Abstract: A means of suspending items within a transportable container, such as an environmental enclosure like a common “cooler” or “ice-chest”. Inside the container, items are supported by resting on top of a shelf or platform that may be rigid, semi-rigid, inflatable, pleated, telescoping, floating, cushioned, or flexible. The shelf may be supported by straps that may exit the container and are fastened to, or encircle, the interior and/or exterior of the container. The mechanism for attachment to the outside of the container may be a simple loop over an external anchor point affixed to the outside of the container, or a latch or latches, or a magnetic device, or a continuous loop or loops that encircle the container such that no external anchor is required.

Abstract: An insulating container can be configured to retain a mass of food and/or beverages, and include an outer shell with a cuboidal shape and a first opening extending into a first inner cavity. The insulating container may also have an inner structure with an inner cuboidal shape and a second opening extending into the second inner cavity. A flange may be coupled between the outer shell and the inner structure to seal the first opening such that the outer shell is offset from the inner structure. A sealed vacuum cavity may be formed within the insulated double wall structure between the outer shell and the inner structure. Further, a bracing structure may brace a planar surface of the outer shell against the vacuum within the vacuum cavity.

Abstract: The transport container (6) has an inner bottom (7) and an inner shell (8) and forms an upwardly open receiving space (9) for goods to be transported. The inner container (6) comprises at least one inwardly protruding projection (11), at least on each of two opposite sides, on the upper edge of the inner casing (8). The clear distance between the oppositely arranged projections (11) is slightly smaller than the corresponding inner dimension—length or width—of the inner bottom (7) in the receiving space (9), such that the projections (11) form a support for a latent heat storage element (10), i.e. a latent heat storage element (10) with a corresponding outer dimension can be positioned on said projections (11).

Abstract: A reusable and disposable drinking container and vessel system includes a holder having a body formed between opposed connectable ends. The connectable ends form a rigid structure when the connectable ends are engaged. The rigid structure includes a sidewall, a rim, and defines an opening. An insert, defining a flexible body sized and shaped to fit within the opening of the holder, is provided to engage the rigid structure of the holder. The flexible body includes a bottom and a sidewall forming a drinking cavity extending from the bottom to the opening. The holder and the reusable insert are isengagable. The holder is compactable when the connectable ends are disengaged. The system provides enhanced insulation, better hygiene, and superior thermomechanical properties and chemical resistance. The system provides an opportunity to substitute disposable paper and plastic cups, which are difficult to recycle.

Abstract: Disposable wipes packages containing improved opening and closing arrangements are disclosed. The packages are targeted for usage by adult caregivers and can provide reduced waste in comparison to some currently marketed wipe packages. Different forms of the packages disclosed herein include ratios of characteristics of the package closure fitments and those of the package body of wipes contained therein.

Abstract: A lid for use with a container including stacked articles configured to facilitate the removal of an uppermost article from the stacked articles. The lid includes a grabbing apparatus configured to adhere to the uppermost article of the stacked articles and a grabbing apparatus platform configured to support the grabbing apparatus that is extendible allowing extension of the grabbing apparatus from the lid.

Abstract: An oversized actuator and actuator assembly for a plastic vessel (or container) configured to hold a product under pressure, such as, for example, a lotion, cream, spray, ointment, gel or foam. The oversized actuator and actuator assembly are configured to be attached to what is considered to be a common, standard-sized valve cup (typically about 1.0 to 1.5 inches across) fastened to a common or standard-sized neck portion for a plastic vessel. Therefore, the actuator and actuator assembly of the present invention does not require that the shoulder of the plastic vessel to which they are attached have specialized geometry molded into the shoulder or body portions of the plastic vessel in order to hold the actuator or actuator assembly in place on the plastic vessel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relate to an actuator assembly for an aerosol can. The assembly includes a body attachable to a can and a disc provided with two opposing levers. The disc is hinged to the body and generally overlies a valve provided on the aerosol can. When either lever is depressed, a valve socket on the bottom of the disc engages the valve of the aerosol can to discharge pressurized liquid through a port formed through the disc. One of the levers is provided with a catching member that engages and selectively locks onto a latch provided on the body so that the lever is captured in a depressed position to cause the continuous discharge of liquid from the can. The captured lever can be released to discontinue discharge of liquid by pressing the other lever.

