Abstract: A surgical instrument for treating the stomach tissue of a patient is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises a handle comprising a display, a shaft extending from the handle, and an end effector extending from said shaft. The surgical system comprises a tissue treatment system configured to treat the stomach tissue along a path, an imaging system configured to capture a tissue image of the stomach tissue, and a controller configured to determine an edge of the stomach tissue, generate an image representing at least a portion of the edge of the stomach tissue, and display the image along with at least a portion of the tissue image on the display.

Abstract: A surgical end effector for use with a surgical instrument that includes an elongate shaft assembly that includes a rotary output drive shaft is disclosed. An elongate channel is attached to the elongate shaft assembly. An anvil frame that comprises a proximal end and a distal end is selectively movable between open and closed positions relative to the elongate channel. An anvil concentric drive member is rotatably supported by the anvil frame and is configured to receive rotary drive motions from the rotary output drive shaft of the surgical instrument when the anvil frame is in the closed position. A firing member is in driving engagement with the anvil concentric drive member for linear travel through the end effector.

Abstract: A method of manipulating thermoplastic film to create integrated features and particularly relates to an improved method of manufacturing a packaging bag that is reclosable after initial opening. Multiple sections of thermoplastic film are layered on top of themselves to form a multi-layer portion of the thermoplastic film. The multi-layer portion may then be conglomerated into a unitary thicker portion of the film that can then be shaped into a closure strip. In order to form a bag, a second such closure strip may be made. The two closure strips are then aligned and the remaining open portions of the bag are then sealed such that the closure strips form a reclosable opening that may be opened and closed repeatedly.

Abstract: A container blank having an article handling feature for handling the container blank as well as the flexible packages made therefrom during manufacture, and method of making flexible packages using such a feature are described herein. Also described herein is an array of flexible packages containing a common article handling feature provided by such a method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filling device (2) for filling a holder with vulnerable products, for instance apples, and a method therefor. The filling device according to the invention comprises: —a main frame (14) provided with an elevator conveyor (4) with a supply side (10) and a filling side (12); —a distributing device (28) connected operatively to the filling side of the elevator conveyor and provided with one or more distributors configured to distribute products over the holder; —height adjusting means (42,44) configured to move the distributing device in the height relative to the holder such that the distributing device is movable in the height during filling of the holder; and—a supply side guide arranged (66,68,70) on the main frame (14) for operation with the height adjusting means and configured to align the supply side of the elevator conveyor with a delivery end of a feed conveyor during a movement of the distributing device in the height.

Abstract: A reload assembly includes a shell housing, a knife carrier, and a one-way collar. The knife carrier is movably positioned about an inner housing portion of the shell housing between retracted and advanced positions and supports a snap-ring. The one-way collar is movably supported about the inner housing portion of the shell housing from a retracted position to an advanced position in response to movement of the knife carrier from its retracted position to its advanced position. The snap-ring is movable with the knife carrier to a position proximally of the one-way collar when the one-way collar is in its advanced position to obstruct movement of the knife carrier back towards its advanced position.

Abstract: The presently disclosed stapling device includes a stomal sleeve secured to an anvil assembly of a tool assembly of the stapling device. The stomal sleeve has a tubular configuration having a first end portion secured to a tissue contact surface of the anvil assembly and a second end portion secured to a distal face of an anvil head of the anvil assembly. In use, the stapling device is fired to secure the first end portion of the stomal sleeve to dermal and intestinal tissue within a stoma and to separate the first end portion of the stomal sleeve from the anvil assembly. When the stapling device is withdrawn from the stoma, the second end portion of the stomal sleeve is withdrawn from the stoma and subsequently disengaged from the anvil head of the anvil assembly such that the second end portion of the stomal sleeve is positioned externally of the stoma.

Abstract: A rotary impact tool in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a motor, an impact mechanism, an impact detector, and a controller. The controller executes constant duty ratio control from when the motor is started until an impact is detected by the impact detector. The controller executes constant rotation speed control in response to detection of an impact by the impact detector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a jam detecting device (10) for detecting defective packages in a filling machine. The jam detecting device (10) comprises a movable element 5 (12), and a sensor (13) connected to the movable element (12). The jam detecting device (10) is adapted to be positioned in the filling machine such that any defective package will mechanically raise the movable element (12) when passing the same and thereby trigger the sensor (13). The invention also relates to a method for detecting defective packages in a filling machine, and a folding unit (1) and a filling machine for producing packages (2) of pourable food products from sealed packs (3).

Abstract: A blank has an upper surface and a reverse surface. The upper surface is printed in a conventional manner and includes outer side panels and inner side panels. Attachment regions are provided on the inner side panels of the outer surface, and corresponding attachment regions are provided on the outer side panels of the reverse surface. During assembly the respective attachment regions are arranged to face one another and an adhesive is provided therebetween. In the present method, the attachment regions of the upper surface initially have a surface tension in the range from around 34 dynes/cm to 60 dynes/cm before the upper surface is printed. The attachment regions are treated in order to maintain a surface tension in the desired range of 34 dynes/cm to 60 dynes/cm, following printing and before any adhesive is applied. This is achieved by applying an auxiliary printing medium to the attachment regions.

