A pressure equalising device (10) which has a squat shape and which has three positions which are a first unlocked and retracted position, a second locked and retracted position, and a third unlocked and extended position wherein the device comprises a spike (14) for piercing a container, a biasing member (12) to bias the device into the first position from the third position, an upper body (20) which supports the spike and which has a locking formation (28), and a lower body (40); wherein the device has a twist lock such that the device can be rotated to and from its first and second positions; wherein the twist lock comprises a slot (52) in the lower body which is positioned to receive the locking formation (28) to immobilise the upper body (20) in relation to the lower body (40); the invention provides an ergonomically acceptable and safe way to reduce the torque force required to open the typical jar to less that 2 Nm by equalising the pressures inside and outside the jar.

The present invention relates to a catheter and a process for manufacturing a radially extending opening in tubing for a catheter. The tubing having at least one lumen being enclosed by at least one tubing wall and the process comprises placing tubing in a fixture, applying force to the tubing and thereby fixing the tubing in the fixture in a position for making an opening, pressing a heated depression tool against the surface of the tubing creating a depression area in the at least one tubing wall, and punching an opening cutting tool through the at least one tubing wall within the depression area creating an opening in the depression area of the at least one tubing wall, the opening extending from the exterior of the tubing to the lumen of the tubing.

A punching/perforation machine for creating a punching/perforation pattern in a material unit/web comprises a punching/perforation tool that includes an upper tool part which can be moved in a direction of stroke and which includes a plurality of punching dies/perforation needles arranged in a predefined grid in a transverse direction. It can be moved by a pressure beam that is operatively connected to a drive unit via a control device in order to produce a punching/perforation stroke. The material unit/web being supplied between the upper tool part and a stationary lower tool part/female die. Means are provided for generating a simultaneous movement of the material unit/web relative to the punching/perforation tool by a predefinable distance both in the direction of travel and in the transverse direction such that the material unit/web can be placed in a different predefinable position relative to the punching/perforation tool prior to each punching/perforation stroke.

A punching/perforation machine for creating a punching/perforation pattern in a material unit/web comprises a punching/perforation tool that includes an upper tool part which can be moved in a direction of stroke and which includes a plurality of punching dies/perforation needles arranged in a predefined grid in a transverse direction. It can be moved by a pressure beam that is operatively connected to a drive unit via a control device in order to produce a punching/perforation stroke. The material unit/web being supplied between the upper tool part and a stationary lower tool part/female die. Means are provided for generating a simultaneous movement of the material unit/web relative to the punching/perforation tool by a predefinable distance both in the direction of travel and in the transverse direction such that the material unit/web can be placed in a different predefinable position relative to the punching/perforation tool prior to each punching/perforation stroke.

A punching/perforation machine creates a predefined punching/perforation pattern in a material that is supplied in a direction of travel. The machine comprises a punching/perforation tool that includes an upper tool part which can be moved in a direction of stroke and which is equipped with a plurality of punching dies/perforation needles that are arranged in a predefined grid in a transverse direction and can be moved by a pressure beam that is operatively connected to a drive unit via a control device in order to produce a punching/perforation stroke. The material is supplied between the upper tool part and a lower tool part. The material is placed or clamped in a frame mechanism. The punching/perforation machine includes a frame accommodation/connection device for accommodating/connecting the frame mechanism, and the frame mechanism containing the material is supplied between the upper tool part and the lower tool part.

A punching/perforation machine creates a predefined punching/perforation pattern in a material that is supplied in a direction of travel. The machine comprises a punching/perforation tool that includes an upper tool part which can be moved in a direction of stroke and which is equipped with a plurality of punching dies/perforation needles that are arranged in a predefined grid in a transverse direction and can be moved by a pressure beam that is operatively connected to a drive unit via a control device in order to produce a punching/perforation stroke. The material is supplied between the upper tool part and a lower tool part. The material is placed or clamped in a frame mechanism. The punching/perforation machine includes a frame accommodation/connection device for accommodating/connecting the frame mechanism, and the frame mechanism containing the material is supplied between the upper tool part and the lower tool part.

In a first aspect there is disclosed a spike assembly (10) including a base (12) and a spike formation (14) operatively attached to the base (12). The spike formation (14) is adapted to hold a plurality of impaled sheets and includes an elongate spike (16) longitudinally extending between a base end (18) and an impale end (20). The base end (18) of the spike (16) is operatively adapted for attachment to the base (12). The spike assembly (12) further includes a (i) handle (26) operatively associated with the spike formation (14) and moveable relative to the spike formation to apply force to a sheet to be impaled on the spike formation, and (ii) a guide assembly (28) operatively adapted to guide movement of the handle (26) relative to the spike formation (14).

In a first aspect there is disclosed a spike assembly (10) including a base (12) and a spike formation (14) operatively attached to the base (12). The spike formation (14) is adapted to hold a plurality of impaled sheets and includes an elongate spike (16) longitudinally extending between a base end (18) and an impale end (20). The base end (18) of the spike (16) is operatively adapted for attachment to the base (12). The spike assembly (12) further includes a (i) handle (26) operatively associated with the spike formation (14) and moveable relative to the spike formation to apply force to a sheet to be impaled on the spike formation, and (ii) a guide assembly (28) operatively adapted to guide movement of the handle (26) relative to the spike formation (14).

An opening station for facilitating box opening may include a scanning station, an edge opening station, and a conveyor assembly. The scanning station is configured to measure a length “L”, height “H”, and/or width “W” of a substantially square box having a top, a bottom, two sides, and two edge portions. The edge opening station is configured to perform perforation operations on at least one of the two edge portions. A complete box opening system may include the scanning station, edge opening station, conveyor, and at least one of a top opening station and a side opening station.

An apertured nonwovens having a first nonwoven layer is described. The first nonwoven layer includes cellulose-based fibers and a plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality apertures have a minimum aperture distance between two adjacent apertures which has a relative standard deviation no greater than about 40%, as measured according to the Aperture Quality Test. The apertures have an aperture size no greater than about 2.2 mm.sup.2 and have an occlusion no greater than about 9%, as measured according to the Aperture Quality Test, or the apertures have an aspect ratio no greater than about 2.5 as measured according to the Aspect Ratio Test.