Abstract: A zone or plug of porous adsorbent material, primarily activated carbon, is placed in the tobacco rod of a cigarette a short distance from the lighting end thereof. The amount of activated carbon is sufficient for effective removal of volatile smoke constituents while allowing the cigarette to burn continuously. The activated carbon traps volatile smoke constituents in close proximity to the burning coal in the first puffs of the cigarette. As the cigarette continues to burn, the burning coal consumes the activated carbon. The adsorbed smoke constituents are effectively removed without releasing them back into the mainstream smoke. Following the consumption of the activated carbon in the tobacco rod, the cigarette is unchanged from a cigarette of conventional design.

Abstract: A filter includes at least two monolithic sorbent segments and a mixing segment between the two monolithic sorbent segments. The monolithic sorbent segments comprise porous sorbent materials that are capable of selectively removing one or more selected gaseous constituents from a gas flow. The filter can be incorporated in a smoking article, such as a cigarette, to remove one or more selected constituents from mainstream smoke. Methods for making the filter and smoking articles including the filter, as well as methods for smoking a cigarette comprising the filter, are also provided.

Abstract: A zone or plug of porous adsorbent material, primarily activated carbon, is placed in the tobacco rod of a cigarette a short distance from the lighting end thereof. The amount of activated carbon is sufficient for effective removal of volatile smoke constituents while allowing the cigarette to burn continuously. The activated carbon traps volatile smoke constituents in close proximity to the burning coal in the first puffs of the cigarette. As the cigarette continues to burn, the burning coal consumes the activated carbon. The adsorbed smoke constituents are effectively removed without releasing them back into the mainstream smoke. Following the consumption of the activated carbon in the tobacco rod, the cigarette is unchanged from a cigarette of conventional design.

Abstract: A process of impregnating fine adsorbent particles such as carbon dust or APS silica gel powder into the micro-cavities of shaped fibers comprises the steps of continuously conveying shaped fibers with micro-cavities to a reservoir of the fine adsorbent particles. The fibers pass through the reservoir to thereby produce relative motion between the fibers and the particles. Additionally, impact forces are created between the shaped fibers and the fine particles to assist in impregnating the particles into the micro-cavities of the fibers. Any excess particles are removed from the fibers outside the reservoir, and subsequently the shaped fibers impregnated with fine adsorbent particles are collected for later use in filter applications such as cigarette filter and air filter applications, for example.

Abstract: A smoking article such as a cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter component having a cavity filled with spherical beaded carbon. As mainstream tobacco smoke is drawn through the filter component, targeted gas phase smoke constituents are removed as the smoke passes through the carbon. During the filter manufacturing process the spherical beaded carbon flows like a liquid and substantially completely fills the cavity. Point-to-point contact between the spherical beads together with substantially complete filling of the cavity produces minimal channeling of ambulatory gas phase as well as maximum contact between the gas phase and the carbon surface of the spherical beads during smoking.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for forming a single face paperboard web are disclosed. The apparatus of the present invention includes a forming corrugating roll for corrugating flutes on a medium web and a carrier corrugating roll operably connected to the forming corrugating roll for carrying the medium web into contact with a liner web. A bonding nip is defined by the carrier corrugating roll for pressing the liner web into adhering contact with the medium web, thereby forming a single faced web. A steam supplying device, including at least one fluid port in fluid communication with the bonding nip, supplies a low pressure steam against at least one of the liner web and the medium web. The steam supplying device further includes a body having a heated surface facing one of the liner and the medium webs. A primary channel extends within the body and is in thermal communication with the heated surface. A high pressure steam is supplied to the primary channel for heating the heated surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for forming a single face paperboard web are disclosed. The apparatus of the present invention includes a forming corrugating roll for corrugating flutes on a medium web and a carrier corrugating roll operably connected to the forming corrugating roll for carrying the medium web into contact with a liner web. A bonding nip is defined by the carrier corrugating roll for pressing the liner web into adhering contact with the medium web, thereby forming a single faced web. A steam supplying device, including at least one fluid port in fluid communication with the bonding nip, supplies a low pressure steam against at least one of the liner web and the medium web. The steam supplying device further includes a body having a heated surface facing one of the liner and the medium webs. A primary channel extends within the body and is in thermal communication with the heated surface. A high pressure steam is supplied to the primary channel for heating the heated surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for forming a double face paperboard web are disclosed. The apparatus of the present invention includes a heating section upstream from a drawing section. The heating section includes at least one heating plate having an upper surface facing a paperboard web and heated by a plurality of primary channels supplied with steam. A plurality of secondary channels extend through the heating plate intermediate the primary channels and a lower surface of the plate. A plurality of outlet ports communicate with each secondary channel and the upper surface of the heating plate. Steam supplied to the secondary channels exits through the outlet ports thereby producing a steam film between the upper surface of the heating plate and the lower surface of the paperboard web. The steam film substantially reduces frictional forces opposing movement of the web while also dramatically increasing the heat transfer to the paperboard web and accelerating the gelatinization of the glue therein.

