Abstract: An apparatus for the formation of cigarettes into groups each consisting in at least one layer of single cigarettes lying parallel with and side by side one another. The cigarettes exit from the bottom of a plurality of channels, arranged side by side and forming part of the outlet of an infeed hopper, and come to rest side by side on a shelf, forming one layer. Pushers provided on either side of the layer effect a sideways compaction of the cigarettes, and a suction-generating seat incorporated into the shelf retains one cigarette at the middle of the layer so as to disallow its moving sideways during operation of the pushers.

Abstract: A holder for thin items including a backing sheet and a plurality of strips. The plurality of strips include several standard strips having a width equal to the width of the backing sheet and a top strip and a bottom strip having a width equal to the backing sheet and having a length smaller than the standard strips. Each of the strips is connected to a backing sheet along a longitudinal line running along the length of the backing sheet. Each of the longitudinal connecting lines is parallel to a longitudinal connecting line of an adjacent strip. Transverse connecting lines connect each of the strips except for the top strip to the backing sheet. Transverse connecting lines extend from an associated longitudinal connecting line toward an upper edge of each of the strips. The transverse connecting lines terminate a distance before the upper edge of the strip so as to provide an upper overlap portion.

Abstract: An all-occasion jumping rope comprises two handles, two freely rotatable holders inside the handles, a flexible rope, a flexible string free slidable inside the rope, a structure to hold the flexible rope to allow the twisting of rope to transfer to the free rotatable ends and structure to adjust the length of the string to change the length of the rope so that all people of different height including growing children can use it all the time without buying a new rope of longer length.

Abstract: A writing implement for use in numerically controlled drafting machines has a tip with a front end face which is maintained at a distance of a fraction of one millimeter from the surface of a sheet of paper or another carrier of information by a portion of a ball which is rotatably mounted in a socket extending rearwardly from the front end face so that the surface of the carrier and the front end face define a capillary gap. This gap draws ink from the socket which receives ink from a channel extending into a reservoir in the housing of the implement. The channel contains several rib-shaped back supports each of which is in mere point contact with the adjacent confined major portion of the ball in the socket so as to center the ball in the socket whereby the confined major portion of the ball and the surface surrounding the socket define a capillary clearance, and to provide paths for the flow of ink from the channel into the socket.

Abstract: A dispenser for cologne or the like. The dispenser includes an elongate case having a body and a cap which includes a clip for carrying the dispenser in a shirt pocket. The case includes a reservoir for holding cologne or the like and a roller-ball applicator. A plug having a bore therethrough which is at an angle relative to the longitudinal case axis permits flow of cologne from the vial to the roller-ball applicator when the dispenser is tipped. When the dispenser is placed in a horizontal position, cologne cannot flow through the plug bore due to the angle of the bore, thus preventing cologne in the vial from reaching the applicator.

Abstract: A stretching apparatus for stretching leg and hip muscles and increasing rotation of the leg in the hip joint of a human user. Flexible straps attach two body support platforms to a frame. Movement of one of the body support platforms to a reclining position against the force of the straps forces the knees of a user outward, thus stretching the leg and hip muscles and causing the legs to rotate in the hip joints, increasing flexibility in the joints.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a user in a pool of water for therapeutic or training purposes. An overhead unit having tracks which guide and support the wheels of a movable trolley is provided. A cable having one end attached to the trolley and one end connected to a support jacket worn by the user allows the user to be fully supported in the water. The user may move through the water along the line of the overhead rail. A brake is provided which can create a drag requiring an increase it the force needed to move the trolley along the rail thereby making the user work harder. The rail may be supported by attachment to a ceiling above the pool or supported by stanchions adjacent to the sides of the pool if portability of the apparatus is desired.

Abstract: The training apparatus is used for the planned strengthening of individual muscle groups. It preferably has two spring bodies, each having a terminal gripping element. The gripping elements of one spring body are terminally arranged on one bar-like spring element and the terminal gripping element of a second spring body on a bar-like spring element can be inserted in the gripping element of the first spring body. Thus, the apparatus can either be tensile stressed and/or compression stressed.

Abstract: A tobacco portion (7) intended to be smoked in a pipe and comprising a metal-foil cup (9) whose outer shape corresponds substantially to the shape of the cavity of the pipe bowl. In order to ensure that the tobacco retains its moisture content and aromatic flavour when stored over long periods of time, the cup is isolated from atmosphere by means of removable sealing means (16, 18).

Abstract: A slide mount includes a readily removable strip of bosses for engaging the perforations at one edge of the film which can be fitted in at least two different positions in one or more grooves, including at least one position where the distance between the longitudinal centerline of the window to the centerline of the bosses on the boss strip differs by a predetermined displacement from the nominal distance from the perforations on the film to the longitudinal centerline of the film. Each window is preferably provided with two grooves, one above and one below the window opening; the centerline of the bosses is preferably offset from the centerline of the boss strip by a fixed amount. By selectively placing the single boss strip in either of two orientations in either of the two grooves, the vertical position of the film may be displaced by different amounts.

