Abstract: The arrangement is applied to a container which includes a peripheral side wall having an upper end portion and a lower end portion in which are applied respective end walls, each including a median panel and a peripheral skirt, one of the upper end portion and lower end portion and the peripheral skirt being provided with at least one circumferential rib turned to the other of said parts, the other part being provided with a circumferential groove conformed to be fitted onto the circumferential rib upon the fitting of said end wall in the interior of one of the upper end portion and lower end portion of the peripheral side wall, said circumferential rib and circumferential groove forming, therebetween, a circumferential gap (F) in the interior of which is compressed an elastic sealing element.

Abstract: A clamshell package for supporting an article is provided including a covered manufacturing hinge adapted to divide the clamshell into first and second parts adapted to form a cavity. The first and second parts partially overlap to form a flange adjacent the manufacturing hinge. The second part includes an uncovered operating hinge, about which the second part is adapted to pivot away from the first part to an open position. The clamshell package includes a panel adapted to engage the manufacturing hinge and flange to retain the manufacturing hinge in a folded position, with the panel being spaced from the operating hinge.

Abstract: A dispenser 1 for use with a medicament carrier 2. The medicament carrier 2 contains a at least one medicament product 8 which can be released therefrom. The dispenser 1 comprising a body 12, a collecting conduit 18 and a dispensing aperture 16. The body 12 includes a holding portion 14 for holding a medicament carrier 2. The holding portion 14 includes at least one inlet aperture 32 arranged to receive a medicament 8 released from a medicament carrier 2 held thereon. The collecting conduit 18 connects the at least one inlet aperture 32 and the at least one dispensing aperture 16. The dispenser 1 is configured such that a medicament 8 dispensed from a medicament carrier 2 thereon passes through the inlet aperture 32 and into the collecting conduit 18 from which it can be dispensed through the dispensing aperture 16.

Abstract: There is provided a medicine dispensing device including: a device body 1; a container 2 containing a plurality of blister packs 4 with medicines packaged individually as arranged one behind another and being attached to the device body 1 such that the blister packs are horizontally arranged one behind another; a dispensing member 3 movably provided in the device body 1 and being moved up to the container 2 to dispense the blister pack 4 contained in the container; a gripping member 35 gripping and carrying the blister pack 4 dispensed by the dispensing member 3; and a cutting member 36 cutting off a fraction from the blister pack 4 gripped and carried by the gripping member 35. Depending upon the opened positions of an opening/closing door 10, one sheet of the blister pack 4 is dispensed as it is or the fraction thereof is dispensed.

Abstract: A banknote store comprises a banknote storage roller (17), two banknote conveyor belts (26, 27) and two collection sprockets (18, 19) of said belts, each belt (26, 27) being wound on one side to the storage roller (17) and on the other to one of the collection sprockets (18, 19), the two belts being arranged to come into contact with the banknotes respectively on opposite faces, handling means being present to move the roller, the sprockets and the belts so as to alternatively realize the storage of the banknotes on the roller or their release from the store. Said collection sprockets (18, 19) are mounted on a same shaft (20).

Abstract: A beverage dispenser comprising a chamber adapted to contain the beverage to be dispensed, an outlet from the chamber to dispense the beverage, at least one inlet to the chamber for the addition of at least one gas and/or liquid, at least one mass measurement means adapted to determine the mass of the chamber with beverage contained therein, and a controller that determines a quantity of gas and/or liquid to be added to the chamber at least partially determined by the measured mass.

Abstract: A fountain-style carbonated soft drink dispenser includes a housing adapted to attach to a beverage container, an actuator for selectively opening a fluid conduit, and one or more long tubes that vary a pressure drop across the dispensing assembly and convey fluid. The resistance through the tube(s) is decreased as the pressure within the container decreases so as to maintain a substantially constant flow rate throughout dispensing.

Abstract: A push chain is used to drive a piston into a canister of extrudable material. The push chain is stored in an elongated chain magazine, withdrawn from the magazine and into the canister by actuation of a trigger connected to a sprocket for the chain. The push chain exerts a compressive force on a piston rod connected to a piston at a point offset from the center line of the piston, causing the piston to rotate to lock the push chain. The amount of material remaining in a tube of extrudable material is enunciated by way of a contents indicator driven by the push chain.

