Patents Examined by Robert Long
  • Packaging device for medications
    Patent number: 10059474
    Abstract: A packaging device for medications includes a packaging material supply and a folding and guiding unit. The folding and guiding unit folds a packaging material web in the longitudinal direction so that the edges of the packaging material web are guided along packaging material web folding regions and a folding section establishes a folded region in the packaging material web. The folding and guiding unit includes an impact region for medications to be packaged, a first joining unit and a second joining unit. The folding and guiding unit also includes a medication supply section spaced apart from the folding section and via which medications are conducted vertically spaced apart from the folded region into the folded packaging material web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMANY 326 GMBH
    Inventor: Dietmar Gross
  • Spindle device and machine tool
    Patent number: 10052732
    Abstract: A cooling gas is fed from an ejection nozzle into the interior of a through-hole which is formed in a radially central portion of a main spindle, and which penetrates through said main spindle in an axial direction. The cooling gas passes through radial venting holes provided in a plurality of locations, in the circumferential direction, in an axially intermediate portion of the main spindle, is fed into axial venting holes provided in a plurality of locations, in the circumferential direction, extending from one axial-direction end of the main spindle to an intermediate portion thereof, is caused to flow through the axial venting holes, and is discharged from discharge holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Suzuki, Atsushi Ishikawa
  • Surgical end effectors with dual cam actuated jaw closing features
    Patent number: 10052102
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. An end effector mounting assembly may be movably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for selective articulation about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. First and second jaws may be movably coupled to the end effector mounting assembly such that the first and second jaws are each movable relative to each other and the shaft axis about a common pivot axis between an open position and closed positions. The first and second jaws may close at different closure rates upon the simultaneous application of closure motions thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs
  • Mode change knob assembly
    Patent number: 10046450
    Abstract: A knob assembly for a power tool comprising: a knob having a slot and knob recess, the slot and knob recess intersecting each other at an intersection within the knob; a latch slideably mounted within the slot; a peg located within the knob recess; wherein the peg and latch engage with each other via the intersection in order for the peg to retain the latch within the slot and for the latch to retain peg within the knob recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Ralf Bernhart, Martin Soika
  • Rear handle
    Patent number: 10040184
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing; a handle having two ends, each being moveably mounted to the housing associated mountings; and a biasing mechanism connected between the housing and the handle; wherein at least one of the mountings comprises: a first part mounted on the housing and a second part mounted on the one end of the handle, one part comprising a passageway, the other comprising a rod, having a longitudinal axis, which is located in and capable of being axially slid within the passageway, enabling the end of the handle to move towards or away from the housing; at least part of the wall of the passageway in a lengthwise direction of the passageway comprises a curved convex support surface capable of engaging the side of the rod to enable the rod to pivot within the passageway about an axis which is perpendicular to the axis of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Ana-Maria Roberts, Andreas Friedrich
  • Powered nailer with positive piston return
    Patent number: 10040183
    Abstract: A powered nailer includes a power source including a driving element reciprocating within a cylinder between a prefiring position and a fastener driving position, the latter occurring when the driving element engages a bumper disposed at the bottom of the cylinder. A reciprocating valve element defines a combustion chamber in fluid communication with the cylinder, and is configured for receiving a dose of fuel and air prior to a user-generated ignition. A return chamber at least partially surrounds the cylinder and is in fluid communication with the cylinder, being configured for receiving a supply of pressurized air generated by the driving element as it moves from the prefiring position to the fastener driving position, the pressurized air acting on an underside of the driving element for returning it to the pre-firing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Hanxin Zhao
  • Biasing member for a power tool forward/reverse actuator
    Patent number: 10043619
