Abstract: An engine exhaust gas recirculation system has an E.G.R. passage extending from an exhaust system of the engine to an intake system thereof downstream of an engine throttle valve. First and second E.G.R. control valves are provided at first and second points in the E.G.R. passage to control the exhaust gas-flow cross-sectional area of the E.G.R. passage at the first and second points, respectively. The first E.G.R. control valve is operatively connected to the throttle valve and disposed downstream of the second E.G.R. control valve. The intake air pressure upstream of the throttle valve is compared with the exhaust gas pressure between the first and second E.G.R. control valves to control the second E.G.R. control valve such that the exhaust gas pressure in the E.G.R. passage between the first and second E.G.R. control valves is made substantially equal to the air pressure in the engine intake system between the throttle valve and a venturi of a carburetor.

Abstract: In a fuel vapor recovery system for an internal combustion engine, a canister fuel bowl vent valve is provided with a normally open valve element to control flow in a vent passage between the carburetor fuel bowl and a vapor storage canister, the valve element being responsive to engine vacuum to effect closing movement thereof whereby to block the flow of fuel vapors from the fuel bowl to the canister and, an electrical switch, responsive to engine oil pressure, energizes a solenoid which holds the valve element in a closed position, after it has been moved to a closed position in response to engine vacuum, whereby full venting of fuel vapors from the carburetor fuel bowl to the canister occurs only when the engine is not in operation.

Abstract: An injector for giving off fuel to at least one fuel inlet of a combustion engine, in which the pump chamber of at least one fuel pump has a displacer volume adjustable by control-means, in that a displacer body is coupled with a stop member consisting of a hardened roller element, said roller element being able to be produced as ball, barrel or cylinder, at a low cost, in accurate dimensions and with a high degree of hardness.

Abstract: This disclosure deals with a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine. The injector includes an injector body having a fuel metering chamber formed therein which receives fuel from a fuel supply. A plunger is movable into the chamber in an injection stroke to force fuel from the chamber and out of the injector through spray holes. A valve member is mounted in the path of fuel flow from the chamber to the spray holes, the valve member being movable between first and second positions. In the first position, the valve member seals the path and prevents air in the combustion chamber from mixing with the fuel being metered into the metering chamber, and in the second position the valve member closes the spray holes to terminate injection. During an injection stroke, the plunger moves the valve member from the first position toward the second position, and fuel injection takes place while the valve member is intermediate the first and second positions.

Abstract: An improved fuel-air ratio control apparatus for a supercharged engine having a governor means connected to a fuel adjusting member and a supercharger for supplying air through an intake manifold is disclosed. The control apparatus is directly engageable with the fuel adjusting member and is responsive to intake manifold air pressure and engine oil pressure. The apparatus is inoperative to restrain the adjusting member during start-up of the engine and remains so until such time as a predetermined intake manifold pressure is attained, at which time the control apparatus moves to a position which permits the metering of engine oil therethrough to permit normal governor operation and proportional increases of fuel with air pressure increased. The control apparatus thereafter automatically limits the fuel supplied to the engine, and therefore engine torque rise, during a decrease in engine speed caused by loading on the engine to thereby limit any undesired exhaust smoke.

Abstract: An automotive ignition system utilized multiple sparks for each cylinder ignition to ensure complete burning of the fuel mixture therein. To this end, a plurality of control signals are produced each time the engine breaker points or other timing apparatus signals that a chamber is conditioned for combustion. Successive control signals during each combustion cycle build up and collapse a magnetic field in the primary winding of the ignition coil to thereby generate the requisite multiple sparking. The resultant complete burning of the fuel mixture in each cylinder results in increased gas mileage, reduced air pollution, and improved and continued high level engine performance, notwithstanding degradation in ignition system elements.

Abstract: An ignition system for internal combustion engines, primarily as utilized in motorcycle type vehicles, is disclosed wherein the conventional breaker points and associated circuitry are eliminated and in their stead is incorporated a capacitive discharge circuit consisting of a step-up transformer for charging the capacitor, from a low voltage magneto, triggering circuitry to provide controlled discharge of the capacitor through the ignition transformer, and associated circuit protective components. The several components are configured in a manner such that neither the standard low voltage magneto nor the standard ignition transformer need be of special design or manufacture.