Abstract: An end effector for use with a surgical instrument includes a lower jaw, an anvil, and a resilient member. The anvil is pivotable relative to the lower jaw between a fully opened position and a fully closed position. The resilient member is configured to bias the anvil to remain in the fully opened position when the anvil is in the fully opened position. The end effector may include a closure ring coupled with the anvil that is translatable relative to the lower jaw and configured to engage the anvil at an interface as the closure ring translates proximally relative to the lower jaw to thereby pivot the anvil relative to the lower jaw toward the fully opened position. In various embodiments, the resilient member may comprise elastomeric material positioned between the closure ring and the anvil or a pair of springs or resilient arms that engage the anvil.

Abstract: A baler includes a body, and a wrap system that is attached to the body. The wrap system is operable to support a roll of wrap material in an installed position. A cover is attached to the body, and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. When in open position, the cover provides access to the wrap system from an exterior location. When in the closed position, the cover encloses the wrap system from the exterior location. The baler includes a lift system attached to the body. The lift system is concealed between the body and the cover when the cover is disposed in the closed position. The lift system is positioned below the cover when the cover is disposed in the open position. The lift system raises the roll of wrap material into the installed position.

Abstract: A method of applying a tamper evident band involves: moving a container in a feed direction below and past a mandrel assembly that includes a lower end with a band guide structure; utilizing the mandrel assembly to form a tamper evident band; ejecting the tamper evident band downward from the mandrel assembly toward the container before the container is completely under the mandrel assembly causing a leading side of the tamper evident band to move over a leading side of a cap and neck section of the container while a trailing side of the tamper evident band is above a trailing side of the cap and neck section of the container; and as the container continues to move past the mandrel assembly, the band guide structure pushes the trailing side of the tamper evident band over the trailing side of the cap and neck section of the container.

Abstract: A fastener cartridge can comprise fastener cavities arranged in longitudinal rows. A first fastener having a first configuration and a second fastener having a second configuration can be stored within a longitudinal row. First fasteners having a first configuration can be stored within a first longitudinal row and second fasteners having a second configuration can be stored within a second longitudinal row. Each first fastener can have a proximal leg, or leg portion, extending at a first proximal angle and a distal leg, or leg portion, extending at a first distal angle and each second fastener can have a proximal leg, or leg portion, extending at a second proximal angle and a distal leg, or leg portion, extending at a second distal angle. The first proximal angle can be different than the second proximal angle and/or the first distal angle can be different than the second distal angle.

Abstract: A machine for making packages containing liquid or creamy products includes stations for punching/forming a first blank defining upper, lower and rear faces of the open package. A punching and creasing station forms a second blank defining first and second lateral faces of the package. The second blank has a notch for partial transversal separation between the first and second lateral faces. A station for assembling the first blank with the second blank for opening/closing the package with the notch of the two lateral faces, arranged in a “V”, to form an edge of the package. A transport unit is movable along a feed direction and configured to receive the package from the assembly station. A station opens the edge and fills the package with a dose of the product fed through the open notch. A station seals the notch.

Abstract: A machine for forming a container from a blank of sheet material is provided. The blank includes a reinforcing panel assembly for forming a reinforcing corner assembly. The machine includes a hopper station for storing the blank in a substantially flat configuration and a forming station for forming the blank into the container. The forming station includes an initial forming station that rotates a first portion of the reinforcing panel assembly with respect to a second portion of the reinforcing panel assembly, and a secondary forming station having male and female forming members with shapes corresponding to an interior shape and an exterior shape of the reinforcing corner assembly, respectively. The male and the female forming members are configured to form the reinforcing corner assembly by compressing together the first and second portions of the reinforcing panel assembly.

Abstract: Cross Seal Devices and related methods are provided. A cross seal device for forming ends of packages being formed in a packaging forming system can include an anvil configured to extend transverse to a product pathway of a packaging forming system along which top and bottom sheet materials travel. The cross seal device can also include a track positioned above the anvil transverse to the product pathway. Further, the cross seal device can include a carriage configured to operate along the track. The carriage can include one or more rollers configured to engage the anvil to form a pressure contact between the anvil and the roller so that the top and bottom sheet materials are joined together.

Abstract: A hammer drill is provided including a motor, an electrical power circuit arranged to provide power to the motor, a tool holder arranged to hold a cutting tool, and a drive transmission operable in at least two modes of operation. A mode change mechanism is provided to switch the drive transmission between the at least two modes of operation, and at least one electrical switch is located within the electrical power circuit to provide power to the motor. Hammer drill further includes lock-on mechanism is configured to lock the at least one switch in the closed state when it is activated, a controller configured to control an operation of the motor, and an electrical power circuit configured to provide power to controller. The motor is prevented from operating when no power is provided to the controller.

Abstract: The machine (1) for laying sliced food products (2) in containers (3), comprises: a first conveyor (4) able to convey slices (2) or groups of slices (2) along at least one advancement direction and provided with an end portion (40) from which the slices (2) are released; a second conveyor (5) able to convey containers (3) suitable for receiving one or more slices (2) from the end portion (40) of the first conveyor (4), the second conveyor (5) being placed below the first conveyor (4); and a positioning apparatus (45, 46, 47, 81, 82) for regulating the arrangement of the first and the second conveyor (4, 5) with respect to each other.

Abstract: Improved radial pneumatic regulator systems, devices and methods are described herein. Embodiments may comprise regulators with adaptive radial seals to prevent air leakage, provide increased air supply use efficiency, and facilitate more efficient manufacture and assembly of systems. The regulator systems may be used in applications such as for pneumatic power tools.