Abstract: The invention relates to a method as well as to an apparatus for manufacturing packaging units in a tubular bag forming, filling and sealing machine. Separated products (46, 47) are transferred to a portioning device (20) by means of a horizontal conveyor (18) in order to manufacture portion units (21) with a defined arrangement and number of products, and the portion units, which are enveloped by a film web (34), are subsequently conveyed to a separating device with the help of a vertical conveyor (22) in order to separate the packaging units. The portioning device is used both to manufacture the portion units and to synchronize the portioning device with the horizontal conveyor and the vertical conveyor.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device and method for joining tissue portions are provided including a handle assembly, an elongate body extending from the handle assembly, a cartridge assembly supported on a distal end of the elongate body, and an anvil assembly at a distal end of the surgical stapling device. The anvil assembly includes a shaft for removably coupling the anvil assembly to the cartridge assembly and a head pivotally mounted to a distal end of the shaft. A sleeve member is slidably disposed about the shaft of the anvil assembly and is transitionable between a first position, where the sleeve member engages the head of the anvil assembly to secure the head in an un-tilted condition, and a second position, where the sleeve member is disengaged from the head of the anvil assembly to allow the head to tilt.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system comprising a handle and a shaft assembly is disclosed. The shaft assembly comprises an end effector, a release actuator, and a latch. The release actuator comprises a lock engaged with the handle when the release actuator is in a proximal position and disengaged from the handle when the release actuator is in a distal position. The latch is operably engaged with the release actuator and movable between a first position and a second position. The release actuator is configured to rotate the latch from the first position to the second position when the release actuator is moved toward the distal position. The latch comprises a catch configured to engage the handle when the latch is moved toward the second position. The catch is disengaged from the handle upon an additional manipulation of the release actuator. The additional manipulation is in a proximal direction.

Abstract: A method of manufacture for a vaginal insert. The vaginal insert may have a core, a cover, and a removal element. In various embodiments, the cover can be conformed to the vaginal insert.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to adapter assemblies for use with and to electrically and mechanically interconnect electromechanical surgical devices and surgical loading units, and to surgical systems including hand held electromechanical surgical devices and adapter assemblies for connecting surgical loading units to the hand held electromechanical surgical devices.

Abstract: In one example of a vertical load case packer, guide rods provide horizontal adjustment of a tipping conveyor assembly to position the tipping conveyor assembly at a desired distance from the at least one bucket assembly. In operation, an indexing assembly advances case(s) into the tipping conveyor assembly. Side belts in the tipping conveyor assembly move and grip the case(s). A pivot rotates the tipping conveyor from a position wherein an open end of a case is oriented upwardly to a position wherein the open end is oriented horizontally to receive the product. Each bucket assembly receives product and delivers it to a case. A sliding bottom plate in the bucket assembly supports horizontally loaded product and advances the product into a case. A pusher plate prevents product from withdrawing from the case as the sliding bottom plate is withdrawn and further inserts the product into the case if needed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented for removing container covers within a controlled environment enclosure without using gloves. The apparatus comprises an articulated arm apparatus and a gripping apparatus and can further comprise a controller. The articulated arm apparatus can be configurable for holding and moving a container in three dimensions; and the gripping apparatus can be configured for gripping a container cover sealing the container. The method comprises moving the container using the articulated arm apparatus while holding a gripping area of the container cover substantially stationary using the gripping apparatus. The apparatus can further comprise a sensor configured for supplying information to the controller for determining the location of the container cover gripping area and an orientation of the container cover. The method can further comprise inspecting the container cover using the sensor. The container can be moved along a path and within a space determined by the controller.

Abstract: A packaging system for the selection, grouping and loading of varying size and/or configuration product packs into cartons as provided. The packaging system includes a selection area having a primary selector for forming an initial product pack configuration, and a secondary selector adapted to select and direct an additional grouping of products into a nested arrangement against the initial product pack so as to form a nested product pack. The nested product packs thereafter can be engaged by loader arms of a pair of opposed loading assemblies, which move the nested product packs into a series of cartons moving through the packaging machine. Thereafter, the ends of the cartons can be closed and sealed to complete the packaging of the product packs therein.

Abstract: A system that converts fanfold material into packaging templates includes a converting machine and a fanfold bale. The converting machine has a converting assembly that performs conversion functions, such as cutting, creasing, and scoring, on the fanfold material as the fanfold material moves through the converting machine in a first direction, to convert the fanfold material into one or more packaging templates. An outfeed guide changes the direction of movement of the packaging templates from the first direction to a second generally upwardly oriented direction after the packaging templates exit the converting machine.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongate body, a toothed rack, and an end effector. The elongate body has a proximal end and a distal end and defines a first longitudinal axis. The toothed rack is disposed within the elongate body and is movable in a direction parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The end effector has a proximal end pivotally supported on the distal end of the elongate body. The end effector defines a second longitudinal axis and supports a gear operatively associated with the rack. Longitudinal movement of the rack effects pivotal movement of the end effector relative to the elongate body from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the second longitudinal axis is aligned with the first longitudinal axis. In the second position, the second longitudinal axis is misaligned with the first longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A cantilevered flywheel for a motor having an inner rotor. A power tool having an electric motor which drives a cantilevered flywheel. A fastening device having a driver blade and/or driver profile which has a driving action energized by a transfer of energy from contact with a cantilevered flywheel. Methods of using a cantilevered flywheel in power tools and appliances.

