Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for packaging contact lenses. The apparatus includes a compliant head, improved heater and improved heat seal die.

Abstract: A plastic film sealing blade is mounted to a side sealing mechanism for cutting and sealing a plastic film moving in a given direction. The sealing blade includes a board body having opposite primary faces and an edge. Slots are defined in the board for fixing the sealing blade to the side sealing mechanism whereby the sealing blade is movable by the side sealing mechanism to a cutting position. The edge forms a V-shaped cutting notch delimited by opposite sharp edge sections, each having an edge line from which an inclined face extends to each primary face of the board to thereby guide and cut a plastic film moving in the given direction.

Abstract: A method for banding stacked, soft and/or fragile products to be packed, using a wrapping machine. The unwound band is guided around the product to be packed, pulled by a reverse movement onto the product to be packed, then stuck or welded, and cut. A pre-selection loop of the band is pulled back by the reverse movement, by an electronic control system, to a pre-selected length of loop (L). The method can be used to band soft and/or fragile products in a fully automatic manner, economically satisfying the highest requirements.

Abstract: A wrapping device for a round baler including a rocker lever (1), at whose lower end there is mounted a group of gripping rollers (26, 27) for gripping a free end (3?) of a wrapping element (3) taken from a storage element (4). One of the rollers (26, 27) preferably carries spiral ribs and could be motor-driven.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a final tail of film to a wrapped load are provided. The method includes dispensing a film web from a dispenser and providing relative rotation between the load and the dispenser to wrap the film web around the load. A blower is actuated and applies a stream of air to the film web as the film web extends along a film path between a corner of the load and the dispenser. While applying the stream of air to the film web, the film web is weakened between the corner of the load and the dispenser and then severed, and the final tail of film is secured to the load with the stream of air.

Abstract: A system for packaging a flat panel product includes a dispensing device for dispensing a length of inner protective packaging material, a folding table for wrapping the inner protective packaging material around the product and folding an outer protective packaging material around the product, and a binding device for binding the outer packaging material, inner packaging material, and product together, suspending the product relative to at least one of the walls of the sidewall and supporting the product laterally. A data entry device provides data related to the length of inner protective packaging material required, and this data is fed to a controller, which controls the dispensing device to provide an appropriate length of material. The data entry device can also provide shipping information, fed to a printer for printing a shipping label.

Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling beverage bottles with a liquid beverage, with an information adding arrangement for adding information relating to the beverage bottles, and a method of operating the beverage bottling plant. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging method comprising the following steps: provision of a bag whose mouth comprises opening/closing means for multiple successive openings and closings and a cleavable linking veil, located at a distance therefrom inside the bag in relation to said opening/closing means; introduction of contents to be wrapped in the bag and tightening of said bag in order to close it, tension being applied to the contents; the veil enters into contact with the contents avoiding the application of stress on the opening/closing means, guaranteeing free access to the contents via said opening/closing means after tearing, enabling the bag to be relaxed in a closed state as a result of the distance (D) separating the veil and the opening/closing means. The invention also relates to a packaging device and to bags thus obtained.

Abstract: A method is provided for bonding a neck to a plastic container. The method includes providing the container with an opening having a first bonding surface, providing the neck with an opening having a second bonding surface, providing a foil seal between the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface, induction sealing at least one of the first and second bonding surfaces to the foil seal by using a magnetic field generated by an induction sealing head, and providing a field influencing object near the foil seal to influence a portion of the magnetic field generated by the induction sealing head.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

Abstract: A process to reduce oxygen in the head space of non-pressurized containers comprises injecting an inert gas into the container head space and into the cap during the capping process. In an alternative embodiment, inert gas is injected into the caps at one or more points along the conveyance rout to the capping point.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging system for transporting a plurality of medical containers including a tray that supports the medical containers and an air impervious flexible film defining an internal cavity. The air impervious flexible film completely surrounds the tray and the medical containers. The internal cavity is evacuated to a predetermined vacuum level below atmospheric pressure. A method for packaging the plurality of medical containers for transportation in the tray includes inserting the medical containers into the tray, inserting the tray filled with medical containers into the internal cavity, evacuating the internal cavity to a predetermined vacuum pressure and sealing the flexible film such that the predetermined vacuum pressure is generally maintained in the internal cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus stacks, compresses and packages compressible batts. The batts, once at least partially compressed, remain under compression during the stacking, compressing and packaging.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymeric sheet prepared by short-gap stretching technique and being shrinked along its main axis. Such sheets may be utilized for wrap-around applications, obtaining shrinkage of polymeric sheets to particularly small dimensions along the machine direction, and wrapping articles in the wrap-around method even when these articles include locations of circumferences of considerably different dimensions.