Abstract: An integrated beverage blending system comprising an ice portion control module, an ingredient module; an ice dispensing conduit in communication with the ice portion control module, and an ingredient dispensing valve removably connected to the ice dispensing conduit and in communication with the ingredient module. Ice is dispensed into a beverage container via the ice dispensing conduit and the ingredient is dispensed into the beverage container via the ingredient dispensing valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispenser unit particularly suitable for a liquid container, comprising an air pump with an air cylinder (14) and an air piston (9) axially displaceable in the air cylinder (14), an air space defined between the air cylinder (14) and the air piston (9), supply-closing means for closing the air supply to the air pump, discharge-closing means for closing the air discharge from the air pump, an axially displaceable activating element for activating the air pump, and an air inlet opening (12) in the activating element, wherein the air inlet opening (12) debouches in the air space, and at least a part of the air piston (9) forms the supply-closing means.

Abstract: An inverted dispenser pump is used to dispense foam. The dispenser pump includes an air cylinder with an air piston to pump air to form the foam along with a liquid cylinder that has a liquid cylinder piston to pump liquid to form the foam. A conduit shell is received over the liquid cylinder in order to draw fluid when in an inverted state. An intake valve member is received around the opening of the conduit shell. The intake valve member has a seal flap configured to seal against the conduit shell opening in order to reduce flow restrictions of liquid drawn into the liquid cylinder.

Abstract: A push chain is used to drive a piston into a canister of extrudable material. The push chain is stored in an elongated chain magazine, withdrawn from the magazine and into the canister by actuation of a trigger connected to a sprocket for the chain. The push chain obviates the need for an elongated piston rod used in conventional extrudable material dispensers.

Abstract: A piston and piston rod for a rodless dispenser for extrudable material are configured such that compressive force exerted on the piston from a push chain causes a reactive torque to be created that locks the links of the chain together. The push rod is located away from the piston's geometric center.

Abstract: A dispenser for a paint container having an access opening. The dispenser includes a main lid which is attachable to the paint can access opening and includes a threaded stem. A flow restrictor is threadably mounted to the threaded stem so that rotation of the flow restrictor relative to the stem axially displaces the flow restrictor along the stem. A turret is rotatably mounted to the main lid and includes a dispensing opening. The turret is mounted to the main lid so that the turret is locked against axial movement but freely rotatable relative to the main lid. The turret includes at least one axially extending slot which slidably receives an outwardly extending tab from the flow restrictor so that rotation of the turret axially displaces the flow restrictor along the stem.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprising a barrel having a reservoir chamber, the barrel having an upper portion, a cap connected to the reservoir chamber, the cap having a surface with at least one hole therethrough, a valve comprising a biasing member and a hole sealer, the valve being adjacent to the reservoir chamber, a coupler having a dispense chamber, and a vent located between the cap and the reservoir chamber, the vent including a vent opening and a vent material composed of oliophobic material.

Abstract: An outlet head (22) for a spray device (10), the outlet head (22) comprising an inlet section (31) having an opening (30) adapted to receive an output section (20) of a spray material container (16), said opening (30) forming a first end of a fluid channel for spray material from the spray material container (16), the outlet head (22) also comprising an outlet portion (14) adapted to eject spray material and forming a second end of the fluid channel for spray material, wherein the inlet section (31) has a first, major, lateral axis and a second, minor, lateral axis, said first and second axes being substantially at right angles to one another, wherein the size of the inlet section along the first, major, axis is greater than the size of the inlet section along the second, minor, axis.

Abstract: To provide a beads threading machine with which a thread can easily be put through a plurality of beads of various shapes, the beads threading machine comprising supporting portions which are disposed at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction to thereby support annular projecting portions of the beads, a thread holding portion which is disposed at one end side of the row of supporting portions, an insertion member having at a distal end thereof a hook portion, wherein by rotating the rotary plate in a forward direction, the insertion member is inserted through the beads to thereby dispose the hook portion in the thread holding portion, whereas by rotating the rotary plate in a reverse direction, a thread is caused to be hooked on the hook portion so that the thread hooked on the hook portion is put through the bead holes.

Abstract: A sling is held in a folded state under a cheek piece attached to the butt of a rifle or gun stock, and deployed by drawing from the cheek piece and attaching to a forward end of the rifle or gun. A rear sling end may remain attached to the rear of the rifle or gun at all times. The folded sling is stowed in a channel formed beneath the cheek piece by a releaseable flap, with a forward sling end exposed at the rear of the channel. The sling is deployed by drawing from the rear of the channel and then reaching forward to attach to the forward end of the rifle or gun. The sling may be returned to the folded state by folding the sling, releasing one side of the flap, placing the folded sling under the cheek piece, and reattaching the flap.

