Abstract: A method for producing a high purity synthetic quartz powder, characterized by using a tetramethoxysilane having a trimethoxymethylsilane content of at most 0.3 wt %, and converting it to a synthetic quartz by a sol-gel method.

Abstract: This invention is related to glasses for use as substrates in flat panel display devices, more specifically to a family of aluminosilicate glasses in which less than 0.2 mole percent and preferably no As.sub.2 O.sub.3 is used as a fining agent and the .beta.-OH of the glass is maintained below about 0.5.

Abstract: Improved single-mode optical waveguide fibers having a central core region, surrounded by an inner cladding region through which light at a chosen signal wavelength will propagate to an appreciable degree along with propagation of same in the central core region, the inner core region further surrounded by an outer cladding region, the improvement comprising germanium dioxide in the inner cladding region at a concentration within the range of about 0.005 percent by weight to about 1 percent by weight of said inner cladding region, effective to significantly reduce the concentration of oxygen atoms in the inner cladding region which are available to form defects that cause hydrogen-induced attenuation. Also provided are core preforms, overclad preforms, and processes for making the fibers, core preforms and overclad preforms.

Abstract: A smoking article includes at least one strip of heat conducting material extending from one end of the tobacco rod of a smoking article to the opposite end of the tobacco rod. Preferably, the strip of material is at the interface between the tobacco rod and the cigarette paper and extends substantially from the lighting end of the tobacco column to at or near the attachment of a filter to the tobacco column.

Abstract: A method for packing unfilled cigarette tubes into a receptacle consists of the steps of feeding tubes to a conveyor, moving the tubes along the conveyor to a holding position, and laterally moving a predetermined number of tubes to a container. The container may then be pivoted vertically to deposit the tubes into the receptacle.

Abstract: A press-molding die comprises a base material, an intermediate layer formed on a surface of the base material and a protective layer formed on the intermediate layer. The base material comprises an inorganic oxide. The intermediate layer comprises a material that adheres to both the base material and the protective layer and is heat resistant at high temperatures wherein the die is used. The protective layer comprises at least one metal film selected from the group consisting of tungsten (W), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), iridium (Ir), osmium (Os), rhenium (Re), tantalum (Ta) and alloys thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides methods, devices and agents for the removal of nucleophilic toxins present in tobacco and tobacco smoke, without the removal of nicotine. The filter element of a tobacco smoking device or an air filtration device used in conjunction with a tobacco smoking device may comprise chemical moieties reactive with nucleophilic compounds, or agents that trap nucleophilic compounds may be incorporated into the filter element of tobacco smoking device such as a cigarette, cigar, pipe, or in a separate filter through which tobacco smoke passes before entering the mouth. The agents may also be incorporated into air filters for removing tobacco combustion product toxins from room air. The agents may also be incorporated into smoking or smokeless tobacco to remove toxins.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the packaging of unfilled cigarette tubes into boxes, a counter counts a predetermined number of tubes and these are subsequently advanced to a holding position and then pushed laterally into a containment member having substantially the same dimensions as a box into which the tubes are to be placed. The containment member is pivotable and rotatable and adapted to have a box positioned thereon. The box is filled with cigarette tubes from the containment member on pivoting and rotation of the containment member without any handling of tubes by the operator, thus avoiding damage to the tubes.

Abstract: A device for the formation, by pyrolysis, of a coating composed of metal or a metal compound on a face of a hot glass substrate which is in motion by bringing the face into contact with a gaseous reagent, includes a vault; support device for conveying the hot glass substrate along a path through a coating chamber defined between the vault and the face; device for supplying and distributing gaseous reagent to the coating chamber as a flow; and device for discharging exhaust gas from the coating chamber. The device for supplying and distributing gaseous reagent includes an ejection nozzle having defined therein a slot which opens directly into the coating chamber and has longitudinal internal walls which are substantially parallel to each other. The ejection nozzle has longitudinal internal walls which define a continuous convergent path which terminates at and communicates with the slot and which has an angle of convergence (.alpha.), thereby causing the flow of gaseous reagent to conform to the slot.

Abstract: The present invention provides lead and cadmium free glass enamel compositions. In one embodiment of the invention, glass frits include from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 15 percent by weight Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5, less than about 3 percent by weight alkali metal oxides, less than about 3 percent by weight ZnO, less than about 1 percent by weight B.sub.2 O.sub.3, and precursors from which Bi.sub.2 SiO.sub.5 can be crystallized upon firing, said precursors including Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 and SiO.sub.2. Glass frits according to the present invention preferably further include up to about 25 percent by weight of coloring oxides, such as CeO.sub.2, Co.sub.3 O.sub.4, In.sub.2 O.sub.3, SnO, Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3, CuO, Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, MnO.sub.2, MoO.sub.3, NiO, and V.sub.2 O.sub.5. By incorporating various amounts of coloring oxides into the compositions, the degree of crystallization and the rate at which crystallization occurs upon firing of the compositions can be controlled.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reducing tin defects in flat glass made by the float process. In the float process, molten glass is delivered onto a pool of molten tin within an enclosed chamber and formed into a glass ribbon. Oxygen gas dissolved in the molten tin combines with the tin to form tin oxide which vaporizes and collects within the chamber, resulting in defects in the glass. In the present invention, hydrogen gas is introduced directly into the molten tin to react with the oxygen gas and tin oxide within the molten tin to form water and elemental tin, resulting in a reduction in the amount of tin oxide within the molten tin. In one particular embodiment of the invention, the hydrogen gas is introduced into the molten tin through an elongated, porous graphite member submerged in the molten tin within the forming chamber such that it extends along and is located outboard of selected portions of the edge of the glass ribbon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a smoking article (1) having a high proportion of non-combustible, inorganic material and a relatively low level of visible sidestream. The smoking article includes a substantially non-combustible, wrapper (5) which extends along the full length of the smoking material rod and enwraps a combustible fuel source (6) and aerosol generator (7), both of which extend substantially along the length of the smoking material rod. Various suitable fuel source systems and aerosol generating systems are described. The article has a visible burn line which advances along the article and produces an ash which can be removed by the smoker in the normal way.