Abstract: A method of packaging custom-printed business cards includes the steps of printing a quantity of business cards and dividing the quantity of business cards into a plurality subquantities of business cards. Each subquantity of business cards is inserted into an individual card chamber of an individual blister pack and substantially sealed. The blister pack is substantially sealed by applying a backing to the blister pack. The blister pack is self dispensing eliminating the need for a separate business card holder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatically packaging empty collapsible tubes (1), that are supplied by a conveyor belt, into a plurality of packaging containers that take up collapsible tubes (1). According to the invention, the supplied collapsible tubes (1) are collected in a row without gaps, supplied in this row to an intermediate storage (13) and then jointly transferred into a packaging container; thereafter the packaging container is conveyed further on. The empty collapsible tubes (1) are arranged in conveyor trays (3) of a feeder belt (2) and are collected continuously in a row or partial row by means of separately driven and adjustable suction vees (5).

Abstract: According to a method for packaging CDs, DVDs and similar digital record carriers in a corresponding foldable package (10), including a blank (11) and one or more trays (12) glued to corresponding blank sections (13), the discs (1) are first introduced into housings (15) made in the trays (12) before the trays are applied to the blank sections (13). After a suitable glue has been applied to the trays (12), containing the discs (1), the trays (12) are set in contact with the sections (13), and then the so obtained package (10) is conveyed toward further work stations. The glue can be applied to the trays (12) also before placing the discs (1), and anyway, in any moment before the trays (12) are applied to the blank sections (13).

Abstract: A method and system for packaging a plurality of bottles in an efficient, compact package that maximizes the useable space in the storage and shipping of materials, such as beverages. Each pair of bottles in the package may be arranged in a mated configuration to form a space-conserving block. A holding sleeve may be used to maintain the pair of bottles in the mated configuration, while securing the blocks of the package together. The blocks are arranged and maintained together in an outer housing (e.g., a box) in a manner substantially free of dead space.

Abstract: A packing apparatus of the present invention includes an original roll having a packing material sheet that contains a middle portion in a width direction, and a triangular plate having a triangular plane, and oblique sides connecting the base and the vertex, the material sheet is folded in two at the width-direction middle portion by the vertex with a tension applied to the material sheet, to form a bending portion, an overlapped portion containing sides in a width direction, and a triangular open space. Furthermore, the packing apparatus includes a pair of drawing rolls for drawing out the material sheet and, and a fusing and cutting device for fusing and cutting the overlapped portion to consecutively form a packing bag having the bending portion as a bottom and the open space as an insertion aperture for a packed member.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of single or multi-compartment rigid, water-soluble container, containing a detergent composition wherein the container is at least partially made of injection moulded water soluble polymer; the process comprising the steps of forming the container, keeping the container under substantially anhydrous conditions, filling the container with the detergent composition and sealing, wherein the container is allowed to contact/brought into contact with a plasticiser after sealing.

Abstract: A method of making packaging for light colored fruits includes steps of providing a base material having a steel substrate, a first layer of tin material on a first side of the substrate and a second layer of tin material on a second side of said substrate, forming the base material into a can body for a DWI can having a bottom surface and a sidewall comprising an exterior surface that has a first coating including tin and an interior surface having a second coating also including tin, inserting foodstuffs into the can body so that the foodstuffs are exposed to the tin surface, and applying a top end to the can body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of using a sealing nip configuration to produce a sealed business communication having at least one insert. The sealing nip is constructed from a pair of rollers, with at least one roller having a smooth surface and the other roller having a series of circumferentially extending raised areas that are used to apply directed pressure to marginal areas containing a cohesive.

Abstract: A package for storing detachable bra straps having a zippered package for storing pairs of detachable bra straps, each pair being of a different appearance and each pair of bra straps being separately housed in the zippered package. The zippered package has different compartments, each compartment configured to holding a separate detachable pair of bra straps.

Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling beverage bottles with a liquid beverage, with an information adding arrangement for adding information relating to the beverage bottles, and a method of operating the beverage bottling plant. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: Substantially triangular shaped container bottoms include a bottom wall with a concave surface. The container bottom can be used with a container body having an interior chamber for receiving at least one article. Exemplary embodiments include a container bottom attached to a container body wherein the container bottom includes a central surface area that is inwardly concave towards an interior chamber of the container body. Methods of loading a plurality of articles in a container are also provided.

Abstract: In a mail inserter having an envelope movement mechanism to move an envelope into an insertion station and a feeder to move a pack of insert material into an insertion position so that the insert material can be inserted into the envelope, a linear array of optical sensing elements is used to determine the position of one edge of the insert material and another linear array of optical sensing elements is used to determine the position of one edge of the receiving envelope in order to make sure that there is sufficient end clearance between the insert material and the receiving envelope. A stepper motor is used to adjust the envelope position, if the end clearance is outside a predetermined range.

Abstract: An automatic bagging system and method of operation having an intelligent programmable controller is described. Articles are discharged, one at a time, at a rapid rate into compartments of an article receiving housing and are then discharged in a bag. The article receiving housing has hinge gates for guiding the articles in respective ones of the compartments. A detector detects the position of articles being discharged into the article receiving housing and sends article detection signals to a controller. The controller has a programmable processor in which is inputted article loading time lapse data for each of the compartments. The system continuously loads articles into the article receiving housing and retains a first article during the discharge operation of the housing. The controller also operates the hinge gates after a delay of the time lapse data and in synchronism with the article detection signals.

Abstract: A unit and method for feeding containers, whereby the containers, arranged in two superimposed rows, are fed along a horizontal path and through a reject station; upstream from the reject station, two superimposed containers are parted, by translation in a vertical direction, so as to travel, separately and facing each other, along the next portion of the path; immediately downstream from the reject station, two facing containers are brought back into contact with each other so as to travel, superimposed, along the next portion of the path; and the reject station has a first reject device for expelling only one container in a bottom row from the path, and a second reject device for expelling only one container in a top row from the path.

Abstract: A waste storage device includes a container (21) in which a cassette (1) is mounted. Tubing (2) is pulled through the centre of the cassette (1) to store packages (35) separated by twists. The cassette (1) is rotated relative to the container (21) to provide the twists between packages (35) by virtue of a rotatable disk (100) and user grip portion (102). The package is gripped against rotation by a gripper diaphragm (120) and is guided towards a wall of the container by a guide diaphragm (122) to prevent untwisting between packages.

Abstract: A cassette for a waste disposal device, the cassette including an outer wall, an inner wall, a flexible tubing positioned between the outer wall and the inner wall, and a rim having a top surface and a bottom surface. The rim is positioned between the outer wall and the inner wall and extends from a top surface of the outer wall toward the inner wall. The bottom surface of the rim faces the flexible tubing, and the rim includes a plurality of protrusions on the top surface of the rim to engage with a rotation mechanism of a waste disposal device.

Abstract: A method for finishing a leather horse saddle is provided. Metallic flakes with a desired color effect property are selected. The selected metallic flakes are combined with a sealer to form a sealant mixture. A portion of the sealant mixture is applied to at least a portion of the leather horse saddle. In an alternate embodiment, a first coat of the sealer is applied to at least a portion of the leather horse saddle. In an alternate embodiment, at least a portion of a surface of the leather horse saddle is colored. In an alternate embodiment, a selected oil is applied to at least a portion of the leather horse saddle. In an alternate embodiment, a hand tool is applied to the saddle leather to form decorative marks on at least a portion of the leather horse saddle.

Abstract: The invention provides a two-way safety stirrup that will release in the event of the rider being dismounted but which is less prone to unexpected release when pressure is applied in the forward direction. The safety stirrups are of far simpler construction than stirrups of the prior art, yet are not as prone to unexpected release and can be made of non-metal materials, such as plastics and polymers, so that the stirrups are more economically manufactured and are of comparatively light weight.

Abstract: An automatic air-purifying window automatically purifies polluted indoor air while exhibiting general inherent functions of the window. The automatic air-purifying window comprises a window and a window stile for fixing the window. The window stile comprises a discharge part, an induction part, and an indoor air circulation passageway. The discharge part includes an indoor air induction port, an upper guide member to guide air current induced from the indoor air induction port, and an indoor air discharge port to discharge some portion of the indoor air from the indoor air induction port to the outside. The induction part includes an outdoor air induction port, a lower guide member to guide air current induced from the outdoor air induction port, a purification cartridge, a light-transmission portion, and a purified air discharge port.

