Abstract: A biodegradable tea leaf straw suitable for use above room temperature and its manufacturing method. The straw includes a tubular body made from a composite. The composite includes the following raw materials by weight percentage: 35% to 65% of tea leaf mixture and 35% to 65% of biodegradable material. The tea leaf mixture contains tea leaf powder and inorganic filler powder. A particle size of the tea leaf powder is smaller than that of the inorganic filler powder. The tea leaf straw retains the natural aroma of tea leaves. All raw materials used in the manufacturing process can be quickly decomposed by environmental microorganisms. The tea leaf straw does not dissolve in the beverage, thereby not affecting its flavor during consumption. The tea leaf straw is feature can attract consumers to use these straws as an alternative to existing plastic straws.

Abstract: A hydraulic tool that executes a sequence of operations includes: a motor; a pump; hydraulic fluid driven by the pump; a chamber in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid; a ram movably positioned at least partially in the chamber according to the hydraulic fluid and pressure thereof; a primary trigger configured to cause, upon actuation thereof, activation of the motor thereby causing: the pump to move hydraulic fluid from the reservoir into the ram chamber, extending the ram; a control system; and at least one sensor in communication the control system. When the primary trigger is user actuated and the ram is fully extended or the tool is clamped around a work piece, the pump continues to pump fluid, under at least partial control by the control system, until a threshold condition is determined by the at least one control system using the at least one sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a container closure to a container, for example for applying a can lid to a can, for example in a beverage filling plant, includes an application unit having a closure receptacle for receiving a container closure, and an ejector unit movable relative to the application unit for ejecting a container closure received in the closure receptacle, wherein an ejector part, for example in the form of an ejector screen, which comes into physical contact with the container closure, for ejecting the container closure is arranged on the ejector unit on its side facing the closure receptacle, wherein the ejector part is detachably attached to the ejector unit via a quick-coupling mechanism. A closer including the apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A baler for forming a bale of crop material includes a bale chamber for forming the bale. One or more constituent property sensors are configured to detect one or more constituent properties other than moisture content of the crop material used to form the bale and to generate one or more sensor signals corresponding to the one or more constituent properties. One or more bale forming actuators are configured to adjust one or more physical characteristics of the bale as the bale is formed. A controller is configured to receive the sensor signals and to generate one or more control signals to the one or more bale forming actuators to adjust the one or more physical characteristics of the bale at least in part in response to the one or more sensor signals.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a base and a shaft extending distally from the base along a longitudinal axis. The shaft is configured to rotate relative to the base about the longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument also includes an end effector operatively coupled with the shaft. The end effector is configured to articulate relative to the shaft about an articulation joint. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw configured to cooperate with the first jaw to clamp tissue. The second jaw is configured to support a stapling assembly. The surgical instrument further includes a firing assembly configured to be distally advanced through the shaft for driving distal translation of a staple actuator of the stapling assembly. The firing assembly is configured to be proximally retracted against at least one of the second jaw or the shaft to thereby apply a compression bias to the shaft.

Abstract: A power tool and method for recording and playing back a motor parameter. The power tool includes a housing, a motor, a trigger, and a controller. The trigger outputs an activation signal based on a user input. The controller receives a user mode selection signal indicating a selected mode. The controller enters the recording mode when the user mode selection indicates the recording mode, and records a motor parameter to generate a recorded motor parameter. The recorded motor parameter covers a first time period in which motor is operating in response to depression of the trigger, a second time period in which motor is inactive in response to release of the trigger, and a third time period in which motor is operating in response to another depression of the trigger. In the playback mode, the controller operates the motor based on the recorded motor parameter upon receiving the activation signal.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a strapping machine strap-feeding assembly with features that enable adjustment of the strap-feeding assembly to accommodate different strap sizes.

Abstract: A multi-modal, reconfigurable, and adaptive gripper system may include a suction cup assembly, a static finger assembly, and at least two reconfigurable finger assemblies that are controlled by a pressure-regulated actuation assembly. In order to grasp an item, a grasp mode, a finger configuration, and/or force(s) to apply to the item may be selected or determined. Various combinations of the suction cup assembly and finger assemblies may be used, with various finger configurations, and with various air pressures or differentials supplied by the pressure-regulated actuation assembly, in order to apply the selected force(s) to portions of the item and reliably grasp, transport, and release the item as part of various automated material handling processes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a produce bag. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a completely recyclable and compostable grocery-type bag for use with produce and other goods. Ideally, the bag is a calendared single-ply paper with heat-sealed seams that is resistant to destruction from moisture. While produce is contemplated, the bag can be used to contain virtually any product. Preferably, such a bag would have a window or an opening so that produce can be viewed and readily identified. The present invention is further directed to a process for creating and filling the above bag. Using a standard printing machine, the adhesive is printed onto the paper in register to desired locations on the paper to form the seams of the bag and, optionally border a window area to be cut out of the paper.

