Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a handle portion, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle portion, and a tool adjacent the distal portion of the elongated body portion and having at least one jaw movable to a clamping position to clamp tissue. A tactile feedback system includes an expandable member extending from the handle portion, the expandable member providing a tactile indicator of a tissue parameter of tissue clamped by the least one jaw.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for thermoforming a foamed polyester sheet of low crystallinity to produce a heat-resistant molded foam article (13). The process comprises the steps of heating a foamed polyester sheet (10) to a preforming temperature by contact with at least one heating plate and molding the heated foamed polyester sheet onto a non-heated mold (30). The present invention further relates to a process for manufacturing a package by thermoforming a foamed polyester sheet of low crystallinity to produce a heat-resistant molded foam container, loading a product (51) into said container and sealing or welding a film of thermoplastic material (61) onto said container to close it. The heat-resistant molded foam articles and the packages thus obtained are excellent in heat resistance and are not thermally distorted even when heated in a microwave or conventional oven. They are particularly useful for the packaging of food products for dual ovenable applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blank (1), a method and a machine (11) for realising the blank (1). The blank (1) is constituted by four lengths (5) which are consecutively joined to form a structure (2) or frame (6) which can be folded around one or more flat articles (4) or tiles to be packed. The machine (11) and the method for realising the blanks (1) include supplying identical panels of cardboard which are joined to constitute a continuous strip (10) and which are subsequently cut to correspond to lengths of sides of the tiles. Each length (5) is joined to a consecutive length (5) by deposits (7a) of glue.

Abstract: There are provided an airbag folding device, and an airbag folding method, for mechanically folding an airbag to form a doughnut-shaped airbag. The airbag folding device is characterized in comprising a support member (62) columnar in shape, rising while supporting a tubular tether belt (11a), an outer cylinder (63) coaxial with the support member (62), for containing the airbag body (10a) on the outside of the support member (62), by rising, a work table (61) having the support member (62), and the outer cylinder (63), and a clamping member (64) positioned straight above the support member (62), for clamping the tubular tether belt (11a) between the clamping member (64) and the support member (62), wherein a pair of plates (65) in such a state as to cover an upper end of the outer cylinder (63), and to be fitted to a lower end of the clamping member (64) cause the support member (62), the outer cylinder (63) and the clamping member (64) to concurrently descend.

Abstract: It is disclosed a device (1) for altering the storage capacity of a tubular mesh bag of heat sealable material during the manufacture thereof and the bag (15) obtained from its using. The device comprises an expansion core (2) to which the tubular mesh is peripheral, which is essentially oblong and will be inserted vertically inside the tubular mesh, thus determining two from faces (21) and two side faces of said mesh as it passes over the expansion core. The device has a mechanism for inserting, in a variable way as the mesh passes over the expansion core, sections of the peripheral tubular mesh into it, thus accumulating a greater or smaller quantity of mesh in each longitudinal section of mesh corresponding with one bag unit.

Abstract: A system having an upstream module M for storing cardboard blanks, a central module C with a device for taking the blanks from the magazine, and a downstream packing and packaging module V having a station where the blanks are erected. The extractor arm is mounted on a carriage which is movable so as to move the blanks lengthwise and the arm is movable relative to the carriage by an actuating mechanism which enables the arm to articulate about an axis. The distance D between the exit edge of the magazine and the reference point of the station is fixed, and the carriage controls the movements of the blank extracted from the magazine in order to avert the risk of interference with the magazine and to position the blank in the station to enable it to be erected, and this for a whole range of forms of blanks.

Abstract: A web packaging system provides easy access and changing of forming plug tooling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for producing packs of a food that comes in slices, in particular individually packaged processed cheese slices. The pack of food is put together from two uniform product stacks of food slices. The first product stack is transported via a first feed segment, and the second product stack is transported via a second feed segment, in each case horizontally by means of a transport means at transport speed. The feed segments are guided over one another in parallel in a collection area, and the upper feed segment ends at a sliding edge that defines a collection point, whereby means for synchronization are adjusted such that a product stack that arrives via the sliding edge is neatly placed onto the product stack that is transported to the lower feed segment.

Abstract: A device for combining groups of at least two different types of filter segments for producing multi-segment filters in the tobacco industry in a continuous process includes a plurality of independent functional units that are each designed as a module.

Abstract: A packaging method for a filter tow bale includes, including excessively compressing a distance between press bases to a height lower than a desired height of a packaged bale by 50 to 250 mm, more preferably 80 to 200 mm, further preferably 90 to 180 mm, then adjusting the distance between the press bases to the desired height in a packaged or non-packaged state, and then releasing a pressing force applied on a pressed bale.

Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling beverage bottles with a beverage bottle treatment machine and a beverage bottle treatment machine in a beverage bottling plant. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.”The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: A bottle filling plant configured to fill blow molded bottles with a liquid beverage filling product and a treatment machine for bottles or similar containers. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for placing sleeves on traveling articles, said sleeves being cut from a continuous sheath passing over a sheath-opening shaper, as far as and beyond cutter means, which shaper is held floating between first outer wheels and backing wheels carried by said shaper. In accordance with the invention, the alternating pivoting of the or each blade is ensured by means of a cam system by the difference in rotation between two superposed rotary rings constituting the support for said blade, one of the rings presenting a cam path parallel to the cutting plane and extending in an oblique direction, a cam sliding therein, which cam is constrained to pivot with a blade-carrier by means of a pin parallel to the common axis of the rings and pivotally mounted on the other ring, the or each blade being arranged to pierce the wall of the sheath and to cut said wall by exerting a force thereon that is directed radially outwards.

Abstract: A method and apparatus deliver consecutive foil leaves for use by a hair stylist during the course of a hair styling procedure. Each leaf is of a selected length severed from a supply of foil of indeterminate length, with a unitary tab folded along a fold line extending across the leaf, adjacent a leading edge of the leaf. The foil preferably is drawn from a roll of foil and is advanced along a feed path to a delivery station, and a cutter and folder are moved across the feed path to sever the leaf from the indeterminate length of foil and establish the tab adjacent the leading edge of the leaf. In the preferred arrangement, the cutter and the folder are moved simultaneously along respective arcuate paths by pivotal movement about a common pivotal axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods of automatically dispensing tablets are disclosed. The systems and methods of the invention provide a highly secure, highly accurate and rapid means of dispensing tablets. The system includes an automatic dispensing tablet dispensing system as shown in the Figures and provides a means of lowering errors while preventing unauthorized tampering by non-authorized personnel. Moreover, the invention relates to systems and methods for packaging vials, packaging items from totes, and packaging items from totes with vials.

Abstract: An automatic handle attaching system and method for precisely securing a plastic handle on an edge of a preformed plastic bag is described. The system comprises a delivery conveyor for conveying spaced-apart groups of flat plastic bags with each group having two or more bags disposed one on top of the other and offset along a leading straight edge thereof which is oriented approximately transverse to a conveying direction of a conveyor. Two or more automated bag handling mechanisms are disposed spaced-apart adjacent the conveyor at respective bag transfer stations. Each of the bag handling mechanisms are independently operated and have an orientable bag engaging hand secured to an articulated arm.

Abstract: A bag supply device receives large bags are retained in a stacked state on its mounting portions that are provided on chains. In addition, this bag supply device includes a horizontal support mechanism that supports the rear portion of the stacked large bags so that they can be raised and lowered in order to retain an uppermost surface of an uppermost large bag in a horizontal posture at a discharge position. The chains and the mounting portions are disposed such that the rear portion of the large bags hangs down. The horizontal support mechanism includes a roller that moves along the transport direction, and the uppermost large bag will be retained in a horizontal posture by moving the roller to support the rear portion of the large bags from below.

Abstract: A barrel formed from a sheet of blank material includes a plurality of side wall panels for forming sides of the barrel including a front panel, a rear panel, two opposing end panels, and at least one diagonal corner panel, at least one bottom flap for forming a bottom of the barrel, and a plurality of top flaps for forming a top of the barrel including a top front flap foldably connected to the front panel, a top rear flap foldably connected to the rear panel, and two opposing top end flaps each foldably connected to one of the end panels. The top front flap and the top rear flap include at least one closure slot. Each of the two opposing top end flaps includes at least one locking finger. The locking fingers are inserted within the closure slots for securing the top of the barrel in a closed position.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for securing a closure system onto a discrete pouch. The machine includes first, second and third stations. The first station is capable of advancing discrete pouches and lifting and folding a portion of a first major surface of each pouch upon itself to form a lip, and exposing an inner surface of a second major surface. The second station is capable of positioning and attaching a closure system transversely across the exposed inner surface. The closure system includes a track having first and second legs each having an outer surface. The first and second legs are joined together by an opening/closing mechanism which includes a movable member capable of being moved back and forth. The third station is located downstream from the second station and is capable of unfolding the lip and securing opposite ends of the lip to the outer surface of the second leg.

Abstract: An in-line method is disclosed for securing a closure system onto a discrete pouch. The method includes advancing a discrete pouch through a first station in a machine direction with the closed bottom of the pouch being the leading edge and a first major surface of the pouch faces upward. The first major surface is folded upon itself to form a lip having an exposed first surface while a second major surface of the pouch has an exposed inner surface. The method also includes routing the pouch to a second station where a closure system is transversely attached across the exposed inner surface. The closure system includes an opening/closing mechanism. The method further includes routing the pouch to a third station where the lip is unfolded and opposite ends of the lip are secured to the outer surface of the closure system.