Abstract: A carrier (2) made of cardboard, paperboard or other lightweight foldable sheet material, comprises a top sheet (4) defining one or more pockets (20) for receiving one or more products and a bottom sheet (6) attached to the top sheet (4). The top sheet (4) comprises one or more respective sets (30) of flaps (32) for forming the respective pockets (20), each flap (32) being hingedly connected at a proximal end (36) to a top surface (38) of the top sheet (4) about a respective flap hinge line (40) defined around an upper edge (42) of the respective pocket (20) and folded about the respective flap hinge line (40) to define a pocket side wall. The top sheet (4) further comprises respective tabs (50) hingedly connected to distal ends (46) of the respective flaps (32) about respective tab fold lines (52) and folded about a respective tab fold line (52) so as to lie along a base of the pocket (20).

Abstract: A filter connection for a smoke evacuation device includes a filter canister assembly and a socket. The filter canister assembly has a cross-sectional shape with only one line of symmetry that corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the socket so that the filter canister can only be inserted into the socket in one orientation. One or more key notches on the filter canister may also ensure that the filter is properly installed. A seal creates an airtight boundary between the filter canister and a recess of the socket so that a sealed path in communication with the smoke evacuation device is established before the filter canister is fully inserted into the socket. An electronic connection is made between the filter canister and the socket after the airtight boundary is created.

Abstract: Some heat pumps have displacers mechatronically-controlled via springs and coils acting upon a ferromagnetic plate. In some prior art heat pumps, the components are housed in hot parts of the heat pump and in others, the components are housed in a cold part of the heat pump, but the components are offset from a central axis of the heat pump. A heat pump with the mechatronic driver components collinear with a central axis of the heat pump has the components in a cold part of the heat pump.

Abstract: A filter connection for a smoke evacuation device includes a filter canister assembly and a socket. The filter canister assembly has a cross-sectional shape with only one line of symmetry that corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the socket so that the filter canister can only be inserted into the socket in one orientation. One or more key notches on the filter canister may also ensure that the filter is properly installed. A seal creates an airtight boundary between the filter canister and a recess of the socket so that a sealed path in communication with the smoke evacuation device is established before the filter canister is fully inserted into the socket. An electronic connection is made between the filter canister and the socket after the airtight boundary is created.

Abstract: An adaptive tensile control system includes a covering couple to a motorized retractor operable to release and retract the covering in response to control signals. An adaptive seat suspension includes a flexible suspension mat coupled to a motorized retractor operable to release and retract the flexible suspension mat in response to control signals. A method includes adapting the size of a support in a seat and adapting a covering overlying the support. A device includes an inflatable bolster within a seat having a covering. An apparatus includes a seat back and a seat that includes foam having a variable surface and a seamless covering.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rectifier circuit for receiving an AC signal from a receiver coil in an inductive power transfer system. The circuit is configured to operate at an operating frequency. The circuit comprises a Class-E rectifier; an AC signal supplier configured to supply an AC signal to the rectifier circuit; and a resonant network having an inductor and a capacitor. The resonant network has a resonant frequency, and the ratio of the resonant frequency to the operating frequency is within the range of 1.75 to 3.

Abstract: A thermodynamic apparatus, such as a Stirling engine or a Vuilleumier heat pump, has a heat exchanger in which energy is exchanged between a working fluid and an exhaust gas stream. On top of the cylinder of the thermodynamic apparatus is a dome-shaped section. By incorporating the heat exchanger within the dome, the flow paths can be simplified, the number of separate components reduced, and overall weight reduced. Flow passages for the working fluid are embedded in the dome. Channels for the exhaust gases are formed in an outer surface. The passages and the channels are helically arranged, one clockwise and one counter clockwise. The dome can be cast with a core for the casting fabricated via three-dimensional printing. In some embodiments, the dome is made of fiber-reinforced material.

Abstract: A filter includes (i) a filter body, (ii) a front cap associated with a first end of the filter body and coupled to and receiving smoke from a vacuum hose, (iii) a back cap associated with a second end of the filter body and having a filter exhaust sized and shaped to associate with and communicate suction from a smoke evacuation system, (iv) a compressed carbon reservoir disposed within the filter body between the front cap and the back cap, and (v) a flexible porous barrier disposed on at least a first side of the compressed carbon reservoir. The compressed carbon reservoir is under a compressive bias by the flexible porous barrier that transitions from a flexed state to a partially relaxed state in response to the compressed carbon reservoir reducing in volume.

Abstract: A fluid trap for minimizing the escape of contaminated fluids from the fluid trap when an orientation of the fluid trap changes during removal or transport includes a front cover, a rear cover coupled to the front cover, and an interior chamber defined by the front and rear covers. The front cover defines an inlet port extending a first distance into an interior chamber of the fluid trap. The rear cover defines an exhaust port extending a second distance away from the rear cover of the fluid trap and positioned above the inlet port when the fluid trap is in an upright position. The interior chamber has a maximum fluid volume defined as the lesser of a fluid reservoir volume, a front cover volume, and a rear cover volume.

Abstract: A filter connection for a smoke evacuation device includes a filter canister assembly and a socket. The filter canister assembly has a cross-sectional shape with only one line of symmetry that corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the socket so that the filter canister can only be inserted into the socket in one orientation. One or more key notches on the filter canister may also ensure that the filter is properly installed. A seal creates an airtight boundary between the filter canister and a recess of the socket so that a sealed path in communication with the smoke evacuation device is established before the filter canister is fully inserted into the socket. An electronic connection is made between the filter canister and the socket after the airtight boundary is created.

