Abstract: A thermoforming packaging machine according to the disclosure comprises a forming station for producing packaging troughs in a bottom foil, and a filler for filling the packaging troughs with products. The filler is arranged at a transition region for conveying the packaging troughs from a first transport plane to a second transport plane. A corresponding method for filling packaging troughs with products is also provided.

Abstract: A method of transferring a contact lens from a first location to a primary package includes transferring the contact lens with an intermediate transfer member to the primary package, wherein the transfer member is sealed in the primary package with the contact lens. Additionally, according to another of many exemplary embodiments, a system for transferring a contact lens to a primary package includes a contact lens and a transfer member associated with the contact lens, wherein an automated lens transfer device is configured to couple the contact lens and the lens transfer member.

Abstract: A method for producing uniform powder blends may include a multi-pass riffling process.

Abstract: A system for loading a bale in a continuous storage bag includes a structure configured and disposed to releasably dispense the bag in response to receiving a bale directed inside the structure, the directed bale being inserted inside the bag. A bale wagon receives the bale and a push-off member directs the bale inside the structure from the bale wagon. A first member is selectably movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the bale wagon to selectably secure the bale wagon to the structure.

Abstract: An item handling system includes a vacuum source, a transport element defining a plurality of vacuum openings in fluid communication with the vacuum source to create a securing force on an item proximate to the transport element for holding the item in contact with the transport element, and a drive element for driving the transport element to transport the item. The transport element further defines a plurality of sensor openings arranged in two substantially parallel arrays along a longitudinal direction of the transport element. The system further includes a sensor associated with each array of sensor openings for sensing energy passing through the sensor openings to thereby sense the item on the transport element. Each sensor is disposed at a common longitudinal position relative to the transport element. Sensing the item corresponds to a condition where the sensor associated with each array is blocked.

Abstract: A storage method of storing a package with its contents under irradiation of light. At least part of the package is made of polyamide (A) which is obtained by polycondensation of a diamine component comprising 70 mol % or more of m-xylylenediamine and a dicarboxylic acid component comprising 70 mol % or more of ?,?-linear aliphatic dicarboxylic acid having 4 to 20 carbon atoms. The oxygen transmission of the package including polyamide (A) is reduced by irradiation of light, to prevent the spoilage of the contents.

Abstract: A packaging system for packaging food on a plurality of trays is provided. The packaging system has a main conveyor configured to move each of the plurality of trays about the packaging system and a tray unloader for unloading one tray from a tray stack onto the main conveyor. The packaging system has a food loader configured to place the food into each of the trays and a food accessory loader configured to place a food accessory into a storage compartment of each of the trays.

Abstract: A logistics panel forms a side wall of a container (12) and has elongate metal recesses (16) formed in the surface and a logistics track (17) including a face portion (22), an elongate slot (23) in said face portion and a pair of elongate webs (24) each extending parallel to and between a respective said edge and the slot, the webs having a plurality of locating apertures, and a load carrier (18) located in said channel and extending out through the slot and having engagement pawls (26) selectively and positively locatable in said apertures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer composition, comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer, at least one pigment or at least one filler or a mixture thereof and at least one diester of a linear diol having 2 to 8 C-atoms with a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated monocarboxylic acid having 6 to 44 C-atoms, wherein the fraction of diesters comprising different fatty acid radicals in a molecule is less than 10% by weight with regard to the total amount of diesters.

Abstract: The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates to an erectable and/or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object, and more particularly but not by way of limitation, to an erectable or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object. In one aspect, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates to a floral easel for holding and/or supporting a floral object. In yet another aspect, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates to methods of shipping a floral easel, methods of using a floral easel, methods of storing a floral easel, and methods of placing a floral object on a floral easel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a pick-up and delivery system including a pick-up assembly and a delivery assembly. The pick-up assembly includes a robotic arm, a pick-up device rotatably mounted on the robotic arm, and a first vacuum pressure supply port operably connected to the pick-up device. The delivery assembly includes an insertion device. The insertion device may include an insertion member having a tip and a release assistance piston arranged inside the insertion member. The release piston is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. When the release assistance piston is in the extended position, a proximal end of is substantially flush with an end of the insertion member. Further aspects are directed towards methods for grasping and releasing an object with a pick-up and delivery system.