Abstract: A recoil type starter device for an internal combustion engine is provided which includes a starting pulley fixed at one end of the engine crank shaft and having a plurality of openings in its circumferential side surface; and a rotatable rope pulley confronting the starting pulley and mounted on a separate fixed shaft, said rope pulley having a pawl to engage any of the openings of the starting pulley to transmit rotational force of the rope pulley to the starting pulley at the start of the engine, a spiral spring to take up the starting rope around the periphery of the rope pulley after start of the engine, a disc fixedly mounted on the shaft of the rope pulley, and a U-shaped wire spring, one end of which is connected to a spring fitting part on the pawl, and the other end of which is frictionally contacted around the circumference of the stationary disc.

Abstract: A torch ignition type internal combustion engine which has no intake valve in the auxiliary combustion chamber and which can effectively purge exhaust gases from the auxiliary combustion chamber to eliminate ignition failures, the engine comprising a cylinder; a cylinder head having a semi-spherical inner wall; a reciprocating piston snugly received in the cylinder; a main combustion chamber defined between the cylinder head and piston and having intake and exhaust valves to control intake and exhaust ports in the cylinder head; an auxiliary combustion chamber provided at a suitable position in the cylinder head; and a passage intercommunicating the main and auxiliary combustion chambers. The passage opens into the main combustion chamber at a position close to one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve. In one embodiment, the passage opens into the main combustion chamber at a position close to and substantially intermediate the intake and exhaust valves.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a sound-deadening shroud surrounding the engine block and connected to latter with the interposition of anti-vibration means. An exhaust plant through which combustion gases are connected is arranged external of the shroud and connected to the engine block. A separate enclosure is secured to the shroud and encloses the exhaust plant leaving a small air gap on all sides between the exhaust plant and the enclosure with only the exhaust pipe of the exhaust plant projecting from the enclosure through an opening.

Abstract: A pneumatically-powered hammer for giving concrete surfaces a rough texture and an efficient method for using the hammer. The hammer comprises a pneumatic riveting hammer with a uniquely short and blunt-ended accessory secured thereto. The pneumatic riveting hammer uses, for example, a 11/2 inch piston and is activated by increased air pressure thus assuring a rapid, forceful stroke. Operation of the hammer includes holding the blunt end of the accessory securely against the concrete surface to be textured while moving the hammer horizontally across the surface in short vertical strokes during the entire time the hammer is activated. Excessive gouging and corner chipping caused by the hammer are repaired by partially filling such gouges or chips with wet, fast-setting concrete and securing leavings broken away by the hammering process to the wet concrete such that the repaired gouges and chips match the remainder of the surface in color and texture.

Abstract: A barbecue burner of the type of an upright container. The bottom and virtually all of the side walls of the container are imperforate, except for a narrow, horizontally elongated slot near the top of one of the side walls renders the burner particularly suitable for fast burning fuel such as paper. The barbecue is particularly suitable for outdoor activities as it can be folded and utilizes fuel of the type of old newspapers or the like, thus avoiding the need of relatively bulky and unclean conventional barbecue fuel.

Abstract: A broiler device for a space heating stove having an access opening in one of its generally vertical side walls to receive wood, charcoal or other suitable fuel for heating. The broiler device includes a frame detachably secured to the said generally vertical side wall, and a broiler tray adapted for vertically adjustable connection to the frame so that an open panel of the tray can be supported inside the stove in a generally horizontal position. The open tray supports a grille for holding food to be broiled at the vertically selected height above the fuel in the stove.

Abstract: The grill body is an integral member, preferably made of microcrystalline glass and formed with opposed series of corresponding pairs of upwardly opening saddles at each of two different intermediate levels in two opposed sidewalls. Each pair of saddles receives the opposite ends of a metal bar or the like, to provide two levels of support bars. Preferably, the support bars at each level are not interconnected by cross-bars so they may be removed, cleaned and even replaced individually. Particular gas burner and electric heating element constructions are illustrated.

