Abstract: A device for filling containers for bags of smokeless tobacco, includes an infeed station for feeding a succession of inner frames, a filling station to feed a succession of individual bags tobacco to a respective inner frame, a release station for releasing inner frames full of bags, a conveyor defining a feed line which passes through the infeed station, the filling station and the release station and which has a housing to hold and move a respective inner frame from the infeed station to the release station via the filling station. A suction device is disposed in the filling station to apply suction in the housing of the conveyor disposed in the filling station and a rotation device is disposed in the filling station and confronting the housing. The rotation device rotates the inner frame in the housing so successive radial compartments of the inner frame confront respective bags.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system for automated dispensing and packaging of articles. Systems may include: a controller configured to receive an indication of an order to be packaged, where the order includes one or more articles; a packaging station; a web of bags, where the web of bags is fed to the packaging station; a pneumatic table configurable to support a bag disposed at the packaging station; an opening mechanism including a pneumatic nozzle to open the bag disposed at the packaging station; a loading bin configured to be inserted into the open bag and deposit the one or more articles; and a closure apparatus to seal the bag disposed at the packaging station after receiving the one or more articles.

Abstract: A hand-held tool, such as a disc grinder, is used to perform work at a high work site, a countermeasure is taken to prevent the hand-held tool from falling by using a suspension tool, such as a tether strap. If a coupling part that couples the suspension tool to the hand-held tool is damaged, this fact is notified to a user. Thereby, an original function of the suspension tool can be reliably performed. If a large impact is applied to a coupling member via a suspension tool, the coupling member is displaced to a second position, due to the deformation of a first position retaining member. A conductive portion disengages from contacts to cause a power circuit to be shut off, thereby prohibiting a main body part from being activated.

Abstract: A powered fastener driver includes a driver blade movable from a top-dead-center (TDC) position to a bottom-dead-center (BDC) position for driving a fastener into a workpiece and a drive unit for providing torque to move the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. A rotary lifter is engageable with the driver blade and configured to receive torque from the drive unit for returning the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The lifter has a body, a drive pin coupled to the body, and a roller positioned on the drive pin. The roller includes an engagement section configured to receive an end portion of a tooth of the driver blade. The lifter includes a means for aligning the engagement section with the end portion of the tooth on the driver blade to facilitate meshing between the end portion and the roller.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a random case sealer configured to interrupt the case-sealing process upon detecting an object between the top-head assembly and the top surface of the case.

Abstract: A device for wrapping product wrappers including a winder, the winder including a gripper mechanically connected to a tubular shaft rotatable about and translatable along an approach axis, the gripper being rotatable and translatable integrally with the tubular shaft; an actuating rod active on the gripper and movable along an actuating axis, the actuating rod being movable along the actuating axis with respect to the tubular shaft and rotationally constrained to the tubular shaft, wherein the gripper is rotatable and movable following a translation of the actuating rod along the actuating axis; a first electric motor active on the actuating rod to translate the actuating rod along the actuating axis; and a second electric motor active on the tubular shaft to translate the tubular shaft along the approach axis. The device further includes a control unit configured to drive the first electric motor and the second electric motor.

Abstract: Thresholds can be assigned for one or more parameters in connection with the operation of a surgical device. An ultimate threshold can trigger a desired action, including cessation of operations or modification of operations, if the ultimate threshold is reached, or predicted to be reached. In addition, a marginal threshold can trigger a desired action, including improving operations such as slowing operations where the value of a parameter is measured to be between the values defined by a marginal threshold and an ultimate threshold. Multiple thresholds, based on multiple parameters, can be defined, further enabling calibrated usage, such as slowing operations based on exceeding both a marginal threshold based on number of sterilization cycles and exceeding a marginal threshold based on extent to which current draw exceeds a certain value.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a jaw assembly, an articulating assembly and a drive shaft. The jaw assembly includes first and second jaws. The articulating assembly is removably coupled to a proximal end of the jaw assembly and includes a distal joint member, a proximal joint member, and a pivot pin. The pivot pin is fixedly coupled to the distal joint member and is rotatably coupled to the proximal joint member. The jaw assembly and the distal joint member together define a first longitudinal axis. The proximal joint member defines a second longitudinal axis. The drive shaft includes a gear element that is meshingly engaged with a pivoting gear element that is fixedly coupled to the pivot pin. Longitudinal movement of the first drive shaft pivots the jaw assembly relative to the proximal joint member about a pivot axis defined by the pivot pin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dunnage apparatus, including a converting station and a deflector. The converting station converts a line of high-density supply material into low-density dunnage and ejects the dunnage at an exit in an exit trajectory along a path. The deflector is repositionable with respect to the exit between a first position, in which the deflector is interposed in the path to deflect the path of the dunnage from the exit trajectory to a first deflected trajectory, and a second position. The deflector is retained in each position during the ejection of the dunnage.

Abstract: A driving tool includes: a striking unit striking a fastener by being actuated in a first direction; a rack on the striking unit; a wheel; and a second transmission portion on the wheel and capable of being engaged with and released from the rack. The striking unit can be actuated in a second direction when the second transmission portion is engaged with the rack, and the striking unit can be actuated in the first direction when the second transmission portion is released from the rack. The second transmission portion includes: a tooth portion arranged along a rotation direction of the wheel and turned in a predetermined direction to be engaged with and released from the rack; and a movable piece actuated in the predetermined direction to be engaged with the rack and actuated in a different direction from the predetermined direction to be released from the rack.