Abstract: A smoke evacuation device that evacuates smoke from a surgical site and filters the smoke from the air. The smoke evacuation device can include a fluid trap for removing moisture from the smoke. The smoke evacuation device can also include a filter with a compression mechanism for compressing a filter medium. The smoke evacuation device can also include features for controlling flow parameters, noise, and vibrations of the device. A remote activation device can also be used to activate the smoke evacuation device upon detection of certain system parameters.

Abstract: A system for noise and vibration management of a smoke evacuation system includes a pump that compresses air and produces a pressure differential within an airflow path. The pump may be a sealed, positive displacement pump. The system includes vibration absorption mechanisms disposed between inner and outer housings, as well as on the outside surface of the outer housing. Methods of controlling and regulating a motor of the system to preserve the lifespan of the motor and maintain consistent airflow rates throughout the smoke evacuation system include varying a supply of electrical current to the motor so that it can operate at variable performance levels. Orifices are opened and closed in order to relieve resistance pressures within the airflow path due to clogging and blockages.

Abstract: A smoke evacuation device includes one or more cooling mechanisms and an exhaust mechanism to reduce velocity and noise of filtered air exiting the smoke evacuation system. The cooling mechanism includes ventilation openings and/or a rotary mechanism disposed within the system to circulate air and cool by convective heat transfer. A pressure relief mechanism is also provided at the inlet or outlet of the system or the pump within the system. The pressure relief mechanism is configured to reduce pressures due to abnormal flows within the smoke evacuation system.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) current sensor for remotely activating a smoke evacuation device in an electrosurgical system includes a sensor body with a cable interfacing sidewall and a retaining member. The cable interfacing sidewall and the retaining member define a retention pocket for receiving a cable communicating RF current. The RF current sensor additionally includes a sensor element for detecting RF current in the cable and a sensor cable in electrical communication with the sensor element. The RF current sensor can operate in at least two modes, depending on whether the cable communicates RF current to a monopolar or bipolar electrosurgical instrument, but regardless of the operation mode, the sensor cable can communicate an activation signal and a current signal derived from the detected RF current to the smoke evacuation device, which activates or adjusts the period of time and/or the smoke evacuation flow rate of a vacuum source.

Abstract: A method for storing cargo items includes determining characteristics of a cargo space, where the cargo space includes at least one seat and the at least one seat is capable of being moved between a first position within the cargo space and a second position within the cargo space. A set of cargo items including one or more cargo items to be positioned in the cargo space is determined. A configuration of the cargo space is determined based at least in part on the set of cargo items, where the configuration of the cargo space includes the second position of the at least one seat. A layout of the set of cargo items within the cargo space is determined based at least in part on the set of cargo items and the determined configuration, and the at least one seat is moved from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A thermodynamic apparatus that includes a displacer within a cylinder is disclosed. The displacer reciprocates within the cylinder by a linear actuator that includes electrical coils, an armature, and a coil spring system. The spring system includes collinear first and second coil springs of opposite sense. First ends of the springs are captured in a first plate; second ends of the springs are captured in a second plate. Without constraint, the springs can compensate to forces by bending, rotating, increasing in diameter, and combinations thereof. In certain applications, such as the heat pump, bending should be minimized. By selecting the points of capture of the hooks at the ends of the springs in the plates, bending force of the first spring counteracts the bending force of the second spring.

Abstract: A load-independent Class EF inverter may maintain ZVS operation, and produce a constant output current, rather than a constant output voltage, regardless of the load resistance. A constant output current allows the inverter to operate efficiently for a load range from zero resistance (short circuit) to a certain maximum load resistance, making the inverter more suitable as a coil driver for an IPT system. The resonant frequency of the resonant circuit may be tuned to a non-integer multiple of a switching frequency.

Abstract: Some heat pumps have displacers mechatronically-controlled via springs and coils acting upon a ferromagnetic plate. In some prior art heat pumps, the components are housed in hot parts of the heat pump and in others, the components are housed in a cold part of the heat pump, but the components are offset from a central axis of the heat pump. A heat pump with the mechatronic driver components collinear with a central axis of the heat pump has the components in a cold part of the heat pump.

Abstract: A cleat includes two cams (36) comprising mutually opposed convex surfaces rotatable about parallel axes which extend vertically in a rope-trapping position of the cleat, to bring the arcuate surfaces together and apart. The cams (36) are urged towards each other to trap a rope (66) therebetween. Each cam is also mounted to a horizontal cylinder (2) for rotation about an axis of the cylinder, in order to allow the rope (66) to rotate the arcuate surfaces by pulling in a line above this horizontal axis and to free the rope.

Abstract: A thermodynamic apparatus, such as a Stirling engine or a Vuilleumier heat pump, has a heat exchanger in which energy is exchanged between a working fluid and an exhaust gas stream. On top of the cylinder of the thermodynamic apparatus is a dome-shaped section. By incorporating the heat exchanger within the dome, the flow paths can be simplified, the number of separate components reduced, and overall weight reduced. Flow passages for the working fluid are embedded in the dome. Channels for the exhaust gases are formed in an outer surface. The passages and the channels are helically arranged, one clockwise and one counter clockwise. The dome can be cast with a core for the casting fabricated via three-dimensional printing. In some embodiments, the dome is made of fiber-reinforced material.