Abstract: Equipment and method for a system implementing a multistep washing process, with a chemical container (110A-110D) for each chemical (111A-111D) and means for conveying one chemical at a time from the container through a feed channel (120) to a washing object (100) and from the washing object through a return channel (130) back to the container. First and second sensors (122, 132) monitor a first parameter set in the feed channel (120) and a second parameter set in the return channel (130), respectively. Both parameter sets include parameter(s) indicating the purity of the chemical. A control center (150) includes calculation means (153) arranged to determine the mutual uniformity of the first and second monitored parameter sets. Action time of the chemical is determined on the basis of the mutual uniformity of the first and the second monitored parameter sets.

Abstract: A method of making a foam from a polymerizable resin includes the following steps. A thermally-activated initiator having a temperature below the initiation temperature is combined with an elevated-temperature solution having the polymerizable resin and carbon dioxide at a temperature above a promoted temperature to create a resulting mixture having a temperature above the promoted temperature. The resulting mixture is expanded by decreasing the pressure of the mixture to create a froth having a plurality of cells formed by carbon dioxide that expanded out of solution. The polymerizable resin within the froth is cured to create a foam.

Abstract: A machine for inflating and sealing an inflatable structure having a longitudinal edge generally comprises a drive, an inflation nozzle, a sealing device, and a sheet engagement device. The machine may define an engaging assembly and an opposing assembly. The drive may be rotationally coupled to the sheet engagement device such that when the drive rotates, the engagement device also rotates. The sheet engagement device may comprise one or more engagement rollers which may have a plurality of teeth thereon. A first plurality of rollers and a second plurality of rollers comprising the engagement rollers may intermesh between a drive roller and a backing roller on the longitudinal edge of the inflatable structure. Thereby, the sheets of the inflatable structure may be engaged together and the length of the longitudinal edge may contract to facilitate inflation. The resulting inflated inflatable structure may comprise an embossed longitudinal edge.

Abstract: A low cost solution for detecting the flow of water in a sink using a non-contact vibration sensor coupled with a computer vision system and a passive switched RFID tag that becomes active upon detection of water flow. In some embodiments, the water flow forms an active antennae system for the RFID tag. The sensor comprises a piezo electric film attached at the underside of a water receptacle, for example, a sink so as to collect the sound generated by water splashing or hitting the sink and a vision system using active detection techniques.

Abstract: A dispensing and sealing system generally includes a film-feed assembly with a support mechanism for a supply of film and a film-drive mechanism to advance the film along a path, a dispenser with an outlet port for dispensing fluid into the film, and a transverse seal mechanism for forming a seal in the film transversely of the path. A calendering device and a movable structure for the support mechanism are also described.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite foam structure (60) comprising the steps of: perforating at least two foam structures by a method of perforating a foam structure (10) comprising the steps of: perforating the foam structure so as to form at least one first channel (1) that extends fully through the foam structure; and perforating the foam structure so as to form at least one second channel (2) that extends only partly through the foam structure; and laminating a perforated surface of one of the at least two foam structures to a perforated surface of another of the at least two foam structures.

Abstract: A capacitive fluid level sensor is provided for receiving data indicative of the level of fluid remaining in a fluid container. In various embodiments, the capacitive fluid level sensor may be spaced below and a distance away from the fluid container to be measured, and may comprise a fluid level sensor and an ambient sensor, wherein the fluid level sensor and the ambient sensor are coplanar. In various embodiments, the ambient sensor may be spaced a distance away from the fluid level sensor, such that electric fields generated by the fluid level sensor and the ambient sensor, respectively, do not overlap. Based at least in part on capacitance levels determined by the fluid level sensor and the ambient sensor, the fluid level sensor may generate data indicative of the fluid level in at least a portion of the fluid container located above the fluid level sensor.

Abstract: A method for producing packaging cushioning includes successively feeding sheets of a substrate at a first speed to a crumpling mechanism, crumpling the sheets at a second speed to convert the sheets into packaging cushion units, and controlling at least one of the first and second speeds to produce a desired degree of overlap between successive sheets, thereby generating a connected series of the packaging cushion units.

Abstract: An automated process for monitoring and controlling contamination activity in a production area comprises capturing image from the production area over a period of time, processing the image data with a computer to determine whether a contamination event has occurred in the production area, and activating a contamination control device in accordance with the processing of the image data. The contamination event can be a germ-releasing event from an individual in the production area, a pipe leaking fluid into the production area, etc. The automated monitoring and control may also determine whether an article of contamination control equipment (e.g., face mask, glove, etc) is properly positioned on the individual to prevent the contamination from entering the production area in a form that could contaminate product, equipment, or the production area itself.