Abstract: A handgun holster has a shaped holster body with through cavity for inserting and withdrawing the gun, which is furnished with a support for attaching the holster to the user, with a trigger safety catch and with a security system against removal of the gun from the holster where, in each of the two side walls of the holster body, in the area designed for ensuring the position of the inserted gun, there is a specularly arranged recess in which a safety catch is lodged. This recess has an opening for passage of the functional part of the safety catch into the cavity of the holster in the area designed for positioning the trigger guard of the gun.

Abstract: A bicycle fork mount for receiving and securing a front axle hub assembly of a through-axle type front bicycle wheel, but which is also temporarily adaptable for receiving a fork of a skewer type front bicycle wheel includes a fork mount body having a hollow for insertably receiving a front axle hub assembly of a through-axle front bicycle wheel. An adapter is received in the hollow and has a fork receiving skewer associated therewith that is configured for translational movement relative to the adapter. A biasing assembly is disposed between the adapter and the skewer and urges the skewer toward an ends-extended configuration in which a pair of fork receiving ends of the skewer are oppositely disposed beyond the lateral sides of the fork mount body and are configured for receiving and releasably securing the fork of a bicycle having a skewer type front wheel to the bicycle fork mount.

Abstract: Apparatus for causing paper webs to tear off within rewinding machines, the web (2) being provided, at regular intervals, with transverse perforation which subdivide the web into sheets joined to each other but able to be separated in correspondence of said perforation lines, the apparatus comprising a device to cause the tearing of the web (2) upon the passage of a perforation line (p) which separates the last sheet of a log (RO) in the course of formation from the first sheet of the next log to be formed, characterized in that the tearing device is a pneumatic type device (SP) able to direct a jet of compressed air toward the line (p).

Abstract: A print sheet supplying shaft device and a supplying method of the print sheet and a printer for the print sheet which is capable of stably transferring the print sheet 5 along a transfer route, to be capable of maintaining the print position accuracy of the print sheet 5 at a predefined level. A roll supply shaft (25) protrudes at outer surfaces of a roll holding member (22) holding the rolled print sheet (5). Constant friction force is applied to the surface of the roll supply shaft (25) by a shaft clamping member (23). An urging member (24) provides a load resisting the feeding movement of the print sheet (5) to the roll supply shaft (25) by urging the shaft clamping member (23) towards the roll supply shaft (25).

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the lateral displacement of at least one material web, comprising one roller pivoting about a shaft, which roller comprises laths that extend in the direction of the shaft and that are arranged in circumferential direction of the roller, whereas each lath is mounted in such a way that it can be moved in the direction of the shaft. Furthermore the roller comprises at least one lath guiding device on which the movable laths are guided, whereas the lath guiding device comprises for each lath a respective region for guiding each individual lath. According to the invention the roller comprises at least one lath securing device which is used to protect the laths from being detached from the apparatus when the region for guiding the respective lath is defective, whereas the lath securing device comprises for each lath a respective region for securing each individual lath.

Abstract: A braking mechanism for empty nail cartridge of a nail gun includes a guiding plate, a cover plate, a punch rod, a securing slide rod and a nail cartridge. A nail hole and an end hole are defined in the guiding plate. A connecting hole is defined in the guiding plate. The nail hole and the connecting hole communicate with the punching channel respectively. A connecting groove is defined in the cover plate. A nail pusher and a pushing arm are arranged in the nail cartridge to provide resilient force along a nail filling direction. The pushing arm is pivotably placed on the nail pusher adjacent to the brake portion for affording the resilient force. The pushing arm is opposite to the nail hole. The pushing arm pushes the nails into the punch channel in sequence and allows the brake portion of the nail pusher to go through the end hole and move into the end hole to block the stopper of the securing sliding rod when the nails is use up.

