Abstract: A system for managing propellant and pressurant for in-space propulsion of a spacecraft is provided. The system includes a conformal fuel tank having an ullage operatively connected for pressurization and a propellant management device (PMD) to wick propellant to a liquid port of the conformal fuel tank. The system further includes a pneumatic circuit including a tank pressurant vent valve for adjustment of operating pressure prior to refueling operations; a vent to release excess pressurant; a pressurant metering vent valve to provide control and safety relief for the pressurant; a check valve to prevent backflow; a pressurant cat bed for decomposing propellant into pressurant; a repressurizing valve to release pressurant once cooled; a burst disk to provide overpressure safety relief; a series of propellant extraction valves to intake a predetermined quantity of propellant for decomposition; and a pressure regulator that delivers proper pressure to a series of thrusters.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to techniques for transitioning a spacecraft from a power-saving state to a power-consuming state at a time after launch of the spacecraft on a launch vehicle. Because the spacecraft can detect conditions for transitioning to the power-consuming state, commands received via an umbilical connection to the launch vehicle, or detecting the presence or absence of such a connection, is unnecessary, thereby removing several technical barriers to eliminating such umbilical connections altogether.

Abstract: A system and a method for providing service on a golf course using a fuel cell drone using a hydrogen fuel cell as a power source to provide various services while preventing a rounding delay of golfers are provided. A fuel cell drone of a system for providing service on a golf course may include a hydrogen fuel tank in which hydrogen is charged, a power pack configured to generate power to drive the fuel cell drone using the hydrogen in the hydrogen fuel tank, and a controller configured to move the fuel cell drone to a docking station or a gas supply place in response to determining that an amount of hydrogen remaining in the hydrogen fuel tank is below a set value.

Abstract: A position correcting mechanism sandwiches, from both sides, a horizontal leg portion of a flying vehicle that has landed on a takeoff/landing surface of a stage, and moves the flying vehicle on the takeoff/landing surface to a position along a centerline. A grip mechanism grips a supporting leg portion of the flying vehicle. The flying vehicle is moved toward a securing device provided at an edge part of the stage, and an end portion of the horizontal leg portion is inserted into an insertion hole of an insertion part. The flying vehicle is thereby secured on the takeoff/landing surface.

Abstract: A banding machine applies bands about objects for packaging, decorative, or other purposes. An object is banded with tape by: grasping a starting end of a tape extending from a tape roll between a first roller and a brake, with the first roller being situated adjacent the object alongside a second roller; orbiting the object with tape roll to apply the tape to the circumference of the object; during the orbit, pressing the starting end of the tape against the object with a wiper, and releasing the tape starting end from the brake; upon the tape's orbital approach of the tape starting end, receiving the tape over the first and second rollers; extending a knife between the first and second rollers to cut the tape, thereby defining a finishing end of the tape extending about the object; and pressing the finishing end of the tape against the object with a wiper.

Abstract: A system is configured to automatically band a product with a portion of twist tie material and includes a tying machine which includes a twisting barrel, a tie payout assembly, a tie feeding assembly, a main drive belt, and a tying ring. The tie payout assembly includes a spool shaft configured for mounting a tie spool of the twist tie material. The tie feeding assembly is configured to receive the twist tie material from the tie payout assembly and includes a feedroller, a nip roller, a forward feedroll clutch, a reverse feedroll clutch, and a feedroll belt. The nip roller is configured to contact the feedroller with the twist tie material therebetween. The forward feedroll clutch is engageable with a forward feedroll pulley that surrounds a forward feedroll shaft. The reverse feedroll clutch is engageable with a reverse feedroll pulley that surrounds a reverse feedroll shaft.

Abstract: A support shaft capable of supporting a wound body with a long sheet wound therearound includes a first projection located at a proximal end of an outer peripheral part, and a second projection located at a distal end of the outer peripheral part. A core body of the wound body includes a one-end-side first recess part located at one end of an inner peripheral part, an other-end-side firsts recess part located at an other end of the inner peripheral part, and a second recess part located to extend from the one end to the other end. In a state where the core body is mounted on an outer periphery of the support shaft, the first projection engages the one-end-side first recess part or the other-end-side first recess part.

