Patents Examined by Chelsea Stinson
  • Patent number: 9592634
    Abstract: A sealing device (D) for sealing a pouched strip (N) to a cladding film (P) for obtaining a blister strip (B) has a pair of pair of heat-welding plates (10) for sealing, by heat-welding, the film (P) and the strip (N), thereby obtaining the blister strip (B). A sliding element (11), for sliding the blister strip (B) released by the pair of heat welding plates (10) is provided with a curved sliding surface (110) for receiving the blister strip (B). The device (D) further has a device (20) for forcing the blister band (B) to slide along and in contact with the curved sliding surface (110), and a device (30) for directing at least one cooling fluid to cross the sliding element (11) so as to cool the blister strip (B) during the sliding thereof along the curved sliding surface (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: MARCHESINI GROUP S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Monti
  • Patent number: 9579846
    Abstract: In a lateral sealing mechanism, a cylindrical film is sandwiched and ultrasonic sealing is performed along a direction that intersects a conveying direction while a first horn and a first anvil, and a second horn and a second anvil rotate. The first horn is mounted on a first rotating body in a state of being coupled to a plurality of vibrating elements. The second horn is mounted on the second rotating body in a state coupled to a plurality of vibrating elements. A securing member grips a horn unit, which includes the horns and the plurality of vibrating elements, on the forward and rearward sides in the direction of rotation of the horn assembly in the vicinity of the node of ultrasonic vibration and secures the horn unit to the first rotating body and the second rotating body, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoru Kamigaito
  • Patent number: 9555910
    Abstract: When the opposing housings (1, 8) of the apparatus are closed, they form between them a small main chamber (P) delimited above by the film (H) for covering the tray and below by the tray (V) itself containing the product (M), and laterally by any suitable mechanical interface structure which surrounds the perimeter of said film and connects it to the perimeter of the upper edge (B) of the tray, this interface structure having holes (22) which are suitably distributed, are located outside the perimeter of the tray, and communicate with said main chamber (P). One or more of these holes (22) open(s) on at least one side of the tray and is/are connected to a first circuit (23, 24), while another one or more of said holes (22?) open(s) on at least one opposing side of the tray and is/are connected to a second circuit (17) which in turn is connected to the inner chambers of the two housings (1, 8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: GRUPPO FABBRI VIGNOLA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Massimiliano Vaccari, Andrea Schiavina
  • Patent number: 9549738
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a pivotable trigger, and a ratcheting assembly. The ratcheting assembly may include a rotary ratchet coupled to the trigger and a pawl coupled to the body. The rotary ratchet may further include a ramp that disengages the ratchet from the pawl. A release feature may be included to selectively disengage a second member of the ratcheting assembly from a first member. In some versions, the release feature may include a rotation knob or a slidable handle. In another configuration, the ratcheting assembly may have a first member coupled to an actuator and a second member coupled to the body. The assembly may include a lock member coupled to the body that selectively engages a plurality of teeth disposed on the actuator. Alternatively, the assembly may include a pivotable pawl coupled to the actuator that engages one or more notches formed in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventors: Venkataramanan Mandakolathur Vasudevan, Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs, Chester O. Baxter, III, Jerome R. Morgan, Cortney E. Henderson, Christopher C. Miller, Kent P. Baker, John V. Hunt, Barry T. Jamison, Patrick A. Weizman, Joseph E. Young, Cory G. Kimball, Carl J. Shurtleff, Edward G. Chekan, Kevin D. Felder, Johnny H. Alexander, III, Patrick J. Swindon, Joseph P. Schowalter, John F. Cummings
  • Patent number: 9550288
    Abstract: A fastener-driving tool includes a housing and a workpiece-contacting element movable between a rest position and an activated position. The tool also includes a trigger connected to the housing and movable between a rest position and an activated position, a control valve including an actuating pin, an actuation lever movably connected to the trigger and movable between a rest position and an actuating position adjacent to the actuating pin, and a trigger control mechanism associated with the actuation lever and configured for moving and holding the actuation lever in the actuating position. In a powered mode, the trigger control mechanism causes the-actuation lever to move and remain in the actuating position such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element contacts a workpiece and moves to the activated position causing the actuation lever to contact the actuating pin and initiate an actuation of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Moore, Murray Z. Weinger, Daniel J. Birk, Hanxin Zhao, Ricardo Segura, Ryan L. Francis
  • Patent number: 9533780
    Abstract: An apparatus for sealing an open end of a package comprises a first longitudinally extending sealing jaw, bearing mounted on a first eccentric shaft rotatable around a first rotational axis, and a second longitudinally extending sealing jaw, bearing mounted on a second eccentric shaft rotatable around a second rotational axis, the second sealing jaw being parallel with the first sealing jaw. At least one motor drives rotation around the first and second rotational axis in opposite directions, wherein the first and the second sealing jaws oppose each other, and are allowed to oscillate between sealing and open positions by moving towards and away from each other. A first and second transversally extending guiding bar cooperate with the first and second eccentric shaft via guiding pins running in guiding grooves, such that transverse play between the first and the second eccentric shaft and the first and second sealing jaw is allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventor: Richard Persson