Abstract: A powder-actuated fastener-driving device includes a hollow body including a tubular portion and a handle, and an inner tube movable forwardly and rearwardly within the tubular portion and having a front end disposed outwardly of the tubular portion, and a slot. The front end of the inner tube has an outer surface formed with a position-limiting groove. A stop member is disposed within the tubular portion, and extends into the slot. A sound-absorbing sleeve is sleeved movably on a portion of the tubular portion disposed outwardly of the handle, and has an inner surface formed with a position-limiting block, which is movable forwardly and rearwardly within the position-limiting groove. When the front end of the inner tube is pressed forwardly against an object, the sound-absorbing sleeve comes into contact with the handle.

Abstract: A nailing device of the present invention includes a main body, a magazine and a nail pusher. The magazine is disposed in the main body for nail units to be seated thereon. The nail pusher is slidably straddled on the magazine to push the nail units forward. The nail pusher has a first side and a second side. Two slanted guiding portions are frontward and outward extended from the two sides respectively. The slanted guiding portions have two guiding surfaces facing each other to guide and position staples, so that centers of different staples of different sizes can locate at the same position.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure a directionally biased staple is provided for use in all types of surgical staplers having anvil structure against which the staple is formed. The directionally biased staple may be constructed in a wide variety of cross-sectional configurations including rectangular, elliptical, trapezoidal, etc. All of the configurations are distinguished by having a bending region requiring more force to twist or malform the staple than is required to properly form the staple. Preferably, these staples have Moment of Inertia Ratios on the order of between about 1.1 to about 3.0. The staple preferably corresponds in other respects to conventional formed staples, i.e. having at least a pair of leg members interconnected by a crown portion wherein the leg members are formed by direct contact with the anvil. An anvil assembly is also provided for minimizing the malformation of staples.

Abstract: A surgical stapler has a handle assembly including a stationary handle and a trigger. The stapler also has a drive assembly with a body having a working end and a cam member supported on the working end. The cam member is positioned to translate relative to the anvil to maintain the anvil in the closed position during firing of the stapler. The trigger is operatively connected to a power cell. The power cell is operably connected to a motor of the drive assembly. The manipulation of the trigger actuates the power cell such that the power cell powers the drive assembly to effect translation of the cam member relative to the anvil. The stapler also has a channel for supporting the staple cartridge and the motor of the drive assembly controls the actuation sled supported within the cartridge. The actuation sled urges the plurality of staples from the cartridge when the anvil is in the closed position and in cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical device is described herein that can be used to fire different types and sizes of disposable loading units. In a preferred embodiment, the device applies parallel rows of surgical fasteners to body tissue and concomitantly forms an incision between the rows of staples during an endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical procedure. The device can be utilized with disposable loading units configured to apply linear rows of staples measuring from about 15 mm in length to about 60 mm in length and can be used to fire disposable loading units containing surgical clips and individual staples.

Abstract: A surgical stapler is provided having a pair of jaws including a staple containing cartridge and an anvil. Buttress material is releasable affixed to the staple containing cartridge and the anvil. One of the jaws includes a pair of longitudinal projections at a first end of the jaw and configured to frictionally engage corresponding slots in a first end the buttress material. One of the jaws includes a post at a second end of the jaw. The buttress material includes a hole in a second end of the buttress material for receipt of the post.

Abstract: A surgical fastener applying apparatus having a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw includes a cartridge body having plurality of surgical fasteners disposed therein. The plurality of surgical fasteners include a plurality of first surgical fasteners having a first backspan with a first configuration, and a plurality of second surgical fasteners having a second backspan with a second, different configuration such that the plurality of first surgical fasteners apply a first compressive force to tissue upon formation and the plurality of second surgical fasteners apply a second, different compressive force to tissue upon formation.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing a semiconductor module including: a heating block comprising a thermal contact surface for contacting a defective semiconductor package mounted on a substrate of the semiconductor module to heat the defective semiconductor package using a conduction method and to melt a solder of the defective semiconductor package, and a vacuum adsorption line for adsorbing the defective semiconductor package and separating the defective semiconductor package from the substrate; and a heater installed in the heating block.

Abstract: A soldering iron tip is used for heating a solder bar during a soldering operation so as to solder a workpiece. An end surface of the soldering iron tip has a guide hole, and the guide hole forms a channel in the soldering iron tip. Meanwhile, a side surface of the soldering iron tip has a through hole in communication with the channel. When the soldering operation is performed, relative positions of the guide hole and the workpiece overlap each other. After the solder bar is made to pass through the through hole and heated inside the channel, the molten solder bar flows along the channel to reach the workpiece via the guide hole, thereby completing the soldering operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and system, as well as fabrication methods therefor, may include a thermal intermediate structure with metal decorated carbon nanotubes incorporated in solder.