Abstract: A high efficiency grate and stove heating unit for extracting useful heat from a fire, comprising in combination a low metal enclosure having an expansive top wall constituting a grate proper for supporting fireplace logs and the coals resulting therefrom, together with multiple heat exchangers in the form of plates or corrugation ribs on the top wall and means to cradle the logs thereof. Other plates or corrugation ribs extend downward from the top wall, and the plates can abut the bottom enclosure wall to constitute a reinforcement means. In one embodiment of the invention the enclosure includes an air inlet port connected with an electric blower for forcing air into the enclosure, together with multiple outlet ports from which the air, now heated, flows. A series of forward protruding nozzles is carried by the enclosure and communicates with the outlet ports to channel the heated air in directions away from the enclosure and its inlet port.

Abstract: A baking oven has a flame tube defining a baking chamber and a charging opening oriented in a vertical plane; a door for opening and closing the charging opening; a rail structure secured to the door and extending into the oven externally of the flame tube for providing a sliding support for the door for sliding movement in a horizontal direction towards and away from the charging opening. The door is horizontally divided into a lower door portion and an upper door portion. The upper portion is pivotally attached to the lower door portion to provide for a swinging motion of the upper door portion from an upright orientation in an arcuate vertical direction away from the charging opening.

Abstract: A fireplace unit wherein room air is circulated under the firebox bed plate has an ash discharge chute which depends from the rear portion of the bed plate and registers with the conventional fireplace ash chute. The ash chute includes diametrically opposite openings in the respective front and rear walls which openings communicate with the room air passageway under the bed plate and permit flow of recirculating room air transversely through the ash chute.

Abstract: A passive sealed flat plate solar heat collector with an attached reflecting panel for the collection, storage and radiation of solar heat comprising a modular direct solar heat window unit mounted in the side of a building. The window unit comprises a vertically disposed frame having a lower window unit at the lower end thereof and a pair of upper window units positioned above the lower window unit. A first panel member is hingedly secured at its lower end about a horizontal axis to the frame at the lower end thereof and is movable from a closed position adjacent the lower window unit to an open position. In the closed position, the first panel member protects and insulates the lower window unit. In the open position, the reflective inner surface of the first panel member reflects the rays of the sun into the lower window unit which has a solar heat collector positioned inwardly thereof. The first panel member is adjustably positioned in various positions relative to the lower window unit.

Abstract: A fixed, linear, ground-based primary reflector having an extended curved sawtooth-contoured surface covered with a metalized polymeric reflecting material, reflects solar energy to a movably supported collector that is kept at the concentrated line focus of the reflector primary. The primary reflector may be constructed by a process utilizing well-known freeway paving machinery. The solar energy absorber is preferably a fluid-transporting pipe. Efficient utilization leading to high temperatures from the reflected solar energy is obtained by cylindrical shaped secondary reflectors that direct off-angle energy to the absorber pipe. To obtain higher temperature levels, refocusing secondary reflectors, that cause a series of discrete spots of highly concentrated solar energy to fall on the fluid-transporting pipe, are utilized. A seriatim arrangement of cylindrical secondary reflector stages and spot-forming reflector stages produces a high temperature solar energy collection system of greater efficiency.

Abstract: A solar heat collector having reduced convention losses until a predetermined absorber means excess temperature is reached and including a radiant energy absorbing means which has a first and a second surface. Means for the passage of a fluid to be heated is positioned in contact with the second surface of the absorbing means. Means for reducing conduction losses are positioned adjacent to the means for passage thereby sandwiching the means for passage between the absorbing means and the means for reducing. Glazing means which is transparent to radiant energy is positioned over the first surface of the absorbing means and is spaced apart therefrom thereby trapping air between the glazing means and the absorbing means. Means to suppress convection flow of the trapped air until a predetermined absorbing means temperature is reached. The means to suppress convection is located between the glazing means and the absorbing means thereby reducing losses due to convection from the absorbing means.

