Abstract: An opening and closing mechanism for the casing of a machine, especially a tobacco cutting machine is provided, having a pair of meshing gears mounted on one machine part, which by way of a link-mechanism are adapted to rotate when the casing is opened. A shock absorber is mounted between the gears to enable the opening movement to have a first phase which is relatively unimpeded and a second phase is damped.

Abstract: A protective circuit for a solid state static inverter which employs two groups of switching transistors coupled in push pull to the output transformer. If trigger pulses to one group of switching transistors is lost, the protective circuit senses the missing trigger pulses and disables both groups of switching transistors. In normal operation the protective circuit assures that only one group of switching transistors may be rendered conductive at any given time.

Abstract: A releasable connector mechanism having two parallel side plates and first and second shafts extending between the plates on opposite sides thereof. At least one of the shafts is freely rotatable and has a pair of spaced pivot arms attached thereto. The rotatable shaft has a groove or cam surface extending longitudinally along its surface.A load carrying fulcrum plate having a concave cylindrical pivot surface not more than 180.degree. on one end thereof is inserted between the side plates with the pivot surface supported on the nonrotating shaft. The other end of the fulcrum plate has a swinging latch attached thereto which pivotally contacts the other end of the fulcrum plate and also pivotally contacts the cam or groove in the rotatable shaft.In its set condition the fulcrum plate is held between the side plates by the nonrotatable shaft and by the swinging latch.

Abstract: Operations for the reduction of lipid content in tobacco compositions with retention of favorable organoleptic properties comprising particularly treatments or the selective removal of `neutral` lipid fraction. Tobacco leaves, preferably freshly harvested, are subjected to physical treatment adapted to remove lipid material from glandular trichome and cuticle while retaining the structural integrity of the leaf. Tobacco compositions based upon treated leaf structures exhibit significantly reduced lipid levels, reported to interrelate with production of aromatic hydrocarbons upon pyrolysis.

Abstract: A simple inexpensive slide switch is disclosed having a unitary plastic slide member serving the dual function as a switch housing and actuator. The plastic member is slidably mounted to the insulator base member by flexible side skirts having barbs extending inwardly and disposed in sliding engagement with the base member undersurface. The flexible side skirts and base member have complementary boss means and boss receiving means to provide detent type operation.

Abstract: Improved filter media comprised of negatively charged high surface area particulate filter material the surface of which is modified with a melamine-formaldehyde cationic colloid; processes for the preparation thereof; and use in liquid filtration to remove submicron contaminants including negatively charged particles.

Abstract: Improved filter media comprised of negatively charged high surface area fibrous filter material the surface of which is modified by treatment with a melamine-formaldehyde cationic colloid, processes for the production thereof, and use in liquid filtration to remove submicron contaminants including negatively charged particles. Glass microfiber treated with Parez 607 colloid is preferred.

Abstract: Cigar tobacco sheet of low density, smoking articles prepared therewith, and foamed intermediates therefor. Fine-bubble stable foams, wherein at least 80% of the bubbles are less than about 100 microns in normalized dimension are formed in a high shear system utilizing tobacco particles of generally smaller than 100-120 mesh. The foam is cast and dried to form reconstituted cigar tobacco sheet, utilized preferably for wrapper and/or binder in cigars, characterized especially by excellent taste.

Abstract: The regulator control chamber is bypassed by a bypass tube conducting the incoming air directly to the mouthpiece.

Abstract: The folding mechanism for folding a flap of the wrapper against a face of a cigarette pack moving at a uniform speed along a conveying path in a direction parallel to said face, comprises a pair of rotatable discs facing each other and spaced apart, which have their axes of rotation parallel to and excentrically arranged with respect to each other, said axes being further inclined of a predetermined oblique angle with respect to the conveying path of the cigarette pack. The two discs are connected in their rotation by three connecting rods linking respective crank pins provided excentrically on the said discs, so that rotation of one of the discs causes a concurrent rotation of the other disc. Onto one of the said connecting rods there is provided a projecting folder element which presents a flat surface parallel to and intended to engage the flap to be folded.

