Abstract: An emergency air supply mask is provided including a head assembly having a transparent face portion defining a rear peripheral edge. The face portion has a plurality of bores formed therein. A filter unit includes a transparent plate and at least one bore formed therein. The plate is coupled in spaced relationship to the face portion of the head assembly via a closed periphery. Such periphery has an opening for allowing the selective insertion of a transparent filter therein.

Abstract: A novel cigarette adapted for use in an electrical cigarette system comprising a tobacco rod having filled and unfilled tobacco rod portions and being arranged so that electrical heater elements may overlap the filled and unfilled tobacco rod portions. The tobacco rod includes a tobacco web rolled into tubular form. The tobacco web is constructed in accordance with a novel process comprising the steps of converting tobacco feedstock into a continuous sheet of tobacco web and converting the continuous sheet of tobacco web into one or more bobbins of tobacco web suitable for automated manufacture of cigarettes.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of imparting moisture to a cigar or tobacco product is a bio-humidor. The bio-humidor includes a moisture impervious housing configured to hold the cigar, a moisture impervious lid, and a moisture imparting element configured for storage in the housing with the cigar. In use, the cigar is placed inside the moisture impervious housing along with the moisture imparting element. The housing is then closed and sealed, such as by joining a zip-lock, closing a lid, threading a top, or inserting a stopper, such as a cork, into an opening. Moisture from the moisture imparting element will then pass to the cigar within the closed environment of the sealed housing and thereby maintain a fresh, moist cigar.

Abstract: A divot tool and cigar holder device having a first member with an indentation formed at one end and a second member pivotally connected to the first member with an indentation formed at one end. The indentations of the first and second members are suitable in shape and size for receiving a cigar therein. The second member is movable between a first position in flat generally surface-to-surface contact with the first member and a second position angularly offset from the first member. The first member has at least one prong at an end opposite the indentation. The second member is longitudinally slidable with respect to the first member when in the first position.

Abstract: The invention relates a golf club head with a structure which can stabilize the direction of the hit ball and can enhance a ball hitting feeling. In the golf club head, a recessed portion is formed in a face portion of a head main body formed of metal with the peripheral edge portion of the face portion remaining unrecessed. A face plate formed of material smaller in specific gravity than the head main body is mounted to the recessed portion. A frame member formed of material larger in specific gravity than the head main body and softer than the face plate and head main body is held by and between the peripheral wall of the face plate and the peripheral wall of the recessed portion.

Abstract: A device for trimming a shredded tobacco layer in a cigarette manufacturing machine is provided with a pair of trimming disks rotatably arranged, and a peeling disk rotatably arranged under the trimming disks. The peeling disk has a peeling blade formed at the peripheral edge of the peeling disk for scraping surplus shredded tobacco off the shredded tobacco layer in cooperation with the trimming disks, and a flat end face for guiding the surplus shredded tobacco scraped off by the peeling blade.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a plant for the treatment of tobacco leaves for the production of cut tobacco for smokable articles, in which stems and the lamina material of the tobacco leaves are conditioned and cut separately from each other. The conditioned, non-rolled, cut and optionally expanded stems are blended with the conditioned and cut lamina, and the lamina and stems are then jointly conditioned and dried.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube pacifier is provided. The endotracheal tube pacifier includes a nipple portion, bite portion and flange portion. A slot is formed longitudinally along the length of the nipple portion, bite portion and flange portion of the endotracheal tube pacifier. The slot is configured to detachably receive the sidewalls of an endotracheal tube even when an extremity of the endotracheal tube has already been received within a patient's mouth. The endotracheal tube pacifier is intended to reduce the physical anomalies associated with prolonged endotracheal tube intubation and to promote the natural sucking and swallowing reflexes of an infant undergoing endotracheal intubation.

Abstract: A compression molding apparatus for a cut tobacco layer in a cigarette manufacturing machine comprises a shoe for separating the cut tobacco layer from a suction belt and feeding the cut tobacco layer onto paper and a tongue coupled integrally to the shoe. The respective lower surfaces of the shoe and the tongue are smoothly continuous with each other, and, in conjunction with a molding groove in a wrapping section, defines a compression molding passage for molding the cut tobacco layer into a rod.

Abstract: A tobacco expansion process and apparatus is provided to form a tobacco batch having a predetermined amount of tobacco, contact the batch with steam, load the batch onto a spool assembly, and impregnate the batch with an expansion agent. A double conduit apparatus is provided to load two simultaneously formed tobacco batches onto opposing sides of the impregnation spool. The tobacco batch is formed within a batch forming chamber comprising a vertically adjustable screen to accommodate different operating parameters and/or different tobacco types and/or forms. The batch is directed through a pneumatically separable zone to a precompaction and heating zone. The separable zone is defined by sequentially operating members, at least two of which form barriers to impede seepage of the expansion agent from the impregnating zone. In the precompaction zone the batch is precompacted against a permeable barrier, steamed, and then loaded onto a spool assembly for impregnation with an expansion agent.

Abstract: A supplying device of shredded tobacco has a conveying unit arranged between a first tobacco band and a second tobacco band. The conveying unit has a reforming passage. When a first layer of the shredded tobacco is supplied from the first tobacco band into the reforming passage, the shredded tobacco of the first layer is dispersed within the reforming passage. Thereafter, the shredded tobacco in the reforming passage is deposited on a bottom face of the reforming passage and forms a second layer of the shredded tobacco. The second layer is supplied from the conveying unit to a rod forming section of a cigarette manufacturing machine through the second tobacco band.

