Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming perforations in articles in the form of bars, in which, during their movement through a piercing station, the articles are pierced by means of beams of laser rays emitted in a predetermined sequence by laser emitters, which can be laser generators or simple reflectors so positioned with respect to each said article to be pierced as to maintain the path length followed by the laser rays to form each perforation, once focused, constantly equal to the focal length thereof.

Abstract: A surface for sports areas, particularly tennis courts, is prepared by applying an intimate mixture of brick dust, other mineral material, non-hydrated tile cement, and water to a substantially level foundation and allowing said mixture to set up by hydration of the tile cement.

Abstract: An osmotic dispenser is disclosed for releasing drug formulation in the gastrointestinal tract. The dispenser comprises a semipermeable-enteric wall surrounding a compartment housing drug formulation. A passageway in the wall communicates with the compartment for dispensing drug formulation.

Abstract: An osmotic delivery system is disclosed for dispensing a useful agent. The system comprises a semipermeable wall surrounding a compartment housing the agent. The wall comprises a cellulose ether, an organic solvent soluble polymer, and optionally an aqueous soluble polymer. A passageway in the wall connects the interior of the system with the exterior for dispensing an agent from the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating tobacco leaves by impregnating them with liquid carbon dioxide under high pressure. Tobacco leaf containers, in the form of open buckets, are mounted on a turntable which rotates intermittently step by step. In the preferred apparatus, the buckets are mounted in pairs, and when one pair of buckets is at a filling station, the buckets are filled with tobacco. The turntable then rotates to bring this filled pair of buckets to an impregnating station, while another pair of buckets is brought around to the filling station. At the impregnating station, lids are tightly applied and sealed to the buckets, and the impregnating liquid carbon dioxide is introduced, held for a predetermined time, and then released, after which the lids are removed.

Abstract: A filter device for a cigarette includes a porous filter rod and a smoke impermeable mouthpiece located at the smoke outlet end of the filter rod. The mouthpiece is formed with a converging nozzle open to the smoke outlet end of the filter rod, and a diverging nozzle, in flow communication with the converging nozzle, open to the outlet or mouth end of the mouthpiece. In addition, a number of smoke flow capillaries are formed generally longitudinally through the mouthpiece. Each smoke flow capillary has an open inlet end open to the smoke outlet end of the filter rod and an open outlet end open to the mouth end of the mouthpiece. A tipping material circumscribes the filter rod and mouthpiece for holding them together and for attaching the filter device to the tobacco column of the cigarette. The tipping material is air permeable over at least a portion of the filter rod.

Abstract: A device and method for reversibly occluding a body duct, such as the vas deferens, to prevent fluid flow therethrough. The device comprises two spaced flexible plugs connected to each other by a flexible connecting member, such as a suture or other filament. The plugs are of size so as to be snugly received by the lumen of the body duct at implantation without exerting excessive pressure therein. The device is preferably implanted in the duct by insertion of each plug through a respective puncture hole in the wall of the duct, with a portion of the connecting member being retained externally of the duct to prevent migration of the plugs.

Abstract: A car cleaning kit comprising a dispenser, a bristled fibrous applicator, and a substantially nonabrasive liquid cleaner composition. The kit is used to clean car surfaces without an external source of water to wash or rinse. The liquid cleaner is a composition of up to 30% polymeric solids, up to 95% liquid carrier and an effective amount of a suspension aid. It is used to clean painted, metal and vinyl surfaces. It does not leave unsightly residue embedded in the texture of vinyl surfaces.

Abstract: This invention provides smoking compositions which contain a monocarbonate ester compound as a flavorant additive.In one of its embodiments, this invention provides tobacco compositions which contain a monocarbonate ester flavorant additive such as 1-phenoxycarbonyloxy-3-propanol. ##STR1## Under cigarette smoking conditions the above illustrated monocarbonate ester pyrolyzes into phenol and other products which flavor the mainstream and sidestream smoke.

