Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum packaging system having an automatic bag cutter. The vacuum packaging system includes a housing constructed to sealingly engage a platen. A vacuum system is constructed to remove the gas from a container, or bag, placed between the housing and the platen. A blade is operable to sever excess material of the bag whereupon the bag is evacuated by the vacuum system, and a seal bar seals the severed end area of the bag.

Abstract: A valve arrangement for a vacuum pump assembly selectively opens and closes communication between a vacuum pump, evacuation vessel, and a volume to be evacuated. The valve arrangement allows the evacuation vessel and any conduit connecting the vacuum pump and evacuation vessel to the volume to first be evacuated without providing a vacuum to the volume. The valve arrangement also allows the volume to be connected to the evacuation vessel but cut-off from the vacuum pump so that at initial stages of the evacuation process for the volume dead air contained within the volume may be communicated to the evacuation vessel rather than drawn out by the vacuum pump. Once the dead air, or portions thereof, has been removed from the volume, the valve arrangement may cut-off communication with the evacuation vessel, establish communication between the vacuum pump and the volume, and allow the vacuum pump to provide negative air pressure to the volume so that the volume may be evacuated.

Abstract: A double walled tank (12) is provided which includes an outer shell (14), a telescopically interfitted inner shell (16), and a cover (18) secured to outer shell (14). The tank (12) includes at least one spacer (48) located between the inner and outer shells (16, 14), as well as resilient seals (38, 72) serving to maintain an appropriate and safe spacing gap between the shells (14, 16). The inner shell (16) includes a top wall (38) equipped with a fill opening (52) defined by an upstanding central flange (50, 50a) surmounted by a detachably secured cover (54, 54a).

Abstract: A frameless elevator cab includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of sidewalls. Ones of the sidewalls are connected to and/or attached to each other with fastener members adapted and configured to provide multi-dimensional stability therebetween. In assembled frameless elevator cabs of the invention, the frameless elevator cab defines inner and outer cab perimeters and substantially no hardware which connects/attaches ones of the sidewalls to other ones of the sidewalls which are visible from inside the inner cab perimeter and/or outside the outer cab perimeter.

Abstract: A force transmission device comprises a winding drum, a force converter, and a clutch/brake. The force converter communicates with both the winding drum and the clutch/brake. The force converter is adapted to convert a torsional force in the winding drum, into axial force/movement. The axial force/movement applies a clutch-type driving force. The clutch/brake can also apply a radially-directed braking force, whereby the force converter provides mechanical load compensation.

Abstract: A lumbar support device, preferably secured in a seat frame, includes a support structure attached between a pair of levers that are rotated by an actuator assembly. In one embodiment, the pair of levers are each formed from a serpentine wire, and each lever wraps around a bar that is secured to the seat frame and wraps around a side of the support structure. The actuator assembly rotates the pair of levers which move the support structure into the lumbar region and pull the support structure in tension.