Abstract: An installation for manufacturing and packaging cigarettes consists of a production station (10) and a packaging station (11). The production station (10) consists of a plurality of, especially two, manufacturing machines (12, 13) positioned in a special way in relation to one another. The cigarettes produced by the two manufacturing machines (12, 13) are processed by a common packaging machine (14), in order to produce cigarette packets.

Abstract: A cigar holder for controlling the burn rate thereof. According to a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises the combination of a housing member having an upwardly extending port formed thereon and a cigar holder member interconnectable therewith. The housing member is designed and configured to be positioned within an ashtray and has formed thereon at least one aperture for providing oxygen to a lit cigar received therewithin. The cigar holder member is designed to nest within the port formed on the base, and has formed thereon at least one aperture that is designed and configured to align with the aperture formed upon the base member. In use, the respective apertures formed upon the housing and cigar holder members may be selectively aligned with one another to define a resultant vent aperture of variable size which selectively controls the amount of air that can access the cigar to thus cause the cigar to burn at a controlled rate.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for generating moisture in a humidor and regulating the internal humidity of the humidor. The device includes a thermoelectric module, a cold plate, and a heatsink (that may comprise the humidor housing). Energizing the thermoelectric module cools the cold plate below the dew point. The moisture that condenses on the cold plate is directed to the interior of the humidor.

Abstract: Anionic nanocomposites for use as retention and drainage aids in papermaking are prepared by adding an anionic polyelectrolyte to a sodium silicate solution and then combining the sodium silicate and polyelectrolyte solution with silicic acid.

Abstract: Head box for manufacturing a fibrous pulp web. The head box may include a pulp suspension inlet feed device that is sectioned across a width of the head box that feeds a pulp suspension in a feed direction, at least one device having a plurality of entrance ports that produces microturbulences, and an intermediate channel extending across the width of the head box and positioned in front of the at least one device. A plurality of partition units being positionably adjustable into the intermediate channel and being arranged parallel to the feed direction.

Abstract: A mat containing highly machine direction oriented (90% or greater), discontinuous reinforcement fibers, is produced on inclined wire or rotary paper making machinery. Fibers are first uniformly dispersed in an aqueous medium containing thickeners and wetting agents. In one embodiment, antifoaming agents are also added to prevent floating fibers which entangle and reduce orientation. Thermoplastic fibers or particles may also be included. Stock is brought into an open headbox in a flow pattern which allows the fibers to decelerate before approaching the porous suction belt (wire). As the fibers approach the suction belt, the fibers begin to turn and align in the streamline so as to present one end toward the suction wire. The leading ends of the fibers are gripped by the moving belt which drags the fibers out of the dispersion stock in a straight line. The porous mat produced may be dried and bonded through hot air, heat and/or pressure, or chemical binders.

Abstract: Significant improvements in papermaking control can be achieved by employing an array of sensors that are positioned underneath the wire of the machine to measure the conductivity of the aqueous wet stock. The conductivity of the wet stock is directly proportional to the total water weight within the wet stock; consequently, the sensor provides information which can be used to monitor and control the quality of the paper sheet produced. Because CD water weight profile is obtained practically instantaneously, the MD and CD variations are essentially decoupled. Quality improvements to the sheet fabricated will be achieved by providing fast control of the actuators on the machine and by tuning components on the machine to eliminate the sources of variations.

Abstract: A method for treating a formed tobacco product/smoking article is disclosed. The method includes a two phase process. The first phase involves exposing the formed tobacco product to aromatic extracts to introduce vapor of the extracts to an interior of the tobacco product. To expose the tobacco product to the extracts, a cedar filament is moistened with a first extract and then wrapped around the product. After a predetermined time period, a second cedar filament may be moistened with a second extract and wrapped around the product for an additional time period, and so on. The second phase involves immersing the phase one treated tobacco product in a damp paste containing ground spices, flavored coffee, aromatic extracts, and flavored alcohol. Preferably, the paste covered product is kept in a humidor for a six week period, with the paste freshened weekly. A cigar treated by the method is also disclosed.