Abstract: A system including a flume. The flume can include a fluid and be configured to receive crops. The system also can include crop selectors each sized to move the crops individually from the flume into a scale. The system additionally can include the scale. The scale can be configured to weigh the crops while the crops are in the scale. The system further can include a container carrier configured to (i) hold a container that is submerged in the fluid while the crops are dumped from the scale into the container and (ii) lift the container out of the fluid to allow the fluid to drain from the container while the container holds the crops. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a wireless transmission system for transmitting at least one of power and a data signal through between an end effector and an instrument housing of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes the sensor monitoring and processing circuit.

Abstract: A vacuum sealer includes: a housing comprising a vacuum chamber therein; a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber; a sealing mechanism adjacent a periphery of the vacuum chamber; a valve positioned and configured to releasably seal the vacuum chamber, the valve movable between a first position, in which the valve forms a seal with the sealing chamber, and a second position, in which the valve does not form a seal with the sealing chamber; and a controller operatively connected with the vacuum pump, the sealing mechanism, and the valve. The controller is configured to move the valve from the first position to the second position during sealing.

Abstract: Surgical stapler systems can include lockout mechanisms to restrict further movement of a jaw assembly and provide different functionality when a jaw assembly is empty and when a partially or fully fired reload cartridge is present in the jaw assembly. When the jaw assembly is empty, the empty jaw assembly lockout mechanism can arrest an open-close stroke of the jaw assembly. When an at least partially fired reload is present in the jaw assembly, a fired reload lockout mechanism can allow operation of the jaw assembly through a substantial portion of an open-close stroke, but restrict actuation of the jaw assembly in a firing stroke. The separate lockout mechanisms can be embodied in a single lockout lever actuatable by lockout actuators to three distinct positions or by two independently-operable lockout levers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical instrument, comprising a shaft, an articulation joint extending distally from the shaft, and an end effector extending distally from the articulation joint. The end effector comprises a jaw, and a staple cartridge seatable in the jaw. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body, staples removably stored in the cartridge body, and a first antenna. The surgical instrument further comprises a remote power source configured to supply power, a second antenna configured to cooperate with the first antenna when the staple cartridge is seated in the jaw to transmit at least one of the power and a data signal to the staple cartridge, and a tuning electronics package located in a cavity in a proximal portion of the end effector. The tuning electronics package is configured to facilitate a locally tunable wireless transmission of the at least one of the power and the data signal.

Abstract: A packaged article is composed of a bulk bag having a top end and a bottom end. Further included is a pallet having a first side and a second side. Also included are an outer bag having a first closed end and a first open end and a heatshrink bag having a second closed end and a second open end. The first closed end of the outer bag is between the bottom end of the bulk bag and the first side of the pallet. The first open end of the outer bag is gathered over the top end of the bulk bag to enclose the bulk bag within the outer bag. The second closed end of the heatshrink bag is proximate to the top end of the bulk bag and the second open end contacts the second side of the pallet.

Abstract: The present invention is an automated electromechanical gripper for handling a container. In one embodiment, the gripper is used in an automated liquid dispenser. The gripper can grab a single container, remove the container from a nested stack of containers, and move the container in three directions (horizontally, laterally, and vertically).

Abstract: A staple cartridge configured for use with a surgical stapler includes a cartridge body, a deck defined configured to compress tissue against an anvil of the surgical stapler, and a plurality of staple openings formed in the deck. A plurality of staples is disposed within the staple openings, with each staple having a pair of legs. A plurality of staple drivers is also disposed within the staple openings, with the staple drivers being actuatable to drive the staples through tissue and against the anvil to form the legs. Each of the staple drivers includes a driver body, a first pocket disposed on a first lateral side of the driver body, and a second pocket disposed on a second lateral side of the driver body. The first and second pockets are configured to receive the legs of the respective staple when the legs are formed against the anvil.

Abstract: Method for processing hot-filled plastic containers are provided. In some embodiments, the method may include hot-filling a plastic container, sealing the container, and conveying the sealed container, each with an inner annular wall and a push-up portion in a first position. In some embodiments, the method may further include creating a vacuum pressure in the hot-filled and sealed container and repositioning the push-up portion from the first position to a second position under a mechanical force.

