Abstract: A brush cleaning unit for a heater fixture of a smoking device includes a tube having a first end and a second end, the tube including a portion of a key for cooperating with a corresponding portion of the key on a heater fixture for attaching and orienting the heater fixture relative to the tube. The brush cleaning unit also includes a brush attached to the tube. The brush is axially movable relative to the tube and the heater fixture attached thereto. The brush is non-rotatable relative to the tube. A method for cleaning a heater fixture is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cleaning unit used to clean condensates formed during use of a component of a smoking system. The component can be a heating fixture having a cigarette receiving section and a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced apart heating elements located within a can which accumulates the condensates. During a cleaning operation, the heating fixture is fitted within a cavity in the cleaning unit such that the cigarette receiving end of the heating fixture engages an O-ring and the terminal base portion abuts against an indented stop in an interior sidewall of a removable portion of the housing. The cleaning unit includes a water inlet connected to a source of pressurized water such as a faucet and a spray member extends into the cigarette receiving section to spray jets of water against the interior of the can.

Abstract: A device for preparing and opening a roll of a strip of supple material. A flat blade is provided and is inserted from one side of the roll to separate the top layer, which is to be cut, from the lower layers. When the top layer is cut, the cutting portion of the cutting blade comes to rest against the flat. A clamp holds the cut layer and a transferring device handle the cut top layer.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for reliably inserting a tab or other marker into a bobbin of material which is undergoing a converting or other processing step. A spindle having a retention device such as a vacuum or magnetic zone which holds the tab or marker with an adhesive side facing outwardly is described. In operation, the spindle is moved into engagement with the surface of the web and the tab or marker is applied precisely and with considerable force. Reduction in unplaced tabs, paper jams, and tearing may be accomplished by the reduction of user error.

Abstract: An apparatus for the detection of surface flaws in material having a surface which is partially reflective includes at least one light source arranged to direct incident light on a surface of an at least partially reflective material, and a light detector disposed above the surface of the material. The light detector and the at least one light source are arranged relative to each other such that, in the absence of a surface flaw in the material, substantially no light from the at least one light source is detected by the light detector and, in the presence of a surface flaw in the material, light from the at least one light source is reflected off of the flaw and into the detector.

Abstract: An inspection station irradiates a moving cigarette with a one or more strobed arrays of infrared LEDs. The infrared radiation which passes through the cigarette is received by a video camera, which forms a digital image of the cigarette. A computer then detects the edges of the digital image of the cigarette and determines therefrom the length of the filter, hollow acetate tube, void chamber, tobacco plug, as well as the overall length of the cigarette. The computer then compares these measurements with expected standard values of these sections, and outputs the comparison results to the user using various display formats. According to exemplary aspects, the present invention delivers the cigarettes one at a time to the video camera using a parts handling system. The parts handling system comprises a infeed bin for storing a batch of cigarettes, and for dispensing a cigarette to a carriage positioned beneath the infeed bin.

Abstract: An arrangement determines the height of a multilayer stream of articles such as the rod-shaped cigarettes of the tobacco industry. The arrangement includes a flexible elongate member connected to move up and down with the uppermost articles in the multilayer stream as the height thereof varies. The flexible elongate member has a first end fixed in place and an opposite end connected to a weight which moves in a vertical direction as the flexible elongate member moves up and down in response to the height of the multilayer stream of articles. The flexible elongate member is trained around an idler roller, and a sensor is spaced directly below the weight for determining the elevation thereof. Such elevation is directly related to the height of the multilayer stream of articles.

Abstract: A system for heating a cigarette to evolve an aerosol upon consumer request comprises a cigarette and a lighter. The lighter includes a housing into which the cigarette is inserted, and a stationary heater inside the housing is positioned in thermal proximity to the cigarette. The cigarette is rotatably mounted inside the housing. When a puff is desired, heat is applied to the cigarette to produce the aerosol. Prior to the next puff, the cigarette is slightly rotated to position a fresh portion of the cigarette in proximity to the stationary heater, and this procedure is repeated until the cigarette is spent.

