Patents Examined by Thomas M Wittenschlaeger
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Patent number: 11975432Abstract: A fastener driver includes a cylinder, a moveable piston positioned within the cylinder, and a driver blade attached to the piston and movable therewith between a top-dead-center (TDC) position and a bottom-dead-center (BDC) position. A lifter is operable to move the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. A transmission is provided for providing torque to the lifter. The lifter includes a hub and a plurality of lugs extending therefrom. Each lug is engageable with the driver blade when moving the driver blade from the BDC position toward the TDC position. The hub and the lugs are integrally formed as a single piece. The lifter includes a first side and an opposite second side. Each of the first side and the second side is flat.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2021Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Bryan C. Ward, Jacob N. Zimmerman, Andrew J. Weber, Marcus Wechselberger
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Patent number: 11975883Abstract: A discharging device for a vertical form fill and seal machine includes at least one transfer unit (14) to transfer sealed bags (16) from a sealing device (18) of the vertical form fill and seal machine to a transport device (20) located downstream with respect to the vertical form fill and seal machine. The transfer unit (14) comprises at least one transfer element (22) arrangeable between the sealing device (18) and the transport device (20), wherein the transfer element (22) is provided to change an orientation of the sealed bags (16) during a transfer from the sealing device (18) to the transport device (20). The transfer element (22) is embodied as a chute with two opposite arranged sliding wings (24, 26) on which the sealed bags (16) can slide during a transfer from the sealing device (18) to the transport device (20).Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Syntegon Packaging Solutions B.V.Inventor: Eugene Vissers
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Patent number: 11974742Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly configured to be attached to and detached from a surgical robot is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly comprises a drive system actuatable in a first direction and a second direction which is opposite the first direction, wherein the drive system is configured to perform an instrument function, a shaft, and an end effector. The surgical instrument assembly further comprises a drive system bailout comprising position indication means for indicating the position of the drive system and an actuation member configured to actuate the drive system in the first direction and the second direction, wherein the direction in which the drive system bailout is operated is based on the position of the drive system indicated by the position indication means.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2017Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Gregory J. Bakos, Jason L. Harris
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Patent number: 11970303Abstract: Systems and methods for shrink wrap bundling a group of heat-sensitive products are provided. A method comprises: providing a heating oven with a convective heat source and a radiant electromagnetic energy source therein and a product; and wrapping the product with a shrink film that comprises an activation temperature and an electromagnetic energy absorbance level. The method also comprises: placing the wrapped product inside the heating oven for a predetermined duration of residence time; exposing the wrapped product to radiant electromagnetic energy for a predetermined duration of exposure time, wherein the direction of the electromagnetic energy is coincidental or approximately coincidental with a plane of the shrink film; and removing the wrapped product from the heating oven resulting in the wrapped product being robustly bundled according to a defined Bundle Rigidity Test without substantial damage to the heat-sensitive products of the wrapped product.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2022Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventor: Aleksey Mikhailovich Pinyayev
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Patent number: 11969865Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and an electric tool for setting an operating mode and/or associate result values of an electric tool. The method comprising the steps of. Detecting at least one radio signal from at least one radio tag positioned on or in relation to an object to be processed, wherein the radio tag comprising an identifier associated with the object. Measuring distances between the electric tool and the at least one radio tag based on radio signal time of flight between the electric tool and the at least one radio tag. Selecting a first radio tag based on the distances. The first radio tag comprising a first identifier. And setting an operating mode of the electric tool based on the first identifier and/or associate result values of the processing steps performed by the electric tool with the first identifier.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2019Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: ATLAS COPCO INDUSTRIAL TECHNIQUE ABInventors: Robin Karlsson, Jakob Lindström
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Patent number: 11964784Abstract: A sealing machine and method for sealing a preformed tray (2) with a plastic film (26), the method comprising a cooling step in which, by acting on the outside of the tray (2), heat is removed at least from the bottom wall (3) of the tray (2) while the heated plastic film (26) is applied over the tray (2) and a food product (25), and the sealing machine (1) comprising a supporting element which defines a housing (7) which has a fixed bottom surface (9) suitable for making contact, in use, with the bottom wall (3) of the tray (2), a plurality of ducts (19) which define a flow path (20) for a cooling fluid in the supporting element, and a cooling system (17) configured to cool the cooling fluid bringing it to a temperature equal to or less than 10° C., and preferably equal to or less than 6° C.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2022Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: MONDINI S.P.A.Inventor: Giovanni Mondini
