Abstract: A removeable band for confining a stack of cutlery pieces. The band can include a body having a first surface and a second surface that oppose one another, the body being an elongated strip of fiber-based material. A coating can be disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the body, and an adhesive section can be disposed on at least a portion of the coating. The adhesive section can be configured to adhere to the second surface of the body when a first end and a second end of the body at least partially overlap to form a continuous band.

Abstract: A removeable band for confining a stack of cutlery pieces. The band can include a body having a first end and a second end. The body being an elongated strip of fiber-based material. A window can be formed through the body, and an adhesive can be disposed at least partially over the window. The adhesive can be configured to adhere a portion of the first end of the body to a portion of the second end of the body when the ends of the body overlap to form a continuous band.

Abstract: The application discloses a packaging structure, which includes an upper cover and a lower cover. The upper cover includes a first base plate, a first packaging part, and a second packaging part. The first base plate is divided into a first portion and a second portion by a first folding part. The first packaging part is disposed on the first portion, and has a plurality of first separation troughs. The second packaging part is disposed on the second portion, and has a plurality of second separation troughs. The first separation troughs can be respectively in communication with the second separation troughs to form a plurality of first accommodating slots. First ends of a plurality of objects can be respectively accommodated in the first accommodating slots, and second ends of the objects can be respectively accommodated in a plurality of second accommodating slots of the lower cover.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a flexible pouch. In an embodiment, the flexible pouch includes opposing flexible films. The flexible films define a common peripheral edge. A microcapillary strip is sealed between the opposing flexible films. A first side of the microcapillary strip is located at a first side of the common peripheral edge and a second side of the microcapillary strip located at a second side of the common peripheral edge. A peripheral seal extends along at least a portion of the common peripheral edge. The peripheral seal comprises a sealed microcapillary segment. The peripheral seal forms a closed flexible pouch having a storage compartment. A liquid is present in the storage compartment.

Abstract: A spout for a pouch that includes a rigid spout body and a soft cover externally coating a tube of the spout body is provided. The tube is threaded internally. A cap includes a tang with an external thread for screwing onto the spout.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in one embodiment, relates to a packaging assembly for holding liquids, viscous material, or particulate material. The packaging assembly includes a carton having side and bottom walls and an open top. A self-supporting plastic liner fits inside of the carton and is for containing liquids, viscous material, or particulate material. The liner has a side wall, a closed bottom end, and an open top end having an outwardly-projecting rim. The rim has a radially-extending flange portion, and a dependent skirt portion. When the self-supporting plastic liner is inside of the carton, the dependent skirt portion of the rim hangs over the side walls of the carton. A lidding material is removeably affixed to the rim of the plastic liner. A carton lid closes off the open top of the carton.

Abstract: A plastic, hot-fillable container is provided. The container comprises a blow molded body including a neck and a base having a center portion and a plurality of spaced apart radial segments. At least a portion of each segment is tapered from an outer side to an inner side thereof. Container systems and methods of manufacturing containers are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for stably maintaining the shape of a fragile object in a liquid includes a container for accommodating the fragile object, a lid member for sealing the container, and a protecting member. The device is configured to form a liquid-tight space by covering a liquid surface in the container which accommodates the fragile object and the liquid with the protecting member and further covering the protecting member and an open portion of the container with the lid member.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus includes: an inner box of which upper side is open and capable of storing a first object; an outer box capable of storing a second object and the inner box disposed on the second object, and having a pair of inner flaps and a pair of outer flaps; a protective portion formed in the inner box to protect the first object, the protective portion being disposed between the first object and a portion that is included in a facing portion of the pair of outer flaps and that does not overlap with the pair of inner flaps in a state where the pair of inner flaps and the pair of outer flaps are closed; and a pressing portion formed in at least any one of the inner box and the outer box to press the first object toward a bottom surface of the inner box.

