Abstract: Systems and methods for powering and controlling flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle are provided. The unmanned aerial vehicles can be used in a networked communication system. A tether management system can be used to facilitate both mobile and static tethered operation to provide power and/or voice and data communication.

Abstract: A container-handling apparatus, in particular a closing machine for closing cans or similar containers with a closure cap. A transfer element is provided between at least two adjacent container-closing positions. The transfer element surrounds at least part of the circumference of the respective container carrier and is provided so as to rotate with, i.e., revolve with, the container-closing positions. Furthermore, the upper side of the transfer element forms a transfer plane for transferring the upright containers in a planar manner from the transport plane onto the transfer plane spanned by the transfer element. The transfer plane and the transport plane are coplanar, spanning a common plane.

Abstract: A power tool having a hammer mechanism comprises a tool body, a motor, a handle, at least one biasing member, and at least one elastic member. The handle is connected to the tool body to be movable in at least a front-rear direction. The handle includes a cover part covering a portion of the tool body, and a grip part connected to the cover part. The at least one biasing member is disposed between the tool body and the handle and biases the tool body and the handle away from each other in the front-rear direction. The at least one elastic member is disposed between the tool body and the cover part of the handle such that the at least one elastic member is movable relative to the tool body and the handle and is shear-deformable in response to a relative movement of the tool body and the handle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for folding and retaining upper flaps of a box are disclosed. The system includes a conveyor system configured to advance the box at least partially through the system. A flap folding assembly is configured to fold the upper flaps of the box to an open or outwardly folded configuration. The upper flaps are folded outwardly and down towards outer sidewall surfaces of the box in the folded configuration. A bander assembly is configured to apply a band or other restraint to the upper flaps of the box to retain the upper flaps in the folded configuration.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a sheet material container where the sheet material container includes one or a plurality of sheet members including a main-body forming sheet member that has an outer film layer and an inner film layer which are mutually stacked, a containing region that accommodates contents, and a container body that is configured from the main-body forming sheet member and that surrounds the containing region, and the main-body forming sheet member having a main-body sealing portion, which is an attached region between the outer film layer and the inner film layer, and a non-attached region where the outer film layer and the inner film layer are partially not attached, and further having a filling portion where a filler is enclosed between the layers of the outer film layer and the inner film layer in the non-attached region.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for manufacturing products having custom graphic designed are disclosed. A method may comprise printing a first order identifier graphic on a substrate material, the first order identifier graphic associated with a first order for a first set of products, printing a first set of one or more graphic designs on the material, the first set of one or more graphic designs associated with the first order, and combining the material with one or more product components to form a first set of products, each of the first set of products being associated with the first customer order and at least one of the products of the first set of products comprising the first order identifier graphic. The method may further comprise packaging the first set of products in a first package wherein the first order identifier graphic is visible through the first package.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, are described for implementing an unmanned aerial vehicle or drone with ducted fans. The drone includes a housing having a first surface and multiple ducts that each extend from the first surface to a second surface of the housing. The first surface is substantially flat. A respective fan assembly is installed in each of the ducts. The drone includes an internal cavity at a location intermediate two respective ducts and circuitry positioned in the internal cavity. The circuitry is operable to generate control signals used to operate the respective fan assemblies.

Abstract: A packaging system for transferring a dunnage product to a packaging container includes a dunnage sensor configured to detect the dunnage product registered at an alignment reference plane in a staging location. The packaging system also includes a package sensor configured to detect the packaging container registered at the alignment reference plane in a loading location. A dunnage placement apparatus is configured to transfer the dunnage product from the staging location to the packaging container in the loading location after both the dunnage sensor detects the dunnage product registered at the alignment reference plane in the staging location and the package sensor detects the packaging container registered at the alignment reference plane in the loading location.

Abstract: A stack of laminar material for forming packages, the stack including full panels having a predetermined total length and formed with transverse creases along which the full panels are folded in accordion-like pleats. The stack includes at least one longitudinal cut on each full panel to form at least two transversely adjacent stacks of partial panels having respective partial widths, which are less than the total width. The at least one cut is incomplete, so that each partial panel of a respective stack and the partial panel of the stack adjacent thereto will have at least one connecting section therebetween, having a predetermined minimum length, for holding the partial panels of the adjacent stacks together, to thereby keep the adjacent stacks substantially aligned while facilitating the separation of each of the partial panels as they are unwound by a pulling action from each adjacent stack.

Abstract: A rotary impact tool includes a motor housing, an electric motor supported in the motor housing, and a drive assembly for converting a continuous torque input from the motor to consecutive rotational impacts upon a workpiece. The drive assembly includes an anvil including an anvil lug and a hammer that is both rotationally and axially movable relative to the anvil. The hammer includes a hammer lug for imparting the consecutive rotational impacts upon the anvil lug. The rotary impact tool further comprises a printed circuit board assembly including a sensor that is configured to detect rotation of the anvil. The printed circuit board assembly is spaced from the anvil to define an axial gap therebetween.

