Abstract: Accurate and repeatable portioning of polycrystalline silicon chunks without excessive generation of fines is accomplished by separating silicon chunks into a multiplicity of weighed portions and combining at least four portions which together closely match a target weight into a plastic shipment bag which is then closed.

Abstract: A heat shrink tunnel with width adjustment includes a pair of opposing side wall assemblies, each including an outer wall and an inner perforated wall defining a plenum therebetween. The opposing side walls define a product path with the side wall assemblies being movable toward and away from each other. A heater/blower assembly disposed in each of the opposing side walls and has an outlet directed into the product path. A shroud extends over the side wall assemblies and an open top space between the side all assemblies. The side wall assemblies extend upwardly toward an inside of the shroud so as to define a small gap between tops of the side wall assemblies and the inside of the shroud. The shroud has a bottom wall. A conveyor is configured to convey items through the heat shrink tunnel. A tunnel includes a side wall assembly width adjusting assembly to move the side walls toward and away from one another by actuation of a single actuator.

Abstract: A motorized surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a displacement member. A motor is coupled to the displacement member and a control circuit. A position sensor is coupled to the control circuit and a timer circuit to measure elapsed time. The control circuit is configured to determine a position of the displacement member, determine an error between directed and actual velocity and adjust the directed velocity based on the error in comparison to one or more thresholds. The control circuit also is configured to adjust the rate of change of the directed velocity based on the one or more thresholds. The control circuit also is configured to determine a zone in which the displacement member is located and set the directed velocity based on the zone in which the displacement member is located.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a power tool includes an actuator with a permanent magnet. The actuator is moveable between a first position for a first mode of operation, and a second position for a second mode of operation. A first positioning member is adjacent the first position composed of a ferromagnetic material to attract the permanent magnet. A second positioning member is adjacent the second position and composed of a ferromagnetic material to attract the permanent magnet. An electromagnet may be energized to move the actuator between the first position and the second position. When the electromagnet is not energized and the actuator is in the first position, the actuator is retained in the first position. When the electromagnet is not energized and the actuator is in the second position, the actuator is retained in the second position. When the electromagnet is energized, the actuator moves between the first and second positions.

Abstract: Surgical end effectors and fastener cartridges having firing lockout arrangements for preventing or limit a firing stroke when a cartridge has not been operably installed in the end effector or a spent cartridge has not been replaced.

Abstract: A fastener applying apparatus (20) includes an anvil half-section (100) and a cartridge receiving half-section (200) having a distal portion dimensioned to releasably receive a single use loading unit (“SULU”) (400) and a proximal portion configured to support a firing assembly (500). The firing assembly includes a stationary housing (502) and a firing lever (516) having one or more lever guide projections (522). The firing lever is slidable from a proximal end of the stationary housing to a distal end of the stationary housing to define a firing stroke. A clamping lever (300) is movable from an undamped position to a clamped position to releasably secure the distal anvil portion in close approximation with the SULU. The clamping lever defines one or more lever guide slots (316). The lever guide projection(s) is positioned to enter the lever guide slot(s) upon initiation of the firing stroke to inhibit movement of the clamping lever to the undamped position during the firing stroke.

Abstract: A powered tool device may include a first handle grip coupled to a first handle bar and a second handle grip coupled to a second handle bar. A first battery may be coupled to the first handle bar, and a second battery may be coupled to the second handle bar. The two handle bars, handle grips, and their respective batteries may be separated from each other via a separation structure that may separate the two handle bars by a distance which may allow portions of the body of a user to be between the handle bars. Optionally, the separation structure may be moved between an extended position and a compacted position.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes a housing having an actuator; an elongated member extending from the housing; an end effector disposed on an end of the elongated member, the end effector having a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw having a staple cartridge and the second jaw having a plurality of staple forming recesses; the staple cartridge having at least a first segment and a second segment, the first segment and the second segment each having a tissue contacting surface and staple receiving slots defined in the tissue contacting surface, the first segment and the second segment being biased toward the second jaw and movable; a biasing members for each of the first segment and the second segment; and a pressure sensor for each of the first segment and the second segment.

Abstract: A method of making a container having a tamper evident feature. The method comprises affixing a tamper evident tag to a bottom end so that the tag covers perforations in the bottom end. The tag may be a film-based tag incorporating a color shifting ink layer. When the container is opened, air enters the interior of the container, passes through the perforations and activates the color shifting ink layer.

Abstract: A carton with an improved dispensing feature at one end of the carton, which preserves the integrity of the carton, while enabling the display and enhanced access and vending of containers within the carton.

