Abstract: A vertical form, fill and seal machine for making a reclosable package with a reclosable fastener includes a reclosable fastener handling assembly, a forming tube, a vertical seal assembly and a sealing jaw assembly. The seal assembly includes a rotary ultrasonic sealing assembly having a rotary horn and at least one rotary anvil.

Abstract: A form, fill and seal machine for making a reclosable package with a reclosable fastener includes a reclosable fastener handling assembly, a forming tube, a vertical seal assembly and a sealing jaw assembly. The handling assembly includes a flattening device, a reclosable fastener feed device and a slack sensor. A form, fill and seal machine alternatively includes a forming tube, a vertical seal assembly disposed adjacent the forming tube, wherein the vertical seal assembly is configured to continuously seal the film tube, and a tear notch applicator positioned downstream of the vertical seal assembly and configured to apply a slit to the continuously moving film tube. The tear notch applicator is positionally fixed in the machine direction. Methods for continuously forming a reclosable package are also provided.

Abstract: A sleeve worn on an arm allows detection of gestures by an array of sensors. Electromyography, inertial, and magnetic field sensors provide data that is processed to categorize gestures and translate the gestures into commands for robotic systems. Machine learning allows training of gestures to increase accuracy of detection for different users.

Abstract: A form, fill and seal machine includes a support frame having an L-shaped track with first and second track portions. A sealing jaw assembly includes first and second guides moveable along the track from a first position, wherein the first and second guides are positioned in the first track portion, to a second position, wherein the first and second guides are positioned in the second track portion. The sealing jaw assembly is rotated 90 degrees as the first and second guides are moved from the first position to the second position. A method of converting a form, fill and seal machine from a first configuration to a second configuration is also provided.

Abstract: A vertical form, fill and seal machine for making a reclosable package with a reclosable fastener includes a reclosable fastener handling assembly, a forming tube, a vertical seal assembly and a sealing jaw assembly. The seal assembly includes a rotary ultrasonic sealing assembly having a rotary horn and at least one rotary anvil.

Abstract: A form, fill and seal machine for making a reclosable package with a reclosable fastener includes a reclosable fastener handling assembly, a forming tube, a vertical seal assembly and a sealing jaw assembly. The handling assembly includes a flattening device, a reclosable fastener feed device and a slack sensor. A form, fill and seal machine alternatively includes a forming tube, a vertical seal assembly disposed adjacent the forming tube, wherein the vertical seal assembly is configured to continuously seal the film tube, and a tear notch applicator positioned downstream of the vertical seal assembly and configured to apply a slit to the continuously moving film tube. The tear notch applicator is positionally fixed in the machine direction. Methods for continuously forming a reclosable package are also provided.

Abstract: A sleeve worn on an arm allows detection of gestures by an array of sensors. Electromyography, inertial, and magnetic field sensors provide data that is processed to categorize gestures and translate the gestures into commands for robotic systems. Machine learning allows training of gestures to increase accuracy of detection for different users.

Abstract: A form, fill and seal machine includes a support frame having an L-shaped track with first and second track portions. A sealing jaw assembly includes first and second guides moveable along the track from a first position, wherein the first and second guides are positioned in the first track portion, to a second position, wherein the first and second guides are positioned in the second track portion. The sealing jaw assembly is rotated 90 degrees as the first and second guides are moved from the first position to the second position. A method of converting a form, fill and seal machine from a first configuration to a second configuration is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating autonomous waterborne vessels in a safe manner. The systems include hardware for identifying the locations and motions of other vessels, as well as the locations of stationary objects that represent navigation hazards. By applying a computational method that uses a maritime navigation algorithm for avoiding hazards and obeying COLREGS using Velocity Obstacles to the data obtained, the autonomous vessel computes a safe and effective path to be followed in order to accomplish a desired navigational end result, while operating in a manner so as to avoid hazards and to maintain compliance with standard navigational procedures defined by international agreement. The systems and methods have been successfully demonstrated on water with radar and stereo cameras as the perception sensors, and integrated with a higher level planner for trailing a maneuvering target.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating autonomous waterborne vessels in a safe manner. The systems include hardware for identifying the locations and motions of other vessels, as well as the locations of stationary objects that represent navigation hazards. By applying a computational method that uses a maritime navigation algorithm for avoiding hazards and obeying COLREGS using Velocity Obstacles to the data obtained, the autonomous vessel computes a safe and effective path to be followed in order to accomplish a desired navigational end result, while operating in a manner so as to avoid hazards and to maintain compliance with standard navigational procedures defined by international agreement. The systems and methods have been successfully demonstrated on water with radar and stereo cameras as the perception sensors, and integrated with a higher level planner for trailing a maneuvering target.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for controlling neural prosthetic devices and electrophysiological recording equipment, and for using the same in clinical operation. Various embodiments of the invention are directed to an algorithm for autonomously isolating and maintaining neural action potential recordings. The algorithm may be used in connection with a neural interface microdrive capable of positioning electrodes to record signals from active neurons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for controlling neural prosthetic devices and electrophysiological recording equipment, and for using the same in clinical operation. Various embodiments of the invention are directed to an algorithm for autonomously isolating and maintaining neural action potential recordings. The algorithm may be used in connection with a neural interface microdrive capable of positioning electrodes to record signals from active neurons.

