Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A mouthwash dispensing system including: a bottle with a threaded neck (150) defining an opening (140) and configured to hold a liquid; a dispenser (340) including a receiving orifice (380) and a receiving protrusion (390); and a spring-actuated adapter, including: an adapter orifice (250); a valve stem (220, 260) including a spring (270) and a seal (280), wherein the spring (270) is configured to bias the seal (280) to move the spring-actuated adapter to a closed position; a threaded adapter (230) configured to couple the spring-actuated adapter to the threaded neck (150); and a friction-fit adapter configured to couple the spring-actuated adapter to the dispenser (340); wherein, when the spring-actuated adapter is coupled to the dispenser (340), the receiving protrusion (390) moves the spring-actuated adapter to an open position to allow the liquid to flow from the bottle through the adapter orifice (250) and into the dispenser (340).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a container (1), comprising: providing a body (100) defining a chamber for storing a product and defining an opening through which the product is dispensable from the chamber; selecting a first structure (200) from a plurality of structures, each of the plurality of structures having a feature for forming part of an exterior surface of the container (1) when the respective structure is affixed to the body (100), the feature of the first structure (200) differing from the feature of another structure of the plurality of structures; and affixing to the body (100) the first structure (200) with the feature of the first structure forming part of the exterior surface of the container (1). Also disclosed are a container and a bundle or package of containers.

Abstract: A mouthwash dispensing system comprising: a bottle with a threaded neck (150) defining an opening (140) and configured to hold a liquid; a dispenser (340) comprising a receiving orifice (380) and a receiving protrusion (390); and a spring-actuated adapter, comprising: an adapter orifice (250); a valve stem (220, 260) comprising a spring (270) and a seal (280), wherein the spring (270) is configured to bias the seal (280) to move the spring-actuated adapter to a closed position; a threaded adapter (230) configured to couple the spring-actuated adapter to the threaded neck (150); and a friction-fit adapter configured to couple the spring-actuated adapter to the dispenser (340); wherein, when the spring-actuated adapter is coupled to the dispenser (340), the receiving protrusion (390) moves the spring-actuated adapter to an open position to allow the liquid to flow from the bottle through the adapter orifice (250) and into the dispenser (340).

Abstract: A liquid supply apparatus having an internal reservoir. In one embodiment, the invention can be a liquid supply apparatus including a housing having an internal reservoir containing a fluid. A partition member may be positioned within the internal reservoir to divide the internal reservoir into a first chamber and a second chamber. The partition member may include a passageway extending therethrough and terminating as a first opening in a first surface of the partition member and as a second opening in a second surface of the partition member. A capillary member is located within the second chamber and extends from a first end to a second end. The partition member prohibits axial movement of the capillary member into the first chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a conveyor in a mining system. The conveyor includes a sprocket, a chain, a hydraulic cylinder, one or more sensors, and a controller. In one implementation, the method includes sensing a characteristic associated with the conveyor, generating a signal based on the characteristic, determining a tension associated with the chain based on the signal, determining an amount of chain stretch based on the tension, and modifying a position of the hydraulic cylinder based on the amount of chain stretch.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a container (1), comprising: providing a body (100) defining a chamber for storing a product and defining an opening through which the product is dispensable from the chamber; selecting a first structure (200) from a plurality of structures, each of the plurality of structures having a feature for forming part of an exterior surface of the container (1) when the respective structure is affixed to the body (100), the feature of the first structure (200) differing from the feature of another structure of the plurality of structures; and affixing to the body (100) the first structure (200) with the feature of the first structure forming part of the exterior surface of the container (1). Also disclosed are a container and a bundle or package of containers.

Abstract: A liquid supply apparatus having an internal reservoir. In one embodiment, the invention can be a liquid supply apparatus including a housing having an internal reservoir containing a fluid. A partition member may be positioned within the internal reservoir to divide the internal reservoir into a first chamber and a second chamber. The partition member may include a passageway extending therethrough and terminating as a first opening in a first surface of the partition member and as a second opening in a second surface of the partition member. A capillary member is located within the second chamber and extends from a first end to a second end. The partition member prohibits axial movement of the capillary member into the first chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a conveyor in a mining system. The conveyor includes a sprocket, a chain, a hydraulic cylinder, one or more sensors, and a controller. In one implementation, the method includes sensing a characteristic associated with the conveyor, generating a signal based on the characteristic, determining a tension associated with the chain based on the signal, determining an amount of chain stretch based on the tension, and modifying a position of the hydraulic cylinder based on the amount of chain stretch.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a conveyor in a mining system. The conveyor includes a sprocket, a chain, a hydraulic cylinder, one or more sensors, and a controller. In one implementation, the method includes sensing a characteristic associated with the conveyor, generating a signal based on the characteristic, determining a tension associated with the chain based on the signal, determining an amount of chain stretch based on the tension, and modifying a position of the hydraulic cylinder based on the amount of chain stretch.

Abstract: A multi-chambered container for storing and dispensing flowable substances and method for using the same. The container includes a plurality of individual chambers each containing a flowable substance. Each chamber is in fluid communication with a discharge valve assembly. The valve assembly selectively dispenses a single one of the flowable substances in response to one of the chambers being pressed or squeezed by a user without simultaneously dispensing the remaining substances. In preferred embodiments, the container includes at least two, and more preferably three or more chambers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a conveyor in a mining system. The conveyor includes a sprocket, a chain, a hydraulic cylinder, one or more sensors, and a controller. In one implementation, the method includes sensing a characteristic associated with the conveyor, generating a signal based on the characteristic, determining a tension associated with the chain based on the signal, determining an amount of chain stretch based on the tension, and modifying a position of the hydraulic cylinder based on the amount of chain stretch.

Abstract: A multi-chambered container for storing and dispensing flowable substances and method for using the same. The container includes a plurality of individual chambers each containing a flowable substance. Each chamber is in fluid communication with a discharge valve assembly. The valve assembly selectively dispenses a single one of the flowable substances in response to one of the chambers being pressed or squeezed by a user without simultaneously dispensing the remaining substances. In preferred embodiments, the container includes at least two, and more preferably three or more chambers.