Abstract: A filamentary yarn handling apparatus is arranged for use with a filamentary yarn winder of the type comprising a package support on which the packages are rotated. The yarn handling apparatus comprises a gathering head mounted above the package rotary axis for displacement toward the paths of travel of the yarns. The gathering head includes a cutter for severing each yarn and a suction tube whose inlet is disposed above the cutter for continuously drawing-in each yarn after severing has occurred. A yarn transfer mechanism includes two guides mounted for movement relative to the gathering head between upper and lower positions along one side of the package axis. With the transfer mechanism being in its upper position, the guides are respectively located between the rest position of said gathering head and the paths of yarn travel, respectively, such that when the cutter means severs the yarns and the gathering head returns to its rest position the yarns engage respective ones of the guides.

Abstract: Winding of filamentary material upon a winder tube is initiated by inserting the filamentary material into a slot which prevents the filamentary material from being traversed along the axis of the tube. The slot is moved relative to a gate such that the gate prevents egress of the filamentary material from the slot. The filamentary material is inserted into a pinch groove of the tube, and the tube is rotated to form a waste bunch of filamentary material at the end of the tube. After a preset interval, the slot is moved relative to an ejector cam whereupon the latter ejects the filamentary material from the slot. The filamentary material is then engaged by a traversing guide which traverses the filamentary material along the axis of the tube.

Abstract: An improved balloon-control guide for use in end-unwinding packages of crosswound filamentary yarn. The guide comprises self-centering means for permitting the guide to self-center, under yarn balloon forces, towards an axis representing the yarn balloon's energy center at any point in time. Use of the guide, in otherwise conventional beaming operations, results in significant increase in productivity.

Abstract: A compound cigarette filter, the filter having the ability to deliver substantially constant tar and nicotine as the cigarette is smoked. The compound filter comprises a barrier positioned upstream and in abutting relationship with at least one filter segment, the barrier containing passageways permitting the passage of smoke from a tobacco column to the filter segment, the total cross-sectional passageway area being from 0.5 to 3 square millimeters, the compound filter having an initial totally encapsulated pressure drop of at least 90 mm. H.sub.2 O.

Abstract: Microcapsules having a core of an alkaloidal material surrounded by a protective cross-linked polymeric wall are disclosed. The microcapsules are produced by intermixing a polymeric wall material with a liquid vehicle to form a solution thereof as a continuous first phase, and mixing the solution with an alkaloidal material. The produced admixture is agitated to disperse the alkaloidal material as a plurality of discrete minute core material entities in the first phase, and thereafter, phase separation is induced to separate the polymeric wall material from the liquid vehicle so that the wall material forms embryonic sheaths about the core material entities. The polymeric wall material is then cross-linked to form protective walls around each of the core material entities.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of highly pigmented fibrets, the product produced thereby and paper products containing the highly pigmented fibret. The fibret has a surface area of from 15 to 30 square meters per gram and comprises a polymeric host having an index of refraction of not more than 1.5 containing from 40 to 75 percent by weight of an inorganic light scattering pigment having an index of refraction of from 1.5 to 3.0. The fibrets are found to impart paper opacification to the same degree as wholly inorganic opacified paper products without many of the problems commonly associated with such prior art products.

Abstract: A process for preparing a compound cigarette filter, the filter having the ability to deliver substantially constant tar and nicotine as the cigarette is smoked. The compound filter comprises a barrier positioned upstream and in abutting relationship with at least one filter segment, the barrier containing passageways permitting the passage of smoke from a tobacco column to the filter segment, the total cross-sectional passageway area being from 0.5 to 3 square millimeters, the compound filter having an initial totally encapsulated pressure drop of at least 90 mm. H.sub.2 O.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to microporous membranes having a surfactant impregnated therein which is coated on at least one surface thereof with a polymer coating, such as cellulose acetate. The polymer coating possesses functional groups in the presence of an aqueous alkaline environment which permits it to undergo hydrogen bonding with water and to transport battery electrolyte through the coating by diffusion. The presence of the coating on the normally hydrophobic substrate membrane, when used in conjunction with a suitable surfactant, increases the wettability of the substrate membrane and thereby lowers its electrical resistance. The coating also serves to immobilize various soluble electrode derived ions at the coating-electrolyte interface thereby hindering their penetration into the pores of the substrate microporous membrane.

Abstract: A single or multi-orifice metal nozzle structure suitable for use in an ink jet printing system. The metallic nozzle member has at least one orifice extending therethrough, the orifice including a cylindrical portion, adjacent the outlet face of said nozzle, having a height ranging from 0.25 to 5 times its diameter and at least one frustoconical section divergent toward the face opposite the outlet face and communicating with the cylindrical portion. Where the metal nozzle is a multi-orifice metal nozzle, each frustoconical section communicates with a groove disposed in the face opposite the outlet face. The multi-orifice metal nozzle is prepared by grooving a metal plate with at least one groove, punching a plurality of frustoconical sections into the groove member and then forming a cylindrical portion into each frustoconical section and through the plate member.