Abstract: A compartmented footwear bag defined by a front panel, a back panel, a top panel, and a bottom panel. The top panel defining a first closable opening and the bottom panel defining a second closeable opening. The footwear bag divided into a first compartment and a second compartment by a flexible inner divider, the flexible inner divider secured to the back panel proximate to the top panel to define a first inner edge proximate the top panel and secured to the front panel proximate to the bottom panel to define a second inner edge proximate the bottom panel.

Abstract: A collating system for rivets is provided that includes a rivet holder for supporting rivets in a predetermined pattern. In one form, the rivet holder includes a body having cavities for supporting the rivets therein. The rivet holder body includes a top plate member and a bottom plate member. The rivet holder has drive heads connected to the top plate member via frangible portions and the bottom plate member has retaining webs disposed below the drive heads. The top and bottom plates are secured together to capture heads of the rivets between the drive heads and retaining webs. The drive heads may be driven downward to drive the rivet heads from the rivet holder and into bores of a guide block with the retaining webs flexing to release the rivet head from the lower bottom plate member. A method of using the rivet collating system is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a container for hermetically storing therein a reusable filter cup enclosed by a cover. The container comprises a housing that defines a cavity for receiving the filter cup and a perimeter seal dimensioned to seat thereon an outer edge of the cover. The container also comprises a retaining member removably securable across the cavity. The retaining member comprises a top seal for sealing an opening of the cover. When the retaining member is in the closed position the outer edge of the cover sealingly engages the perimeter seal and the top seal sealingly engages the cover over the opening so as to hermetically store the filter cup, such that freshness and dryness of the brewing material in the reusable filter cup are preserved and such that the reusable filter cup is conveniently transportable.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for a vessel with an aperture positioned at the top end of the vessel. A gasket having an opening is provided and disposed at the top end of the vessel such that the gasket is between the first and second sidewalls of the vessel. A selectively operable lid permits the opening of the vessel. At least one agitator is provided within the vessel to mix a stored material therein with a fluid.

Abstract: Packaging assembly for the transport of coffee in the form of roasted beans, comprising: at least one impermeable bag, impermeable at least to oxygen and water vapour; said at least one impermeable bag being flexible and sealable in a watertight manner to prevent the introduction of fluids or gases; at least one unidirectional valve sealingly applied to said at least one impermeable bag which only allows gas to escape from the impermeable bag preventing the entry of gas into the impermeable bag, wherein said at least one unidirectional valve makes it possible to achieve an over-pressure inside the impermeable bag variable from 3 to 60 mbar.

Abstract: A shipper bag having at least one fluid chamber to facilitate fluid-assisted container evacuation from a product discharge zone of a product chamber. The product chamber is formed by at least one inner ply, and the least one fluid chamber disposed between the at least one inner ply and at least one second ply. The at least one fluid chamber has at least one seam connecting the at least one inner ply to the at least one second ply such that, when in the inflated state, the at least one seam comprises a first seam that extends from a location proximate the product discharge zone to a location proximate a location opposite the discharge zone. The bag may have two or more fluid compartments.

Abstract: A conveying system for conveying a conveyable material from a hopper where the system includes a fluid port located below the hopper outlet and in a vertical flow path into hopper outlet that can be momentarily opened for an on the go release of a charge of compressed air directly upward into the hopper outlet and into the underside of the bridge in the hopper to either disintegrate or unlock the bridged particles from each other thereby causing the bridged material to fall into the hopper outlet and into the conveying system where the material can be transported to a remote location or to remove any material that may be adhering to the wall during an emptying phase.

Abstract: A coupling device for engagement with two corner castings of two intermodal containers stacked upon each other includes a positioning member and upper and lower coupling members. The lower coupling member has a lower neck portion, a lower coupling portion, and first and second shoulder surfaces disposed at a juncture between the lower neck and coupling portions. With the engagement of the shoulder surfaces with the corner casting on the lower container, the lower coupling member can be retained in the corner casting to prevent undesired separation of the containers when the containers are subjected to a lateral force during rolling with winds and waves at sea upon shipping.

