Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for continuously coating food pieces. The methods include a steps of directing and uncoated food stream through an enrober to apply a first coating to at least a portion of a surface of each food piece to form a coated stream and continuously redirecting a portion of the coated stream back through the enrober along with the stream of uncoated food pieces to apply at least one additional coating to the portion of the coated stream.

Abstract: A tobacco processing system for processing tobacco includes a tobacco mixing device for mixing an additive in the tobacco, a tobacco supplier for supplying the tobacco to the mixing device, and an additive supplier for supplying the additive to the mixing device. The mixing device includes a mixing housing which encloses the tobacco and additive to form a mixing chamber in which the tobacco and additive are mixed and a gas stream unit which is operatively connected to the mixing housing and configured to provide a gas stream which moves the tobacco and additive through the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A flavor source (1) for non-combustion inhalation-type tobacco products which is a non-combustion inhalation-type tobacco that comprises a powdery or granular raw-material tobacco, a binder with which the raw-material tobacco has been bonded together, and menthol and that has been molded by thermal fusion bonding, wherein the ratio of the weight of the menthol to the weight of the raw-material tobacco is 0.15 or higher and the difference in solubility parameter between the binder and the menthol is 2.0 or less.

Abstract: Cut filler compositions, cigarette paper, cigarette filters, cigarettes, methods for making cigarettes and methods for smoking cigarettes are provided, which involve the use of a catalyst capable converting carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. The catalyst comprises nanoscale metal and/or metal oxide particles supported on high surface area support particles. The catalyst can be prepared by combining a metal precursor solution with high surface area support particles to form a mixture, or by combining a metal precursor solution with a colloidal solution to form a mixture, and then heat treating the mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for self-lighting of a cigarette (1), comprising a primary chemical material and a secondary chemical material, said chemical materials being incompatible and generating sufficient thermal energy to light the end (4) of said cigarette when they are in contact with one another, —the primary chemical material is placed in a capsule (70) intended to be fixed at the end to be lit (4) of the cigarette (1), —the secondary chemical material is disposed in a receptacle (80) designed to be positioned at the end to be lit (4) of the cigarette (1) in an arrangement that allows said secondary material to be brought into contact with the primary material, characterized in that: —the capsule (70) is made of an airtight and moisture-tight combustible material, said capsule having at least one puncturing zone, —the receptacle (80) incorporates a sealed container containing the secondary chemical material, said reservoir comprising a pointed end piece (82) the rigidity of which is sufficient

Abstract: This invention pertains to the surface attachment of particles, such as metal oxides, to cellulose ester fibers. The particles are applied to the surface of the cellulose ester fibers using a protic liquid that is substantially free of plasticizer.

Abstract: A smoking article comprises a first part (111) comprising a source of smokable material and a second part (112) comprising a rod article and configured to be rotatable relative to the first part. A first indexing surface (116) on the first part and a second indexing surface (304) on the second part are configured to engage to index the rotation between the first and second parts. At least one of the first or second parts comprise a control element (250) configured to control a ventilation of the smoking article and a ventilation area (270) in the other of the first or second parts of the smoking article from the control element, the ventilation area configured to be selectively covered by the movable control element, wherein the second part comprises a connecting section connecting the rod article to the first part of the smoking article, and the connecting section is affixed to or supports the second indexing section.

Abstract: A smoking article, comprises a first and a second engaging surface (233a, 233b) spaced circumferentially, and a control element (250) movable between the first and second engaging surfaces. A ventilation area (270) is configured to be selectively covered by the movable control element. The control element comprises a first limiting edge configured to engage with the first engaging surface and a second limiting edge configured to engage with the second engaging surface to limit rotational movement.

Abstract: A smoking article comprises a first part, a second part movable relative to the first part. At least one of the first or second parts comprises a section of sheet material wrapped around one or more rod articles, wherein the section of sheet material comprises a circumferentially leading edge and/or a trailing edge. The circumferentially leading edge and/or a trailing edge is angled to a longitudinal axis of the smoking article. The section of the first part or second part comprising the angled edge is configured to be rotatable relative to the other of the first or second part, the relative rotational position of the first and second parts configured to control a property of the smoking article.

