Abstract: An apparatus for preparing multiple plant embryos for plant production includes a first station having a first rack system configured to support at least one incubation vessel, a second station having an automated member configured to manipulate the at least one incubation vessel and a third station having a second rack system configured to support the at least one incubation vessel after being manipulated by the automated member. The second station can be selectively adjusted to perform more than one operation required in the development of plant embryos.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing multiple plant embryos for plant production includes a first station having a first rack system configured to support at least one incubation vessel, a second station having an automated member configured to manipulate the at least one incubation vessel and a third station having a second rack system configured to support the at least one incubation vessel after being manipulated by the automated member. The second station can be selectively adjusted to perform more than one operation required in the development of plant embryos.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing plant tissue (e.g., somatic embryos, embryogenic tissue, organogenic tissue, vegetative tissue, seeds, etc.) for plant production includes a first station having a first rack system configured to support at least one culture vessel, a second station having an automated member configured to manipulate the at least one culture vessel and a third station having a second rack system configured to support the at least one culture vessel after being manipulated by the automated member. The second station can be selectively adjusted to perform more than one operation required in the plant development. According to exemplary embodiments, the apparatus may include more than one second station (e.g., operational stations, etc.).

Abstract: Cigarettes are manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive materials, which can have the forms of liquid or paste formulations, can be applied to the paper web using application apparatus possessing rollers. One of those rollers can have a series of pockets in its roll face to receive additive formulation from a reservoir and to define the pattern of the formulation on the paper. A radiant dryer can be used to dry the additive material that has been applied to the paper web. The radiant dryer can be located on one component of a two component assembly that is used to manufacture cigarettes. Spectrometric techniques can be used to ensure proper registration of the additive material on the cigarette rods so manufactured, and to ensure proper quality of those cigarettes.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and media for facilitating somatic embryogenesis and for collecting, conditioning, and transferring the washed embryos onto a substrate and into an environment suitable for conditioning the embryos for a desired period of time so they become germination-competent for plant production. The described plant embryo cleaning apparatus and method are used for preparing multiple plant embryos for plant production. The apparatus and method can use a cleaning fluid source, a fluid-conditioning system, a fluid-delivery structure, a cleaning station, an outlet mechanism, a negative pressure source, and a controller.

Abstract: Cigarettes are manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive material can be applied as a coating formulation in an off-line manner to a continuous paper sheet web that is later used for cigarette manufacture. The additive material can be applied as a coating formulation in an on-line manner to continuous paper web moving through an operating cigarette making machine. The coating formulation is applied to the paper web using roll applicator techniques, ink jet printing techniques or electrostatic precipitation techniques. Liquid coating formulation are curable, and are virtually absent of solvent or liquid carrier. Radiation, such as ultraviolet or electron beam radiation, is used to solidify and fix polymerizable liquid components of the coating formulation that have been applied to the paper web.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to examine a length of a cigarette paper is provided. The paper includes a pattern having a first and a second band, the pattern repeating along the length thereof. A second bobbin is configured to have the paper advanced thereto and wound thereon after the paper is unwound from a first bobbin. A pattern detection device is disposed between the first and second bobbins, and is configured to detect at least one of the bands and produce a signal in response thereto. A testing device is in communication with the pattern detection device and is disposed between the first and second bobbins. The testing device is configured to nondestructively determine a property of at least one of the bands in response to the signal. An associated apparatus, system, and method are also provided.

Abstract: Cigarettes are manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive materials, which can have the forms of liquid or paste formulations (e.g., aqueous formulations incorporating starch or modified starch), are applied to a continuous paper web on the cigarette making apparatus. The formulation is applied to the paper web using application apparatus possessing rollers a series of roller. For example, additive material is applied to the roll face of a transfer roller due to roll interaction of that transfer roller with a pick-up roller; roll interaction of the transfer roller with an application roller causes transfer of the additive material from the transfer roller to the application roller; and additive material from the application roller is transferred to the paper web that passes between the application roller and a back-up roller.