Abstract: An improved reusable fastener for closing flexible bags and the like. The fastener utilizes a conventional twist tie or the like adhered to a piece of tape having a pressure-sensitive adhering surface. The twist tie has two non-metallic sides, with a small diameter wire laminated or bonded therebetween. The width of the tie is less than the width of the tape, thereby leaving a portion of the pressure-sensitive adhering surface exposed. To use the fastener, the user closes the throat of the bag and places the fastener around the throat. The user presses the fastener together, resulting in the pressure-sensitive surface on the tape adhering to itself as the wire deforms. This keeps the throat of the bag closed. The bag will remain closed until the user pulls the ends of the tape apart. No twisting or untwisting of the ends of the twist tie is necessary.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for the "on-line" measurement of the dielectric constant or percent moisture of a material such as tobacco moving within the walls of a pipe or chute is disclosed. A differential capacitive technique is used for the measurement. The apparatus consists of a four electrode device, with two of the electrodes attached to the outside of the walls of the pipe or chute, and two of the electrodes attached to the inside of the walls of the pipe or chute. The two inner electrodes are connected by switches to the two outer electrodes, respectively, so that first and second capacitances appear at the output terminals of the electrode device depending upon the position of the switches. The output terminals of the electrode device are connected to an oscillator which produces an output signal indicative of the frequency of the oscillator's oscillation which is proportional to the capacitance at the terminals of the electrode device.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for determining the dielectric constant of materials which flow using capacitive techniques, having an electrode device with at least two output terminals and three or more electrodes spaced at fixed distances from one another. At least two of the electrodes are connected through a switch so that first and second capacitances appear at the output terminals of the electrode device depending upon the position of the switch. The output terminals of the electrode device being connected to an oscillator which produces an output signal indicative of the frequency of the oscillator's oscillation which is proportional to the capacitance at the terminals of the electrode device. The output signal of the oscillator is connected to a bi-directional counter or microprocessor which is used to calculate a value proportional to the change in capacitance of the electrode device when the switch is closed and to thereby determine the dielectric constant of a material being tested.