Abstract: A configurable coin dispenser includes a box-like structure, which has a storage container, situated thereinside for storing coins of a certain value, and which has a coin outlet passage leading to a chamber, open toward a front wall, so as to dispense the coins. The dispenser includes a first additional coin outlet slot, situated on a first lateral wall of the box-like structure and facing the chamber. Coin conveying means can be situated removably inside the chamber to join the outlet passage to the first additional slot, so as to guide the coins leaving the outlet passage to the first additional slot, in order to dispense the coins from the first lateral wall.

Abstract: In a method for packaging articles, a tubular blank is conveyed in flat folded configuration to an erecting station to be engaged and rotated by suction cups. The raised blank assumes a parallelepiped shape with a vertical axis, while a striker hit a lateral wall of the blank, so that the blank is erected in a box. While the box is being moved, first and second lower flaps are then folded before the blank is set resting on a support plane and moved, by driving and guiding conveyors, to a filling station for insertion of articles, supplied along a vertical direction, into the box. Lastly, the box with the articles therein is moved by the driving and guiding conveyors to subsequent stations for folding lower lateral flaps and upper flaps to close bottom and cover of the so obtained box. A machine is provided for carrying out the method, with an erecting station and a filling station joined by a horizontal support plane.

Abstract: Stamping of a layer (2) of package material, such as cardboard or plastics, for forming one or more bending edges may take place according to the invention by a method wherein a stamping tool (8), which is provided with preferably three ribs (9a, b, c), is pressed down into the layer (2) and thereby forms slots (11a, b, c) in the bending edge in one working cycle. The stamping may take place very precisely, and since the stamping is carried out in one working cycle, an uprecedentedly high production rate may be achieved. Since the stamping tool does not need a lower tool part, but merely a support (10), the stamping may be performed simultaneously with the punching in one and the same working cycle.

Abstract: In a station of a boxing machine, for withdrawing and erecting flat folded tubular blanks into boxes, a blank withdrawing rocker arm strips out a flat folded blank from a magazine and places it onto a operating member situated below and associated to an auxiliary conveying line. The auxiliary conveying line extends along a close loop path. Gripping suction cups associated to the operating member engage the lower side of the blank. An erecting arm with a shaped flap makes edge-resting sides of the blank rotate synchronously, about respective articulation lines adjoining to a lower side, until a corresponding box is erected. A shaped guide engages with the carriage and moves the box laterally with respect to the auxiliary conveying line, to insert the box into a corresponding seat on a box conveying line situated beside the auxiliary conveying line.

Abstract: Method for the detection and enumeration of viable microorganisms. A liquid that comprises one or more markers incorporated in a liquid sol-gel precursor, is provided. A transparent slide is coated with a thin uniform layer of the liquid sol-gel precursor composition. The microorganisms are separated from liquid sample to be analyzed by passing the sample through a filter, and then bringing the filter into close contact with the sol-gel coated slide. The filter is co-incubated with the sol-gel coated slide for a period of time and at a temperature suitable to promote uptake of the markers by the microorganisms. The gel-coated slide irradiated with an external energy source, so as to generate detectable signals emitted from the markers uptaken by the microorganisms. Image of the detectable signals emitted from the microorganisms are acquired, and analyzed using a computer system, in order to provide the identification and enumeration of the microorganisms.

Abstract: A portable reading light has a telescoping arm that is slidable within a housing, the arm having a light source at the end thereof which has one or more light emitting diodes which provide bright light, low power consumption and durability. The light emitting diodes preferably are located in an articulatable light support and disposed adjacent to a focusing lens to better direct and shape the light onto a surface. The arm is mounted to a base assembly slidable within the housing and being telescopically expandable for stabilizing the arm when set for use.

Abstract: An outlet device for chocolates and like products (100) for use with a wrapping machine (50) which has a device (51) for moving each product (100). The outlet device has a first belt (2) for moving products (100) to be rolled, which is operated by an actuator (10), through a first connecting device (5), which connects the first belt (2) to the actuator (10), moving the first belt in a first direction (A) in accordance with the rotary motion of the actuator (10). A rolling device (4) faces the first belt (2) and is used for rolling products (100) moved by the first belt. A second belt (3) moves products (100) which do not require rolling, the second belt also operated by the actuator (10), through a second connecting device (6), the second belt rotated in a second direction (B) also in accordance with rotation of the actuator (10).

Abstract: A switch or circuit board having a first conductive area on a first side of the board, a second conductive area on a second side of the board, several tiny holes running through the board from the first side to the second side, and a conductive material substantially filling the holes by capillary force, where the conductive material forms an electrical connection between the first conductive area and the second conductive area.

Abstract: In an apparatus for filling a blister band with products, two or more work units are carried by relative carriages and have hoppers fed with different kinds of products. The products are then supplied to discharge conduits leading to the blisters of the band. Strips are fastened to lower ends of the discharge conduits and match with the upper surface of the blister band. The carriages are operated in a to-and-fro motion, so as to center, the lower ends of the discharge conduits with respect to the blisters, and to maintain this centering for a prefixed time. The holes remain coaxial to the lower ends of the conduits, situated above, to allow passage of one product from each discharge conduit to a blister.

Abstract: The invention relates to a leak control system (1) in two-stringed pipe installations and a method of executing a leak control system comprising one stop valve (2) with an associated flow meter (3) arranged in the supply pipe (4) of the pipe installation, and one stop valve (5) with an associated flow meter (6) arranged in the return pipe (7) of the pipe installation, said stop valves (2,5) as well as associated flow meters (3, 6) being connected to a control box (8), said box (8) comprising one valve monitor (9) connected to each stop valve (2, 5) to control/record the possible state of the individual stop valve (2, 5): open or closed, as well as an executer which, in combination with the control logics of the control box and the operating conditions of the pipe installation, controls/monitors the valve monitors (9) during a given sequence of actions, said leak control system (1) being capable of performing a number of measurements and data collections to evaluate the functionality of the stop valves (2, 5)

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for cutting up the belly of a slaughtered animal has a cutter for performing a cutting function in a cutting direction (SR), and a displacement element (5) which applies a forces on a predetermined area of the outer surface of the belly of the animal and at a distance from the cutter. The apparatus (1) further has a suspension element (40) to which the displacement element (5) is pivotally attached around an axis of rotation (28). The axis of rotation (28) forms an obtuse or an acute angle with the cutting direction (SR), so that rotation of the displacement member, oriented by the inclined axis of rotation, displaces the animal skin laterally away from the cutter.

Abstract: A friction device for rolling up curtains and the like includes a tubular roller (1), on which a curtain (1a) is wound. The roller (1) is rotatably carried by a support (10) and a threaded stem (2) is situated axially inside the roller (1) and carries, mounted thereon by a screw coupling, an operative body (3), likewise situated inside the roller (1). The operative body (3) translates axially with respect to the threaded stem (2) during motion of the curtain (1a) from a rolled up configuration (A) to a unrolled configuration (B). Elastic blocks (41, 51) push on the operating body (3) to produce a friction effect on the operating body and transmitted to roller (1) during curtain (1a) transition between the unrolled and rolled up configurations, thus allowing operation of the curtain in a substantially balanced way during rolling up and/or unrolling. Stop nuts (40, 50) are fastened to the threaded stem (2) for compressing the elastic blocks against surfaces of the operating body (3).