Abstract: The invention relates to a cigarette paper having a low total filler content, 20% by weight of the paper or less, a proportion of the filler being a filler capable of effecting visible sidestream smoke reduction. The basis weight of the paper is about 30 g m.sup.-2 or more.Smoking articles made with such papers provide a synergistic sidestream smoke component reduction when compared with control cigarettes. Papers according to the invention with the addition of various burn additives are also described.

Abstract: A proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercise device including a drive motor, gear mechanism connected with the drive motor, a control connected with the motor for operating the motor in either direction, and a rotating member connected with the gear mechanism and adapted to be coupled to a body member of a user for moving the body member in the desired direction. The movable member moves in increments and is lockable at desired positions for holding the body member against a force tending to return it to normal position or a force in the opposite direction. One exercise device rotates the upper torso relative to the spine. Another of the exercise devices rotates the upper legs of a user relative to the hip joints and lower legs relative to the knees. A further device operates the arms forward and backward relative to the shoulder joint and includes parallel vertical shafts movable together and apart to adjust for difference distances between the shoulder joints of a user.

Abstract: A smoking article includes a flexible casing which is liquid-tight and tubular, a mouth portion formed at one end of the casing, a cylindrical plastic container which can be elastically deformed and is arranged within the casing, a flavour solution housed in the plastic container and having a viscosity of 520 cP or less, a thin wall portion formed at one end wall of the plastic container, the thin wall portion being broken when the plastic container is elastically deformed upon receipt of force applied from outside the casing so as to permit release of the flavour solution, and a water absorbing layer formed adjacent to the end wall having the thin wall portion formed therein so as to hold the flavour solution released from the plastic container. Various kinds of flavour solutions can be used in the smoking article. The amount of the volatile aromatic components can be controlled easily. Further, it is possible to suppress the loss of the aromatic component during preservation of the smoking article.

Abstract: A tobacco stripper includes coplanar first and second stripper plates having confronting semi-cylindrical recesses coaxial relative to one another. The first stripper plate is arranged in a spring-biased relationship for contiguous communication with the second stripper plate to receive a tobacco leaf therethrough to effect stripping of tobacco relative to the tobacco leaf stalk as the stalk is drawn through the first and second semi-cylindrical recess by cooperative first and second rollers mounted in a biased relationship towards one another to receive, engage, and draw a tobacco stalk therebetween.

Abstract: A discharge apparatus of the present invention includes a discharge drum replacing one transportation drum in a drum train of a filter attachment, transportation grooves on a drum shell of the discharge drum, jet holes opening in the bottom of each transportation groove so that the jet holes of each two adjacent transportation grooves open in different positions, a control sleeve fixed in the drum shell, jet grooves formed over a predetermined rotational angle zone on the outer peripheral surface of the control sleeve and connectable to their corresponding jet holes, blow pressure lines for independently introducing a blow pressure into the individual jet grooves, and solenoid valves arranged individually in the middle of the blow pressure lines and used independently to open and close the blow pressure lines.

Abstract: A tobacco stream which contains a surplus of tobacco particles is conveyed in a channel past a trimming device which serves to remove the surplus and has two disc-shaped tobacco engaging members extending through openings in the sidewalls of the channel and into the stream in such a way that the surplus is located at one side and the remainder of the stream is located at the other side of the plane of the tobacco engaging members. These members are rotated in opposite directions, and their marginal portions come nearest to each other at a point normally midway between the sidewalls. A rotating tube is disposed at the one side of the tobacco engaging members and has a serrated or smooth cutting edge which removes the surplus only, or practically only, at the aforementioned point. Such surplus is evacuated by suction through the tube whose axis makes an oblique angle with the direction of advancement of the stream in the channel.

Abstract: The ash tray includes a device for filtering the nicotine in the cigarette smoke and for changing the cigarette smoke into a harmless gas. The device includes a catalytic exchanger, an ozone generator, a fan, a transformer and a filter enclosed within an enclosure including a base plate and a bowl-shaped cover member.

Abstract: An exhaust fan draws air and entrained tobacco through delivery pipes from a tobacco feeder to the respective dischargers of a group of cigarette making machines, where the tobacco is screened out and the air passes on through exhaust pipes. When a discharger is to release tobacco to its making machine the feeder stops delivery of tobacco to that discharger and, after a delay to clear the delivery pipe, a valve bypasses the air around the discharger so that a constant air flow is maintained. The feeder supplies tobacco in a separate and independently controlled stream to each discharger, and has oscillating vanes to separate and keep the tobacco moving.

Abstract: A tobacco-containing paper is provided using a reconstituted tobacco material as a component thereof. A reconstituted tobacco material, provided using papermaking techniques from a refined tobacco pulp, is refined into a pulp form and provided as a slurry in water. The slurry is combined with inorganic filler (e.g., calcium carbonate particles) and cellulosic pulp (e.g., wood pulp). The resulting slurry is then employed to provide a paper using papermaking techniques. The tobacco-containing paper has many desirable physical characteristics.

Abstract: Flavorful tobacco extracts are provided by subjecting a moist spray dried tobacco extract to heat treatment. The moist extract is contacted with a furanone, a pyranone or an alpha-dicarbonyl compound, and exposed to a temperature above about 100.degree. C. in a pressure controlled vessel. Resulting flavorful extracts are useful as forms of tobacco in cigarettes and other smoking articles.

Abstract: A planar elongate cigarette snipping device for removing the burnt end of a partially-smoked cigarette to expose fresh tobacco for relighting the cigarette, includes a pair of planar knife blades which are moved from a rest position to an operative position in which they overlap in an aperture through the device, activated by a corresponding pair of arms which are normally biased to the rest position.