Abstract: [Object] To reduce the trouble of packing an article the repair of which a customer is going to request. [Solution Means] A mat 1, an outer layer sheet 2, and cushioning bodies 4 are combined. The mat 1 is an airtight square-shaped sheet, and is sealed airtightly and laminated on and integrated with the outer layer sheet 2 to form a packing region Wa. The packing region Wa sandwiches an articles M and is folded in two, and a flap 5 of the outer layer sheet 2 formed on an extension portion of the packing region serves as an extension portion Wc that closes a gap of the folded portion of the mat 1. When the air in the mat 1 is evacuated and the capacity of the bag body is reduced, the cushioning bodies 4 fit the shape of the article packed in the mat 1 and increase the filling density, and are brought into close contact with the surface of the article M.

Abstract: A bag includes a first portion. The first portion is attached to a second portion of the bag. The reusable bag also includes a mailing label having an addressee section preprinted with an address of a recycler. When the bag is in an unpacked state, the first portion is configured to carry items. When the bag is in a packed state, the first portion is secured in the packed state using the second portion such that the mailing label is visible.

Abstract: Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details an elongate structure is provided that includes a hollow outer portion and a hollow inner portion disposed within the hollow outer portion. The hollow outer portion includes a first outer side surface, a second outer side surface, and a third outer side surface to form a first, second and third intersecting planes respectively. The three intersecting planes form three dihedral angles whose sum is about 180°. The hollow inner portion is in contact with each inner side of the hollow outer portion. Further, the hollow inner portion includes at one panel that extends between each inner side of the hollow outer portion to thereby form hollow inner triangular channels.

Abstract: A box for easy dispensing of solid pourable product has a slide with a portion fixed, preferably by adhesive, to the top, but otherwise detachable from the box, preferably along a perforation. One of the sides of the box has an opening near the top of the box, covered by the slide. Upon lifting the top of the box and thereby detaching the slide, the opening is uncovered enabling the contents to flow from inside the box. The easy-dispensing box is constructed by starting from a single sheet of blank stock, and folding the sides, preferably into a tube box with sealed ends. Advantageously, the slide and the stops end up inside the box and properly located, and both ends of the box may be sealed.

Abstract: The carton of this invention is capable of carrying the plurality of containers stacked upon their ends in two tiers with a unique dispenser that permits the dispensing of containers on their sides. The dispenser is formed in a top side wall and extends into the end wall with most of the end wall being torn open but leaving a portion near the bottom side wall to prevent the bottom layer of containers from rolling out. Angled projections in the dispensing end of the carton near the top panel and bottom panel prevent the top layer of containers from rolling out. A divider may be inserted between the two tiers of containers to facilitate loading the carton and preventing the containers from accidentally rolling out when the dispenser is open.

Abstract: A packaging system is provided which includes a carton having sides defining an enclosure for receiving contents. At least one of the sides is hingedly connected to the carton for opening and closing of the carton. At least one side has a flap for extending over an adjacent side when the carton is in the closed configuration. Releasable fastening means are provided which have a first part of a releasable fastener secured to the flap to register with and engage a second part of the releasable fastener which is secured to the adjacent side. The first and second parts of the releasable fastener require a force for separation which is below a force required to tear the flap or the adjacent side.

Abstract: An envelope can include a first wall with a first edge, a second wall with a second edge connected to the first edge along a connected portion configured for providing a side of the envelope, the first and second edges respectively including first and second separate portions that are separate from each other, the separate portions extending from the connected portions at a transition location and a reinforcing member associated with the connected portion adjacent the transition location for reinforcing the connected portion adjacent the transition location. An apparatus for making an envelope is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed paperboard container with enhanced barrier and seal performances is disclosed that may be produced by a more effective and economical process for the in-plant system. The container includes a container body component, a bottom, and a top lid hermetically sealed to the body component. The container body is formed from a blank comprising a paperboard (201) having one surface coated with a first sealant layer (202) and the opposite surface coated with a barrier layer (203), and a second sealant layer (204) applied over the barrier layer (203). One longitudinal end of the blank is skived to a predetermined thickness for a predetermined width, folded over onto the blank, and sealed to form a folded longitudinal end. Then, the folded longitudinal end of the blank is overlapped inside the other longitudinal end of the blank to form a body seam that is subsequently sealed to provide the hollow container body.