    Abstract: A directional input unit is provided for a power tool having an electric motor is provided, where the input unit is configured to output a signal indicative of a rotational direction of the electric motor. The input unit includes a forward/reverse actuator having a lever extending from an engagement member and pivotable around a pivot member, the lever having a contact tip, and a biasing member. The biasing member including a lever engaging member engaging the contact tip and having an upper portion and a lower portion with a groove formed at an end common point of the upper and lower portions. A first leg of the biasing member extend downwardly from the upper portion and arranged to be securely received inside an opening of a holder, and a second leg extends upwardly from the lower portion outside the opening between the lever engaging member and the first leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Erik A. Ekstrom, Alexandros T. Theos, Alpay Hizal
  • Loading unit retention clip for surgical stapling instrument
    Patent number: 10039549
    Abstract: A loading unit and retention clip assembly include a shell and a resilient retention clip. The shell has a proximal end portion and includes an annular surface that defines engagement openings. The retention clip is disposed about the annular surface of the proximal end portion. The retention clip has ends and a body between the ends. The retention clip has a lug positioned adjacent to each end of the body that extends inward from the body. Each lug is configured to extend through the engagement openings of the proximal end portion of the shell to releasably couple the shell to a surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Justin Williams, Paul A. Scirica
  • Hand-held machine tool with outer housing
    Patent number: 10040187
    Abstract: A handheld oscillation machine tool has support devices for maintaining a spacing between internal parts and an outer housing. The support devices are arranged in pairs of first and second support devices. One support device in each pair has a concave circular surface, and the other has an opposed convex circular surface. Elastically deformable damping elements are arranged between the pairs of support devices. The damping elements are deformed from original flat conditions under forces applied by the support devices, and have concave and convex circular surface adjoining the opposed concave and convex circular surfaces at the support devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: C. & E. FEIN GMBH
    Inventors: Achim Hess, Uwe Früh, Jürgen Blickle, Fabian Bek
  • Feedback algorithms for manual bailout systems for surgical instruments
    Patent number: 10028761
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument including an end effector, a drive member movable to effectuate a motion in said end effector, a motor operable to move the drive member to effectuate the motion in the end effector and a bailout assembly operable to perform a mechanical bailout of the surgical instrument in response to a bailout error. The bailout assembly includes a bailout door, a bailout handle accessible through the bailout door. The bailout handle is operable to move the drive member to effectuate a bailout motion in the end effector. A controller includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to detect the bailout error. The processor is programmed to stop the motor in response to the detection of the bailout error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Shane R. Adams, Mark D. Overmyer, Brett E. Swensgard, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin L. Houser
  • Hydraulic hammer with clearance control system
    Patent number: 10029358
    Abstract: A clearance control system for a hydraulic hammer is disclosed. The hydraulic hammer includes a housing member, a power cell disposed within the housing member, a wear member disposed between the housing member and the power cell, and a clearance control system for controlling the predefined clearance between the wear member and the power cell. The clearance control system includes a mounting boss and a fastening member disposed on the mounting boss. A first end of the fastening member is configured to receive an input from an operator and the second end is configured to contact with the first surface of the wear member. The fastening member is configured to move along a central axis defined by a threaded hole of the mounting boss to move the wear member towards the power cell, to control the predefined clearance between the wear member and the power cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Cody T. Moore
  • Loading unit locking collar
    Patent number: 10022126
    Abstract: A system for securing a loading unit to an adapter includes a loading unit, an adapter, and a retention clip. The loading unit includes a shell having a proximal end portion having a radial surface that defines a radial groove. The adapter has a proximal end that is configured to selectively couple to a handle and a distal end that is received within the proximal end portion of the shell. The retention clip is disposed radially about the radial surface of the proximal end portion within the radial groove. The retention clip has a first and a second and a body therebetween. The first end of the body includes a lock that releasably secures the loading unit to the distal end of the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Anthony Sgroi, Jr.
