Patents Examined by Robert Long
  • Patent number: 9844371
    Abstract: A surgical device including a handle assembly, an elongated body extending from the handle assembly, and an articulation mechanism connected to the handle assembly and configured to selectively articulate and lock an articulable tool assembly in one or more positions is provided. The articulation mechanism includes a main shaft member mounted for rotation and connected to an articulation linkage, a locking member configured to be received about the shaft portion of the main shaft member, the locking member defining a plurality of notches, an articulation handle fixedly secured to shaft portion of the main shaft member and configured for rotation relative to the locking member, and a lug member operatively mounted on the articulation handle and including a locking tab configured to be selectively received within a notch of the plurality of notches formed in the locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Paul Scirica, Kenneth Cappola
  • Patent number: 9844370
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to surgical fastener applying apparatus and the application of variable compression to tissue. More specifically, the presently disclosed surgical fastener applying apparatus act to limit the flow of blood through tissue immediately adjacent a cut-line formed therein to effectuate hemostasis, while maximizing the flow of blood through tissue more removed from the cut-line to limit unnecessary necrosis. In one embodiment, a surgical fastener applying apparatus is disclosed having a tool assembly coupled to a distal end thereof with first and second jaws respectively including an anvil and a surgical fastener cartridge. The surgical fastener cartridge includes, among other things, angled pushers that engage surgical fasteners of varying lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Frank Viola, Michael Zemlok
  • Patent number: 9839420
    Abstract: A stapling assembly comprising a tissue thickness compensator is disclosed. The tissue thickness compensator comprises a body portion comprising a porous material and a plurality of cavities defined in the body portion, wherein the cavities are aligned with forming surfaces of an anvil such that fasteners of a fastener cartridge are configured to at least one of the cavities when the fasteners are ejected from the fastener cartridge or capture the cavities and compress the cavities within the tissue thickness compensator when the fasteners are ejected from the fastener cartridge and formed by forming surfaces of the anvil. The stapling assembly further comprises at least one medicament positioned within each cavity prior to firing the stapler, wherein the medicament is different than the porous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Katherine J. Schmid, Charles J. Scheib, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Matthew M. Lang, Steven G. Hall, Chester O. Baxter, III
  • Patent number: 9841066
    Abstract: In a hammer drill, a coil spring that urges a first clutch and a second clutch in directions away from each other is held between a first change plate that engages with the first clutch to be slidable in the axial direction of an intermediate shaft and a second change plate that engages with the second clutch to be slidable in the axial direction of the intermediate shaft. The first change plate is slidably guided by a gear housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyonobu Yoshikane, Kenji Shibata, Yoshitaka Machida
  • Patent number: 9839422
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for altering a implantable layer which includes the steps of obtaining an implantable layer comprising a surface at least partially comprised from a material with a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature, heating the surface to a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature and lower than the melting temperature, manipulating the surface, allowing the manipulated surface to cool below the glass transition temperature, and releasing the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Emily A. Schellin, Michael J. Vendely, Lauren S. Weaner, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Donald L. Reynolds, II, Mark D. Timmer, Jackie J. Donners, Trevor J. Barton
  • Patent number: 9839423
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for altering an implantable layer for use with a surgical instrument which includes the steps of obtaining an implantable layer comprised at least partially from a material including a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature, wherein the implantable layer includes a first shape, heating the material to a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature and lower than the melting temperature, manipulating the implantable layer to a second shape different than the first shape, allowing the material to cool below the glass transition temperature, and releasing the implantable layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Vendely, Mark D. Timmer, Jackie J. Donners, Donald L. Reynolds, II, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Trevor J. Barton
  • Patent number: 9827660
    Abstract: A hand tool device includes: a striking mechanism which has a striker, a striker driving device, and a striker arresting device. In the case of a first drill rotation direction, the striker driving device is configured to propel the striker in at least a striking direction. The striker arresting device is configured to prevent the striker driving device from being operated in the case of a second drill rotation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Jens Blum, Heiko Roehm, Tobias Herr
