Patents Examined by Nicholas E Igbokwe
  • Patent number: 11975877
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a case former configured to receive a case in a blank configuration, open the case into a tubular configuration, fold the lower minor flaps to manipulate the case into a partially closed-bottom configuration, square the case while in the partially closed-bottom configuration, and fold and tape the lower major flaps shut to manipulate the case into a closed-bottom configuration. The squaring step ensures that the case has a rectangular cross-section after taping rather than a rhomboid cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLC
    Inventor: Bryce J. Fox
  • Patent number: 11975502
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for folding a corrugated cardboard blank (1) intended to form a folded box, the method comprising the following series of steps: i) supplying a blank (1) comprising at least one longitudinal crease (11); ii) applying a liquid to the longitudinal crease (11) so as to make the corrugated cardboard more flexible at the location of the longitudinal crease (11), the application being performed by means of a liquid application arrangement (130) comprising a liquid-ejection nozzle (134) provided with a liquid outlet; iii) folding the blank (1) around the longitudinal crease (11); wherein an aspiration of liquid is produced inside an aspiration compartment (163) of the liquid application arrangement (130) during step ii). The aspiration making it possible to remove any excess liquid which might not have been absorbed by the cardboard and/or the cardboard dust produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: BOBST LYON
    Inventors: Maxime Brenaut, Guillaume Martin-Bastenaire
  • Patent number: 11958644
    Abstract: A seaming shaft device for a sealer includes a seaming shaft, a seaming device detachable from the seaming shaft, and a fastening mechanism for fastening the seaming device to the seaming shaft. The fastening mechanism includes a lock and a fastener which can be arranged between the lock and the seaming device. The lock and the seaming device can be moved relative to each other along the seaming axis so that the seaming device can be brought from a locked state to an unlocked state, and the fastener in the locked stat is clamped between the seaming device and the lock such that the seaming device is fixed to the seaming shaft. The fastener can be unclamped by bringing the seaming device from the locked state to the unlocked state so that the seaming device is detachable from the seaming shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: FERRUM PACKAGING AG
    Inventor: Jürg Dünki
  • Patent number: 11958254
    Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with a method of forming a seal with a polyethylene based film structure. The polyethylene based film structure has at least one layer formed with an oriented polyethylene having a predetermined melting temperature (Tm). A conductive heat sealing device provides heat to form the seal, where a first sealing bar of the conductive heat sealing device operates at a first operating temperature of at least 10 degrees Celsius (° C.) below the Tm of the oriented polyethylene in the polyethylene based film structure and a second sealing bar of the conductive heat sealing device operates at a second operating temperature of at least 15° C. higher than the operating temperature of the first sealing bar. The seal formed with the polyethylene based film structure retains at least 99 percent of its original surface area prior to forming the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Zhe Du, Gang Wang, Xiaobing Yun, Jianping Pan, Jingyi Xu
  • Patent number: 11952153
    Abstract: A self-propelled wrapping machine movable around a load to wrap the load with a plastic film in a wrapping cycle, comprising a self-propelled carriage; a upright fixed to the carriage and slidably supporting an unwinding unit provided at least with a reel of film; a first gripping unit that is supported by the carriage, and is movable and arranged to hold and unwind an initial flap of film from the unwinding unit in an initial step of the wrapping cycle; and a second gripping unit that is supported by the carriage, and is movable and arranged to position and release an anchoring element on the initial flap of film in the initial step of the wrapping cycle so as to fix the initial flap of film to a supporting plane and to grasp and lift the anchoring element from the supporting plane so as to disengage it from the initial flap of film after at least one turn of the self-propelled wrapping machine around the load wrapping the load with the film supplied by the unwinding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: ROBOPAC S.P.A.
    Inventors: Pierangelo Laghi, Luca Delbaldo
  • Patent number: 11952161
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for capping an array of bat pipes. A cap rack is provided with a frame, runners and a matrix of caps. The matrix of caps are aligned respectively over the top open ends of array of bat pipes filled with smokable material. A press tool, having a matrix of pegs and ribs, is aligned over the matrix of caps. Downward pressure of the press tool is applied into the cap rack thereby pressing the matrix of caps into sealed engagement with respective top open ends of the bat pipes. The downward pressure of the ribs of the press tool into the cap rack separates the frame and runners of the cap rack from the matrix of caps leaving the matrix of caps seated in respective top open ends of the bat pipes leaving the array of bat pipes ready for sale, shipping or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Pre-Pack, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 11945186
    Abstract: Described are a machine and a method for forming containers from blanks, including a plurality of shaping hoppers, an endless conveyor which defines a feed path and on which the hoppers are mounted in succession and a plurality of pushing elements which are movable in such a way as to follow the respective shaping hoppers along at least a stretch of the feed path and which have a to-and-fro operating movement towards and away from the respective hopper along a direction transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the feed path. The machine also includes folding means disposed along the feed path downstream of the pushing elements and configured to produce, respectively, a top closure and/or a bottom closure of the tubular blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: AZIONARIA COSTRUZIONI MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE A.C.M.A. S.P.A.
