Abstract: A fastener driving device comprises a housing having a chamber constructed and arranged to contain compressed air, a cylinder disposed within the housing, a piston disposed within the cylinder and movable between upper and lower positions within the cylinder, a fastener striker connected with the piston, a main valve and trigger valve. The main valve is formed from a resilient material having a first portion thereof sealingly engaged with a first portion of the cylinder. The main valve has a second portion thereof movable between a sealing position with a second portion of the cylinder and an unsealed position as a result of flexing of the resilient material. The unsealed position permitting the compressed air to force the piston to move from the upper position to the lower position to enable the fastener striker to move through a fastener driving stroke. The trigger valve is carried by the housing.

Abstract: A method of encapsulating a topical composition in a breakable capsule, includes the steps of elastically deforming at least a portion of a first deformable film that is impermeable to the composition so as to constitute at least one blister; injecting the topical composition into the blister; applying a second film that is impermeable to the composition onto the first film so as to close the blister; and sealing the second film and the first film together around the periphery of the blister, the portion of the first film being suitable for shrinking after release of the capsule so as to cause the pressure inside the capsule to be greater than atmospheric pressure. While the capsule is being made, at least one weak region is made in the blister, thus making the capsule suitable for being broken by exerting pressure on the capsule.

Abstract: A continuous wrapping apparatus includes a web supply section that supplies a pair of continuous webs, and a wrapping section for applying the webs about the article. The web supply section includes a pair of web supply stations for each web, and a supply roll is located at each web supply station. Each web supply station includes a splicing mechanism for splicing together the trailing end of a web from an exhausted roll with the leading end of a web from a fresh roll. A storage mechanism is located downstream of each splicing mechanism, and includes rollers that are movable toward and away from each other to continuously supply the web during the splicing operation, which maintains the web ends stationary. The webs are applied to the elongated article such that side areas of the webs overlap each other, and adhesive is applied between the overlapping areas of the webs.

Abstract: A method of forming a package by heat sealing a trap-printed laminate to a support member (e.g., tray). The laminate has a free shrink in each of the transverse and machine directions of at least about 10% at 200° F. and at least about 21% at 240° F. The laminate has an oxygen transmission rate of no more than about 100 cubic centimeters. The outside layer of the laminate comprises at least about 40% of one or more relatively high-melt polymers each having a melting point at least about 25° F. higher than the lowest melting point polymer of the sealant layer. The first film has an oxygen transmission rate greater than the oxygen transmission rate of the second film.

Abstract: A stapler assembly includes a base and a stapler coupled to the base. The stapler is movable with respect to the base between a first position, wherein the stapler has a first orientation with respect to the base, and a second position, wherein the stapler has a second orientation with respect to the base. The base preferably includes a holster configured to receive the stapler and is pivotable to move the stapler between the first and second positions. A cradle supports the holster. A detent mechanism between the cradle and the holster includes at least two detents corresponding with the first and second stapler positions. Preferably, the stapler is an electric stapler and the base includes an electrical conductor configured to conduct power from a power supply cord to the stapler when the stapler is received in the base.

Abstract: An envelope consisting of a front side and a rear side which are interconnected by side flaps, has a fold-back flap to which a layer of contact adhesive is applied. The adhesive used is a strong contact adhesive which is effective without moistening or activation by any other means. The fold-back flap is laid against the rear side of the envelope for the purposes of transport and storage, an area coated with a parting agent being provided so that the adhesive can be detached before use. The envelope is closed by pressing the otherwise uncoated closing flap onto the adhesive-coated fold-back flap. The adhesive is applied to the fold-back flap by transfer, i.e. the adhesive is applied to the parting agent layer during production and then transferred to the fold-back flap when the latter is redressed.

Abstract: A soft pack for cigarettes comprises a, for example, carton-form wrapper made of paper or similar packaging material. Folding tabs, namely border strips (18 and 19) on the one hand, base tabs, namely longitudinal tabs (24 and 25) on the other hand, and also a band (or revenue stamp) (32) are connected to one another or to the pack by adhesive bonding, use being made of hot-melt adhesive which is applied in the correct position to a material web for producing blanks for the packs, is set and, once the folds or packs have been completed, is reactivated by heat. The relevant folding tabs or band are/is respectively connected to one another or to the pack by pressure.

Abstract: An arm member is provided for protection of a power source and for facilitating storage of a power tool. In a closed position, the arm member is configured for partially encircling a portion of the power source and re-directing an impact directed towards that portion away from the power source. In an open position, the arm member is configured for engaging a projection or structure to enable hanging and/or other storage of the power tool.

Abstract: A motor-driven stapler is disclosed which comprises a table (100) arranged as opposed to a staple drive portion for driving a staple and provided movably up and down on a stapler body, and a driver for driving a staple from the staple drive portion to sheets of paper when the table (100) has been moved to press the sheets of paper against the staple drive portion. The table (100) is moved up and down by allowing the table (100) to rotate about axles (27) that are provided on the side plate portions (24, 25) of the frame (12) of the stapler body (10).

Abstract: An envelope comprising a tear strip that functions as an efficient opening means for access to the envelope contents.

Abstract: A method and system for moistening and sealing an envelope in a high speed mail processing machine including steps and components for heating a liquid to moisten the glue on the envelope flaps to more quickly soften the glue and provide an improved seal.