Abstract: A body fluid absorbent board and a method for making the same is provided with the board comprising peat moss having a particle size remaining on a 100 mesh screen and mechanical wood pulp fines having a Canadian Standard Freeness of from 60 to 500. The board has a dry density of from 0.03 to about 0.09 gm/cc and has surprising absorbent and structural integrity.

Abstract: A male sanitary device which accommodates the anal orifice and lies in the fold between the nates. It is held in the front by an annular member which encircles the external genitalia and it is supported in the back by an appendange or rear member which may be secured to an article of clothing or belt.

Abstract: A method of storing blood components uses a blood component storage container which is made of a plasticized polyvinyl chloride formulation which includes a heat stabilizer system selected from the group consisting of salts of C.sub.10 to C.sub.26 saturated fatty acids present in an amount of less than about one percent by weight of the composition. Surprisingly, use of only minimal amounts of these higher molecular weight fatty acids results in an effectively heat stabilized product suited for mass production techniques. As a result, the total amount of the heat stabilizer which can possibly leach into blood plasma is significantly reduced. The material from which the container is made preferably includes an effective amount of a plasticizer which is also essentially nonextractable in blood plasma.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for steam injection of tobacco bales for use in the opening process. In the apparatus, at least one orificed steam injection plate is brought in flush contact with a tobacco bale that is stationary or in motion and steam is caused to emit from the orifice and is thereby injected into the bale moistening, conditioning and loosening the bonds between the tobacco leaves. In the method, as the tobacco bale is conveyed past the steam injection orifice plate, the plate is moved in flush contact therewith, steam is supplied to the plate and emits therefrom through the orifices to penetrate the tobacco bale. The bale so conditioned is subsequently broken up by a rotating cylinder.

Abstract: A cigarette packing machine with a plurality of passageways leading from a hopper, includes an ends testing device (16, 16a) for individual cigarettes, so that faulty cigarettes can be rejected from the hopper before the cigarettes are ejected in groups at the bottom of the passageways (2).Leading from the hopper are two channels (6, 8) feeding each of the passageways. In one embodiment of the invention cigarettes are held up for ends testing in alternate channels by suction ports (14) formed in inclined surfaces leading to each passageway. In a second embodiment a set of horizontal reciprocating wires (30, 32) acts as an escapement mechanism.

Abstract: This invention concerns the use of specific coatings that are applied to the paper wrapper that encloses the cigarette's smoking medium for limiting in a predictable manner the free burning time of the treated cigarette, or controlling the lapsed time prior to self-extinguishment after being lit and left unattended. The coating materials are generally identified as hydrophylic colloids or aqueous-soluble polymers, that are deposited singly or as mixtures from aqueous media, and are represented by locust bean gum, pectin, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and guar gum, forming adherent, non-tacky, flexible coatings on the paper housing substrates, and significantly altering the burning characteristic of the resultant cigarettes. Comparable behaviors are obtained, for equivalent weight percentages of the deposited solids, by either precoating the portion of paper wrapper that subsequently encloses the charge of tobacco or by post-treatment of the external surface of the assembled cigarette.

Abstract: This invention provides heterocyclic-hydroxy-substituted carboxylate esters which are useful as flavorant additives for smoking compositions.

Abstract: This invention provides foodstuffs which contain a substituted-heterocyclic compound as a flavorant additive.In one of its embodiments this invention provides food compositions which contain a substituted-pyrazine flavorant additive such as 2,3-dihydroxy-2,3-dimethyl-1,4-bis(3,5,6-trimethyl-2-pyrazinyl)butane: ##STR1## .

Abstract: A process for augmenting or enhancing the aroma or taste of a smoking tobacco or smoking tobacco article comprising the step of adding to a smoking tobacco or smoking tobacco article component, an aroma or taste augmenting or enhancing quantity of a mixture of cis and trans isomers of a compound having the structure: ##STR1## wherein the wavy lines represent cis or trans juxtaposition of the hydrogen and 2-methyl-1-propenyl moieties around the carbon-carbon double bond.