Abstract: A novel controller in an electrical smoking system and method, wherein the method includes the steps of: establishing a preferred thermal pathway to be executed with each heater activation responsively to a puff on an electrically heated cigarette; configuring a power cycle in accordance with the desired thermal pathway; dividing the power cycle into at least first and second phases each having a respective, predetermined time period and total energy input for each phase; and adjusting a respective duty cycle (or other power-adjusting factor) in each phase of the power cycle responsively to a voltage reading of the power source such that the established, respective total energy input of each phase is achieved during the time period of each power cycle.

Abstract: A powder metallurgical process of preparing iron aluminide useful as electrical resistance heating elements having improved room temperature ductility, electrical resistivity, cyclic fatigue resistance, high temperature oxidation resistance, low and high temperature strength, and/or resistance to high temperature sagging. The iron aluminide has an entirely ferritic microstructure which is free of austenite and can include, in weight %, 20 to 32% Al, and optional additions such as .ltoreq.1% Cr, .gtoreq.05% Zr or ZrO.sub.2 stringers extending perpendicular to an exposed surface of the heating element, .ltoreq.2% Ti, .ltoreq.2% Mo, .ltoreq.1% Zr, .ltoreq.1% C, .ltoreq.0.1% B, .ltoreq.30% oxide dispersoid and/or electrically insulating or electrically conductive covalent ceramic particles, .ltoreq.1 % rare earth metal, .ltoreq.1% oxygen, and/or .ltoreq.3% Cu.

Abstract: A powder metallurgical process of preparing a sheet from a powder having an intermetallic alloy composition such as an iron, nickel or titanium aluminide. The sheet can be manufactured into electrical resistance heating elements having improved room temperature ductility, electrical resistivity, cyclic fatigue resistance, high temperature oxidation resistance, low and high temperature strength, and/or resistance to high temperature sagging. The iron aluminide has an entirely ferritic microstructure which is free of austenite and can include, in weight %, 4 to 32% Al, and optional additions such as .ltoreq.1% Cr, .gtoreq.0.05% Zr.ltoreq.2% Ti, .ltoreq.2% Mo, .ltoreq.1% Ni, .ltoreq.0.75% C, .ltoreq.0.1% B, .ltoreq.1% submicron oxide particles and/or electrically insulating or electrically conductive covalent ceramic particles, .ltoreq.1% rare earth metal, and/or .ltoreq.3% Cu.

Abstract: A novel cigarette adapted for use in an electrical cigarette system comprising a tobacco rod having filled and unfilled tobacco rod portions and being arranged so that electrical heater elements may overlap the filled and unfilled tobacco rod portions. The tobacco rod includes a tobacco web rolled into tubular form. The tobacco web is constructed in accordance with a novel process comprising the steps of converting tobacco feedstock into a continuous sheet of tobacco web and converting the continuous sheet of tobacco web into one or more bobbins of tobacco web suitable for automated manufacture of cigarettes.

Abstract: An optical inspection system mounts on a cigarette making machine or like system and detects the presence of bands having irregular widths or spacings. In response to the detection of irregular bands, the optical inspection system instructs the cigarette making machine to reject cigarettes which will be subsequently made from portions of the cigarette paper containing the irregular bands. The optical inspection system includes a sensor which can accommodate different types of cigarette paper and band material having varying reflectance properties. In operation, sensor circuitry detects the range of voltages produced by a sensor detector, and formulates a peak value (or average peak value) for the range of voltages. The circuitry then takes a percentage of this peak value to form a threshold value. This threshold value is compared with the AC signal from the sensor detector. If the AC signal exceeds the threshold, then the circuitry asserts a signal to indicate that a band is present.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting, locating, isolating and controlling variations in the manufacturing process by transient thermography. A heat source imparts heat to a surface which is radiated in the infrared region. Infrared sensors are coupled to a processor which tracks the physical characteristics of the sample, and provides feedback to a central process controller to make adjustments to the manufacturing process.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a tobacco rod for cigarette manufacture, fitted with a suction-type rod conveyor equipped with a revolving, continuous, porous belt, to which vacuum is applied from the top and on whose underside tobacco shreds are conveyed along a tobacco channel. The apparatus has a pre-equalizer for purposes of equalizing the height of the tobacco rod being conveyed by removing a part of the tobacco rod. The apparatus further has a device that serves to compact the tobacco rod at regular intervals and further has an equalizer that equalizes the height of the tobacco rod after it that is compacted at regular intervals by removing additional tobacco from the tobacco rod. The pre-equalizer has a revolving blade which is positioned directly below the tobacco channel.