Abstract: A flavor source to be used as a thermally releasable flavorant for smoking articles that do not combust tobacco. The flavor source includes tobacco particles, an aerosol precursor that forms an aerosol upon exposure to heat, and a gelling agent that imparts sufficient structural framework for rigidity to the flavor source. The material is mixed, extruded through a die, and cut into the shape of a one-piece flavor source. The flavor source is loaded into a chamber for inclusion in a smoking article as a flavor generator.

Abstract: Apparatus for slicing tobacco bales comprising a plurality of parallel sharp prongs or lances (1) which can be moved to penetrate the bale (7) in a horizontal plane while the bale is supported on a lift device (14). A retractable pusher (9) is arranged to be movable parallel to the prongs so as to separate the slice from them after cutting and has downwardly dependent sharpened teeth (10) attached to its lower edge so as to extend between the prongs.

Abstract: A variable speed transferring device for a cigarette parallel-arranging device used in a cigarette wrapping apparatus comprises variable speed transferring drums disposed between a plurality of cigarette parallel-arranging drums for holding groups of parallel-arranged cigarettes and a cigarette piling drum. Each variable speed transferring drum is provided on its peripheral surface with holding grooves for holding at least one group of parallel-arranged cigarettes and is rotated by a variable speed driving mechanism at a lower speed when the holding grooves face the variable speed transferring drums and at a higher speed when the holding grooves face the piling drum. Since the peripheral speed of the receiving drums disposed upstream of the variable speed transferring drums is lowered, the shock applied to cigarettes when they are received by the receiving drums from cigarette supplying passageways is reduced and the speed-up of the operation of the variable speed transferring device is achieved.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for reclaiming tobacco from cigarettes is disclosed. The apparatus and method include a cigarette pack opener and a method of opening cigarette packs wherein the packs are conveyed by an endless conveyor along a path of travel having an arcuate portion and a linear portion. The packs are inputted to the conveyor at the arcuate portion where a pair of circular cutting knives are arranged to cut off the end panels of the pack. The packs are then conveyed to the linear portion of the path where pusher/squeeze bars are urged against the side panels of the pack to deform the pack and cause the cigarettes to fall from the pack by gravity into a collector. The empty pack is conveyed to another arcuate portion of the path where it is discarded.

Abstract: Burley tobacco stems are extracted with tap water to provide a water soluble extract and a water insoluble pulp. The extract and water are separated from the pulp. The extract is provided within the water at a concentration at least about 30 percent, based on the weight of the extract and water. Then, the extract and water are heated to about 200.degree. F. The extract and water then is cooled to ambient temperature. Potassium nitrate crystals form as a precipitate and are separated from the extract and water.

Abstract: A heating element to provide heat to a tobacco flavor medium, for use in an electrical smoking article, by converting electrical energy to heat through the use of a material with electrically resistive properties is provided. The material is arranged in a radial array of blades with a current density profile such that a maximum area of each blade provides heat to the tobacco flavor medium dispersed thereon. The blade is generally U-shaped to assure dispersion of heat evenly to avoid hot spots along the blade and is tapered to reduce mass toward the mouth end of the heating element so as to maximize the heated area.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of co-crystalline magnesite/magnesium hydroxide compositions as fillers for smoking article wrappers. Smoking articles made with wrappers containing these compositions exhibit significantly reduced sidestream smoke and does not compromise subjective attributes.

Abstract: A wrapper for a smoking article which, when wrapped about a tobacco column, provides improved mainstream smoke taste and sidestream smoke odor subjectives. These objectives are attained by forming a cellulosic sheet containing a small amount, but less than about 2%, of activated carbon having absorbed onto the carbon a volatile flavorant.

Abstract: A plurality of arms are successively connected to a fixed arm so that the free end of the connected arms is movable three-dimensionally, a direct-access endoscope is attached to the three-dimensionally movable free end of the arms, and angle sensors are provided in the individual arm joints. Changes in angles between the individual arms due to the movement of the front end of the direct-access endoscope are sensed by the angle sensors, and the size and position of the object are numerically determined according to the changes.

Abstract: A continuous rod-like filler of tobacco or filter material for tobacco smoke and a continuous web of cigarette paper or other wrapping material are advanced at a plurality of different speeds toward and into a wrapping mechanism wherein the web is draped around the filler to form therewith a continuous tobacco rod or filter rod wherein the marginal portions of the draped web overlie each other to form an elongated seam. One marginal portion of the advancing web is coated by an adjustable paster with a variable quantity of adhesive which bonds the overlying marginal portions of the draped web to each other. The quantity of applied adhesive is varied in dependency upon the speed of advancement of the web in such a way that the quantity of applied adhesive is increased when the speed of the web is reduced and that the quantity of applied adhesive is decreased in response to increasing speed of the web. Such quantity can remain constant when the speed of the web reaches a nominal value.

Abstract: A portable or pocket ashtray made of a flexible, heat resistant material, which may be die-cut, forming a dihedral receptacle with an aperture for receiving refuse and a cover both to securely cover the receptacle when not in use and to act as a supporting leg for table top use when the cover is backfolded.

