Abstract: The invention described here relates to a smokable article which is intended to enable the smoker to avoid the condensates usually present in the smoke while retaining or even enhancing the taste experience familiar from conventional cigarettes or smokable articles; this is achieved by the advantageous geometrical and thermodynamic configuration of the heat source.

Abstract: An ashtray apparatus mounting a disposable bottle is provided, wherein the organization includes a forward and rear mounting block, with each mounting block including an aligned semi-cylindrical saddle to receive the bottle thereon. The bottle includes a first diameter and a forward end, with an opening of a second reduced diameter to receive a cigarette therewithin, wherein the cigarette is permitted to extinguish within the bottle upon prolonged positioning within the bottle permitting subsequent disposal of the bottle and cigarette debris. A modification of the invention includes a securement strap arranged for securing the bottle fixedly to the mounting blocks, as well as a truncated conical cork receivable within the second diameter opening, with the cork including a coaxially arranged filter portion directed therethrough to effect filtering of smoke contained within the bottle.

Abstract: An improved, lightweight and removable leg walker is provided for stabilizing and rapidly healing lower leg injuries of a patient. The injured limb is disposed in a removable inner ankle bootie whose interior is partially covered with inflatable support bladders. While the foot is secured within the booties, it is then inserted into and additionally supported by a removable soft goods-type support. The soft goods-type support is securely attached to a walker frame by a combination of strap fasteners with Velcro attachments. Inflatable bladders are located along the inner surfaces of two strut bases and raised heel strip. A tongue portion of the soft goods-type support also includes an inflatable bladder which provides additional support to the injured limb. These inflatable bladders encourage proper circulation from the lower leg to the heart. The walker frame comprises a pair of strut bases and struts in order to prevent inversion and eversion of the ankle.

Abstract: A fractal mathematics learning kit includes a plurality of boards each in the shape of an equilateral triangle having defined thereon a pattern of ten smaller equilateral triangles, and a plurality of manipulative elements made of one or more connected equilateral triangles which are attached to the equilateral triangles defined on the boards. A set of tokens thick enough to stand on an edge and comprising combinations of equilateral triangles to represent numbers is also included. Also included in the kit is a mat defining rows and columns of fractal representations of numbers by which various mathematical operations can be understood. A set of nesting pyramids of graduated sizes representing numbers of magnitudes generally corresponding to the sizes is also provided, as are pyramids of different sizes which can be stacked through the use of trays and transparent covers. The kit includes a work book and a user's manual.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing filter-tipped cigarettes, whereby a first and second series of cigarette portions, obtained by transversely cutting two continuous cigarette rods travelling axially at substantially constant speed, are fed by respective transfer members into respective seats on respective first and second receiving rollers arranged side by side and tangent to each other. The portions in the first series are fed on to the first receiving roller in an axially offset position in relation to that in which the portions of the second series are fed on to the second receiving roller, and are fed from the first to the second receiving roller so as to form, inside each seat on the second receiving roller, a pair of coaxial portions the facing ends of which define a gap. A double filter is inserted between the facing ends of the two coaxial portions; is connected to the two coaxial portions to produce a double cigarette; and is subsequently cut to divide the double cigarette into two cigarettes.

Abstract: A soft body brace which may be used for providing support for non-structural deformities caused by muscle imbalance and weakness comprises an outer layer of soft compressible plastic material and an inner layer of soft compressible plastic material, the inner layer being bonded to the outer layer of soft compressible plastic material. The inner and outer layers together define a shell sized and configured to circumscribe the truck of a person and having a top edge and a bottom edge, a posterior portion and a vertically split anterior portion. A plurality of transversely spaced vertically disposed reinforcing stays are fixedly sandwiched between the outer and inner layers for maintaining the shell in the desired shape. Curved pads are also sandwiched between the inner and outer layers for engaging the iliac crests of the wearer. Releasable fasteners are attached to the open anterior ends of the shell to aid in seccuring the shell on the wearer.

Abstract: A method for teaching children to ski uses a wide torso encircling band and two pairs of reins of different length. At an early stage of learning, the instructor straddles the child and uses short reins to directly control the speed and direction of the child and the pair of ski slowly. At a later stage of learning, the instructor backs away from the child and uses the long reins to directly control the child's speed and indirectly control the child's direction.