  • Apparatus and method for grouping and positioning items
    Patent number: 10017285
    Abstract: An apparatus displaces and positions items in a predetermined configuration. The apparatus includes a grouping station, a grouping manipulator using at least two degrees of freedom and having a prehension end-effector and a placing manipulator using at least four degrees of freedom and having a prehension end-effector. The grouping manipulator is configured to pick items at a first item location, displace the items towards the grouping station, and release the items at the grouping station to form a group of items. The placing manipulator is configured to pick the group of items at the grouping station, change an orientation of the group of items, and release the group of items at a receiving station in the predetermined configuration. A method displaces and positions items in a predetermined configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: PREMIER TECH TECHNOLOGIES LTEE
    Inventors: Jean-Robert Boudreau, Michel Corriveau, Yannick Savard, Sebastien Soucy
  • Ruckers, reruckers, deruckers and/or skin brakes with stacked gripper layers and related grippers
    Patent number: 10011380
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and associated devices for one or more of rucking, derucking, braking or rerucking sleeves of covering material off of and/or onto a chute body include a gripper with a stacked set of discrete gripper layers with forward facing protrusions. The grippers can have an automated stroke cycle whereby cooperating pairs of gripper assemblies can be configured to travel inwardly a distance sufficient to snugly abut an outer surface of a chute body and remain in contact with the chute body while traveling in a longitudinal and/or axial direction to contact covering and pull the covering along the chute body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Tipper Tie, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew D. Lowder
  • Staples push unit for tackers
    Patent number: 10004503
    Abstract: A staples push unit of a tacker includes a guide plate located at a staple outlet of the tacker. A motor is located in the tacker and has an output shaft to which a driving gear is connected. A slide and a push plate connected to the slide are movably located in a slot in the tacker. A rack is formed at one side of the slide and engaged with the teeth of the driving gear. A spring board has one end engaged with one end of the slide. When activating the motor, the driving gear drives the rack to move the slide, and the spring board is bent. When the teeth of the driving gear are disengaged from the rack, the spring board bounces back and drives the slide and the push plate to eject a staple. The push plate is guided by the guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventor: Tsung-Wen Huang
  • Drill attachment with drive assembly
    Patent number: 9999969
    Abstract: Disclosed are drill assembly attachments having a handle, a drill mount, and a throttle. The throttle is positioned with respect to the drill mount and the handle such that a first portion may be actuated by a user with a hand that is grasping the handle. The drill assembly attachment receives a power drill assembly such that the throttle adjustably engages a trigger of the drill assembly. The drill assembly attachment receives a rotatable device, such as an auger or other tool. Also disclosed is a method of using a power drill assembly and the drill assembly attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Clam Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas A. Walter
  • Surgical instrument with fluid fillable buttress
    Patent number: 9999408
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a surgical instrument and a buttress configured to hold a fluid adhesive. In some versions, the buttress contains a two-part fluid adhesive where two fluid materials form a fluid adhesive when combined. In some versions, the buttress is configured to be compressed by the surgical instrument thereby pressurizing a portion of the buttress. Thereafter, the buttress may be severed and the pressurized region may be operable to urge the fluid adhesive to a tissue site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, Stephen J. Balek, Matthew D. Holcomb, Edward A. Rhad, Donald F. Wilson, Jr.
  • Surgical staple buttress with magnetic elements
    Patent number: 9987013
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector including an anvil and lower jaw. The anvil is pivotable toward the lower jaw to capture tissue. The apparatus further includes a stapling and severing assembly configured to sever and staple tissue clamped between the anvil and the lower jaw. A staple cartridge is coupled with the lower jaw. The staple cartridge includes a deck facing the anvil, a plurality of staples positioned in a plurality of staple openings formed through the deck, and a magnetic feature configured to be coupled to tissue in response to activation of the stapling and severing mechanism. The magnetic feature is configured to be coupled to tissue in response to actuation of the staple cartridge, wherein the magnetic feature is configured to retain at least one outer portion of stapled tissue in an inwardly folded position relative to an inner portion of stapled tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Chad E. Eckert, Charles J. Scheib, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, John P. Matonick, Morgan R. Hunter
  • Small diameter cartridge design for a surgical stapling instrument
    Patent number: 9987012
    Abstract: An end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw, and a cartridge. The first cartridge includes a sled and the second jaw includes an anvil. The first and second jaws are moveable relative to one another. The cartridge is disposed on the first jaw and has a plurality of staples. The sled is configured to engage each staple to the plurality of staples to eject the plurality of staples from the cartridge as the sled is longitudinally translated through the cartridge. A loading unit is also disclosed including an elongated body and an end effector that is articulable relative to the end effector. The end effector and the elongated body of the loading unit are configured to pass or fit through a 5 mm opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Sachin Shah
  • Pouch packaging machine with three grippers
    Patent number: 9988167
    Abstract: The present invention relates to machines and apparatuses for manufacturing and filling containers, specifically to machines and apparatus for transporting flexible pouches between manufacturing and filling stations with the ability to open and close the flexible pouch. The apparatus includes a movable base with a pair of side arms. Each of the side arms is movable between a first position and a second position. A center arm is attached to the base. The center arm is disposed between the pair of side arms. A gripping mechanism is disposed at an end portion of each of the side arms and the center arm. The pouches are moved between production stations by movement of the base. The present disclosure also includes a method for opening, closing, and moving a flexible pouch between one or more production stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignees: Pouch Pac Innovations, LLC, SN Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: R. Charles Murray, Olaf Clemens