Abstract: A liquid dispensing valve includes a liquid dispensing portion with a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, and a liquid passage communicating between the liquid inlet and liquid outlet. A valve member is mounted for movement relative to the liquid outlet between open and closed positions. An actuation portion is coupled with the liquid dispensing portion and includes an inflatable bladder structure. The inflatable bladder structure includes an interior adapted to be coupled in fluid communication with a source of positively pressurized air. The bladder structure may be expanded by the positively pressurized air to move the valve member to at least one of the open or closed positions from the other of the open or closed positions. Methods of dispensing liquid, such as hot melt adhesive, from the valve are also disclosed.

Abstract: An adhesive dispensing module includes a pneumatic actuator for actuating reciprocating movement of a piston on a dispenser valve member. The pneumatic actuator includes a valve element and a pneumatic housing with an inlet chamber, an exhaust chamber, and a piston chamber. The valve element includes a plurality of inlet passages and a plurality of exhaust passages. The valve element rotates from a first position in which the inlet passages deliver pressurized air from the inlet chamber to the piston chamber, to a second position in which the exhaust passages exhaust pressurized air from the piston chamber to the exhaust chamber. The valve element also includes a plurality of fins configured to be driven by an electromagnetic coil to move the valve element.

Abstract: A hot melt dispensing system including a container for storing adhesive pellets, a feed system for transporting adhesive pellets from the container, and a blower. The blower is positioned with respect to an inlet of the feed system for applying a flow of air for agitating the adhesive pellets and moving the adhesive pellets toward the inlet.

Abstract: An arrangement for carrying or storing or transporting portable items for quick access by a user includes a magnetically assisted mechanical catch and carrying system which has a carrying unit with a cavity and a carried member with a protrusion that is received in the cavity. The carried member has a recess and the carrying unit has a movable latch that can be engaged into the recess for locking the carrier member in the cavity. Mutually magnetically attracting parts or materials are provided in or on the carrying unit and carried member for magnetically attracting the protrusion into the cavity. At least one or both of the latch and the protrusion are shaped to allow easy insertion of the protrusion into the cavity, or the latch may be manually pushed aside to allow insertion of the protrusion into the cavity.

Abstract: A lightweight, wearable container device made of fabric or like material that is designed to attach to any part of a user's clothing and is of sufficient dimensions to securely hold small personal effects, is provided. The device can be fabricated in different sizes suitable for holding household keys, car keys, credit cards, key cards, identification cards, employment cards, driver's licenses, insurance cards, medical instructions or special instructions. The reversibly attachable device is suitable for positioning at any desired location on a user's garment. Attachment means utilizing hook and loop mechanisms are provided.

Abstract: An accessory pack for attaching to a footwear apparatus, the accessory pack comprising a backbone configured for fitting under a fastening mechanism of the footwear apparatus, a pouch having an interior volume configured to receive one of more accessories, the pouch coupled to a first end of the backbone, and a hood coupled to a second end of the backbone, the hood configured for maintaining the one or more accessories in the pouch when the hood is folded over and attached to the pouch.

Abstract: A device for carrying equipment on a human back, the device comprises: a shell comprising a back designed to rest against a human back when the device is worn, a front opposite the back, a bottom, a left side and a right side; at least one shoulder strap; a strap designed to couple equipment to the front of the device; a first reinforcing panel coupled to the left side of the shell; a second reinforcing panel coupled to the right side of the shell; and a third reinforcing panel coupled to the front of the shell; wherein, the first, second and third reinforcing panels are designed to maintain a gap between the back of the human and the equipment when the device is being worn and the equipment is coupled to the device.

Abstract: A clip for releasable engagement with a user-operated device and for releasable attachment to a user's person, and devices that comprise such clips.