Abstract: Disclosed is an heterogeneous contents mixing vessel including: a first vessel formed therein with a content storage space and a discharge device accommodation space that are separately defined; a second vessel coupled below the first vessel; first and second discharge devices configured to discharge contents stored in the first vessel and contents stored in the second vessel, respectively; and a push button configured to simultaneously actuate the first and second discharge devices and formed therein with first and second discharge passages connected to the first and second discharge devices, respectively, and first and second discharge ports, wherein a connection grooves is formed in the first vessel and an inlet portion is formed in the second vessel so as to be coupled to each other, so that a separated second discharge device is connected through a connection member.

Abstract: A self-heating or self-cooling towel is disclosed that includes a moistened cloth material surrounding and attached to a flexible reaction vessel which comprises two compartments containing reactants which are separated by a frangible seal. Manipulating the disclosed towel ruptures the frangible seal, joining the compartments and mixing the reactants, and causing an exothermic or endothermic reaction. The reaction heats or cools the moistened cloth-like outer material and keeps it at an elevated or depressed temperature for a period of time, during which the towel article may be used for various personal care, cleaning, medical, therapeutic, and other purposes.

Abstract: Liquid mixing apparatus includes a housing having an open lower end and a pour opening normally sealed with a closure. A bottom assembly extending across the open end of the housing and sealingly engaged in the open end for relative rotation between the housing and the bottom assembly. The bottom assembly forms a liquid sealed cavity with the housing and further includes apparatus for removably attaching the bottom assembly to a liquid container. A mixing opening defined in the horizontal wall with a flapper valve pivotally mounted therein for pivotal movement between a closed orientation and an open orientation. A stop bar attached at a lower surface to the upper surface of the horizontal wall and extending across a mid-portion of the mixing opening. An activating bar affixed to the housing for rotation with the housing.

Abstract: A microwave heating sheet includes a substrate and a heating layer disposed on a first surface of the substrate. The heating layer includes a polar solvent that has a boiling point of not less than 100° C. and a polyelectrolyte that is dissolved in the polar solvent.

Abstract: A thermal insulation article for placement in a shipping container to hold an item includes a thermally insulating pad shaped to be positioned in a cavity of a rectangular prism shipping container to be adjacent to and cover one or more of a floor, four side walls and cover of the container while leaving an interior space to receive the item. The thermally insulating pad includes a compostable panel that holds together as a single unit and is formed primarily of starch, the panel providing a rectangular plate dimensioned to substantially span whichever of the floor, plurality of side walls or cover that the rectangular plate is adjacent, and a compostable or recyclable water-proof polymer film forming a pocket and surrounding the panel with the panel slidable within the pocket.

Abstract: Thermally insulated shipping system for use in transporting a pallet-sized payload. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of thermally insulating walls arranged to define an interior volume suitable for receiving a pallet-sized payload. The thermally insulating walls include a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, a left wall, and a right wall, of which all but the bottom wall include at least two slots facing towards the interior volume. One of the slots is an inner slot that is more proximal to the interior volume, and one of the slots is an outer slot that is more distal to the interior volume. The system also includes a plurality of inner cassettes disposed in at least some of the inner slots and a plurality of outer cassettes disposed in at least some of the outer slots. The inner and outer cassettes include phase-change materials.

Abstract: An article dispensing apparatus includes a carousel and an upper casing with a dispensing face including a dispensing orifice through which the articles are dispensed. The carousel includes plural holding sections for holding the articles to be dispensed and is rotationally movable. A controller controls application of a force to cause the carousel to rotate relative to the dispensing face when an instruction to dispense an article is received. When the carousel is moved so that one of its holding sections having an article therein is aligned with the dispensing orifice, the article is allowed to be dispensed therethrough. A locking mechanism selectively engages the carousel to prevent any relative movement of the carousel when the article dispensing unit is not mounted on the main housing and disengages from the carousel to allow intended relative movement when the article dispensing unit is mounted on the main housing.

Abstract: A device for providing a disposable liner or bag and valve inside of a keg. An example device includes a valve assembly connected to a spear assembly. The disposable liner or bag is wrapped around the spear assembly to fit through a top opening in the keg and the valve assembly is connected to the top opening of the keg. A series of valves and passages enable an inert gas to flow into and expand or inflate the disposable liner or bag inside of the keg, and the valve then enables filling the disposable liner or bag inside of the keg with beer or other liquid to be dispensed from the keg. When the keg is empty, the spear assembly may be disconnected and withdrawn, thus removing both the disposable liner or bag and disposable valve assembly from the keg.