Abstract: A dosimeter and method of measuring an absorbed dose of ionizing radiation using the dosimeter comprising at least one first region containing a radiation sensitive material, and a second region containing an identification mark are described, wherein the method includes the steps of: providing a first region including a radiation sensitive material capable of measuring an absorbed dose of ionizing radiation; providing a second region bearing an identification mark; exposing at least the first region to a dose of ionizing radiation; and reading the signal from the first region. The dosimeter can be used to track location and irradiation of an associated good.

Abstract: A method of measuring an absorbed dose of ionizing radiation using a measuring device that bears an integral identification mark, comprising the steps of: providing a support; disposing on the support a first region capable of measuring an absorbed dose of ionizing radiation; disposing on the support a second region that bears integral identification mark; exposing at least the first region to a dose of ionizing radiation; and reading the signal from the first region.

Abstract: A dosimeter comprising: a support; at least one first region disposed on said support, the region containing amino acid and a binder; and at least one second region disposed on said support; wherein the first region is capable of measuring an absorbed dose of ionizing radiation and the second region bears an identification mark.

Abstract: A method of measuring an absorbed dose of ionizing radiation using a measuring device that bears an integral identification mark, comprising the steps of: providing a support; disposing on said support a first region capable of measuring an absorbed dose of ionizing radiation; disposing on said support a second region that bears integral identification mark; exposing at least the first region to a dose of ionizing radiation; and reading the signal from the first region.

Abstract: A film cassette includes a cassette body, a film spool onto which can be wound a strip of film, a drive disk coupled directly to the film spool, and an indicator flex disk that includes a film status indicator tab whose position relative to a window of the film cassette indicates the film exposure status. The position of the film status indicator tab is changed when the flex disk is moved into engagement with the drive disk and the film spool is rotated upon film movement. The film status indicator tab otherwise does not engage the drive disk and therefore does not change position. The cassette is particularly suited for operation with a photographic camera that includes a camera body, a loading chamber in the camera body that receives the film cassette, and a loading chamber cover having at least one movable indicator release pin that moves the flex disk into and out of engagement with the drive disk and thereby changes the position of the film status indicator tab.

Abstract: A film cassette comprises a pair of housing parts, and a flexibly movable latching hook located on one of the housing parts and a rigid latching catch located on the other housing part which can engage to secure the two housing parts together. According to the invention, a backer projects from one of the housing parts into abutment with the latching hook, when the latching hook and the latching catch are engaged, to prevent the latching hook from moving out of engagement with the latching catch in response to a mechanical shock being applied to the film cassette.

Abstract: In a film cassette, a spool is supported for rotation in an unwinding direction inside a cassette shell, a filmstrip is coiled about the spool to form a film roll with an outermost convolution having a leading end, a pair of flanges are coaxially arranged along the spool with respective peripheral annular lips overlapping the outermost convolution adjacent opposite longitudinal edges of the outermost convolution to radially confine the film roll, respective notches are cut in the longitudinal edges at individual locations nearby the leading end which receive sections of the annular lips to allow sections of the longitudinal edges between the notches and the leading end to overlap the annular lips to hold the leading end spaced from a next-inward convolution of the film roll, and a stripper is positioned closer to one of the longitudinal edges than to the other for receipt between the leading end and the next-inward convolution to divert the leading end into a passageway out of the shell when the spool is rota

Abstract: Film flattening apparatus and method wherein a base (30) having a flat surface (32) contacts the film (12) as it moves thereacross in a given direction, the surface having an aperture (34) defined therein, respective portions (50, 52) of the base (30) in the vicinity of the aperture lateral edges (36, 38) define film contacting surfaces (54, 56) each having curvature sufficient to provide lateral column strength in the film as it is moved thereabove, and flattener elements (90) substantially near the aperture longitudinal edges (40, 42) apply edge flattening force to the edges of the film outwardly of the aperture longitudinal edges. Edge guides (110) contact opposite edges of the film in the vicinity of one of the base portions (50, 52), and first and second deflectors (270, 272) can be provided adjacent corresponding ones of the base portions (50, 52) for deflecting film along a serpentine path. An optical film notch detector (390, 392) can be operatively associated with one of the base portions (50, 52 ).