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Patent number: 11957339Abstract: Methods for fabricating an anvil for a surgical stapling device. Various methods include forming an anvil body from a first material and a deformable anvil tip from a second material and attaching the deformable anvil tip to a distal end of the anvil body with a deformable second attachment member. Other methods include molding a deformable anvil tip to a distal end of an anvil body.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chester O. Baxter, III, Gregory J. Bakos, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Christopher J. Hess, Jerome R. Morgan
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Patent number: 11958645Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing and inserting a pre-determined number of material-filled pouches into containers are disclosed. A system includes a pouch providing system comprising a plurality of lanes, wherein each one of the plurality of lanes includes a pouch making machine and a hold-back structure. The system also includes a conveyor system structured and arranged to move a plurality of containers into alignment with the plurality of lanes. The system further includes a controller structured and arranged to control the hold-back structure in each one of the plurality of lanes such that the pre-determined pouches are inserted into the plurality of containers when the plurality of containers are aligned with the plurality of lanes.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Altria Client Services LLCInventors: James D. Evans, Herbert Cary Longest, Tamika S. Murrell, Robert V. Powell, Jr., Jeremy Straight, Jarrod Chalkley
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Patent number: 11952156Abstract: A vertical packaging machine for packaging products in a modified atmosphere. According to one embodiment, the vertical packaging machine includes a hopper through which the products to be packaged are introduced, a hollow forming element arranged downstream of the hopper, at least the hopper and the forming element forming a supply conduit through which the product to be packaged falls. The vertical packaging machine also includes an injection device configured for injecting a gaseous fluid into the supply conduit. A gas supply source is communicated with the inside of the supply conduit, the gas supplied to the supply conduit being suitable for packaging products in a modified atmosphere. A supply unit communicates the gas source with the inside of the supply conduit.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: ULMA Packaging, S.Coop.Inventors: Alberto Otxoa-Aizpurua Calvo, Eneko Izquierdo Ereño
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Patent number: 11951602Abstract: A rotary hammer adapted to impart axial impacts to a tool bit. The rotary hammer includes a housing, a motor supported by the housing, a spindle coupled to the motor for receiving torque from the motor, causing the spindle to rotate, a reciprocation mechanism operable to create a variable pressure air spring within the spindle, an anvil received within the spindle for reciprocation in response to the pressure of the air spring, the anvil imparting axial impacts to the tool bit, a bit retention assembly for securing the tool bit to the spindle, and an electromagnetic clutch mechanism switchable between a first state, in which the reciprocation mechanism is enabled, such that the anvil imparts axial impacts to the tool bit, and a second state, in which the reciprocation mechanism is disabled, such that the anvil ceases to impart axial impacts to the tool bit.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Jeremy R. Ebner, Beth E. Cholst, Troy C. Thorson
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Patent number: 11945090Abstract: A powered device includes a powerhead unit and an attachment unit selectively attachable to and powered by the powerhead unit. The powerhead unit includes a motor, a first shaft segment having a first driveshaft segment coupled to the motor, and a first connecting portion attached to the first shaft segment. The attachment unit includes an operational unit configured to be driven by the motor, a second shaft segment having a second driveshaft segment coupled to the operational unit, and a second connecting portion attached to the second shaft segment for coupling to the first connecting portion. One of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion defines an axial opening having a keyway and includes a button having a hook portion. The other of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion defines a slot and includes a key.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Shane McCue, John L. Whealon, Kyle D. Korn
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Patent number: 11944336Abstract: Various shaft guide embodiments are disclosed and may comprise a shaft guide body that comprises a proximal end that may have an oval shape aligned on a proximal long axis and a distal end that may have a distal oval shape aligned on a distal long axis that is transverse to the proximal long axis. The shaft guide body may further comprise a first passage that defines a first passage proximal opening oriented in a first orientation and a second passage that defines a second passage distal opening that is oriented in a second orientation that differs from the first orientation.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2021Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventor: Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: 11946501Abstract: Systems and methods can include stretching a stud of a hammer assembly by tightening, according to a preset amount, a plurality of fasteners, which can extend from a first end surface and/or a second end surface of a first nut threadedly coupled to the stud, against an upper surface of a body of the hammer assembly. The fasteners and the first nut can provide a clamping load for the stud upon completion of the tightening. The systems and methods can also include, after the stretching, tightening a second nut, which can be threadedly connected to the stud, toward a seat formed in the body of the hammer assembly; and further tightening the second nut, against the seat. The systems and methods can further include transferring the clamping load from the fasteners and first nut to the second nut.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2021Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Cody Moore