Abstract: A single facer including a preheater for conditioning a paperboard web. The preheater is positioned upstream form a corrugating nip and includes an arcuate surface facing the web. A plurality of primary channels are disposed internally within the preheater in thermal communication with the arcuate surface. High pressure steam is supplied to the primary channels for heating the arcuate surface. A plurality of outlet ports extend within the preheater and are in fluid communication with the heated arcuate surface. Low pressure steam is released through the plurality of outlet ports thereby producing a steam film between the heated arcuate surface and the paperboard web. The steam film dramatically increases heat transfer to the paperboard web while also reducing frictional forces opposing movement of the web.

Abstract: A single facer including an auxiliary nip providing an adjustable auxiliary force acting upon a corrugated medium web and a liner web for effective bonding therebetween to form a single faced board is disclosed. An endless belt cooperates with a corrugating roll thereby defining a primary nip. The endless belt is guided over a plurality of belt rolls wherein one of the belt rolls defines an auxiliary nip for providing an auxiliary force pressing the endless belt and the liner web together with the flutes of the medium web. An adjustment means is provided for adjusting the auxiliary force within the auxiliary nip.

Abstract: An improved idler roll is disclosed including a longitudinal cylinder having tubular walls sealed at the ends by flanged stub shafts. The interior of the idler roll is filled with ethylene glycol. The idler roll can be placed into rolling abutment with a heated surface, and when the idler roll is stopped for a period of time, the thermal distortion along the longitudinal length of the idler roll is minimal. When the idler roll is once again started, the fluid in the idler roll causes a forced convection heat transfer, evenly distributing the temperature of the idler roll, and thereby eliminating the thermal distortion.

Abstract: A heater for a double facing apparatus includes a flat metal plate where channels are drilled through end faces of the plate. Slots are provided at the end faces of the plate to interconnect pairs of adjacent channels at alternate ends to form a serpentine steam passage through the plate. The channels are positioned through the plate proximate to the upper surface of the plate, to define a thin web of plate material between the channel and the upper surface and a thick web of material between the channel and the lower surface of the plate. End caps are welded over the slots to seal the communication between the adjacent interconnected pair of channels. Steam supply ports extend into the serpentine path to steam pressurize the serpentine passage. Air vents can be supplied between some adjacent channels of the heater, extending between an upper and a lower surface of the plate.

Abstract: An improved idler roll is disclosed including a longitudinal cylinder having tubular walls sealed at the ends by flanged stub shafts. The interior of the idler roll is filled with ethylene glycol. The idler roll can be placed into rolling abutment with a heated surface, and when the idler roll is stopped for a period of time, the thermal distortion along the longitudinal length of the idler roll is minimal. When the idler roll is once again started, the fluid in the idler roll causes a forced convection heat transfer, evenly distributing the temperature of the idler roll, and thereby eliminating the thermal distortion.

