Abstract: A valve comprising a housing, a flow guide comprising an operational axis, a poppet comprising a sealing surface, a bias weight and a reaction force component engaged with the poppet. In a first orientation, the poppet is open, and in a second orientation, the poppet is closed. The flow guide comprises a first side opposite a second side, and a through hole extending between the sides. The through hole adapted to provide fluid communication through the flow guide. In the open position, the sealing surface is offset from and permits flow through the flow guide. In the closed position, the sealing surface is engaged with and prevents flow through the flow guide. The bias weight may exert an opening bias force on the poppet that is a function of the orientation of the operational axis. The reaction force component may exert a closing bias force on the poppet.

Abstract: A smokeless oral tobacco product is provided comprising an insoluble foamed material. The insoluble foamed material is formed by combining a foaming agent, an agent capable of forming chemical cross-linkages and a cross-linking agent. A method of producing a smokeless oral tobacco product comprising an insoluble foamed material is also provided.

Abstract: A filter (3) for a smoking article (1) comprises one or more segments (4a, 4b, 4c) of filtration media and a substantially transparent wrapper (5). The one or more filter segments (4a, 4b, 4c) and the wrapper (5) define a recess or cavity in the filter (3). An anchoring adhesive (7) is provided to secure the one or more filter segments (4a, 4b, 4c) to the wrapper (5). The anchoring adhesive (7) is disposed exclusively between the wrapper (5) and portions of the one or more filter segments (4a, 4b, 4c) other than those corresponding to the recess or cavity.

Abstract: A computer system includes a processor configured for detecting initial command response times of a plurality of paths for transmitting signals from the processor to one or more external devices via a plurality of channels, assigning weighted values to the plurality of paths based on the detected initial command response times, and modifying a frequency at which respective paths among the plurality of paths are selected for transmitting the signals based on the weighted values assigned to the respective paths.

Abstract: The invention relates to a smoking article incorporating a smoking material comprising three main components, namely a non-combustible inorganic filler, an alginic binder and aerosol generating means. The smoking material is combined with tobacco material, which may be treated with additional humectant, to provide a smoking article that has an aerosol transfer efficiency ratio of greater than 4.0.

Abstract: A smoking article (10) comprises a rod (12) of smokeable material and a filter (14) attached to one end of the rod. The filter comprises an elongate body of filter material (16) wrapped with a transparent plug wrap (18). A first tipping wrapper (20a) overlies the join between the rod and the filter to attach the filter to the rod. At least one additional tipping wrapper (20b) is provided around the filter, spaced from and separate to the first tipping wrapper such that a portion of the transparent plug wrap is exposed between the first and at least one additional tipping wrapper to define a window portion (22) through which the filter material is visible. A method of producing such a smoking article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A filter (3) for a smoking article (1) comprises one or more segments (4a, 4b, 4c) of filtration media and a substantially transparent wrapper (5). The one or more filter segments (4a, 4b, 4c) and the wrapper (5) define a recess or cavity in the filter (3). An anchoring adhesive (7) is provided to secure the one or more filter segments (4a, 4b, 4c) to the wrapper (5). The anchoring adhesive (7) is disposed exclusively between the wrapper (5) and portions of the one or more filter segments (4a, 4b, 4c) other than those corresponding to the recess or cavity.

Abstract: A smoking article (10) comprises a rod (12) of smokeable material and a filter (14) attached to one end of the rod. The filter comprises an elongate body of filter material (16) wrapped with a transparent plug wrap (18). A first tipping wrapper (20a) overlies the join between the rod and the filter to attach the filter to the rod. At least one additional tipping wrapper (20b) is provided around the filter, spaced from and separate to the first tipping wrapper such that a portion of the transparent plug wrap is exposed between the first and at least one additional tipping wrapper to define a window portion (22) through which the filter material is visible. A method of producing such a smoking article is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to smokable filler materials and a process for making same, the smokable filler material comprising a foaming agent, an agent capable of forming chemical cross-linkages, and a cross-linking agent. A combination of the foaming agent in the foamed state thereof, the agent capable of forming chemical crosslinkages and the cross-linking agent provides a stabilized, foamed material. The invention also provides a smoking article incorporating the smokable filler material of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to smokable filler materials and a process for making same, the smokable filler material comprising a foaming agent, an agent capable of forming chemical cross-linkages, and a cross-linking agent. A combination of the foaming agent in the foamed state thereof, the agent capable of forming chemical crosslinkages and the cross-linking agent provides a stabilised, foamed material. The invention also provides a smoking article incorporating the smokable filler material of the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to a smoking article having a controllable static burn rate by virtue of the particle size of a component of the smoking material thereof. The smoking material comprises a non-combustible inorganic filler, a binder, aerosol generating means, the non-combustible filler comprising a proportion of material having a mean particle size in the range of 500 ?m to 20 ?m.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for providing an address format compatible with different addressing formats used for addressing different sized address spaces. An address format is used in an operating system to address storage space in a storage device comprising a first region and a second region of storage space. A first group of applications uses the address format to only address the storage space in the first region and is not coded to use the address format to access the second region and a second group of applications uses the address format to address the storage space in the first and second regions.

