Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple anvil and a staple cartridge having a working surface, one or more rows of individual staple slots formed in the working surface, a knife track formed along a length of the working surface, and a plurality of surgical staples individually disposed within the individual staple slots. The apparatus further includes an actuation sled having a knife and being configured and adapted to movably position the knife axially within the knife track. The apparatus also includes a wound closure material applicator assembly having a needle secured to the knife to dispense a quantity of wound closure material along a length of the knife track as the actuation sled and knife are moved therealong.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector that is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector includes an anvil and a cartridge. The anvil has a curved tip. The curved tip is elastically deformable from a biased curved position when the tip is subject to a force, such as the force exerted on the anvil when tissue is clamped between the anvil and cartridge. The curved and deformable features of anvil provide for an end effector with improved visualization and maneuverability, in particular during procedures involving marching.

Abstract: Surgical systems and related methods verify the presence of an unfired surgical cartridge mounted to a surgical instrument. The cartridge includes an input that is actuated in a firing direction to operate the cartridge. An actuation input that is limited to less than or equal to a predetermined magnitude is generated. The actuation input includes at least one of a torque or a force. The actuation input is transferred to an output of a surgical instrument to attempt to actuate the output opposite to the firing direction by a predetermined amount. The output is drivingly coupled with the cartridge input when the cartridge is mounted to the surgical instrument. The resulting actuation of the output is measured and compared with a threshold actuation amount. A determination is made that the cartridge is present and unfired when the resulting actuation of the output is less than the threshold actuation amount.

Abstract: A method and system for wrapping meat in containers is provided. The method and system provide a modified atmosphere, other than that which exists as standard air, to a container such that a final sealed product contains an internal volume or atmosphere of modified gas. In-line processing features dispense the desired modified gas such that minimal interruption is provided in an automated or partially automated packing operation.

Abstract: A stapling head assembly includes a cartridge support having a proximal end, a connecting tube, a cutter pushing rod, and a lockout mechanism. The tube includes a distal end connected to the proximal end. The rod is movably set inside the tube. The mechanism is connected to the tube, and includes a pressing block and a pushing block. The pressing block is used to lock the proximal end to prevent the rod from moving before the assembly is used. The pressing block is rotatable between a first position and a second position relative to the tube. The pushing block is used to push the pressing block to rotate from the first position towards the second position. The pushing block is located at one side of the pressing block, and is movable between a third position and a fourth position relative to the tube along a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A cutting, or crimping, apparatus having first and second opposed jaw members which are mounted on a frame and are movable relative to each other from a first axial position to a second axial position along an axis so as to respectively cut, or crimp, wrapping material extending between adjacent articles wherein at least one of the jaw members is rotatably mounted to the frame such that it is rotatable from a first rotational position to a second rotational position, in the first rotational position the jaw members are movable relative to each other along a first said axis and in the second rotational position the jaw members are movable relative to each other along a second said axis that is inclined relative to the first axis.

Abstract: A gripper device used in a bag filling and packaging machine and moved, while holding a bag, along a predetermined path to change the orientation of the bag, the gripper device including: a movable frame that is moved along the predetermined path in a horizontal plane, a pivot frame that is pivotably supported by the movable frame and has a horizontal pivot axis, a pair of gripper arms that are pivotably supported by the pivot frame and pivoted, in conjunction with each other, symmetrically in a plane parallel to the pivot axis of the pivot frame, a bag orientation changing mechanism that is installed on the movable frame and pivots the pivot frame at an angle of 90°, and a gripper arm pivot mechanism that is installed on the movable frame and pivots the pair of gripper arms.

Abstract: A power tool 1 including a bit socket 6 which is configured to hold a chiseling bit 7 so that the latter can move along an axis of movement 3. A magneto-pneumatic striking mechanism 2 includes a primary drive 22 that is arranged around the axis of movement 3 and that has a first magnet coil 46, a permanently and radially magnetizable ring magnet 42 and a second magnet coil 47 arranged consecutively in the striking direction 5. On the axis of movement 3, inside the magnet coils 46, 47, the striking mechanism 2 has a striker 4 and a striking block 13 arranged consecutively in the striking direction 5. An air cushion 23 acts upon the striker 4 in the striking direction 5.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing station in a film bag filling device for sealing of film bags after a filling process, wherein the sealing station comprises a first and a second sealing arm for sealing of several filled film bags that are arranged next to one another, wherein the first sealing arm is moveable with a first drive shaft and the second sealing arm with a second drive shaft. A servo engine is disposed on the first drive shaft, and a drive movement of the first drive shaft from a first gear wheel is transferred to a second gear wheel that encroaches in the first gear wheel and from the second gear wheel to the second drive shaft. The invention further relates to a method for sealing of film bags after a filling process with the sealing station according to the invention with the following steps: positioning of filled film bags below the sealing station; closing of the sealing arms and application of a contact pressure with a first value and sealing of the filled film bags.

Abstract: An automated sandwich wrapping system is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, an automated sandwich wrapping system includes a folding subassembly having a plurality of folding plates to inwardly fold side portions of sandwich wrapping paper extending past ends of a sandwich, a roller subassembly having at least one roller to rotate the sandwich to wrap the sandwich, and a controller preprogrammed to control and coordinate operation of the folding subassembly and the roller subassembly. The folding plates move between an idle position and an active position.