Abstract: An air inlet assembly for an automotive heating and ventilating air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a casing extending along an axis (A). The casing defines a plurality of inlets for receiving air and an outlet for delivering air from the inlets. A filter filters air between the inlets and the outlet. An air moving device disposed about the outlet for expelling air from the casing. A valve mechanism supports the filter. Furthermore, the valve mechanism moves along the axis (A) between an outside-air position and a cabin-air position for controlling air from the inlets to the outlet.

Abstract: A vent for a fluid system includes a chamber through which fluid can flow along either a first flow path or a second flow path, in which the resistance to fluid flow is relatively high when the fluid follows the first flow path and relatively low when the fluid follows the second flow path. In a preferred embodiment the chamber is substantially cylindrical and has two ports, one of which is substantially coaxial with the chamber and the other of which is substantially tangential to the chamber. The fluid flow, at least when following the first flow path, may include a component of higher density than the fluid, and the flow of the fluid along the first flow path may act to separate the higher density component from the fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filtering contaminants, such as particulates and vapor phase contaminants, from a confined environment such as electronic or optical devices susceptible to contamination (e.g. computer disk drives) by providing an improved reduced fiber filter.

Abstract: A filter is provided by pleated filter media having a plurality of pleats defined by wall segments extending axially along an axial direction along an axis and extending transversely along a transverse direction between first and second sets of pleat tips at first and second sets of axially extending bend lines. The pleated filter media spans laterally along a lateral span along a lateral direction, with the wall segments being spaced from each other by lateral gaps. The pleats have a pleat depth along the transverse direction along the wall segments between the first and second sets of pleat tips. The pleat depth varies as the pleated filter media spans laterally along the lateral direction.

Abstract: A touchless harvester employing pulsed air to optimally remove a food product from its host is presented. The touchless harvester includes preferably at least one oscillating impeller housing fitted with an air plenum, a pulse generator and a nozzle to tangentially project pulsed air into a tree canopy or other harvest venue. The touchless harvester is fixedly mounted to a mobile platform to propel the touchless harvester through a harvest venue during operation. The touchless harvester is operated by controlling optimally three tunable variables, which produce optimal displacement conditions for a particular food product. The tunable variables control, respectively, the intensity, the frequency, and the duration that pulsed air is applied to a harvest venue. By tuning the intensity, frequency and duration of the projected air pulse, commensurate with a food product's resonant frequency, the food product experiences fatigue failure at its appendage, and maximum displacement from its host.

Abstract: A mower carried on shoulders or back to be used. A bowl-shaped contact member is disposed under a rotating body driven to rotate around a vertical axis as to be freely rotate around the axis. And, a bottom wall face portion of the bowl-shaped contact member has a flat face at right angles with the axis on a lower face. And, the bowl-shaped contact member has a curved face portion connecting a cylindrical peripheral wall face portion, of which center is the axis, and the bottom wall face portion.

Abstract: The mounting mechanism comprise: on the straddle carrier side, a main frame mounted on wheels and suitable for selective lifting and lowering of the main frame in relation to the ground; on the equipment side, an auxiliary frame suitable for fixing to the main frame using detachable connection mechanism allowing it to be detached; and of a number of struts for supporting the auxiliary frame on the ground when the auxiliary frame is separated from the main frame. The main frame and the auxiliary frame both comprise a pair of parallel, substantially horizontal girders. One of the frames comprises mechanism for longitudinal guidance able to co-operate with the girders on the other frame to guide the two frames in along each other, when the main frame moves longitudinally with respect to the auxiliary frame supported by the struts.

Abstract: A double action rake has a rake part composed of tines attached to a handle, and a set of secondary tines passing through a comb The secondary set of tines is attached to a slider which is itself attached to a rod. The rod, in turn is attached to the handle by an attachment bracket. A locking means locks and unlocks the slider and the comb is fixedly attached to the rod.