Abstract: A laser optical fiber storage system (10) and method for temporarily storing a proximal section (12) of an elongated flexible optical fiber (14). The system and method include a storage housing (16) having a closed end (18) and an open end (20). A plug stopper (22) being laser energy impermeable is disposed within the open end of the elongated storage housing to prevent the escape of laser light from within the storage housing. The plug stopper has an access port (24) adapted to enable the proximal section of the optical fiber to be loaded into and withdrawn from the housing. The storage housing is configured to temporarily retain the proximal section of the elongated flexible optical fiber in an elongated configuration or in a spiral configuration. Structure (29) within the storage housing prevents laser light from passing through walls of the storage housing.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for use thereof for loading bulk material into freight containers. One apparatus comprises a hopper configured to receive bulk material that is sized and shaped to be at least partially enclosable by a container to occupy a substantial volume of the container and a ram. The ram comprises a plate and a driver configured to move the plate from a back end of the hopper to an open end of the hopper to expel material into a container. Another apparatus comprises a hopper configured to receive bulk, material that is sized and shaped to be at least partially enclosable by a container to occupy a substantial volume of the container and a reciprocating conveyor floor system. Optionally, the apparatuses further include a stand and/or collapsible legs to further support the hopper.

Abstract: A slide groove (27) is formed between opposed surfaces of an operation component case (11) and a display component case (12) coupled to each other so as to be slidable relative to each other. The slide groove (27) extends in single-layer space parallel to the opposed surfaces and is capable of storing a bundle of ultrafine coaxial cables (33). The slide groove extends portions of the ultrafine coaxial cables that have been drawn from cable holes (24, 28) opened in the opposed surfaces along the same sliding direction and stores the ultrafine coaxial cables in a state in which the ultrafine coaxial cables are curved in a plane direction between the opposed surfaces. The cable holes are opened at positions separated in the sliding direction at the beginning of sliding and at the end of sliding.

Abstract: Soy-based modeling product. The present disclosure includes disclosure of various embodiments of soy-based modeling products. In at least one embodiment, the soy-based modeling product comprises a quantity of water, a quantity of a salt, a quantity of an oil, and a quantity of a flour, wherein at least one of the oil and/or the flour is derived from soybeans. In another embodiment, the soy-based modeling product further comprises corn starch.

Abstract: A container (20) has a body (22) having a body opening (40). A spout fitment (24) is mounted within the body opening. A cap (26) has: a sidewall (120); a web (122) enclosing an upper end of the sidewall; a flange (124) extending outward from the sidewall; an external thread (132) along the sidewall below the flange; a removed condition disengaged from the body and spout fitment; and an installed condition threadingly mounted by the external thread to at least one of the body and spout fitment. In the installed condition, a perimeter portion (128) of the flange is below a rim (110) of the spout fitment.

Abstract: A rollable chairmat is provided that comprises a sheet of polymeric material having a plurality of parallel grooves across one of its surfaces. Adjacent grooves define a rib therebetween, with each rib defining a peak and each groove defining a valley. The grooves and ribs may run lengthwise, widthwise, or obliquely relative to the width and length of the chairmat. A method for storing a chairmat is also provided in which a grooved chairmat is rolled up into a tube, and the chairmat is maintained in its tubular configuration, by, e.g., placing it in a tube, encasing it in shrink-wrap, utilizing a strap or adhesive strip, or placing it in a box.

Abstract: An improved adhesive-backed carrier tape system for packaging of components. Components or devices are held within the compartments of the carrier portion by a low tack adhesive level layer while a high tack adhesive layer is affixed to the carrier portion to provide means for high speed, low cost automated handling of the packaged components.