Abstract: A solar energy collector having concave mirrors shaped as troughs of parabolic cross-section with a longitudinal pivotal axis enabling them to be aimed at the sun and having, at intervals, connecting members for maintaining at the mirror focus a heat receiving tube of small diameter by comparison with the mirror aperture. A dusttight and moisturetight transparent chamber isolates both the receiving tube and the surface of the mirror from the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: A solar absorber panel and method of making is disclosed in which a fluid heat transfer system of elongated hollow passages connecting inlet and outlet headers is fabricated of an array of two layers of strips of thin gauge stainless steel superimposed upon the reverse side of a mild steel absorber plate. The array of strips of thin gauge stainless steel is seam welded about the periphery of the strips and inflated to produce the hollow fluid passage system. The peripheral seam welding fixes the edges of the superimposed strips both to each other to seal the lattice fluid passage system and to the mild steel absorber plate. Inlet and outlet connectors fixed to the appropriate openings in the upper stainless steel lattice layer are also used for the inflation of the passage system.

Abstract: A solar collector having the shape of a step pyramid which is enclosed within a transparent dome and a bottom insulating layer. A continuous coil of tubing conforming to the same shape as the step pyramid is in contact with each successive step. Because of this shape, the collector receives solar radiation during all daylight hours without the use of mirrors or tracking devices.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for measuring the heart pulse frequency, especially that of a moving test person for the purpose of a performance test, are disclosed. The mean value of the heart pulse frequency is determined from a measurement of the number of counted pulses of constant frequency which falls within a period of time defined by a predetermined number n of heart pulse periods E whereby the sum of the counted pulses is formed of three terms of a sum, the first term of which corresponds to the sum of the counted pulses within the period of time -1 to n -1, the second term of which corresponds to the negative value of the first term divided by the predetermined number n of heart pulse periods and the third term of which corresponds to the number of counted pulses within the period of time of n-1 to n. Signals detected at the body of a test person are amplified as a function of the peak value of the preceding signal and stored for a short time until the next signal is received.

Abstract: In cardiac signal processing apparatus, there is provided improved means for suppressing pacer signal artifacts, including both the discharge pulse and the recharge waveform (tail) of such artifact. Rate-limiting circuitry is used to substantially suppress the discharge pulse. However additional circuitry responsive to the detection of a pacer pulse is operative to obtain a measure of the electrical discharge of the discharge portion of the respective pacer pulse and to use such measure to generate a tail suppression signal which, when added to the original signal, substantially cancels the original pacer tail.A feed-back loop is opened by the rate-limiter when a pacer pulse occurs and in turn permits a large signal to be imposed on a threshold-level-type pacer pulse detector for connecting the large signal (pacer pulse) to a capacitor during the discharge portion of the pacer pulse.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for sensing heart activity from body tissue includes a flexible guide tube, a spiral retaining coil disposed in one end of the guide tube, a handle disposed at the other end of the guide tube, and twisted wires inside the tube interconnecting the retaining coil and the handle. Rotation of the handle rotates the twisted wires, which in turn rotate the retaining coil to screw it into body tissue. Thereafter, the guide tube and handle are disengaged from the retaining coil and wires. A safety stop releasably disposed on the guide tube limits the rotation of the retaining coil and thus limits its depth of penetration into the body tissue.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for controllably cooling and variably, intermittently applying pressure to a portion of a body part of a mammalian organism comprising a liquid supply and control unit having means to store, circulate, cool, agitate, and pressurize a fluid and means to communicate via fluid communication means to a hydraulic appliance having a unitary body, with an unrestricted inlet port to receive the fluid, and an outlet port in association with a fluid flow retardation means secured to the interior surface of the outlet port. The reservoir in the supply unit is arranged with a heat exchanger immersed in the liquid and agitating means to avoid thermal stratification of the liquid. The reservoir is mounted in the supply unit with sufficient support to sustain the weight of a human and has an open top of sufficient dimensions to receive a human limb whereby the reservoir can be employed as a whirlpool bath. A cover is provided for the open top when the reservoir is not used as a whirlpool bath.