Abstract: A horizontal pillow packing apparatus includes a center sealer configured to wrap a packing target object by bringing both end portions of a back surface of a belt-shaped film in a width direction into contact with each other and seal a center seal portion at which the both end portions of the back surface in the width direction are in contact with each other, and an end sealer configured to seal and cut both side portions of the belt-shaped film wrapping the packing target object in the width direction. The center sealer includes at least two pairs of heating rollers configured to nip and heat the center seal portion of the belt-shaped film wrapping the packing target object, and a pair of compression rollers configured to cool and compress, to bond the center seal portion, the center seal portion heated by the at least two pairs of heating rollers.

Abstract: Vertical packaging machine for generating packages from a film that according to one embodiment includes a film feeder and a forming tube with a longitudinal axis. The forming tube configured to impart a tubular shape to the film. The machine is configured for incorporating a longitudinal tool for longitudinally sealing the longitudinal ends of the tubular-shaped film together and generating a film tube. The machine also includes a module for moving the film tube, and a transverse tool for transversely sealing and cutting the film tube. The module is configured for rotating with respect to the longitudinal axis of the forming tube, being arranged in different operating positions, such that it allows arranging the longitudinal tool required in different positions for generating packages having different topologies and/or different sizes without the need of moving the transverse tool.

Abstract: Surgical end effectors and fastener cartridges having firing lockout arrangements for preventing or limit a firing stroke when a cartridge has not been operably installed in the end effector or a spent cartridge has not been replaced.

Abstract: Control of a load wrapping apparatus may be based at least in part on the relative stability of a load, such as based upon one or more load stability types that categorize the relative stability of the load. A graphical depiction of a wrap profile may also be used in some instances to facilitate operator set up of the wrap profile.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a surgical end effector are provided. The end effector can include upper and lower jaws, and an anvil assembly configured to be releasably coupled to the upper and/or lower jaws. The anvil assembly can include an anvil plate that mates and aligns with the jaw, and staple pockets that align with staple cavities formed in the cartridge for formed staples fired from the cartridge. An adjunct material can be releasably secured to either the cartridge or anvil assembly, such as with one or more sutures.

Abstract: A machining device is adapted to be provided on a mount provided with a toolholder. The toolholder is controllable to rotate and is adapted to be engaged with a tool. A primary coil engaged with the toolholder includes a first ferrite core and a first coil assembly detachably engaged with the first ferrite core. The first coil assembly is modular molded, and is adhered to be an annular body having a first hollow portion. A piezoelectric actuator is electrically connected to the primary coil to drive the tool to vibrate. The secondary coil includes a second ferrite core and a second coil assembly detachably engaged with the second ferrite core. The second coil assembly is modular molded to be an annular body having a second hollow portion.

Abstract: A power tool is provided which accommodates interchangeable tool heads. The power tool includes: a tool body having a housing and an electric motor mounted within the housing, as well as a tool head that releasably attaches via a mechanical connection and an electrical connection to the tool body. The tool releasably connects to the output shaft of the electric motor when the tool head is attached to the tool body. A tool switch interposed between a power source for the electric motor and the electric motor is operable to supply power from the power source to the electric motor. A tool accessory switch interposed between the tool accessory and the power source for the electric motor is operable to supply power from the power source via the electrical connection to the tool accessory, thereby providing the tool operator independent control of the tool accessory.

Abstract: The sealing device, forming the object of this invention, for packages containing food products, includes a unit for gripping and/or feeding a piece of thin flexible material forming a film used to cover and at least partly seal the food product; a sealing element which includes a rheostat having an annular body and two terminals extending from the annular body and connectable to a voltage generator capable of generating and maintaining an electrical potential difference at the ends of the two terminals in such a way as to cause to flow along the rheostat an electric current capable of heating the annular body to a predetermined sealing temperature. Each terminal has at the point of its connection to the annular body of the rheostat a cross section whose surface area is the smallest compared to the cross sections at all other points of the terminal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container (1) comprising a main part and a lid (8)which is rotationally moveable around a folding line (21) in a rear panel (5) of the container (1). Parallel and spaced apart transverse cuts (31) are provided at or near a central part of the folding line (21), the transverse cuts (31) extending substantially symmetrically across and perpendicular to the folding line. An end cut (32) may be arranged near but at a distance from each end of the folding line (21), the end cuts (32) going through the thickness of the rear panel (5), and the folding line (21) being perforated between the end cuts (32) and the end of the folding line (21) adjacent to the side panels (4). The end cuts (32) may be in the form of two linear and coherent sub-cuts arranged non-perpendicular to the folding line (21).

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and an adapter assembly. The handle assembly includes a handle housing and a processor disposed within the handle housing. The adapter assembly includes a knob housing, an elongate body, a plurality of electrical components, and a flex circuit. The knob housing is configured to be connected to the handle housing. The elongate body extends distally from the knob housing and has a distal end configured to be coupled to an end effector. The electrical components are disposed within the elongate body. The flex circuit has a proximal end configured to be electrically connected to the processor, and a distal end configured to be electrically connected to the electrical components.