Abstract: A package for a medical device such as an intermittent catheter has a case and a cap connected by threads. The case includes a hollow tube which is closed at one end and open at the other. A shoulder is formed near one end of the case. Above the shoulder is a cylindrical ferrule that includes external threads. The cap has internal threads selectably engageable with the threads on the ferrule to form a liquid-tight seal between the cap and case when the cap is installed on the case.

Abstract: A wrap removal assembly includes an elongated support member extending along a central longitudinal axis and having an exterior surface. A snagging wire is disposed adjacent the exterior surface of the elongated support member and includes an active material changeable between a first shape and a second shape in response to a control signal. The snagging wire presents a catch spaced outward and away from the exterior surface when disposed in the first shape to snag the wrap material and gather the wrap material around the elongated support member. The snagging wire is positioned substantially flat against the exterior surface of the elongated support member when disposed in the second shape to release the wrap material and allow removal of the wrap material from the elongated support member.

Abstract: A bale holder is actuated to hold a bale in a lift gate of a baler. Lift gate actuators are then actuated to lift the gate, while it is holding the bale. A gate position sensor senses the position of the lift gate, and a force detector detects a force that is used in order to support the gate in the detected position. Bale weight generation logic then generates a bale weight based on the sensed lift gate position and the detected force. A control signal is generated based on the bale weight.

Abstract: A wrap removal assembly includes an elongated support member extending along a central longitudinal axis and having an exterior surface. A snagging wire is disposed adjacent the exterior surface of the elongated support member and includes an active material changeable between a first shape and a second shape in response to a control signal. The snagging wire presents a catch spaced outward and away from the exterior surface when disposed in the first shape to snag the wrap material and gather the wrap material around the elongated support member. The snagging wire is positioned substantially flat against the exterior surface of the elongated support member when disposed in the second shape to release the wrap material and allow removal of the wrap material from the elongated support member.

Abstract: A bale holder is actuated to hold a bale in a lift gate of a baler. Lift gate actuators are then actuated to lift the gate, while it is holding the bale. A gate position sensor senses the position of the lift gate, and a force detector detects a force that is used in order to support the gate in the detected position. Bale weight generation logic then generates a bale weight based on the sensed lift gate position and the detected force. A control signal is generated based on the bale weight.

Abstract: An accumulator is coupled to an agricultural baler and includes a frame having a first end, a second end, and a support structure positioned between the first and the second ends. The accumulator includes a crop package moving assembly moveably coupled to the frame in a first direction and in a second direction. The crop package moving assembly is configured to move a crop package in the first direction. The accumulator includes a carriage coupled to the first end of the frame and configured to move relative to the frame between a retracted position and an extended position. The carriage is configured to move into the extended position to support the crop package. The carriage is also configured to move from the extended position into the retracted position in response to the crop package being removed from the carriage and the crop package moving assembly moving in the second direction.

Abstract: An accumulator is coupled to an agricultural baler and includes a frame having a first end, a second end, and a support structure positioned between the first and the second ends. The accumulator includes a crop package moving assembly moveably coupled to the frame in a first direction and in a second direction. The crop package moving assembly is configured to move a crop package in the first direction. The accumulator includes a carriage coupled to the first end of the frame and configured to move relative to the frame between a retracted position and an extended position. The carriage is configured to move into the extended position to support the crop package. The carriage is also configured to move from the extended position into the retracted position in response to the crop package being removed from the carriage and the crop package moving assembly moving in the second direction.

Abstract: An accumulator is coupled to an agricultural baler and is configured to support a crop package exiting the agricultural baler. The accumulator includes a frame including a first end, a second end, and a support structure positioned between the first and the second ends. The accumulator also includes a crop package moving assembly moveably coupled to the frame in a first direction and a second direction. The accumulator further includes a carriage coupled to the first end of the frame and configured to move relative to the frame between a retracted position and an extended position. The carriage is configured to move into the extended position to support the crop package. The carriage is configured to move into the retracted position in response to the crop package moving assembly moving in the second direction.

Abstract: An accumulator is coupled to an agricultural baler and is configured to support a crop package exiting the agricultural baler. The accumulator includes a frame including a first end, a second end, and a support structure positioned between the first and the second ends. The accumulator also includes a crop package moving assembly moveably coupled to the frame in a first direction and a second direction. The accumulator further includes a carriage coupled to the first end of the frame and configured to move relative to the frame between a retracted position and an extended position. The carriage is configured to move into the extended position to support the crop package. The carriage is configured to move into the retracted position in response to the crop package moving assembly moving in the second direction.