    Inventors: Mauro Varotto, Lucio Librio, Marco Ghini, Domenico Polidori
  • Patent number: 11944309
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer sheath and a staple driving mechanism. The end effector includes a staple deck, an anvil, a first staple driver, and a second staple driver. The staple deck defines a plurality of staple openings in at least one annular array. Each staple opening in the plurality of staple openings houses a staple. The anvil is configured to actuate relative to the staple deck to compress tissue between the staple deck and the anvil. The staple driving mechanism is configured to actuate the first staple driver to fire a first staple of the plurality of staples against the anvil. The staple driving mechanism is further configured to actuate the second staple driver independently of the first staple driver to fire a second staple of the plurality of staples against the anvil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Michael D. Auld, Brett E. Swensgard, Sol Posada, Michael J. Vendely, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11939099
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for vacuum stoppering a medical container. The device includes a main body defining an internal volume that has a variable pressure chamber configured to be connected to a vacuum pump. A stopper holder system is arranged in communication with the variable pressure chamber and is configured to receive and hold a stopper aligned with the direction of travel of a piston rod. A piston rod is moveable inside the internal volume of the main body along a longitudinal axis between a proximal rest position and a distal operative position wherein the piston rod pushes the stopper into the medical container. A container holder system provided in the main body, is arranged distally relative to the stopper holder system and in communication with the variable pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson France
    Inventors: Gwenn Le Dimet, Julien Gagliano
  • Patent number: 11939093
    Abstract: A unit for over-wrapping filter bags includes a carousel rotating about a first axis with first and second grippers along a closed circular trajectory. A forming station for forming single sheets of over-wrapping material is arranged near the trajectory and includes a feeding device for feeding the sheets in a U-shape, synchronized with the first grippers. A first drum transports formed bags, rotates about a second axis and has grippers receiving the bags from a preceding station and releasing the bags from the first grippers with the U-shaped sheets in synchronization. A closing station includes a sealing gripper movable from a first position near the carousel, for picking the bag with the sheet the first gripper, to a second away position for closing the sheet and, lastly, to a third position near the carousel, for release of the enclosed bag to the second gripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: I.M.A. INDUSTRIA MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Sauro Rivola
  • Patent number: 11939101
    Abstract: Device for emptying flexible bags containing fluids, comprising traction means and draining means, the draining means being physically connected to the traction means by means of positioning means such that they are rotatably movable around the traction means and the traction means and the draining means being arranged and mutually enabled to stretch a flexible bag from the traction means and simultaneously to pass and circulate the bag through the draining means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: LiquidPack, S.L.
    Inventor: Vicente Luis Salvá Transfiguración
  • Patent number: 11931878
    Abstract: A power tool comprises an adjustable auxiliary handle assembly that facilities safe use of the tool by the operator while allowing convenient carry and storage of the tool when not in use. The adjustable auxiliary handle assembly comprises an indexing mechanism that includes an angled connector, a slidable latching mechanism and a handle base. The indexing mechanism allows a longitudinal handle to rotate and be locked in a position convenient and comfortable to the operator. The indexing mechanism is adjustable and can be operated with one hand (e.g., one-handed operation). The latching mechanism holds the auxiliary handle position in place while allowing the power tool to be used in high-torque/high load applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Industrial U.S., Inc.