Abstract: A smokeless ashtray adapted for both temporary retention as well as extinguishment of lighted cigarettes. The ashtray includes a base having an ash-receiving cavity recess therein. At least one inwardly inclined cigarette-receiving channel is provided within the base and includes a first lower end communicating with the ash-receiving cavity (or, in the alternative, being a closed end) and a second upper end communicating with an exterior wall of the ashtray base. The channel further includes a rib extending along the length of the bottom surface thereof and an outwardly extending shoulder adjacent the top of each side of the channel which extends generally below and parallel to the top of the exterior base wall so as to expose an increasingly greater surface area of the cigarette along the length thereof extending from the lowermost lit end to the uppermost unlit end to facilitate continuous smokeless burning as the ash portion of the cigarette increases in length.

Abstract: The pictorial image transforming manipulatives are instructional visual aid devices adapted for use to demonstrate visually the applications of deductive reasoning in proving most of the geometry theorems in conjunction with a geometry course. The manipulatives can also be used to display visually many graphs which represent algebraic linear equations and inequalities in two variables, and compound inequalities on a number line. These applications of mathematical systems for demonstrated algebraic linear graphs, and other graphs, are designed in conjunction with algebra textbooks.Each device uses one or more transparent overlays which rotate, translate, translate and rotate, flip over, or flip over and rotate to another position relative to a stationary underlaid plate. The manipulative devices are adapted for use on the overhead projector or for use in direct demonstration without a projector. These devices can be produced in small sizes for student use or in large blackboard sizes.

Abstract: Tobacco cut filler is volume expanded using the DIET process and equipment. During depressurization of a pressure vessel containing a mixture of cut filler impregnated with liquid carbon dioxide, gaseous carbon dioxide is bubbled through the mixture to provide a mixture of decreased density and decreased integrity. Liquid water is introduced into the sublimator region of the equipment in order to act as a heat sink, causing tobacco cut filler in that region and related equipment components to not experience overly high exposure to heat. A vertically extending duct in the sublimator region has a relatively large inner diameter so as to allow adequate residence time of the tobacco cut filler in the expansion region. A spray of water applied to the expanded tobacco cut filler and atmosphere in the post expansion region of the DIET equipment moistens the cut filler and reduces the temperature experienced thereby.

Abstract: An article is provided in which a replaceable tobacco flavor medium is electrically heated by a set of permanent reusable heaters to evolve inhalable flavors or other components in vapor or aerosol form. Each heater heats only a portion of the available tobacco flavor medium so that a plurality of individual puffs of tobacco flavor substance can be delivered sequentially to the smoker. The tobacco flavor medium preferably contains tobacco materials.

Abstract: A training grenade uses a high intensity flash to simulate an explosion in a time delayed fashion when thrown and/or a sonic device such as a buzzer for indicating arming. Alternative means to simulate the explosion can include sonic devices or radio frequency sources. An internal power source and firing circuit connected to an internal timer control the activation of the indicator or flash upon closure of an externally controllable switch. The switch can be locked in an open position through the use of a release pin which closes upon removal of the pin or can be held open through the use of a pivotally attached safety lever as used in conventional grenades.

Abstract: Inspection of completed cigarettes is accomplished by the cigarettes traveling on a rolling drum past a single stationary rolling block with preferably two cameras connected to a vision system. The first camera views the cigarette before the rolling block, the cigarette is then rolled approximately 180.degree. and then the second camera views the previously hidden portion of the cigarette. Cigarettes are accepted or rejected based on a comparison of the viewed cigarettes to a predetermined set of characteristics.

Abstract: In an apparatus for detecting micro-holes of a cigarette having a filtered section, cigarettes are successively carried to a support section which is rotated and each of the cigarettes is supported between pads 14a and 14b. The supported cigarette is moved to a pre-pressuring stage in which one end face of the cigarette is closed and a pre-pressure is applied to other end face of the cigarette from a pre-pressure source. Therefore, the cigarette is reached to a measuring stage in which a measuring pressure is applied to the other end face of the cigarette so that air flows through micro-holes of the filter section and a reduced pressure is appeared in the one end of the cigarette. The measuring and reduces pressures are detected by pressure transducers and electrical signals from the transducers are proceed so that dilution value of the cigarette is calculated.

Abstract: A drain bag support assembly has a multi-sided frame with pivotally interconnected parts that are vertically rigid, yet movable in a horizontal direction to varyingly distort the configuration of the frame. One part of the frame is removably connectable to an examining end of a urological table while a second part, opposite the first, has a pair of elbow pads mounted at opposite ends thereof to provide elbow support for a urologist seated adjacent the examining end of the table. The first and second parts of the frame support an upwardly opening drain bag, and the first and second parts are pivotally interconnected by a pair of spaced side arms. Each side arm has a first side member and a second side member pivotally connected to an intermediate plate. With elbows vertically supported by the pads, the urologist can change the configuration of the frame with respect to the table simply by moving the elbows in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A vacuum-type pickup and transfer apparatus for irregularly surfaced, shaped and sized objects such as populated printed wiring boards (PWBs) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of downwardly directed vacuum conduits that have enlarged lips at their lower end. It also includes a thin, flexible, non-porous membrane which extends transversely and loosely between the conduits and through which the conduits extend so that their lower ends communicate with the region below the membrane. The pick-up apparatus is moved down to the PWBs and vacuum applied, so that the flexible membrane seals against the PWBs, adapting and conforming to any irregular surfaces, sizes and shapes. The apparatus includes a control for selectively regulating the movement of the pick-up apparatus and the application of the vacuum. The PWBs are accordingly moved to the desired location and the vacuum released to release the PWBs.