Abstract: An accessory organizing device for a golf car having a longitudinal member, a mounting bracket for mounting the device to the vertical support bars of a golf car, and accessory holders which engages with the longitudinal member. The longitudinal member has grooves or slots along at least a portion of the length of the longitudinal member. Accessory holders are supported by the longitudinal member by engagement with the grooves. The accessory holders are removeably or adjustably engaged with the grooves. Accessory holders and be adjustable in position and orientation along the longitudinal member to suit the user's needs.

Abstract: A system for organizing items. The system includes a body configured to attach to the front of a seat and a pocket. The pocket is attached to the body and configured to hold a first item. The system also includes a set of pockets. The set of pockets is attached to the body via the first pocket and configured to hold a second item.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted bicycle carrier having an elongated shaft with a splined profile along at least a portion of its length, a plurality of rotatable members removably mounted to the shaft and a plurality of collar assemblies removably mounted to the shaft. The plurality of members feature a first member having at least one arm with an aperture defined by an edge having a grooved profile in cross-section that is suitable for mating with the portion of the shaft having the splined profile. The plurality of members also having additional members that are suitable for rotating about the splined portion of the shaft. The plurality of members having a plurality of interlocking teeth that facilitate in securing the members together at the desired angular relationship.

Abstract: A storage device attachable to a vehicle roof rack having a removable boat. The storage device comprises a base with a container. The boat is securely releasably attached in an inverted position to cover the container. A shape of the base conforms to a gunwale of the boat. The base has a flange and rim to engage a first side gunwale when the other side of the boat is lifted from the storage device. The boat is securely fastened to the base, such that the boat fits completely over the container to create a water-tight volume from the container base to the inside bottom of the boat. When the boat is released, securing means remain attached to the storage device, and the boat is easily lifted off of the storage device.

Abstract: A cup holder assembly for use in a console of a motor vehicle comprises a housing and a support assembly, wherein the support assembly has a top surface that is deployable in a multi-stage configuration to provide multiple depths as required by the vehicle user. The top surface of the support assembly is further configured to be flush with the vehicle console when in a fully extended position and a cup holder is not required.

Abstract: A backpack including a backpack body, and a plate inside the backpack body behind the forward facing side of the body. The plate includes a top panel, an intermediate panel that inclines forward toward the small of the wearer's back and a lower panel which is located forward toward the small of the back of the wearer and extends down from the inclined panel. Support handles are supported on the lower panel at the front of the backpack at the height of the small of the back of the wearer when the backpack is worn. The handles have a concave slide resistant side toward the wearer's back. Placement of a shoulder strap on the wearer's front facing side of the body of the backpack helps urge the support handles toward the wearer's back.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mechanically cleaving a bonded wafer structure are disclosed. The apparatus and methods involve clamps that grip the bonded wafer structure and are actuated to cause the bonded structure to cleave.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mechanically cleaving a bonded wafer structure are disclosed. The apparatus and methods involve clamps that grip the bonded wafer structure and are actuated to cause the bonded structure to cleave.

Abstract: A pneumatic nailer for use with a fluid source includes a housing, a cylinder, a first valve assembly, a piston, and a port assembly. The housing defines a storage chamber configured for fluid communication with the fluid source. The cylinder is configured for movement with respect to the housing between a first cylinder position and a second cylinder position. An inner side of the cylinder defines a sleeve chamber and an outer side of the cylinder and the housing defines an actuating chamber therebetween. The first valve assembly is connected to the cylinder and is configured to (i) to allow fluid flow from the sleeve chamber to the actuating chamber and (ii) to prevent fluid flow from the actuating chamber to the sleeve chamber. The piston has a piston head and a driver member extending from the piston head.

Abstract: A driving tool is provided with a nose portion 16 from which a fastener is driven out, and a contact arm 20 which is slidable along the nose portion. The contact arm 20 includes a U-type leading end portion 20a. A leading end of the nose portion 16 enters an inside of a U-type part of the leading end portion 20a of the contact arm 20 when the contact arm 20 slides toward a base end of the nose portion 16. The leading end portion of the nose portion 16 includes a receiving portion 22, 23 by which a load applied to the contact arm is received.