Abstract: A container includes an outer box, and a polygonal liner located within the outer box. The polygonal liner has a plurality of vertical walls. A continuous length of wire is located within the polygonal liner and forms a plurality of layers. Each of the layers is comprised of a series of wire loops arrayed polygonally along the vertical walls of the polygonal liner.

Abstract: A method of providing packaged food items on display in a retail store includes preparing a plurality of food body portions of respective food items and loading each of the food items into respective cavities of a container. The container has a lid with at least one protrusion extending downward from a planar upper surface of the lid. After decorating each of the food body portions of the food items with a decoration portion on an upper surface of the food body portion, the lid is closed thereby moving a first retainer of the protrusion to overlie a first marginal portion adjacent the decoration portion of a first upper surface of a first food item and moving a second retainer of the protrusion to overlie a second marginal portion adjacent the decoration portion of a second upper surface of a second food item.

Abstract: A capsule for preparing infusion beverages, includes a containing body and a cover forming an inner chamber for containing an infusion product. An end wall of the containing body includes a deformation section and a central section arranged inside the deformation section such that the capsule can be moved between a closed position, in which the central section is remote from the inner chamber, and an open position, in which the central section is close to the inner chamber. The capsule further includes a sheet-like closing layer arranged adjacent to the end wall for closing the inner chamber and an inner wall adjacent to the sheet-like closing layer. Also perforation members are provided such that when the capsule is in the open position, the sheet-like closing layer is perforated by the perforation members against the end wall or the inner wall.

Abstract: A cargo securement system for securing cargo in a container includes a number of upper and lower braces. The upper braces abut a ceiling of the container and the lower braces abut a floor of the container. The lower braces have a module engagement rail sized to slide within a rail guide of a module to guide the module to stowed position within the container and prevent movement of the module along a horizontal and a vertical axis. Bracing rods provide a compressive force to the upper and lower braces to provide a pressure fit that secures the braces and corresponding modules in place.

Abstract: A cargo securement system for securing cargo in a container includes a number of extendable upper and extendable lower braces. The extendable upper braces mount to an upper portion of the framework of a module and extend to engage the container. The extendable lower braces extend from the floor system of the module and engage the walls of the container to apply a force that secures the module in place.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for securing wheeled shipping carts within a shipping container. The apparatus, system and method for securing wheeled shipping carts within a shipping container secures the shipping racks across the width of the container and vertically, and then end-to-end inside the length of the container from the fixed end of the container to the doors as the container is loaded. In addition, the system and method secures wheeled shipping carts within a shipping container using a securing apparatus installed within the shipping container to constrain the wheeled shipping carts both vertically and horizontally in location during transport.

Abstract: A modular facility formation system includes any number of modules that may be coupled to one another to create a facility. Walls of the facility may be provided by one or more removeable walls, the walls of a shipping container, or a combination thereof. When installed within a shipping container, upper and lower braces are pressure fit into the shipping container without penetrating the container. The lower braces are configured to engage guidance mechanisms of the modules to guide the modules into a stowage position within the shipping container and to secure the modules in place. The modules may be configured with a pre-determined internal configuration corresponding to a defined function of the room within the facility.

Abstract: The present technology relates to an air reservoir for an enclosure where, upon submersion in water, the pressure differential between the water and the enclosure displaces air from the air reservoir into the enclosure to reduce the pressure differential.

Abstract: Various embodiments of receptacle assemblies, such as trash cans, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the receptacle assembly includes a body portion with an interior space. The receptacle assembly can include a lid portion configured to move between an open position and a closed position. The receptacle assembly can include a pedal portion operably connected with the lid such that moving the pedal portion moves the lid portion between the open position and the closed position. The receptacle assembly can include a motion damper configured to dampen motion of the lid portion. The motion damper can be positioned near a front of the body portion and/or above a front portion of the pedal portion.