Abstract: A wastebasket stand device is an apparatus that enables a user to contain and support a wastebasket during general use and to facilitate removal of the garbage bag. A properly-sized wastebasket is securely and detachably attached to the base panel of the apparatus using the basket-attachment mechanism. The apparatus allows the user to conveniently hold the device in place while pulling the heavy and full garbage bag out of the wastebasket. The height-adjustment poles located in the support structure allows the user to efficiently adjust the apparatus to the desired height, thus to avoid arms and body strain, and potential back injury. Furthermore, the apparatus includes either grips or lockable wheels to allow the user to easily move the apparatus without damaging any flooring materials.

Abstract: A system and method for intermodal container transport that utilizes swarm intelligence and the autonomous locating, lifting, supporting and moving via robots working in conjunction. A port central command locates and releases robots to the container location and then transports the container to its destination.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for picking-an-putting product are disclosed. Within a logistics and product fulfillment environment, such as in a warehouse or distribution center environment, for example, a picking zone is established having picking bays arranged in framed rows with each picking bay having pick module associated therewith. Multiple cartons are indexed into a carton train and an operator is directed to pick-by-light and put-by-voice. More particularly, the operator is directed to a pick by the light display informing the operator which products to pick. Within each pick, a voice indication directs the operator to one or more puts by directing the operator to select a number of product and corresponding carton from the picking bay associated with the pick.

Abstract: A warehousing/shipping-operation support system selects, for a first article in a warehousing/shipping operation, by using acquired positional information of an operator, a sign closer to a position of the operator among signs in the vicinity of a storage location of the article, and the warehousing/shipping-operation support system selects, for a second and following articles, by using the storage-location information of the article whose warehousing/shipping has been completed as the positional information of the operator, a sign closer to the position of the operator among the signs in the vicinity of the storage location of the article.

Abstract: In some embodiments, methods and systems for fulfilling consumer orders are provided. A stocking station includes at least one robotic stocking arm configured to unload a product from a first receptacle and to place the unloaded product onto a storage shelf, and a first picking station includes a first robotic picking arm configured to pick a first product from the storage shelf and to load the first product picked from the storage shelf into a second receptacle for delivery to a consumer. An empty receptacle placement station includes at least one robotic placing arm configured to place an empty second receptacle onto a packing conveyor configured to transport the empty second receptacle toward the first picking station for loading of the first product into the empty second receptacle. An electronic inventory management device transmits a signal the empty receptacle placement station and the first robotic picking arm.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for controlling an order-picking, rack-transporting robot. More specifically, the robot is controlled to select a minimized number of movable racks storing ordered products identified in one or more orders for product deliveries, while still ensuring that all ordered products are included.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rod belt for rod belt conveyors of agricultural machines comprising rods (5) arranged transverse to the direction of transport and parallel to each other, the rods (5) comprising flattened and perforated attachment areas (5.1) by means of which they lie in contact with elastic belts (2) of high tensile strength revolving parallel to each other and being connected to the belts (2) via rivets or similar attachment means penetrating the attachment area (5.1) and the belt (2), both ends (9) of which belt constituting a joint (8). It is the object of the invention to provide a rod belt of this type having an endless connection of high stability while, at the same time, being easy to disassemble and mount.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly for moving material includes a plurality of chains each defining a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of flights coupled to the at least two chains and configured to contact and move the material in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes. Each of the plurality of flights extends along a central axis oriented oblique with respect to the longitudinal axes. Each flight includes a first portion offset from a second portion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes.

Abstract: A dust cover has a base body and an outer cover. The base body is a cylinder and is made of an electrically conductive material. The base body has an axis, a bearing block, and an axial hole. The bearing block is located at an outer surface of the base body. The axial hole is formed axially through the base body. The outer cover is a circular disk and is made of an electrically non-conductive material. The outer cover has an axis, a first end, a second end, a cover body, and an axial hole. The first end of the outer cover is connected with the base body. The axis of the outer cover is the same as the axis of the base body. The axial hole is formed axially through the outer cover and communicates with the axial hole of the base body.