Abstract: A cap gripper is described herein with a groove for receiving a projecting portion of a cap. A positively biased member may create a narrowing in the groove to secure the projecting portion of the cap within the groove. The positively biased member may be positively biased by a spring-loaded screw that is inserted into a screw hole of the cap gripper. When the cap is inserted into the cap gripper, the positively biased member may be partially depressed within the screw hole to allow the projecting portion of the cap to be inserted into the groove. Likewise, when the cap is removed from the cap gripper, the positively biased member may be partially depressed within the screw hole to allow the projecting portion of the cap to be removed from the groove.

Abstract: A system for filling a container with relatively long thin tubes that are delivered on a tube conveyor. The system has a generally tubular-shaped insert with an at least partially open top and an open bottom, the insert sized and shaped to fit into the container and defining a width that is slightly larger than the length of the tubes and an insert holder that is adapted to engage the insert to hold the insert in place. There is a lift system that moves the container between an engaged position in which the container is located over the insert and a disengaged position in which the container is free from the insert, and movable clamps adapted to be moved between an engaged position in which they hold the container in position relative to the insert and a disengaged position in which the container can be moved relative to the insert. A pivot system pivots the insert holder about a pivot axis that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axes of the tubes.

Abstract: A post driver having a reverse twisted spring is disclosed which comprises a carriage, a driving ram which is movable relative to the carriage, a hydraulic cylinder assembly having a threaded hydraulic cylinder rod extending out of a first end of the hydraulic cylinder assembly, the threaded hydraulic cylinder rod capable of movement out of the hydraulic cylinder assembly and retracted back into the hydraulic cylinder assembly, the threaded hydraulic cylinder rod being connected to the driving ram, the hydraulic cylinder assembly having a second end being connected to the carriage, and a spring assembly comprising an outer spring and a reverse twisted spring within the outer spring, a first end having a screw-in plug, a threaded rod extending out of the screw-in plug in the first end with the threaded rod being connected to the driving ram, and a second end connected to the hydraulic cylinder assembly.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for automatically placing a scoop in a container, where the apparatus comprises a scoop supply unit adapted to supply scoops to a release position of the scoop supply unit in a hanging manner, a first gripping device configured to grip an individual scoop at the release position of the supply unit and to move the scoop to a delivery position where the scoop is released from the gripping device in order to place the scoop in a container, where the supply unit comprises two sets of reciprocating holding fingers adapted to release one scoop at a time in the release position, where the gripping device comprises two gripping fingers having a semi-circular shape corresponding to the shape of the scoop, such that the inner sides of the gripping fingers bears on the rim of the scoop. The invention also concerns a method for automatically placing a scoop in a container.

Abstract: The invention relates to applicators for applying a solution or other composition (e.g., an antiseptic composition) to skin of a patient. The applicator may include a container body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a frangible member disposed at the distal end of the body. The applicator includes a first position where the container body and frangible member are a unitary piece (e.g., blow molded as a single piece), and a second position when the frangible member is rotated relative to the body to irreversibly break a weak point therebetween, releasing the composition in the hollow body through an opening. A porous applicator head may be positioned adjacent the distal end of the body and frangible member, so that the composition flows out the body, through the opening, and onto the head. The applicator may be formed in a blow-fill-seal process for improved sterility and ease of manufacture.

Abstract: The invention provides a vacuum packaging method and a vacuum packaging apparatus that can sufficiently degasify the inside of a packaging bag without any trouble and in which bubbles are less likely to remain inside the packaging bag after vacuum packaging, even if a liquid is included in a packaged object.

Abstract: A machine for applying support members to opposing sides of opposing edges of a sheet material includes a support tab applicator assembly that applies a first portion of a support tab along a longitudinal edge of a first side of the sheet material, a support tab finisher assembly that applies a second portion of the support tab disposed opposite the first portion to a second side of the sheet material disposed opposite the first side, and a hole punch assembly that cuts a hole through the sheet material. The machine also may include a strengthening film applicator assembly that applies a strengthening film along a longitudinal length of the first side of the sheet material and/or across the support tab.

Abstract: The specification discloses a wrapping film handling mechanism (4) for use with loaded pallet wrapping machinery (10) including a rotatable turntable (11) on which a loaded pallet is placed for wrapping, plastic wrapping film being dispensed onto the loaded pallet with a wrapping direction opposite to a rotation direction of the turntable (11), the film handling mechanism (4) having a pair of gripping jaws (24, 25) pivotally mounted to move between a first inactive and lowered position and a second elevated active position, each said gripping jaw (24, 25) having a gripping portion (84, 85) along one zone that engages wrapping film when the gripping jaws (24, 25) are in the second elevated active position, the handling mechanism including actuation means (114, 115, 31, 90, 91, 93, 94, 96, 97, 120) to move said gripping jaws (24, 25) selectably from said first lowered inactive position to said second elevated active position, said pair of gripping jaws (24, 25) being urged by spring means (42) towards one of sa

Abstract: A pneumatic tool includes a housing that contains an installation tunnel, an air supplying channel and first and second air inlets, a control valve installed in the installation tunnel for shifting among first, second and third positions; a controller that is mounted on the control valve and has two paddles; a pushing rod that passes through the controller and the control valve; and a trigger that is attached to the pushing rod. The pneumatic tool provides the controller for a user to selectively operate with his/her left hand or right hand to perform forward/reverse switching and speed adjustment.