Abstract: The medicine dispensing system includes a plurality of storage containers for storing medical pills. The system also includes a hopper, a top and a bottom pre-fill tray, and a packing plate that are placed underneath each other respectively. Both the top and bottom pre-fill trays include a plurality of X-direction and Y-direction pointers. The system also includes a control module that uses feedback logic to align the top pre-fill tray with the bottom pre-fill tray using the X and Y direction pointers. In operation, the medicine dispensing system controls dispensing and navigation of pills from the storage container through the hopper, into the top pre-fill tray, into the bottom pre-fill tray, into the packing plate, and ultimately into a desired slot in the pill pack. The top and bottom pre-fill trays provide for separated compartmentalization of pills.

Abstract: A method of packaging a series of differently shaped objects. The method includes receiving a first object to be packaged and identifying a first length of a stock packaging material suitable for enclosing the first object. The method continues by creating, with a bag making machine, a first bag from the stock packaging material having approximately the first length, which leads to substantially enclosing the first object in the first bag. Then the method continues by receiving a second object to be packaged, the second object having a shape or size different from the first object. A second length of the stock packaging material suitable for enclosing the second object is identified. The method continues by creating, with the bag making machine, a second bag from the stock packaging material having approximately the second length, followed by substantially enclosing the second object in the second bag.

Abstract: A fastener driver comprises a driver blade movable from a retracted position to an extended, driven position for driving a fastener into a workpiece, a gas spring mechanism for driving the driver blade from the retracted position to the driven position, the gas spring mechanism including a storage chamber cylinder containing a pressurized gas, means for determining a pressure in the storage cylinder chamber, and an indicator activated in response to the determined pressure in the storage cylinder chamber being less than a predetermined pressure value.

Abstract: A method of filling packaging with pouches of product comprises conveying a plurality of spaced apart chutes along a first feed path. Each chute is loaded with pouches of product at a chute loading station. Erect boxes are conveyed along a second feed path to a chute unloading station wherein the second feed path is substantially parallel to the first feed path at the chute unloading station. The pouches of product are transferred from the chutes into interior spaces of the erect boxes at the chute unloading station as the chutes move along the first feed path and the erect boxes move along the second feed path. The chutes are returned to the chute loading station to be filled with pouches of product.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a motor disposed in the housing, an output spindle configured to be driven by the motor, an input switch, and a controller configured to control power being delivered to the motor. The controller is operable in one of: (a) a normal mode where the controller causes continuous electric power to be delivered to the motor during actuation of the input switch in a first range of positions; and (b) a feathering mode where the controller causes discontinuous electric power to be delivered to the motor during actuation of the input switch in a second range of positions that is different from the first range of positions motor to simulate feathering the input switch.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method of manufacturing a container with a leak resistant seal. The method includes forming an elastomer or a plastic or any combination thereof into a container inside out by forming an outside portion of the container on an internal surface of the container before inverting the container and forming an inside portion of the container on an external surface of the container before inverting the container. In embodiments, the method includes forming or coupling a leak resistant seal on the external surface of the container before inverting the container. The leak resistant seal provides access to the inside portion of the container when the leak resistant seal is open after inverting the container and holds at least liquid internal to the container when applying an external force to the container without use of an external structure to keep the leak resistant seal closed after inverting the container.

Abstract: Method for processing hot-filled plastic containers are provided. In some embodiments, the method may include hot-filling a plastic container, sealing the container, and conveying the sealed container, each with an inner annular wall and a push-up portion in a first position. In some embodiments, the method may further include creating a vacuum pressure in the hot-filled and sealed container and repositioning or inverting the push-up portion from the first position to a second position under the vacuum pressure.

Abstract: A flexible container is provided. The flexible container includes four panels. The four panels form (i) a body portion; (ii) a neck portion, and a flare portion that extends from the neck portion; (iii) a tapered transition portion between the body portion and the neck portion; and (iv) the neck portion has a reduced width. The flare portion has an expanded end. The width of the flare portion gradually increases from the neck portion to the expanded end.

Abstract: A pouch machine includes an infeed section, a sealing section, and an outfeed section. The infeed section provides a pouch or laminate to the sealing section, and the outfeed section receives the sealed pouch from the infeed section. The sealing section includes at least one sealer that has a sealing fixture disposed to move in a first direction toward and away from a sealing position. A linear actuator is mounted to provide a controlled motion in a second direction, that is not the first direction. A linkage is connected between the linear actuator and the sealing fixture. The linkage translates the controlled motion of the actuator into controlled motion of the sealer. The linkage preferably multiplies force when the sealer is in the sealing position, and multiplies distance/velocity when the sealer is retracted. The sealing fixture preferably includes a die backing member and a sealing die. The die backing member has at least one clip mounted on it.

Abstract: A surgical stapler end effector assembly comprises a staple cartridge, an anvil, and a buttress assembly. The staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples and a deck. The staple cartridge is operable to drive the staples through the deck. The anvil is movable from an open position toward the staple cartridge to reach a closed position. The anvil includes an underside having staple forming surface configured to receive staples driven through the deck. The buttress assembly comprises a buttress body and an adhesive material. The adhesive material comprises a polymer. The polymer is bioabsorbable. The polymer is in a flowable state on the buttress body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods to facilitate replacement between runs of a kit or cassette from an automated radiosynthesis device located in a hot cell. The method and apparatus of the invention enable automated disconnection of the outlet line by sealing the tubing hermetically by means of heat and by cutting the tubing where it is sealed in such a way that there is no risk of environmental contamination with radioactive material. The invention enables disconnection of the outlet line without manual intervention before opening the shielded enclosure.

