Abstract: A method and system for identifying and detecting improperly wrapped envelopes for use in a mailpiece fabrication system. The method/system visually images each envelope in predetermined regions of interest (ROIs) to determine the spatial relationship between the internal content material and one or more points of reference indicative of the internal bounds of a sealing adhesive. By examining the spatial relationship, a determination is made regarding the proximity of the internal content material and the sealing adhesive. If the distance, or spatial separation, therebetween is below a threshold value, then an assumption is made that the content material and sealing adhesive are contiguous and that the envelope has been improperly sealed, i.e., with the content material interposing or otherwise inhibiting the proper closure of the wrapped envelope.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a plurality of flexible pouches from a continuous web of film having a plurality of registration marks spaced a predetermined distance apart. The apparatus includes a film displacement mechanism, a registration mark sensor, and a controller. The film displacement mechanism includes at least one vertically oriented roller that rollingly engages with the continuous web of film. The film displacement mechanism adjusts the tension in the film by horizontally displacing the vertically oriented roller. The registration mark sensor is positioned upstream of the film displacement mechanism and is configured to detect the registration marks. The controller controls the film displacement mechanism to horizontally displace the film upon receipt of a signal from the registration mark sensor.

Abstract: A surgical fastener applying apparatus for applying fasteners to body tissue. The apparatus includes a clamping lever including a cantilevered locking member for engaging a catch member positioned at the proximal portion of a cartridge receiving half-section of the apparatus to retain the clamping lever in a clamped position. The clamping lever can include a protrusion which is receivable in a depression on the cartridge receiving half-section. The apparatus includes a disposable firing assembly and cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping a stack of objects with a film has a film supply holding the film and a support including only two vertical masts adjacent the film supply and juxtaposed with the stack to be wrapped. A pull-down device is shiftable vertically along the two masts next to the stack. A film-feed head is also shiftable vertically along the two masts. The film extends from the supply through the film-feed head to the pull-down device. A film-storing means or looper is provided in the film-feed head for storing a variable length of the film in the head.

Abstract: A system for packaging items in a custom sized box comprises a blank forming apparatus for forming a custom sized blank and a box folding apparatus for folding a custom sized box from the custom sized blank. The box folding apparatus comprises a rectangular throat frame having an adjustable rectangular throat opening and a suction device with suction nozzles for sucking the bottom panel of the blank. A displacement device is provided for lowering the suction nozzles from a top position in which top surfaces of the suction nozzles lie in a plane supporting the blank towards a bottom position, thereby causing folding of the side and end panels of the blank with respect to the bottom panel as the blank is drawn through the throat opening.

Abstract: In a hand-held power tool having a housing and a tool holder, which is disposed on a drive shaft that is rotationally mounted in at least one first and one second ball bearing, the first ball bearing having a first inner ring and the second ball bearing having a second inner ring, a spring element is disposed between the first inner ring and the second inner ring in order to prestress the first ball bearing with respect to the second ball bearing.

Abstract: A circular stapling device includes a circular anvil assembly and a circular cartridge assembly. The anvil assembly includes a cap and head. The cap is movable relative to the head. The head supports a crush ring member that is movable into engagement with the cap to move the cap to an unapproximated position relative to the head to release a portion of an anvil buttress member supported between the anvil cap and the anvil head. The cartridge assembly includes a housing, a pusher member, a retaining ring member, and a fastener cartridge. The retaining ring member releasably secures a portion of a cartridge buttress member to one or both of the housing and the fastener cartridge. The retaining ring member releases the cartridge buttress member when the retaining ring member moves from a radially constricted condition to a radially expanded condition in response to a movement of the pusher member.

Abstract: A blank delivery system for use in a machine for forming a container from a blank sheet of material is described herein. The blank delivery system includes a blank loading assembly that includes a plurality of blank hoppers. Each blank hopper is configured to hold a plurality of blanks for forming a different type of container. A blank transfer assembly is coupled to each blank hopper of the plurality of blank hoppers. The blank transfer assembly is configured to convey the blanks from each blank hopper to a container forming system of the machine.

Abstract: A bulk container bag of a flexible fabric has an essentially cubic configuration wherein vertically extending baffles are provided in the interior corners of the bags to permit the bags to better retain their cubic configuration and to improve stability when filled. The baffles have slits defining flaps, alternatively, apertures and flaps, so that the loose granular material captures the flaps after it is filled in the bulk container bag. A method of filling the bag with granular materials is also provided.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument including a handle assembly, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, a head portion and an indicator. A firing trigger is movable between first and second positions. The head portion includes an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly is movable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced and approximated positions. The indicator is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the handle assembly and is movable between a first position and a second position in response to movement of the anvil assembly towards its approximated position. The indicator is movable between the second position and a third position in response to firing of the instrument.