Abstract: An excellent quartz glass optical member having stable laser beam resistance, can be obtained by preparing quartz glass in a process having:a first step of subjecting a starting material obtained from silicon halide, alkoxysilane, alkylalkoxysilane, etc. to an oxidizing heat treatment in a temperature range between 600 and 1,500.degree. C., to decrease the hydrogen concentration to 5.times.10.sup.16 molecules/cm.sup.3 or less and at the same time eliminate reducing defects;a second step of subsequently holding the quartz in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere in a temperature range between 200 and 600.degree. C., to establish a hydrogen concentration in the glass of 1.times.10.sup.17 molecules/cm.sup.3 ; anda third step of carrying out a treatment of making the hydrogen concentration of the resultant quartz glass uniform in an atmosphere of air, inert gas, hydrogen, a mixture of hydrogen and inert gas, or a mixture of air and inert gas in a temperature range between 300 and 800.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous process for producing a web of thin, chemically hardened glass that can be wound on a roll. The process comprises the steps of (i) drawing glass, containing original alkali ions, to form a web of glass having a thickness equal to or lower than 1.2 mm and having a first and second major surface; (ii) directly after or during said drawing, treating both said surfaces of said web with chemical hardening means during less than two hours, replacing said original alkali ions by alkali ions having a larger radius; and (iii) after treating both said surfaces, winding said web on a core.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of glass sheets, according to which molten glass is poured into a liquid support which is denser than the glass to form a glass strip. The glass strip is drawn and is accompanied in its movement using a continuous and flexible guiding element made of a solid material capable of adhering to the molten glass, the elements being brought into contact with the side edges of the strip. The product (P) of the value (s) of the speed of the strip and of the value (t) of its final thickness is less than 2.5.times.10.sup.-4 m.sup.2 s.sup.-1. The process makes it possible to obtain thin glass sheets exhibiting a constant thickness and a satisfactory optical quality.

Abstract: Method of making polarizing glass having integral polarizing and non-polarizing regions disclosed. The method involves applying a protective glass/frit material capable of blocking reducing gas to the surface of the glass to form a desired pattern, exposing the glass to a reducing gas atmosphere to render unprotected glass polarizing, and removing the protective glass/frit material to reveal underlying non-polarizing regions.

Abstract: In the manufacturing of high melting point glasses with volatile components, in particular of glasses from the group of boron glasses and borosilicate glasses, a furnace is provided that has a superstructure, fossil fuel burners, and a melting tank. In front of a conditioning zone and a throat leading to an extraction zone, a step-shaped raised area in the bottom is provided which is formed continuously over the complete width of the melting tank. In order to suppress segregation or, respectively, phase separation, to protect the furnace construction materials and to enable problem-free operation, a temperature of at least 1600.degree. C.

Abstract: This apparatus uses a programmable controller to control laser beam and standard fiber chopper units. The units usually are affixed to resin mix heads. The conventional choppers use steel blades that are randomly spaced, angled and sized. The PC also varies the speed of the standard chopper. The laser device operates in a manner that allows one to set the pulse rate for the specific purpose of varying the fiber length. During operation, the intensity of the laser may be adjusted to accommodate cutting or different sizes and kinds of fibers. The apparatus preferably produces fiber reinforced urethane substrates such as interior door panels for automobile doors.

Abstract: Tobacco is treated using the following series of steps:(1) subjecting in a chamber the tobacco to a reduced pressure of not greater than 70 mbar (7 kPa);(2) impregnating the cell structure of the tobacco with isopentane vapor at a temperature in the range of from 70.degree. C. to 90.degree. C. and maintaining the tobacco in contact with isopentane vapor at a pressure of at least 4 bar (400 kPa) for up to 30 minutes to cause impregnation of the tobacco;(3) removing excess isopentane vapor from the impregnated tobacco by evacuating the chamber, the pressure change being effected adiabatically;(4) contacting the impregnated tobacco with steam to expand the tobacco; and(5) subjecting the expanded tobacco to a reordering process.

Abstract: A substantially pure Vitamin E type compound is added to cigarettes to achieve a less irritating smoke and antioxidant benefits. In a preferred embodiment, a substantially pure "dry" powdered ester analog of Vitamin E, such as Vitamin E acid succinate or Vitamin E acetate, is mixed directly with the tobacco used in cigarettes during the manufacturing process. These Vitamin E analogs can also be inserted into the cigarette filter, holder and/or paper, either in powdered form or in microencapsulated form. Although not preferred, a common oily form of Vitamin E can be used in the present invention so long as it does not ruin the appearance and function of the cigarette.