Abstract: A machine (10) and a method for producing a tubular product (A), preferably made of paper, which can be preferably used to produce straws starting from one or more strip-shaped elements (B), by means of winding means (17) configured in a closed loop and partly wound around a shaping member (12) on which the one or more strip-shaped elements (B) are wound in a helical manner and by means of support means (20) configured as a support belt (22) disposed in a closed loop, made of flexible material, partly wound on the shaping member (12).

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing packaging comprising the steps of: a) providing a packaging material (2) comprising cartonboard, semi-rigid plastics or other semi-rigid packaging material; b) forming fold lines (8) and/or cuts within the packaging material (2) by subjecting the packaging material (2) to laser (12) or mechanical scoring; c) folding the packaging material (2) along the fold lines (8) and/or cuts and securing in position to form a substantially tubular container (200); and d) forming at least one seal (302, 304) by sealing together at least two opposing regions (122, 124, 126, 128) of a blank (4) to form an at least partially sealed package (300); e) performing at least one of steps b), c) and d) on a horizontal or vertical fill, form and seal apparatus (400).

Abstract: An impact mechanism for an impact tool having a housing with a housing longitudinal axis, wherein the impact mechanism includes an impact mechanism longitudinal axis that is offset and substantially perpendicular to the housing longitudinal axis. The impact mechanism includes a gear carrier adapted to be driven by a motor of the impact tool to rotate about the impact mechanism longitudinal axis, a hammer slidably coupled to the gear carrier and rotatable about the impact mechanism longitudinal axis, the hammer includes a radial surface with a hammer lug extending therefrom, and an intermediate bit adapted to receive impact force from the hammer lug and transfer impact force to a tool bit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container for a heart pump device with a first receiving space for a compressible and expandable heart pump, wherein the first receiving space is delimited on several sides, in particular on all sides, by one or more closure elements and is closed off to the outside for preventing a contacting of the heart pump, wherein the closure elements) leave free an opening for the passage of a catheter from the outside into the first receiving space, wherein the diameter of the opening is dimensioned such that the heart pump can pass this exclusively in a condition which is at least partly compressed compared to the expanded condition. For implantation, the heart pump in the container can firstly be operated by trial in the container whilst feeding a rinsing fluid and can then be pulled through the opening amid simultaneous compression, into a sheath element.

Abstract: A bag for enclosing a cushion is disclosed. The bag comprises a tubular sleeve having first and second end pieces coupled to first and second longitudinal ends thereof, a plurality of reinforcing straps encircling a circumference of the tubular sleeve, and at least one handle extending between the plurality of reinforcing straps. The at least one handle is configured to lay flush against the tubular sleeve during shipping. Methods for packaging and shipping a cushion in the bag include roll packing a cushion into a cylindrical shape, disposing the cushion in a compressed form into the bag, and shipping the bag to a customer without inserting the bag in any other container. Methods of unpacking the cushion from the bag includes uncoupling the first end piece from the tubular sleeve, opening the tubular sleeve along a longitudinal length thereof, and unrolling the compressed cushion to an expanded form.

Abstract: A system for forming a pressware product from a web of a roll of material comprises a positive mold, a negative mold, a heating element, an actuator, a force sensor, and a control system. The positive mold forms a top surface of the pressware product. The negative mold forms a bottom surface of the pressware product. The heating element is coupled to the positive mold or the negative mold. The actuator shifts the positive mold or the negative mold to cut and form the pressware product in a single stroke. The force sensor detects the forming force applied by the actuator, and the control system directs the actuator to adjust the forming force.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for a case on a conveyor system. A chain vertically hangs over a conveyor belt. A hook is positioned on an end of the chain. A piston retracts and releases the chain. The hook interacts with and moves front flaps on cases traveling on the conveyor system.

Abstract: A fastener driver includes a housing, a cylinder disposed within the housing, a piston positioned and moveable within the cylinder, and a driver blade. The driver blade includes a body defining a first end having an aperture defined therein and a second end opposite the first end. The aperture is sized to receive a fastener to attach the driver blade to the piston. The driver blade is moveable with the piston from a first position toward a second position along a longitudinal axis during a fastener driving operation. A nosepiece at least partially defining a fastener driving track through which fasteners are driven. A total length of the fastener driver as measured between a distal end of the nosepiece and a distal end of the cylinder is less than 11.4 inches (289.6 mm).

Abstract: A nail punching machine for driving in or pulling out rail spikes includes a driving mechanism, which is driven by an electric drive motor. The electric drive motor is supplied with electric power by an accumulator. The nail punching machine is held by an operator by at least one handle.

Abstract: A displacement device for moving a truncated cone at a base of a container from an as-blown position to a displaced position. The base includes a deep base ring between a standing surface and the truncated cone. The displacement device includes a collar sized and shaped to be received within the deep base ring. A plunger includes a head at an end of a shaft extending through the collar. The head is sized and shaped to be received within the receptacle of the collar. The plunger is movable from a retracted position, at which the head is seated within the receptacle, to an extended position at which the head extends out from within the receptacle to allow the head to contact the truncated cone and move the truncated cone from the as-blown position to the displaced position.