Abstract: A surgical fastener applying apparatus includes an anvil half-section and a cartridge-receiving half-section including an elongated channel member having a pair of opposed openings defined through sidewalls thereof. A disposable assembly including a single use loading unit and a single use firing unit is configured to be releasably supported within the cartridge-receiving half-section. The disposable assembly includes a stationary housing for supporting the firing unit which includes a distal extension for supporting the single use loading unit. The stationary housing includes a pair of flared tabs configured to be releasably received within the openings of the cartridge-receiving half-section to releasably engage the disposable assembly within the cartridge-receiving half-section.

Abstract: Systems and methods for towing a bagging machine are disclosed. The system includes a coupler connected to a hopper that is configured to raise and lower relative to a chassis of the bagging machine. The chassis has at least six wheels in contact with the ground that remain in contact with the ground when the coupler is attached to a towing vehicle hitch. The hopper raises to attach the coupler to the hitch and lowers to engage the hitch for towing, while keeping the wheels on the ground.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a molded paper body in which the outer peripheral portion of a blank primarily of paper is formed in a raised shape using draw processing, wherein the molded paper body eliminates the occurrence of wrinkles causing leaking or instability of adhesion when used as the bottom member of a paper cup or similar paper container and a forming method thereof. The method for manufacturing this molded paper body is to draw-process, with a punch and die, a single blank primarily of paper, and is characterized by use of a holding mechanism to press the outer peripheral portion of the blank between a wrinkle pressing member and the die upper surface, and setting the force applied by the wrinkle pressing member within an appropriate range.

Abstract: A work tool for a hammer is disclosed. The work tool may include a first terminal end having a planar surface, and a second terminal end opposite the first terminal end and including a tool tip. The work tool may further include a shank between the first and second terminal ends and including a proximal first shank portion and a distal second shank portion coaxially aligned. The work tool may further include a collar between the first and second shank portions. The collar may include a rectangular portion forming lateral sides of the collar, each of the lateral sides including a planar surface that extends in a direction along an axis of the work tool. The collar may further include a flange having a diameter greater than a diameter of the shank and greater than a length of a lateral side of the rectangular portion.

Abstract: A surgical tool of a robotic surgical device is provided that is configured to be removably and replaceably attached to an electromechanical arm of a surgical robotic system that is capable of supplying electrical power to the surgical tool when the tool is attached to the arm. The tool has an elongate shaft with an end effector having opposed jaws movable between open and closed positions. The tool also has a member configured to move distally and proximally within at least a portion of the end effector to open and close the jaws. An actuator disposed on the shaft is configured to be manually moved from a first position to a second position to cause the member to move proximally to thereby open the jaws when the surgical tool is in a mode in which it is not deriving electrical power from the surgical robotic system.

Abstract: Provided is a highly reliable box-opening device being capable of suppressing failures of a box-opening action regardless of a size of a cardboard box sheet. The box-opening device unfolds a sheet in which first and second side surfaces and third and fourth side surfaces overlap, and forms a square-tube-shaped cardboard box. The box-opening device may have a suction disk to grasp the first side surface, a main arm having suction disks to grasp the fourth side surface and changing a posture while grasping the fourth side surface, and a control part to control a movement of the main arm so that an initial action, in which a gap is formed between the first and second side surfaces and the third and fourth side surfaces, and a main action that follows the initial action, are executed as an action of unfolding the sheet.

Abstract: An automated system and method wrap the fastening ties around the body of a continuous stream of facemasks in a facemask production line. The facemasks are oriented such that each facemask has a leading pair of ties and a trailing pair of ties extending from a body in a conveying direction of the production line. The leading pair of ties is drawn below the body as the facemask continues to be conveyed in the conveying and wraps under the body. At a wrapping station in the production line, the body is subsequently clamped with an automated clamping device and rotated relative to a rotation axis through the body to cause the leading and trailing pairs of ties to further wrap around the body.

Abstract: A stud miss indicator system for a fastener driving tool includes at least one sensor generating at least one signal based on forces generated by a fastener driving operation, a software program configured for receiving the at least one signal, for evaluating the at least one signal as to a fastener being either improperly driven or properly driven, and the program generating at least one appropriate output signal reflective of the evaluation.

Abstract: A pressed crease-forming member includes a strip-shaped member having a crease-forming portion formed with three or a larger-than-three odd number of ribs extending in the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped member with one of the ribs located at the widthwise center of the crease-forming portion and each half of the remaining even number of ribs arranged on either side of the center rib. At least the top of the center rib, namely, the rib located at the widthwise center of the crease-forming portion, is chamfered. Grooves are formed between the adjacent ribs. The ribs are arranged such that the tops of the ribs are formed, as a whole, into a convex shape. The bottom of each groove is recessed beyond the tops of the ribs on both sides of the groove.