Abstract: A control system for a power tool, comprising: a sensing unit configured to sense an operating characteristic of the power tool; a first control unit configured to determine whether the operating characteristic is within a safe operational range, and to output a first control signal at least partially based on said determination; a second control unit configured to determine whether the operating characteristic is within a safe operational range independently of the first control unit, and to output a second control signal at least partially based on said determination; and an output unit configured to receive the first and second control signals and to activate the power tool when the first and second control signals are received.

Abstract: A robot hand module includes a finger phalangeal part movably coupled to a palm part, a finger cable part having a first side connected to the finger phalangeal part, and a finger driving part connected to a second side of the finger cable part for operating the finger phalangeal part by extending the finger cable part to the outside or retracting the finger cable part, wherein the finger phalangeal part includes finger link pails including a plurality of link members and a finger link driving part for transmitting power to the finger link parts in a rectilinear direction, and wherein when the finger link pails receive the power from the finger link driving part in the rectilinear direction, some of the link members rotate relative to remaining ones of the link members, such that the finger phalangeal part rotates relative to the palm part.

Abstract: Stations for sealing envelopes include a spacer, a positioning surface, and an envelope support surface configured to support the envelopes. A sealing mechanism is provided with sealing members configured to apply heat and pressure to a sealable member on the envelope to form a closure seal. The spacer and the positioning surface are configured to align the sealable member with the sealing members when the envelope is resting on the envelope support surface.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a pharmaceutical counting device (160, 800) including a base portion (810) and a counting tray (830) provided on the base portion (810). The counting tray (830) is tilted about a first axis to empty medications into a first package and tiled above a second axis to empty medications into a second package. The pharmaceutical counting device (160, 800) also includes a camera system (950) to capture images of the counting tray (830), the packages, and a label on the packages. The pharmaceutical counting device (160, 800) verifies whether a correct number and type of medications are received on the counting tray (830).

Abstract: A box erecting device and method has two rails and two platforms upon moveable clips that provide for a wide range of product sizes and configurations. The rails begin near each other then widen apart along their length. The two rails extend from a fore upright downward and outward to a cross member. The two platforms include a middle member and an aft upright. A spine connects to the fore upright, the middle member, the cross member, and the aft upright. A fore leg and a mutually parallel aft leg descend from the spine to their baseplates. The baseplates attach to a supporting surface. The rails extend below the elevation of the spine and below the aft member. The components of the invention connect with mechanical clips inserted into slots upon the components. Installation, adjustment, and maintenance of the device utilizes hand tools.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a cap on a cylindrical container includes: a stage for separately receiving a cap and a container; an elevator movable upwardly away from the stage and downwardly toward the stage; and a cap holding assembly mounted on the elevator.

Abstract: A rotary impact tool including a motor housing, an electric motor supported in the motor housing, and a drive assembly for converting a continuous torque input from the motor to consecutive rotational impacts upon a workpiece. The drive assembly includes an anvil including an anvil lug, and a hammer that is both rotationally and axially movable relative to the anvil. The hammer includes a hammer lug for imparting the consecutive rotational impacts upon the anvil lug. The rotary impact tool further includes a first printed circuit board assembly including an anvil sensor, a first carrier supporting the first printed circuit board assembly, a second printed circuit board assembly including a hammer sensor, and a second carrier supporting the second printed circuit board assembly.

Abstract: A closing apparatus for closing a container with a container closure, for example for closing a container with a screw cap in a beverage filling plant, includes a gripping mechanism for gripping the container closure with at least one gripping arm pivotable about a bearing, an actuating unit for actuating the gripping mechanism, and a detection unit for detecting a stroke of a stroke element of the actuating unit acting on the gripping mechanism. A corresponding method is also described.

Abstract: A system is provided for delivering one or more corner boards for application to one or more corners of a load. The system includes a magazine for receiving the one or more corner boards, the magazine including a loading end and a dispensing end. A pusher is provided for pushing the one or more corner boards towards the dispensing end of the magazine. A holder is also provided for holding the one or more corner boards in an upright position within the magazine, and a gate serves to engage at least one of the one or more corner boards adjacent the dispensing end for application to the one corner of the load. A control arrangement and related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blank joining module for a converting machine. The blank joining module comprises an upper feeder device configured to feed and transport an upper blank (2b) and a lower blank (2a) towards a junction point (J) where the upper blank is superposed onto the lower blank. The blank joining module comprises a register control system comprising a sensing system and a position correction device (86) configured to displace the upper blank to be aligned to the lower blank.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a tuck top shipping mailer box with unsecured interior panels for secure contents placement and customizable as a folder-type box, characterized by its single-piece board construction wherein the bottom of the box serves as a hinge, forming all the walls and the cover of the packaging. The mailer box is designed as packaging cartons or boxes to securely hold contents in place without the need for conventional packing materials. The mailer box is crafted from various shipping box materials, including corrugated cardboard and corrugated plastic, and features unsecured interior panels created during the manufacturing process, traditionally via die-cut single sheets. The interior panels bend towards the interior of the box from the score point, utilizing the natural elasticity of the materials to automatically secure contents from the top and two sides with the fold-over interior panels.