Abstract: Ventilated thermoplastic polymer foam filter rods and the processes for their preparation. The ventilated thermoplastic polymer foam filter rods are characterized by the presence of at least some cells which are bridged by fibrils, the rod being surrounded by a high density skin structure having a discontinuity such as to produce a ventilation of at least 50%. Discontinuity in the skin structure may be produced by skin solvent etching, skin abraiding, skin perforating and skin cutting.

Abstract: The present invention provides microporous hollow fiber with improved structural and performance characteristics and a process and apparatus for preparing the improved fiber. The microporous hollow fiber possesses substantially uniform wall thickness, cross-sectional dimensions and porosity. Such characteristics are obtained by melt spinning hollow fiber precursor under defined conditions in a substantially vertically upward direction and subjecting the precursor to a symmetrical quenching step which may be achieved using a hollow annular structure surrounding the precursor. The structure, which is connected to a source of gas, has one or more openings on its inner surface that distribute the gas against the precursor in a substantially uniform manner.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for controlled application of a liquid to a variable width filamentary band such as a cigarette tow band. Liquid is fed at a constant rate by one or more positive displacement pumps to an applicator device which may be a disc type or a brush type applicator device. Any liquid which is not picked up from the applicator device by the tow band is returned by means of channels located in a housing member directly to the applicator device whereby variations in the width of the tow band do not substantially change tow liquid pick-up from a preselected weight level.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to microporous membranes having a surfactant impregnated therein which is coated on at least one surface thereof with a polymer coating, such as cellulose acetate. The polymer coating possesses functional groups in the presence of an aqueous alkaline environment which permits it to undergo hydrogen bonding with water and to transport battery electrolyte through the coating by diffusion. The presence of the coating on the normally hydrophobic substrate membrane, when used in conjunction with a suitable surfactant, increases the wettability of the substrate membrane and thereby lowers its electrical resistance. The coating also serves to immobilize various soluble electrode derived ions at the coating-electrolyte interface thereby hindering their penetration into the pores of the substrate microporous membrane.

Abstract: Smoking compositions having improved taste and odor are prepared by incorporation into the composition of minor amounts of proteins and protein hydrolysates, at least 80% of the weight of which is derived from aliphatic and heterocyclic amino acids.

Abstract: A bag for cultivating mushrooms constructed at least in part from a microporous film which has gas-permeability but does not pass bacteria and infectious microbes.

Abstract: A high speed cross-lapping apparatus is disclosed which forms batting from a high total denier tow of continuous filament material such as polyester. The apparatus includes a reciprocating carriage having a pair of steel rolls which deliver the tow to an underlying receiving conveyor. To drive the carriage, either a unidirectionally driven belt or a reversible electric motor may be provided. Inertia reversal apparatus including a pneumatic cylinder is located at each end of the carriage stroke. To accomodate differences in tow length as the carriage reciprocates, a horizontally disposed length compensating assembly is employed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microporous membrane having deposited on at least one surface thereof a porous, uniform coating of a low hydrogen over-potential material. The coated microporous membrane is particularly suited for use as a battery separator in a rechargeable zinc electrode containing battery, which is resistant to penetration by zinc dendrites and is capable of increasing the uniformity of current density upon recharging of the battery.A battery employing said coated microporous membrane as a battery separator as well as a process for using said coated microporous membrane is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of manufacturing foamed cellulose acetate and the product produced thereby. More specifically, the invention relates to a melt extrusion process for producing open cell structure foamed cellulose acetate having special use as a filtering element for an aerosol such as tobacco smoke.

Abstract: A non-woven cellulose ester fibrous filter sheet material comprising cellulose ester staple fibers and cellulose ester fibrets which exhibits improved filtration properties and the method of its preparation.

Abstract: A single or multi-orifice metal nozzle structure suitable for use in an ink jet printing system. The metallic nozzle member has at least one orifice extending therethrough, the orifice including a cylindrical portion, adjacent the outlet face of said nozzle, having a height ranging from 0.25 to 5 times its diameter and at least one frustoconical section divergent toward the face opposite the outlet face and communicating with the cylindrical portion. Where the metal nozzle is a multi-orifice metal nozzle, each frustoconical section communicates with a groove disposed in the face opposite the outlet face. The multi-orifice metal nozzle is prepared by grooving a metal plate with at least one groove, punching a plurality of frustoconical sections into the groove member and then forming a cylindrical portion into each frustoconical section and through the plate member.