Abstract: An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing a package includes a plurality of platens and vacuum chambers, each chamber adapted to mate with a dedicated one of the platens; a conveying system for conveying the platens and chambers along a generally angular path having a single axis of rotation; an automated loading assembly having a linear component and configured to load a package onto each of the platens; an automated unloading assembly having a linear portion and configured to unload a vacuumized, sealed package from each loaded platen onto an outfeed conveyor; and a vacuumizing/sealing system configured to cause relative movement of each chamber/platen pair, along a portion of the angular path, to form therebetween an air-tight enclosure accommodating the package and effect vacuumization and sealing of the package.

Abstract: A surgical loading unit includes an elongate body, an end effector pivotably coupled to the elongate body, and a flexible knife bar extending through a distal portion of the elongate body and a proximal portion of the end effector. Articulation of the end effector relative to the elongate body in a first direction moves a first segment of the knife bar in the first direction and moves a second segment of the knife bar in a second direction, opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A dunnage conversion machine that converts a stock material into a less dense dunnage product includes an outlet chute having a housing with a passage therethrough from an inlet at an inlet end downstream to an outlet at an outlet end spaced from the inlet end. The output chute includes a lower guide surface that defines a bottom side of the passage. The lower guide surface has an upstream end toward the inlet and a downstream end toward the outlet. The upstream end of the lower guide surface is spaced from a centerline of the passage a distance that is greater than a distance that the downstream end is spaced from the centerline of the passage to provide an inclined surface, such that a cross-section of the passage decreases from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: A customizable case former and it system and method of use provide for a case former having a base, interchangeable case gages and forming heads. Contained within the interior of the base are slide blocks mounted on slide rails and assemblies in such a manner as to allow the slide blocks to be slidingly reconfigured to form a case forming cavity of varicose sizes and shapes. The size and shape of the case forming cavity is established and maintained by a template opening, defined by, and potentially unique to, each case gage. The size and shape of the forming head corresponds to the size and shape of the template opening. The slide blocks are secured to the case gage by removable locking pins.

Abstract: A packing method of packing articles into a packing box comprises pre-grouping articles on a pre grouping surface provided by a pre grouping conveyor belt of a pre grouping conveyor, and providing the articles from the pre-grouping surface of the pre-grouping conveyor belt into the packing box.

Abstract: A dual frequency ultrasonic and sonic actuator with constrained impact mass is presented. According to one aspect, displacement of the impact mass is constrained by cavity to which ultrasonic stress from the tip of a horn is applied. According to another aspect, the displacement of the impact mass is constrained by a spring attached to the tip of the horn. According to another aspect, the displacement of the impact mass is constrained by a flexure. The constrained impact mass converts the ultrasonic stress to lower frequency sonic stress that is coupled to a transmitting element for transmission through a surface. According to one aspect, the transmitting element is a longitudinal probe. According to another aspect, the transmitting element is a drill bit used to penetrate though the surface. According to another aspect, the transmitting element is a thumper used to transmit elastic waves though the surface.

Abstract: A method for controlling or regulating a hand-held power tool, in particular a screwdriver, preferably a rotary impact screwdriver. The method includes: application of a first torque, in particular torque impulse, to a screw in a first direction of rotation, and application of a second torque, in particular torque impulse, to the screw, in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation.

Abstract: A power tool, including a support structure, a pivot bearing arranged on the support structure, a shaft mounted on the support structure via the pivot bearing, a rotatable tool coupled to the shaft, in particular a saw blade, milling cutter or grinding wheel, a strain gauge arrangement for detecting a mechanical quantity which depends on a force emanating from the tool, and a control device which is adapted to recognize an event and/or a state of the power tool according to the detected mechanical quantity. The strain gauge arrangement is arranged on a stationary structure section coupled in a force-transmitting manner to the pivot bearing and is not arranged on the pivot bearing.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is a method of packaging a plurality siding panels. The method includes providing a plurality of siding panels, each siding panel having a front face, a rear face, top edge, a bottom edge, and a support member secured to the rear face, placing a first siding panel vertically within a box, the box having a first side, a second side, a top side, and a bottom side, and placing a second siding panel vertically within the box next to the first siding panel.

Abstract: A staple cartridge assembly is disclosed comprising one or more wire staples and one or more staples formed from a sheet of material.

Abstract: A motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument that comprises an end effector, an electric motor, and a motor control circuit. The motor control circuit is for monitoring a parameter of the electric motor that is indicative of movement of a moveable member of the end effector, and for adjustably controlling the electric motor based on the monitored parameter to thereby adjustably control movement of the moveable member of the end effector during forward rotation of the electric motor.

