Abstract: The present invention provides a product and method of making thereof for the consumption of smokable substances such as tobacco or herbs. The product is comprised of tobacco, homogenized tobacco and/or natural leaf materials and has a hollow conical shape that allows for the easy insertion of smokable substances and further provides for larger amounts of smokable substances in the end of the product the consumer lights, resulting in an initial slower prolonged burn and more even distribution of nicotine. Additionally, the placement of a structure into one end of the hollow cone permits the consumer to consume the majority, if not all, of the smokable substance. This structure also prevents debris and other unwanted materials from being sucked through the end of the product and into the mouth and respiratory system of the consumer.

Abstract: A ceramic material powder for a translucent ceramic is molded with a binder, and the resulting green compact is embedded in a ceramic powder having the same composition with the ceramic material powder. After removing the binder, the green compact embedded in the ceramic powder is fired in an atmosphere having an oxygen concentration higher than that in the removal procedure of the binder and thereby yields a translucent ceramic represented by Formula I: Ba{(SnuZr1-u)xMgyTaz}vOw, Formula II: Ba(ZrxMgyTaz)vOw or Formula III: Ba{(SnuZr1-u)x(ZntMg1-t)yNbz}vOw. The translucent ceramic has a refractive index of 1.9 or more and is paraelectric.

Abstract: The method of making globular or spherical bodies of optical quality includes filling receptacles (2) in a heat-resistant support (3) made of a porous material with glass gobs (1); conducting gas through the heat-resistant support so that a gas flow (4) passes through the support in a direction (14) opposite to a direction in which gravity acts; heating the heat-resistant support (3) to a temperature at which the glass gobs (1) have a viscosity of up to about 106 poise; maintaining the support (3) at this temperature for a predetermined time interval; and then cooling the support (3) to ambient temperature while continuing to provide the gas flow (4) through the support (3).

Abstract: The present invention provides method of contemporaneously forming a particulate glass batch composition and reducing volatile components in an exhaust stream, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing an exhaust stream comprising one or more volatile components into a mixing chamber; (b) adding a particulate glass batch precursor composition comprising at least one reagent material that is reactive with at least one of the one or more volatile components of the exhaust stream into the mixing chamber; (c) reacting at least a portion of the particulate glass batch precursor composition with at least a portion of the one or more volatile components of the exhaust stream in the mixing chamber to form a particulate glass batch composition and reduce the amount of the one or more volatile components in the exhaust stream; (d) separating the particulate glass batch composition from the exhaust stream; and (e) venting the exhaust stream having a reduced amount of volatile components to the atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production method of spherical oxide powder which includes a feeding step in which a granular powder composed of an oxide composition is fed into a combustion flame together with a carrier gas; a melting step in which said fed granular powder is melted in said combustion flame to obtain a melt; and a solidifying step in which said melt is solidified by being moved and placed outside said combustion flame.

Abstract: For producing large volume optical components of high optical quality from synthetic quartz glass blanks, the latter are heated in a component mold in a furnace with a protective gas atmosphere to a temperature 50° to 170° K above the softening point, this temperature being held for 20 to 90 minutes and, during this holding time, the quartz glass blank being pressed into the component mold. By these means, a gentle treatment of the quartz glass, a good yield, a decrease in the energy input and a complete filling up of the component mold are achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing silicon oxycarbide fibers by pyrolysis of preceramic precursors. Said method comprises the following steps: spinning of a composition comprising a silicone polymer and a reticulating agent, chemical reticulation of the fibers and pyrolysis at a temperature between 800 and 1400° C. in non-oxidizing atmosphere. Said method is characterized by the use of a polyorganohydrosiloxane as silicone polymer and by a reticulating agent that carries out reticulation by reacting with Si—H bonds of polyorganohydrosiloxane.

Abstract: A method for producing a silicon nitride filter, which comprises heat-treating in nitrogen a green body comprising from 60 to 95 mass % of metal silicon particles having an average particle diameter of from 10 to 75 ?m, wherein particles having particle diameters of from 5 to 100 ?m are at least 70 mass % in the entire metal silicon particles, and from 5 to 40 mass % of a pore-forming agent, to convert metal silicon substantially to silicon nitride. More preferably, the green body contains at least one member selected from the group consisting of an inorganic acid salt, an organic acid salt and a hydroxide containing at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Fe and Cu.

Abstract: A system and method for heating, forming, and tempering a glass sheet includes pre-heating the glass sheet to at least a first predetermined temperature. The system and method includes also applying radio-frequency energy to the glass sheet to heat it to at least a second predetermined temperature and cooling at least one outer surface of the glass sheet to at least a third predetermined temperature to temper the glass sheet.

Abstract: Cigarettes can be manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes can possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive materials can have the forms of liquid or paste formulations. The formulation can be applied to the paper web using application apparatus possessing rollers. A radiant dryer can be used to dry the additive material applied to the paper web. Such a system provides a source of paper web, applies additive material to that web in a pattern, dries the paper web, and winds the treated paper web on to a bobbin. That bobbin can be later used to provide a source of paper web on a cigarette making machine, which unrolls that bobbin, receives the treated paper web from that bobbin, supplies tobacco filler and manufactures a cigarette rod from the paper web and tobacco filler.

