Patents Examined by Andrew M Tecco
  • Patent number: 11612393
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a surgical instrument with a robotics system, a memory device and an end effector having an elongate channel, knife position sensor(s) and a firing bar coupled to a knife. In response to drive motions initiated by the robotics system, the firing bar may translate within the elongate channel. As the firing bar translates, the sensor(s) transmit a signal to the memory device. The position of the knife may be determined from the output signals and may be communicated to the robotics system or instrument user. The sensors may be Hall Effect sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jerome R. Morgan, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11612394
    Abstract: A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an end effector that comprises a staple channel and an anvil that is movably translatable relative to the staple channel. A tool mounting portion is configured to interface with a robotic system and operably communicate with the end effector. The instrument further includes a first sensor that has an output that represents a first condition of a portion of the robotic system. A second sensor has an output that represents a position of the anvil. A third sensor has an output that represents a position of a reciprocating knife within the end effector. An externally accessible memory device communicates with the first, second and third sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jerome R. Morgan, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11613387
    Abstract: A vibrating device (14) ensures the ordered rearrangement of folding boxes (3) in a receptacle (2) for an evacuation conveyor (8), provided with driving elements (12) whose vertices define a horizontal transport plane (S2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: BOBST MEX SA
    Inventor: Nicolas Brizzi
  • Patent number: 11613392
    Abstract: Described and depicted is an application device for applying additional elements, in particular straws, to packages, preferably cardboard composite packages, having at least one transport device for transporting the packages along a transport track having at least one applicator adjustable, from a pick-up position for picking up the additional elements, to an application position for applying the additional elements to the packages and back. To facilitate the application of the additional elements at a higher application speed without having to take on considerable losses with regard to the reliability of the application of the additional elements or the complexity of the equipment, it is provided that at least one positioning belt extending at least in sections along the transport track of the packages is provided such that the additional elements applied to the packages are held on the packages, in particular pressed onto the packages along at least a part of the transport track by the positioning belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: SIG Technology AG
    Inventor: Daniel Hirt
  • Patent number: 11608203
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing a multipack includes forming groups on opposite sides of a transport section. The first forming group comprises a sliding carriage that moves along and transverse to a transport direction, a format part that forms a contact surface for engaging a container, and a guiding-and-holding element that detachably secures the format part to the sliding carriage. The first and second forming groups are movable along the transport direction and transverse to the transport direction such that contact surfaces of the first and second forming groups that are opposite each other are brought into contact with containers to move the containers along the transport direction and to press the containers against each other by moving transverse to the transport direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Nitsch, Thomas Stienen
  • Patent number: 11602258
    Abstract: An exemplary system includes a memory storing instructions and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to receive, from a sensor of a surgical instrument, environmental condition information associated with the surgical instrument and detected by the sensor while the surgical instrument is disconnected from an external power source, the surgical instrument including circuitry configured to be powered and operate only while the surgical instrument is connected to the external power source, determine, based on the environmental condition information, an operational condition of the surgical instrument, and provide a notification indicating the determined operational condition of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Quentin F. Polosky, Diana C. W. Friedman, Mathew D. Clopp, Yves Lacroix, John A Barton, Dean A. Mansour
  • Patent number: 11603280
    Abstract: An assembly comprises a device for producing a corrugated board web laminated on one side comprising a fluting device for fluting a first material web and a pressing device for pressing the glued corrugated web and a second material web against one another. The assembly comprises a first transverse position detecting device, upstream the fluting device, for detecting the first material web, a second transverse position detecting device, upstream the pressing device, for detecting the second material web and a signal processing unit, which is capable of actuating a unrolling device for unrolling the second material web so that in the device for producing a corrugated board web it is transversally displaced correspondingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: BHS Corrugated Maschinen—und Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Alfons Gnan, Florian Müller, Maximilian Rosemann
  • Patent number: 11602826