Abstract: For the reliable production of stacks 100 of medicament pockets 4, 4?, 4? containing medicament wafers 2 and having a marking 3 on a marking border 17 in one of a number of marking portions 18 arranged next to one another, the following process is carried out: stacking the medicament pockets 4, 4?, 4? one on top of the other to form at least one stack 100 of medicament pockets, so that in the at least one stack there are following one another medicament pockets 4, 4?, 4? of which the markings 3 are located in marking portions 18 following one another, and, if appropriate, a medicament pocket 4, 4?, 4? with a marking 3 located at a first end of the marking border 17 follows a medicament pocket 4, 4?, 4? with a marking 3 located at a second end of the marking border 17.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drug-eluting medical device, in particular a balloon for angioplasty catheters with drug elution to prevent the restenosis of the vessel subjected to angioplasty. More particularly, the present invention relates to a catheter balloon completely or partially coated with paclitaxel in hydrated crystalline form or in hydrated solvated crystalline form, having an immediate release and bioavailability of a therapeutically effective amount of paclitaxel at the site of intervention. The balloon can be made of a polyether-polyamide block copolymer, or a polyester amide, or polyamide-12.

Abstract: The hardware for mounting the blinds is located in the head rail such that it does not interfere with the cutting operation but remains with the blind after the blind is cut-to-size. The hardware overlaps with a blind component and the hardware may include a mounting bracket that includes a notch for receiving the blind component. The ends of the blinds are aligned in a package by the manufacturer during the packaging process. The blinds are secured in the package such that the blind elements are properly aligned. The aligned blinds and the package are inserted into a cutting machine as a unit and the cutting machine cuts the blinds and the package simultaneously.

Abstract: An agricultural bagger apparatus and method for compacting feed into a horizontally deployed bag including a moving hopper wall and mechanism for moving the wall at an input end of hopper. The wall moving mechanism and the moving wall of the hopper sweeps the feed adjacent to the sloping wall to prevent feed bridging. A safety enclosure isolates the wall moving mechanism from contaminants and prevents exposure to the wall moving mechanism. Some embodiments also compact feed in the upper portion of a tunnel, for example, by reciprocating a hinged piston above a primary compression mechanism. A tunnel-adjustment mechanism varies a cross-section area of the tunnel exit in order to control the amount of compaction on the feed as it leaves the tunnel and enters the bag. In some embodiments, dual counter-rotating toothed compression mechanism force feed between the rotors and into the tunnel at a rate and pressure greater than what is possible with only one multiple-toothed compressor rotor.

Abstract: A device and method for loading catalyst pellets into reactor tubes of a chemical reactor. A direct mechanical force is applied to one or more pellets where bridging occurs that is different from the forces applied to the surrounding pellets in order to break up the bridge so as to allow catalyst particles to fall through an opening into the reactor tube.

Abstract: A tray is provided for receiving a plurality of pre-filled syringes each having a tubular body defining an outer surface and a chamber having an open first end sealed with a plug and an open opposite second end configured to establish fluid communication with a hypodermic needle. wherein a flange extends from the tubular body at the first end. The tray includes a plate defining a plurality of through-going ridges and a plurality of through-going grooves parallel to the ridges, wherein the ridges are interconnected with the grooves. A multitude of open apertures is defined at the ridges, wherein the apertures are configured for (a) receiving the flange of a syringe received between two adjacent ridges, and (b) permitting the passage of a gas through the plate to contact the outer surface of the syringe.

Abstract: A method of loading a plurality of articles in a container. The method can include providing a container having a body and defining an interior chamber, providing a stack of articles comprising snack pieces having a convex surface, inserting the stack of articles at least partially into the interior chamber, and reorienting the leading article by forcing the leading article against the inner surface such that the convex surface of the article cooperates with the inner surface.

