Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a blister band moved in a forward direction, with a number of interconnected walls defining a bottom closed by the blister band set in motion, to define a chamber. At least two units are arranged in series and separated by a plate, and operate in the chamber. An article supply leads to each unit of the chamber for feeding articles onto the blister band in motion, while a brush works near the plate and near a fore wall in counter-rotation with respect to the forward direction of the blister band to reject possible articles not entered into the blisters of the band or placed in the blisters in double.

Abstract: A transferring apparatus carries out the method proposed by the invention, for transferring articles from a first conveying line to a second article conveying line by two manipulating members, operated independently from each other to pick up a corresponding pair of articles moving on the first conveying line, and to release them onto the second conveying line arranged at an angle with respect to a picking up configuration.

Abstract: There is provided a golf tee comprising a ground-engaging portion provided with a cavity therein, a golf ball supporting portion releasably engageable with the ground-engaging portion, means for connecting the ground-engaging portion and the golf ball supporting portion, and spring means for urging said golf ball supporting portion to the ground-engaging portion, wherein the spring means resides and is movable in the cavity.

Abstract: A set of interactive eating utensils includes a first eating utensil, such as a spoon or other piece of cutlery, and a container for containing food. The spoon or other cutlery piece has an embedded magnet that produces a magnetic field. The container is electrically operable and includes an induction coil that is electrically operatively connected to a speaker for producing sound upon the interaction of the magnetic field of the magnet and an electromagnetic field of the induction coil generated upon passing of an electric current through the coil. The container has a moveable portion that moves in response to a predetermined set of conditions, such as failure of the induction coil magnetic field to interact with first eating utensil magnetic field for a predetermined period of time.

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: An improved air sterilization system has unobstructed air passageways from a chamber substantially enclosing a volume of air to the air sterilization assembly unit in which the air sterilization assembly unit has heating elements located within air passageways in the unit to exterminate airborne micro-organisms by applying heat to the continuously flowing airstream, and in which the temperature of air leaving the system is insignificantly higher than the temperature of air entering the system.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: A wall device for supporting fittings includes a plurality of horizontal and vertical uprights (2), which can be assembled together to form the wall device. The horizontal and vertical uprights are mutually coupled together by at least one first adjustable fixing device (10), with connection elements (20) used for joining the fittings. The uprights (2) include at least a first channel section (5) and a second channel section (6), each including, starting from a respective bottom side (50), two respective opposed side parts (51) nearly orthogonal to the bottom side (50), and two respective first portions (52), parallel to the bottom side (50). The sides, parts and portions (50, 51, 52) of at least the first channel section (5) and the second channel section (6) define a respective cavity (55) and longitudinal openings (8) for the first fixing device (10) and for the connection elements (20).

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.