Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an anvil and an elongate channel. The elongate channel includes a plurality of first electrical contacts and a plurality of electrical connectors comprising a plurality of second electrical contacts, wherein the electrical connectors are spring-biased such that a gap is maintained between the first electrical contacts and the second electrical contacts. The surgical instrument further includes a staple cartridge releasably attachable to the elongate channel, wherein the staple cartridge has a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities, a plurality of staples deployable from the staple cavities into the tissue, and a plurality of third electrical contacts, wherein the attachment of the staple cartridge to the elongate channel moves the electrical connectors causing the second electrical contacts to bridge the gap and become electrically coupled to the first electrical contacts.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying a filter sleeve to a continuous length of drainage tubing. The filter sleeve is gathered and packed endwise on a tubular mandrel. The mandrel is received within a dispensing canister mounted on trench-digging and drain-laying equipment between a supply of drainage tubing and a trench plow and laying boot assembly. The drainage tubing passes through the mandrel as it progresses from the supply to the laying boot which installs it in the trench, and one end of the filter sleeve is connected to the tubing whenever filter covering is desired. When so connected, the filter sleeve is continuously pulled by the tubing off the mandrel and about said tubing, through a feed controller in the form of an annular diaphragm at the exit end of the mandrel.

Abstract: A machine for gathering and packing a long length of filter sleeve, e.g. 500 feet, onto a short cartridge tube, e.g. 5 feet, for subsequent dispensing therefrom onto a continuous length of soil drainage tubing as such tubing is laid in the ground. The cartridge tube with a collar at its rear end is supported on an elongated support bar, against a backing collar held by a frictional brake. A continuous length of filter sleeve is fed over the cartridge tube and is gathered by a pair of rubber-tired gathering wheels, which are mounted so as to progress along the tube against an opposing bias as the gathering progresses. When a suitable length of sleeve has been gathered by the wheels onto a partial length of the tube, a packer collar is forced against the gathered sleeve, the wheels being retracted, so as to pack the sleeve on the cartridge tube and against the cartridge collar or the previously packed sleeve.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying a filter sleeve to a continuous length of drainage tubing. The filter sleeve is gathered and packed endwise on a tubular mandrel. The mandrel is received within a dispensing canister mounted on trench-digging and drain-laying equipment between a supply of drainage tubing and a trench plow and laying boot assembly. The drainage tubing passes through the mandrel as it progresses from the supply to the laying boot which installs it in the trench, and one end of the filter sleeve is connected to the tubing whenever filter covering is desired. When so connected, the filter sleeve is continuously pulled by the tubing off the mandrel and about said tubing, through a feed controller in the form of an annular diaphragm at the exit end of the mandrel.