Abstract: The density of a tobacco stream which is advanced by a foraminous conveyor toward the surplus removing station of a cigarette rod making machine is measured by one or more detectors each having one or more sources of infrared light and one or more photoelectric transducers. In order to avoid the generation of distorted signals in response to impingement of high-intensity radiation upon the transducer or transducers, each transducer is out of line with the path of direct propagation of radiation from the respective source or sources toward successive increments of the tobacco stream. The transducer or transducers receive infrared light which is scattered in and/or reflected by tobacco particles in the stream. Signals from the transducer or transducers are used to regulate the quantity of surplus which is removed from the stream.

Abstract: A hair brush and mousse dispensing device comprises a body portion having a top end and a bottom end. The body portion includes a mechanism for connecting the device to a pressurized mousse dispensing cylinder, the mechanism for connecting being adjacent the bottom end. The top end of the body portion has a styling brush including a plurality of bristles or teeth spaced therearound. The device includes a mechanism for dispensing the mousse from the device which is disposed between a dispensing tip of the pressurized mousse dispensing cylinder and a dispensing aperture in the body portion. The device further includes a mechanism for providing access to the dispensing tip of the pressurized mousse dispensing cylinder.

Abstract: A jaw support bandage includes a jaw support body comprised of a jaw and chin engaging portion and cheek and temporal engaging portions. First and second pairs of mating straps extend from the jaw support body, and each strap is provided with a quick release type fastener on its outer end for attachment to its associated mating strap. When the jaw support bandage is applied to the head of a patient, the mating interconnected straps are spaced from each other a predetermined distance to prevent slippage of the bandage from the patient's head. In one embodiment of the invention, the mating interconnected straps extend over the coronal portion of the patient's head. In another embodiment of the invention, one mating pair of straps extends over the coronal portion of the patient's head and the other mating pair of straps extends around the forehead and rear portion of the patient's head.

Abstract: A tray assembly is provided which allows an information-carrying substrate to be seen through a cover portion thereof. The assembly includes a transparent cover mounted to an opaque base. The substrate is inserted between the cover and base which are then secured to each other. Openings are provided within the base to allow the cover to be detached therefrom. The cover and base include corresponding peripheral channel and ridge portions, respectively, which facilitate the mounting of the cover to the base. The ridge portions of the base also center the substrate. Projections extending from the longitudinal edges of the cover extend through corresponding slots in the base to provide locking engagement of the two members.

Abstract: A substantially doughnut-shaped insert which will fit into any conventional golf cup to display an advertisement which is visible to a golfer when putting or when retrieving the golf ball from the hole.

Abstract: An accessory for attaching characters (letters or symbols) to pens, key holders and the like. Each individual character has an aperture and a toothed member. The characters are assembled by inserting an elongated body through the apertures. The toothed member mates with a slot in the elongated body to orient the characters perpendicular to the elongated body. Complementary interlocking teeth in the slot securely fasten the characters to the body and insure proper spacing between the characters.

Abstract: A stream of tobacco fibers is formed in a channel by showering the fibers against the underside of the lower reach of a foraminous belt conveyor which cooperates with a suction chamber to attract the fibers and to advance the stream past a trimming station where the surplus of fibers is removed by an adjustable equalizing device. The density of the stream is monitored upstream of the trimming station, and the thus obtained signals which are indicative of the density of successive increments of the stream are used to adjust the equalizing device so that the density of the trimmed stream is maintained within a desired range. Monitoring of density upstream of the trimming station ensures that the position of the equalizing device is properly adjusted not later than when the monitored increments of the stream reach the trimming station.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for applying a synthetic lenticule to the cornea of a human eye is disclosed, the process also contemplating selective reprofiling of the lenticule while it is in place over the cornea. The process involves ablating a shallow peripheral groove in the cornea to receive the peripheral edge of the lenticule which is then secured therein with an adhesive, thus leaving the visual axis of the eye undisturbed. The lenticule is placed over the cornea with a unique micromanipulation apparatus and normally under vacuum conditions. A laser delivery system is used to reprofile the lenticule if necessary for refining the refractive power of the lenticule.

Abstract: An ink feed for a fountain pen has a main body provided with radial ink holding chambers, the rear end of which can be connected with the ink reservoir of a fountain pen, and which has on the nib support side an axially running groove to receive an inset, between which inset and the base of the groove, an air channel and at least one capillary ink feed channel are formed. The front end of the ink feed channel opens into an ink reserve space constructed between the main body and the inset, which space is connected via a capillary ink exit slit between the front end region of the inset and the main body, with the nib support surface. The ink exit slit extends from the middle of the groove to its two sides and at least with partial sections to the rear.

Abstract: A modular sign system designed for use by real estate agents, remodeling contractors, political candidates and private individuals made up of separate frame modules which are easily transported to the installation site in the trunk or back seat of a normal passenger car. Once on site, the individual modules can be assembled into a completed sign and installed with little effort and no tools. After use, the sign can be broken down into component modules for easy transportation and storage until its next use.