Abstract: A hand held, portable, rechargeable electric vibrator which includes a handle portion and a spherical vibrating portion. The handle portion houses a rechargeable battery controlled by an on-off switch. The spherical vibrating portion is substantially hollow and houses an electric motor completely therewithin. The motor includes a shaft having a pair of eccentric weights mounted on respective ends thereof. The spherical vibrating portion is connected to the handle portion by a flat, resilient spring member, and a rubber sheath encloses the spring as well a the electrical wires which connect the battery with the motor. Upon actuation, the eccentrics revolve about the motor so as to impart a vibratory motion to the spherical portion of the device. Embodiments are also disclosed which contain more than one vibrating portion.

Abstract: A roller-type massager having a pair of massage rollers rotatably mounted on a horizontal axle in parallel and spaced from each other within a chair back are vertically reciprocated along the spinal column. The horizontal axle is mounted on a screw housing and supported at both ends by a pair of guide rollers which are guided along a pair of vertical rails fixedly mounted within the chair back. The screw housing has a vertical through female screw threadably connecting with a vertical elongated screw bar which is rotatably mounted between the vertical rails and driven by a motor through a V-belt and pulleys transmission.

Abstract: An arm and hand brace for persons afflicted with the neuro-muscular tremors of cerebral palsy; a bracing device framing the shoulders, upper arm, forearm and hand which, in application, damps and controls involuntary neuro-muscular spasms and permits the performance of controlled, willed actions of these members by cerebral palsy victims; an articulated frame comprised of a support, a train of linked arms, a sleeve clasping the hand, wrist and forearm and a series of double and single element joints for establishing and maintaining control of gross and fine arm and hand movements in the cerebral palsy patient.

Abstract: In order to electrically apply fluoride by means of iontophoresis on a tooth an intermittent direct current is made to flow through the tooth. More particularly, the intermittent direct current has a waveform whose leading edge immediately rises to a peak and which decreases exponentially in time. As a result electrochemical polarization may be avoided and the ratio of the current conduction time to the repetition period may be increased so that the uptake efficiency of fluoride by the tooth may be considerably improved in a smooth manner without the need of impressing an excessive current on the tooth. Therefore adverse effects on nerve systems may be avoided, a patient under treatment feels no pain and no unpleasant stimulus, and the tooth's substance may be so improved as to be free from dental caries or decay.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved sterile connector formed by at least two polygonal planar plastic members having the same configuration and being joined face to face in matching relationship, a common collection chamber positioned centrally between the joined members and being formed by the plastic members, a film of adhesive positioned on adjoining faces of the plastic members for holding the contacting faces together, the joined plastic members being adapted to contain at least two spaced fluid flow paths extending from outside the joined plastic members through the adhered members to communicate with the common collection chamber such that the plastic members may be adhesively joined in surrounding relation to said fluid flow paths to establish fluid communication between the flow paths through the common collection chamber in order to establish interconnection between separated fluid sources.

Abstract: A catheter holding device having longitudinally-extending walls defining an open-ended body with a main passage therethrough. At least a portion of the main passage is aligned with openings in forward and rear ends of the body. The portion of the walls adjacent the opening in the forward end of the body is adapted for receipt within a blood vessel or cavity. Another portion of the walls has a side opening allowing communication with the main passage. A side tube encompasses the side opening and extends from the body. Resilient material having a central passage therethrough is located within the side tube. The resilient material is designed to be compressed and grip a catheter which is passed through the material, into and through the main passage. A leading portion of the catheter projects beyond the forward end of the body. Clearance is left between at least one of the walls of the main passage and the catheter to allow simultaneous passage of liquids through both the main passage and the catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus for the application of a treating agent, e.g. paraffin, to the human body for slimming comprises a unit having a first receptacle containing the pure paraffin, a second receptacle for recovering and sterilizing the paraffin, and a third receptacle containing washing water, the unit being adapted to roll along a floor. Each of the receptacles is provided with a heater and the unit has a pump for recycling the liquids and a device for distributing the paraffin emulsion on the body of the subject.

