Patents by Inventor Peter T Collings
Peter T Collings has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20160206209Abstract: A jaw assembly including first and second jaw members configured to clamp tissue therebetween. The first jaw member includes a surface opposing a surface of the second jaw member, a light source, and a light detector. The light source is configured to emit light from an opening defined in the surface of the first jaw member. The light detector is disposed within the opening and is configured to sense properties of light reflected off tissue clamped between the first and second jaw members and to generate signals indicative of the sensed properties of light. A processor is operatively associated with the light detector and is configured to receive the signals from the light detector. The processor is also configured to analyze the signals to determine an attribute of tissue clamped between the first and second jaw members and to provide feedback to a user of the attribute of the tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2016Publication date: July 21, 2016Inventors: Elizabeth Hufnagel, Xingrui Chen, Matthew Chowaniec, Peter T. Collings, Paul D. Richard, Michael A. Zemlok
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Patent number: 9301691Abstract: A jaw assembly including first and second jaw members configured to clamp tissue therebetween. The first jaw member includes a surface opposing a surface of the second jaw member, a light source, and a light detector. The light source is configured to emit light from an opening defined in the surface of the first jaw member. The light detector is disposed within the opening and is configured to sense properties of light reflected off tissue clamped between the first and second jaw members and to generate signals indicative of the sensed properties of light. A processor is operatively associated with the light detector and is configured to receive the signals from the light detector. The processor is also configured to analyze the signals to determine an attribute of tissue clamped between the first and second jaw members and to provide feedback to a user of the attribute of the tissue.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2014Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Elizabeth Hufnagel, Xingrui Chen, Matthew Chowaniec, Peter T. Collings, Paul D. Richard, Michael A. Zemlok
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Publication number: 20150238088Abstract: A jaw assembly including first and second jaw members configured to clamp tissue therebetween. The first jaw member includes a surface opposing a surface of the second jaw member, a light source, and a light detector. The light source is configured to emit light from an opening defined in the surface of the first jaw member. The light detector is disposed within the opening and is configured to sense properties of light reflected off tissue clamped between the first and second jaw members and to generate signals indicative of the sensed properties of light. A processor is operatively associated with the light detector and is configured to receive the signals from the light detector. The processor is also configured to analyze the signals to determine an attribute of tissue clamped between the first and second jaw members and to provide feedback to a user of the attribute of the tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2014Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: Elizabeth Hufnagel, Xingrui Chen, Matthew Chowaniec, Peter T. Collings, Paul D. Richard, Michael A. Zemlok
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Publication number: 20150060516Abstract: The present disclosure relates to hand held electromechanical powered surgical handle assemblies for use with surgical end effectors capable of clamping, cutting and/or stapling tissue and methods of use thereof. The surgical device includes a handle assembly and a drive unit assembly removably and selectively connectable to a selected first connecting feature and second connecting feature of the handle assembly. The drive unit assembly includes a motor and a drive shaft driven by the motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Covidien LPInventors: Peter T. Collings, Xingrui Chen, Luis Dussan, Kelly Valentine
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Publication number: 20140166720Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a surgical apparatus, comprising an anvil jaw configured to form at least one surgical staple, a cartridge jaw configured to deploy one or more surgical staples against the anvil jaw, and a pressure distribution device attached to at least one of the anvil jaw and the cartridge jaw, wherein the pressure distribution device is configured to distribute a clamping pressure to a target tissue during a clamping and a stapling of the target tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Matthew J. Chowaniec, Xingrui Chen, Peter T. Collings, Luis Dussan, Paul D. Richard
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Patent number: 8449108Abstract: Systems and methods for providing evidence of printing in metering systems even in the event of a print head failure are provided. Along with generating a primary image for an indicium that evidences payment, a secondary image for the indicium, identical to a corresponding portion of the primary image but at a lower density, with physical boundaries that are within the boundaries of the primary image, is also generated. The primary image is printed by a first nozzle array, and the secondary image is printed by a second nozzle array. Because the primary image completely overlaps the secondary image, the secondary image is undetectable if the primary image is properly printed. The secondary image provides evidence of printing of the indicium that can be used to obtain a refund for the indicium in the event that the primary image was not printed due to failure of the first nozzle array.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2008Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: John P. Miller, David J. Eaton, Peter T. Collings, Lun Chan, Easwaran Nambudiri, James A. Salomon
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Patent number: 7933846Abstract: A mail processing system that includes dimensional rating capability that provides true length support for carrier rates to prevent improper classification of mail pieces. The mail processing system determines a first dimension, parallel to the path of travel, and a second dimension, transverse to the path of travel, of a mail piece. The first dimension and second dimension are compared to each other to determine which is greater. The greater of the two dimensions is assigned to be the length of the mail piece, regardless of the orientation of the mail piece. The format of the mail piece is then determined based on a comparison of the assigned length and assigned width dimensions to maximum dimensions specified by a format table. Based on the determined format of the mail piece, a delivery fee is then calculated, and an indicium can be generated for the mail piece.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Peter T. Collings, Elaine B. Cristiani, Brad L. Davies, Robert H. Kummer, Jr., Mark D. Zamary