Abstract: A foldable container and method of storing adhesive in which a single strip of adhesive material is attached to a single release liner featured on a side surface or a flap of the foldable container. The strips of adhesive material can be peeled off a surface of the container and applied to and used to seal the top and bottom surfaces of the container as needed. The container features one or more release liner(s) each with a single strip of adhesive material attached only to the release liner and not a surface of the container itself.

Abstract: A cutting unit configured to make segments of consecutive articles from a continuous chain of articles, where the segments of consecutive articles have a desired number of articles in each segment of articles.

Abstract: A method for forming sealed packages filled with a pourable product comprises at least the steps of forming a tube from a web of packaging material, filling the pourable product into the tube for forming a product column within the tube and directing, during the step of forming and the step of filling, a sterile gas into the product column for forming and/or maintaining a gas cushion within the product column.

Abstract: This disclosure provides new closure and finish structures suited for small and light-weight carbonated beverage packaging that provide surprisingly improved carbonation retention and greater shelf life, while still achieving light weight. This closure and finish presented herein are particularly suited to small PET containers for carbonated beverages, for example less than or about 400 mL and provide good carbonation retention and shelf life.

Abstract: Described is a pallet box assembly for receiving and transporting heavy and/or high temperature objects. The pallet box assembly includes a tub and frame configured for receiving the tub. The tub has a bottom plate comprising two lateral side portions and at least one upwardly arc-shaped portion therebetween. Each of the two side portions further has a bent section, the bent section forming a longitudinally extending corner portion of the tub, and a substantially vertical section connecting to the bent section, the substantially vertical section reaching upwards from the bent section to align and connect to the respective side plate, wherein the substantially vertical section and the respective side plates further includes a longitudinally extending connection area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transport container (1) having an interior (4) which is delimited by a container base (2) comprising guide receptacles and by a container cover (3) which is opposite the container base (2) and from which there project guide bodies (6) on the cover outer side (5) opposite the interior.

Abstract: Contact lens packages are provided and each includes a base member having a cavity and a sealing member coupled to the base member. An unworn contact lens is provided in a packaging solution within the sealed cavity. The base member is a thermoplastic or other recyclable material. The base member includes at least one connecting member that can be an interlocking feature and/or a stackable feature. The connecting member is configured to connect to the connecting member of another base member, after the contact lenses are removed from the cavities. A recyclable thermoplastic contact lens assembly is also provided that includes empty contact lens package base members stacked and connected together. A method of manufacturing contact lens packages and a method to recycle used contact lens package base members, such as by curbside recycling, are also provided.

Abstract: A hinge is disclosed herein. Exemplary methods and systems for incorporating a hinge into a container to facilitate retention of the container in a given state are provided. A container having a hinge are described herein, wherein the hinge may include a first portion, a second portion, and a retention interface.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a container includes a cover placed on the container. Shrinkable material that is placed on the container where the shrinkable material is shrunk around the container and the cover. The shrinkable material includes a tamper indicator. A cap is placed over the shrinkable material where the cap covers the shrinkable material such that the shrinkable material is not shown below the cap.

Abstract: A cooler assembly includes a cooler body and a plurality of turreted article-storage legs. The cooler body has integrally formed insulated side walls and an insulated bottom. The side walls and bottom cooperate to define an insulated interior compartment of the cooler assembly. The turreted article-storage legs are located adjacent the side walls of the cooler body and reside outside of the interior compartment. Each turreted article-storage leg has a hollow interior and an open top for receiving an article to be stored within the hollow interior.

Abstract: A threadless container stopper cover comprises an outer cover body, an inner cover body and a sealing sleeve sleeved on an outer wall of the inner cover body, where the outer cover body and the inner cover body are fixedly connected, and a first gap for accommodating a container mouth portion is formed between the sealing sleeve and the outer cover body. Limiting members are arranged inside the linkage body, and the outer cover body is provided with control members capable of locking or releasing the limiting members.