Abstract: The present application relates to an apparatus (10) for sorting a plurality of different objects and a corresponding method. The apparatus (10) comprises at least one first sorting stage (12) with at least two sorting lines (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5), each having an input end and an output end. The input ends of the sorting lines (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5) of the first sorting stage (12) are connected to an infeed conveyor (8) for feeding the objects, and the output ends of the sorting lines (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5) of the first sorting stage (12) are connected to a first transport conveyor (18) for carrying the objects further. Arranged at the output ends of each of the sorting lines (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5) is an interrupter (15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.5), which is designed to individually let out objects from the respective sorting line (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5), and arranged at the output ends of each of the sorting lines is a device (17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 17.4, 17.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conveying device including an upstream conveying unit for receiving products from at least one upstream station, an accumulation surface along which the upstream conveying unit circulates, a loading unit for moving the products from the upstream conveying unit to the accumulation surface, a downstream conveying unit for clearing the products, and an unloading unit for moving the products from the accumulation surface to the downstream conveying unit. The downstream conveying unit includes a plurality of independent moving unit receiving the products in receiving zones which are successively distributed from the edge of the accumulation surface opposite the edge along which the upstream conveying unit extends. Also disclosed is a corresponding method.

Abstract: A method and device for transferring solid particles between zones of different pressures is disclosed. A rotating annular disk spans a pressure barrier and comprises a radial piston cylinder connecting the exterior with the interior. A piston is disposed within the radial piston cylinder comprising a proximal end and distal end, the distal end comprising a cam follower. A stationary closed cam device is located within the interior portion comprising an internal cam profile. The cam follower is in contact with the internal cam profile. As the disk rotates, the cam follower tracks the cam profile causing the piston to move rectilinearly through the radial piston cylinder. As the radial piston cylinder aligns with a solids source, the piston retracts, providing a cavity into which the solid particles fall. As the radial piston cylinder aligns with a solids receptacle the piston returns, ejecting the solid particles into the solids receptacle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for assembling a garbage can, comprising a conveying mechanism, a correction device, a film tear-off device, an iron wire detection device, a screw locking device, a plurality of feeding devices, an assembly device, and a feeding and assembly device, wherein the film tear-off device, the correction device, the iron wire detection device, and the screw locking device are sequentially disposed along the conveying mechanism; the plurality of feeding devices, the assembly device, and the feeding and assembly device are alternately disposed between the film tear-off device, the correction device, the iron wire detection device and the screw locking device. The device for assembling a garbage can of the present invention is used for the automatic assembly and production of a garbage can.

Abstract: Robotic grippers have been employed to grasp and manipulate target objects. One task posing relatively unique problems is the handling of meat products, which can be difficult to grasp with a conventional gripper due to the surface texture and malleability of the meat, among other factors. Exemplary embodiments described herein provide robotic grippers having one or more fingers and a plate, the plate optionally providing suction capabilities. The actuators apply a small force to the edges of the grasping target. In suctioned embodiments, an array of suction holes within the plate support the center of the grasping target by applying a light vacuum force at many points along the surface thereof In non-suctioned embodiments, the actuators grip the edges of the grasping target and the plate makes conformal contact with the grasping target to prevent it from folding or otherwise deforming or disintegrating from the gripping force of the actuators.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding a glass substrate positioned in a vertical orientation into a downstream process. A pair of guide arms move with the glass substrate and constrain lateral movement of an otherwise unsupported bottom edge of the glass substrate. Sensors sense a position of the glass substrate, while a controller calculates a speed of the glass substrate in a conveyance direction and positions the guide arms.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing horticultural products, pushed along a tank of a respective processing line by a fluid current, on which the horticultural products can float freely. The apparatus includes at least one floating alignment matrix, provided with a base platform, which in turn can be submerged at a predefined section of the tank, and with a plurality of mutually parallel partitions extended at right angles from the upper face of the platform and, when the platform is submerged in the predefined section, at least rise above the free surface of the predefined section. Each pair of adjacent partitions can be arranged along the movement direction of the fluid current, thus defines a respective channel for automatic forced alignment for the horticultural products, pushed toward the predefined section by the fluid current.

Abstract: A dock bumper for a loading dock includes a rear mounting plate for use in securing the dock bumper to a loading dock wall, a front contact surface configured to engage a vehicle backing into the loading dock, and an elastomer spring block positioned between the rear mounting plate and the front contact surface. The elastomer spring block includes an elastomeric material defining a pattern of geometric cavities. The geometric cavities are configured to provide a progressive spring rate in a longitudinal direction relative to the loading dock.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet container accommodating a recording medium therein, a sheet separating feeder including a sheet feeding body and a sheet separating body, an image forming part, and a bend applier. The sheet feeding body feeds the recording medium along with a surface movement thereof while the recording medium contacting the surface thereof. The sheet separating body forms a sheet separation nip region with the sheet feeding body and sandwiches the recording medium in the sheet separation nip region. The sheet separating feeder separates and feeds the recording medium contacting the sheet feeding body. The image forming part forms an image on the recording medium. The bend applier having a leading end of an elastic material contacts and bends the recording medium before the sheet separation nip region and generates a wrinkle extending on the recording medium in a sheet conveying direction.