Abstract: A degradable cigarette filter includes a filter element of a bloomed cellulose acetate tow, a plug wrap surrounding the filter element, and either a coating or a pill in contact with the tow. The coating and/or pill may be composed of a material adapted to catalyze hydrolysis of the cellulose acetate tow and a water-soluble matrix material. The material may be an acid, an acid salt, a base, and/or a bacterium adapted to generate an acid. The coating may be applied to the tow, the plug wrap, or both. The pill may be placed in the filter element. When water contacts the water-soluble matrix material, the material adapted to catalyze hydrolysis is released and catalyzes the hydrolysis, and subsequent degradation, of the cellulose acetate tow. The foregoing is also applicable to articles made of cellulose esters.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery system is provided, comprising a control body portion including a first elongate tubular member having a power source disposed therein. A cartridge body portion includes a second tubular member having opposed first and second ends. One of the first and second ends is removably engaged with one end of the control body portion. The cartridge body portion further comprises a first aerosol generation arrangement disposed within the second tubular member and configured to operably engage the power source upon engagement between the control body portion and the cartridge body portion. The other of the first and second ends of the cartridge body portion is configured as a mouth-engaging end. The cartridge body portion further includes a second aerosol generation arrangement disposed within the second tubular member between the first aerosol generation arrangement and the mouth-engaging end. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery device may include a control body and a cartridge. The cartridge may include a base, a flow director, an outer body, a reservoir substrate, an outer body, and a mouthpiece. Heating elements may be molded into the flow director. The flow director may be welded to the base and the outer body, or the base and the flow director may include deformable ribs that engage the outer body. The flow director and the outer body may cooperatively define a reservoir compartment in which the reservoir substrate and the atomizer are received. The flow director and the base may define an electronics compartment in which an electronic control component is received. A related assembly method is also provided.

Abstract: An electronic cigarette battery utility attachment system and method, comprising an electronic cigarette battery and an attachment kit further comprising a base having threads, a electrical/electronic component connected to the base, a casing that holds the electrical/electronic component and connects to the base on the bottom and a device connected to the top of the casing wherein the attachment kit screws onto the electronic cigarette battery whereby the attachment kit is powered by the electronic cigarette battery thereby converting the attachment kit into a new utility device.

Abstract: An atomizer with a compact structure and convenient assembly is provided. The atomizer includes an atomizing sleeve and an atomizing assembly fixed therein, a liquid reserving space configured for storing a tobacco liquid is defined in the atomizing sleeve. The atomizing assembly includes a fixing sleeve and a porous body arranged therein, an aerosol passage and at least one liquid opening are formed in the fixing sleeve. The porous body absorbs tobacco liquid through the at least one liquid opening, and the porous body is hollow inside and having an atomizing space defined therein. A heating coil configured for heating tobacco liquid absorbed from the porous body into tobacco aerosol is fixed in the atomizing space. The aerosol passage configured for ejecting the tobacco aerosol is in communication with the atomizing space. An electronic cigarette having the atomizer is also provided.

Abstract: Handheld vaporizing devices with improved heating element and temperature controls, improved e-liquid reservoir, and capacitive technology to activate the heating element to prime the device to deliver aerosol on demand.

Abstract: A personal vaporizing unit (PVU) generates a vapor that is inhaled by a user. A substance (e.g. liquid) in a cartridge is vaporized or atomized by a heating element that heats the liquid. When the PVU is activated, and the user provides suction, the liquid to be vaporized is drawn out of the cartridge, through a wick, and is atomized by the wick into a cavity containing the heating element. The airflow through PVU may have airflow directed around the cartridge and using standoff features to create a more air-tight connection.

Abstract: Separate attachable collar segments as clothing accessory items for installation onto straps of a halter top blouse to form a collared garment, where the collar segments are installed so as to face oppositely from each of the halter top straps, and are quickly and easily removed or repositioned. Also, for additional utility to the detachable halter top collar segments, each can include a mounting section on under surfaces thereof, that each provide for an attachment to an end of a removable shawl and hood, such that, when the shawl and hood ends are mounted to the collar segments it will drape from the wearer's neck area and down their back, and, when the shawl and hood is pulled up over the wearer's head, becomes a hood.