  • Patent number: 9826977
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument control circuit. The control circuit includes a primary processor, a safety processor in signal communication with the primary processor, and a segmented circuit comprising a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor. The plurality of circuit segments comprising a storage verification segment configured to indicate when a surgical instrument has been properly stored and sterilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    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
  • Patent number: 9821430
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a power tool with a quick-operated locking mechanism. The power tool comprises a housing, an output shaft configured to mount and drive a working head and provided with a carrier extending out of the housing, a fixer configured to fix the working head at the carrier of the output shaft, a locking mechanism configured to lock or release the fixer and a driving mechanism configured to move the locking mechanism between a locking position and a releasing position. While in the locking position, the fixer is clamped fixedly on the output shaft, and while in the releasing position, the fixer is released from the output shaft. The distance between the locking mechanism and the carrier of the output shaft keeps the fixer constant in the locking position to prevent slippage of the fixer and to ensure the working head is firmly fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Positec Power Tools (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shisong Zhang, Xiaoli Pang, Jingtao Xu, Yu Wu
  • Patent number: 9820889
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing absorbent articles comprises delivering a continuous web assembly including a backsheet material, a liquid permeable bodyside liner material, and an absorbent structure interposed between the backsheet material and the bodyside liner material, the web assembly having a body-facing side and a garment-facing side; attaching a discrete segment of first waist elastic material to the body-facing side of the web assembly; attaching a discrete segment of second waist elastic material to the garment-facing side of the web assembly such that the web assembly is interposed between the discrete segments of first and second waist elastic materials; and cutting the web assembly to form a plurality of absorbent articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Sina, Kathleen Irene Bennett, Marcille Faye Ruman, Thomas Harold Roessler
  • Patent number: 9820739
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a handle assembly 80 made of paper pulp products or other eco-friendly material. The handle assembly and components of the staple mechanism housing are designed to accommodate the decreased material strength of the handle assembly. Handle retainer ears 110 are attached to the staple mechanism housing and prevent flexing of the lever grip. The retainer ears in combination with a raised circular boss 16 of the handle assembly facilities the use of lower strength materials, such as paper pulp products. An efficient staple housing mechanism includes a new return spring 120, a visual guide rod or alignment indicator 150 and a flattened stapler guide 130. An improved lever grip includes concentrically trimmed arc in the lever grip sidewalls 117. An improved lever grip includes an extended arched rear section 113 to comport with a new positive mating area 115 of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: NEWGEN SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Robert N Chase, Paul Kardel
  • Patent number: 9814461
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, a movable handle, a tool assembly, a drive beam and a closure apparatus is disclosed. At least one of the closure apparatus and a contact surface of the tool assembly include a plastic surface. The body portion extends distally from the handle portion. The movable handle is located on the handle portion and is in mechanical cooperation with a drive member. The tool assembly includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly and a contact surface. The drive beam includes a proximal engagement portion and is configured to engage a portion of the drive member. The closure apparatus is configured to engage the contact surface of the tool assembly. At least a partial actuation of the movable handle moves the closure apparatus distally into engagement with the contact surface to approximate the anvil and the cartridge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Paul Scirica
  • Patent number: 9815160
    Abstract: A percussion unit for a rotary hammer and/or percussion hammer includes a control unit that is configured for open-loop and/or closed loop control of a pneumatic percussion mechanism. In at least one operating state in which the control unit changes from an idle mode to a percussion mode, the control unit is configured to adjust at least one operating parameter temporarily to a starting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Nitsche, Matthias Tauber, Antoine Vandamme, Gerd Schlesak, Helge Sprenger, Carsten Diem, Wolfgang Fischer, Haris Hamedovic, Juergen Lennartz, Christian Bertsch, Mario Eduardo Vega Zavala, Achim Duesselberg
  • Patent number: 9809341
