sheet at one end of the pile and adds it to the other end of the pile. The picture changer includes a first and a second separating member which, resiliently biased towards each other, define a through-gap which for the entry of the sheet being separated has a spacing greater than the thickness of one sheet and less than the thickness of two sheets, which spacing is, during the outward movement of the frame parts, maintained or reduced to the thickness of the sheet being separated, as appropriate.

Abstract: A container for a stack of a variable number of pictures is disclosed. The container comprises at least two members movable relative to each other, one of which members holds the stack at at least one but not all of its edges, permitting the stack to be removed in the direction of one of the non-embraced edges.