Abstract: A device for producing a longitudinal seal between two juxtaposed plies of film that are conveyed along a longitudinal path of travel, the juxtaposed film plies including a series of containers therebetween, wherein the device includes a sealing mechanism that forms a sealing zone in the travel path in which the longitudinal seal is produced, and a pressure mechanism that forms a pressure zone in the travel path in which the juxtaposed film plies are compressed, the pressure zone being positioned between the containers and the sealing zone.

Abstract: A multilayer insulation has first and second outer polymeric layers having respective first and second outer metallized surfaces and respective first and second bonding layers inner side thereof. A third metallized coating is between the outer first and second polymeric layers. An air cellular assembly is between the first bonding layer and the second bonding layer. The air-cellular assembly has a plurality of air-filled cells between a first air cellular film and a second air-cellular film. In one embodiment, the third metallized coating is directly bonded to the first bonding layer, the second bonding layer, or a third bonding layer. Another embodiment has a total polymeric thickness of from 7 to 20 mils, a total thickness of from 1.5 to 4 centimeters, and an intrinsic normalized R-Value per inch of at least 2.9. A climate control duct can be surrounded by the multilayer insulation laminate.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an automated inflation device configured for inflating an inflatable structure, which can then be used—for example—as a protective packaging material. As described in detail herein, various embodiments of the inflation device are configured to be mounted on a wall for convenient installation and use. According to certain embodiments, the inflation device is configured to automatically inflate multiple inflatable chambers in the inflatable structure using an efficient inflation-at-a-distance method. Moreover, various embodiments are provided with one or more user input controls and/or remote sensors to enable a user to conveniently request inflation of a particular number of inflatable chambers or a particular length of the inflatable structure.

Abstract: A film has a skin layer, a base layer, and an intermediate layer between the skin and base layers. The skin layer has styrenic block copolymer, the base layer has ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer, and the intermediate layer has from 12% to 50% styrene/ethylene-butadiene/styrene block copolymer. The film has a free shrink at 90° C. of at least 65% and a density of at most 0.960 grams per cubic centimeter.

Abstract: A cushioning article comprises a flap-cut sheet with a plurality of discrete sets of flaps, with each discrete set of flaps having a plurality of flaps extending outward from the sheet. A plurality of the outwardly extending flaps of each discrete set of flaps are affixed to a discrete cap member, resulting in a composite dome sheet having a plurality of composite domes extending from the flap-cut sheet. A cushioning and thermal protection packaging article for packaging a thermally-sensitive product utilizes a plurality of the layers of the composite dome sheet with each layer separated by a separating sheet. Both the composite dome sheet and the separating sheet can be made of paper.

Abstract: A packaging structure for restraining an object comprises a panel and a film. The panel comprises a platform portion, an end flap portion, and a hinge portion. The end flap portion is foldably connected to the platform portion along an end flap fold line. The hinge portion comprises top and bottom hinge sections foldably connected to each other along a first hinge fold line between the top and bottom hinge sections. The film extends across the end flap fold line and is attached to the end flap portion and is also attached to the panel outside of the end flap portion. The packaging structure is foldable to an engaged position in which the object may be restrained between the film and the platform portion of the panel.

Abstract: A method of making a foam uses the following steps. A mixture is created having a polymerizable condensation polymer and a blowing agent. The polymerizable condensation polymer has hydroxy acid units and unsaturated di-functional units. The unsaturated di-functional units are unsaturated dicarboxylic acid units or unsaturated di-alcohol units. The mixture is expanded to create a froth. The polymerizable condensation polymer in the froth is reacted to create the foam.

Abstract: An integrated process for making an inflatable laminated article comprises extruding a first film and a second film, followed by cooling the first film and the second film so that the films will not fuse to one another upon contact with each other. The films are then brought into contact with one another, and selected portions of one or both films are heated so that the films are heat sealed to one another in a selected area having a desired pattern. The unsealed area between the film provides inflatable chambers between the first film and the second film. An alternative process utilizes a film tubing in lay-flat configuration to produce a laminated inflatable article.

Abstract: In an automated process for monitoring and controlling contamination in a production area, captured image data is processed to determine whether an individual is to wearing an article of contamination control equipment (e.g., gloves, face mask, etc) and whether the equipment is properly positioned on the individual. A determination that the contamination control equipment is not present or not properly positioned automatically activates a contamination control device such as contamination control means (e.g., shutting off power to machine) or an alarm or generates and sends a report of the contamination control protocol violation. An automated system for monitoring and controlling contamination includes a computer, an imaging sensor in communication with the computer, and a computer-readable program code disposed on the computer.

Abstract: A machine vision process monitors and controls safe working practice in a production area by capturing and processing image data relative to personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by individuals, movement of various articles, and movement-related conformations of individuals and other objects in the production area. The data is analyzed to determine whether there is a violation of a predetermined minimum threshold image, movement, or conformation value for a predetermined threshold period of time. The determination of a safety violation triggers computer activation of a safety control device. The process is carried out using a system including an image data capturing device, a computer and computer-readable program code, and a safety control device.