Abstract: A fastener driver, fastener driver assembly and method for operating a fastener driver. The fastener driver includes a shoulder linking a neck to a head, where the shoulder includes a cross-sectional shoulder shape having small and large cross-sectional sections that can be inserted into an opening in a nose piece. The user can then rotate the fastener driver and the larger cross-sectional portions of the shoulder can block the fastener driver assembly from advancing out of the opening. The fastener driver assembly increases the speed of operation by including a plurality of pins on a head of the fastener driver to allow the simultaneous fastening of a plurality of fasteners, and by being adapted to conveniently insert into a conventional power tool such as an air hammer.

Abstract: A method for replacing a tag tool needle includes securing at least a portion of a tag tool needle coupled to a tag tool in a needle container; and removing the tag tool needle from the tag tool with the needle container. A tag tool needle container includes a first tubular aperture adapted to receive at least a portion of a first tag tool needle therein, where the first tubular aperture has a compression-fit adapted to securely enclose the portion of the first tag tool needle when urged over the first tag tool needle; and a second tubular aperture coupled to the first tubular aperture and adapted to receive at least a portion of a second tag tool needle therein, where the second tubular aperture has a compression-fit adapted to adapted to securely enclose the portion of the second tag tool needle when urged over the second tag tool needle.

Abstract: A tilt anvil assembly is disclosed which includes a center rod and a head assembly pivotally mounted to the center rod. The head assembly includes a housing, a post and an anvil plate. The head assembly is pivotally secured to the center rod and pivotal in relation to the center rod in discrete steps between a non-tilted position and a fully tilted position via a plurality of partially tilted positions. The head assembly is configured to maintain a partially tilted position.

Abstract: A cartridge of a surgical instrument includes a housing, a lead screw mounted for rotation in the housing, a drive member operatively coupled with the lead screw, and a knife member. The knife member is driven distally by the drive member and is configured to cut when moved distally. During an initial distal movement of the drive member, the knife member is coupled with the housing to restrain the knife member from moving distally. Subsequent to the initial distal movement of the drive member, the drive member drives the knife member toward the distal end.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device an elongated body pardon having proximal and distal portions, and a head portion positioned adjacent the distal portion of the elongated body portion. The head portion includes a shell assembly and an anvil assembly movable relative to the shell assembly between un-approximated and approximated positions. The anvil assembly includes a center rod and an anvil head connected to the center rod. The center rod includes at least one aperture extending transversely therethrough and configured and dimensioned to receive a flexible member such that the flexible member extends transversely through the center rod.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical stapling apparatus and method of use that includes a cartridge assembly which is capable of being reloaded during a surgical procedure without being removed from the surgical site. This allows a surgeon to continue a surgical operation without withdrawing or removing the surgical stapler for reloading and thus reduces the length of the surgery while allowing the physician to concentrate solely on the surgical procedure rather than dividing attention between the surgical procedure and reloading of the surgical stapler. The surgical stapling apparatus includes an elongate member having a plurality of fasteners arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows which is longitudinally translatable through the cartridge to position the plurality of fasteners relative to a plurality of retention slots extending through an upper surface of the cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus including a releasable buttress material includes a cartridge assembly, an anvil assembly, a knife, and a buttress material. The cartridge assembly includes a plurality of staples and a tissue contacting surface defining staple retaining slots. The anvil assembly includes a tissue contacting surface defining staple pockets for forming staples expelled from the staple retaining slots of the cartridge assembly. The knife is disposed within a knife slot formed in the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge assembly. The buttress material includes at least one weld joining the buttress material to the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge assembly. The at least one weld is positioned across the knife slot.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus having a housing with an actuator and an elongated member extending from the housing. An end effector is disposed on one end of the elongated member. The end effector houses a plurality of fasteners that are operatively coupled to a plurality of pusher members. An actuation mechanism is operatively coupled to the actuator; the actuation mechanism includes a longitudinally translatable drive member and an actuation sled. The actuation sled is configured for engaging the plurality of pusher members. A pressure responsive element is also disposed in one of the jaws. The pressure responsive element communicates a signal to a controller. The signal is representative of pressure applied to the pressure responsive element. The controller is configured to activate a feedback response.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical stapling head is provided that may comprise a staple cartridge for supporting one or more staples, a core movable relative to the staple cartridge, at least one staple driver extending from the core, and a casing configured to at least partially hold the staple cartridge and movably receive the core and the staple driver(s). The casing may further comprise at least one retention member that is configured to move from a first position to a second position when sufficient external force is applied to the retention member, such as that provided by a shaft of a surgical stapler during insertion of the stapling head assembly into the shaft. When the retention member(s) are at the second position, the staple driver(s) may be prevented from driving staples from the staple cartridge, thereby providing a firing lockout feature to the stapling head assembly during insertion into at least a portion of a surgical stapler.