Abstract: A device and a method for attaching a resealable opening device (2) on a package (1), the device comprising an attachment unit (100) having at least one carrier member (101) being movable between a pick-up position and an attachment position, in which latter the carrier member (101) is arranged for attachment of the opening device on the package by means of relative movement between the carrier member and the package. The device further comprises an abutment (113) and a knife arrangement (112), wherein the at least one carrier member, in said pick-up position, is arranged for relative movement towards the abutment for engagement with a web (12) of interconnected opening devices arranged therebetween and for pick-up of one opening device; and wherein the knife arrangement is arranged to cooperate with the carrier member and the abutment or cutting out the opening device during the engagement of the carrier member with the web.

Abstract: An air hammer is connected to a transfer fixture that has a distal end with a transverse rod. A wrench has an open end with a jaw assembly that has a mouth to receive the transverse rod. The jaw assembly has a swivel tooth that is manually moved from an open position to allow insertion of the transverse rod into the mouth. For a working mode using the air hammer to hit the mouth, the tooth is moved to a locked mode. A ball and spring assembly ensures the transverse rod stays in the mouth during operation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing, packing and shipping a vehicle bumper having the steps of dispensing into a bumper mold a shape-memory composition to form an original shape of an integral shape-memory vehicle bumper having a middle portion and a first end and a second end both extending from opposite ends of the middle portion, the shape-memory vehicle bumper having the original shape fitting in a first shipping box; applying force to the shape-memory vehicle bumper such that to cause a conversion of the original shape into a deformed shape of the shape-memory vehicle bumper, the deformed shape fitting into a second shipping box that is a fraction by volume of the first shipping box; placing the shape-memory vehicle bumper having the deformed shape into the second shipping box; and sealing and shipping the second shipping box.

Abstract: An applying unit for applying lids of opening devices to spouts of packages comprises a plurality of applying devices arranged for applying the lids to the spouts, a plurality of transfer arrangements, each transfer arrangement supporting a corresponding applying device and being movable along a track arrangement, wherein the transfer arrangements are self-movable along the track arrangement and are movable independently from each other along the track arrangement.

Abstract: Bale strap assemblies for strapping a pressed bale are materials capable of being strapped are discussed herein. The bale strap assemblies account for jumping affects at the weld jaws due to reciprocating motions of the crank on the connecting rod and are adjusted by varying relative positions between the crank and the weld jaws.

Abstract: A wrap guide arrangement is provided for an agricultural harvesting machine having a module-forming chamber and wrapping system having a source of a wrapping material and a wrap conveyor arrangement for guiding the wrapping material from the source to the conveyor arrangement. The wrap guide arrangement has a wrap roll extending along an axis of rotation and having an outer circumference receiving the wrapping material. A guide plate has an axially extending body and at least one finger extending from the body toward the wrap roll. At least a part of the at least one finger extends proximate the outer circumference of the wrap roll between the wrap roll and the wrapping material.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for filling capsules with loose material and for their sealing, in which the plates equipped with a plurality of housings designed to accommodate respective capsules are carried on after another, by conveyor devices, to a plurality of operating stations, at each of which the capsules relative to each plate are subjected to respective manipulations by at least one manipulating device; the plates being supported in a removable manner by the conveyor means, and at each operating station there being a device for locking the plates which can be activated by a management unit, for stopping at least one plate at a time at the operating station for a predetermined time for it to be manipulated by at least one manipulating device and for releasing at least one plate at a time at the end of the manipulating of the at least one manipulating device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing a folded flat. The flat may include a first surface having a first panel and a second panel. Each of the first panel and the second panel include an inner edge. Further, the first panel may include a first score line that extends in the machine direction and a tab adjacent the first score line. The tab connects the first panel and the second panel. A folding apparatus may engage the first surface of the flat. The folding apparatus may include an engagement member and a fold assist member. The fold assist member may engage the area between the inner edge of the first panel and the inner edge of the second panel. The engaging member and the fold assist member cooperate fold the flat along the score line to form a folded flat.

Abstract: A machine for packaging single use capsules (1) for extraction or infusion beverages, such as coffee, milk, chocolate, tea, or combinations thereof, includes: a transport element (8) for transporting rigid bodies (2) of the capsules (1) and closed in a loop around movement organs (9) with vertical axis (Z9), to move the transport element (8) continuously, the transport element (8) being configured to define a plurality of seats (10) for the rigid bodies (2), arranged in succession one after the other and having a vertical development axis (Z10); a plurality of stations, arranged along an advancement path (P) followed by the transport element (8), configured to operate continuously and in phase with the transport element (8) and including: a feeding station (11) for feeding the rigid bodies (2) within the corresponding seats (10) of the transport element (8); a dosing station (12); a closing station (13); an outfeed station (14).

Abstract: An end effector can comprise, one, a fastener cartridge including a plurality of fasteners stored therein and, two, an anvil configured to deform the fasteners. The anvil can further comprise extensions extending therefrom which can control the flow of tissue relative to the fastener cartridge and/or support the fasteners as they are ejected from the fastener cartridge. The extensions can having different sizes and/or configurations.