Abstract: An example method includes comparing, via circuitry, a first signal indicative of a first amount of light received by a first light sensor to a second signal indicative of a second amount of light received by a second light sensor, wherein the second light sensor is to compensate for an environmental change by detecting the second amount of light transmitted by a light source regardless of a presence or absence of an object in the conveyance path; determine, via the circuitry, whether a reflection loss is present based on the comparing of the first and second signals; and if the circuitry detects the reflection loss based on the comparing of the first and second signals, generating a presence indication.

Abstract: A paper feeding device according to an embodiment includes a paper feeding cassette that holds a plurality of sheets and has a stacking surface with an angle A relative to horizontal that changes depending on a quantity of sheets stacked thereon. A pickup roller feeds the plurality of sheets from the paper feeding cassette. A separation roller separates the plurality of sheets from each other in a case where the plurality of sheets are fed from the paper feeding cassette in an overlapped state. A guide unit has a guide surface which is inclined upwards on a downstream side thereof in the transport direction of the plurality of sheets. A drive unit changed an angle B of the guide surface relative to horizontal. A control device controls the drive unit to change the angle B based on the angle A.

Abstract: A rolled graphite sheet includes a rod-shaped body and a graphite sheet having a length of 1 m or more and a width shorter than the length. The graphite sheet is wound around the rod-shaped body and is rolled in a length direction. When a length direction-end of the graphite sheet is pulled with a force of 1.5 N/cm in a direction parallel to a tangent of a cross-sectional circle of the rolled graphite sheet while fixing the rod-shaped body, the end moves 5 mm or less in the direction parallel to the tangent of the circle.

Abstract: To form a web conveying path that bends and conveys a web, a web conveying device has: a plurality of foil supporting members that are disposed at prescribed intervals in a conveying direction of the web and that support a surface of the web that is being conveyed; a foil extending member stretched between the foil supporting members, which pulls an end of the web downstream in the conveying direction of the web such that the web extends from a starting point to an end point of the web conveying path that is formed by the foil supporting members; and a moving mechanism that moves the foil extending member from the starting point to the end point of the web conveying path.

Abstract: An insert sheet loading device (10) comprising a movable carriage (12; 12?) for inserting insert sheets into a receiving area (2) of a blank-receiving station (500). The movable carriage (12; 12?) has a plurality of longitudinal bars (27a, 27b). At least one longitudinal bar (27a) has a suction channel (35) leading out, via at least one suction opening (30), onto the surface of the longitudinal bar (27a) for receiving an insert sheet, the suction channel (35) is connected to a vacuum source (31) for holding, by suction, the insert sheet transported by the movable carriage (12; 12?). Also a blank-receiving station, a sheet-shaped element processing machine, and a method for transporting an insert sheet in a receiving area of a blank-receiving station are disclosed.

Abstract: It is desirable to improve alignment of sheets discharged to a stack tray without increasing the size and cost of the apparatus. A stacking portion which is sloped so that a downstream side is higher than an upstream side in a sheet conveyance direction and on which a sheet discharged by a discharging portion is stacked and a plurality of rotation members which protrudes from an upper face of the stacking portion are provided. At least one of the plurality of rotation members rotates only in a direction opposite to the sheet conveyance direction.

Abstract: Dispensers, systems and methods dispense strips of a first adhesive tape which have adhesive on both sides and on one side is covered with a liner. A first storage unit from which the first adhesive tape is drawn off is provided, and a second storage unit from which a second adhesive tape is drawn off is provided. A connection installation by means of which the first adhesive tape and the second adhesive tape are interconnected so as to form a two-ply adhesive tape is provided, and an application installation by means of which the two-ply adhesive tape as a composite is capable of being applied to a substrate is provided.