Abstract: A flow heater (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800) with a metal section (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801), with at least one tube (103, 104, 203, 204, 303, 304, 403, 503, 603, 604, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 710, 805, 806, 807, 808, 809, 810) for passing through a fluid to be heated is mounted and preferably pressed, at least in some sections, into the metal section (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801). At least one tubular heating body (102, 202, 209, 210, 302, 402, 409, 410, 502, 602, 702, 703, 704) that is arranged outside the tube interior space, is mounted in and preferably pressed into, the metal section (101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 801) at least in some sections. The at least one tubular heating body (102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702, 802) is surrounded by the one tube or by a plurality of the tubes (103, 104, 203, 204, 303, 304, 403, 503, 603, 604, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 710, 805, 806, 807, 808, 809, 810) for passing through a fluid to be heated.

Abstract: Novel combinations comprising HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, or statins, with partial fatty acid oxidation inhibitors (pFOXi), and methods for their use, are disclosed. These combinations are useful in preventing or reducing the risk of developing diabetes which results from therapy with a statin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for drawing a tubular film (1) over a stack of goods (2), wherein the tubular film is first gathered on a gathering device (R/Ü). The gathered tubular film is then drawn over the stack of goods using a covering device, in that the covering device is moved along the stack of goods and the tubular film is thereby ungathered. After reaching an end region of the stack of goods, the covering device is moved along a segment of the stack of goods (A) opposite the covering direction, so that a first tubular film segment (15) is laid on the tubular film already contacting the stack of goods. The covering device is then moved along at least part of the segment of the stack of goods in the covering direction again, so that a second tubular film segment (16) is laid on the first tubular film segment.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly product packaging assembly having a secondary use after a product has been removed therefrom. The packaging assembly comprises a candle having a wall made of a vaporizable material and defining a cavity therein for retaining the product. The candle includes a wick embedded in the wall in a spiral, coiled or helical fashion and positioned to substantially encircle the cavity. The assembly may include a containment mechanism that at least partially restricts access to the cavity and thereby aids in retaining the product therein. The assembly may further include a base positioned under a bottom end of the candle. The containment mechanism and base may themselves be made out of recyclable or combustible materials. Once the product has been removed from the cavity, the assembly may be used as a conventional candle. The candle wall is vaporized leaving little to no waste for disposal.

Abstract: A system for aggregating dog hair for making yarn includes: dog hair collection facilities including one or more dog hair undercoat collectors; an aggregation facility that accepts the collected contents of the plurality of dog hair undercoat collectors; and a logistics system that manages the collection and transportation of the contents of the plurality of dog hair undercoat collectors from the plurality of dog hair collection facilities. A method for aggregating dog hair for making yarn includes: collecting dog hair undercoat from a plurality of dogs at dog hair collection facilities; aggregating the collected dog hair undercoat; and providing the aggregated dog hair undercoat to one or more mills.

Abstract: Various aspects of the invention provide systems and method for verifying authenticity of a product. Another aspect of the invention provides a system including: a tamper-evident package; and a unique identifier usable to verify the authenticity of the product, the unique identifier contained within the tamper-evident package. The unique identifier cannot be detected from outside of the tamper-evident package without demonstrating evidence of tampering. Another aspect of the invention provides a system including: a tamper-evident package; and a concealed unique identifier coupled to the tamper-evident package. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of providing a providing a unique identifier. The method includes: providing a tamper-evident package; and placing the unique identifier within the tamper-evident package, wherein the unique identifier cannot be detected from outside of the tamper-evident package.