Abstract: A storage system and a load handling device for lifting and moving containers stacked in the storage system are described. The storage system includes a plurality of rails or tracks arranged in a grid pattern above the stacks of containers. The grid pattern can include a plurality of grid spaces and each stack is located within a footprint of only a single grid space. The load handling device is configured to move laterally on the rails or tracks above the stacks. The load-handling device includes a container-receiving space located above the rails or tracks in use and a lifting device arranged to lift a container from a stack into the container-receiving space. The load handling device has a footprint that, in use, occupies only a single grid space in the storage system.

Abstract: An autonomous transport vehicle including a transfer arm including at least one finger and a movable finger support member, at least one sensor configured to detect movement of the at least one finger, the at least one sensor having a registration member and a detection member where one of the registration member and detection member is mounted to each of the at least one finger so as to be movable with a respective one of the at least one finger and the other one of the registration member and detection member is stationary relative to the at least one finger, and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor, the controller being configured to determine a position of the at least one finger along the second direction based on a proximity of the registration member relative to the detection member.

Abstract: The invention refers to a picking device, in particular a storage lift, comprising at least one removal point for storage products and/or storage products carriers. In order to increase the efficiency of the operation of a picking device, it is provided according to the invention that the picking device is connected to at least one remaining time calculating device with which the remaining time until the arrival of a storage product and/or storage product carrier transported in the picking device at the at least one removal point can be calculated, wherein the picking device has at least one display device on which an image that represents the remaining time can be displayed.

Abstract: A container-handling vehicle for picking up storage containers from a three-dimensional grid of an underlying storage system includes a first set of wheels arranged at opposite sides of a vehicle body, for moving the vehicle along a first direction on the grid; a second set of wheels arranged at opposite sides of the vehicle body, for moving the vehicle along a second direction on the grid, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction; and the first set of wheels displaceable in a vertical direction between a first position, wherein the first set of wheels allow movement of the vehicle along the first direction, and a second position, wherein the second set of wheels allow movement of the vehicle along the second direction.

Abstract: An autonomous rover including a frame having a first end and a second end longitudinally spaced from the first end and forming a payload bay, the payload bay being sized to support a pickface, a common active registration surface configured to engage the pickface, and a drive section connected to the common active registration surface, the drive section being configured to variably position the common active registration surface relative to at least one storage shelf of an automated storage and retrieval system to effect placement of the pickface on the storage shelf so that pickfaces are substantially continuously arranged along the at least one storage shelf with a predetermined storage spacing between the pickfaces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing and retrieving products is provided. An apparatus may include: a plurality of shelf units. Each shelf unit extends longitudinally between a first end and a second end. The first end may be configured to receive articles, and the second end may be configured to present articles for retrieval in a retrieval position. Each of the plurality of shelf units is arranged with a respective second end facing a retrieval area. Each of the plurality of shelf units is inclined with the first end being lower than the second end. The apparatus may also include a retrieval device comprising an end-of-arm tool. The retrieval device is disposed within the retrieval area and configured to attach the end-of-arm tool to an article in a retrieval position of each of the plurality of shelf units.

Abstract: Example aspects of a fenestration-lowering device and a method for using a fenestration-lowering device are disclosed. The fenestration-lowering device can include a frame; a support platform configured to move relative to the frame; and a hydraulic lowering mechanism configured to move the support platform. The method for using the fenestration-lowering device can include providing a hydraulic lowering mechanism for moving a support platform of the fenestration-lowering device from a raised orientation to a lowered orientation; setting a fenestration product on the support platform in the raised orientation; activating the hydraulic lowering mechanism to move the support platform from the raised orientation to the lowered orientation; and removing the fenestration product from the support platform.