Abstract: A packaging machine using a heat-shrinkable film comprises a frame (14, 16) for peripheral sealing of a film (19) segment and a tunnel (21) disposed alongside the frame, in which means (27) for air circulation is arranged, which air is heated by electrical heating elements (28) for shrinkage of the sealed film which is introduced into the tunnel. The machine comprises means (34) for detecting a condition associable with the presence in the machine of a product wrapped in a film to be shrunk. This detecting means (34) upon detection of said condition produces a signal (33) for temporary actuation of the hot-air circulation means (27).

Abstract: A belt clip can be side-mounted to a drill/driver to facilitate holstering of the drill/driver and to reduce the profile of the drill/driver. The side-mounted belt clip can be positioned to enable the drill/driver to be grasped in the ergonomically desirable thumb-rest and power-grip holds. The side-mounted belt clip can be adapted to facilitate the wielding of the tool by providing additional surfaces for the fingers and thumb to contact when grasping the tool. The belt clip can also be detachably mounted to a tool and can be designed to provide curved surfaces which match the profile of the user's thumb and fingers for comfort.

Abstract: A semi-automatic round baler having an “auto kick” or “auto wrap” mode. In the auto kick mode, at the conclusion of the forming cycle the baler will stop and await the operator's signal to continue. Once the operator has signaled to continue, the baler will wrap the bale and will immediately proceed to the ejecting cycle. In auto wrap mode, the baler will automatically enter into and complete the wrapping cycle (after a short delay) following completion of the forming cycle. At the conclusion of the wrapping cycle in the auto wrap mode, the baler will await the operator's signal before ejecting the completed bale.

Abstract: This patent relates to a machine that automatically assembles, inspects, and packages disposable prophylaxis angles. The machine includes a movable table including a plurality of fixtures on which angle components are assembled and the assembled angles are inspected. The movable table is surrounded by a number of stations, each of which performs a different operation of the assembly and inspection procedure. Feeders automatically supply the angle components to their respective stations for assembly. Angles that are incorrectly assembled are automatically rejected. Properly assembled angles are automatically sealed in individual bags. Individually bagged angles are counted into batches by the machine and automatically sealed into cartons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging articles in card and blister packages is disclosed, the card and blister package comprising a first or blister piece of clear pre-formed plastic with a shaped cavity for receiving small articles, and a flat flange portion along its perimeter. The second piece of the package is a flat rectangular chipboard card, appreciably larger than the card and blister piece and having printing on one or both sides. The flange of the card and blister piece can be bonded to the surface of a card to form a card and blister package for the enclosed articles. Apparatus for producing a plurality of packaged articles includes a plurality of package holders mounted on the surface of a conveyor belt that is porous to UV light, the holders made of a UV light transparent material and having upper surfaces with shaped recesses for removably supporting the plastic card and blister pieces with their cavities upwardly faced and for supporting the cards in position above the card and blister pieces.

Abstract: A quick release mechanism for a roller (6, 7) wherein the roller (6, 7) is mounted in a frame and rotationally driven (for example, a roller (6, 7) carrying a roll of stretch wrapping film (4) in a stretch wrapping head (1)). The quick release mechanism includes a pair of stub axles (22, 43) which support either end of the roller (6, 7) in the frame. One of the stub axles (22) are fixed within the frame and driven by a motor (8). The connection between this driven stub axle (22) and the roller (6, 7) ensures that no relative rotational movement occurs. The other stub axle (43) is “lockable” in a hole in the frame but is removable therefrom. The connection between the removable stub axle (43) and the roller (6, 7) allows free relative rotational movement. Withdrawal of the removable stub axle (43) from the frame allows the roller (6, 7) to be disconnected from its connection with the driven stub axle (22) and removed from the frame.

Abstract: A multi-ply composite container for consumer products with at least one region of weakened strength and method for manufacturing same is provided. The composite container includes a multi-ply composite tube having a tubular body ply, a liner ply adhered to the inner surface of the tubular body ply and a label ply adhered to the outer surface of the body ply. The composite container also includes at least one circumferential score line in the multi-ply composite tube through the label ply and the body ply. The container and method overcome limitations imposed by conventional composite containers by providing a composite container which provides for easy opening, better consumer access, resealability, storage for left over food product, and easier consumer recycling.

Abstract: A former is used to fold webs longitudinally. During the web drawing-in process, the individually incoming paper webs in a group of paper webs are conveyed smoothly to a folding mechanism at the end of the former. This is accomplished by using a number of upper and lower transport elements which are located above and next to each other at least inside the boundaries of the upper surface of the former. These upper and lower transport elements can be brought together and can be separated. They can be driven as desired.

Abstract: A device for transferring a folded box from a magazine accommodating flat folded boxes to a circulating transport device thereby simultaneously erecting same, comprises a holding device transferring and carrying the folded box during transfer, and an erecting member. The holding device and the erecting member are rotatably disposed on a planetary part of a planetary gearing and are moved along a hypocycloid path having several turning points and intermediate curves. The planetary part is rotatably disposed on a planetary support which rotates about a stationary sun axis. Via a first gearing arrangement, the holding device is subjected to a superimposed, first correcting rotary motion defined along a first control curve and, via a second gearing arrangement, the erecting member is subjected to a superimposed, second correcting rotary motion defined along a second control curve. Both gearing arrangements are disposed substantially coaxially with respect to one another.