Abstract: A soft body brace for providing support for certain types of patients includes an inner layer of soft compressible plastic material and an outer layer of soft compressible plastic material, the outer layer of soft compressible plastic material being bonded to the inner layer of soft compressible plastic material and along with the inner layer defining a shell configured to circumscribe the torso of the wearer and having a split portion. A plurality of sleeves of flexible material are sandwiched between the inner and outer layers and a reinforcing stay is fixedly disposed in each sleeve for maintaining the brace in its intended shape. Releasable fasteners are attached to the split portion for maintaining the brace in place on the wearer. In making the soft body brace the shell is first fabricated and then shaped as necessary to conform to the shape of the intended wearer.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed for ablation of organs or parts of organs or for generally cutting and applying surgical clips to the organ or body tissue. The instrument includes an elongated body having a pair of pincer jaws connected to the distal end, one jaw being fixed, and the other jaw being pivotally mounted at its proximal end for movement toward and away from the fixed jaw for gripping body tissue therebetween. A camming tube is provided for retaining the jaws in the closed position to firmly grip tissue. The instrument includes a knife for cutting the organ, and a tool which carries a cam for propelling suture clips into the tissue. The jaws, the knife and the suture clip application tool are all controllable from the proximal end by the surgeon to facilitate remote control when the instrument is inserted into a trocar or other guide tube.

Abstract: An container for containing an additive material for modifying the characteristics of a smoking article. The container contains at least two components that are movable between a first position and a second position with respect to each other. In the first position the additive material is hermetically sealed inside the container during storage of the smoking article prior to use. The container is activated by moving the components of the container to the second position to provide air flow pathways through the container so that the additive material can modify the smoking article accordingly. The components may have perforations that are covered by cooperating overlapping portions of the components of the container in the first position and uncovered in the second position. Alternately, the container may include a sealed capsule containing the additive that is punctured by moving the components during activation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a knee brace which includes an upper and lower cuff which are attached at the medial and lateral sides of the knee joint by freecentric locking hinges. The freecentric hinge includes a free floating center of rotation which allows simultaneous translation and rotation of the upper hinge arm relative to the lower hinge arm. The freecentric hinge may further include a locking mechanism which comprises a pin located on the upper hinge arm and a hook located on the lower hinge arm which may be forced into engagement to prevent further rotation of the hinge when it is desired to prevent hyperextension of the user's knee. A pair of tension straps may be attached across the back of the user's knee from the upper cuff to the lower cuff, and adjusted in its length so that extension of the knee tends to generate tension in the strap which aids in pulling the upper and lower cuff members to be pulled towards each other.

Abstract: A cervical traction orthotic apparatus including a carbon fiber reinforced halo ring with a horizontal shoulder extending inwardly forming a horizontal annular surface with a multiplicity of threaded inserts force-fitted in a multiplicity of horizontal circular holes with an integral stop member with a surface that engages the horizontal annular surface to prevent the insert from twisting. The apparatus also includes a support rod device to hold the halo ring in place, each rod being in two parts with complimentary mating shapes having aligned surfaces that are horizontal and vertical positioned such that the cross-section of the mated area is the same cross-section as the two support rod sections and a locking cylindrical sleeve to closely fit over the mated sections of the rod sections with a locking member interfitted through a hole a rod section to retain the locking sleeve over the mated sections of the rods.

Abstract: The back support is constructed from a back brace of elastic material which carries a gel pad and an air bladder. The brace supports the pad against lower back of the user in firm engagement. The air bladder is juxtaposed and generally co-extensive with the pattern containing the gel-like material. The air bladder has three individually inflatable chambers, including left, right, and overall areas, so that the user may adjust the pressure exerted on the pad and hence the support of the lower back. The gel pad may also contain an adjustable heating element to electrically heat the gel-like material. The main portion of the back brace has two wide belt portions which extend forewardly and upwardly from the main lower back support area, and which are secured together by overlapping Velcro members at the lower stomach area; and the centerlines of these two wide belt portions may make an angle of about 30 degrees to 60 degrees with one-another.

