Abstract: A packing apparatus for use in a sterile environment has an article loading and supply system. The loading system has a hatch in a first wall (P1) positioned at a height corresponding to a normal and ergonomic working height for an operator. The hatch faces an operating station which is to be supplied with the articles. A container element (2) has an internal volume (25) for containing articles, with a first article loading opening (21) and a second article unloading opening (22). The container element (2) is positioned in the sterile environment and is movable so that it can be positioned in a lowered position (PA) which corresponds to the hatch position for loading articles through the first loading opening, and then positionable in a raised position (PS) in which the second loading opening (22) is above the operating station (S1) for unloading the articles to be supplied thereto.

Abstract: A wrinkle smoothing device for a composite body of a continuous sheet related to an absorbent article includes a first belt that moves along a first travel path while retaining the central portion of the continuous sheet, and second and third belts that move along second and third travel paths while retaining side portions of the continuous sheet. The second and third travel path are inclined from the first travel path such that a downstream side is more spaced apart from the first travel path than an upstream side. The second and third belts retain side portions of the continuous sheet while relatively sliding in the width direction of the continuous sheet.

Abstract: A remote-controlled actuator assembly includes a distal end member fitted to a tip end of a spindle guide section for alteration in attitude, a tool rotatably provided in the distal end member, a tool rotation drive source for rotating the tool, and an attitude altering drive mechanism for operating the attitude of the distal end member. The spindle guide section has a rotary shaft for transmitting a rotation of the tool rotation drive source to the spindle and an attitude altering member to alter the attitude of the distal end member. The attitude altering mechanism includes an attitude altering drive source, a reduction unit to reduce a speed of input rotation from the attitude altering drive source, a motion converter mechanism to convert a rotational output from the reduction unit to advancing/retracting motion, and an output member to cause the attitude altering member to advance/retract according to an output of the motion converter mechanism.

Abstract: Provided are a bag mouth opening method and apparatus capable of surely and stably opening into a desired shape the mouth of a spout bag having a spout attached to an upper edge-side portion thereof. A spout tilting relative to a bag is corrected into a non-tilting position and pinched with spout pinching members opened and closed by a first air cylinder of a spout holding device. The first air cylinder is held in an initial position in the width direction of the bag by a second air cylinder through a quadric link comprising a connecting rod mounting plate, a connecting rod, a connecting plate, and a second support arm. The interior of the second air cylinder is opened to the atmospheric pressure in synchronism with the start of movement away from each other of a pair of suction cups of a bag mouth opening device and movement toward each other of a pair of gripping members gripping the laterally opposite side edges of the bag.

Abstract: An end effector for a surgical stapling apparatus is provided which includes an anvil assembly and a surgical buttress. The anvil assembly includes an anvil body and an anvil plate. The anvil plate includes a bottom surface that defines a plurality of staple forming pockets. The anvil body and the anvil plate are selectively connectable. The surgical buttress includes a buttress body and a plurality of arms extending from the body. The arms are disposable between a top surface of the anvil plate and a bottom surface of the anvil body to support the buttress body against the bottom surface of the anvil plate when the anvil plate and the anvil body are connected to one another.

Abstract: An overhead packaging machine with articulating lugs is mountable along a product packaging system for the application of cartons such as wrap-style cartons about sets or groups of products. The overhead packaging machine includes a lug conveyor having a series of articulating lug assemblies mounted thereto and which are moved along a path of travel for engaging the groups of products with their cartons applied thereto. Each of the articulating lug assemblies includes a pair of articulating lugs mounted to a carriage, which articulating lugs are moveable into engaging positions for engaging the cartons applied to the groups of products as the groups of products are moved along their path of travel for folding and locking of the cartons thereabout.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a shaft and an end effector. The end effector is positioned at the distal end of the shaft and is operable to form a fastener assembly to secure tissue. The end effector includes first and second fastener assembly forming features. The first fastener assembly forming feature is rotatable relative to the shaft. The fastener assembly is formed by first and second fastener assembly members. The first fastener assembly member comprises a buttress strip received by the first fastener assembly forming feature. The second fastener assembly member comprises either a wire with protruding portions or a fastener strip with integral protruding fasteners. The buttress strip receives the protruding portions or protruding fasteners to secure tissue between the buttress strip and the wire or fastener strip. The end effector may transect layers of tissue and fasten the layers of tissue together on each side of the transection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a container for holding product therein during shipment and being returned for reuse that has a body, tracks attached to opposite sides of the body, and a plurality of support members extending between the tracks. Sliders are located at the ends of tubular supports, the sliders being slidable in the tracks to move the support members. The support members support dunnage for supporting products for storage or shipment.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removing air from a bag containing articles while the bag is traveling on a moving conveyor belt. A horizontal shaft is disposed in operational relationship to the conveyor belt. A plurality of rings is provided such that each ring has a thickness and a centered opening dimensioned to loosely accommodate the shaft, and also to rotationally oscillate relative to the shaft. Each ring is vertically displaceable relative to the shaft. Each ring independently generally follows a contour defined by the articles to expel air by downwardly depressing an outer surface of the bag under gravity caused by weight of each ring while the bag is carried on the conveyor belt below the rings. A radial distance between the shaft and the ring is greater than a diameter of the shaft.