Abstract: A postpartum fluid loss receptacle is disclosed herein comprising a sheet which is positioned beneath the patient. The receptacle includes a pocket formed by folding an edge of a non-absorbent sheet upon itself and sealing it together. The pocket collects the fluid and includes graduations to permit measurement of the amount of the fluid.

Abstract: A resectoscope electrode assembly having a non-cylindrical bearing tube formed of electrically non-conductive plastic material for slidable mounting upon the endoscope stem of a resectoscope. An electrode extends through a separate passage in the same bearing tube and is in direct electrical contact with that tube. One section of the electrode takes the form of a pair of spaced parallel arms projecting forwardly from the front end of the tube and terminating in an electrode tip, commonly in the form of an arcuate cutting loop. Another section of the electrode comprises a lead which extends from the rear end of the tube and which terminates in an offset connecting portion for engagement with and retention by the connector of the resectoscope. The lead and arms are encased in insulating sleeves, such sleeves being buried in and sealed to the bearing tube to prevent arcing between the bare electrode within that tube and the metal endoscope upon which the bearing tube is slidably supported.

Abstract: A hemostatic device comprising, a catheter having an elongated elastic shaft, an inflatable balloon adjacent a distal end of the shaft, and a sidearm adjacent a proximal end of the catheter. The device has a traction member comprising a retaining portion to receive the catheter shaft and sidearm, with the retaining portion being connected to an object to maintain the catheter shaft under selected tension.

Abstract: A separable fastening device is disclosed which is adapted to encompass at least one member in gripped relation and to facilitate the simultaneous application of cinching and fastening forces which place the fastener in tension and are uniquely retained in the fastening device. The fastening device has a first flexible strap having on one surface a plurality of upstanding hook and loop-type engaging elements, a second strap having on a surface opposite the first surface, a plurality of mating upstanding hook and loop-type engaging elements, with means being provided to connect the first and second straps, and retaining means connected to the free end of the first strap, the retaining means defining an opening configured to receive the free end of the second strap.

Abstract: A flexible pad with interconnecting internal passages for circulating a hot or cold liquid for treating a patient. The pad has an improved internal flow pattern that includes a set of partitions that separate the pad into a plurality of major fields that are connected in series to insure that liquid flows to all areas, i.e. fields, of the pad even when such pad is in folded condition. Within each field is a series of passages forming a crisscross waffle grid pattern for random liquid flow in many directions within each field to reduce the chance of blocking liquid circulation through the pad when it is in folded condition.

Abstract: An endocardial electrode for intracardial stimulation of a heart is comprised of an elongated electrical conductor encased within an electrical insulator with a two-component head member positioned on the insulator at the distal end of the electrode for contact with heart tissue when the electrode is operationally positioned relative to the heart. One of the head member components is in electrical contact with the elongated conductor while the other component is spaced therefrom. The component in contact with the conductor is composed of a heart-tissue compatible conductive material which exhibits a minimum heart stimulation threshold, such as carbon or the like, and the component spaced from the conductor is composed of a heart-tissue compatible material which exhibits a receptiveness for growth of heart tissue thereabout, such as platinum or the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a harvesting machine provided with rotary separating means, grain cleaning means located generally below the rotary separating means and at a central location below and between transversely spaced separator discharge openings, and deflector means to convey and deflect crop material from locations generally below and at both sides of the cleaning means rearwardly and inwardly to a central location generally to the rear of the discharge end of the cleaning means. The deflector means are comprised of overhead and lateral deflectors positioned at predetermined angles to one another to progressively change the direction of movement of the discharged crop material from a generally fore-and-aft path towards the central discharge location.

Abstract: A process for stripping and sorting out the leaves of a plant such as a tobacco plant, comprising the steps of introducing the plant in a stripping element, displacing the assembly formed by the plant and its stripping element in relation to the feed station, performing the progressive stripping of the plant from its leaves as the plant is being moved with the stripping element on the trajectory of the latter, and regrouping the leaves of each foliar level in the corresponding areas of the stripping trajectory.