Abstract: A pair of spaced upright masts each support at opposite sides two opposed guides providing respective tracks for travellers. The travellers are independently vertically moveable along their respective tracks by cables wound around motor-driven pulleys at their upper ends. A gas strut inside the upper end portion of each track is engaged by the corresponding traveller when the associated screen approaches and passes through a horizontal plane. The compressive resistance offered by the strut when engaged by the traveller increases the load on the traveller. This increase in load compensates for a reduction in the downward thrust exerted on the traveller by the weight of the associated screen as it passes through the horizontal plane. Instability in the positioning of the screen is thus avoided so that the two screens can be stably positioned in parallel sloping but spaced planes. Thus the area protected from above by the screens can be safely maximized.

Abstract: A system and method for adding superheat to the hot process gas at the discharge of a compressor drive turbine of a high compression ratio gas turbine or aviation gas turbine. The superheat brings the temperature ratio (T2/T1) of the power output turbine into equality with the pressure ratio (P2/P1)(K?1)/K to effect a highly efficient and adiabatic isentropic expansion across the power output turbine. The added superheat contributes to the output power of the engine less any inefficiency of the output power turbine. All of the variables are brought together to develop the proper superheat levels for obtaining the greatest power output possible at minimum fuel consumption levels.

Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine includes coupling a high-pressure compressor to a high-pressure turbine using a first shaft, coupling a fan assembly to a low-pressure turbine using a second shaft, and coupling a differential squeeze film damper assembly between the first and second shafts.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft engine, particularly a gas turbine engine. The aircraft engine comprises at least one fan (11) and a core engine (12). The fan (11) comprises a fan housing (13) which encloses a fan flow channel and at least one fan wheel (15). The core engine (12) comprises at least one compressor (15, 16), at least one combustion chamber (17) and at least one turbine (18, 19). The aircraft engine further comprises at least one generator (24) for producing electrical energy whereby the or each generator (24) produces electrical energy by withdrawing shaft power from the core engine (12). According to the invention the or each generator (24) for producing electrical energy is integrated into at least one strut (21) extending in the radial direction of the fan flow channel and is thus positioned within the fan flow channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ducts, pipes, and other complex convoluted parts (e.g., automotive parts) formed via 3D-blow molding, and to methods for making such ducts, pipes, and other complex convoluted parts out of a plastic material. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to exhaust ducts, exhaust pipes, and other complex convoluted exhaust parts formed via 3D-blow molding, and to methods for making such automotive and/or vehicular exhaust parts out of a plastic material.

Abstract: In a method for operating a compression-ignition internal combustion engine, a mean gas temperature in the cylinder is determined during a combustion in the combustion chamber, and a gradient of the mean gas temperature is calculated. The untreated nitrogen oxide emission level from the internal combustion engine is then determined either from a value for the gradient of the mean gas temperature and/or from a maximum value for the mean gas temperature in the cylinder. Accordingly, the engine parameters are set so that a profile of the mean gas temperature is produced, at which NOx emissions are formed during combustion are reduced.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of regenerating a diesel particulate filter in an exhaust-gas purification system of a diesel engine using lambda variation. During regeneration on demand, the ratio of air to fuel for the corresponding operating point of the diesel engine is adjusted so as to achieve the substantially highest possible exhaust-gas temperature. For this purpose, the ratio of air to fuel (lambda value) is preferably kept at a minimum and substantially constant over the major part of the load range so that the engine is operated at full load during the regeneration phases.

Abstract: In the case where an operating state of an internal combustion engine (1) belongs to a filter forced recovery region, filter forced recovery is performed (S106) when an amount of particulate matter deposited in a filter (20) becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined amount (S0). In the case where the operating state of the internal combustion engine (1) belongs to a filter continuous recovery region, the filter forced recovery is performed (S110) when the operating state of the internal combustion engine (1) continues to belong to the filter continuous recovery region for a predetermined time (T0) or longer.

Abstract: A tank system can provide a predetermined cold start volume (VKS) of an operating liquid required by a liquid consumer after a cold start. The tank system can provide a urea solution to an SCR catalytic converter. The tank system includes a main tank with a filling opening through which the interior of the main tank can be filled with operating liquid. To melt a predetermined volume of the frozen liquid in a fast, efficient and complete manner, a melting device is provided. The melting device includes a melt tank which encloses a melting space and which comprises an inlet opening through which the melting space can be filled with the operating liquid from the interior of the main tank. The melting device includes a cold start heater for melting frozen liquid in the melting space. The melting space is at least as large as the cold start volume (VKS) and is smaller than the interior of the main tank.