Abstract: A rectangular carromboard provides a vertically adjustable impact surface outward of each pocket, positioning of which enables the player of the game to be presented with playing situations of varying difficulty.

Abstract: An improved mandrel for use on a dual bobbin spindle apparatus, the mandrel being an expandable contractible cylindrical sleeve having a plurality of expansion members and at least one interstitial resilient member separating the expansion members, providing positive engagement of a plurality of reels or bobbins containing wound webs of flexible material.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for reliably inserting a tab or other marker into a bobbin of material which is undergoing a converting or other processing step. A spindle having a retention device such as a vacuum or magnetic zone which holds the tab or marker with an adhesive side facing outwardly is described. In operation, the spindle is moved into engagement with the surface of the web and the tab or marker is applied precisely and with considerable force. Reduction in unplaced tabs, paper jams, and tearing may be accomplished by the reduction of user error.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing, capturing and disposing of the waste start up web of paper in high-speed manufacturing procedures which involve a converting step, e.g. laser perforation or the like. Specifically, the converting apparatus and the web speed are carefully and precisely controlled by a programmable logic controller to result in a rapid production of converted web with a minimum of waste. The apparatus and method are tuned by sampling the waste and web for conversion quality, and using that information to adjust the converting apparatus and bias that adjustment for maximum reduction in waste.

Abstract: A smoking system is provided in which a replaceable cigarette containing tobacco flavor material is electrically heated by a set of electrical heater elements contained within a lighter to evolve tobacco flavors or other components in vapor or aerosol form for delivery to a smoker. The cigarette and lighter are adapted to provide air flow patterns through the smoking system such that air flows transversely into the cigarette. Such patterns improve aerosol and flavor delivery to the smoker and reduce the condensation of residual heater-region vapor/aerosol in the smoking system.

Abstract: A smoking system is provided in which a replaceable cigarette containing tobacco flavor material is electrically heated by a set of electrical heater elements contained within a lighter to evolve tobacco flavors or other components in vapor or aerosol form for delivery to a smoker. The cigarette and lighter are adapted to provide air flow patterns through the smoking system such that air flows transversely into the cigarette. Such patterns improve aerosol and flavor delivery to the smoker and reduce the condensation of residual heater-region vapor/aerosol in the smoking system.

Abstract: A sharpening and cleaning apparatus for sharpening scalloped-edged blades in a carton slitting machine includes at least two rotating cylindrical hones mounted on a pneumatically controlled actuator, and a pair of blade cleaning brushes mounted on a separate actuator. A sharpening operation is initiated by a machine operator as needed to maintain blade sharpness, and is performed automatically by the apparatus controls. The hone actuator positions the rotating hones in contact with opposing sides of a cutting edge of the slitting blade as the blade moves past the hones at reduced speed. A first hone is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of the blade and a second hone is rotated in the same direction of the blade. During sharpening, the hones execute several reciprocating axial movements to stroke the blade. Prior to the operation of the hones the actuator positions the brushes in contact with the blade and causes the brushes to rotate to remove debris from the blade.

Abstract: A smoking system is provided in which a replaceable cigarette containing tobacco flavor material is electrically heated by a set of electrical heater elements contained within a lighter to evolve tobacco flavors or other components in vapor or aerosol form for delivery to a smoker. The cigarette and lighter are adapted to provide air flow patterns through the smoking system such that air flows transversely into the cigarette. Such patterns improve aerosol and flavor delivery to the smoker and reduce the condensation of residual heater-region vapor/aerosol in the smoking system.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a laser marking system, using a displaceable mirror to cause the path of the laser beam to scan in one direction. The mirror is conveniently controlled by at least one flexure hinge driven by a piezo electric device, an electro-strictive device or a magneto-strictive device. In one disclosed embodiment two mirrors (15,16,) are provided, each mirror (15 or 16,) having a flexure hinge device (18,19) individual thereto, and the displacements applied to the flexure hinge devices (18,19,), via respective driving devices (20,21,), cause the mirrors (15,16,) to scan the path of the laser beam (13) in a series of steps in one direction of scan. A computer (11), arranged to drive the flexure hinge driving devices (20,21,), also controls the firing of the laser (12) in accordance with a predetermined program.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resonance reducing arrangement for a device displaceable between two positions.In one described embodiment the device (14) is displaced against the resilience of a spring (11) by causing an electrical device (15) to accelerate the device (14) towards its second position, terminating the force accelerating the device (14) to allow the device to continue to displace towards the second position and then reactivating the electrical device (15) to cause the electrical device (15) to expand to that position at which it holds the device (14) in its second position.