Abstract: A lid for a container. The lid can comprise a central wall and a dispensing feature comprising a dispenser flap foldably connected to the central wall, a projection extending from the dispenser flap, and a ledge. The dispenser flap can be movable to a dispensing position in which the dispenser flap is spaced from the ledge to at least partially form a dispensing opening. The projection can be in locking engagement with the ledge when the dispenser flap is in the dispensing position.

Abstract: A packaging container is provided. The packaging container includes a body defining a volume. The body including a neck extending from an opening of the body. The neck including a proximal surface and a circumferential projection defining at least one gap. The neck further including at least one axial support disposed in the gap. A closure is engageable with the proximal surface, and a sleeve is conformable to an outer surface of the closure and the neck. In some embodiments, container systems and methods of manufacturing containers are disclosed.

Abstract: A container with a terracotta lid includes a container having a attached to the container and movable between an open position allowing access to the container interior space and a closed position enclosing the container interior space, with a lid opening arranged to allow air to travel from the container interior space through the lid opening when the lid is in the closed position. An access panel allows access to the container interior space through the lid opening. A moisture-retaining insert such as a terracotta material is removably retained between the lid and the access panel when the access panel is in the closed position.

Abstract: An engaging structure for a container and its cover has a containing body and a corresponding covering member. The upper opening of the containing body has an outer lip edge, the opposing positions of the outer lip edge is provided with at least two the engaging portions. The outer edge of the engaging portion has with a movable buckle, the outer periphery of the covering member is provided with a covering lip covering the outer lip edge of the containing body, and the opposing positions of the periphery of the covering lip has at least two the locking portions corresponding to the engaging portion of the containing body. A locking protrusion is disposed on the locking portion, locking portion of the covering member is corresponding to each engaging portion of the containing body. By flipping the movable buckle, each the engaging curve can be fastened tightly to each locking protrusions.

Abstract: Plastic corrugated reusable boxes are provided. Two opposite side panels 12 erected from a blank over fold lines 18 at bottom panel edges; said side panel 12 having flaps 20 attached on either side folded inward and interlocked with flaps 22 folded inward from the opposite side. Narrow flaps 32 attached to top edges of said side panels 12 folded inward and flat. The rest two opposite side panels 14 erected over fold lines at rest bottom panel edges; top flaps 30 attached to the rest two side panels 14 folded inward covering the top surface. Interlocked flaps 20 and 22 are standing underneath top flaps 30 and alongside two opposite side panels 14. Lock tabs 40 attached to top flaps 20 folded down and inserted into said lock slots embedded in narrow flaps 22 alongside side panels 12 top edges.

Abstract: A package includes a carton (10) and a plurality of articles (B). The carton includes carton walls (14, 16, 26b/30b) and at least one handle structure (HA2) formed from at least one (26b/30b) of the carton walls. The at least one handle structure includes a tab (44b) formed from the at least one of the carton walls. The tab is hingedly connected, by a hinged connection (42b), to the at least one of the carton walls and arranged to fold at least in part about an article disposed within the carton to form at least a portion of a handle opening (40b) so as to allow a user (U) to grasp a portion of the article and the carton disposed adjacent to the article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a packaging system for transporting delicate goods, such as glass bottles.

Abstract: A one-piece polymeric closure includes first and second closure portions. The first closure portion includes a first polymeric top wall portion and a first polymeric annular skirt portion. The first annular skirt includes a first set of splines on an inner surface thereof and knurls formed on an exterior surface thereof. The second closure portion includes a second polymeric top wall portion with a pull ring and a second polymeric annular skirt portion The second annular skirt portion includes a second set of splines on an outer surface thereof, an internal thread formation, and a locking ratchet band. The first and second sets of splines are configured to interact with each other when the polymeric closure is in a closed position. The polymeric closure opens by flipping the first closure portion with respect to the second closure portion via a hinge.

