Abstract: A smoking article package inspection system configured to inspect a smoking article package is provided. The system includes imaging devices configured to capture images of the smoking article package and an analysis unit configured to analyze the images captured by the imaging devices and determine whether the smoking article package is defective. The imaging devices may be positioned and configured to capture images of the smoking article package at least one of: before and after enclosing a plurality of smoking articles in the smoking article package, before and after printing an identifier on the smoking article package, and before and after wrapping the smoking article package with an outer wrapper. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A system including a processor may filter a population to identify a group having members, and deliver, over an electronic network, a survey to members of the group to determine value preferences and value gaps. The survey may be made according to a set of paired comparisons or other related techniques. The system may generate vectors according to the determined value preferences and value gaps for members of the group, which may have lengths equal to numbers of determined values for the members. The system may cluster members of the group into segments by calculating patterns of differences between generated vectors. Results of this process enable the creation of a predictive model to estimate segment membership, which can be used in the generation of a promotion for display corresponding to a clustered segment, and deliver the promotion to a client device associated for display.

Abstract: Smoking article inspection systems configured to inspect smoking articles are provided. The systems may include imaging devices configured to capture images of an exterior of the smoking article and an analysis unit configured to analyze the images captured by the imaging devices. The analysis unit may execute an edge detection tool configured to determine a position of the smoking article based on an edge location of the smoking article and a defect detection tool configured to determine whether the smoking article is defective after the position of the smoking article is determined. The imaging devices may be configured to capture images of the smoking articles during the assembly thereof. Thereby, the analysis unit may determine any operations during assembly causing damage to the smoking article from analysis of the images of the smoking article captured during assembly. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A system including a processor may filter a population to identify a group having members, and deliver, over an electronic network, a survey to members of the group to determine value preferences and value gaps. The survey may be made according to a set of paired comparisons or other related techniques. The system may generate vectors according to the determined value preferences and value gaps for members of the group, which may have lengths equal to numbers of determined values for the members. The system may cluster members of the group into segments by calculating patterns of differences between generated vectors. Results of this process enable the creation of a predictive model to estimate segment membership, which can be used in the generation of a promotion for display corresponding to a clustered segment, and deliver the promotion to a client device associated for display.

Abstract: A system and associated method for analyzing a smoking article filter is provided. An emitter emits an initial signal toward a smoking article filter. The initial signal may have a frequency between about 0.1 teraHertz and about 10 teraHertz. A sensor may detect a resultant signal resulting from interaction of the initial signal with the smoking article filter. An analysis unit may receive the resultant signal from the sensor, determine a filter status based on the resultant signal, and output an indicium indicative of the filter status. The filter status may include a capsule presence within the smoking article filter, a capsule absence from the smoking article filter, a proper insertion of a capsule into the smoking article filter, a defective insertion of a capsule into the smoking article filter, a proper capsule within the smoking article filter, and a defective capsule within the smoking article filter.

Abstract: A reconstitution device having an opening surrounded by a neck, and a cap including a first end, a second end, and an inner bore having a central aperture. A stopper is positioned in the opening of the neck and includes a portion capable of being perforated. A plunger is located at the second end of the cap, is configured to slide along the inner bore of the cap, and includes a shaft extending downwardly in a direction towards the stopper and having a pointed end for piercing the stopper. A locking mechanism is located in the cap and includes an aperture. The locking mechanism is configured such that when the plunger is pushed downwardly the shaft is allowed to pass through the aperture, but when the plunger is pulled upwardly the second aperture changes shape such that the shaft cannot freely pass through the aperture.

Abstract: A vibration-dampening polymeric sleeve is provided for installation within the tubular receiver extension of an AR-10 derivative assault rifle before the action spring and buffer are installed therein. The presence of the sleeve dampens noise and vibration caused by the action spring of an AR-10 derivative assault rifle slapping against the cylindrical wall of the receiver extension. For one embodiment of the sleeve, a generally rectangular sheet of laminar polymeric plastic material equipped with tabs at the rear thereof, that is rolled into a tube. The tabs, which are inwardly bent, are held against the closed, rear end of the receiver extension by the action spring, whether the spring is fully compressed or only partially compressed. For an alternative embodiment, the sleeve, a solvated liquid polymer compound is sprayed into the cylindrical chamber of an axially-rotating receiver extension and allowed to dry.