Abstract: A surgical loading unit includes an anvil assembly, a staple cartridge assembly pivotably coupled to the anvil assembly, and a knife configured to approximate the staple cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly. The staple cartridge assembly has a staple cartridge chassis having a support protruding outwardly from a proximal end thereof. The knife includes an upper plate coupled to the staple cartridge chassis and a lower plate coupled to the anvil assembly. The support of the staple cartridge chassis has an upper surface that is coplanar with or above an upper surface of the upper plate when the knife is in a proximal position for preventing the knife from catching on a surgical port during use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for, and method of, applying, drying and activating hot glue on the packaging machine itself. In the case of the basic option, the device works as follows: two assemblies (1) for applying and drying glue are positioned on the plates (3) of machine (M). Assemblies (1) are made up of consoles (11) mounted in a way that enables them to slide and move, their front end on the lever (32) and their rear end on the shaft (31) attached between two plates (3). The lever (32) is attached, by way of levers (33), between the plates (3). One device (12) for applying hot glue is attached to the consoles (11), just above the lever (32), while a number of fans (13) are fastened along the console (11), above the device (12), as well as on the opposite side. The heater (4) is horizontally attached to the carrier (42) and positioned in the opening (43) on the plate (41). The strip heater (7) is made up of an endless strip (71) and vertical heaters (72).

Abstract: To provide a method and an apparatus for manufacturing pillow packages provided with a fixing tape with high efficiency while preventing damage to the pillow packages. The method for manufacturing pillow packages includes placing a pillow package 1a among a plurality of pillow packages conveyed by a conveying section 21 on an inclined placement section of the conveying section 21 to incline the pillow package 1a in a predetermined direction to thereby expand the gap between a pillow package 1b placed next to the pillow package 1a on the conveying section 21 and the pillow package 1a and bringing a cutting blade 25 into contact with a string of double-sided tape 16 bonded between the pillow package 1a and the pillow package 1b to cut the double-sided tape 16.

Abstract: Surgical stapling instruments include mechanisms for identifying and/or deactivating stapler cartridge for use with the instruments. The stapling instrument includes a drive member for actuating a staple cartridge and a locking member movable from a disabled position permitting distal translation of the drive member through a staple firing stroke, to a locking position inhibiting distal translation of the drive member through the staple firing stroke. The staple cartridge may include a switch for maintaining the locking member in the disabled position. The switch may be further configured to operate as a reload detection mechanism for determining the type of reload present in the surgical stapling instrument.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly that includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a channel member that includes structure for releasably engaging the anvil assembly to allow for separation of the entire cartridge assembly from the anvil assembly after each use of the stapling device.

Abstract: A blister packing machine includes: a conveyor that conveys a belt-like container film having a pocket portion forming area and an expected mounting part; a preheating device that preheats the container film conveyed by the conveyor; a pocket portion forming device that forms a pocket portion in the container film softened by the preheating device; and a tension applier that applies a tension along a width direction of the container film to at least the pocket portion forming area. The pocket portion forming device forms the pocket portion while the tension applier applies the tension to the container film, the container film has an edge area between an edge in the width direction and the expected mounting part, and the tension applier includes a projection that applies the tension to the container film by pressing the edge area to form a protruding portion in the container film.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a shaft assembly, an end effector secured to the shaft assembly, a firing assembly, and an articulation assembly. The firing assembly includes a drive beam and a flexible knife bar assembly that are selectively advanceable through the end effector for firing the end effector. The articulation assembly has an articulation link assembly and a pivotable bar guide assembly. The articulation link assembly is coupled to the end effector and actuatable to cause the end effector to articulate relative to the shaft assembly. The pivotable bar guide assembly supports the flexible knife bar assembly and includes a proximal guide assembly and a distal guide assembly that are pivotably coupled together. The proximal guide assembly is pivotably coupled to the shaft assembly. The distal guide assembly is pivotably coupled to the end effector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for manufacturing a pouch containing a brewable material accommodated in a wrapping, comprising a pouch manufacturing device adapted to manufacture a pouch containing brewable material, and a sealing station with jaw elements forming opposing sealing surfaces acting on the wrapping from opposite sides for sealing the pouch. The device according to the invention allows a more economical production of a packaging unit comprising a pouch in the wrapping and has a trough-shaped recess in which a helically laid heating conductor is accommodated.

Abstract: Provided is packaging machine with a sealing station that includes a mold with an upper tool and a lower tool facing each other and suitable for cooperating with one another in an operative position of the mold, between which there is delimited an inner area. The lower tool includes a cavity that is configured to receive a tray. A gas injection opening is located adjacent to a first side of the cavity and communicated with the inner area. The upper tool includes a sealing tool and an actuator device facing an actuation region of the lower tool defined between the first side of the cavity and a contact location of the upper and lower tools, and being closer to the lower tool than the sealing tool.

Abstract: An endoscopic stapling device for tissue resection has an asymmetrical tool assembly that delivers a greater number of staples, or rows of staples, to healthy tissue that remains in a patient, and fewer number of staples, or rows of staples, to diseased or damaged tissue to be resected and removed from the patient. The tool assembly includes an asymmetric cartridge assembly and an asymmetric anvil assembly for applying the staples to the resected and healthy tissues. The endoscopic stapling device also includes an asymmetric drive assembly for actuating the tool assembly.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for a surgical stapling device includes a staple cartridge that includes a staple array that has a configuration to minimize blood leakage through a staple line formed by the staple cartridge.