Abstract: Described is a method comprising the following steps: (a) moving a selected optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) sensor of two or OSL sensors mounted on a dosimeter sled to a reading position for an OSL reader; (b) reading the selected OSL sensor at the reading position using the OSL reader to measure a radiation dosage to which a dosimeter in which the dosimeter sled has been mounted has been exposed; and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for each of the two or more OSL sensors, wherein each OSL sensor comprises an optically stimulated luminescent material (OSLM) mounted in one or more cylindrical cup-shaped energy compensating filters, and wherein the dosimeter sled is part of a dosimeter.

Abstract: A system and a method for acquiring information on a product, comprising an Internet unit and a communication device, interacting with the Internet unit; wherein the communication device comprises a bar code symbol reader, the bar code symbol reader reading digital code symbologies on the product, the communication device requests information to the Internet unit using the digital code symbologies, and the communication device makes available information returned in response by the Internet unit.

Abstract: A method of identifying a plurality of items, the method comprising: performing a CT scan of a plurality of items, at least some of said items bearing information tags; reconstructing an image based on the CT scan; and identifying an information tag associated with the items based on the reconstructed image.

Abstract: An automated system for dispensing of beverages to customers which allows self-dispensing of beverages while maintaining accurate accounting of purchases by a number of individual credit card holders. A self service station includes a card reader to collect payment information from a user. The station also includes an RFID tag reader to collect a distinctive code from an RFID tag on the beverage container issued to the user desiring to purchase beverages at the self service station. A processor within the station links the payment information with the particular RFID tag on the user's beverage container and records the information in a memory coupled to the processor. The processor enables a dispensing mechanism to dispense a fixed quantity of beverage into the container associated with the particular RFID tag. In another embodiment, a point of sale station may collect the payment data and link it to the RFID tag on the user's beverage container.

Abstract: A barcode reading apparatus and method in which the spectrum of a probe light is first Fourier-transformed into space, directed upon a barcode, and then Fourier-transformed converting the spectrally encoded barcode pattern to a time domain waveform. In one implementation, the Fourier transformation from the spectrum domain into a spatial domain is performed by a dispersive element, while the Fourier transformation from the spectrally encoded barcode pattern to a time domain waveform is performed by group-velocity dispersion (GVD). The temporally encoded barcode pattern is detected by a photodetector, digitized by a digitizer, and analyzed by a digital signal processor. The invention is applicable to a number of fields which involve the reading of one- and two-dimensional barcodes, displacement sensing, surface measurements, measurement of width and gap, flow cytometry, reading of optical media, presense or absence detection, and other related fields.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments, as well as features and aspects thereof, are directed towards providing a system, device and method for calculating comprehensive ballistic solutions, or portions thereof, via a varying magnification optical range determining and ballistic trajectory calculating apparatus referred to as a ballistic solutions device. Advantageously, embodiments of a ballistic solutions device may drastically reduce marksman error in milling targets by employing a measurement component configured to measure angular movement of a projectile launching device, such as a rifle, thus delivering consistently accurate distance to target estimations. Additionally, embodiments of a ballistic solutions device may also comprise features and aspects that enable a user to leverage available real-time field data such that error associated with the measurement of those variables is minimized prior to calculating and rendering a comprehensive ballistic solution derived from stored DOPE.

Abstract: A system for verifying the connection status of couplable elements employs a code member having a pattern defining a machine-readable optical code disposed thereupon. The code member is physically divided into a number of separate segments each having a portion of the pattern defined thereupon. These segments are affixed to a series of couplable elements so that when those elements are appropriately coupled together, the code segments will be in an aligned relationship so as to form a particular optically readable pattern of data indicative of proper coupling of the elements. Further disclosed are methods employing the system.

Abstract: A portable encoded information reading (EIR) terminal for incorporation in a data collection system can comprise a terminal module communicatively coupled to a wireless interface module via a wired interface. The terminal module can include a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, and an encoded information reading (EIR) device. The wireless interface module can include a microcontroller, a memory, and at least one wireless communication interface. The wireless interface module can establish one or more wireless links with one or more peer EIR terminals, to join a wireless network which is collectively formed by the peer EIR terminals. The wireless interface module can receive or transmit beacons containing at least an identifier of a path selection protocol which is used for unicast, multicast and broadcast frame transmission within the wireless network.