Abstract: A four-bar linkage is provided as a mechanical interface for transferring respective outputs from a speed/direction control device and a hydraulic steering cylinder to displacement control arms of a pair of pumps of a dual-path hydrostatic transmission including a pair of motors respectively coupled for driving a pair of front wheels of a vehicle. The hydraulic steering cylinder is fixed and has a piston rod slidably coupled to an input arm of the four-bar linkage in such a way that a rotation speed decrease occurs as the arm and a linked control plate are pivoted from a neutral position, the control plate transferring pivotal movement to effect differential movement of the displacement control arms. This results in the vehicle speed decreasing during a turn.

Abstract: An integrated steering control system includes a primary, automatic and rear control valves. A steering wheel operates the primary steering control valve and is of a type which includes a leakage characteristic. Steering wheel movement is sensed and a signal is sent which results in the automatic steering control valve being operated for adding fluid that supplied to a steering cylinder by the primary steering control valve in order to compensate for leakage, the amount of added fluid being a function of vehicle ground speed. An electric actuator with position feedback is used for ground speed control. Whenever the actuator position shows that the ground speed is set to zero and a switch in the hydro-handle slot shows that the handle is in the Park position, the automatic steering control valve is activated to move the steering cylinder to a neutral, straight ahead position, as determined by a sensor in a mechanical linkage of the steering control.

Abstract: An integrated steering control system includes a primary, automatic and rear control valves. A steering wheel operates the primary steering control valve and is of a type which includes a leakage characteristic. Steering wheel movement is sensed and a signal is sent which results in the automatic steering control valve being operated for adding fluid that supplied to a steering cylinder by the primary steering control valve in order to compensate for leakage, the amount of added fluid being a function of vehicle ground speed. An electric actuator with position feedback is used for ground speed control. Whenever the actuator position shows that the ground speed is set to zero and a switch in the hydro-handle slot shows that the handle is in the Park position, the automatic steering control valve is activated to move the steering cylinder to a neutral, straight ahead position, as determined by a sensor in a mechanical linkage of the steering control.

Abstract: A four-bar linkage is provided as a mechanical interface for transferring respective outputs from a speed/direction control device and a hydraulic steering cylinder to displacement control arms of a pair of pumps of a dual-path hydrostatic transmission including a pair of motors respectively coupled for driving a pair of front wheels of a vehicle. The hydraulic steering cylinder is fixed and has a piston rod slidably coupled to an input arm of the four-bar linkage in such a way that a rotation speed decrease occurs as the arm and a linked control plate are pivoted from a neutral position, the control plate transferring pivotal movement to effect differential movement of the displacement control arms. This results in the vehicle speed decreasing during a turn.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of rapidly checking surfaces for the presence of traces of specific compounds such as certain explosives and drugs. A hand-covering such as a cotton glove is used to wipe surfaces to pick up particles of the specific compound which may indicate the presence of larger amounts or previous contact of a surface by a person who has handled the compound. The particles are transferred--unheated--to collection surfaces of a hand-held sample probe by vacuuming of the gloved hand by the battery-operated probe. Heat is then supplied by a source external to the probe to vaporize the particles, and the vapors are analyzed by a suitable technique such as high speed gas chromatography. The method permits checking of surfaces for explosives at processing rates of up to several samples per minute.

Abstract: A mechanism for shifting reel mower cutting units to a position whereat the undersides of the cutting units are exposed for service. A knuckle joint is provided for pivoting the cutting units as the lift arms are raised to thereby shift the cutting units to service positions. A connection point is provided between a yoke and the cutting unit which is located at the upper rear quadrant of the cutting unit's side frame for generally balancing the force distributed to the ground through the front and rear rollers during forward mowing operations.

Abstract: A real mower includes a cutting unit having a frame including opposite side plates joined together by front and rear cross members, the rear cross member being located above upright ends of a u-shaped bed knife support which are respectively bolted to the side plates by upper and lower mounting bolts. A pair of stress relief slots is respectively provided in the pair of side plate between the bed knife support and the rear cross member, the slots respectively being arranged arcuately about the upper bed knife support mounting bolts.