Abstract: A heating element for use within a smoking device which is intended to be held in the lips of a consumer, and which, without burning, heats a flavor-generating medium within the device to produce an aerosol, vapor, or flavor, which the consumer may inhale. More particularly, an electrically-powered heating element having a plurality of discrete resistive heating segments, only one of which is active at any given time. In a preferred embodiment, the heating element is contained within the device so that the individual heating segments of the element are adjacent to a flavor-generating medium. As each segment of the heating element is provided with power, the flavor-generating medium adjacent to that segment is heated, but is not burned. This heating causes the flavor-generating medium to produce a flavor, aerosol, or vapor, which the consumer of the device may inhale.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for stabilizing shredded tobacco leaves at an end of a cigarette will prevent the shredded tobacco leaves from dropping the cigarette. The method comprises the steps of: applying adhesive to a paper wrapper in the crosswise direction with a pitch identical with the length of the cigarette for form strips of an adhering portion; feeding shredded tobacco leaves on to the paper wrapper to stick the shredded tobacco leaves with the adhesive on the strips of adhering portion; forming a cigarette rod by winding the paper wrapper to bond both ends of the paper wrapper after applying adhesive to both ends of the paper wrapper; and cutting the cigarette rod at the strips of adhering portion to form a single cigarette with a given length.

Abstract: An articulated pipe used for an endoscope includes articular chips made of brittle material such as a ceramic, with joint pins for joining the articular chips in series. The joint pins are made of shape-memory material. With these joint pins, the brittle articular chips are easily joined together without being damaged.

Abstract: A device for perforating packaged cigarettes, or the like, including a first housing member provided for defining a receiving area having an opening for receiving a package of cigarettes. A plurality of piercing needles are provided which are moveable relative to the first housing member to pierce the cigarettes. A safety plate member is provided covering the opening of the receiving area. The safety plate member is effective at a first position to block the movement of the piercing needles into the receiving area and at a second position to allow the package of cigarettes into the receiving area. The safety plate member is supported by at least two spring members for biasing the safety plate member towards the first position. The spring members are positioned on a central longitudinal axis of the safety plate member and have spring properties effective to allow steady and smooth movement of the safety plate member.

Abstract: An insert (14) for supporting a double ended needle (94, 98) during a blood collection procedure is translatably mounted with a cylinder (12) for retracting the anterior needle (98) into the cylinder (12) on completion of the procedure to prevent needle stick while the posterior needle (94) remains continually shielded against needle stick by the insert (14). An anterior lock position stabilizes the double ended needle (94, 98) during the blood collection procedure and a posterior lock position retains both ends (94, 98) of the needle shielded. Ramps (130, 132) may be associated with the posterior lock position to prevent further translation of the insert (14) and reuse of the holder (10). For a reusable holder embodiment, the used double ended needle (94, 98) is retracted, safely enclosed and locked inside the cylinder (12).

Abstract: A direct vision/side vision exchangeable endoscope having two stages of small-diameter and large-diameter threads differing in their diameter are formed on the distal end of the examining portion of the endoscope. A threaded portion to be engaged with the small-diameter thread is formed on the inner side of the rear end of an attachment, and flanges are formed in the vicinity of both ends of the attachment, and an anchoring ring having a thread to be engaged with the large-diameter thread, formed on the inner side of the top end thereof, and an anchoring portion for anchoring the flanges, formed on the inner side of the rear end thereof, is freely set between both the flanges of the attachment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to cigarettes and other smoking articles which contain a catalytic composition, preferably as part of the fuel element, that substantially decreases the amount of carbon monoxide contained in the mainstream smoke during smoking. The present invention also relates to the catalyst-containing carbonaceous fuels themselves, as well as to methods of making such carbonaceous fuels. Fuel elements which contain a catalytic composition in accordance with the presentation are especially useful in smoking articles having an aerosol generating means which is physically separate from the fuel element.

Abstract: A mechanism for removal of contaminants from a stream of material having a plurality of rotatable cylindrical doffer elements each having flights supplied with cleaning means thereon mounted substantially parallel to one another within a frame. The mechanism is provided with means for adjusting both the positions along the frame of the doffer elements as well as the vertical elevation of the doffer elements with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A small, portable, battery operated smoking pipe filling and cleaning tool. A series of small stepped plastic tubes are prefilled with tamped tobacco by the user and placed in a row in the case. To load a pipe, a tobacco filled tube is picked up and inserted within a pipe loader having a fixed central tamper surrounded by an annular spring loaded tube holder. The pipe bowl is then inverted over the tube and pressed downward. The tube, driven by the pipe bowl down against the holder, descends. The fixed tamper shoves the tobacco from the tube into the bowl. When the pipe is removed from the device the tube will readily fall free and the pipe is loaded with a charge of tobacco, correctly tamped for the smoker. The entire operation can be done by feel in one single up and down reciprocating motion. A battery operated, motor driven reamer is centrally mounted within an ash receptacle. A switch causes the reamer to rotate and vibrate. The pipe bowl is inverted over the brush and pressed downward.