Abstract: A film for packaging a product that has a pharmaceutical active agent includes a product-contacting sealing layer. The product contacting layer includes at least 90 wt. % of an ethylene norbornene copolymer having a glass transition temperature in a range from 50° C. to 110° C. The pharmaceutical active agent comprises a Hansen Solubility Parameter for the product-contacting sealing layer of 0.5 or greater.

Abstract: Contact lens packages are provided and each includes a base member having a cavity and a sealing member coupled to the base member. An unworn contact lens is provided in a packaging solution within the sealed cavity. The base member is a thermoplastic or other recyclable material. The base member includes at least one latch and at least one slot. The latch and slot are configured to connect to the slot and latch, respectively, of another base member, after the contact lenses are removed from the cavities. A recyclable thermoplastic contact lens assembly is also provided that includes empty contact lens package base members stacked and connected together. A method to recycle used contact lens package base members, such as by curbside recycling, is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is an eco-sustainable container for fluid products that includes an outer shell made of cellulose-based material and having an inner surface and at least one through opening having an inner edge; and at least one sealed flexible bag of plastic material containing a fluid product. The sealed flexible bag can be accessed through piercing, and the entire container can be disposed of and recycled as a plastic, compost, or paper material, being accordingly highly environment-friendly.

Abstract: A single unit protective door package for packaging of a single prehung door assembly. The door assembly comprises a door frame and a door slab pivotally attached to the door frame. The door frame includes right and left side jambs and a head jamb connecting upper ends of the right and left side jambs. The single unit protective door package comprises the door assembly, upper protective side caps each mounted to the door assembly at one of opposite upper corners of the door frame, lower protective side caps each mounted to the door assembly at one of lowermost edges of the door frame, and two support spacers each mounted to one of the lowermost edges of the door frame for elevating a bottom edge of the door slab above the ground to a distance compatible with a forklift, pallet jack or hand truck.

Abstract: Reconfigurable packaging for a cooking appliance includes a base including a base panel defining lower wing slots and opposing sidewalls extending from the base panel. The base defines a storage cavity. A cover is coupled to the base and configured to enclose the storage cavity. The cover includes a cover panel defining upper wing slots, a first side wing extending from a first side of the cover panel, and a second side wing extending from a second side of the cover panel. The first side wing and the second side wing are operable between a first folded position engaging the upper wing slots and a second folded position engaging the lower wing slots.

Abstract: A self-combining receptacle for producing a coated or partially-coated product or an admixture product is provided according to the invention. This receptacle can comprise a food service container for finger food like French fries having a sealed package of ketchup or other condiment installed in the bottom of the container and below the French fries where a closure panel extending outside the receptacle is pulled in a lateral direction away from the receptacle to peel off the closure panel to open the condiment package inside the container whereupon the French fries automatically drop down inside the container into the condiment contained in the now-opened condiment package. Alternatively, the self-combining receptacle may comprise two open faced vessels that are fitted together to join their common open faces with a common closure panel sealing the two open faces to divide the two vessels containing separate components of an admixture product.

Abstract: A box for transporting various products has a prismatic body and a closing cover formed by a multilayered material including an intermediate thermal insulation board with an inner face and an outer face provided with an inner coating and an outer coating. The inner coating includes a paper sheet attached to the inner face of the intermediate board and a stiffening and waterproof sheet that forms the inner surface of the body and the cover. The outer coating includes a first layer made of strong printed paper or strong paper suitable for printing, a second paper layer, and a flexible and waterproof sheet made of recyclable polymer and arranged between the first and the second paper layers.

Abstract: A pressure regulating system for a beverage container includes a first compartment for containing a pressurized gas. The first compartment is in fluid communication with a surrounding space through a gas valve for opening and closing a passage between the first compartment and surrounding space. A gas valve control system includes a deformable and/or movable wall or wall part, which is in contact with the gas valve for opening and/or closing the gas valve. A second compartment is provided at a side of the deformable and/or movable wall part. The movable and/or deformable wall part forms a wall of said second compartment and the second compartment forms a pressure regulating space and includes a wall part formed by or including at least a gas permeable, liquid tight permeable wall part.

