Abstract: An electronic system includes a first data retriever to communicate with a first database associated with an analytic tool, and a second data retriever to communicate with a second database associated with an electronic testing device; wherein the analytic tool is configured to store information regarding actual usage of a product in the first database; wherein the electronic testing device is configured to store product testing data for the product in the second database; wherein the first data retriever comprises a first communication interface to electronically receive the information; wherein the second data retriever comprises a second communication interface to electronically receive the product testing data; and wherein the electronic system further comprises a processing unit configured to compute a score indicating a quality of product testing for the product based on the information regarding the actual usage of the product and/or the product testing data.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a developer composition comprising one or more direct dyes having at least one halogenated aromatic group, one or more oxidizing agents, and water; wherein the pH of the developer composition is from about 1 to about 4. The developer compositions are combined with hair coloring base compositions to form ready-to-use hair coloring compositions. Methods for making ready to use hair coloring compositions and methods for coloring hair are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to thermal control of compositions for altering the color of hair, in particular to hair bleaching compositions comprising thermal control agents, hair color-altering compositions comprising the hair bleaching compositions and/or thermal control agents, methods for preparing and using the hair color-altering compositions, and kits comprising the hair bleaching compositions and/or thermal control agents.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to thermal control of compositions for altering the color of hair, in particular to hair bleaching compositions comprising thermal control agents, hair color-altering compositions comprising the hair bleaching compositions and/or thermal control agents, methods for preparing and using the hair color-altering compositions, and kits comprising the hair bleaching compositions and/or thermal control agents.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to thermal control of compositions for altering the color of hair, in particular to hair bleaching compositions comprising thermal control agents, hair color-altering compositions comprising the hair bleaching compositions and/or thermal control agents, methods for preparing and using the hair color-altering compositions, and kits comprising the hair bleaching compositions and/or thermal control agents.

Abstract: Hair treatment and hair lightening compositions, methods of making and use, and to kits comprising the compositions. The components of the hair treatment compositions may be included in hair lightening compositions and used to lighten and/or color hair. The hair treatment compositions include: (a) one or more polycarboxylic acids, and/or a salt thereof; (b) one or more amino acids, and/or a salt thereof; and (c) one or more antioxidant comprising an aromatic ring having two alcohol functional groups. The hair lightening compositions further include (d) one or more bleaching agents.

Abstract: A machine and method for receiving and launching an oval football. The machine includes a football catch area, a motorized belt to orient the football and motorized wheels to launch the football. The user catching the football throws it back to the machine. The machine automatically orients the football and launches it back to the user catching the football. The machine provides the user a consistent timing pause between receiving the football and launching of the football.

Abstract: A machine and method for receiving and launching an oval football. The machine includes a football catch area, a motorized belt to orient the football and motorized wheels to launch the football. The user catching the football throws it back to the machine. The machine automatically orients the football and launches it back to the user catching the football. The machine provides the user a consistent timing pause between receiving the football and launching of the football.

Abstract: A machine and method for receiving and launching an oval football. The machine includes a football catch area, a motorized belt to orient the football and motorized wheels to launch the football. The user catching the football throws it back to the machine. The machine automatically orients the football and launches it back to the user catching the football. The machine provides the user a consistent timing pause between receiving the football and launching of the football.

Abstract: A telescoping handle includes an outer tubular rod, an inner rod and a lock. The lock is made of a collar; two arc-rings, two retaining covers, and two buttons. The collar slides over the outer tubular rod and the inner rod slides into the other end. A recess in the collar holds two arc-rings that define an inwardly projecting pin sized to pass through the collar and into a hole on the inner rod. Two buttons passing through covers to the recesses enables contact with the two arc-rings causing each projecting pin to withdraw from the inner rod when pushed. When released, each button disengages from the two-arc rings causing the projecting pin to slide into a hole in the inner rod to prevent movement of the inner rod. A spring may be used to bias the two arc-rings into engagement with the inner rod.

Abstract: Independent control of multiple samples which are in close proximity. All the samples in a sample container designed for rapid heat transfer and can be independently regulated to a set point using a temperature feedback control with the temperature monitored by a temperature sensitive element. This is implemented by heating each sample independently and at the same time a cooling device produces a substantial and continuous heat flow from the sample in order to permit an adequate rate of cooling when required. The rate of heat flow through the cooling device is partly determined by a thermal resistance which is included to control the pattern and maximum rate of heat flow to designed levels. By keeping the thermal mass of the temperature controlled components to a minimum it is also possible to change the temperature of the samples very rapidly.

Abstract: A ledger device suitable for use in a cigarette making machine, for supporting one or more cigarette rods while being cut into predetermined lengths, comprises two similar ledger support members (10; 12) mounted respectively on two pairs of cranks (30,32; 42,44) and arranged to orbit two ledger parts (22; 28) in the same plane along the same circular path, 180.degree. out of phase with one another, each ledger part being arranged to support the rod or rods during alternate cuts.

Abstract: A cigarette making machine comprises a channel (104; 106/228; 230/319; 320) through which tobacco is showered onto the inside surface of a suction band (100; 102/232; 234/309; 310) passing around a number of pulleys having approximately vertical axes of rotation, so as to form on the band a cigarette filler stream (114 etc.) which passes around one of the pulleys (100A; 102A/236; 238/314; 318), while lying between the pulley and the band, and is then arranged to transfer to a second band (122; 124/204; 206/321; 322) which transports the filler stream towards a rod-forming device by which the filler stream is enclosed in a wrapper web to form a continuous cigarette rod. A twin-track cigarette making machine may comprise two such arrangements side-by-side and forming mirror-images of one another.

Abstract: A filter attachment machine for use with a twin-track cigarette making machine is arranged to receive, in alternate flutes of a fluted drum (10), the cigarette rods from the respective tracks of the cigarette making machine, and to convey the cigarette rods from alternate flutes to separate filter assembly devices (38;40) by which filters are attached to the cigarette rods. The machine preferably receives the cigarette rods in one row on the fluted drum (10), and includes separation drums (28;36) arranged to feed the cigarette rods from alternate flutes to upper and lower filter attachment devices (38;40) lying in substantially the same vertical plane.