    Abstract: The electric screwdriver apparatus control method is executed by an electric screwdriver apparatus. A processing module of the electric screwdriver apparatus loads a configuration data, and the processing module controls a motor module to accelerate a rotational speed to a target rotational speed. When a revolution number exceeds a first revolution number, the processing module controls the motor module to decelerate to a first rotational speed. When a torque value exceeds a first torque value, the processing module determines whether a fastening process of a screw ends with a hard stop or a soft stop according to the configuration data. If the fastening process ends with the hard stop, then the screw is additionally tightened for a hard stop angle, vice versa. The processing module tightens the screw according to the configuration data, the torque value and a rotational speed value, improving the process of fastening the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventor: Te Huang Wang
  • Patent number: 11597565
    Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a bag opening includes a retaining member and a slide member adapted to slide into said retaining member. The retaining member includes an elongated opening that extends through at least one open end of the retaining member. A bottom stop is provided at an end of the retaining member that is opposite to the open end of the retaining member. Alternatively, the retaining member includes an elongated opening that extends through both ends of the retaining member and the bottom stop is omitted. The slide member includes at least one protruding portion that protrudes from the retaining member when the slide member is slid into and retained by the retaining member. The slide member abuts the bottom stop of the retaining member when such bottom stop is provided within the retaining member. In cases in which the retaining member is provided with two open ends, the slide member may include two protruding portions that protrude from both open ends of the retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventor: Madeline B. Hart
  • Patent number: 11597060
    Abstract: A torque-adjustable pneumatic tool comprises a body, a trigger assembly, and a torque-adjusting module. The body has an outlet tunnel. The trigger assembly is mounted to the body. The torque-adjusting module is mounted to the body, communicates with the outlet tunnel, and has a silencer, an adjusting bolt, and a piston lid. The silencer has a recess and an exhaust portion communicating with the recess. The exhaust portion has a threaded hole and at least one exhaust hole that are separately disposed through the exhaust portion. The adjusting bolt is movably mounted to the threaded hole of the silencer from a side away from the body, and engages with the silencer through threads. The piston lid is fixed to the adjusting bolt and is able to enter the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Airboss Air Tools Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsin He Chang
  • Patent number: 11591121
    Abstract: A machine for packaging multiple containers wherein a flexible carrier stock is fed across a jaw drum. A plurality of containers are moved through the machine whereby the carrier is subsequently positioned over the plurality of containers so that flexible carrier stock engages with two or more of the containers to form a package. The jaw drum and other operative components of the machine are preferably vertically adjustable to accommodate a range of container sizes and carrier configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: James A. Rouzer, Michael Burns, Kenneth J. Chess, Jacob L. Miller, Phillip E. Lullo
  • Patent number: 11590633
    Abstract: Disclosed inventions include:•integrated pneumatic flow pressure regulator assemblies with and/or without filters and/or swivels, per FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1I, 1J, 1K, 1L, 1M and 1N for use with all of Applicant's pneumatic torque gun models;•activation, or trigger, lock safety assemblies, per FIGS. 2A1, 2A2, 2B1 and 2B2, for use with all of Applicant's electric and pneumatic torque gun models;•automatic torque gun shifting assemblies including:—rotation speed-sensing centrifugal multi-speed automatic shifting assemblies, per FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, for use with all of Applicant's electric and pneumatic torque gun models;—torque-sensing centrifugal multi-speed automatic shifting assemblies, per FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G, 4H, and 4I, for use with all of Applicant's electric and pneumatic torque gun models;•helical cam, or wobbling, turning force multiplication assemblies, per FIGS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: HYTORC Division UNEX Corporation
    Inventors: Eric P. Junkers, Peter Fortoloczki, Thomas F. McLoughlin, Richard J. Raska
  • Patent number: 11590641
    Abstract: A staple gun and a method of using the same. A stapling mechanism in the housing is activated to deliver a staple through an aperture in a housing wall and drive the staple into a surface around a stack of one or more electric cables. The gun includes a reciprocating cable guide for centering the gun on the stack of cables and closing a safety switch to permit the gun's trigger to be activated. A spacer extending outwardly from the housing wall rests on the upper surface of the cable stack. The spacer and a bumper that engages a hammer of the stapling mechanism provide for automatic depth adjustment when driving the staple into the surface. A reciprocating cable guard extending outwardly from the housing wall is positioned between the stack of cables and the staple to aid in preventing the staple from piercing the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: BRAHMA INDUSTRIES LLC
    Inventors: Mark Ferris, Eric A. Miller, Jr., John D. Fiegener, Marcus R. Hanna, Ryan Thompson, William P. Liteplo
  • Patent number: 11589516