Abstract: A method for implementing staged database migration of a database includes implementing a first migration stage by expanding headers for one or more subfiles from a first file address format to a second file address format, wherein subsequent overflow blocks to be associated with said one or more subfiles are selectable from an address space corresponding to said second file address format. A second migration stage is implemented, including expanding file address references of one or more index files from the first file address format to the second address format. The file address references are located within logical records (LRECs) in the one or more index files, the file address references pointing to one or more of the subfiles.

Abstract: A plurality of batch lists are maintained by a channel in order to improve the efficiency of the channel in performing messaging between a sender and a receiver. For example, a Next Batch list is used to prefetch messages to be sent to the receiver from the sender; a Current Batch list includes the messages currently being transmitted to the receiver or waiting confirmation; and an Acknowledged Batch List includes the messages confirmed by the receiver. This allows the functions of prefetching messages, sending messages and deleting confirmed messages to be performed in parallel.

Abstract: The invention provides a self-aligning device for aiding the engagement of a munition into a rifled gun barrel on loading of the munition, absent the use of a driving band, as, for example, in the case of a munition which is fitted with aerodynamic tail fins. The device comprises at least one annular ring to surround the munition, and which, if desired, can be seated on a surface of the munition which allows the ring(s) to rotate. One or more of the rings has a number of elements which are capable of lying within the outline of the ring or rings to allow the munition to be readily loaded into a gun barrel but which can take the form of projections extending radially outwards from the ring(s) when they become coincident with the internal rifling of the gun barrel on further movement of the munition along with barrel or when the munition is rotated. The projections then engage in the rifling grooves and provide a sealing effect.

Abstract: A novel herbicidal composition comprising a metal chelate of a 2-(substituted benzoyl)-1,3-cyclohexanedione and an organic phosphate, phosphonate or phosphinate adjuvant is disclosed.

Abstract: A novel herbicidal composition comprising a 2-(substituted benzoyl)-1,3-cyclohexanedione and an organic phosphate, phosphonate or phosphinate adjuvant at a concentration of less than 0.5% v/v when added to a spray tank as a tank mix additive or when co-formulated with a herbicide to produce a spray tank concentration of less than 0.5% v/v is disclosed.

Abstract: A novel herbicidal composition comprising a 2-(substituted benzoyl)-1,3-cyclohexanedione and an organic phosphate, phosphonate or phosphinate adjuvant at a concentration of less than 0.5% v/v when added to a spray tank as a tank mix additive or when co-formulated with a herbicide to produce a spray tank concentration of less than 0.5% v/v is disclosed.

Abstract: An adjuvant suitable for use with a lipophilic agrochemical has the formula (I), R1—(CO)m—O—[—R2O—]n—R3, wherein R1 is a C16 to C20 straight or branched chain alkyl or alkenyl group, R2 is ethyl or isopropyl, n is from 8 to 30 and m is 0 or 1 and when R2 is ethyl, R3 is a C1 to C7 alkyl group and when R2 is isopropyl, R3 is hydrogen or a C1 to C7 alkyl group, provided that when R1 is oleyl, R2 is isopropyl and R3 is hydrogen, n is not 10. An adjuvant composition comprising an agrochemical and an adjuvant of formula (I) is also claimed. Adjuvants of the invention show effective bioperformance enhancement despite having little or no surfactant properties.

Abstract: The invention provides a self-aligning device for aiding the engagement of a munition into a rifled gun barrel on loading of the munition, absent the use of a driving band, as, for example, in the case of a munition which is fitted with aerodynamic tail fins. The device comprises at least one annular ring to surround the munition, and which, if desired, can be seated on a surface of the munition which allows the ring(s) to rotate. One or more of the rings has a number of elements which are capable of lying within the outline of the ring or rings to allow the munition to be readily loaded into a gun barrel but which can take the form of projections extending radially outwards from the ring(s) when they become coincident with the internal rifling of the gun barrel on further movement of the munition along with barrel or when the munition is rotated. The projections then engage in the rifling grooves and provide a sealing effect.