Gas Research Institute

The Reece Corporation

Sig Simonazzi North America, Inc.

Sasib North America, Inc.

Smith + Nephew

Graco Inc.

Joop Frans Hoekstra

John M Lucido

Leonard R Kilby

David H McFadden

Robert Farra

John M Collins

Thomas P Hosmer

Richard N Caron

Kevin P Barnes

Donald G Richardson

William D Vork

Ernest Allen Dion

John L O'Brien

Eugene F Doucette

Ronald A Mayville

Donovan Harold Lumby

Techniques are described for making one-piece tubes for surgical instruments in which an inner tube that carries a cutting implement is disposed for movement within an outer tube having a cutting window that exposes the cutting implement to tissue. Swaging is performed to close an end of a tubular member that is to serve as either the inner tube or the outer tube. Other processing steps are also performed. For example, a selected amount of a protrusion formed by the swaging is cut away, the tube material is fused together at a seam formed by the swaging, and the closed distal end of the tubular member is formed into a selected shape. For example, the selected shape is rounded so that the distal end defines convex (e.g., substantially hemispherical) interior and exterior distal surfaces. This renders the tube suitable for use in full-radius surgical instruments. Alternatively, the selected shape is flattened so that the distal end defines flattened interior and exterior distal surfaces. In this case, the tube can be used in end cutting surgical instruments.

Making closed end tubes for surgical instruments

In one embodiment, a conveyor comprises identical carriages and apparatus for connecting the carriages end-to-end. The carriages each include first wheel pairs supported for a rotation about spaced apart parallel axes and a second wheel pair supported for rotation about a perpendicular axis. The first and second wheel pairs are rotatably supported by self-lubricated bearings. The connection apparatus may comprise either connection rods or a wire rope. In another embodiment, the conveyor comprises identical links each including first and second link portions. The link portions are pivotally interconnected by a first connecting pin which also supports a first pair of wheels. Adjacent links are interconnected by a second connecting pin which also supports a second wheel pair. The first and second wheel pairs are rotatably supported by self-lubricated bearings.

Conveyor for continuous proofing and baking apparatus

In one embodiment, a conveyor comprises identical carriages and apparatus for connecting the carriages end to end. The carriages each include first wheel pairs supported for rotation about spaced apart parallel axes and a second wheel pair supported for rotation about a perpendicular axis. The first and second wheel pairs are rotatably supported by self-lubricated bearings. The connection apparatus may comprise either connection rods or a wire rope. In another embodiment, the conveyor comprises identical links each including first and second link portions. The link portions are pivotally interconnected by a first connecting pin which also supports a first pair of wheels. Adjacent links are interconnected by a second connecting pin which also supports a second wheel pair. The first and second wheel pairs are rotatably supported by self-lubricated bearings.

In one embodiment, a conveyor comprises identical carriages and apparatus for connecting the carriages end to end. The carriages each include first wheel pairs supported for a rotation about spaced apart parallel axes and a second wheel pair supported for rotation about a perpendicular axis. The first and second wheel pairs are rotatably supported by self-lubricated bearings. The connection apparatus may comprise either connection rods or a wire rope. In another embodiment, the conveyor comprises identical links each including first and second link portions. The link portions are pivotally interconnected by a first connecting pin which also supports a first pair of wheels. Adjacent links are interconnected by a second connecting pin which also supports a second wheel pair. The first and second wheel pairs are rotatably supported by self-lubricated bearings.

A system for and method of storing and automatically dispensing predetermined amounts of one or more food products from closed containers is described. The system preferably includes multi-compartment containers carried by a carrousel assembly and moved by a dispensing mechanism for automatically selecting the appropriate container and compartment for which food is dispensed. By using a control with memory for keeping inventory, the system can dispense any one of several food products on demand.

Frozen food storage and dispensing system

Frozen food storage & dispensing system

A system for and method of storing and automatically dispensing predetermined amounts of one or more food products from closed containers is described. The system preferably includes multi-compartment containers carried by a carousel assembly and moved by a dispensing mechanism for automatically selecting the appropriate container and compartment for which food is dispensed. By using a control with memory for keeping inventory, the system can dispense any one of several food products on demand.

Frying apparatus

This invention relates to a machine for forming a fly structure in garments or the like and more particularly to a machine which folds a fly flap portion which is integral with the garment forming panel, then places a predetermined length of one half of a slide fastener stringer in position on the fly flap portion within the folds thus formed and secures the stringer to the folded flap portion.

Machine for forming fly construction

The invention relates to a garment placket and the method of forming it in which two pieces of material are folded and attached to the garment in such a manner as to present finished edges for the slit in the garment and which pieces also overlie the placket opening to present a closed appearance thereto. The two pieces of material are attached to the garment in such a manner that both lie completely on one face of the garment.

Garment placket and method of forming

The invention concerns a stitch formation and method of making it which consists of alternate chain and lock stitches formed from a single continuous thread. On the first penetration of the needle, the thread is divided into two portions, one on each side of the work piece and then subsequent penetration of the needle forms the alternate chain and lock stitches with the drawn off thread portion passing through the alternate loops to form the lock stitch.

Combination single thread chain and lock stitch

A system and method for automatically metering and dispensing a plurality of fluids such as paint components is disclosed, including an operator input station for selecting the desired combination of metered fluids, a scanner drive subsystem for positioning a metering unit at appropriate fluid component storage stations, an automatic valving subsystem for controlling the flow of the selected metered component, a metering subsystem having a unit for measuring the proper volume of fluid component to be dispensed, and a dispensing subsystem for feeding the metered quantity into a receptacle. The apparatus may be operated automatically under electrical control of a control subsystem with pre-stored fluid formulations, wherein the desired mixture is identified and the pre-stored formulations enable precise metering of fluid components, or manually where each of the fluid components is manually selected and proportioned by the operator. The respective fluid component storage stations are aligned along a circular arc, and a centrally positioned scanner is rotated so as to contact each of the fluid component storage stations in a pre-selected order, and the fluid at the selected storage station is then metered and dispensed according to the desired formulation. A secondary feature of the invention includes an automatic receptacle positioning apparatus for controlling the positional alignment of the receptacle in correspondence with the fluid component selected.

Growing community of inventors

Medfield, MA, United States of America

Joop Frans Hoekstra