Abstract: A circuit for generating a bias signal and an erase signal for use in a recording apparatus having a record head for recording an input analog signal on a magnetic tape, and an erase head for erasing information from the tape. A DC erase signal is applied to the erase head in response to the erase control signal to cause the erase head to erase information. An AC bias signal is generated and is combined with the input analog signal to make a record signal. The record signal is applied to the record head in response to the record control signal to record information on the tape. A controller generates an erase control signal and as record control signal. The AC bias signal is generated by an AC bias oscillator, such as a Hartley oscillator to reduce the noise contributed in the recording system. Use of a DC source to drive the erase head reduces the cost of the circuit, while maintaining a significant increase in the signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing reconstituted tobacco from tobacco stems and tobacco fines includes treating the tobacco stems to a fibrous form, and mixing the fibrous tobacco stems with tobacco lamina fines. The mixture is then deposited on a moving mesh screen whereon it is formed into a felt-like mat or sheet of generally uniform thickness. The reconstituted tobacco sheet is then removed from the mesh screen for further processing to produce a tobacco smoking article.

Abstract: A filter for a cigarette includes a porous filter rod having a capillary smoke passageway extending coaxially therethrough and a hollow, generally cylindrical mouthpiece coaxially located with the filter rod at the mouth end of the filter rod. The filter rod is circumscribed by a non-porous wrapper, and the filter rod with the non-porous wrapper therearound is provided with grooves extending from the mouth end thereof a preselected distance longitudinally therealong. The mouthpiece is formed with air flow channels in flow communication with the grooves of the filter rod, and smoke flow channels in flow communication with that area of the filter rod mouth end between adjacent grooves of the filter rod. Tipping material circumscribes the filter rod and the mouthpiece, and is provided with flow-through openings therein in flow communication with the grooves.

Abstract: A ventilated mouthpiece adapted to be attached to a smoking article, such as a cigarette, includes a generally cylindrical core member of smoke and air impermeable material having a smoke inlet end and a mouth end. The smoke inlet end is to be placed in juxtaposition to one end of the tobacco column of the cigarette. The core member is formed with a plurality of smoke flow capillaries therethrough for delivering unfiltered smoke from the tobacco column to the mouth end of the core member, and a plurality of ventilation air flow channels which receive ambient ventilation air and delivers the ventilation air to the mouth end of the core member. The smoke outlets from each of the smoke flow capillaries at the mouth end of the core member are located in close proximity to and are radially situated inwardly of the mouth end of the core member from the air outlets from the air flow channels.

Abstract: A ventilated mouthpiece adapted to be attached to a smoking article, such as a cigarette, includes a generally cylindrical core member of smoke and air impermeable material having a smoke inlet end and a mouth end. The smoke inlet end is to be placed in juxtaposition to one end of the tobacco column of the cigarette. The core member is formed with a plurality of smoke flow capillaries therethrough for delivering unfiltered smoke from the tobacco column to the mouth end of the core member, and at least one ventilation air flow channel which receives ambient ventilation air and delivers the ventilation air to the mouth end of the core member. The smoke outlets from the smoke flow capillaries at the mouth end of the core member are located at a further radial distance from the center of the core member than is the outlet from the at least one ventilation air flow channel.

Abstract: A filter for a cigarette includes a generally cylindrical permeable filter rod circumscribed by an air permeable tipping material with a plurality of blind-end channels formed in the filter rod, each of the channels being open at one end to the upstream end of the filter rod and extending therefrom, generally in the longitudinal direction of the filter rod, a predetermined distance less than the length of the filter rod.

Abstract: A filter for a cigarette includes a porous filter rod circumscribed by a non-porous or air impermeable wrapper, and ventilating air grooves embedded in the wrapped filter rod which extend from one end of the filter rod a preselected distance generally longitudinally of the filter rod. An air permeable tipping material circumscribes the wrapped filter rod which provides a path therethrough for ventilating air flow only into the grooves. The walls of each of the grooves defined by the wrapper, in one form of the invention, is permeable to air over virtually its entire length, and in another form of the invention is permeable to air flow only adjacent the mouth end of the filter. Under certain smoking conditions most, if not all of the ventilating air will flow from the grooves into the smoker's mouth through the open end of the grooves at the mouth end of the filter rod.

Abstract: A filter for a cigarette includes a porous filter rod having a hollow tube therein extending from one end a preselected distance, the filter rod being circumscribed by a non-porous wrapper wherein the filter rod with the non-porous wrapper therearound is provided with at least one groove extending from one end thereof a preselected distance longitudinally therealong. The groove and the tube may extend from the same one end or may extend from opposite ends. Tipping material circumscribes the non-porous wrapper and is provided with flow-throgh openings therein in flow communication with the groove. The groove may be oriented to extend to the mouth end of the filter or the tobacco end when connected to a cigarette.

Abstract: A filter for a cigarette includes a porous filter rod circumscribed by a smoke impervious wrapper wherein the filter rod with the smoke impervious wrapper therearound is provided with grooves embedded therein and extending from one end thereof a preselected distance longitudinally therealong. Tipping material circumscribes the smoke impervious wrapper and is provided with flow-through openings therein in flow communication with the grooves. Support means are provided for the tipping material at the mouth end of the filter to maintain the tipping material in circumferential equalization.

Abstract: Expanded tobacco is appropriately treated to improve its physical strength and prevent collapse of the tobacco walls following expansion.

Abstract: A process for disproportionating a paraffinic hydrocarbon containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms to produce paraffinic hydrocarbons containing one more and one less carbon fragment per molecule is disclosed. In the process the paraffinic hydrocarbon is contacted at about 400.degree. to 1000.degree.F. with an acidic, crystalline aluminosilicate catalyst having a pore size of about 8 to 15 A, silica to alumina mole ratio greater than 2 to 1 and at least about 0.4 equivalent per gram atom of aluminum of hydrogen or metal ion.

Abstract: Expanded tobacco is appropriately treated to improve its physical strength and prevent collapse of the tobacco walls following expansion.