Abstract: The automated bin filling system provides an efficient means of placing a relatively fragile bulk product into a container (such as a bulk storage bin) without substantially damaging the product. Specifically, the bin filling system moves bulk products (preferably fruits or vegetables) from a feed conveyor into a product accumulation section where the product is arranged to be uniformly loaded into a mobile tray. Once the mobile tray is filled, the tray is lowered into the bin and gently deposited. The empty tray is then elevated and retracted to its initial position and the loading cycle is repeated. This process continues until the bin is filled.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tilting and filling a carton with a pouch and a flowable food product are described. The carton can be tilted prior to filling in order to minimize a void between the pouch and a sidewall of the carton. The carton is pivoted to a tilted orientation, such that the sidewall includes a lowermost inclined segment. The pouch is then inserted into the carton either prior to or after pivoting the carton to the tilted orientation so that the pouch can substantially rest against the inclined segment. The flowable food product is then at partially deposited into the carton, such that the flowable food product substantially fills in next to the pouch instead of between the pouch and the inclined segment. After a sufficient height of flowable food product has been deposited into the carton, the carton can be returned to a vertical orientation and closed.

Abstract: Automated (poultry) bagging packaging systems include a plurality of spaced apart holding stations that are configured to rotate in concert about a defined endless travel path to automatically serially position a respective holding station to be in communication with each of a plurality of different workstations.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of packaging paper products (such as facial tissue) in a dispenser. A clip of paper product is folded. The folded clip has a central region and a pair of opposing peripheral regions separated from one another by the central region. The peripheral regions of the folded clip are pressed toward one another to compress the peripheral regions. After the peripheral regions are compressed, the folded clip is transferred into the dispenser.

Abstract: A cooler assembly comprises a cylindrical main body having an open first end and a closed second end, a first attachment means extending from an outer surface of the cylindrical main body, a cylindrical cover having an open first end and a closed second end, a second attachment means extending from an outer surface of the cylindrical cover, and an elongate attachment member coupled on a first end to the first attachment means and on a second end to the second attachment means, the attachment member connecting the cylindrical main body to the cylindrical cover. The open first end of the cylindrical cover is structured to be positioned adjacent to the open first end of the cylindrical main body to enclose a beverage container positioned within the cylindrical main body.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying one or more garments is described. The apparatus comprises a housing (12) and a first member (18) to be adapted to be stored within the housing. The first member is adapted to receive one or more garment and is deformable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pack for pharmaceutical and/or medical products and/or food supplements, comprising a substrate which is fitted with one or more prefabricated, sealed product carriers which each contain one or more isolated products, for a given length of time, and is provided with instructions for application or administration time for the patient, wherein each product carrier exclusively contains products of a special active ingredient or a special combination of active ingredients in a special dosage, which is distinguished by the fact that each product carrier forms part of a single-strip blister pack that can be rolled up, and the product carriers each containing one or more isolated products are assembled on the substrate individually to the patient. Furthermore the invention concerns a method as well as an apparatus for the manufacture of such packs.

Abstract: A wafer is provided that is stacked on and anodically bonded to another wafer to form a plurality of package products each having a cavity in which an operation piece is contained between the wafers. In a portion of the wafer located inward with respect to the outer circumference of a product area in which a plurality of concave portions are formed each of which will be part of the cavity when stacked on the another wafer, a depressed area or through hole is formed having a plane area larger than that of one of the concave portions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lead wire for a solar cell having excellent bondability with a solar cell. The solar cell lead wire (10) has a band plate-shaped electroconductive material (12) that is formed with straight-angled cross-sectional shape and is covered by a molten solder plating layer (13), with the thickness of the oxide film on the surface of the molten solder plating layer (13) being 7 nm or less.

Abstract: A product packaging system is provided having a series of selector wedges that engage the lower portions of a series of products moving along a product infeed conveyor. The selector wedges separate the products into product groups for loading into product cartons moving adjacent the product infeed conveyor. At approximately the same time the selector wedges are engaging the products, a series of lugs are conveyed by an overhead lug system into engagement with each of the products being engaged so as to help stabilize the products and prevent tipping of the products as they are separated and loaded into their corresponding product cartons.

