Abstract: A force transmission mechanism of a surgical instrument, which is configured to releasably engage with a drive interface device located at a patient side cart of a teleoperated surgical system, includes a housing. The housing is configured to cover one or more drive components of the force transmission mechanism. The housing includes a releasable coupling mechanism configured to releasably engage with the drive interface device. The housing and the releasable coupling mechanism are a monolithic construction.

Abstract: A force transmission mechanism of a surgical instrument, which is configured to releasably engage with a drive interface device located at a patient side cart of a teleoperated surgical system, includes a housing. The housing is configured to cover one or more drive components of the force transmission mechanism. The housing includes a releasable coupling mechanism configured to releasably engage with the drive interface device. The housing and the releasable coupling mechanism are a monolithic construction.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a housing and a gate system. The housing defines a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway. The gate system includes a gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway. The gate member is selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position. When the gate member is in the open position, the gate member permits the articles to pass through the portal and, when the gate member is in the closed position, the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal. The gate system is configured such that the gate member is passively transitionable between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A passive chute assembly includes: a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; and a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet. The passive dispensing unit has a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing. The staging portion is movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit. The staging portion includes an adaptive opening that, when the staging portion moves to the dispensing position, opens adaptively corresponding to a diameter of the receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a housing and a gate system. The housing defines a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway. The gate system includes a gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway. The gate member is selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position. When the gate member is in the open position, the gate member permits the articles to pass through the portal and, when the gate member is in the closed position, the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal. The gate system is configured such that the gate member is passively transitionable between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a housing and a gate system. The housing defines a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway. The gate system includes a gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway. The gate member is selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position. When the gate member is in the open position, the gate member permits the articles to pass through the portal and, when the gate member is in the closed position, the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal. The gate system is configured such that the gate member is passively transitionable between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A vacuum relief valve includes: a housing with a central cavity, the housing having a system branch, a vacuum branch, a pilot branch, and an exhaust branch, each of the branches in fluid communication with the central cavity and having a respective port; a piston assembly comprising a first disk located in the pilot branch, a second disk located adjacent the exhaust branch, and a connecting member to which the first and second disks are mounted; and an actuator attached to a pilot seal, the actuator configured to move the pilot seal between a closed position, in which the pilot seal is positioned in and seals the pilot port, and an open position, in which the pilot seal is spaced from and does not seal the pilot port. When the pilot seal is in the closed position, the second disk is positioned on and seals the exhaust port, and when the pilot seal is in the open position, the second disk is spaced from and does not seal the exhaust port.

Abstract: A passive chute assembly includes: a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; and a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet. The passive dispensing unit has a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing. The staging portion is movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit. The staging portion includes an adaptive opening that, when the staging portion moves to the dispensing position, opens adaptively corresponding to a diameter of the receptacle.

Abstract: A passive chute assembly includes: a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; and a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet. The passive dispensing unit has a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing. The staging portion is movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit. The staging portion includes an adaptive opening that, when the staging portion moves to the dispensing position, opens adaptively corresponding to a diameter of the receptacle.

Abstract: A passive chute assembly includes: a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; and a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet. The passive dispensing unit has a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing. The staging portion is movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit. The staging portion includes an adaptive opening that, when the staging portion moves to the dispensing position, opens adaptively corresponding to a diameter of the receptacle.

Abstract: A vacuum relief valve includes: a housing with a central cavity, the housing having a system branch, a vacuum branch, a pilot branch, and an exhaust branch, each of the branches in fluid communication with the central cavity and having a respective port; a piston assembly comprising a first disk located in the pilot branch, a second disk located adjacent the exhaust branch, and a connecting member to which the first and second disks are mounted; and an actuator attached to a pilot seal, the actuator configured to move the pilot seal between a closed position, in which the pilot seal is positioned in and seals the pilot port, and an open position, in which the pilot seal is spaced from and does not seal the pilot port. When the pilot seal is in the closed position, the second disk is positioned on and seals the exhaust port, and when the pilot seal is in the open position, the second disk is spaced from and does not seal the exhaust port.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a housing and a gate system. The housing defines a dispensing channel and a portal through which articles can flow along a dispensing pathway. The gate system includes a gate member positioned in the dispensing pathway. The gate member is selectively positionable between an open position and a closed position. When the gate member is in the open position, the gate member permits the articles to pass through the portal and, when the gate member is in the closed position, the gate member blocks the articles from passing through the portal. The gate system is configured such that the gate member is passively transitionable between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A passive chute assembly includes: a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; and a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet. The passive dispensing unit has a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing. The staging portion is movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit. The staging portion includes an adaptive opening that, when the staging portion moves to the dispensing position, opens adaptively corresponding to a diameter of the receptacle.

Abstract: A consolidated cellulosic article of increased thickness and target face density, as well as an apparatus and method of manufacturing same, are disclosed. The apparatus includes first and second dies adapted to move toward one another with a mat of cellulosic material and a binding agent therebetween. When the dies move together, the mat is compressed under pressure and heat with forms on one of the dies forming indentations in the mat. Compression zones of increased density form between the indentations and a first face of the mat. By spacing the forms appropriately, the compression zones overlap, and the first face of the resulting consolidated board is provided with substantially uniform density. Since the entire board is not compressed to the same degree, its overall thickness is enhanced while the density of the first face of the mat is increased, and relatively little material is used.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a contoured, consolidated cellulosic article, with variable basis weight, is disclosed. The method employs a former to create a mat having a substantially uniform thickness which is pre-pressed to retain its shape. The pre-pressed mat is then machined along at least one surface to result in a desirable contour. The contoured mat is then consolidated within a secondary press. The secondary press preferably includes platens shaped complementarily to the surfaces of the mat.

Abstract: A method of preparing a cellulosic article includes a step of combining cellulosic material and binder resin to form treated cellulosic material. A mat is formed of a plurality of layers of the treated cellulosic material. The method also includes the steps of interfering with bonding of resin between two adjacent layers of the mat, and applying heat and pressure to the mat to form a cellulosic composite article having an internal blistered pattern. A consolidated cellulosic article includes a consolidated cellulosic mat and a layer of blisters disposed in the consolidated cellulosic mat.

Abstract: A refiner steam separation system according to the present invention includes a blowline for transporting a mixture of fiber material from a refiner to an inlet of a steam separator. Waste steam is discharged from the separator through a waste steam outlet. Cleaned fiber material is discharged from the separator through an exit, which prevents a substantial portion of the waste steam from passing through the exit. A relay pipe communicates with the exit and a dryer duct, and transports cleaned fiber material therebetween. A resin input communicates with the relay pipe, and supplies resin therein. The resin is mixed with the cleaned fiber material prior to the cleaned fiber material being dried in the dryer duct. The present invention is also directed to a method of reducing VOC emissions generated during refining cellulosic fibrous material.