Abstract: A sterilization method includes irradiating flexible bags, in particular, bags of the type that can contain solutions of human plasma proteins for therapeutic use. The sterilization method includes electron beam irradiation. An in-line method for filling flexible bags of the type that can contain solutions of human plasma proteins for therapeutic use can use the sterilization method.

Abstract: A dimensioning tool for a packing machine is provided. The dimensioning tool is configured to allow insertion of an item into the packing machine when the item satisfies one or more criteria. The dimensioning tool includes a first gauge and a second gauge separate from the first gauge. The first gauge is configured to restrict a first set of dimensions of the item that can be inserted into the packing machine, according to the one or more criteria. The second gauge is configured to restrict a second set of dimensions of the item that can be inserted into the packing machine, according to the one or more criteria.

Abstract: A method for controlling a powered surgical stapler that includes an end effector with jaws that are movable between an open and a closed position and a firing member that is movable between a starting position and an ending position within the end effector. The jaws and firing member are controlled by separate rotary systems and the end effector includes a firing member lockout system that prevents axial movement of the firing member unless the surgical staple cartridge is in ready to fire condition.

Abstract: A support plate for supporting a package during filling with a food product is disclosed. The support plate can include a wall defining a cavity for receiving a top portion of the package. The wall has a slanted interior surface that is complementary to the top portion of the package. The support plate also comprises a support projection extending in a parallel direction to and away from the wall, the support projection being complementary to and for abutting the top portion of the package, wherein the top portion can include a concave top surface and a second concave surface. A system that can include the support plate for use in a filling machine and a filling machine that can include a plurality of the systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A circular stapler is disclosed. The circular stapler comprises a handle assembly, an elongate body, and a cartridge assembly. The elongate body extends from the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The cartridge assembly is disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongate body. The cartridge assembly includes a pusher assembly and a knife assembly. The pusher assembly is movable to cause staples to be ejected from the cartridge assembly. The knife assembly is selectively movable relative to the pusher assembly to distally translate a knife. A knife carrier of the knife assembly includes at least one latch thereon. The at least one latch is configured to contact an engagement surface of the pusher assembly in response to movement between the knife carrier and the pusher assembly. The at least one latch is prevented from distally translating beyond the engagement surface.

Abstract: The method for drying filter rods comprises the steps of providing a filter rod, providing a support surface for receiving the filter rod and guiding the filter rod on the support surface by a guide element arranged above the support surface. The method further comprises the step of supplying a gas stream of compressed gas having a pressure between 0 and 6 bar to the filter rod through the guide element when the filter rod is transported along the support surface, before wrapping the filter rod with a wrapping material.

Abstract: A method for forming a package including a stack of absorbent tissue paper material and a packaging, the tissue paper material in the stack forming panels having a length, and a width perpendicular to the length, the panels being piled on top of each other to form a height extending between a first end surface and a second end surface of the stack, and the packaging encircling the stack so as to maintain the stack in a compressed condition in the package, with a selected packing density D0 of the stack, and a selected packing height H0; the method including: forming the stack of absorbent tissue paper material; compressing each portion of the stack in a direction along the height to assume a temporary height H1 being c1×H0, where c1 is between 0.30 and 0.95; and applying the packaging to the stack.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing spouted pouch containers. The method includes arranging an upper and lower strip with their inner sides on top of each other, folding at least one longitudinal edge of the upper strip away from the lower strip to expose both an inner side portion of the folded longitudinal edge of the upper strip and an inner side portion of the lower strip, arranging a spouted cover strip on top of the exposed inner side portions, sealing pairs of side walls of the upper and lower strip to each other and sealing the spouted cover strip to the exposed inner side portion of the lower and upper strips, and cutting the upper strip and lower strip into individual pouch containers. The apparatus is provided for carrying out the manufacturing method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device including an article carry-in mechanism (1A) that transports an article (w) to a packaging position (P), an article carry-out mechanism (1B) that carries the article (w) away from the packaging position (P), and a relaying mechanism (1C) disposed between the article carry-in mechanism (1A) and the article carry-out mechanism (1B). The relaying mechanism (1C) receives and supports the transported article (w) from below in a center part of the article (w) in a direction of its width.