    Abstract: A sealing machine having a movable carriage assembly which utilizes a counterbalance and two servo motors is disclosed. The counterbalance allows high throughput operation without excessive mechanical vibration. The use of two servo motors allows independent control of the horizontal movement of the movable carriage assembly and the vertical movement of the jaws. The use of two servo motors also allows adaptation to articles or packages of various dimensions. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is used to detect the position of the package to be sealed, and the movement of the movable carriage assembly and the jaw is altered based on the detected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Thomas Orsini, Robert Simonelli, Michael A. Kalinowski
  • Patent number: 9808924
    Abstract: A nail gun of the present invention includes an adjusting portion which has elasticity. The elasticity of the adjusting portion is able to offset a thrust force of a nail pusher pushed by a magazine, so that a nail slot receives a nail only. The nail gun ensures not to shoot two sticks of nails simultaneously. The nail squeezes one side of the adjusting portion in a firing process so that the nail gun can provide sufficient space. Thereby when the nail is thicker, it can be shot by the nail gun. The present invention need not adjust by hand anymore for shooting different thickness of nails. The nail gun can not shoot two sticks of nails simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Apex Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chu Wu
  • Patent number: 9808923
    Abstract: A nail machine with effort-saving mechanism is provided, including: a shell body; an operating mechanism, disposed on the shell body and including a pressing lever, a driving rod and a linkage, the operating mechanism provided for being operated to move between a first position and a second position; an actuating member, two ends thereof having a sliding portion and an engaging portion respectively; a striking force accumulating mechanism, including a striking board and a force accumulating member, the striking board being movable between an initial position and a releasing position; wherein when the operating mechanism moves toward the second position, the engaging portion is engaged with the striking board, and the striking board moves toward the releasing position; when the operating mechanism is in the second position, the engaging portion is detached from the striking board, and the striking board moves toward the initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Apex MFG Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Po-Hung Hu
  • Patent number: 9802721
    Abstract: A machine for making and packing capsules (2) for extraction products in multi-capsule packs (27) includes a feeding station (11) for feeding rigid bodies (3) of the capsules, a dosing station (12) for dosing a dose of product within the rigid bodies, a closing station (13) for closing an upper aperture of the rigid bodies with a respective lid (7); a transport element (8) that features a plurality of seats (10) for housing and moving the capsules through the stations; an exit station (17) adapted to draw the capsules from the transport element; and a packing station (23) adapted to pack the capsules in multi-capsule packs where the capsules are arranged side by side and according to a head-to-tail orientation. The invention further provides for a method for making and packing capsules for extraction products in multi-capsule packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: GIMA, S.P.A.
    Inventors: Dario Rea, Pierluigi Castellari
  • Patent number: 9802719
    Abstract: Methods of making non-durable self-supporting flexible containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Scott Kendyl Stanley, Kenneth Stephen McGuire, Charles John Berg, Jr., Lee Mathew Arent, Andrew Paul Rapach, Jun You
  • Patent number: 9802723
    Abstract: A corner post application system comprises a conveyor subsystem and an enveloping machine adapted to envelope the plurality of units with a material. The system further includes a swing arm, an applicator arm coupled to the swing arm and adapted to move linearly, a corner post gripper coupled to the applicator arm, and a controller. The controller rotates the swing arm about a vertical axis until a corner post held by the corner post gripper is aligned with adjacent sides that define a corner of the load. The controller thereafter stops rotation of the swing arm and moves the applicator arm linearly toward the corner of the load until the corner post held by the corner post gripper contacts the adjacent sides of the load. A sensor may be included for detecting a corner of the load, with the controller aligning the corner post based on detection by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Mollers North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce W. Brunson, Jason A. Brake, Peter C. Martin, Jonathan Vansweden, Thomas E. Wagner, Mark J. Clark
  • Patent number: 9797319
    Abstract: A handheld work apparatus has a combustion engine (4) for driving a tool. The combustion engine (4) has an ignition device, a device for metering fuel and a control device (31). The control device (31) engages when an engagement speed (nE1, nE2) is reached, in order to limit the speed (n) of the combustion engine (4). In order to allow the speed (n) to be set in an easy manner at full throttle, the work apparatus has a device for setting the engagement speed (nE2) by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Manuel Dangelmaier, Tim Gegg