Abstract: Surgical systems and related methods verify the presence of an unfired surgical cartridge mounted to a surgical instrument. The cartridge includes an input that is actuated in a firing direction to operate the cartridge. An actuation input that is limited to less than or equal to a predetermined magnitude is generated. The actuation input includes at least one of a torque or a force. The actuation input is transferred to an output of a surgical instrument to attempt to actuate the output opposite to the firing direction by a predetermined amount. The output is drivingly coupled with the cartridge input when the cartridge is mounted to the surgical instrument. The resulting actuation of the output is measured and compared with a threshold actuation amount. A determination is made that the cartridge is present and unfired when the resulting actuation of the output is less than the threshold actuation amount.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus is provided including a cartridge assembly defining a tissue contacting surface; an anvil assembly defining a tissue contacting surface; and a surgical buttress releasably secured to at least one of the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge assembly and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly by at least one anchor. A loading unit is provided including a surgical buttress releasably secured to an anvil assembly and/or a staple cartridge secured thereto by at least one anchor, and a drive assembly including a knife blade, wherein movement of the drive assembly from a proximal position to a distal position results in the knife blade cutting the at least one anchor and freeing each surgical buttress from the anvil assembly and/or cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongated portion extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis, and an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion. The end effector includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first jaw member defines a first axis, which is transverse to the longitudinal axis. The first jaw member is pivotable about the first axis. At least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member is movable with respect to the other between a spaced-apart and an approximated position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having a handle portion, an elongated portion defining a longitudinal axis therethrough, an end effector, and a pin. The elongated portion extends distally from the handle portion. The end effector is disposed adjacent the elongated portion and includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The pin is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the first jaw member and includes an engaging section. In operation, the pin moves between a first position and a second position. While in the first position, the engaging portion of the pin is spaced from the second jaw member. In the second position, the engaging portion of the pin engages the second jaw member. The second jaw member includes a locking structure configured to maintain the position of the second jaw member with respect to the first jaw member during actuation of the end effector.

Abstract: A system includes host and learning machines in electrical communication with sensors positioned with respect to an item of interest, e.g., a weld, and memory. The host executes instructions from memory to predict a binary quality status of the item. The learning machine receives signals from the sensor(s), identifies candidate features, and extracts features from the candidates that are more predictive of the binary quality status relative to other candidate features. The learning machine maps the extracted features to a dimensional space that includes most of the items from a passing binary class and excludes all or most of the items from a failing binary class. The host also compares the received signals for a subsequent item of interest to the dimensional space to thereby predict, in real time, the binary quality status of the subsequent item of interest.

Abstract: A system includes a host machine and a status projector. The host machine is in electrical communication with a collection of sensors and with a welding controller that generates control signals for controlling the welding horn. The host machine is configured to execute a method to thereby process the sensory and control signals, as well as predict a quality status of a weld that is formed using the welding horn, including identifying any suspect welds. The host machine then activates the status projector to illuminate the suspect welds. This may occur directly on the welds using a laser projector, or on a surface of the work piece in proximity to the welds. The system and method may be used in the ultrasonic welding of battery tabs of a multi-cell battery pack in a particular embodiment. The welding horn and welding controller may also be part of the system.