Abstract: Two cigarette making machines are interconnected to a single cigarette packing machine via a transfer system which uses individual conveyors to convey the cigarettes from each making machine to a single chute leading to the packing machine. The flow of cigarettes into the chute from the two conveyors is controlled by a series of switches which are activated in response to the amount of stored cigarettes in the storage of the transfer system as well as a photocell arranged above the mouth of the chute. These switches actuate a control to slow down or speed up the packer in response to the amount of stored cigarettes while the photocell controls the operation of the conveyors of the transfer system in response to the absence or presence of cigarettes at the position of the photocell.

Abstract: For shaping a component of a smoke filter, a rod of the material to be shaped and a heated former are relatively moved in contact with each other, in an arcuate path, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the rod, whereby an impression, for example an annular or helical groove, is produced in the rod by the former. For the said relative movement, the rod may be supported at the periphery of a rotor, while the former comprises a heated arcuate stator element or elements projecting inwardly towards the rotor. The rod may be turned about its axis during the relative movement, for example by a pair of rollers by which it is supported at the periphery of the rotor. A surface or surfaces bounding the impression, for example the bottom surface of a groove, may be sealed, during the shaping operation, so as to be smoke-impervious.

Abstract: A tobacco cutting machine wherein two endless chain conveyors define a horizontal channel of diminishing height for conversion of tobacco into a cake whose leader advances into the range of and is shredded by orbiting knives. The lower chain conveyor extends rearwardly beyond the upper chain conveyor and is located below the lower end of a vertical passage which is defined by an upright duct having several mobile walls which flank different portions of the passage and are pivotably mounted in the housing of the cutting machine. One of the mobile walls is located immediately above the rearwardly extending portion of the lower chain conveyor and is oscillated at a high frequency by an eccentric drive. Another mobile wall of the duct is located above the one mobile wall or directly above the rear end of the upper chain conveyor and is oscillated by a second eccentric drive at a lower frequency but through larger angles.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, there is provided an elongated article having a simulated-appearance of a cigarette but being a chemically-resistant chewable plastic having each of opposite ends thereof coated with an edible material preferably inclusive of a tobacco flavor-imparting composition and preferably inclusive further of caffeine, and an intermediate portion of the elongated article having therein isolated adjacent enclosure spaces separated from one-another by a rupturable septum rupturable by application of stress to said article, having sodium hydroxide in one of the enclosure spaces and having hydrochloric acid in the other of the enclosure spaces in amounts and proportions and concentrations sufficient to produce water and heat sufficient to heat the oppositely-coated ends of the elongated article when the septum is ruptured.

Abstract: A filter for tobacco smoke employs synthetic, inorganic, water-insoluble, anhydrous fibers having a positive zeta potential at the pH of tobacco smoke.To increase the effectiveness of the filter, the tobacco associated with the filter has mixed therewith and deposited thereon particles of a water-insoluble, hydrophobic, moisture-laden, negative charge-imparting substance.

Abstract: A fibrous element comprising an elongated structure having a fibrous core with the fibres arranged in random orientation, said core being stiffened and enclosed by a fibrous crust integral with the core and formed as a surface layer of greater density.

Abstract: A method of conditioning hair comprises rubbing the hair with an article comprised of a flexible substrate having releasably associated therewith a normally solid substantially water-insoluble hair conditioning agent. The article provides combing, detangling, static fly-away, softness, luster, and manageability benefits.

Abstract: A fountain brush includes a three piece reservoir removably secured to the stem of a brush element. A cylindrical chamber of the reservoir includes a pair of helical grooves running along an inside wall. A hollow bifurcated cylindrical liner slips within the cylindrical chamber and is retained by partially circumferential protusions engaging a circular retaining ring on the inner wall of the reservoir. A follower is slidably situated within the bifurcated liner, the follower having two diametrically opposed projections extending through the longitudinal slots bifurcating the liner and engaging the helical grooves of the inner wall of the reservoir. The follower includes a circumferential lip maintaining intimate contact with the inner surface of the liner.