Abstract: The invention relates to a process and to a machine for splicing the trailing end of a running expiring web (e.g., a web of cigarette paper) to the leading end of a fresh web while the ends of the webs travel next to each other, in the same direction and at an at least substantially identical speed between a rotary knurling surface and a complementary second rotary surface which may but need not be a knurling surface. The rolls which constitute or mount the carriers for the two surfaces are driven in such a way that each n-th (e.g., each tenth) revolution results in the making of a splice between the leading and trailing ends of the webs. The forwardly and/or rearwardly extending remnants of the fresh and expiring webs are torn off the spliced-together webs at the respective ends of the splice.

Abstract: A portable energy source includes a case defining a battery compartment having an opening, a cover that covers the opening of the battery compartment, a power inverter mechanically coupled to the cover and adapted to be electrically coupled to the battery by leads disposed on the case when the cover is disposed to cover the opening of the compartment.

Abstract: An air-bag in the form of an inflatable curtain has a plurality of zones each provided with vertically extending cells defined by seams. Uninflatable regions are provided, the uninflatable regions being provided with oval apertures. On deployment of the inflatable curtain, the oval apertures will distend to become circular, enabling the uninflated region effectively to stretch to moderate the tension generated between two anchoring points connected by straps to the lower edge of the air-bag.

Abstract: A method of detecting and analyzing abnormalities, like lung nodules, in thoracic computer tomography (CT) images uses digital image processing techniques and adaptive computing methods. The techniques include an automatic detection process to detect candidate abnormalities, an image matching process to match CT slices from two different CT scans, and a measurement process that determines parameters of the candidate abnormalities. Final results and processed CT images are displayed on a user interface.

Abstract: A filter rod making machine wherein successive increments of a stream constituting a converted tow of filamentary filter material for tobacco smoke are contacted by a compressing tool which is vibrated at a frequency and/or amplitude sufficient to prevent over-heating of the tool and/or of filaments of filter material, such as acetate fibers. Conversion of the tow into the stream and the wrapping of the compressed stream into a running web of filter paper are carried out in a conventional manner.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlled removal of surplus material from one or more tows of tobacco particles, filter material for tobacco smoke or the like employs at least one belt conveyor for each stream. The outer side of such belt conveyor is provided with recesses which receive particulate material at the stream forming station or stations. Each stream is equalized by a discrete trimming device which employs a pair of cooperating rotary knives having circular cutting edges and serving to remove the surplus prior to compacting and wrapping of the thus obtained rod-like filler or fillers into web(s) of cigarette paper of the like. The material which has entered the recesses of the belt conveyor(s) contributes to greater density of the corresponding portions of the fillers or fillers, and such densified portions are severed by a cutoff to be located at the ends of plain cigarettes or at the tobacco-containing ends of filter cigarettes.

Abstract: The distributor of a cigarette rod making machine employs a zig-zag sifter which receives a mixture of tobacco ribs and shreds from a reservoir by way of a duct or an elevator conveyor. The shreds leave the uppermost stage of the sifter and are conveyed, by a Coanda separator, into an upright gathering duct which discharges shreds for delivery onto the concave surface(s) of one or more guides serving to direct one or more streams of shreds against the underside(s) of one or more foraminous belt conveyors which advance the stream(s) past one or more trimming devices serving to remove the surplus and to thus convert each stream into a rod-like filler which is ready to be draped into a web of cigarette paper. The removed surplus is returned into the reservoir or directly into the zig-zag sifter.

Abstract: An air-bag is made from a first metal layer (1) and a second metal layer (30). At least one of these layers is plastically deformable. The layers are provided with a peripheral (2, 3) sealing the layers together to define a chamber. There are gas generating means, such as a gas generator, located within the chamber.

Abstract: An arrangement for producing a brewed beverage, in particular coffee, with the arrangement comprising an approximately truncated-cone shaped filter receptacle for holding a cone-shaped filter insert and a water intake device that is arranged above the filter receptacle and is provided with a water distributor having a plurality of flow-through openings on a side facing the filter receptacle with one flow-through opening be located in the center of the projection surface for the water distributor and the filter receptacle. Additional flow-through openings are arranged along a peripheral line, for which the course approximately corresponds to the peripheral outline of a projection surface for the filter receptacle inside space in the lower to mid-level region of the filter receptacle.

Abstract: A capacitor includes a conductive tube, covered by insulating material and a layer of conductive material located at the central part of the tube. The geometry presents a low inherent inductance and a continuous, distributed conductance. The capacitor may be used as a bypass capacitor in an IOT amplifier to reduce stray and leakage high frequency radiation, in one amplifier being located within the inner wall of an annular input cavity.

Abstract: A band saw machine includes a saw band for severing a workpiece in a cutting plane; a saw band support for swinging the saw band into the cutting plane before each sawing step; clamping jaws disposed downstream of the cutting plane as viewed in the feed direction for clamping the workpiece undergoing sawing; and feed jaws for advancing the workpiece toward the cutting plane. The feed jaws are openable after closing the clamping jaws and before ending a sawing step, shiftable from the cutting plane to an extent of a successive work piece feed and closable for moving the workpiece against the feed direction away from the cutting plane after the sawing step. An arrangement shifts the saw band support away from and perpendicularly to the cutting plane toward the workpiece held spaced from and upstream of the cutting plane prior to retracting the saw band from the cutting plane.

Abstract: A system for the needle treatment of a conveyable fiber bat is provided with at least one conveying device having a plurality of needles that can be inserted into and withdrawn from a fiber bat. At least one rotating cylinder is provided to make possible a high needle-treatment speed and a uniform structure of the needle-felted fiber bat. The outside of this rotating cylinder forms a conveying surface for the fiber bat. The needles can pass through the conveying device from the inside toward the outside. The needles penetrate the fiber bat perpendicular to the conveying direction and then withdraw. The outside of the rotating cylinder, the fiber bat, and the needles have a similar speed in the conveying direction during the needle-treatment.