Abstract: Smoking article inspection systems configured to inspect smoking articles are provided. The systems may include imaging devices configured to capture images of an exterior of the smoking article and an analysis unit configured to analyze the images captured by the imaging devices. The analysis unit may execute an edge detection tool configured to determine a position of the smoking article based on an edge location of the smoking article and a defect detection tool configured to determine whether the smoking article is defective after the position of the smoking article is determined. The imaging devices may be configured to capture images of the smoking articles during the assembly thereof. Thereby, the analysis unit may determine any operations during assembly causing damage to the smoking article from analysis of the images of the smoking article captured during assembly. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A smoking article package inspection system configured to inspect a smoking article package is provided. The system includes imaging devices configured to capture images of the smoking article package and an analysis unit configured to analyze the images captured by the imaging devices and determine whether the smoking article package is defective. The imaging devices may be positioned and configured to capture images of the smoking article package at least one of: before and after enclosing a plurality of smoking articles in the smoking article package, before and after printing an identifier on the smoking article package, and before and after wrapping the smoking article package with an outer wrapper. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: Methods of making personal care compositions, such as dentifrices, involving the addition of rheology modifiers at a later stage in the personal care composition formation process.

Abstract: A method of making a personal care composition, such as dentifrice, using compacted rheology modifiers to control viscosity development.

Abstract: A vibration-dampening polymeric sleeve is provided for installation within the tubular receiver extension of an AR-10 derivative assault rifle before the action spring and buffer are installed therein. The presence of the sleeve dampens noise and vibration caused by the action spring of an AR-10 derivative assault rifle slapping against the cylindrical wall of the receiver extension. For one embodiment of the sleeve, a generally rectangular sheet of laminar polymeric plastic material equipped with tabs at the rear thereof, that is rolled into a tube. The tabs, which are inwardly bent, are held against the closed, rear end of the receiver extension by the action spring, whether the spring is fully compressed or only partially compressed. For an alternative embodiment, the sleeve, a solvated liquid polymer compound is sprayed into the cylindrical chamber of an axially-rotating receiver extension and allowed to dry.

Abstract: A reconstitution device having an opening surrounded by a neck, and a cap including a first end, a second end, and an inner bore having a central aperture. A stopper is positioned in the opening of the neck and includes a portion capable of being perforated. A plunger is located at the second end of the cap, is configured to slide along the inner bore of the cap, and includes a shaft extending downwardly in a direction towards the stopper and having a pointed end for piercing the stopper. A locking mechanism is located in the cap and includes an aperture. The locking mechanism is configured such that when the plunger is pushed downwardly the shaft is allowed to pass through the aperture, but when the plunger is pulled upwardly the second aperture changes shape such that the shaft cannot freely pass through the aperture.

Abstract: A system and associated method for analyzing a smoking article filter is provided. An emitter emits an initial signal toward a smoking article filter. The initial signal may have a frequency between about 0.1 teraHertz and about 10 teraHertz. A sensor may detect a resultant signal resulting from interaction of the initial signal with the smoking article filter. An analysis unit may receive the resultant signal from the sensor, determine a filter status based on the resultant signal, and output an indicium indicative of the filter status. The filter status may include a capsule presence within the smoking article filter, a capsule absence from the smoking article filter, a proper insertion of a capsule into the smoking article filter, a defective insertion of a capsule into the smoking article filter, a proper capsule within the smoking article filter, and a defective capsule within the smoking article filter.

Abstract: A reconstitution device for storing a first component of a pharmaceutical preparation includes a receptacle, a cap having a first end secured to the receptacle, a second end, and an inner bore having a central aperture. The device further includes a stopper located between the receptacle and the cap, the stopper including a portion capable of being perforated. The device also includes a plunger secured to the second end of the cap, a locking mechanism located in the cap, and an actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism may prevent the device from inadvertent activation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inhalation-activatable device for administration of medicament in powder form to the respiratory system of a patient.

Abstract: The present application relates to a process for preparing a personal care composition by combining a fatty amphiphile above its melt temperature and a surfactant in a weight ratio from 0.1:1 to 0.99:1 to form a gel network premix contacting the gel network premix with a shearing device, cooling the gel network premix to a temperature below the melt temperature of the fatty amphiphile and adding the cooled premix to personal care components to form the personal care composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel crystalline form of topotecan monohydrochloride pentahydrate, which is a pentahydrate of 10-[(dimethylamino)methyl]-4-ethyl-4,9-dihydroxy-1H-pyrano[3?,4?:6,7]indolizino[1,2-b]quinoline-3,14(4H,12H)dione monohydrochloride, corresponding pharmaceutical compositions, methods preparation and/or use thereof to treat anti-viral and/or cancer-related diseases.

Abstract: A cigarette-making method is provided, comprising forming an elongate tobacco rod having a non-circular cross-sectional shape and opposed ends, by circumscribing a tobacco charge with a wrapping material. A filter element is formed having opposed ends and a non-circular cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the tobacco rod, by circumscribing a filter material with a plug wrap material. One end of the tobacco rod is axially aligned and abutted with one end of the filter element, and a tipping material is applied about the tobacco rod and the filter element, wherein the tipping material extends across the abutting ends thereof, so as to join the tobacco rod with the filter element and form a cigarette having a non-circular cross-sectional shape along a length thereof. Associated apparatuses and methods are also provided.