Abstract: A reversible sling shirt may allow a patient to put on a shirt while keeping an injured shoulder with the arm bent at a prescribed, therapeutic angle. The reversible sling shirt may include a removable seam along a body of the shirt and at least a bottom portion of a sleeve. A plurality of magnetic fasteners may be sewn along the removable seam within individual plastic pockets, thus allowing a patient to put on the reversible sling shirt and take it off while keeping the injured arm bent at the predetermined angle. The reversible sling shirt may also be put on and taken off all while the injured arm remains in traction, suspended by a sling.

Abstract: A bra to enable monitoring of a wearer's heart rate. There is provided a bra comprising a left breast cup; a right breast cup; and a centre gore attached between the left and right breast cups. Each of the left and right breast cups comprises a lower edge region which is shaped to follow the shape of a wearer's breast and is shaped to be positioned below a wearer's breast to support the breast, and wherein the lower edge region comprises an electrically conductive fabric layer on the inner surface for contact with the user's skin. The centre gore comprises an attachment area for attachment of a transmitter and an electrically conductive pathway from the electrically conductive fabric of the lower regions of the breast cups to the attachment area. Bra components for providing electrical pathways are also provided.

Abstract: A flexible padding layer for use during competitive sports is provided. The flexible padding layer is comprised of a plurality of individual padding elements each joined on multiple sides with an adjacent padding element via a thin, connecting section. Each padding element further comprises openings and a three-dimensional surface configuration to allow for consistent mechanical properties throughout the padding layer as a whole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a face mask having a panel with a pair of adjustable earloops. The panel may comprise one, two, three or more layers. Preferably, but not necessarily, the panel may comprise a inner fibrous filtering material with microscopic openings that is sandwiched between two outer layers. The fibrous filtering material may filter contaminates while the two outer layers protect the fibrous filtering material and may also provide some filtering. The two outer layers may be formed from a polymer based fabric such that the edges of the two outer layers may be thermally bonded.

Abstract: A waterproof jacket and backpack system is described. The backpack has a first cavity and a further cavity closed by closure means. The jacket has a back panel and two sleeves. A waterproof jacket is attached to the further cavity and stored in that cavity. While the backpack is maintained on the back of the user, the user is able to open the further cavity and extract the jacket from the backpack and wear the jacket.

Abstract: A grip stabilizing hand and wrist covering includes a hand and wrist sleeve having a first side that overlies a palm of a hand and a second side that overlies a back of the hand, a finger receiving portion through which fingers of the hand can extend out from the hand and wrist sleeve when the hand and wrist sleeve is worn, a thumb opening through which a thumb of the hand can extend out from the hand and wrist sleeve when the hand and wrist sleeve is worn, and a gripping portion coupled to an outer surface of the first side of the hand and wrist sleeve substantially coincident with the palm of the hand when the hand and wrist sleeve is worn, the gripping portion providing a high coefficient of friction when placed in contact with an exercise surface.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a removable and adjustable sleeve for securely attaching to and protecting a user's arm. The removable and adjustable sleeve may include a sleeve having a first end proximal to a user's wrist and a second end distal to the user's wrist, an adjustment strap attached to the second end of the sleeve and configured to secure the sleeve to the user's arm and to keep the sleeve from sagging down the user's arm by at least partially encircling the user's arm, and a cuff positioned at the first end of the sleeve, the cuff configured to keep the first end of the sleeve from covering a user's hand. The adjustment strap may include a hook portion configured to engage with a loop portion of a hook and loop fastener to secure the sleeve onto the user's arm.

Abstract: A dress clip is provided and includes a first clip and a second clip. The first clip includes having a first fastener body, a second fastener body, and a first attachment mechanism connecting the first fastener body and the second fastener body. The second clip includes the second fastener body, a third fastener body positioned oriented opposite the second fastener body, and a second attachment mechanism connecting the second fastener body and third fastener body.

Abstract: A hat shaping assembly for being inserted into a hat such that the hat is retained in a round shape includes a panel that may be removably coupled to the hat. The panel is positionable within an interior of the hat so the panel is coextensive with a bill of the hat. A top edge of the panel curves downwardly toward each end of the panel. The panel is wing shaped.