Abstract: A paper corrugating machine is disclosed which includes a heater for preheating the medium prior to the corrugation. The heater includes a curved metal plate where channels are drilled through end faces of the plate. Slots are provided at the end faces of the plate to interconnect pairs of adjacent channels at alternate ends to form a serpentine steam passage through the plate. End caps are welded over the slots to seal the communication between the adjacent interconnected pair of channels. Steam supply ports extend into the serpentine path to steam pressurize the serpentine passage. The heater is placed in a single facer corrugating apparatus above the upper and lower corrugating rolls. A variable wrap mechanism is also disclosed which varies the angle of wrap between the medium paper and the heater.

Abstract: A device for determining cutting tool wear and breakage has an accelerometer for sensing tool vibrations. Functions of the AC and DC power of the vibration signal, such as the powers themselves or the square root of the powers, are computed and compared. If the relationship between the AC and DC power changes beyond selected limits, an alarm is sounded or flashed. A method for determining cutting tool wear and breakage provides a tool vibration signal, computes functions of the AC and DC power of the vibration signal, and compares the AC and DC power signals.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring machine tool operations provides a multi-level tool break alarm and uses information from multiple sensors of different types. Signal processing and pattern recognition logic techniques are applied to a cutting process high frequency vibration signal to detect major tool breaks requiring prompt stoppage of the cut. False alarm resistant detection of minor tool breaks, for which the response may not be an immediate stop of the cutting process, is obtained with information from a low frequency vibration sensor, an axis drive current sensor, or an axis velocity sensor. A minor tool break alarm is generated when signal transients in both a high frequency and low frequency channel signal are in close time coincidence, and a major alarm when the high frequency channel transient is followed by a persisting mean vibration level shift.

Abstract: Gradual wear or breakage of a machine tool which occurs over a period of time is detected by sensing high frequency vibrations produced at the cutting tool/workpiece interface during a machining process. The high frequency vibrations are converted to a unipolar vibration signal which is processed to produce a tracking signal which tracks the minimum value of the vibration signal. The vibration signal is related to the effective cutting energy and it decreases due to gradual tool wear or breakage. The tracking minimum signal is compared to a predetermined threshold level to detect excessive wear or breakage of the tool, and an alarm is provided.

Abstract: Vibrations at the groove cutting tool-workpiece interface are sensed by a vibration sensor such as, for example, an accelerometer, and the vibration sensor output is processed to yield an electrical signal indicative of groove cutting tool cutting noise vibration. Digital analysis of the electrical signal after it is sampled is performed to detect various types of groove cutting tool break event signatures, and especially a type of signature in which a high amplitude positive going spike is followed by a significant shift in the mean amplitude signal level of the background cutting vibration. A machine tool monitor, system and method are disclsoed which detects such changes and interprets them to detect groove tool break events of sufficient magnitude to endanger the machined part.

Abstract: Substantial cutting condition changes which occur in intermittent bursts as rough surfaced workpieces are turned generate specific vibration signal signatures known as the runout condition. Either an upper or a lower threshold is set and all mean signal samples are compared with the threshold value. When the mean cutting noise exceeds the upper threshold or stays below the lower threshold for a preset number of signal samples, a tool break alarm is generated. Techniques are given to reduce false alarms on runout during initial rough surface cuts. The system comprises an accelerometer or other sensor whose signal is processed to attenuate lower frequency machinery noise and to detect the signal energy in a band below 100 kHz, then sampled, and the digitized signal samples analyzed by pattern recognition logic.

Abstract: A three-port multipurpose pilot-operated vapor (air) or liquid (hydraulic) control valve with two semi-independent poppet segments which can be used for most basic control functions, including: two position (on-off), relief, pressure reducing and pressure control. The poppet segments are independent except for a poppet stem fixed to one segment but slidably attached to the second segment. This connection allows both pilot fluid pressure and main port pressure acting on the second poppet segment to partially control the movement of the first segment. A pilot piston may also be included to fully or partially control one or both poppet segments. The semi-independent poppet segments also allow the valve to function as a two-way when one segment is held closed. Combinations can also provide four-way control braking, counterbalance and regenerative functions. Conversion of multipurpose valve from one function to another, normally only requires minor adjustment.