Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for aspirating a volume of liquid into a syringe from a sample of the liquid. A substantial portion of the liquid in the syringe is subsequently dispensed from the syringe and returned to the sample. Accordingly, a small portion of the aspirated liquid is retained in the syringe. One or more nanoliter volumes of the liquid retained in the syringe are then dispensed from the syringe to a container for further use or analysis. It will be understood, therefore, that the volume of the originally aspirated liquid is substantially larger than the volume of liquid dispensed for further use or analysis. The invention also includes a method and apparatus for aspirating and dispensing a plurality of liquids by using a plurality of syringes, and also can be used to dispense liquids onto microplates.

Abstract: An outdoor light fixture that has a cover with a clear pane and an inner refracting lens adapted to refract light emitted from a light source and to fit over the light source.

Abstract: An outdoor light fixture that receives power from an external power source through an insulated wire and that has an angular displacement connector with conductive prongs that pierce the wire insulation in order to achieve a conductive contact.

Abstract: Cigarette packaging apparatus and method utilizing packaging stock comprising a pre-applied adhesive to form cigarette packages that are sealed by activating and then preferably setting the pre-applied adhesive.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively removing articles, such as cigarettes, from a transfer conveyor system in which the transfer of the selected articles to a receiver conveyor from a transfer conveyor is rejected within a transfer zone. Vacuum suction retaining articles on the transfer conveyor is blocked in the transfer zone as articles pass to the receiver conveyor. Transfer of selected articles is rejected by application of an air pulse responsive to a reject signal. The selected articles are returned to the transfer conveyor, from which they are removed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing reconstituted tobacco sheet in which a tobacco containing slurry is metered on to the outer surface of a rotating heated cylindrical dryer and then, after sufficient drying, is removed from the cylindrical dryer.

Abstract: A trash removal system for separating trash and loose tobacco shreds from cigarettes that are rejected in cigarette manufacturing and packaging operations. A mixture comprising cigarettes, cigarette wrapper, trash and loose tobacco is metered onto a vibrating trash removal conveyor comprising a plurality of vertical plates arranged in a sinusoidally varying pattern.

Abstract: A method for producing a tobacco-containing rod from tobacco materials is disclosed. The method comprises shredding tobacco material, mixing a binder with the shredded tobacco material, activating the binder and forming a tobacco-containing rod. The binder may be hydroscopic and the tobacco material may include expanded tobacco.

Abstract: A tobacco product characterized by improved void volume and firmness characteristics and a method of making a tobacco product by applying binder material to tobacco filler, treating the filler to the extent necessary to cause the filler to become substantially non-tacky, forming a rod, activating the binder and treating the rod to the extent necessary to cause the filler shreds to become bonded to one another.