Abstract: A cigarette and cigar snuffing device comprising a base member defining a centrally located opening therein, and a vertical cylindrical throat member having an opening at an upper portion and an opening at a lower portion, which communicates with the opening in the base member. The upper portion of the throat member defines a pair of opposed grooves for use in securing a cigarette in a horizontal position therein while a smoker is otherwise occupied. The cigarette snuffing device is placed into an ash tray, the lit end of a cigarette is dropped into the opening at the upper portion, through the lower portion opening, further through the opening in the base, and comes into direct contact with the floor of the ash tray. A lack of oxygen quickly and efficiently extinguishes the cigarette.

Abstract: A self-ejecting cigar core or plug cutter having a cylindrical barrel, a slidable cylindrical cutting tube inside the barrel, and a solid cylindrical core member inside the cutting tube, the cutting tube extending rearwardly and being secured to a knob, a spring normally biasing the cutting tube rearwardly so that its forward cutting edge is normally inside the barrel, and an L-slot on opposite sides of the cutting tube, with a pin extending through the slot and through the inner core and being secured at both ends in the barrel, whereby pushing in and turning the knob compresses the spring and forces the forward cutting edge of the cutting tube out of the forward edge of the barrel for cutting a plug out of a cigar, and whereby turning of the knob in the opposite direction releases the forward spring bias and permits the cutting tube to retract into its normal position inside the barrel, the plug cut from the cigar being ejected from the cutting tube by the inner core within the cutting tube upon retraction

Abstract: A continuous pneumatic tobacco conveyance system is described which automatically controls the rate at which tobacco is fed into the conveyance system and automatically controls the velocity of the tobacco which is pneumatically conveyed. The system utilizes a plurality of programmable logic controllers for analyzing the velocity of the tobacco in the system and the amount of tobacco required and currently existent in cigarette making machine. The system compensates for correct airflow and velocity of the tobacco in the pneumatic piping by controlling the rate at which tobacco is fed into the conveyance system and controlling the airflow required to move the tobacco at a continuous velocity by adjusting a flow control valve attached to a vacuum source.

Abstract: Non-conventional clubhead designs for driver, fairway clubs (woods), irons, and putter type golf clubs wherein the maximum (optimized) clubhead mass and centralized balance/momentum control mechanism are coincident with the clubhead center of percussion improved efficacy in the angular of momentum exchange between golf club and ball at impact, and optimum flight trajectory, distance, accuracy, and control. Additional non-conventional design features of the driver and fairway clubs (woods) include a low drag aerodynamic profile, fully-active double curvature aerodynamic wing, integral impact shock/vibratory damping, a double curvature faceplate that is insensitive to fracture and cave-in, and a highly contoured soleplate for up-hill and down-hill lies.

Abstract: An assembly including two lengths of cigarette rod, a double length filter and a band of gummed paper is rolled up along a path describing a limited arc to produce a double length filter tipped cigarette, passing between a cylindrical inner rolling surface and a cylindrical outer conveying surface that revolve in the same direction about respective axes, the inner surface at a greater velocity than the outer surface. The conveying surface is generated by a succession of substantially flat faces, each providing a seat shaped to accommodate a respective assembly and incorporated laterally into one of a series of rockers mounted so as to pivot between a first position, assumed along the rolling arc, in which the flat faces are directed toward the rolling surface, and a second position assumed when passing through successive infeed and outfeed stations, in which the flat faces are directed away from the rolling surface.

Abstract: A process for expanding tobacco is provided which employs carbon dioxide gas. Tobacco temperature and OV content are adjusted prior to contacting the tobacco with carbon dioxide gas. The disclosed process is suitable for impregnating and expanding tobacco having a high bulk density. In order to achieve a high bulk density, the tobacco may be compacted or compressed to achieve an increased and more uniform bulk density prior to its impregnation with carbon dioxide. The process may be carried out with a short cycle impregnation in an apparatus according to the invention. A thermodynamic path is followed during impregnation which allows a controlled amount of the carbon dioxide gas to condense on the tobacco. This liquid carbon dioxide evaporates during depressurization helping to cool the tobacco bed uniformly. After impregnation, the tobacco may be expanded immediately or kept at or below its post-vent temperature in a dry atmosphere for subsequent expansion.

Abstract: A scanning device for a cigarette making machine comprises a low energy X-ray beam emitter (110) for passing an X-ray beam through the cigarette rod (116), and an X-ray detector (126;202) arranged to receive the beam after it has passed through the cigarette rod and to produce an output signal which can be amplified and fed to a control circuit (130) for the cigarette making machine.

Abstract: A needle protector device including a mount having a needle subassembly attached to an upper end, an open lower end, and an aperture in the side of the mount. The aperture includes an entrance position adjacent to the lower end of the mount and an armed position radially spaced from the entrance position by an angled portion of the mount. A protective cover is coupled to the mount and has a protruding lug which engages the mount aperture. The cover is adapted for being a needle protection position in which the needle tip is covered and the cover is not retractable, an armed position in which the needle tip is covered and the cover is retractable, and a retracted position in which the needle tip extends through an open lower end of the cover. A spring having a pair of axial extensions is coupled between the mount and the cover. The spring is biased in rotation and compression during assembly of the device, causing the cover to be automatically urged to the needle protection position.

Abstract: A unit for forming two layers of tobacco, wherein a stream of shredded tobacco fed in a given direction is intercepted by two side by side dividing devices, each having a suction conveyor belt, one branch of which travels crosswise to a respective portion of the stream to form a respective layer; and both the layers of tobacco are fed by the respective dividing devices to a transfer station where each of the two layers is transferred continuously onto the underside of a respective suction belt for supply to a cigarette rod forming beam.