Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine is disclosed. The wind turbine may include a mast, a first arm, a second arm, a blade, a first vertical bracing member, and a second vertical bracing member. The first arm may be attached to the mast at a first mast connection point, and the second arm may be attached to the mast at a second mast connection point via respective arm proximal ends. The blade may be attached to the first arm and the second arm via respective arm distal ends. The first vertical bracing member may connect the mast with the first arm, and the second vertical bracing member may connect the mast with the second arm. The wind turbine may further include one or more horizontal bracing members connecting adjacent wind turbine arms.

Abstract: A connection member to connect a blade with an arm of a vertical axis wind turbine is disclosed. The connection member may include a bracket including a bracket plate. A bracket plate curvature may be equivalent to a blade inside portion skin curvature. The bracket plate may include a first connection insert configured to receive a first fastener. The bracket plate may be attached to the blade via the first fastener. The connection member may further include a yoke including a second connection insert configured to receive a second fastener. The yoke may attach to the arm via the second fastener. The connection member may further include a pivotal pin configured to axially attach the bracket with the yoke and a device to attach a fairing to the blade.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a flavored menthol-containing solid object, which can be used as an input material for hot melt application to a smoking article component. The method generally includes the steps of combining and heating menthol and a flavorant to give a molten mixture; depositing the molten mixture onto a surface; allowing the deposited molten mixture to cool to give a solidified mixture; and removing the solidified mixture from the surface to afford a flavored menthol-containing solid object. The method can further involve melting the solid object and applying the melted material to a smoking article component to modify the flavor/aroma profile of a smoking article into which the coated component is incorporated.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cleaning a port, including a port reservoir and other aspects of the port, whereby a trocar/cannula assembly is introduced to the port reservoir. The trocar is withdrawn from the port reservoir, providing access to the reservoir. A cleaning member is then advanced through the cannula, and can remove an unwanted material therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a flavored menthol-containing solid object, which can be used as an input material for hot melt application to a smoking article component. The method generally includes the steps of combining and heating menthol and a flavorant to give a molten mixture; depositing the molten mixture onto a surface; allowing the deposited molten mixture to cool to give a solidified mixture; and removing the solidified mixture from the surface to afford a flavored menthol-containing solid object. The method can further involve melting the solid object and applying the melted material to a smoking article component to modify the flavor/aroma profile of a smoking article into which the coated component is incorporated.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cleaning a port reservoir are disclosed. The system includes a trocar, cannula and cleaning member. In one embodiment, the cleaning member has scraping members disposed at its distal end for mechanical breakup of thrombus formation. The cleaning member can also have a lumen for infusing anti-coagulant fluid and aspirating loose pieces of thrombus formation.

Abstract: An energy delivery probe for use in tissue ablation and method of use is presented. The energy delivery device has at least a first energy delivery member and a second energy delivery member that have handle members positioned along a longitudinal axis, each handle member having a proximal and distal end. The distal end of the first handle member is releasably coupled to the proximal end of the second handle member and a portion of each member is defined in a coaxially surrounding relationship to each other along the longitudinal axis. The method of using the probe involves identifying a tissue to be ablated, providing the energy delivery probe, inserting at least a portion of the energy delivery probe into the identified tissue, delivering electrical energy through the energy delivery probe to the identified tissue, and ablating the identified tissue such that at least a first ablation zone is formed.

Abstract: A modular tower structure is described herein. The modular tower uses a cost-effective, efficient design that reduces the amount of steel necessary for tower structures for wind turbines. The modular tower is constructed from sections. The sections are constructed from panels. The panels comprise a curved or arcuate shape. The panels include vertical edges and horizontal edges. A vertical connection connects or secures the panels at the vertical edges of the panels and forms the sections. The sections have a generally circular shape. A horizontal connection connects or secures the sections at the horizontal edges of the panels.

Abstract: A smoking article, such as a cigarette, includes a lighting end and a mouth end. The lighting end is a longitudinally extending segment comprising smokable material that is intended to be lit and burned, and the resulting smoke generated by the burning of that smokable material is intended to be drawn into the mouth of the smoker through the mouth end of smoking article. A mouth end piece is located at the mouth end of the smoking article, and the mouth end piece allows the smoking article to be placed in the mouth of the smoker to be drawn upon. The smoking article further incorporates an aerosol-generation system that is located between the lighting end segment and the mouth end piece. The aerosol-generation system includes (i) a heat generation segment located adjacent to the lighting end segment, and (ii) an aerosol-generation region located between the heat generation segment and the mouth end piece. The aerosol-generation region incorporates an aerosol-forming material (e.g., glycerin and flavors).

Abstract: A modular tower structure is described herein. The modular tower uses a cost-effective, efficient design that reduces the amount of steel necessary for tower structures for wind turbines. The modular tower is constructed from sections. The sections are constructed from panels. The panels comprise a curved or arcuate shape. The panels include vertical edges and horizontal edges. A vertical connection connects or secures the panels at the vertical edges of the panels and forms the sections. The sections have a generally circular shape. The vertical connection includes an interior vertical friction plate positioned over a seam or gap between adjacent panels and an exterior vertical friction plate positioned over the seam or gap between adjacent panels. A horizontal connection connects or secures the sections at the horizontal edges of the panels.