Abstract: The apparatus for aligning two plys of limp material being fed into a work station employs a pair of bi-directional motor driven belts operating in electrical circuit relationship with closed loop servo control and a pair of photo-diodes with light source sensing beams employed in retro-reflective configuration for generation of a bi-polar signal in response to the movement of the belts. A pair of pressure plates mounted in proximity to said belts, provide a nip between the belts and the plates for material gripping. The belts being movable in response to dark/light bi-polar signals generated by the presence or absence of material at the center line of each of said photo-diodes and the closed loop servo control is actuated to govern the movement of said belts with respect to any deviation from said center lines.

Abstract: A method for progressively vacuum forming a fibre batt about a porous member whereby, accretion, consolidation and dewatering of the batt occurs under constant vacuum conditions and includes continuously introducing a vacuum through a fixed porous arbor disposed in a tank containing a slurry of fibrous material in water, to thereby define a fixed vacuum zone between sealed first and second portions of the arbor, for the progressive formation of a fibrous batt in the vacuum zone, and continuously advancing the arbor through the vacuum zone at a preselected constant rate of travel.

Abstract: An ejector for produce sorting apparatus including a drooping or sagging sheet of substantially air impervious material suspended in front of an air nozzle and adjacent the path of articles of produce moving along a free fall path. Upon occurrence of a reject signal from produce grading apparatus, an air blast impinges against the sheet to extend it to a taut condition into the free fall path to eject an article of produce.

Abstract: In a compound bow the eccentric wheel assemblies at the limb ends are cross-coupled by the bow stringing so that they are constrained to move in unison so that the bow is self-tuning. Each wheel assembly has three grooved wheels rotatable on a common axis. A first one of the wheels is eccentric and has one end of the bowstring connected to it. The other end of the bowstring is connected to a similar eccentric first wheel at the other end of the bow. A first cross-coupling stretch is connected between a second wheel at one end of the bow and a third wheel at the other end. A second cross-coupling stretch is connected between a third wheel at the one end and a second wheel at the other end.

Abstract: Slide switch in which sliding member which retains sliding contact has side skirts with barbs at bottom edge. Barbs engage and slide on bottom surface of insulator strip on which stationary contacts are mounted.

Abstract: An optical system for use on produce graders to enhance intensity and uniformity of reflected light directed onto color detectors.

Abstract: A bag supply apparatus for use with an article packaging apparatus providing bags on demand along in a predefined product flow line. Two spaced apart supply magazines are employed as part of the bag supply apparatus, one magazine being disposed in the product flow line and the second magazine being out-board of the product flow line. Each magazine is of a three part construction having a central telescoping body with a pivoting tail end section and a lip portion opposite thereto.A positioning cam assembly urges the first magazine to a level consistent with the product flow line and is also responsive to a sensing arm disposed adjacent to the first magazine, for sensing the presence of bags at a predisposed operating height, so that the magazine moves upwardly at an incremental rate consistent with the supply of bags remaining in said magazine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting the ends of cigarettes by use of a spaced pair of optical fiber probes illuminating the ends of a cigarette and receiving light therefrom, and electronic circuit means converting the reflected light into representative signals which when processed and compared to a threshold signal provides a reject signal when at least one end of a cigarette is unacceptable.

Abstract: This invention relates to cigarette packaging machines having continuously moving wrapper forming and closing devices. The wrapper forming devices including arbors on which wrappers are formed being rotated 90.degree. on their longitudinal axes during closure of the bottoms of the wrappers and returning to their original position to be filled and transferred to the wrapper closing devices which have holding means for individual packs which are pivoted 90.degree. during closure of the tops or mouths of the packs.

Abstract: Protection circuit for preventing high surge current on start up of static inverter.