Abstract: A soldering method capable of alleviating positional displacement between substrates even though a step of removing flux can be omitted is provided. A temporary bonding agent 55 is applied onto multiple substrates 50a, 50b, and a heater 33 heats the substrates while the substrates are temporarily bonded with the temporary bonding agent 55 interposed therebetween, and before the solder 54 is melted or while the solder 54 is melted, the temporary bonding agent 55 is evaporated, and the substrates 50a, 50b are bonded with solder with the melted solder 54 interposed therebetween.

Abstract: Electromigration in microbump connections causes voids in the microbumps, which reduces the lifetime of an integrated circuit containing the microbump, Electromigration lifetime may be increased in microbumps by forming a copper shell around the solder. The copper shell of one microbump contacts the copper shell of a second microbump to enclose the solder of the microbump connection. The copper shell allows higher current densities through the microbump. Thus, smaller microbumps may be manufactured on a smaller pitch without suffering failure from electromigration. Additionally, the copper shell reduces shorting or bridging between microbump connections on a substrate.

Abstract: A new anchoring mechanism for the mold-crucible set to the tube, to which the cable is to be welded is described, and the inclusion and use of some bushings which are inserted between the cable and the mold.

Abstract: Metal surfaces that join together such as welded joints of foundations, hatches, railings, stanchions, decks, bulkheads and the like, crack, rust and corrode, occasionally to the point of failure, requiring repairs to be accomplished by welding. Before repair welding, the metal surfaces must be cleaned and may be cleaned using the dry ice (CO2) blasting process of the present invention. The dry ice cleaning process of the present invention eliminates secondary environmentally hazardous waste streams and moisture, leaving the cleaned metal surfaces dry and immediately prepared for welding operations and/or preservation having removed contaminents from the surface and substrate of the metal as is proven by conductivity testing.

Abstract: A method for increasing the long term storageability of a cellulosic paper or paperboard product. The method includes providing a paper or paperboard product made from cellulosic fibers having a basis weight ranging from about 80 to about 300 pounds per 3000 square feet. A holdout material is applied to at least one surface of the paper or paperboard product. The web is then coated with an ink receptive material selected from the group consisting of an aqueous acrylic polymer coating material, an aqueous biocidal agent and a combination of aqueous acrylic polymer coating material and aqueous biocidal agent and dried to provide a paper or paperboard product having enhanced long term storageability. Webs made according to the invention are suitable for making file folders which exhibit improve long term storageability by resisting damage from moisture and/or biological activity.

Abstract: Containers are disclosed that may be constructed fully and then shipped in and later stored in a space efficient configuration, such as a low profile or flat configuration. In one embodiment, a container includes multiple walls connected together by various structures including, for example, hinge fold-line(s), and a base which together may be manipulated to reduce the overall profile of the container. The container may further include top flaps by which the container may be closed. The geometry of the hinge-lines can have different shapes and extend between different points of the container.

Abstract: A device is presented for use in controlling the quality of a perishable object, while progressing on its supply line, by monitoring the condition of a time-temperature indicator (TTI) associated with the object. The device comprises a sensing assembly for detecting a response of the TTI to a predetermined stimulus and generating measured data representative thereof, said measured data being indicative of the condition of the TTI, thereby enabling the determination of the remaining shelf life of the TTI and thereby any perishable good to which it is attached and calibrated.

Abstract: Software applications for tracking nutritional information, which may be used on a smart phone for example. Product packaging information for a food product may be read and converted to a food product identification for the food product. A comparison of the food product identification against a food product identification database may be used to retrieve food product information for the food product from the database. At least part of the food product information for the food product is added to a user profile. A nutritional profile of the user profile is analyzed based the addition of the food product information for the food product. The user profile is updated with results of the analyzing for tracking nutritional information for the user profile. A user can then monitor food intake (such as fat, calories, sugar, food types), which may be compared to desired targets, goals, or limits.

