Abstract: The multi-pronged spear-fishing spear tip includes a collar for mounting the multi-pronged spear-fishing spear tip onto a spear shaft. An elongate center tine extends axially from the collar and includes a spear point for piercing fish or prey. A plurality of diverging tines with piercing tips surround the center tine, the diverging tines immobilizing the fish or prey pierced by the center tine. Each diverging tine extends from the collar at a diverging angle from the axis of the collar. The length of the center tine is longer than the length of the diverging tines to accommodate most sizes of fish or prey. This construction provides the functionality of a single-point spear and a paralyzer spear in a single unit.

Abstract: A harpoon device is provided which has attachable components, including a plurality of lengths of shaft segments joined by a coupler and a variety of functional units.

Abstract: Bales of condensed relatively dry tobacco particles are broken up by subdividing each bale into slabs which are thereupon mechanically fragmentized, heated and moisturized with steam or steam and hot water, shredded while still heated, and thereupon subjected to one or more additional treatments. The bales are subdivided into slabs by cutting them transversely of the layers of compressed tobacco particles therein, and the heating and moisturizing steps can be carried out in a drum or in a closed tunnel of a vibratory conveyor.