Abstract: A cigarette rod making or filter rod making machine wherein the wrapping mechanism employs an endless garniture belt having an upper reach which advances first along an upwardly sloping and thereupon along a horizontal portion of an endless path. A web of wrapping material is delivered onto the upwardly sloping portion of the upper reach, and such web is thereupon converted into a tube which is draped around a rod-like filler of fibrous material. The filler is delivered by the horizontal and/or upwardly sloping lower reach of a foraminous endless belt conveyor in such a way that is reaches the web substantially at the locus between the upwardly sloping and horizontal portions of the upper reach of the garniture belt.

Abstract: A method and system for enhancing reading skills whereby readers can improve both reading speed and comprehension. This novel teaching method and system associatively combines input to visual, tactile, and auditory senses. The reader is trained to conceptualize the meaning of words directly from symbols rather than from symbols and related sounds by causing the eyes to scan text more rapidly than both symbols and related sounds can be assimilated. The eyes are prompted to follow a rapidly moving finger induced to rhythmically move back-and-forth across the text at rapidly driven rates by an auditory beat. Different auditory inputs are provided to each ear, such that each hemisphere of the brain predominately receives signals which are related to its primary function. Rhythmic beats to induce higher reading rates are addressed to the left hemisphere of the brain which governs spatial relations, time, rhythm, and reading the written word.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for ultrasonically bonding continuously moving webs to one another using a stationary vibrating horn and a relatively slick, non-thermally softenable moving slip layer interposed between the webs to be bonded and the horn to prevent web damage. Interposing the slip layer between the webs to be bonded and the ultrasonic horn improves both the quality and efficiency of web bonding. It reduces friction between the travelling webs and the substantially stationary ultrasonic horn not only due to its relatively slick surface, but also due to the compressive force which the slip layer exerts upon the webs to be bonded. This in turn minimizes jamming and hangups in the very limited clearance existing between the rotating anvil roll and the substantially stationary vibrating ultrasonic horn. In addition, the slip layer maximizes retention of heat either generated in the laminate web by the ultrasonic horn or transferred to the laminate web structure by preheating one or more of the webs.

Abstract: A vascular dilator has a truncated tip adapted to reduce the risk of trauma to a blood vessel into which the dilator is to be inserted. The vascular dilator comprises an elongate tube having a guide member lumen of uniform diameter in which a guide member may pass. The thickness of the walls of the elongate tube decreases at the distal portion to create a tapered configuration. The distal portion terminates in an outlet defined by first and second arcuate segments. The first arcaute segment lies generally in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube, whereas the second segment lies so as to meet the first segment at angle in the range of 30.degree. to 60.degree..

Abstract: A portable appliance (14) is worn by the user in various configurations, including as a splint to hold a body joint immovable, as a brace to permit the body joint to move through a controlled range of motion and as an exercise apparatus to impart resistance to the flexing and/or extension movement of the body joint. The apparatus (14) includes an articulating frame (16) composed of a first frame section (18) connectable to the first limb of a body joint and a second frame section (20) connectable to a second limb of a body joint. The two frame sections are interconnected together by pivot joint assemblies (22a) and (22b) to permit the frame (16) to articulate about a transverse axis (24) corresponding to the anatomical pivot axis of the body joint. A control plate (164) having adjustable stop pins (166) and (168) is mounted on the pivot joint assemblies to control the range of motion of the articulating frame (16).

Abstract: A surgical clip formed from a continuous, resilient member and having a coil spring and two arms supporting clamping jaws. The coil spring forces the clamping jaws together. One arm has a guide section, through which the guided element of the second arm extends, to guide and restrict movement of the second arm, thereby correctly engaging the clamping jaws.

Abstract: A cigarette includes a longitudinally segmented combustible fuel element, and a substrate carrying tobacco extract and glycerin positioned physically separate from the fuel element. The fuel element is composed of a carbonaceous material and is extruded in such a manner that when positioned within the cigarette, its extrusion axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. The fuel element includes a burning segment at one end, a base segment at the opposite end, and an isolation segment between the burning and base segments. A metal cartridge is radially spaced from the longitudinal outer periphery of the burning segment of the fuel element. A retaining member grasps the base segment of the fuel element and holds the fuel element securely in place within the cigarette.