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Patent number: 11945085Abstract: A hand-held power tool, in particular a hammer drill or combination hammer, having a tool fitting for holding a striking and rotating tool on a working axis, an electric motor coupled to a transmission shaft, an impact mechanism, which has a striker that is moved periodically along the working axis, and having a rotary drive, which drives a guide tube carrying the tool fitting in rotation about the working axis, wherein the rotary drive is coupled to the transmission shaft via a rocker lever.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2020Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Hilti AktiengesellschaftInventors: Manfred Ludwig, Erwin Manschitz, Josef Fünfer
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Patent number: 11944292Abstract: An anvil-attachable layer for use with a surgical stapler, or fastening instrument, wherein a proximal end portion of the layer is attached to a staple cartridge assembly, for example. The layer may be attached to the staple cartridge assembly by an adhesive, weld, or a staple-cartridge-based clamp, wherein the attachment is weak enough to allow the layer to pull away from the staple cartridge assembly with stapled tissue. Alternatively, the layer can include two or more lateral slits that define a connector region that can be cut by a knife of a surgical stapler to release the layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2020Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Katherine J. Schmid, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan
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Patent number: 11945617Abstract: A wetting unit for wetting a surface of one of a first and a second continuous water-soluble films to be coupled and sealingly joined to each other so as to delimit therebetween recesses containing dosed quantities of at least one fluid composition for producing unit dose articles. The wetting unit is configured to wet only surface areas of one of the first and second continuous water-soluble films which are to be joined to the other of the first and second continuous water-soluble films.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Inventor: Anselmo Cicchitti
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Patent number: 11945707Abstract: An apparatus for removing a flip-off cap from a bottle for pharmaceutical substances, which enables automating the removal process in a pharmaceutical substance handling line and, at the same time, may be easy and inexpensive to manufacture. In an example the apparatus comprises a removal station in which a cap is removed from the bottle.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2021Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: COMECER S.p.A.Inventors: Nicola Raspadori, Alessandro Brunetti
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Patent number: 11931036Abstract: A loading unit for engagement with a surgical instrument, and including single and double retention slots, is discloses. At least one single retention cavity includes a first retention guiding surface configured to engage a first pusher guiding surface of a single pusher retained therein, a second retention guiding surface configured to engage a second pusher guiding surface of a single pusher retained therein, a third retention guiding surface configured to engage a third pusher guiding surface of a single pusher retained therein, and a fourth retention guiding surface configured to engage a fourth pusher guiding surface a the single pusher retained therein. At least one double retention cavity includes a first retention guiding surface configured to engage a first pusher guiding surface of a double pusher retained therein, and a second retention guiding surface configured to engage a second pusher guiding surface of a double pusher retained therein.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Stanislaw Kostrzewski
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Patent number: 11931875Abstract: A power tool operable with an exchangeable tool head, and comprising a tool body, and a hydraulic cylinder with a main piston A quick coupling system is arranged at a free end of the tool body and includes an actuation unit and a locking unit movable by the actuation unit between a released position and a locked position to secure the exchangeable head to the tool body. Thee locking unit comprises a first and a second half-ring radially movable between the released position and the locked position. When in the locked position the locking unit is adapted to secure the exchangeable head to the tool body, such that transmission forces can be exchanged between the exchangeable head and the main piston. When in the released position the locking unit is adapted to release any force applied to the exchangeable head to remove the exchangeable head.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Dubois et Cie S.A.AInventors: Patrick Vervier, Vincent Cerfeuillet
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Patent number: 11932440Abstract: The invention is directed to a thermoforming packaging machine (1) for producing sealed packages (2) having a planar surface (3) and a shaped recess (4) comprising a sealing station (6) with a lower sealing tool (7) comprising of a first part (8) provided with a first seal seam support (8a) for supporting a first sealed seam (9) at the outer perimeter (10) of the planar surface (3) of the moulded product (2a) and a second part (11) provided with a second support (11a) provided with a seal seam support opening (12). The second support (11a) supports a second sealed seam (12a) on the planar surface (3) of the moulded product (2a) following the perimeter (13) of the shaped recess (4). The first part (8) and the second part (11) are separate parts which are detachable connected.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: What The Future Venture Capital (WTFVC) B.V.Inventor: Edmund David Aufenast