A closure module and a method for closing and/or separating filled sausage casings connected via a sausage neck, comprising two stamps movable relative to and towards each other and arranged such that a sausage neck can be placed therebetween, the stamps being capable of clamping the sausage neck in a closed condition, and further comprising a first and a second electrode, through which, in a closed condition of the stamps, a current can flow from the first electrode into the sausage neck and via the sausage neck into the second electrode.

A tube seal apparatus including a sealing iron having a tube sealing end, an insulating shroud having a tube clamping end, wherein the sealing iron is at least partially disposed within the insulating shroud. The apparatus further includes an anvil having a cutting detail and a non-stick membrane disposed between the anvil and the tube clamping end of the insulating shroud. The sealing iron and insulating shroud are configured to advance towards a tube to be sealed positioned between the non-stick membrane and the anvil. The tube clamping end is configured to clamp the tube through the non-stick membrane. The sealing iron is configured to advance towards the tube to melt and seal the tube against the cutting detail through the non-stick membrane.

A covering for an architectural feature having generally horizontal vane elements coupled to and located between generally front and rear generally vertical support members, which in preferred embodiments are adjustable to control the amount of light transmitted through the covering. In one embodiment the covering has three dimensional multi-layered, cellular vanes, and in another embodiment, the one or more support members are formed of a dark color, the rear support member(s) may be formed of material that is darker than the front support member(s), or vise versa. In another embodiment, the support members, e.g., sheers, have an openness factor, preferably as low as about sixty-five percent (65%) to as large as about ninety percent (90%). Other embodiments include structure, assemblies and methods for controlling the closure of the covering as well as embodiments of bottom rail assemblies. Also provided is a method of manufacturing the covering.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to manufacturing balloon envelopes for use in high-altitude mesh networks for packet-data communications. As an example, a gore portion may be placed on a table such that the gore portion overlies a groove within the table. A tendon may be placed on the gore portion and within the groove. A portion of tubing may be placed over the tendon. The tubing may have one or more surface openings. Restraining tape is applied over the one or more surface openings in the tubing. A constant force roller is applied to secure the tendon to the gore portion and to secure the tendon to the tubing. As an alternative or in addition to the surface openings, double-sided restraining tape may be placed between the tendon and the tubing. The tubing and restraining tape may prevent undesired lateral and longitudinal movement of the tendon during deployment.

A jaw support and a sealing jaw for form, fill and seal machines are provided. In alternative embodiments, the form, fill and seal machines may include a fitment applicator station, a fitment applicator, a fitment heater assembly and a sealing jaw constructed and arranged to form a container and transfer and apply a fitment to the container.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, various novel dispensing devices can be provided. Such devices can involve a range of sprayer heads and sprayer/foamer systems incorporating such heads. Novel sprayer/foamer heads can include buffers of various types. By using a buffer, a user need not continually be pumping the device in order for the device to be spraying or foaming. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, such a buffer can be spring loaded, spring loaded combination, elastomeric or gas. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the buffer can be in line or adjacent to a piston chamber. If adjacent, it can be connected to the piston chamber with a one way valve, to provide for spray after a downstroke of the piston has been completed, or without, to allow spraying to cease once a user releases the trigger or other actuator. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, such novel sprayers and foamers can be mounted upside down, in various Flairomop devices, used to clean floors or the like. When using a buffer, a piston chamber can be designed to deliver greater amount of liquid per unit time than can be possibly dispensed through the nozzle or nozzles. The fraction of liquid that cannot be sent through the nozzle(s), due to their inherent restriction, can thus be sent to the buffer for dispensing after the piston downstroke has been completed. A volume of the piston chamber, a volume of the buffer, a pressure response of the buffer, the throughput of the nozzle, and the minimum opening pressure of the outlet valve can be arranged to restrict the outlet pressures of liquid droplets exiting the nozzle within a defined range.

A non-continuously laminated structure of thermoplastic films comprises thermoplastic films with differing material compositions and differing functional benefits. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise thermoplastic films that are co-extruded separately and then combined together by a post-extrusion bonding process. The differing composition of the various films of the non-continuously laminated structure of thermoplastic films and the post-extrusion bonding process, provide the structures with the functional benefits of the individual films.

A method is described for opening a heat bonded sterile connection that includes a skin of material blocking flow between the connection site. The method includes applying external pressure to the connection site.

Fabricating a multilayer optical component includes obtaining a substrate having a multiplicity of polymer layers and cutting the substrate with a CO.sub.2 laser to yield a multilayer optical component having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a blackened edge along a perimeter of the multilayer optical component. The multiplicity of polymer layers is sealed along the blackened edge. The resulting multilayer optical component includes a multiplicity of polymer layers and a blackened edge seal around the multiplicity of polymer layers. The blackened edge seal includes polymer melt from the multiplicity of polymer layers.

A covering for an architectural feature having generally horizontal vane elements coupled to and located between generally front and rear generally vertical support members, which in preferred embodiments are adjustable to control the amount of light transmitted through the covering. In one embodiment the covering has three dimensional multi-layered, cellular vanes, and in another embodiment, the one or more support members are formed of a dark color, the rear support member(s) may be formed of material that is darker than the front support member(s), or vise versa. In another embodiment, the support members, e.g., sheers, have an openness factor, preferably as low as about sixty-five percent (65%) to as large as about ninety percent (90%). Other embodiments include structure, assemblies and methods for controlling the closure of the covering as well as embodiments of bottom rail assemblies. Also provided is a method of manufacturing the covering.