Abstract: A surgical instrument with a rotatable and articulatable end effector. The end effector includes first and second jaws that are movable between an open position and a closed position by an axially movable drive member. The end effector is coupled to an elongate shaft such that the end effector is rotatable relative to the shaft about a shaft axis when the drive member is rotated. A releasable lock system is provided to selectively lock the end effector in a desired rotary position.

Abstract: A rotary translational strapping apparatus and strapping method thereof are provided including a support frame, a rotary module, and a translational strapping module, the rotary module includes a rotary guide, a rotary frame, and a first driving mechanism, the rotary guide is disposed on top of the support frame, the rotary frame is rotatably disposed on the rotary guide, the first driving mechanism is used for driving the rotary frame to rotate relative to the rotary guide. The translational strapping module includes a sliding mount, a strapping head, a strapping chute, and a second driving mechanism. The sliding mount is slidably disposed on the rotary frame.

Abstract: A rotary impact tool includes a housing, an electric motor supported in the housing, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes an anvil having a longitudinal bore for selectively receiving a tool bit, and a plurality of radial slots extending from the longitudinal bore through the anvil. The rotary impact tool further includes a bit holding device including a plurality of ball detents received in the respective radial slots, and a collar slidably disposed on the anvil having an interior surface for maintaining a portion of the ball detents within the longitudinal bore, and collar spring for biasing the collar rearward to a first collar position. The bit holding device further includes a helical detent spring surrounding the anvil having a continuous helical structure with a plurality of protrusions extending into the radial slots, the protrusions are for biasing the ball detents toward an open end of the bore.

Abstract: A binding material storage apparatus including a rotary magazine for storage of binding material rolls, rotationally supported about a horizontal axis between two side elements. A magazine may be rotated between a number of discrete positions including a dispense position, each suitable for storage of a roll of binding material. The magazine includes first and second end plates between which support elements extend, one support for each discrete position, each of the supports mounted for free rotation within the magazine. At each discrete position a spindle is mounted for free rotation within the second end plate. An electrically controlled braking gear is supported on the second side. Each spindle is connected to an associated support and an associated first gear. The electrically controlled braking gear engages the first gear in the dispense position to control the speed of rotation of the support element in said position.

Abstract: An apparatus for the vacuum packaging of food, which includes a base structure which defines a vacuum chamber which can be connected to a vacuum pump. Between the vacuum chamber and the vacuum pump, at least one air filtration device is provided which has elements for varying at least one thermo-fluid dynamics parameter of the flow of air extracted from the vacuum chamber by the vacuum pump, in order to enable the elimination, from the air extracted from the vacuum chamber, of water, biochemical liquids and biological materials.

Abstract: A power tool includes a motor, a housing, a battery holder and a cushion. The battery holder is held by the housing to be movable at least in a first direction relative to the housing. The battery holder is configured to removably receive a battery for supplying electric power to the motor. The cushion is held by the housing such that the first direction intersects the cushion. When the battery is attached to the battery holder, the cushion is directly or indirectly disposed between the battery and the housing.

Abstract: A driver-drill (1) includes: a controller (32), which stops rotation of a brushless motor (9) when a torque applied to a spindle (26) reaches a prescribed clutch-actuation torque; and a dial (65), which is capable of specifying, to the controller (32), the setting of the prescribed clutch-actuation torque within a prescribed high-low range of values. In the controller (32), a relationship between clutch-actuation torques and each value in the high-low range is set such that, in a first range in which the values are low, changes in the clutch-actuation torques are the same in the low-speed mode and in the high-speed mode and such that, in a second range outside of the first range, the clutch-actuation torques in the low-speed mode are higher than in the high-speed mode.

Abstract: A method of processing a blank for forming a construct includes obtaining the blank, the blank including a flexible material and is for being formed into a construct. The method also includes moving the blank in a downstream direction on a first guide and a second guide, and pressing an interior region of the blank with a shaping apparatus in a direction transverse to the machine direction as the blank moves in the downstream direction and as a peripheral region of the blank is engaged by at least one shaping bracket.

Abstract: A retraction mechanism allows the full distal retraction of the firing drive from various positions. The retraction mechanism has been developed for use with a hand held surgical apparatus. An embodiment of the retraction mechanism includes a drive member, a first pulley, a second pulley, and a firing drive. The drive mechanism is configured to be driven by a motor. The first pulley is configured to rotate when the motor drives the drive mechanism. The second pulley is movable relative to the first pulley between a proximal position and a distal position. The firing drive is movable relative to the first pulley between proximal and distal positions. In operation, the first pulley rotates in a first direction in response to a distal translation of the firing drive and wherein the firing drive moves proximally upon rotation of the first pulley in a second direction.