Abstract: A microcomputer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the preset invention include an instruction decoder 14 that decodes a branch multiple instruction including a conditional branch instruction to be executed at a first execution stage and a first operation instruction to be executed at a second execution stage, and a sequential operation instruction including a second operation instruction to be executed at the second execution stage, operation information storage circuits 15 and 16 that store first operation information corresponding to the first operation instruction, a branch condition decision circuit 18 that determines the satisfaction/non-satisfaction of a branch condition based on the conditional branch instruction and outputs a decision result signal J1, a selector 17 that outputs the first operation information stored in the operation information storage circuits 15 and 16 if the decision result signal J1 indicates one of the satisfaction and non-satisfaction states of the branch condition,

Abstract: A cigarette testing apparatus includes a ventilation-characteristic measuring section having a ventilation vessel which is disposed horizontally so as to reduce the vertical dimension of the apparatus. A cigarette is supplied in a horizontal position from a cigarette supplying section to a weight measuring section where the cigarette weight is measured. The cigarette ejected therefrom is transferred to a circumference measuring section, a ventilation-characteristic measuring section and a length/hardness measuring section in this order in a condition that the horizontal position is kept unchanged. In these sections, the circumference, ventilation characteristic, length and hardness of the cigarette are measured in sequence.

Abstract: A ventilation-characteristic measuring apparatus includes a ventilation vessel include of first, second and third cylindrical containers which are airtightly and detachably fitted to one another, and a hoisting and lowering apparatus for hoisting and lowering the third cylindrical container relative to the first and second cylindrical containers. The first, second and third cylindrical containers cooperate with test-piece holding members of test-piece supporting devices to define three airtight chambers. Ventilation characteristics of a cigarette is measured based on a flow rate of air entering into a filter portion of the cigarette disposed in a second airtight chamber and that of air entering into the shredded tobacco of the cigarette disposed in a third airtight chamber as a first airtight chamber on the filter side is evacuated.

Abstract: A rod-shaped article supplying apparatus includes a hopper for reserving rod-shaped articles such as cigarettes and for permitting a rod-shaped article to be discharged through a lower opening thereof, and a supply cylinder formed at its outer peripheral face with a slot for receiving a rod-shaped article. The supply cylinder makes a reciprocal rotational movement between a position where the slot receives a rod-shaped article from the hopper and a position where the slot discharges the same. The supply cylinder is provided with projections disposed at a location diametrically opposite the slot and radially projecting from the outer peripheral face of the supply cylinder.