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Patent number: 7871215Abstract: A mailing machine for processing mailpiece envelopes, wherein a print station thereof is reconfigurable to process envelopes in two operating modes. The reconfigurable print station includes a displacement device having an integrated cutting mechanism to perform both printing and cutting operations. The displacement device includes a displacement surface for urging the mailpiece envelopes against a registration surface to facilitate print operations and a cutting mechanism coupled to the displacement device for cutting the sheet material in a direction substantially parallel to the processing path of the mailpiece envelope. The cutting device is adapted to be repositioned relative to the displacement surface such that, (i) in a first operating mode, the cutting device is retracted beneath or below the plane of the displacement surface, and (ii) in a second operating mode, the cutting device is extended above the plane of the displacement surface to cut the sheet material as it traverses the processing path.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2007Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventor: Peter T. Collings
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Patent number: 7792764Abstract: A fixture for rating mail pieces for determination of postage payments includes a generally planar member. The member has formed therein a recess defined at least partially by a floor and at least four side walls. The recess has at least some dimensions that correspond in magnitude to dimensions used to define a first postal category of mail pieces. A second, smaller recess may be nested inside the first recess to indicate the dimensions for another category of mail pieces.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2006Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventor: Peter T. Collings
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Publication number: 20100165066Abstract: Systems and methods for providing evidence of printing in metering systems even in the event of a print head failure are provided. Along with generating a primary image for an indicium that evidences payment, a secondary image for the indicium, identical to a corresponding portion of the primary image but at a lower density, with physical boundaries that are within the boundaries of the primary image, is also generated. The primary image is printed by a first nozzle array, and the secondary image is printed by a second nozzle array. Because the primary image completely overlaps the secondary image, the secondary image is undetectable if the primary image is properly printed. The secondary image provides evidence of printing of the indicium that can be used to obtain a refund for the indicium in the event that the primary image was not printed due to failure of the first nozzle array.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2008Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: John P. Miller, David J. Eaton, Peter T. Collings, Lun Chan, Easwaran Nambudiri, James A. Salomon
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Publication number: 20090031903Abstract: A mailing machine for processing mailpiece envelopes, wherein a print station thereof is reconfigurable to process envelopes in two operating modes. The reconfigurable print station includes a displacement device having an integrated cutting mechanism to perform both printing and cutting operations. The displacement device includes a displacement surface for urging the mailpiece envelopes against a registration surface to facilitate print operations and a cutting mechanism coupled to the displacement device for cutting the sheet material in a direction substantially parallel to the processing path of the mailpiece envelope. The cutting device is adapted to be repositioned relative to the displacement surface such that, (i) in a first operating mode, the cutting device is retracted beneath or below the plane of the displacement surface, and (ii) in a second operating mode, the cutting device is extended above the plane of the displacement surface to cut the sheet material as it traverses the processing path.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2007Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicant: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventor: Peter T. Collings
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Publication number: 20080262978Abstract: A mail processing system that includes dimensional rating capability that provides true length support for carrier rates to prevent improper classification of mail pieces. The mail processing system determines a first dimension, parallel to the path of travel, and a second dimension, transverse to the path of travel, of a mail piece. The first dimension and second dimension are compared to each other to determine which is greater. The greater of the two dimensions is assigned to be the length of the mail piece, regardless of the orientation of the mail piece. The format of the mail piece is then determined based on a comparison of the assigned length and assigned width dimensions to maximum dimensions specified by a format table. Based on the determined format of the mail piece, a delivery fee is then calculated, and an indicium can be generated for the mail piece.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: Pitney Bowes IncorporatedInventors: Peter T. Collings, Elaine B. Cristiani, Brad L. Davies, Robert H. Kummer, Mark D. Zamary
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Patent number: 7425244Abstract: A moistening device that significantly reduces any loss of contact between the applicator and envelope flap regardless of the thickness of the mail piece or size of the flap, thereby ensuring sufficient wetting of the glue line on the envelope flap with moistening fluid, is provided. A deflection device is added to a portion of the support to which the applicator is secured. The deflection device is located and sized to exert a force on the applicator, causing the applicator to form into a shape that more closely matches the shape of an envelope flap being processed, while also allowing the applicator to flex slightly in multiple directions. This results in little to no loss of contact between the applicator and glue line on the envelope flap, thereby allowing sufficient moistening fluid to be transferred from the applicator to the glue line.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2005Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Jason P Paradis, Peter T Collings, Chipping Sye, Jihad Abdul-Rahiim
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Publication number: 20070288402Abstract: A fixture for rating mail pieces for determination of postage payments includes a generally planar member. The member has formed therein a recess defined at least partially by a floor and at least four side walls. The recess has at least some dimensions that correspond in magnitude to dimensions used to define a first postal category of mail pieces. A second, smaller recess may be nested inside the first recess to indicate the dimensions for another category of mail pieces.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2006Publication date: December 13, 2007Applicant: Pitney Bowes IncorporatedInventor: Peter T. Collings