Abstract: A sport/utility or outdoor protective cap or hat is made of an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rated elasticated fabric which has the ability to wick moisture from the head of the wearer in addition to protecting the wearer's head covered by the cap from the sun. The cap has a dome-shaped body portion and a lower band or edge trim around the lower periphery of the dome-shaped portion. The lower band is of varying height, with wider or taller side portions to provide at least substantially full coverage for the ears. The dimensions of the cap are selected so that the cap fits closely and comfortably to the wearer's head with little or no rucking.

Abstract: Implementations of a hair cap are provided. In some implementations, a hair cap may be used to protect the hair of a wearer while they sleep and/or shower. In some implementations, a hair cap comprises a head portion, a pocket portion, and an opening. In some implementations, there may be an elastic band located about the periphery of the opening. In this way, the material about the opening of the head portion may be pulled against a wearer's scalp to potentially prevent water or other liquids from entering the interior of the hair cap. In some implementations, a fastener may be provided on the head portion and another fastener on the pocket portion of a hair cap. In this way the distal end of the pocket portion may be attached to the head portion thereby holding a wearer's hair off of their shoulders and back. In some implementations, silk may be used to manufacture the hair cap. In this way, the wearer's hair is protected from breakage.

Abstract: Lenses (14 and 16) are secured to a head band (12) and covered by a sheet (39). One part (18a and 19a) of a fastener is attached to sheet (39) and the complementary part (18b and 19b) of the fastener is attached to lenses (14 and 16) to connect the lenses to the band. In one embodiment, the band (12) and sheet (39) form a pocket (48) that may receive a lens subassembly (44) such that portions of lenses (14 and 16) extend from pocket (48).

Abstract: The present invention provides improved mirror assembly for safety headgear and the like. The mirror assemblies of the present invention may advantageously allow the wearer to quickly view areas peripheral to and behind the forward field of vision quickly without the need for large movements. Additionally, the mirror assembly includes anchoring mechanisms that sturdily attach the mirror assembly to the headgear such that it is unlikely to be displaced or jostled during violent movement or a collision.

Abstract: A helmet including a protective head covering and a chin strap. The helmet includes an anchor protruding from the protective head covering and including an enlarged anchor head. The helmet includes a buckle coupled to the chin strap, and selectably coupleable to the anchor. The buckle includes a housing including a pair of strap slits. The buckle includes a cavity disposed in the housing and sized to contain the enlarged anchor head. The buckle includes a retaining slot having a retaining region sized to securely couple to the enlarged anchor head. The helmet includes a securement member disposed about the retaining slot. The helmet includes a second anchor and a second buckle; wherein the second anchor and the second buckle mirror the anchor and the buckle disposed on the second side region of the protective head covering.

Abstract: A football helmet with shell, faceguard, padding and comfort liner system, has replaceable nose bumpers for connecting a top center of the faceguard to the shell, button and keyhole connectors connecting the liner to an inner surface of the padding and T-nut connectors for connecting the padding to an inner surface of the shell. Front portions of the comfort liner have harder foam cushions than other portions of the liner to improve impact absorption. Selected areas of the padding system contain pads with inner and outer molded thermoplastic urethane parts of different durometer, each including a sheet with plural alternating hollow protrusions. The faceguard has an upper bar with raised ends above a lower edge of the front portion of the shell that form a face opening and on either side of the nose bumper.

Abstract: A football helmet with shell, faceguard, padding and comfort liner system, has replaceable nose bumpers for connecting a top center of the faceguard to the shell, button and keyhole connectors connecting the liner to an inner surface of the padding and T-nut connectors for connecting the padding to an inner surface of the shell. Front portions of the comfort liner have harder foam cushions than other portions of the liner to improve impact absorption. Selected areas of the padding system contain pads with inner and outer molded thermoplastic urethane parts of different durometer, each including a sheet with plural alternating hollow protrusions. The faceguard has an upper bar with raised ends above a lower edge of the front portion of the shell that form a face opening and on either side of the nose bumper.