Abstract: A smoking article, such as a cigarette, includes a lighting end and a mouth end. The lighting end is a longitudinally extending segment comprising smokable material that is intended to be lit and burned, and the resulting smoke generated by the burning of that smokable material is intended to be drawn into the mouth of the smoker through the mouth end of smoking article. A mouth end piece is located at the mouth end of the smoking article, and the mouth end piece allows the smoking article to be placed in the mouth of the smoker to be drawn upon. The smoking article further incorporates an aerosol-generation system that is located between the lighting end segment and the mouth end piece. The aerosol-generation system includes (i) a heat generation segment located adjacent to the lighting end segment, and (ii) an aerosol-generation region located between the heat generation segment and the mouth end piece. The aerosol-generation region incorporates an aerosol-forming material (e.g., glycerin and flavors).

Abstract: A smokable rod for a smoking article, such as a cigarette, possesses a co-axial or concentric construction. A longitudinally extending inner core of tobacco cut filler is positioned within a smokable rod. The outer material that circumscribes the inner core in an annular fashion is composed of a tobacco material treated with an optional burn suppressing agent, and the outer material acts as a substrate for an aerosol forming material. A preferred aerosol forming material is glycerin. An outer paper wrapper circumscribes the length of the smokable rod, and another paper wrapping material also can circumscribe the inner core material. In use, one end of the smokable rod is lit. When the opposite end of the smokable rod is drawn upon, an aerosol composed of tobacco smoke, thermal decomposition products of tobacco, and volatilized aerosol forming material, is provided.

Abstract: A method of producing a plurality of face masks is provided. The method includes the step of providing a continuous web that is of the same material throughout. A plurality of body portions are stamped from the continuous web so that each of the plurality of face masks has one body portion. A plurality of left extension portions are stamped from the continuous web so that each of the body portions has one left extension portion integrally attached thereto. A plurality of right extension portions are stamped from the continuous web so that each of the body portions has one right extension portion integrally attached thereto. A dispenser assembly for dispensing face masks is also provided. The assembly includes a core and a roll of face masks that are rotatably disposed on the core. As least one of the face masks includes a body portion and left extension portion that is integrally attached to the body portion. A right extension portion is integrally attached to the body portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image-based measurement system or method wherein there is provided (101) an active image of a subject of measurement, showing the subject when active or in use, and there is provided (104, 105) a reference image of the subject of measurement, the reference image being of an image type different from the active image, and wherein the reference image and the active image are combined (106), matched in scale and keyed together, and measurement (107) of the active image relative to the reference image is effected to provide measurements of dimensions of components and/or spacings between components of the subject of measurement, when active or in use. The invention further provides an image-based measurement system or method in which active images of a subject of measurement can be used to derive a reference image, for example a CAD design image.

Abstract: A turret assembly for mounting a plurality of spray nozzles on a pressure washer wand to facilitate changing the spray pattern. A female quick connect connector is mounted on the fluid discharge end of the wand to extend on an axis. Each nozzle is provided with a male connector adapted to be releasably locked in the female connector. The turret is mounted both for rotation on the wand about an axis and axial for movement. A spring urges the turret and nozzles away from the female connector. As the turret is rotated, the different nozzles can be moved into alignment with the female connector on the wand end. Once a selected nozzle is aligned with the female connector and the turret is moved against the spring force and the selected nozzle is releasably locked to the female connector. The nozzles can be quickly changed without risk of loss of the nozzles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stabilized substrate composition for smoking articles, particularly cigarettes. In general, the stabilized substrate composition comprises an admixture of a binder and an aerosol forming material which plasticizes the binder, together with optional fillers and/or base materials. In the stabilized substrate compositions of the present invention the relative amounts of binder and aerosol former depend particularly on the situation in which the substrate composition is used. In general, the ratio of aerosol former to binder is between about 3:1 and about 40:1. When the stabilized composition is used on a base material such as tobacco cut filler, the ratio of aerosol former to binder should be at least about 15:1, and preferably is from about 25-35:1, with a maximum ratio of about 40:1. If the composition is formed into a cast sheet, the minimum ratio is about 3:1, the preferred ratio is about 8:1, and the maximum ratio is about 10:1.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stabilized substrate composition for smoking articles, particularly cigarettes. In general, the stabilized substrate composition comprises an admixture of a binder and an aerosol forming material which plasticizes the binder, together with optional fillers and/or base materials. In the stabilized substrate compositions of the present invention the relative amounts of binder and aerosol former depend particularly on the situation in which the substrate composition is used. In general, the ratio of aerosol former to binder is between about 3:1 and about 40:1. When the stabilized composition is used on a base material such as tobacco cut filler, the ratio of aerosol former to binder should be at least about 15:1, and preferably is from about 25-35:1, with a maximum ratio of about 40:1. If the composition is formed into a cast sheet, the minimum ratio is about 3:1, the preferred ratio is about 8:1, and the maximum ratio is about 10:1.