Abstract: A hand-held power tool is equipped with a dust extraction device which includes a dust box for holding dust. A closing flap is arranged in a tube section which lies in the flow path to the dust box, and this closing flap can be adjusted between the closed position and the open position. The closing flap is pivotably held in the region of the inner wall of the tube section and can be opened in the direction of the dust box. In the closed position, the closing flap bears against a stop which protrudes into the tube section, extends at an angle with respect to the direction of flow through the tube connection piece, and forms a stop line or stop area against which the closing flap correspondingly bears.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a container comprises a hopper assembly configured to store a plurality of blanks. Each blank includes a bottom panel, a pair of opposing end panels, at least one stacking tab, at least one inner side panel, and at least one outer side panel. A transport mechanism is positioned below the hopper assembly and is configured to transport a blank of the plurality of blanks from a first position to a second position. A pair of opposing folding plows is positioned below the hopper assembly. The folding plows are configured to rotate the inner side panels and the stacking tabs of the blank as the blank is transported from the first position to the second position. At least one stacking tab bullet is coupled to each folding plow. Each stacking tab bullet is configured to move a respective stacking tab relative to a corresponding inner side panel.

Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, an output shaft having a tool axis, and a motion sensor that senses motion of the tool housing. A control circuit receives an input signal from the motion sensor, to make a first determination, based on the input signal, whether the tool is being operated in a horizontal mode or a vertical mode. The control circuit makes a second determination, based on the input signal, whether the tool axis is substantially level when the tool is being operated in the horizontal mode or the tool axis is substantially plumb when the tool is being operated in the vertical mode. An indicator receives an output signal from the control circuit that causes the indicator to indicate whether the tool axis is level when being operated in the horizontal mode or plumb when being operated in the vertical mode.

Abstract: A process for producing and assembling a medical operations syringe (20) comprising in the order the operations of extruding plastic material in order to obtain an intermediate tubular element (1) made of plastic material at least partially at molten state, performing on the intermediate tubular element (1) a blow molding in order to obtain at least a hollow body (2), inserting firmly and at least partially a thrust piston (3) into the hollow body (2) immediately after the blow molding operation.

Abstract: A linear cutting stapler comprises: an upper jaw and a lower jaw (1) capable of closing or opening relative to each other. A staple cartridge (2) is disposed at a distal end of the lower jaw (1). The lower jaw (1) has a U shape, in which a striker (5) and a pushing rod are slidably disposed. The linear cutting stapler further comprises a safety mechanism. The safety mechanism comprises a safety piece (4), and an opening (52) opened on the striker (5) and for receiving the safety piece. The installation or removal of the staple cartridge (2) may drive the safety piece (4) to move in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the lower jaw (1), so that the safety piece (4) is disengaged from or engaged with the opening (52) of the striker (5). The linear cutting stapler has a simple structure, can be easily fabricated, and is safe and reliable.

Abstract: A system and method for injecting pressurizing fluid into a filled and sealed container is provided. The container is filled with a product and is then sealed with a closure. A pressurizing fluid is injected through the closure into the container cavity after sealing and filling.

Abstract: A surgical tool for use with a robotic system that includes a tool drive assembly that is operatively coupled to a control unit of the robotic system that is operable by inputs from an operator and is configured to robotically-generate output motions. A drive system is configured to interface with a corresponding portion of the tool drive assembly for receiving the robotically-generated output motions and applying the output motions to a drive shaft assembly which is configured to apply control motions to a surgical end effector operably coupled thereto. A manually-actuatable control system operably interfaces with the drive shaft assembly to facilitate the selective application of manually-generated control motions to the drive shaft assembly.

Abstract: A device for individually packaging medication comprises: a conveyance member for conveying a long packaging sheet, the packaging sheet being folded in two along the longitudinal direction thereof with a fold line disposed on the lower side; and a sealing member for sealing the packaging sheet. The sealing member is configured by integrating longitudinal and lateral sealing units. The longitudinal sealing unit being adapted to seal the edge of the packaging sheet, located on an opposite side of the fold line, and the lateral sealing unit being adapted to seal the packaging sheet at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction. The device further comprises: a support member for supporting the sealing member; and a control unit causing the sealing member to rotate idle while separating the longitudinal sealing unit from the packaging sheet and thereafter causing the longitudinal sealing unit to come into contact again with the packaging sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compacting material into a bale and wrapping the bale with a wrapping material is set forth. The method comprises steps of supplying a material to be baled to a baling chamber of a combined baler and bale wrapping apparatus, and forming a bale of the material in the baling chamber, opening a cover of the baling chamber, securing the bale by a securing-mechanism operatively assigned to the baling chamber in the baling chamber, applying a wrapping material supplied from a dispenser to the secured bale, thereby providing one or more securing layers of the wrapping material encircling the bale, and releasing the bale from securing by the securing-mechanism, and wrapping the bale with the wrapping material by supplying further wrapping material from the dispenser to the bale, and expelling the wrapped bale from the baling chamber.

Abstract: A vertical filling and packaging machine of the present invention includes tension devices (11) that are disposed near positions of ironing rollers (5) and that pull both sides of cylindrical film (1) laterally outward. Tension devices (11) pull both sides of cylindrical film (1) laterally outward to flatten a portion of cylindrical film (1) before the pair of ironing rollers (5) sandwiches the portion of cylindrical film (1), wherein the content has been injected into the cylindrical film (1). As a result, when lateral seal part (1e) is formed on cylindrical film (1) by lateral seal device (6), lateral seal part (1e) is not easily wrinkled.

Abstract: A sterile packaging system for use in the manufacture and sale of combination medical product preferably one that is attachable to an injection system to co-deliver at least two medicaments is disclosed where a tray grid comprises sterile receptacles that are removably connected, sealable and configured for use in an automated drug filling and assembly line.