Abstract: Apparatus for forming wire components, which are in this example springs, comprises a supply station (202), for supplying spring forming material, such as metallic wire W. The supply station includes a pair of guide rollers (204) and pair of driven feed rollers (206), mounted on a heavy support plate (216). The wire is fed through a flexible sheath FS to a remotely located wire shaping device, in particular a spring forming device 208, comprising forming tools (210), a pitch control tool (212) and a cutter (214). The forming tools (210) and the pitch control tool (212) form the wire into a spring S, which is cut from the supply of wire when it is complete. The tools (210, 212) and cutter (214) are controlled remotely from a control station (220) via a bundle of flexible control cables (222), which may include a power cable.

Abstract: The invention provides a conjugate comprising a biomolecule linked to a fatty acid via a linker wherein the fatty acid has the following Formulae A1, A2 or A3: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, Ak, n, m and p are defined herein. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the conjugate of the invention such as GDF15 conjugate, and its therapeutic uses such as treatment or prevention of metabolic disorders or diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, pancreatitis, dyslipidemia, alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/steatohepatitis and other progressive liver diseases, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, glucose intolerance, hyperglycemia, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, stroke, heart failure, coronary heart disease, diabetic complications (including but not limited to chronic kidney disease), neuropathy, gastroparesis and other metabolic disorders.

Abstract: A flexible hose for use with surface cleaning devices is disclosed that includes a support structure that allows a user to collapse and lock the same into a storage configuration, and then easily unlock the same using a relatively minor amount of force, e.g., a user-applied pulling force or mechanical force. Thus, in a general sense, a hose consistent with the present disclosure may include two relatively stable/steady-state configurations, namely a storage configuration and an in-use configuration. Thus, the hose allows a user to collapse and lock the hose when not in use, and to transition the hose to an in-use configuration to target various types of surfaces to clean including, for instance, floors, walls and ceilings which may be many feet (e.g., up to 5 feet or more) from the surface cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A resilient unit comprises a number of wire coil springs 12, each of which is located within its own discrete pocket 14 formed by first, upper and second, lower layers 14a and 14b of material, preferably of non-woven material. The two layers 14a and 14b have been thermally, or ultrasonically, welded together at points 16 between the adjacent springs to create the pockets. The upper layer of material 14a differs from the lower layer of material 14b in respect of at least one characteristic.

Abstract: A pocketed resilient unit (130), such as for a mattress core, comprises integral pocketed resilient elements (110) arranged in clusters (240), wherein each integral pocketed resilient element in a cluster is attached to at least one other integral pocketed resilient element, and wherein the clusters define interstices (250), in at least some of which are located independent resilient elements (260).

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a resilient unit comprises a conveyor 210 and first and second spring supply stations 212 and 214, arranged in use to deposit respectively first and second spring types 216 and 218 under compression onto the conveyor. The conveyor is arranged in use to convey a row of the springs 216, 218 in a direction shown by Arrows A4 towards pocketing station 220. At the pocketing station 220 the springs are urged from the conveyor into positions between upper and lower sheets 222 and 224, by a plurality of inserter devices 226 that move together in a reciprocating fashion in the direction of arrow A5, before retracting to the position shown. After each row of springs is inserted between the sheets 222, upper and lower computer-controlled welding tools (not shown) come together at positions P between the springs to join the sheets together, forming pockets in which the springs are encased.

Abstract: A resilient unit has strings of individual coil springs (not shown) inside pockets 120 are arranged in an array. The strings together form a spring unit and are each secured to a common cover sheet S, which comprises a non-woven elastic fabric. It is welded ultrasonically or thermally whilst under tension in one or both of its major dimensions—i.e. in-plane—to the pockets 120, the material of which is substantially inelastic and non-woven. In this example the welds, labelled W, are located substantially centrally with respect to the generally circular end surfaces of the pockets.

Abstract: A conveyor (400) for transporting articles, such as coils springs, is described. The conveyor comprises a substrate (420) for supporting articles during transportation, and a plurality of retaining members (520) located on the substrate for retaining the articles during transportation. The retaining members (520) each comprise a mounting portion (530) for mounting to the substrate (420). A containment portion (540) comprises proximal and distal parts (540a) and (540b) define a space therebetween for receiving a coil spring (100) under compression. Slots (550a) and (550b) in the containment parts are aligned for receiving pushers.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a pocketed spring unit, comprising a plurality of strings of pocketed springs and at least one cover sheet, comprises welding tools for welding together the pocketing material and the sheet. One of the welding tools is provided with a cutter for cutting the pocket prior to welding. The tool travels in the direction of Arrow A1, so that the cutter penetrates the pocketing material substantially centrally at the circular proximal end face of the pocket. Once inside the pocket, the tool moves axially through the centre of the spring until it reaches the distal end face of the pocket. Before the end face is reached, the piercing member becomes retracted in the direction of Arrow A2, so that the blade does not pierce the distal end face of the pocket.