    Abstract: A wrapping assembly includes: a material roll that holds a roll of wrapping material; a duckbill assembly including a duckbill carrying a duckbill roll that draws material from a roll of wrapping material held by the material roll, the duckbill being movable between a first position and a second position; a duckbill actuator coupled to the duckbill that moves the duckbill between the first position and the second position; a variable brake associated with the material roll that applies a variable braking force to the material roll; and a controller operatively coupled to the duckbill actuator and the brake. The controller determines that a load on the duckbill actuator exceeds a threshold value and outputs a brake reduction signal to the brake so the brake reduces applied braking force to the material roll when the load on the duckbill actuator exceeds the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Scott C. Simmons
  • Patent number: 11589868
    Abstract: A surgical staple driver configured for use with a surgical staple cartridge that operably interfaces with a surgical instrument camming member that is axially movable along a first cam axis. A driver body is slidably supportable within the surgical staple cartridge. A camming surface is provided on the driver body that is oriented for camming engagement with the camming member along the first cam axis. The driver further includes a staple supporting portion that is configured to operably support at least one surgical staple thereon relative to the camming surface such that when the camming member engages the camming surface, the camming member passes transversely under a portion of a staple crown of at least one surgical staple supported on the staple supporting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chester O. Baxter, III, Lawrence Crainich
  • Patent number: 11571015
    Abstract: A system includes system at least one dispenser configured to dispense to dispense a plurality of segments on a first conveying path and a spacing drum configured to receive a number of the plurality of segments per revolution of the drum and configured to release the number of segments on a second conveying path at a segment-release spacing and a segment-release speed along the conveying path, the number of the plurality of segments being at least three and the number of segments released by the spacing drum forming a filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventor: Dwight D. Williams
  • Patent number: 11572207
    Abstract: There is described a packaging apparatus (1) for forming a plurality of sealed packages (2) from a tube (3) of a web of packaging material (4) which is continuously filled with a pourable product. The packaging apparatus comprises a delimiting element (37) arranged, in use, within the tube (3) and being designed to divide the tube (3), in use, into a first space (38) and a second space (39). The packaging apparatus (1) also comprises a sterile gas supply device (43) for pressurizing the isolation chamber and the second space (39) by means of a respectively a first flow of sterile gas and a second flow of sterile gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Filippo Ferrarini, Nicola Garuti
  • Patent number: 11570952
    Abstract: A wrapping assembly includes: a material roll configured to hold a roll of wrapping material; a duckbill assembly including a duckbill carrying a duckbill roll and configured to draw material from a roll of wrapping material held by the material roll; a duckbill actuator coupled to the duckbill to move the duckbill between an insert position and a home position; a variable brake associated with the material roll and configured to apply a variable braking force to the material roll; and a controller operatively coupled to the duckbill actuator and the brake. The controller is configured to: determine an averaged electric current draw of the duckbill actuator during a sampling period is below a defined value and responsively output a brake increase signal so the brake increases applied braking force to the material roll by a defined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Scott C. Simmons
  • Patent number: 11572211
    Abstract: Packaging systems with a rotatable table top held by a rotatable column, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart clipper assemblies held at respective clipper stations provided by the rotatable table top, plurality of spaced apart pneumatic valves under the table top in fluid communication with the clipper assemblies, and at least one of: (a) a clipper reset cam assembly held under the rotatable table top with first and second reset cams cam that selectively automatically engage the pneumatic valves as the table rotates; and (b) a clipper trigger cam assembly held under the rotatable table top circumferentially spaced apart from the clipper reset cam assembly with first and second trigger cams that selectively automatically engage the pneumatic valves as the table rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Tipper Tie, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. May, Samuel D. Griggs, William M. Poteat, Matthew D. Lowder
  • Patent number: 11571797
    Abstract: A pneumatic impact tool having a vibration reducing structure includes a handle with a bucket member and a directional control valve. A tube member including a cylindrical wall and a chamber is coupled with the bucket member. The chamber is divided into a front and a rear chamber portion by a hammer member. Gas may be guided into the front or the rear chamber portion by the directional control valve. A vent is disposed on the cylindrical wall. An exhaust channel which communicates with the front chamber portion and not communicates with the rear chamber portion is disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the hammer member. The hammer member is pushed to return if gas is guided into the front chamber portion. Gas in the front chamber portion is exhausted when the exhaust channel communicates with the vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: STORM PNEUMATIC TOOL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yung Yung Sun