Abstract: Suture dispensers for retaining armed sutures are disclosed. The dispenser disclosed is comprised of two flat panels of material that each have a central opening. A needle park is provided so that the needle is visible in and accessible though the central openings. In preferred embodiments, the needle park is made of a thin sheet of clear material. Several alternate needle park designs are also disclosed. The two panels are preferably locked together using edge locks in the form of corresponding slits and tabs formed on the panels themselves. In addition to being inexpensive, easy to manufacture and easy to fill, the disclosed dispensers is much thinner than current designs and thus requires less storage and shipping space. Methods of loading dispensers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of forming coreless rolls of pressure sensitive adhesive tape involves the use of a mandrel assembly having a specific circumferential tape supporting segment thereon for winding tape. The circumferential tape supporting segment has a tape engaging surface portion that, in a radial orientation, is compressible yet sufficiently stiff to support the tape as it is successively wound about the mandrel to form a tape roll, and that is sufficiently pliant to permit ready axial removal of a wound tape roll from the shaft. The innermost wrap of pressure sensitive adhesive tape about the mandrel is masked by an adhesive liner. That liner is formed from one portion of a liner/tab segment which had been applied to the tape previously, and prior to winding, the tape is severed, and the remainder of that liner/tab forms an end tab on the outermost end of the previously formed coreless tape roll.

Abstract: A device and method for eliminating the problem of head or lead end creasing in coiled materials. The method comprises fitting a coiling mandrel with a mandrel sleeve adaptor that includes a narrow soft zone which is more compressible than the remainder of the outer surface of the adaptor. When the adaptor is incorporated into a coiling apparatus that includes sensors for sensing the rotational position of the soft zone, and the head end of the material to be coiled, the head end of the material to be coiled can be accurately nested in the narrow soft zone during coiling to eliminate the problem of creasing.

Abstract: A cord reel mechanism which includes a housing having inner and outer cylinders. A tape-like cord is vortically wound about the inner cylinder inside the housing. The inner and outer cylinder rotate relatively so as to tighten and loosen the cord. Reinforcing tape segments are attached to the tape-like cord at spaced locations to support the cord and prevent buckling. The reinforcing tape segments each have a tapered portion and an attachment portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing individual wound rolls from a slitted web of material provides for a driver roller which continuously feeds the web of material into the apparatus, an idler roller disposed such that the web of material is fed about the driver roller and into contact with the idler roller; a core disposed such that the web of material passes between and into contact with the driver roller and the core, and the idler roller and the core; a tucking apparatus for tucking the web of material about said core; and a reciprocating roller for driving the core to initiate and continue winding of slitted web of material about the core.