Abstract: A flash dryer of cut tobacco comprises a drying duct (16) for connecting a feeding section (14) of cut tobacco to a tangential separator (18). The drying duct (16) has an upstream-side duct portion (16a) extending straight from the feeding section (14) at an elevation angle ranging from 30° to 60° and a downstream-side duct portion (16b) curving upward in a convex shape. A dry gas that flows through the drying duct (16) may contain superheated steam.

Abstract: An artificial nipple can include a nipple body portion connected to a mounting structure that is configured for mounting the nipple on an infant feeding bottle. A mammary papilla leading end portion can be disposed at the leading end portion of a mammary papilla portion and have a leading end opening portion. The inner layer on the inner side of the wall is formed of a shape holding layer made of a material having a rigidity capable of holding the wall shape. The outer layer on the surface side of the wall is formed of a tongue abutting layer having a smooth face. Between the shape holding layer and the tongue abutting layer there is disposed a deformation absorbing layer which is made of a material having a lower rigidity than that of the material of the shape holding layer and the tongue abutting layer.

Abstract: An artificial nipple can include a nipple body portion connected to a mounting structure that is configured for mounting the nipple on an infant feeding bottle 11. A mammary papilla leading end portion 140 can be disposed at the leading end portion of a mammary papilla portion 130 and have a leading end opening portion 141. The wall from the nipple body portion to the mammary papilla leading end portion is made of a soft material. The inner layer on the inner side of the wall is formed of a shape holding layer made of a material having a rigidity capable of holding the wall shape. The outer layer on the surface side of the wall is formed of a tongue abutting layer having a smooth face for allowing a peristalsis motion by a tongue. Between the shape holding layer and the tongue abutting layer there is disposed a deformation absorbing layer which is made of a material having a lower rigidity than that of the material of the shape holding layer and the tongue abutting layer.

Abstract: A subdividing apparatus for use in an cut tobacco expanding system comprises a primary de-clumper arranged to receive a tobacco cake of impregnated cut tobacco taken out of an impregnation container and subdivide the received tobacco cake into tobacco loaves, and a secondary de-clumper arranged to receive the tobacco loaves from the primary de-clumper, subdivide the received tobacco loaves first into tobacco chunks and then further subdivide the tobacco chunks into tobacco lumps. The secondary de-clumper includes paired rotary rakes and a rotatable drum rake 26 located below the rotary rakes.

Abstract: A flash dryer of cut tobacco comprises a drying duct (16) for connecting a feeding section (14) of cut tobacco to a tangential separator (18). The drying duct (16) has an upstream-side duct portion (16a) extending straight from the feeding section (14) at an elevation angle ranging from 30° to 60° and a downstream-side duct portion (16b) curving upward in a convex shape. A dry gas that flows through the drying duct (16) may contain superheated steam.