Abstract: A powered fastener driving tool including a latch with a position sensor, to detect the position of the driver during tool operation. The sensor communicates to the system controller, which determines, based on the position of the latch, if the motor should be energized or the motor braking energized. This latch sensor detection provides an accurate location of the driver to the system controller, helping prevent wear and tear on the lifter and driver, and increasing the life of the tool. The driver includes a plurality of through holes, in which the latch can engage when properly aligned. When the latch is engaged with a through hole, the sensor communicates to the controller than the motor may be energized. However, when the latch is not engaged with a through hole, the sensor communicates to the controller that the motor brake should be energized.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed comprising a plurality of drive systems and one or more shifting systems. The functionality of the surgical instrument is controlled by the shifting systems.

Abstract: A force sensor arrangement for use in a surgical device includes a support block supported within the surgical device and defining a support block surface; a load sensor disposed axially adjacent the support block, the load sensor defining a sensor surface; and a spherical disc interposed between the support block and the load sensor, and in contact with the support block surface and the sensor surface, wherein the spherical disc defines a first side in contact with the sensor surface, and a second side in contact with the support block surface, wherein the second side of the spherical disc has a spherical profile and the support block surface has a complimentary spherical profile.

Abstract: A power tool (1) is disclosed comprising a tool (3), a power source (5) arranged to power the tool (3), a throttle lever (7), a circuit board (9), and a human machine interface (10) comprising components (15, 17, 19) arranged on the circuit board (9). The power tool (1) further comprises a magnet (11) operably connected to the throttle lever (7), and a sensor arrangement (13) configured to sense the intensity of the magnetic field of the magnet (11). The sensor arrangement (13) is arranged on the circuit board (9).

Abstract: A self-contained no-feed-roll computer controlled corrugated board or paperboard sheet feeder apparatus 200 is configured to upgrade an installed corrugated board processing machine (e.g., 10) and includes a feed table surface 210 for boards (e.g., 2) having drive wheels (222W, 224W, 226W) in an initial variable velocity zone 220 which drives the board in a first motion profile through a first vacuum zone, and a second velocity zone 230 which then drives the board in a second motion profile through a second vacuum zone Retrofittable sheet feeder 200 also includes a controller 300 configured to receive predetermined velocity signals from the host machine 10 and generate (i) a first initial variable velocity control signal for initial variable velocity zone 220 and (ii) a second velocity control signal for second velocity zone 230 in response.

Abstract: A handheld power tool includes an actuator arrangement, which includes a movable trigger member and a sensor arrangement. The trigger member includes at least one magnetic element, and the sensor arrangement is responsive to a displacement of the magnetic element along with the movable trigger member relative to the sensor arrangement. The sensor arrangement includes an analog magnetic field sensor configured to provide a signal proportional to the position of the magnet, a first digital magnetic field sensor configured to provide a first digital switching point in response to the position of the magnet, and a second digital magnetic field sensor configured to provide a second digital switching point in response to the position of the magnet.

Abstract: A mining machine includes a base having two drive tracks configured to rest on a ground surface and to move the mining machine along a first direction. The drive tracks each have a length along the first direction between a front end of the drive track and a rear end of the drive track. The mining machine further includes a carbody that extends between the two drive tracks, a turntable coupled to the carbody that defines an axis of rotation, and a stabilizer appendage coupled to the carbody. The stabilizer appendage extends forward from the carbody along the first direction and includes a roller or plate to contact the ground surface and provide stabilizing support during a digging operation. The axis of rotation is positioned closer to the front end of the drive tracks than the rear end of the drive tracks.

Abstract: An adaptive container loading assembly is provided and includes a container forming assembly, a container shuttle assembly, and a product transport assembly. The container forming provides a plurality of varying sized containers. The container shuttle assembly is positioned adjacent to the container forming assembly and includes a linear synchronous motor guideway shaped in an endless loop, and a plurality of transport vehicles moveable about the guideway, each transport vehicle a leading shuttle and a trailing shuttle spaced apart by a determined distance to accommodate and receive the plurality of varying sized containers. The product transport assembly is positioned adjacent the container shuttle assembly and includes a robot arm to position product in the plurality of varying sized containers.

Abstract: A fastener driver includes a housing defining a head portion and a handle portion, a drive mechanism positioned within the housing, and a firing mechanism. The firing mechanism includes a primary guide member supported within the head portion of the housing, a secondary guide member spaced from the primary guide member and supported within the head portion of the housing, a piston slidable along the primary guide member and the secondary guide member, a driver blade attached to the piston and configured to be movable along a drive axis, and a biasing member configured to move the piston and the driver blade from a top dead center (TDC) position toward a bottom dead center (BDC) position. A lifter assembly is operated by the drive mechanism to return the piston and the driver blade towards the TDC position, against the bias of the biasing member.

Abstract: An impact tool includes a housing having a handle portion defining a first axis, a motor supported by the housing and defining a motor axis, and a rotary impact mechanism arranged on a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The rotary impact mechanism is configured to convert a continuous rotational input from the motor to consecutive rotational impacts upon a workpiece. The rotary impact mechanism includes a chamber containing a hydraulic fluid, an anvil positioned at least partially within the chamber, and a hammer for imparting the consecutive rotational impacts upon the anvil. The hydraulic fluid is configured to attenuate a noise of the rotary impact mechanism that is created by the hammer impacting the anvil. The impact tool further includes a gear train that receives torque from the motor and includes a rotational input that transfers torque to the rotary impact mechanism.