Abstract: A tobacco metering, conveying and separating system (10) is provided for feeding cut tobacco from a source thereof (12) to a cigarette-making machine at a substantially lower rate, with consequential decrease in tobacco degradation than in conventional systems. A continuous air flow is used in the conveyor pipe (32) and a rotary air lock (50) is used to discharge tobacco from the tobacco-air separator (34).

Abstract: There is disclosed a portable, hand-held massager in combination with a therapeutic spa. The massager has a fluid motor that is mechanically coupled to a reciprocating massage pad. The fluid motor is detachably connected to the pressured fluid system of the therapeutic spa and, for this purpose, has a sleeve adapter to attach to a fluid jet nozzle in the wall of the therapeutic spa with a flexible hose leading to the fluid motor of the massage unit.

Abstract: The coil spring guide (12) is particularly adapted for use in connection with the insertion of a catheter into a vessel of a body. The guide (12) comprises a coil spring (14), a core wire (16) within the coil spring (14) extending the length of the coil spring (14) and a head member (20). A thin core wire extension (18) connects the distal end of the core wire (16) to the head member (20) and the coil spring (14) and head member (20) are covered with a sheath (26). The coils or turns of the coil spring (14) in the distal end portion of the coil spring (14) are spaced from each other. A mechanism (58, 70; 60, 80) is provided at the proximal end (54) of the coil spring guide (12) for causing movement of the core wire (16) relative to the coil spring (14).

Abstract: The disclosed arm and shoulder brace employs a rigid U-shaped element adapted in size and dimension for placement above the shoulder and adjacent to the base of the neck of a patient, the external surface of said U-shaped element provided with pressure responsive attachment means. Associated with the U-shaped element are a variety of straps for attachment about the upper arm and upper torso, as well as a sling, whereby through the use of the various straps and bands the shoulder and upper arm may be supported while permitting desired flexibility thereof.

Abstract: Groups of coaxial filter rod sections and plain cigarettes are delivered onto the peripheral surface of a rotary drum in such orientation that each group extends in parallelism with the axis of the drum and overlies the adhesive coated outer side of a discrete uniting band which adheres to the surface by suction and is formed on the drum in such a way that its leader overlies a groove in the surface. The cigarettes of each group are attracted to the drum by suction, and the sections of the groups are mechanically urged against the leaders of the respective bands by claws which are retractible into and extendable from the drum by one or more stationary cams, followers which track the cams and gears which receive motion from the followers and rotate discs having eccentric pins coupling them to the respective claws.

Abstract: A surgical device is provided for marking bones or other body tissue typically in preparation for a further surgical procedure. The device comprises a body and an elongated handle extending outwardly from one side of the body. A member is rotatably mounted within the body about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle while a marking device, such as a blade, is mounted in a slot in the rotatable member. In a preferred form of the invention, a locking assembly releasably locks the rotatable member to the body at any desired rotational position.

Abstract: In a method and means (cooling pack) for cooling injured parts or areas of a human or animal body, xylite (C.sub.5 H.sub.12 O.sub.5) is used as the cold means. The xylite is dissolved in crystalline form in an aqueous or non-aqueous fluid and brought into direct or indirect contact with the part or area of the body to be cooled. The xylite may preferably be accommodated in a flexible container to which the solvent fluid can be supplied directly or from a container joined thereto.