Abstract: An adapter for mounting a face shield on a hard hat self-centers and aligns itself with respect to the hard hat brim. An arcuate main body has an arcuate guard portion that extends over the hard hat brim. A central retention tab engages the front edge of the hard hat brim. Opposing guide channels engage the side edges of the hard hat brim and limit rotation of the main body with respect to the hard hat. Cantilever springs within the guide channels engage the side edges of the hard hat brim to self-center the brim with respect to the main body. A retention member extending around the back of the hard hat secures the main body to the hard hat. A face shield mounting bracket is pivotally mounted to the main body portion and supports a face shield. A clutching mechanism helps control the orientation of the face shield.

Abstract: A heel attachment device for footwear is provided that includes an elastic section that can stretch in a longitudinal direction of the device. An attachment section is also present that is contiguous with the elastic section. The elastic section can stretch a greater amount in the longitudinal direction than the attachment section.

Abstract: A non-slip sole structure of fishing shoes contains a sole, a profile of which corresponds to that of a bottom end of a body. The body includes two groups of hooks one piece arranged on a forefoot position thereof and a heel portion of the bottom end thereof, the sole includes a slot defined on a middle section thereof to space apart two group of hooks. Each hook has two extending sections extending outward from a bottom end thereof, and a length of the slot is greater than a size of each hook, such that after the sole is retained and glued with the bottom end of the body, a gap forms between the slot and the two groups of hooks. The sole also includes plural V-shaped cutouts arranged on a forefoot position thereof and a heel portion thereof to correspond to and retain with the two groups of hooks.

Abstract: A wearable, portable, self-contained refrigeration/cooling garment may effectively convert the energy of human movement into heat flux. The heat flux can then used to actively control the temperature of the human body or of part of it. In one example of the present disclosure, the garment is a type of footwear powered by the wearer's ambulation.

Abstract: A waterproof breathable boot comprises a sole, at least two panels forming an external shell having an outer most surface waterproof, an internal layer separate from the outer shell and connected to the external shell by the sole such that a gap of air is formed between the internal layer and the external shell, and a drying insert connected to the internal layer. The at least two panels are waterproofly bonded to each other. An adhesive is in direct contact with a first portion of the inner surface and a second portion of the outer surface waterproofly for bonding the first portion to the second portion. The internal layer has wicking properties and is protected from an outside of the boot by the external shell. A method of manufacturing a waterproof breathable boot is also presented.

Abstract: Boots with external heel counters are disclosed herein. An external heel counter can include a heel counter body that is configured to form at least a portion of an external surface of a boot, where the heel counter body is configured to extend around a heel portion of the boot between an outsole of the boot and an upper of the boot. An external heel counter can further include a spur rest configured to support a yoke of a spur. Boots having an outsole and an upper, where the upper is configured to receive a wearer's foot, can receive and couple with an external heel counter according, wherein the external heel counter is configured to support the wearer's heel when the wearer wears the boot.

Abstract: An athletic shoe comprising an insole made of viscoelastic polyurethane foam, or polyurethane enhanced with chemical agents to increase its viscosity and density.

Abstract: A traction cleat attachment system for footwear that engages with a single click. The system comprises a cleat and a receptacle. The cleat includes a central stud with screw threads spaced about the outside surface of the stud. The receptacle includes a threaded annulus on a base for receiving the central stud of the cleat. The cleat also includes a collar coaxially surrounding the central stud with splines projecting from the interior collar surface. The threaded receptacle annulus is surrounded by two sets of alternating teeth projecting from the outside surface of the annulus. One of the set of alternating teeth have an upper surface at an angle with the base. Thus, the user obtains positive feedback that the cleat and socket have mated correctly.

Abstract: Boots with spur stability systems are disclosed herein. A spur stability system can be configured to couple with a boot having an upper and an outsole, where the spur stability system includes at least one strap stability structure that is configured to resist motion of a spur strap relative to the boot when a spur is operatively attached to the boot with the spur strap. The spur stability system can have an upper strap coupled to the spur, in contact with at least one stability structure on the external surface of the upper. The spur stability system can additionally have a lower strap coupled to the spur, in contact with at least one stability structure on the external surface of the outsole.

Abstract: A method for modifying a high heel shoe to reduce the angulation of the wearer's foot includes obtaining an external pad defining an outer contour and having a top surface, the external pad being at least as large as the area of the toe region outsole that contacts the ground when a wearer walks and having a thickness within the range of one half inch to two inches. The toe region of the shoe outsole is cleaned and the external pad is affixed to the toe region of the shoe outsole. The outer contour of the external pad is trimmed to conform to the outer contour of the outsole.