Abstract: A gravity type debris chute formed by hanging a plurality of corner panels on corners of a structure having horizontal elements, a plurality of side panels and a door panel on the structure with horizontal structural elements so as to form a passage for debris to pass through, wherein each of the said corner panels is folded in the middle so as to form two symmetrical sides, the top of each of said corner panels folded to form a lip or a u fold so as to hang from a structural member, each of said side panels folded at the top to form a u fold or a lip capable of hanging from a horizontal structural member.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the single-track or multi-track conveying of objects along a conveying path extending in a conveying direction, wherein the conveying path for at least one track comprises at least one conveying device that takes over objects at the input side from a functional unit connected upstream and that transfers objects at the output side to a functional unit connected downstream; and wherein the conveying device as a whole and/or in an output-side end region is adjustable transversely to the conveying direction by means of an adjustment device such that the transverse position of objects to be transferred is changed within the respective track.

Abstract: Support station for supporting a conveyor belt of a belt conveyor system, with several support rollers rotatably held on a support frame, and an anti-trap guard with several anti-trap guard sections, wherein in each case an anti-trap guard section is arranged adjacent to a support roller and at a distance from the conveyor belt, wherein each anti-trap guard section is held on a support, wherein in each case a flexible intermediate section is arranged between ends of two adjacent anti-trap guard sections and connects these flexibly with each other, wherein at least one of the supports is adjustable and thereby the distance of the anti-trap guard section that is held on it from the conveyor belt and a distance of at least one intermediate section from the conveyor belt can be set, as well as a method for adjustment.

Abstract: The present invention includes conveying and sorting systems utilizing a plurality of continuous rails which support a plurality of sliding pucks that are urged forward using a plurality of sprocket wheels, and which utilize magnetically operated activation components for causing produce to be selectively dropped from cups carried by the pucks into sorting bins. The structures for the conveying and actuating components of the systems have smooth external surfaces reducing potential contamination by bacteria, contaminants and debris, thereby making them easily accessible for cleaning, and allowing for longer continuous operation times and higher efficiency.

Abstract: Various example embodiments described herein relate to an item conveying apparatus. The item conveying apparatus can include a lift device suspended from a ceiling. Further, the item conveying apparatus can include a conveyor. The conveyor can be at least partially engaged with the lift device. The lift device can cause manipulation of a position of the conveyor. Further, the conveyor can include a conveyor frame and multiple conveyor segments. The multiple conveyor segments can define a conveying surface for conveying an item. In this aspect, in an example, at least one conveyor segment can be adapted to (a) extend outwards from the conveyor frame to move the conveyor into an operational position and (b) retract, inwards within the conveyor frame to move the conveyor into a parking position.

Abstract: Can conveyors using various stator coil configurations to spread, gap, align, lane, reject, singulate, and rotate aluminum cans as they are propelled along the length of the conveyor. The electrically conductive cans acting as rotors form linear-induction motors (LIMs) with the stators to move the cans.

Abstract: A modular transfer system with a primary flow system and a diverter system. The primary flow system includes a primary flow belt for conveying an article along a primary flow path from an infeed side of the modular transfer system to a pass-through side of the modular transfer system. The diverter system includes one or more diverter belts for diverting an article from the primary flow path towards a divert side of the modular transfer system. The primary flow belt includes multiple movable components contacting the diverter belt. The movable components can have one or more rotational degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A compact collator for sorting and collating product containers includes a laner, a pattern conveyor, a cross-pusher assembly and a plurality of interchangeable inserts. The laner has a first movable conveyor for conveying product containers through the laner, and defines an infeed area. The pattern conveyor has a second movable conveyor positioned down-stream from the infeed area and off-set 90 degrees from the first moveable conveyor. The cross-pusher assembly includes a cross-pusher arm that the interchangeable inserts are configured to be engaged to. Each insert defines a unique face contour that corresponds to the profile shape of at least one type of product container.

Abstract: A receiving element for receiving and transporting a component includes: a main body. A recess in the form of an indentation into which the component is insertable is formed in the main body. In an embodiment, the recess has a shape which is adapted to a contour of the component.

Abstract: A system for transporting containers using heavy goods vehicles having a separate operating region in which the heavy goods vehicles can be operated includes at least one first lane for at least one external heavy goods vehicle, and at least one second lane for at least one internal heavy goods vehicle are reserved in the separate operating region. The heavy goods vehicles can be operated together in a mixed traffic situation, and the first and second lanes are each guided through a transition region of a handling unit of a storage region and each arranged laterally in relation tothe storage region.

