The package opening device generally comprises a body portion, neck portion, and cutting member. In a preferred embodiment, the body portion comprises an elongated ovular configuration. The body portion comprises an upper surface and a lower surface. The neck portion is narrower than the body portion and extends from the proximal end of the body portion. The cutting member is fixed to the body portion and comprises an elongated configuration and is aligned along a central longitudinal axis of the body portion. The cutting member extends downward from the neck portion and body portion and comprises a cutting edge adapted to penetrate a portion of a package.

The system can include: a container 110, a set of sensors 120, and a controller 130. The system can optionally include a robot 140. However, the system 100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The system functions to monitor and/or maintain a fullness level of a container. The system can additionally or alternatively function to enable robotic picking out of the container (e.g., in a pick-and-place setting). The system can additionally function to maintain candidate objects within reach of the robot's end effector to increase robot uptime while minimizing the extent of the robot's required motion (e.g., in the z-axis).

A secure specimen sample bottle includes a base container for receiving a specimen. The base container has a plurality of locking protrusions formed along an inner surface of the base receptacle. A bottle includes a lock ring that has an upright spire structure that has a closed top end and the opposing open bottom end including a plurality of flexible fins that are configured to interlockingly mate with the locking protrusions so as to prevent removal of the lock ring relative to the base container upon engagement of the flexible fins to the locking protrusions. A removable cap is coupled to the lock ring.

A package opening system for opening a package in which an outer peripheral edge of a sheet-like lid is bonded to a flange-shaped opening edge of a tub storing a stored object includes: a cutter blade capable of cutting the lid; and a cutter blade moving device configured to stick the cutter blade into the lid and move the cutter blade stuck into the lid in a cutting path along at least part of a contour of an opening of the tub.

Well material distribution methods may include gravity feeding bulk well materials including at least one well material component into a mixing vessel which may include a mixing vessel interior and at least one mixing device disposed in the mixing vessel interior; forming a well material mixture by mixing the bulk well materials including at least one well material component in the mixing vessel interior of the mixing vessel via operation of the at least one mixing device; distributing the well material mixture from the mixing vessel interior of the mixing vessel to at least one mud pit; and distributing a substantially homogenous well material mixture from the at least one mud pit to a hydrocarbon well.

The present invention is a water softener brine tank salt bag splitter with a support beam and integral blade positioned below the tank lid by looped vertical mounting brackets that secure over and around the upper edge of the tank sidewall to preserve the air seal between the tank sidewall and lid. The beam and bracket assembly has a fixed length that stiffens the lateral flexibility of the tank sidewall and forms a platform that supports the weight of a salt bag when pouring salt crystals into the tank. The brackets have an anti-rotation sleeve that prevents the blade from rotating relative to the tank walls when the bag drops down onto the blade. The device is formed by two identical plastic beam and blade half portions that join together in linearly locked engagement, and two identical plastic brackets that lockingly secure to the beam ends to set its fixed length.

A product unpacking system includes a work surface at a first height and a product unloading position at a second height. An adjustable cutter is positioned adjacent to the work surface and configured to cut a plurality of sides of each case. A case movement device, such as a robot or manual mover, is configured to retrieve a case from a group of cases and move the case to the cutter to cut a plurality of sides of the case. The case movement device may then move the cut case to an unload position over a product container to allow products within the case to drop into the product container. A system of conveyors may be used to convey empty product containers toward the work surface and to convey filled product containers away from the work surface. The system may be automated to receive recipe information for each case to be unloaded and modify parameters of the system based on the case.

The present invention describes an automated product unpackaging system that manipulates a target container containing product into an unpackaging work cell area, moves the target container into and through a desired path within the work cell in such a way that lasers or other industrial cutters can cut through the original packaging material so that the package's bottom surface is completely separated from the top and sides of the original package, and then moves the top and sides of the original package, with its product still encapsulated inside, slidingly onward toward a next operation. The invention also describes means for extraction and disposal of the top and sides of the original package, along with the separated bottom of the original package.

A liner L has a liner body (11) with a front wall (12), rear wall (16), bottom wall (13), a top wall (14). The top wall also includes a tubular excess liner material or chute (19) located close to the rear wall and which includes a filling fitment (20) with a fitment cap (21). The liner also has a cylindrical, hose content inlet/outlet port or bottom fitment (23). The liner may include a gap-filler or filler strip (70) of foam material extending outwardly from a position closely adjacent the outlet fitment. The filler strip is mounted to the front wall directly over and closely adjacent the outlet fitment. The filler strip may taper so that at least a majority of the strip's longitudinal length or height so as to increase in its lateral width as it approaches the outlet fitment, thereby increasing the material volume of strip material.

The invention provides a method of packaging a sterilized product. The method includes the steps of providing a product and sterilizing the product. The sterilized product is enclosed in a first layer, which is substantially hermetically sealed to form a first sealed enclosure. The first sealed enclosure is enclosed in a second layer, which is substantially hermetically sealed to form a second sealed enclosure. The second sealed enclosure is enclosed in a third layer, which is substantially hermetically sealed to form a third sealed enclosure. The third sealed enclosure is enclosed in a fourth layer, which is substantially hermetically sealed to form a packaged product.