Abstract: A method of producing a cordierite honeycomb structure includes: preparing clay containing a cordierite raw material having an aspect ratio of 1.5 or more; forming the clay to prepare a formed product of a honeycomb shape; drying the formed product to prepare a dried honeycomb product; and firing the dried honeycomb product to prepare a cordierite honeycomb structure. The production method can obtain a cordierite honeycomb structure capable of suppressing formation of cracks during firing.

Abstract: A convection compatible closed cassette and method are described herein where the closed cassette is used to heat treat (compact) one or more glass sheets in a uniform manner and in a clean environment. In the preferred embodiment, the closed cassette includes multiple enclosed sections that are supported by a mounting structure in a manner where there is an open passageway between the major surfaces of each pair of the supported enclosed sections. And, each enclosed section is designed to hold and support multiple glass sheets in a manner where there is a space between the major surfaces of each pair of the supported glass sheets. In operation, the closed cassette is placed into an oven (e.g., lehr, batch kiln) so that hot/cold unfiltered air can flow across the major surfaces of each enclosed section and uniformly heat/cool the enclosed glass sheets.

Abstract: A silica deposition tube is fused in a deuterium (D2) gas atmosphere and optionally baked in a deuterium (D2) gas atmosphere to substantially reduce the hydrogen content in the tube for decreased fiber attenuation. Alternatively, raw silica material is pre-treated in D2 gas followed by fusing of the raw silica tube in a D2 gas environment.

Abstract: A cigar shaped tobacco smoking pipe having a draw piece (14) with a band (12) adapted by proper sizing or screw thread to receive either end of a bowl piece (16). A bore (18) communicates with a smoking cavity (20), a chamber (10), and a draw piece (14). Both ends of the detachable bowl piece (16) are identically adapted, in any number of ways, including by identical tapers or screw threads to insert into the band (12). The pipe may be smoked with pieces assembled either way.

Abstract: In a device (5) for the manufacture of a quartz glass crucible (2), one section (14, 15) of a wall (13) of the rotating quartz glass crucible (2) is heated at one time by means of at least two electrode arrangements (7, 8) distributed uniformly at the circumference of the quartz glass crucible (2) and generating a first and another electric arc. By providing several electrode arrangements (7, 8), the cooling-down phase of the sections (14, 15) until their reaching the subsequent heating zone (11, 12) can be shortened, and thus an undesirable high temperature difference of the wall (13) can be avoided. Moreover, the required thermal output of each individual electrode arrangement (7, 8) can be reduced, so that evaporation phenomena and connected bubble formation can be reduced. In addition to the higher quality that can be reached in this way, the duration of the manufacturing process is reduced.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a ceramic heater includes mixing a conductive ceramic powder, an insulating ceramic powder, a sintering aid powder, and a solvent so as to obtain a slurry, drying the slurry so as to obtain a heating-element material powder, forming a green resistance-heating element from the heating-element material powder, embedding the green resistance-heating element in a ceramic substrate, and firing a resultant assembly. Water is used as the solvent. Drying of the slurry is performed by use of a fluidized-bed drying apparatus, a rotary drying apparatus, or a vibratory drying apparatus and, the apparatus being employed in combination with a medium for pulverization.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing proteins and other undesirable biomolecules from tobacco extract or slurry via foam fractionation, thereby concentrating the tobacco extract or slurry. The tobacco extract or slurry is treated and modified prior to being subjected to the foam fractionation to enhance the extent and efficiency of protein removal. After foam fractionation, the concentrated extract, sans proteins and other Hoffman analyte precursors, is applied to a tobacco sheet material, and the collected foam can be recirculated through foam fractionation for enhanced concentration.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multilayer ceramic capacitor includes the steps of: preparing a mixture of a raw material powder mainly composed of barium titanate particles; forming the mixture and a binder into a green sheet; alternately layering the green sheet and an internal electrode to obtain a laminated body; and sintering the laminated body. The step of preparing the mixture includes the steps of: introducing the raw material powder and the dispersion medium into a mixing container, and stirring them with balls serving as a mixing medium, to obtain a slurry containing a raw material powder mixture; and drying the slurry. The mixing medium has a diameter that is equal to or less than 400 times the mean particle size of the barium titanate particles of the raw material. The present invention provides a multilayer ceramic capacitor having good DC bias characteristics by suppressing the variation in crystal particles.

Abstract: Process for the production of an intumescent fire resistant layer by drying a waterglass solution on the surface of a glass substrate are carried out in the presence of a salt of a carbonic acid or an ?-hydroxy carboxylic acid such as potassium citrate. The drying is preferably carried out at a rate which reduces of pH of the solution by no more than 2 units during an initial drying period of 5 hours. The resulting interlayers provide improved fire resistance.

Abstract: A method of producing a multilayer ceramic capacitor having internal electrode layers and dielectric layers with dielectric particles is disclosed. An average particle diameter of the dielectric particles, when measured parallel with the direction of the internal electrode layers, is larger than a thickness of the dielectric layer. A ratio (R/d) between the average particle diameter (R) and the thickness (d) of the dielectric layer is 1<R/d<3.