Abstract: A pocketed spring unit comprising an array of springs 120 located in pockets 180 formed by discrete superposed webs 140 of pocketing material joined together by welds W between the springs, wherein the welds are located at alternately opposite ends of the pocketed springs. FIG. 1 shows generally a pocketed spring unit at a first stage of manufacture. A row of coil springs 120 (only the end one of which is visible) is introduced by an inserter mechanism 130 into position between axially disposed webs 140a and 140b of pocketing material. The webs 140a and 140b are fed from supply reels (not shown via guide rollers 150. The springs 120 are partly compressed and are pushed between plates 160 towards the webs 140 by the inserter 130 in the direction of Arrow A1. Once the springs are between the webs 140 a pair of ultrasonic welding tools 170a and 170b joins the webs together at weld locations W between the springs to form individual pockets 180 for the springs.

Abstract: A flexible hose for use with surface cleaning devices is disclosed that includes a support structure that allows a user to collapse and lock the same into a storage configuration, and then easily unlock the same using a relatively minor amount of force, e.g., a user-applied pulling force or mechanical force. Thus, in a general sense, a hose consistent with the present disclosure may include two relatively stable/steady-state configurations, namely a storage configuration and an in-use configuration. Thus, the hose allows a user to collapse and lock the hose when not in use, and to transition the hose to an in-use configuration to target various types of surfaces to clean including, for instance, floors, walls and ceilings which may be many feet (e.g., up to 5 feet or more) from the surface cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A spring forming apparatus is shown generally at 200, in which metal wire 220 is fed from a supply (not shown) by feed rollers 230, via irregularity-effecting rollers 240 to a forming station 250. The forming station comprises a first deflector 260 and a second deflector 270. When the spring S is complete, it separates automatically from the rest of the wire 220 due to the presence of an irregularity 280, without the need for a cutter device.

Abstract: A flexible hose for use with surface cleaning devices is disclosed that includes a support structure that allows a user to collapse and lock the same into a storage configuration, and then easily unlock the same using a relatively minor amount of force, e.g., a user-applied pulling force or mechanical force. Thus, in a general sense, a hose consistent with the present disclosure may include two relatively stable/steady-state configurations, namely a storage configuration and an in-use configuration. Thus, the hose allows a user to collapse and lock the hose when not in use, and to transition the hose to an in-use configuration to target various types of surfaces to clean including, for instance, floors, walls and ceilings which may be many feet (e.g., up to 5 feet or more) from the surface cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatus, devices, and other implementations, including a method for the production of a pocketed spring unit that includes compressing a plurality of springs, moving the springs to positions between upper and lower layers of fabric or other material, step-wise advancing the material and the springs in a spring unit output direction, and welding together the lengths of fabric or other material at each step-wise advancement to produce a pattern of welds in which are formed a plurality of discrete pockets, each containing a spring.

Abstract: A complex spring unit (10) comprises at least a first spring portion (12) and a second spring portion (14), which first and second spring portions are integrally formed, wherein the first spring portion is arranged in use to be placed under compression, and the second spring portion is arranged in use to be placed under tension, during compression of the complex spring unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a resilient unit comprises a conveyor (210) and first and second spring supply stations (212 and 214), arranged in use to deposit respectively first and second spring types (216 and 218) under compression onto the conveyor. The conveyor is arranged in use to convey a row of the springs (216, 218) in a direction shown by Arrows A4 towards pocketing station (220). At the pocketing station (220) the springs are urged from the conveyor into positions between upper and lower sheets (222 and 224), by a plurality of inserter devices (226) that move together in a reciprocating fashion in the direction of arrow A5, before retracting to the position shown. After each row of springs is inserted between the sheets (222), upper and lower computer-controlled welding tools (not shown) come together at positions P between the springs to join the sheets together, forming pockets in which the springs are encased.

Abstract: Systems, components, and methods are disclosed for withdrawing drug from a liquid drug container and transferring drug to a medical device. One or more components may have keying features so that only the correct liquid drug container and medical device are accessed, making sure the medical device is filled with the correct drug. A syringe needle hub may have keying features corresponding to keying features on a cap on the liquid drug container and on the medical device. An alignment device facilitates easy-to-operate filling of a medical device. The alignment device aligns a liquid drug container over a fill port of the medical device and can include components for moving the liquid drug container into engagement with the medical device and for automatically initiating drug transfer to the medical device. A retractable skirt or needle cover protects the needle and is unlocked only when the skirt or needle cover is close to or touching the medical device.

Abstract: A pocketed spring unit comprises a plurality of strings of pocketed springs and a cover sheet, wherein each string comprises a flap of material located along an edge of the string and extending longitudinally of the string. The cover sheet is attached to the flaps at welds W.

Abstract: Systems, components, and methods are disclosed for withdrawing drug from a liquid drug container and transferring drug to a medical device. One or more components may have keying features so that only the correct liquid drug container and medical device are accessed, making sure the medical device is filled with the correct drug. A syringe needle hub may have keying features corresponding to keying features on a cap on the liquid drug container and on the medical device. An alignment device facilitates easy-to-operate filling of a medical device. The alignment device aligns a liquid drug container over a fill port of the medical device and can include components for moving the liquid drug container into engagement with the medical device and for automatically initiating drug transfer to the medical device. A retractable skirt or needle cover protects the needle and is unlocked only when the skirt or needle cover is close to or touching the medical device.