Abstract: An implantable rod can be bent three-dimensionally in an automated system, which is especially useful for pre-surgical formation of implantable spinal rods. When local and/or global feedback processing accompanies a series of shaping steps automatically imposed on a rod or other article being shaped into three-dimensional form, formation time may be expedited compared to manual creation, and shapes difficult or impractical to create manually may be constructed simply.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are directed to emulating an emitter follower with a small PNP transistor that is arranged in a PNP multiplier configuration. The PNP multiplier includes a PNP emitter follower and a current mirror. The PNP follower is coupled between the input and the output. A current mirror is coupled to the collector of the PNP follower such that mirror produces a current that is a scaled version of the collector current from the PNP follower. The current mirror is arranged to scale the PNP collector current by a factor of N. The effective output current from the PNP multiplier circuit corresponds to &bgr;·IIN·(N+1), where &bgr; corresponds to the large signal forward gain of the PNP follower. By multiplying the output current by a scaling factor, the effective forward gain of the PNP transistor is increased while utilizing a small geometry PNP device.

Abstract: An integrated dual-plate capacitor structure incorporates a small MOS transistor to reduce die area. The capacitor structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type and having a well region having a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type formed therein. An upper conductive plate and a lower conductive plate separated by a first layer of dielectric material are formed over the well region. The lower capacitor plate is separated from the upper surface of the well region by a second layer of dielectric material. A MOS transistor is formed in the semiconductor substrate. The MOS transistor includes space-apart source and drain regions of the second conductivity type that define a substrate channel region therebetween. A conductive gate is formed above the channel region and is separated therefrom by a layer of intervening dielectric material. The source region and the gate of the MOS transistor are connected to receive a bias voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding the minor flaps of an unfolded sleeve around an item to be packaged, thereby minimizing the amount of handling required. The apparatus folds a sleeve around the item to be packaged. The sleeve has four walls, each wall having a lower edge defining a lower perimeter, and further having a first and second unfolded panel extending downwardly from the walls. The apparatus comprises a first fold bar located upstream of the box, and a second fold bar located downstream of the box. Each fold bar has a folding portion located at substantially the same height as the perimeter, such that when the fold bar is moved into contact with an unfolded panel, the fold bar contacts and folds an unfolded flap into the plane of the perimeter. In a preferred embodiment, the first fold bar is moved into contact with a first panel, and the sleeve is moved downstream to cause the second fold bar to contact the second panel.

Abstract: An envelope handling system for removing envelopes from an upper level conveyor, placing them in stacks on a lower level bucket conveyor, removing the stacks from the bucket conveyor and side-loading them into cartons, sealing the cartons, conveying the cartons to a packing area, and forming the cartons into a horizontal column for placement into shipping containers. The system includes a spider feeder for removing the envelopes from an upper level conveyor and discharging them downwardly in a vertical direction, pivoting bottom fingers for receiving envelopes from the feeder and collecting them into a stack, hold back fingers for intercepting envelopes in a second stack above the bottom fingers, and transfer fingers for compressing a stack collected on the bottom fingers and urging the bottom fingers downwardly to place the stack onto the conveyor.

Abstract: An envelope handling system for removing envelopes from an upper level conveyor, placing them in stacks on a lower level bucket conveyor, removing the stacks from the bucket conveyor and side-loading them into cartons, sealing the cartons, conveying the cartons to a packing area, and forming the cartons into a horizontal column for placement into shipping containers. The system includes a spider feeder for removing the envelopes from an upper level conveyor and discharging them downwardly in a vertical direction, pivoting bottom fingers for receiving envelopes from the feeder and collecting them into a stack, hold back fingers for intercepting envelopes in a second stack above the bottom finger, and transfer fingers for compressing a stack collected on the bottom fingers and urging the bottom fingers downwardly to place the stack onto the conveyor.

Abstract: An envelope handling system for removing envelopes from an upper level conveyor, placing them in stacks on a lower level bucket conveyor, removing the stacks from the bucket conveyor and side-loading them into cartons, sealing the cartons, conveying the cartons to a packing area, and forming the cartons into a horizontal column for placement into shipping containers. The system includes a spider feeder for removing the envelopes from an upper level conveyor and discharging them downwardly in a vertical direction, pivoting bottom fingers for receiving envelopes from the feeder and collecting them into a stack, hold back fingers for intercepting envelopes in a second stack above the bottom fingers, and transfer fingers for compressing a stack collected on the bottom fingers and urging the bottom fingers downwardly to place the stack onto the conveyor.

Abstract: An envelope handling system for removing envelopes from an upper level conveyor, placing them in stacks on a lower level bucket conveyor, removing the stacks from the bucket, conveyor and side-loading them into cartons, sealing the cartons, conveying the cartons to a packing area, and forming the cartons into a horizontal column for placement into shipping containers. The system includes a spider feeder for removing the envelopes from an upper level conveyor and discharging them downwardly in a vertical direction, pivoting bottom fingers for receiving envelopes from the feeder and collecting them into a stack, hold back fingers for intercepting envelopes in a second stack above the bottom fingers, and transfer fingers for compressing a stack collected on the bottom fingers and urging the bottom fingers downwardly to place the stack onto the conveyor.

Abstract: An envelope handling system for removing envelopes from an upper level conveyor, placing them in stacks on a lower level bucket conveyor, removing the stacks from the bucket conveyor and side-loading them into cartons, and sealing the cartons, conveying the cartons to a packing area, and forming the cartons into a horizontal column for placement into shipping containers. The system includes a spider feeder for removing the envelopes from an upper level conveyor and discharing them downwardly in a vertical direction, pivoting bottom fingers for receiving envelopes from the feeder and collecting them into a stack, hold back fingers for intercepting envelopes in a second stack above the bottom fingers, and transfer fingers for compressing a stack collected on the bottom fingers and urging the bottom fingers downwardly to place the stack onto the conveyor.