Abstract: A packaging system (20) for forming and filling a transportable container (22) of plurality of bulk goods includes a frame (26) having a bottom support (48) and an upper support (32). An upper turntable (34) is rotatably supported within the upper support (32) and a lower turntable (50) is rotatably supported on the bottom support (48). A drive system (58) includes at least one pulley system (62, 64, 66) interconnected to the upper and lower turntables (34, 50) for simultaneously driving and synchronizing rotation of the upper and lower turntables (34, 50) with the at least one pulley system (62, 64, 66). A slip frame former (42) extends downwardly from the upper turntable (34) and a roll of stretch wrap (92) is disposed in overlapping relationship with the slip frame former (42) and the bottom support (48) during simultaneous and synchronized rotation of the turntables (34, 50) with the at least one pulley system (62, 64, 66).

Abstract: A closing tool for a closing machine for placing a closure on a container, where a holding force is applied to the closure by means of a gripping device. In order to obtain a universal embodiment for the closing tool the gripping device is provided with a magnetic actuator, such as with permanent magnets, for applying the holding force.

Abstract: A sleeve for jacketing a container such as a beverage cup, where the sleeve is assembled by cutting and folding from a unitary flat panel, the sleeve having no outwardly projecting flaps or ridges. Inwardly folding flaps adapt themselves to the taper and diameter of the cup. Multiple layers of material thickness in the sleeve may be realized using the templates and folding methods of the invention, and the sleeve is printable on either or both sides so that decorative or commercial indicia may be displayed according to the end user's needs or wishes. The invention finds use in making printed insulative sleeves having logos and other customized indicia, and may be folded according to the methods of the invention by the supplier or by the user of the sleeve.

Abstract: A carton decasing system for removing stacks of cartons or carton blanks from cases or containers includes a case infeed conveyor on which the cases with the cartons or carton blanks stacked therein are moved to an inverting assembly. The inverting assembly reorients the cases and places the cases with the cartons stacked therein on a decasing assembly which removes the cases from the stacks of cartons. The stacks of cartons are thereafter conveyed along a magazine conveyor with the stacks of cartons supported by a stack pusher assembly as the cartons are moved to a discharge point at the distal end of the magazine conveyor.

Abstract: A system and method for activating a series of article protection features formed in product cartons in which a series of articles have been packaged includes an actuating assembly mounted along a path of travel for the cartons. The actuating assembly will include a series of actuating elements that are selectively moved into engagement with the article protection features of the cartons. The article protection features are urged into the cartons, between the articles therein and into positions engaging and supporting the articles.

Abstract: A system and method for activating a series of article protection features formed in product cartons in which a series of articles have been packaged includes an actuating assembly mounted along a path of travel for the cartons. The actuating assembly will include a series of actuating elements that are selectively moved into engagement with the article protection features of the cartons. The article protection features are urged into the cartons, between the articles therein and into positions engaging and supporting the articles.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical stapling device and a method for joining tissue portions. The surgical stapling device includes a handle assembly and a tubular body portion supported on a distal end of the handle assembly having a staple cartridge assembly containing a plurality of surgical staples in an annular array. An anvil assembly is at a distal end of the stapling device and has a shaft for removably connecting the anvil assembly to the tubular body portion. The anvil assembly and tubular body portion are juxtaposed with respect to one another along the shaft and are arranged so as to be approximated with respect to one another. A support member extends from the tubular body portion towards the anvil assembly and a buttress material is supported by the support member and removably attached to the support member.

Abstract: A packaging machine includes a pair of brushes that hold a tubular film (Fm) therebetween while rotating and impeding the advancement of packaged articles. Consequently, an elongated stream of packaged articles aggregate at the leading end of the pair of brushes. When the pair of brushes release the tubular film, the packaged articles are again conveyed in a more closely aggregated state than the aggregated state thereof when the advancement of the packaged articles was temporarily impeded. The rotational axis of each brush is also biased a predetermined distance from the central axis of a core thereof. Since the brushes swing in conjunction with the rotation thereof, small vibrations and large swings cause the gaps between packaged articles to be readily filled and reduce the space occupied by the packaged articles. As a result, the bag size can be reduced.

Abstract: A machine for converting a sheet stock material into a dunnage product includes a conversion assembly for converting sheet stock material into a dunnage product as the sheet stock material travels along a path from an upstream end of the conversion assembly to a downstream end of the conversion assembly. The machine further includes a transversely extending guide over which the stock material passes for guided entry into the upstream end of the conversion assembly. The guide is rotatable such that the transverse extent of the guide can be moved between a plurality of relatively rotated orientations to guide the sheet stock material from different sides of the conversion assembly.

Abstract: A nailing device of the present invention mainly includes a striker for driving nails, a restriction mechanism, a power storing mechanism, and an operation mechanism. By cooperation of the components, the striker is kept in position without moving during the course of power storing, and the striker is automatically recovered to an initial position after firing. Thus, nail can fill to the right position accurately in continuous work. For continuously and quickly working, the nailing device is protected from nail jamming.