Abstract: An ornament holder includes a frame body and a presser plate attachable to the frame body. The frame body includes a plate-like portion and locking shafts extending upright from the first plate-like portion. The presser plate is formed with a hole into which the locking shafts are inserted for attaching the presser plate to the frame body. The locking shafts include horizontally protruding locking portions. The presser plate includes locked portions adjacent to the hole and configured to engage with the locking portions of the locking shafts The locking shafts are elastically deformable so as to approach each other when being inserted into the hole of the presser plate.

Abstract: A clasp for engaging a pet leash to a pet collar and a method of using the same is disclosed. The clasp includes a first member having first and second ends; a second member having first and second ends; and a pivot pin securing the second ends together. A D-ring secures the leash to the second end of one of the members. The first ends are selectively movable toward and away from each other. The user will grasp the clasp between a thumb and index finger of one hand and position the clasp so that an aperture in a ring on the pet collar is aligned with opposing jaws on the first ends of the members. The user will then squeeze the first and second members together to move the jaws toward each other; and the ring will be secured between the members as they interlock.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming a fastener having fastener members (23, 63) wherein molten polymer material is deposited by a deposition device onto a contact release surface (7, 27, 32), thereby forming preform projections (20, 60), which contact the front surface (21) of a carrier (13, 62) with their terminal ends (22, 61) and bond to the carrier (13, 62). The carrier (13, 62) is removed with the preform projections (20, 60) attached, thereby separating the preform projections (20, 60) from the contact release surface (7, 27, 32) and forming fastening members (23, 63) projecting from the front surface (21) of the carrier (13, 62). The invention relates further to a method for manufacturing a precursor web (66) for manufacturing a fastener, a fastener web (91, 94,101) for engaging with a loop fabric and a precursor web (66) for manufacturing a fastener.

Abstract: There is provided a molded hook and loop fastener having at least one hook and loop fastener member which includes a flat plate-shaped base material and a plurality of engaging elements erected on a first surface of the base material in a center region in a width direction thereof, and configured to be integrated with a cushion body upon foaming of the cushion body. A flexible sheet-shaped resin material infiltration-blocking member is fixed to right and left side edge portions of the first surface of the base material and arranged along a longitudinal direction. Right and left support members are erected on the inside of fixation portions of the resin material infiltration-blocking member with respect to the base material, to support the resin material infiltration-blocking member. An upper end of the resin material infiltration-blocking member is configured to protrude above an upper end location of the support members.

Abstract: There is provided a pull tab post-attaching slider for a slide fastener. An upper blade of a slider body includes a first mounting portion. A free end portion of a pull tab attachment rod includes a second mounting portion. A blocking member includes a first mounted portion mounted on the first mounting portion and a second mounted portion mounted on the second mounting portion. One of the first mounting portion and the first mounted portion includes a first dovetail groove portion and the other includes a first fitting engagement portion having a first fitting engagement structure fitted into the first dovetail groove portion. One of the second mounting portion and the second mounted portion includes a second dovetail groove portion and the other includes a second fitting engagement portion having a second fitting engagement structure fitted into the second dovetail groove portion.

Abstract: A piece of jewelry, silver and costume jewelry, characterized by comprising a spring (2) which extends, in a continuous manner, along a direction of development (10), a series of ornamental elements (3) slidably engageable with the spring along this developmental direction (10) and locking means of the ornamental elements (3, 103) so that, at each elastic deformation of the spring (2) from an initial position, corresponding to the conformation of rest of said spring (2), said ornamental elements (3) are substantially blocked in the initial position.

Abstract: An improved jewelry chain comprising a plurality of links, each link comprising a head, a neck and a tail, each of the head and the tail having a socket through which successive links are attached. Links in the chain are interconnected by passing a successive link through both the head and the tail of a preceding link, thus combining one link to another by hooking a preceding single link to a successive single link at two distinct contact points to produce the jewelry chain. Upon creation of the jewelry chain, the exposed top surface of each head is modularly fitted to receive stamped, casted and/or machined plates, collets, mountings and/or sockets in which precious stones may be received and set on the surface of the bracelet.