Abstract: A smoking article wrapper comprising a base web material having a first burn rate and one or more regions having a second burn rate is provided. The regions having a second burn rate are comprised of a composite layer structure of: said base web material, a layer is particulate material, and an adhesive layer which adheres to said base web material and to said layer of particular material. The particulate material is subsequently applied to the adhesive layer. An apparatus and method for applying the particulate material onto the base web is also provided.

Abstract: A smoking system is provided in which a replaceable cigarette containing tobacco flavor material is electrically heated by a set of electrical heater elements contained within a lighter to evolve tobacco flavors or other components in vapor or aerosol form for delivery to a smoker. The cigarette and lighter are adapted to provide air flow patterns through the smoking system such that air flows transversely into the cigarette. Such patterns improve aerosol and flavor delivery to the smoker and reduce the condensation of residual heater-region vapor/aerosol in the smoking system.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for laminating patches to a base web accurately, and as efficiently as possible, are provided. Two webs are fed at speeds which are related as the ratio of the width of each patch to the separation distance between patches, the patch web moving more slowly. Patches are cut from the patch web and transferred to the other web while being accelerated to the higher speed.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for laminating patches to a base web accurately, and as efficiently as possible, are provided. Two webs are fed at speeds which are related as the ratio of the width of each patch to the separation distance between patches, the patch web moving more slowly. Patches are cut from the patch web and transferred to the other web while being accelerated to the higher speed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically stripping sheet material from a bobbin, measuring characteristics of the material and labelling the bobbin. The apparatus includes a delaminator pick-up device for securing a lamination layer of the material and picking-up the secured portion from the bobbin. A threading device threads the secured portion and contiguous portions of the material through a measurement device. The threaded material is engaged by an engaging device and passed through the measurement device. The measurement device measures characteristics of the material.

Abstract: A process for the exchange of hydrogen isotopes between streams of gaseous hydrogen and liquid water, wherein the streams are brought into contact with one another and a catalyst assembly at a temperature in the range 0.degree.-300.degree. C. The catalyst is an inherently hydrophobic material such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polymethacrylate, polypropylene or carbon black carrying a catalytically active metal, for example, platinum, rhodium and nickel. The inherently hydrophobic support allows the catalytically active metal to catalyze the hydrogen isotope exchange reaction between hydrogen gas and water vapor in the presence of liquid water while retarding loss of activity of the catalytically active metal by contact of the metal catalyst with liquid water.

Abstract: A process for hydrogen isotope exchange and concentration between liquid water and hydrogen gas, wherein liquid water and hydrogen gas are contacted, in an exchange section, with one another and with at least one catalyst body comprising at least one metal selected from Group VIII of the Periodic Table and preferably a support therefor, the catalyst body has a liquid-water-repellent, gas permeable polymer or organic resin coating, preferably a fluorinated olefin polymer or silicone coating, so that the isotope concentration takes place by two simultaneously occurring steps, namely, ##EQU1## WHILE THE HYDROGEN GAS FED TO THE EXCHANGE SECTION IS DERIVED IN A REACTOR VESSEL FROM LIQUID WATER THAT HAS PASSED THROUGH THE EXCHANGE SECTION.