Abstract: A goods-to-person picking station and method of picking goods from a product container and placing the goods in at least one order container includes a product container-handling mechanism and at least one order container-handling mechanism juxtaposed with the product container-handling mechanism. The product container-handling mechanism supplies a product container to a pick area. The at least one order container-handling mechanism supplies at least one order container to the pick area. In this manner, an operator can pick goods from a product container at the pick area and place the goods selectively to the at least one order container at the pick area. The product container-handling mechanism includes a product container elevator assembly and a product container extractor assembly. The elevator assembly elevates a product container from the feed area to the pick area. The extractor assembly transfers a product container from the pick area.

Abstract: The invention provides various antibodies that bind to lymphotoxin-?, methods for making such antibodies, compositions and articles incorporating such antibodies, and their uses in treating, for example, an autoimmune disorder. The antibodies include murine, chimeric, and humanized antibodies.

Abstract: A method of inserting postal items into envelopes, comprising, for each of said envelopes: holding the envelope in an inserting position with an open end oriented towards a postal item transport path and with an envelope edge perpendicular to the open end against an alignment surface that defines an envelope alignment axis at the inserting position; displacing one or more of the postal items along the postal item transport path into the envelope, an edge of the or each postal item, at least partway along the transport path, being urged against and guided by an alignment surface that defines a postal item alignment axis along the postal item transport path, wherein the envelope alignment axis is offset from the postal item alignment axis by a predetermined distance in a direction away from the postal item transport path.

Abstract: A novel snack food item container for stacking and transporting same is disclosed. The snack food items are uniformly sized and shaped, and have one or more openings thereon. The container has a tubular member, having one opening, and a snack food item holder having a base member and a pole member. The pole member is inserted to the opening of the snack food items, and the snack food items are stacked and aligned along the pole member. Then, the snack food items on the snack food item holder are inserted into the tubular member from the opening to enclose the items. The base member of the snack food item holder and the opening of the tubular member engage to enclose and seal the snack food items therein.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to mailers for shipping objects, and more particularly to mailers comprising an outer pouch and an inner inflatable liner and an inflation pathway through which a portion of gas can be introduced into said inflatable liner.

Abstract: Modular shooting rests and associated assemblies are disclosed herein. One embodiment of the disclosure, for example, is directed to a shooting rest assembly for supporting a firearm. The shooting rest assembly can include a first base portion and a second base portion. The first base portion has an exterior surface, an inner surface, and a bottom surface defining a bottom surface plane. The first base portion also includes an inner volume defined, at least in part, by the inner surface and the bottom surface plane. The second base portion is engaged with the first base portion in a configuration selected from (a) a first shooting rest arrangement, and (b) a second shooting rest arrangement. In the first shooting rest arrangement, the second base portion is received at least approximately completely within the inner volume of the first base portion in a nested configuration.

Abstract: Protective enclosure and method for protecting heat sensitive, data recording devices in high temperature environments. The protective enclosure has a housing having at least one compartment for containing a heat sensitive, data recording device, e.g., a temperature recording device, and a jacket configured to contain a phase change material. The jacket may be vented and configured to at least partially surround the compartment. The housing may be sealed with an endcap. The recording device and a heat absorbing element are disposed within the same or within adjoining or adjacent sub-compartments within the enclosure. In a method, the enclosure with heat absorbing element and temperature recording device is placed within a heated environment or environment to be heated, e.g., a furnace. The recording device is connected to a thermal couple.

Abstract: In an automated prescription dispensing and packing system, empty prescription bottles are labeled and loaded in assigned locations in carriers. Pills are automatically dispensed into the prescription bottles in the carriers. Ranks of carriers containing filled prescription bottles are assembled at stations where the bottles are unloaded and packed into shipping containers with literature printed by the system. Multiple bottles of an order are automatically packed in the same shipping container.

Abstract: In an automated prescription dispensing and packing system, empty prescription bottles are labeled and loaded in assigned locations in carriers. Pills are automatically dispensed into the prescription bottles in the carriers. Ranks of carriers containing filled prescription bottles are assembled at stations where the bottles are unloaded and packed into shipping containers with literature printed by the system. Multiple bottles of an order are automatically packed in the same shipping container.