Abstract: A system for tracking one or more subjects for collecting airborne contaminants. The system includes one or more subjects configured to collect air contaminants. Each of the one or more subjects includes an identification tag encoded with identification information identifying the each subject. The system further includes an identification reader configured to decode the identification information encoded within the identification tag of a scanned one of the one or more identification tags. A computer receives and stores the decoded identification information in a record in a database. The computer may also receive and stored an identification code for a user who scanned the scanned identification tag in the record in the database. Additional records in the database are created each time the identification tag of one of the one or more subjects is scanned. The one or more subjects are thereby tracked as they collect airborne contaminants and are incubated.

Abstract: A media apparatus, a content server and a method for operating the same are disclosed. A method for operating a media apparatus includes tagging a media card, receiving content related information from the media card, and displaying a media card list including a media card object corresponding to the content related information of the media card. Therefore, it is possible to increase user convenience.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computerized method and system for identifying a medicinal substance from a plurality of different machine-readable codes that are each compliant with a different coding standard. A code reader reads a machine-readable code and transmits a signal indicative of the machine-readable code in response. A recognition identifies the coding standard with which the machine-readable code complies. Based on the identification by the recognition unit, computer-executable instructions specific to decoding information according the identified standard are selected and executed to decode the information encoded pursuant to the identified coding standard.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including a communication unit for transmitting a carrier wave having a predetermined frequency and making noncontact communication with an information processing terminal, a 2-dimensional code reader unit for reading a 2-dimensional code recording therein processing information on processings to be executed by the information processing terminal, a 2-dimensional code analysis unit for analyzing the 2-dimensional code reader in the 2-dimensional code reader unit and acquiring the processing information from the 2-dimensional code, and a processing unit for generating processing execution information for causing the information processing terminal to execute a predetermined processing based on an analysis result by the 2-dimensional code analysis unit and causing the communication unit to transmit the processing execution information to the information processing terminal.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for locating stored goods. A plurality of fixed contactless identification devices are deployed in an area. Each fixed device exhibits a fixed device identifier that can be read from a distance. Locations within the area are identified through mapping to combinations of fixed device identifiers detected at the location. In addition, a plurality of movable contactless identification devices are associated with goods to be stored and retrieved. Each movable device exhibits a movable device identifier, and movable contactless identification devices are located by identifying a combination of fixed device identifiers received when a movable device identifier is received. The location information may be used independently, or as a supplement to expected location information obtained through other means.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a cassette (1) provided as a cover of an accommodation section of a container (3) which can be filled with a liquid separable into individual components by means of a centrifuge, having: a plurality of containers (3, 5, 7) where a central container (3) is fixedly arranged at the cassette (1) and said central container (3) is connected to at least one outer container (5, 7) through interruptible connection means (15, 17, 11), and a data storage device (19) arranged on the cassette (1) or on the central container (3). Furthermore, the invention pertains to a workstation for marking containers (5, 7) containing a liquid and a corresponding method.

Abstract: An automated banking machine operates to cause financial transfers responsive at least in part to data read from data bearing records. The automated banking machine includes a card reader operative to read card data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. The automated banking machine includes a display and a printer to produce records of financial transactions carried out with the machine. The automated banking machine is also operative to receive secure communications from a host system that are operative to enable the automated banking machine to carry out banking transactions in response to an input of a personal information number.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for verifying customer identifications. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, at a transaction gateway, a communication associated with a transaction initiated by a customer; determining the communication includes an identity verification request to verify encoded data obtained from an identification presented by the customer; routing the identity verification request to an identity verification service; receiving, from the identity verification service, a result including one or more identification values obtained from the encoded data; and transmitting the result to a requester associated with the communication.