Abstract: A film transfer tool has a case main body, a supply bobbin drive shaft driving a supply bobbin holding an unused transfer tape therearound, a take-up bobbin drive shaft driving a take-up bobbin taking up a used portion of the transfer tape therearound, a rotational coupling mechanism coupling the supply bobbin drive shaft and the take-up bobbin drive shaft together rotationally, and a reverse rotation preventive mechanism preventing a reverse rotation of the rotational coupling mechanism. The reverse rotation preventive mechanism has a rolling gear coupled to a rotational system made up of the supply bobbin drive shaft, the take-up bobbin drive shaft and the rotational coupling mechanism, moving gears moving over a predetermined range around the rolling gear and meshing with the rolling gear, and locking projections disposed to confront a reverse rotating direction of the rolling gear to lock the moving gears.

Abstract: To provide a transfer tap that can increase an effective application area while preventing an occurrence of a stringing phenomenon, there is provided a transfer tape having a film-like base material and a transferable layer provided on one surface of the base material and configured to be transferred to a transfer intended surface by being pressed against from the other surface of the base material, wherein the transferable layer includes a plurality of transfer columns of a self-adhesive or an adhesive that are provided to extend in a transfer direction and wherein the transferable columns each have a plurality of block portions and a plurality of bridge portions configured to connect the block portions together and having a width dimension that is smaller than a width dimension of the block portions.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a conveying portion conveying sheets; a stack portion staking the sheets; a first regulating portion regulating a position of a sheet bundle on the stack portion in a crossing direction; a second regulating portion regulating a position of a sheet bundle in the conveying direction; a first binding device moving in the crossing direction so that the first binding device moves between first and second sides of the sheet processing apparatus and to bind an upstream end portion of a sheet bundle by a staple at a plurality of positions in the crossing direction; a second binding device binding an upstream end portion of a sheet bundle, where the second regulating portion has contacted without a staple; and a controller causing, in a case that the first binding device binds a sheet bundle, the second binding device to be positioned outside the sheet bundle.

Abstract: A sheet post-processing apparatus is described. The sheet post-processing apparatus includes a pair of folding rollers, a blade and a controller. The blade can fold a sheet in half by pushing the sheet into a nip part between the pair of folding rollers. The controller sets a front end edge of the blade below a target position where the sheet is folded in half.

Abstract: A method for transporting fuel to a geographic specific location and retrieving empty fuel hose by connecting a fuel hose to a vessel, deploying the fuel hose from the moveable container associated with the tugger while transporting the moveable container and tugger to a temporary fuel terminal with a manifold, connecting the fuel hose to the manifold, charging the fuel hose with fuel from the vessel, and retrieving the fuel hose by passing the fuel hose over a lead roller mounted to the frame in the first segment to a second segment. The fuel hose is aligned in the tugger for high speed retrieval without entanglement for storage in a moveable container.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for stretching wireline cables are provided. Tension is applied to a wireline within an engagement zone, either while the wireline is static or moving. The tension may be stabilized using a capstan. The wireline may be heated, coated, cleaned, stabilized, bent, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (1400) for operating a Spool Mechanism (“SM”). The methods comprise: transitioning an operational mode of SM from a first operational mode in which a drag torque is not settable to a second operational mode in which the drag torque is settable; selectively mechanically coupling a rewind motor to a spool (612) of SM by engaging a coupler (1014) in response to the SM's transition into the second operational mode; activating the rewind motor (610) such that the rewind motor applies a motor torque having a pre-defined value selected for facilitating a setting of the drag torque to an optimal value; mechanically gradually adjusting an amount of drag resistance applied to the spool by a drag mechanism (1012); and discontinuing the mechanical adjustment of the drag resistance when the spool's speed is within a threshold percentage range of a zero resistance speed.

Abstract: An elevator system for supporting tubulars having one or more elevator links with internal passages disposed through the elevator links to provide communication to and from the elevator.

Abstract: A condition monitoring system for performing a transformation of mixed elevator data is provided. The condition monitoring system includes a computer sub-system. The computer sub-system includes a memory storing transformation software and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor executes the transformation software to cause the condition monitoring system to acquire quantitative and qualitative information and transform the quantitative and qualitative information to produce transformed information. The processor executes the transformation software to further cause the condition monitoring system to execute analytics on the transformed information and generate predictions based on the analytics of the transformed information.