Abstract: A new and improved spark plug testing apparatus is in the form of an electrically conductive, metallic spring clip and includes a pair of first electrically conductive contact portions for contacting an electrically conductive externally threaded portion of a spark plug. A first resilient portion is connected to the pair of first electrically conductive contact portions for clamping the first electrically conductive contact portions onto the electrically conductive externally threaded portion of the spark plug. A pair of second resilient portions is connected to the respective first electrically conductive contact portions, and a pair of second electrically conductive contact portions is connected to the respective second resilient portions, such that the first resilient portion urges the second electrically conductive contact portions onto an electrically conductive internally threaded portion of a spark plug receiving aperture on an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for preventing vane jams in cigarette hoppers. The apparatus and method of the invention are characterized by a plurality of curved elements or guides extending from the back to the front of the hopper. The guides help straighten cigarettes that have become slightly skewed in relation to cigarettes that are correctly positioned in the hopper. The guides also prevent cigarettes that have become skewed to a greater extent or turned perpendicular to correctly positioned cigarettes in a hopper from reaching the vanes of the hopper and causing jam or blockages of the vanes. The guides stop the descent through the hopper of mispositioned cigarettes and cause such cigarettes to slide toward either the front or back wall of the hopper for removal.

Abstract: An apparatus for embossing and cutting printed labels from a sheet of printed labels is disclosed. The apparatus accurately embosses each printed label on the sheet at a particular location within specified tolerances. The apparatus thereafter accurately cuts each embossed printed label from the sheet of labels.

Abstract: Optical apparatus for converting a single, continuous incident laser beam into a plurality of pulsed laser beams is disclosed. The apparatus uses a rotatable first optical refracting element to cause the incident laser beam to sweep the surface of an imaginary cone. A circular or elliptical array of fixed, second optical refracting elements is placed in the path of the sweeping beam. The array is mounted in a holder of nontransmissive material. As the beam sweeps past each of the fixed second optical refracting elements, it is transmitted by that element and then interrupted by the nontransmissive material separating that element from the next fixed second optical refracting element. As the beam sweeps a complete circle or ellipse, a pulsation effect is created by the repetitive transmission and interruption, giving rise to a plurality of pulsed output beams. Such apparatus can be used in a system for perforating a web of sheet material with pulsed laser beams.

Abstract: Hollow cylinders of relatively rigidized paper are perforated in closely spaced circularly extending, axially spaced rows by perforating adjacent ones of the rows from opposite sides on the cylinders. Apparatus for perforating the cylinders uses a fixed rolling shoe and a rotating drum each of which carry needles to effect perforation. The method and apparatus are especially effective for perforating paper cylinder cigarette mouthpieces.

Abstract: The sheath covering of a composite structured article is removed from the filler it encircles by slitting the sheath longitudinally at plural locations, the sheath thereafter being vacuum drawn away from the filler for discard while the filler is advanced to a collection operation.

Abstract: A multipurpose combination tool based upon hand-operated shears is provided having special utility in rescue work. The shears comprise blade portions, a bevel edged recess for severing cables, an angled juncture associated with said blade portions to facilitate the cutting of thick sheet materials, a protective stub at the terminus of said blade portions, and other features.