  • Patent number: 9527611
    Abstract: An arrangement for manufacturing of portion packets of a product for oral use, includes a forming arrangement configured to form portion packets of a bulk material. The arrangement includes a device for placing the portion packets into a container, wherein the device includes a portion packet transporting unit and a portion packet positioning unit. The transporting unit is configured to transport individual portion packets to the positioning unit, and the positioning unit is configured to position the portion packets in a certain pattern during operation of the device. The transporting unit includes a product channel for transporting the portion packets, the product channel having an inlet and an outlet, the transporting unit further including a gas channel for connection to a source of pressurized gas, the gas channel arranged to, when connected to the source, guide pressurized gas into the product channel in a direction towards the product channel outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Swedish Match North Europe AB
    Inventors: Lars-Olof Lofman, Thom Aspgren, Dennis Eriksson, Tomas Larsson
  • Patent number: 9517853
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for heat shrinking a film wrapping an object and a method for operating such an apparatus. The apparatus includes a heat treatment chamber and a transport device for supporting and moving the object through the heat treatment chamber. Steam is supplied to a fluid outlet device including one or more nozzles. The apparatus further includes a window arranged to allow an operator to look inside the heat treatment chamber. To improve continuous viewing capabilities the apparatus further includes a blurring reduction system. A fluid flow is generated along an inner side of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI SEAL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Ernst Christiaan Koolhaas, Martinus Hubertus Maria Van Der Linden
  • Patent number: 9505190
    Abstract: A gluing device for automatically gluing and folding a gluable item. The gluing device includes a support structure upon which a gluing apparatus and a support plate assembly are mounted. The support plate is configured for supporting and aligning a gluable item for gluing and assembly by the gluing apparatus. The gluing apparatus includes a first clamp configured for selectively and securely holding a first portion of the gluable item on the support plate, a glue dispensing nozzle fluidly coupled to a glue supply, and a folding apparatus configured for folding the first portion of the gluable item onto a second portion of the gluable item after glue has been applied. A method for automatically gluing and folding a gluable item is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Packsize LLC
    Inventors: Niklas Pettersson, Ryan Osterhout
  • Patent number: 9498928
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a conveyor for unfolding a flat, folded rigid or semi-rigid container blank into a container. The conveyor includes two opposing lugged chain conveyor assemblies which are separated at a sufficient distance at the entry end to receive and engage a folded blank between opposed notches in the two lugged chain conveyor assemblies. As the folded blank progresses in the machine direction, the two opposing lugged chain conveyor assemblies become closer to each other so as to unfold the blank into a container with a storage volume therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Kenny E. McCracken, David C. Wallace, Clifton R. Howell
  • Patent number: 9493262
    Abstract: A method for generating data with a wrapping machine during wrapping of a load includes measuring a length of packaging material dispensed during wrapping of the load with a sensing assembly on the wrapping machine. The method further includes obtaining a value indicative of a weight of the packaging material per unit of length and determining a weight of the packaging material dispensed on the wrapped load based on the measured length and the obtained value without removing the packaging material from the load. The determined weight of the packaging material is displayed on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Lantech.com, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael Mitchell, Thomas Harris, Robert D. Janes, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9488557
    Abstract: Various methods are provided for determining and displaying wrapping data generated by a wrapping machine during wrapping of a load with a packaging material, e.g., to determine numbers of layers of packaging material applied to a load, a containment force applied to a load, and/or whether a load meets a predetermined minimum required containment force standard for the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Lantech.com, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael Mitchell, Thomas Harris, Robert D. Janes, Sr., Richard L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9481503
    Abstract: An adsorber material element is used relieve a vacuum that results from cooling of heated contents in a sealed container. An interior volume of that container may be filled or partially filled with a heated material. After the at least partially filled container is sealed, one or more gases may be released from an adsorber material and into the interior volume of the sealed container. As the contents of the container cool, the release of gas(es) from the adsorber material relieves vacuum that would otherwise develop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Weilong L. Chiang, Paul Lunn, Clarence Sequeira, Edward Peter Socci
  • Patent number: 9481501