Abstract: The offshore jack-up has a hull and a plurality of moveable legs engageable with the seafloor. The offshore jack-up is arranged to move the legs with respect to the hull to position the hull out of the water. The method comprises moving at least a portion of a vessel underneath the hull of the offshore jack-up or within a cut-out of the hull when the hull is positioned out of the water and the legs engage the seafloor. A stabilizing mechanism mounted on the jack-up is engaged against the vessel. The stabilizing mechanism is pushed down on the vessel to increase the buoyant force acting on the vessel.

Abstract: A scanner is configured to include a rotating body at a bottom portion of an apparatus main body and to be switchable between a movable state in which the rotating body contacts an installation surface on which the apparatus main body is installed and the rotation of the rotating body enables the movement of the apparatus main body on the installation surface and an installation state in which a contact area of the bottom portion of the apparatus main body with respect to the installation surface is larger than the movable state and the apparatus main body is installed and used on the installation surface.

Abstract: A material supply device includes a supply section that supplies a small piece made of a material containing a fiber, a weight measurement section that detects a weight of the small piece supplied from the supply section to a receiving portion, and a supply amount adjustment section that adjusts a supply amount per unit time of the small piece supplied by the supply section, based on a detection result detected by the weight measurement section. The supply section has a storage portion that stores the small piece, an outlet that discharges the small piece from the storage portion, and a shutter that opens and closes the outlet.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes an auxiliary tray, a sheet feeding tray, a roller, a driving mechanism, and a pickup roller. The sheet feeding tray is adjacent to the auxiliary tray on a lateral side of the auxiliary tray. The roller is configured to move in a thickness direction of a sheet bundle placed on the auxiliary tray to contact an end of the sheet bundle facing the sheet feeding tray. The driving mechanism is configured to laterally move the auxiliary tray to be on top of the sheet feeding tray when the sheet bundle placed on the auxiliary tray is transferred to the sheet feeding tray. The pickup roller is configured to pick up a sheet one by one from the sheet bundle transferred to the sheet feeding tray.

Abstract: A sheet feed device includes a housing, a tray, a feed roller, an arm, a pad, and a protruding portion. The housing has a sheet conveyance path. The tray includes a bottom plate having a sheet support surface that supports a sheet. The sheet conveyance path extends upward from the sheet support surface. The feed roller rotates about a rotational axis and feeds the sheet supported on the sheet support surface in a first direction. The arm rotatably supports the feed roller. The arm swingably moves about an axis parallel to the rotational axis of the feed roller. The pad is disposed on the bottom plate. The pad has a higher friction coefficient than a friction coefficient of the sheet support surface. The protruding portion protrudes upward from the sheet support surface at a position shifted from the pad in a second direction opposite from the first direction.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus, including a feed tray, a conveyance guide, a feed roller, a separator, a reading sensor, and a controller, is provided. The feed tray supports sheets for being fed and has a movable plate movable between a standby position and a feedable position. The feed roller is movable and feeds the sheets to be conveyed along the conveyance guide. A positional relation between the feed roller and an uppermost sheet in the sheets is maintained within a predetermined range by the movable plate located at the feedable position. The controller controls at least rotating-and-stopping movements of the feed roller and the separator and ascending-and-descending movements of the movable plate. While the feed roller feeds the sheets, the controller conducts a vibrating action, in which the movable plate located at the feedable position is moved to ascend and descend for a plurality of times.

Abstract: A medium supply apparatus includes: a placement mount on which a plurality of media are placed; a transportation mechanism that transports an uppermost medium of the plurality of media placed on the placement mount; and an aspiration mechanism that aspirates air to attract the uppermost medium to the transportation mechanism, wherein the aspiration mechanism includes a blocking means for blocking air aspiration performed by the aspiration mechanism, in such a manner as to prevent another medium of the plurality of media that is located below the uppermost medium from being attracted to the transportation mechanism.