Abstract: A cigarette filter assembly has a filter plug and an open mixing chamber arranged between the filter plug and the distal end of the filter assembly. Perforations are formed in the filter assembly wrapper to communicate between the mixing chamber and outside air, for the purpose of drawing in diluting air to mix with the filtered smoke in the mixing chamber. The filter assembly is constructed to pass smoke and diluting air substantially unimpeded from the mixing chamber to the distal end.

Abstract: In an air conditioning system, the positions of the dampers in the outside air duct and the return air duct are changed periodically during periods of mechanical refrigeration. The temperature of the refrigerated air is sensed and compared with the temperature of the refrigerated air sensed prior to the change in damper positions. The positions of the dampers are controlled in accordance with the lowest temperature detected.

Abstract: This invention relates to smoking articles having reduced free burn time, including cigarettes, cigars and little cigars. The smoking article comprises tobacco wrapped in a paper having at least one circumferential band printed between the ends of the smoking article; preferably at about the center of the smoking article. The band contains a substance which will cause the smoking article to extinguish in about 2-5 minutes under free burn conditions after the cone reaches the banded area if it is not puffed. The band is typically about 2-10 mm wide containing a substance which is a liquid in the temperature range of about 100.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. and which as the burning cone comes in contact with it provides a fluid film on the paper, without substantially penetrating through the surface of the paper, which film is substantially impervious to air and decomposes and/or distills endothermically from about 140.degree. C. to 300.degree. C.

Abstract: Tobacco (donor tobacco) is contacted with a receiving substrate which has been treated with a strong acid or an ammonium salt of a strong acid. Part of the nicotine in the donor tobacco is transferred from the donor tobacco to the receiving substrate. Thereafter the donor tobacco and the substrate may be separated. The donor tobacco has a reduced nicotine content and hence more desirable for use in a smoking product. Where the receiving substrate is a low nicotine tobacco by-product (or artificial smoking material) said substrate, enriched in nicotine as a result of the transfer, may be used as a filler material for smoking products.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring an object comprises a rotatable fixture that holds the object to be measured with one end positioned at a fixed location spaced from the axis of rotation of the fixture and the other end projecting freely from the fixture. A scanner that generates a planar unidirectional scanning beam is positioned with respect to the fixture and object such that at one point of rotation of the object the free end of the object intersects the plane of the scanning beam, and along a subsequent portion of the arc of rotation, the entire object, in cross section, projects through the beam.

Abstract: The pressure drop through and the circumference of filter rods for cigarette filters or the like are determined by a completely automated rod test station that consists of a measuring unit and a computer. The measuring unit has a transport system for rapidly moving a filter rod first into a pressure drop gauge and next into a pneumatic circumference gauge and then ejecting it. A single pressure transducer in the measuring unit detects the pressure drops across the standard, through the filter rod in the pressure drop gauge and through the annular passage between the rod and die in the circumference gauge. The analog electrical signals produced by the transducer are converted to digital signals which are input to a computer. The computer corrects the measured signals indicative of pressure drop in accordance with any error detected between the measured drop across the calibration standard and a stored internal constant representing the calibrated pressure drop for the standard during each test sequence.

Abstract: An elevated tray display device comprises a base having upper and lower vertical posts joined in telescoping relation for adjustment of the height and rotational orientation of the upper post and a fastener for affixing the upper post at a selected height and selected rotational orientation. A projecting key-type lug near the top of the post is receivable in a selected one of multiplicity of holes in a tray-mounting plate. The holes are spaced apart along the plate and are in different orientations, thus permitting the plate to be mounted and fastened to the upper end of the post in a selected one of a multiplicity of orientations and locations relative to the post. A tray is mounted on the plate for adjustment of its position to a selected one of an infinite number of locations within spaced-apart limit positions along an axis transverse to the post.

Abstract: An improved filter for tobacco products such as cigarettes is described, providing for selective HCN absorption. The selective adsorbant is a complex formed from a polydentate amine and a metal ion selected from the group consisting of zinc, iron (II), copper and nickel. The complex may be improved in its effectiveness by further combination with a polyalkylene oxide which acts synergistically therewith. Illustrative materials are the zinc complex of ethylenediamine employing polyethylene oxide as a synergist.

Abstract: A calibration assembly for an infrared moisture analyzer used for measuring the moisture content of tobacco leaf is described. The assembly comprises a housing for a glass window etched on at least one face and a layer of a particulate material having average particle sizes of about 50-100 microns. The assembly is characterized as having a reflectance similar to that of tobacco.

Abstract: The stiffness of tobacco is increased by treating tobacco with a dialdehyde. The treatment is carried out in the presence of a suitable catalyst. The reaction of the dialdehyde with tobacco may be at room temperature, but is accelerated by heating to 120.degree.-130.degree. C.

Abstract: Cigarettes are removed from cartons, as a step in recovering the tobacco, by a machine which removes both side walls of the cartons and both ends of all of the packs in the cartons and directs jets of air generally axially towards the ends of the cigarettes to blow them out of the packs. Relatively thin, high pressure jets remove the center row of cigarettes, and relatively divergent, lower pressure air jets blow the remaining cigarettes out of the packs. A pneumatic separator separates the cigarettes from any particles or pieces of packaging materials blown from the packaging by the air jets.