    Abstract: A method of forming a carton. The method comprises obtaining a blank comprising a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a top panel, at least two first end flaps, at least two second end flap, and at least one article protection flap foldably connected to the bottom panel. The method comprises positioning the plurality of panels to form an interior space of the carton, loading a plurality of beverage bottles into the interior space, closing a first end of the carton, closing a second end of the carton, and tightening the carton by folding the at least one article protection flap into the interior space after the loading of the plurality of beverage bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Schmal, O'Neal Alexander, Mark Baldino, Michael Cerio, John Murdick Holley, Jr., Frank N. Moncrief, Raymond S. Kastanek, Colin Ford
  • Patent number: 9469022
    Abstract: A driving tool may include a tool body, a magazine and a restricting member. The magazine may be coupled to the tool body and may be configured to store a fastener strip having fasteners connected in series with each other. The restricting member may be configured to permit the fastener strip to be inserted into the magazine to a predetermined position when the fastener strip is in a first orientation. The restricting member may prevent the fastener strip from being inserted into the magazine in the feeding direction to reach the predetermined position when the fastener strip is in a second orientation that is different from the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naoharu Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9403668
    Abstract: A device for production of drinks containers may include a forming device which transforms plastic preforms into plastic containers, a filling device which is arranged after the forming device in the transport direction of the plastic containers and fills the plastic containers with a fluid, and a transport device which transports the plastic containers individually from the forming device in the direction of the filling device along a prespecified transport path. The device includes, along the transport path, an alignment device which aligns the plastic containers at least partially in relation to a rotary position about their longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Krones, AG
    Inventors: Hermann Klarl, Stefan Roithmeier, Erik Blochmann, Sebastian Beulshausen, Reiner Gloetzl
  • Patent number: 9381633
    Abstract: A fastener-driving tool includes a housing, a workpiece-contacting element movable between a rest position and an activated position, and a trigger movable between a rest position and an activated position. The tool includes an actuation lever movably connected to the trigger and a control valve including an actuating pin and an electromagnet where the actuating pin is movable between a rest position and an activated position. In a powered mode, the electromagnet is energized and attracts the actuation lever to the actuating pin and hold the actuation lever and the actuating pin in respective activated positions such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element contacts a workpiece. In a non-powered mode, the electromagnet is not energized such that the tool is actuated each time the workpiece-contacting element and the trigger are each moved from the rest position to the activated position in a designated sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Moore, Murray Z. Weinger, Daniel J. Birk, Hanxin Zhao
  • Patent number: 9371146
    Abstract: Provided is an aseptic filling packaging machine that includes film feeder (1), plug feeder (2), welding devices (22, and 55), sterilizer (3), and filling packaging device (5). Film feeder (1) feeds strip film (8). Plug feeder (2) feeds plug (7) to a predetermined position of fed film (8). Primary welding mechanism (22), which serves as a welding device, temporarily welds plug (7) to the predetermined position of film (8). Sterilizer (3) immerses film 8 having plug (7), which has been fed from film feeder (1), in a sterile liquid. While forming film 8 having plug (7), which has been fed from sterilizer (3), into a bag shape, filling packaging device (5) fills the formed film packaging body having the plug with content to seal it. In filling packaging device (5), secondary welding mechanism (55) that serves as a welding device completely welds plug (7) to film (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ORIHIRO ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Orihiro Tsuruta, Shunji Yamada
  • Patent number: 9364217
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure a surgical stapling apparatus is disclosed including a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly includes at least one cartridge having a first half and a second half, a first row of retention slots disposed in the first half, a second row of retention slots disposed in the second half, a third row of retention slots being alternately disposed in the first half and the second half of the at least one cartridge between the first and second rows of staple receiving slots, a plurality of fasteners disposed in the retention slots of the first, second and third rows, and a plurality of pushers disposed in each of the first and second halves of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Stanislaw Kostrzewski, Ernest Aranyi, Paul Scirica
  • Patent number: 9351732
    Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with a surgical stapler, the end effector comprises a staple cartridge assembly having a tissue contacting surface and an anvil assembly having a tissue contacting surface. A surgical buttress configured and dimensioned to substantially overlie at least a portion of the tissue contacting surface of at least one of the staple cartridge assembly and anvil assembly. A plurality of attachment pads secured to at least one of the tissue contacting surface of the at least one staple cartridge assembly and anvil assembly configured to retain the respective buttress material thereto, wherein the surgical buttress is ultrasonically welded to each of the plurality of attachment pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Gerald N. Hodgkinson