    Inventors: Vairavasundaram Swaminathan, Dennis Naksen, Scott Turner, William Durham, Jefferey C. Yaschur
  • Patent number: 11932433
    Abstract: A gassing device for gassing a container includes a rotatable gassing rotor with a container receptacle for receiving the container and a feeding area for feeding a gas via a feed opening. The container receptacle includes a gassing nozzle flow-connected to the feed opening via a channel for gassing the container, and a stationary gas supply with a stationary supply opening arranged on the feeding area such that the supply opening can be flow-connected to the feed opening. The gassing rotor can be supplied with the gas from the gas supply in the operating state by moving the feed opening to the stationary supply opening by rotating the gassing rotor. The feeding area is connected without contact to the gas supply in the form of a labyrinth seal, so that the gassing rotor is rotatable relative to the gas supply in the operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: FERRUM PACKAGING AG
    Inventor: Philippe Derendinger
  • Patent number: 11925402
    Abstract: An electrically driven orthopedic impactor may include an adapter for interfacing between the orthopedic impactor and a surgical implement. The adapter may have a first surface that transmits a forward impact energy and a second surface that transmits a reverse impact energy. The adapter can connect to the surgical implement and to the orthopedic impactor without the use of external tools. The adapter may connect to the orthopedic impactor via a pushing motion and may disconnect from the orthopedic impactor via a reciprocal sleeve. A sensor can communicate a spatial orientation of the adapter with respect to at least one reference point that is not located on the adapter or the orthopedic impactor. A communication device may transmit information to the orthopedic impactor related to frequency or impact energy settings based on a type of surgical implement attached to the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: DEPUY SYNTHES PRODUCTS, INC
    Inventor: Christopher Pedicini
  • Patent number: 11919129
    Abstract: A power tool and method of detecting impacts of a power tool that includes a motor driving a hammer to impact an anvil. A motor control unit is configured to determine a motor characteristic indicative of a speed of the motor. When the motor characteristic indicates that the speed of the motor is below a speed threshold, the motor control unit employs an acceleration-based technique to detect a first impact based on a change in motor acceleration and generate a first impact indication in response to detecting the first impact. When the motor characteristic indicates that the speed is above the speed threshold, the motor control unit employs a time-based technique to detect a second impact based on an elapsed time and generates a second impact indication in response to detecting the second impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Alex Huber, Matthew Wycklendt, Matthew Mergener, Cole Conrad, Wing Fung Yip
  • Patent number: 11919141
    Abstract: An electric tool is provided with a second switch that is actuated in order for the tool to be used. The second switch is on a second handle that is grasped by the operator with a different hand than the hand that actuates the main trigger switch. Communication between the second switch and the tool occurs with a wireless signal indicating that the second switch has been actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Industrial U.S., Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Turner, Steven G. Diacumakos, Neal Hambleton, Daniel J. Becker
  • Patent number: 11912448
    Abstract: A method for forming sealed partially-filled packages filled with a pourable product comprises at least forming a tube from a web of packaging material, filling the pourable product into the tube for forming a product column within the tube, directing a sterile gas into the product column for forming and/or maintaining a gas cushion within the product column, and forming and transversally sealing the tube, for obtaining the packages containing the pourable product and a gas space formed from a defined volume of the sterile gas originating from the gas cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Daniele Anzaldi, Nicola Garuti, Yutaka Kaneko, David Arturo Fuga Martin
  • Patent number: 11903587
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a staple parameter of a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The method includes determining, by a control circuit of the surgical stapling instrument, a first stroke length for a first staple driver of the surgical stapling instrument to drive a first row of staples of a circular stapling head assembly of the surgical stapling instrument; detecting, by the control circuit, a malformed staple in the first row of staples; adjusting, by the control circuit, the staple parameter, based on the detection of the malformed staple; and determining, by the control circuit, a second stroke length for a second staple driver of the surgical stapling instrument to drive a second row of staples of the circular stapling head assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E Shelton, IV, Gregory J. Bakos, Jason L. Harris, Chester O. Baxter, III
  • Patent number: 11891198
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for roll-formed containers for shipping. In one embodiment, an example container for an item may include a rectangular sheet of formable material, the rectangular sheet having a first crease line, a second crease line separated from the second crease line by a distance, a first crease pattern disposed adjacent to the first crease line, and a second crease pattern disposed adjacent to the second crease line. The container may include a sealant disposed about three sides of the rectangular sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Garett Ochs
  • Patent number: 11884429
    Abstract: The machine for packaging groups of products in a wrapping sheet, includes a device for spreading a wrapping sheet and a handling device, adapted to reciprocally move a group of products to be packaged and the wrapping sheet, so as to wrap the wrapping sheet around the group of products as a result of the reciprocal movement between the wrapping sheet and group of products. The machine further includes temporary support members adapted to support flaps of the wrapping sheet protruding with respect to the group of products during a step of reciprocal movement between the group of products to be packaged and the wrapping sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Korber Tissue S.p.A.
    Inventors: Fabio Pattuzzi, Livio Paganini, Daniele Scannavini, Andrea Degli Esposti, Piero Di Buono