Abstract: An improved beverage cartridge is provided for use in forming a beverage in a beverage machine that provides a pressurized liquid. The cartridge includes a container having an interior space, a lid that accommodates an inflow of the pressurized liquid, and a filter arranged to contain a beverage medium arranged to interact with a liquid to form the beverage. The cartridge also includes annular disc shaped capsule configured for placement within the container. The capsule has a hollow interior chamber that contains a beverage medium and an open bottom that is sealed closed by a membrane. The membrane is configured to selectively provide fluid communication between the space inside the container and the chamber allowing liquid introduced into the container to flow into the capsule's chamber. The membrane is also pierceable by the beverage machine to accommodate an outflow of the liquid flowing into the capsule.

Abstract: A space division device includes: a rail installed on an upper side of a space box along a first direction of the space division device, a drive module that is installed to be movable along the rail, and a first partition that is connected to the drive module and forms a surface in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to partition an inner space of the space box.

Abstract: A waste removal system featuring sidewall extensions designed to bridge a height differential between a dumpster portion and an integrated portable toilet housing, ensuring secure waste containment. Mounted on a chassis, the system comprises a dumpster portion and a toilet housing portion for a portable toilet, with the portable toilet housing's elevation creating a height differential between a dumpster portion and the portable toilet housing. The sidewall extensions attached to the sides of the dumpster portion, effectively filling the void caused by the height disparity, and redefining the dumpster portion's top opening for improved containment. An advanced roll-off tarp system, with a spool and lever arm mechanism, facilitates the deployment of a tarp large enough to cover both portable toilet housing and the top opening of the dumpster portion, ensuring the system's contents are securely covered during transport, thereby enhancing site cleanliness and regulatory compliance.

Abstract: A waste disposal device has a container having an opening at a top end, the container defining an inner cavity accessible through the opening. A bag interface at the opening is adapted to hold a bag opened at the opening of the container with a closed end of the bag extending in the inner cavity. A pair of doors is pivotally connected to the container to open and close access through the opening and adapted to close off a portion of the bag passing therebetween, the doors being pivotable from a closed position in which the doors meet to close the access through the opening, to a first pivoted position in which the doors are pivoted away from the inner cavity. One or both doors is or are pivotable to a second pivoted position toward the inner cavity. An actuation mechanism biases the door(s) to the closed position.

Abstract: A tipper assembly includes a base, an actuator coupled to the base, a transmission coupled to the actuator, an arm coupled to the transmission, and an implement coupled to the arm. The implement is configured to engage with a container such that operation of the actuator facilitates pivoting the container from a base position to a dump position to dump contents within the container. The transmission is configured to provide a shake function in response to the dump position being reached to assist in the dumping of the contents within the container.

Abstract: A robotic service device is described for use on a robotic picking system grid. The robotic service device is capable of driving to any location on the grid order to perform maintenance operations or cleaning. Additionally, the service device may be used to rescue robotic load handling devices operational in the picking system. The robotic service device may include a releasable docking mechanism to enable it to dock and latch on to malfunctioning load handling devices. The service device may also be provided with cleaning capability and a camera to enable the condition of the grid and other robotic devices to be monitored.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computing platforms, and storage media for controlling an autonomous inventory management system are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: direct a first transport system to a first location; determine a respective drop off location for each of the one or more autonomous storage units; determine a boarding order for the one or more autonomous storage units based at least in part on the respective drop off location for each of the one or more autonomous storage units; direct the one or more autonomous storage units to board the first transport system at the first location; and transport the one or more autonomous storage units from the first location to the one or more respective drop off locations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for under-floor storage include a robotic retrieval system. The robotic retrieval system includes a robot disposed under an upper floor. The robot may retrieve and deposit objects in a space under the upper floor. A portal provides access to the space from above the upper floor. Objects are stored in locations within the space. The robot selectively locates and retrieves the objects.