Abstract: A powered surgical instrument comprising a housing, an elongate shaft, an articulation joint, a rotary drive member configured to rotate in response to rotary motion from an electric motor, a coupling portion, and a stapling attachment releasably attachable to the coupling portion is disclosed. The stapling attachment is secured to the coupling portion by rotating one of the stapling attachment and the coupling portion relative to the other of the stapling attachment and the coupling portion. The stapling attachment comprises an elongate channel configured to receive a staple cartridge. The stapling attachment further comprises an anvil, a drive screw, and a firing member operably engaged with the drive screw. The coupling portion operably couples the rotary drive member and the drive screw when the stapling attachment is attached to the elongate shaft. The firing member is advanced distally within the stapling attachment when the drive screw is rotated.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that comprises an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for selective pivotal travel relative thereto about an articulation axis that is laterally offset from the shaft axis and extends transversely relative thereto. An end effector driver link is operably coupled to the surgical end effector and an articulation driver that is supported for longitudinal travel in distal and proximal directions upon application of articulation motions thereto. A flexible de-articulation member is coupled to the elongate shaft assembly and the surgical end effector to apply de-articulation motions to the surgical end effector.

Abstract: An apparatus is arranged for packaging sheet material, in particular banknotes, vouchers, checks, separation cards, etc., with a packaging device, packaging material dispensed from a roll for packaging the sheet material, and a control device controlling the apparatus. A monitoring device is provided for the packaging material, and the control device evaluates a signal of the monitoring device during the packaging of sheet material, in order to derive therefrom whether packaging material is present on the roll.

Abstract: A packaged assembly of a hermetically sealed container and cigarette, and method of forming the assembly. The container is hermetically sealed for airtight conditions for freshness, whereby an interior space is either filled with an inert gas or is evacuated down to a pressure close to 0 atm to remove substantially all air (oxygen) from within. The container may be clear glass to afford good visibility of the cigarette within an interior space thereof. However, a relatively large label may be affixed to the exterior of the container to occlude most of the light from reaching the cigarette.

Abstract: An attachment is configured for use with a powered hammer to drive a rod into the ground. The attachment includes a body and an impact portion defining a first axis. The impact portion is fixed to the body and immovable relative to the body. The impact portion is configured to receive repeated impacts from the powered hammer. The attachment further comprises a receiving portion in which the rod is receivable. The receiving portion defines a second axis that is parallel with the first axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (22) for closing the top side of external cardboard packagings (1). The external cardboard packagings (1) comprise two top closing flaps (3, 4) located opposite each other. Side edges (42) of the closing flaps (3, 4) are connected to each other via two fold-in flaps (5, 6). During closing, at least two external cardboard packagings (1) are positioned in a group (50) contiguous to each other or slightly spaced apart. At least two folding devices (23) are advanceable toward each other to engage the fold-in flaps (5, 6) of each of the at least two external cardboard packagings (1), thus pressing the fold-in flaps (5, 6) toward each other and folding them over their particular second fold edges (60) and third fold edges (7), thereby folding down the top closing flaps (3, 4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for encapsulating a liquid product, the method comprising blending together a solution of alginate and a thickener and extruding through an appropriately shaped die to form a membrane, applying a calcium rich ion solution to crosslink the membrane and create a water insoluble membrane, filling the water insoluble membrane with the liquid product; and sealing the membrane around the liquid product, encapsulating the liquid product therein.

Abstract: A wrapping machine includes a frame for supporting a wrapping unit arranged to wrap a load with a film of plastic material, and a covering apparatus arranged to supply a covering sheet to be positioned on top of the load. The covering apparatus includes a reel of covering sheet and gripping assembly movable along an unwinding direction and arranged to grasp and unwind from the reel and place above the load the covering sheet. The covering apparatus includes a supporting structure connected to an upper portion of the frame and slidably supporting the gripping assembly, and a supplying unit supporting a respective reel of covering sheet and reversibly coupled to the supporting structure so as to be removable and replaceable with another supplying unit, in particular in case of depletion of the reel of covering sheet.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the packaging of metal thin films deposited on polymeric substrates. The packaging method prevents deleterious change of surface energy/water contact angle as a function of time for metal thin films such as rolls, coils, sheets or strips of sputtered or vacuum deposited metal thin films. Methods and kits directed toward a unique packaging and storage scheme are also disclosed. This results in maintenance of the metal film's hydrophilicity and surface energy for extended periods of time.

Abstract: A vacuum packing apparatus includes a box, a lid, a solenoid, a vacuum pump, a pressure gauge, a time relay, a thermal sealer and a controller. The box includes a chamber. The lid is connected to the box. The thermal sealer is located in the chamber. The controller is electrically connected to the vacuum pump, the solenoid, the thermal sealer and the time relay. The panel is electrically connected to the controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of packing product in a tubular casing is provided. The method includes providing a continuous length of tubular casing, providing an expansion plug within the tubular casing, grasping the casing upstream end with a casing grabber, moving the casing grabber away from the expansion plug towards an outlet end of a product feed conduit, feeding product from the product feed conduit through the casing upstream end into the tubular casing, and cutting the tubular casing downstream of the product to sever an upstream casing segment from the remaining continuous length of tubular casing.