Abstract: In an example embodiment, an apparatus for making pouch products includes a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a first receiving location along a path of the conveyor system, and a dosing location along the path of the conveyor system. The apparatus also includes a first material dispensing station configured to transfer a first material to the first receiving location. The first material includes a first elastic layer and a first support layer. The first material dispensing station includes a dispenser roller configured to hold a roll of the first material, a plurality of rollers configured to convey the first material from the dispenser roller to the first receiving location, and a stripper plate configured remove at least a portion of the first support layer from a portion of the first elastic layer.

Abstract: A process of repairing a component includes identifying a void in a component; determining at least one approximate physical configuration of the void; inserting borescope into the component in order to view the void; providing a repair rod approximately equivalent to at least one of the least one approximate physical configuration of the void; inserting the repair rod into component; confirming insertion of the repair rod in the void; separating the repair rod to leave a repair plug in the void; and depositing braze paste over the repair plug in the void.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an apparatus for making pouch products includes a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a first receiving location along a path of the conveyor system, and a dosing location along the path of the conveyor system. The apparatus also includes a first material dispensing station configured to transfer a first material to the first receiving location. The first material includes a first elastic layer and a first support layer. The first material dispensing station includes a dispenser roller configured to hold a roll of the first material, a plurality of rollers configured to convey the first material from the dispenser roller to the first receiving location, and a stripper plate configured remove at least a portion of the first support layer from a portion of the first elastic layer.

Abstract: A light coupling unit includes a first major surface comprising one or more substantially parallel first grooves oriented along a first direction for receiving one or more optical waveguides. A second major surface for slidably contacting a mating light coupling unit comprises an optically transmitting window for propagating an optical signal therethrough, and a region of second grooves and lands configured to capture particulate contaminants in the second grooves.

Abstract: An inflatable fabric cushion is disclosed that can maintain a high internal pressure while having an exposed inflator squib. The inflatable cushion has a precision opening sized to be commensurate with a diameter of the inflator squib. The precision opening tightly circumscribes the inflator to limit leakage of inflation gas when the squib projects out of the opening. The cushion also has a throat through which the inflator may be inserted into the cushion. After the inflator is inserted into the cushion, the throat is sealed closed by wrapping the throat around the inflator housing and being cinched when the airbag assembly is mounted on a vehicle.

Abstract: A container lid having a tamper evident and tamper resistant band formed of a plurality of equally spaced tabs having spurs that engage the rim of a container with latches formed on the spurs. In one embodiment the tamper evident band is unique because it hinges up instead of down and has a plurality of spurs with a stepped edge forming latches with the spurs engaging slots around the periphery of the lid. The reverse action makes the step edges on the spurs on the inside of tabs formed on the tamper resistant strip pull tighter when any attempt is made to pry or remove the lid from a container or cup. The lid also includes an annulus having interior surfaces that provide an excellent seal both inside and outside of the cup when the tamper resistant band is removed.

Abstract: An innovative container lid having an integrally formed tamper evident band that goes through a series of changes or metamorphoses during the manufacturing and application process. The tamper evident band is attached to the lid at weak points on dogs formed around the periphery of the lid. Before use, the tamper evident band has a diameter substantially larger than the outer diameter of the lid. When the lid is installed in a container, and tangential and radial forces are applied to the periphery of the lid, the attachment points of the tamper evident band rupture and the band is displaced in a rippling effect with the dogs locking into sockets formed in the sidewall of the tamper evident band. Continued pressure is applied to the side of the tamper evident band until it is pressed firmly around the entire periphery of the lid against the side of a container with all the dogs engaged in sockets.

Abstract: An innovative container lid having an integrally formed tamper evident band that goes through a series of changes or metamorphoses during the manufacturing and application process. The tamper evident band is attached to the lid at weak points on dogs formed around the periphery of the lid. Before use, the tamper evident band has a diameter substantially larger than the outer diameter of the lid. When the lid is installed in a container, and tangential and radial forces are applied to the periphery of the lid, the attachment points of the tamper evident band rupture and the band is displaced in a rippling effect with the dogs locking into sockets formed in the sidewall of the tamper evident band. Continued pressure is applied to the side of the tamper evident band until it is pressed firmly around the entire periphery of the lid against the side of a container with all the dogs engaged in sockets.

Abstract: A tamper evident container having an easily removable tear strip that snugly fits around the rim or skirt of a lid. The tear strip has a break away tab and is joined to the wall of the container by a series of thin rupturable links. The strip snugly holds the lid on the container preventing removal without some evidence of tampering but may be easily stripped away to allow use of the contents of the container.

Abstract: An automated lid mounting and sealing apparatus for containers comprised of a conveyor belt, a lid dispenser to feed lids one at a time as a container passes by on the conveyor belt; a lid mounting press belt, a lid closure section for closing a tear band on the lid and a lid sealing section for sealing a tamper resistant device around the lid. The lid dispenser drops a lid into a chute to be withdrawn as each container passes the dispenser. The container with the lid then passes beneath a press belt that snaps the lid in place on the container. A tear strip band on the lid is then folded under the lid and rim by a closure section. In an optional embodiment the closure section is not used and a plastic shrink band seal is placed on top of the container around the lid. Heat is then applied in a sealing section as the container is rotated to secure the tamper resistant protective device around the lid and container.

Abstract: A tamper resistant container lid that provides a tear away strip that cannot be easily removed without evidence of tampering. The tear away strip is comprised of a plurality of tabs joined by integral thin film links that are heat contractible. With the lid mounted on a container and the tear strip folded or pressed down beneath the rim of the container heat applied to the strip will contract or collapse the thin film links securing the lid on the container. The thin film .links are a secure method of providing evidence of tampering because the tear strip is nearly impossible to remove without rupturing one or more of these links. A second embodiment of the invention includes a latching mechanism to hold the tear strip in a closed or folded down position beneath the rim of a container while the thin film links are heated to secure the tear strip around the container. A molding apparatus and method is also described for manufacturing parts that require mold undercuts such as the latter tamper resistant lid.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for cooling a beverage having a primary cooling means located between an inlet and an outlet of a beverage dispensing apparatus. The primary cooling means has a cooling assembly comprising an expansion chamber into which refrigerant can be introduced and flow paths through the chamber for the beverage. One flow path forms part of a secondary cooling means. The secondary cooling means is located in heat exchange relationship with the beverage. The secondary cooling means includes refrigerant circulating means having a supply line coupled to one end of the one flow path. A heat exchanger is located in heat exchange relationship with the beverage and is located in the outlet.

Abstract: A cash accounting and surveillance system for games, whereby operation of a number of player operated gaming devices may be monitored for purposes of detecting abnormal operation and/or cheating and for providing automatic accounting information for record keeping and pilferage detection purposes. The system utilizes a node concept with each node having a non-volatile data storage capability and a communications capability for communicating with each of a plurality of gaming devices coupled to the node. The exemplary embodiment disclosed operates in conjunction with slot machines having mechanically rotatable reels and a microprocessor control system for randomizing the reel stopping payouts and other machine functions. Alternate embodiments are disclosed.