Abstract: A picking assistance system for assisting in picking from storage racks storing a necessary item, by moving the storage racks to another location. In the storage area, the storage racks are disposed in longitudinal and lateral directions; the system includes a control device for moving the storage racks; and the control device performs control in a manner that vacant row(s) is/are formed in the longitudinal or lateral direction by movement of the storage racks, and further performs control in a manner to, when a necessary storage rack is moved from a row adjacent to one of the vacant rows to the other location, make a storage rack currently necessary remain in the adjacent row by moving an unnecessary storage rack in the adjacent row to the vacant row, and move all of storage racks currently necessary, the storage racks remaining in the adjacent row, in one group to the other location is provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, a gap blocker having a body with an upper blocking portion and leg portions of the body connected to the upper blocking portion at longitudinally spaced apart locations. The leg portions of the body have an initial, undeflected configuration with at least one of the leg portions having a first orientation relative to the upper blocking portion. The leg portions of the body have an operating configuration with the body in a gap between rollers wherein the at least one of the leg portions has the first orientation relative to the upper blocking portion. The upper blocking portion has upper contact portions and the leg portions have lower contact portions for contacting the rollers. The body also has outer surface portions intermediate the upper and lower contact portions configured to be in clearance with the rollers.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the technology disclosed herein relate to a sensor device. An elongate sleeve has a first end and a second end and extends along a longitudinal axis. A plurality of sensors are fixed relative to the sleeve. A first endcap is coupled to the first end, where the first endcap has an endcap body. A first axle is coupled to the endcap body, where the first axle extends along the longitudinal axis and the first axle defines a retaining feature. An intermediate component is coupled to the first axle, and the intermediate component is selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The sensor device has an orientation locking structure that is configured to be engaged to selectively fix the orientation of the intermediate component about the longitudinal axis relative to the endcap body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses for locating, engaging, and shifting objects. The systems may be used to unload objects from a storage space, e.g., inside a vehicle or facility, including one associated with a logistics network operation. The systems disclosed herein may operate in automated or semi-automated fashion, e.g., at the direction of a control system associated with a computing device. The systems may further utilize shifter mechanisms that each include one or more belt-driven mechanisms and position-changing mechanisms that facilitate the locating, engaging, and shifting of objects in a storage space. The components of these systems may operate independently, or in coordination, thereby increasing the efficiency of an object-handling operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pallet transfer device (1), and a robot palletizing system comprising the pallet transfer device (1) and a robot (2) performing work on pallets, such as loading and unloading articles to and from the pallets. The pallet transfer device (1) comprises a central body (3) arranged for supporting the robot (2), and a platform 4 for moving the pallets in a circumferential direction around the central body (3). The platform comprises a conveyor (5) for loading and unloading the pallets to and from the platform (4).

Abstract: A method for operating a robotic system includes determining package groupings for placing available packages on a platform; generating a two-dimensional (2D) placement plan based on discretized models representative of the available packages and the platform; generating a three-dimensional (3D) stacking plan based on the 2D placement plan; and implementing the 3D stacking plan for placing the available packages on the platform.

Abstract: A transport apparatus comprises: a stator including a plurality of coils arranged along a first direction; and a mover including a first magnet group having a plurality of magnets arranged along the first direction, the plurality of magnets arranged to face the plurality of coils in a second direction crossing the first direction, wherein the mover is driven toward the first direction by a magnetic force generated between the magnets and the coils, wherein the stator includes a first region in which the plurality of coils is arranged at given intervals and a second region adjacent to the first region, and wherein a magnetic compensator is arranged in the second region for compensating changes in magnetic energy distribution characteristics formed by the magnets and the coils in the first region.

Abstract: A transport device in the form of a planar motor having at least one transport segment which forms a transport plane and having at least one transport unit, which can be moved at least two-dimensionally in the transport plane, to allow more versatile process management, is provided in the transport device. At least one coupling apparatus for releasably coupling the transport unit to the coupling unit is arranged on the transport unit and, on the coupling unit in each case, the transport unit and the coupling unit can be coupled, at least temporarily, by the coupling apparatuses to form an assembly by way of a relative movement in the transport plane. The coupling apparatuses interact in the coupled assembly in order to limit a relative movement between the transport unit and the coupling unit in at least one degree of freedom of movement.