Patents Examined by Alexander M Valvis
  • Patent number: 10369578
    Abstract: The present invention relates to shower apparatus, systems and methods of using the same. Specifically, the shower apparatus of the present invention comprises embodiments of circular and/or arcuate water dispensing tubes for utilization in a shower. Further, embodiments further include connection and leveling mechanisms and water flow diverters for use in the same. In addition, embodiments further include water dispensing holes disposed within the circular and/or arcuate water dispensing tubes for specialized water distribution and coverage thereof of a user within a shower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Inventor: Gene R. Allard
  • Patent number: 10369759
    Abstract: In order to successively make plastic bags each of which includes panel portions, side gusset portions and a zipper portion, a web of panel material 9 is folded and folded back along longitudinal folded lines 14, 15 and 16 and longitudinal folded back lines 17 and 18 into superposed two layers having opposite side edges at each of which a folded portion is formed. The web of panel material 9 is slit along the longitudinal folded line 16 into two divided parts after being folded and folded back. The divided parts are separated and spaced from each other. In addition, the folded portions are split at positions into sprit portions and removed at the positions partially, a body of zipper material being disposed between the sprit portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Totani Corporation
    Inventor: Mikio Totani
  • Patent number: 10363039
    Abstract: An end effector is provided and includes an outer tube, a coil member, a plurality of fasteners, and an engagement member. The outer tube defines a viewing window and a lockout window. The coil member is disposed within the outer tube. The plurality of fasteners are disposed in the coil member. The engagement member is disposed proximal to the plurality of fasteners and is visible through the viewing window of the outer tube. The engagement member is configured to translate proximal to the plurality of fasteners to provide a count of the plurality of fasteners remaining in the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Mark Russo
  • Patent number: 10363037
    Abstract: Surgical instrument systems comprising lockouts are disclosed. The systems comprise a firing member, a staple cartridge assembly, and a lockout member. The lockout member, movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, is configured to prevent the firing member from being advanced through the staple cartridge assembly when the lockout member is in its locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Taylor W. Aronhalt, Austin E. Wise, Morgan R. Hunter, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 10364053
    Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to vial preparation methods and to vials prepared by such methods. Some embodiments relate to use of an apparatus, such as a lyophilization apparatus, to perform the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Hospira Australia Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Emma J. Wensley, Andrew Malcolm Knill, John Frederic Suendermann
  • Patent number: 10364054
    Abstract: Disclosed is an M-shaped fully automatic winding machine provided with a main controller, a film clamping device, an automatic film cutting device, and a film lifting device. The film clamping device is provided on an M-shaped turntable, is driven to work by a second electric motor and uses a storage battery as a power source. A secondary controller controlling the second electric motor to work is also provided on the M-shaped turntable, is in a communication connection with the main controller via wireless data and is controlled by the main controller. A film clamping working position of the film clamping device is in front of an upright post when the M-shaped turntable turns to the angle of the original position. The M-shaped winding machine is also provided with a storage battery charging connection device. When the M-shaped turntable turns to the angle of a charging position, a turntable upper part and a turntable outer part of the charging connection device can be electrically connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: HANGZHOU YOUNGSUN INTELLIGENT EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bangyi Luo, Ziquan Zhang, Caiqin Zhang
  • Patent number: 10363035
    Abstract: A surgical stapler including an end effector having various embodiments of a lockout assembly is described. The lockout assembly can control the rotation of a drive member that extends through the end effector. A sled can be positioned along the drive member and caused to translate along the drive member upon rotation of the drive member. As such, the lockout assembly can prevent movement of the sled by controlling the ability of the drive member to rotate. The lockout assembly can assist with preventing inadvertent firing of the end effector, such as when there is no cartridge present or a spent cartridge (e.g., the cartridge does not have any staples).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Michael J. Vendely, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 10360822
    Abstract: A tamper evident tag is provided having a sealant layer, and ink layer and an oxygen barrier layer. The tag may be a film-based tag incorporating a color shifting ink layer located in the sealant layer and a bar code in the ink layer. The tag may be placed over one or more perforations in the bottom end covering of a container. When the container is opened, air enters the interior of the container, passes through the perforations and into the sealant layer. When air reaches the color shifting ink layer, it changes to a color the same as or similar to the bar code, rendering the bar code illegible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Thor Versluys, Laura BuenAbad
  • Patent number: 10358239
    Abstract: An apparatus for attaching one or more can carriers to a plurality of cans is disclosed herein. The apparatus may include rails for guiding the cans as the cans move through the apparatus. Push members may be moved into the space between the rails to push the cans through the apparatus towards a member and at least one roller. The member (e.g., a hopper) may position a can carrier above the cans. The at least one roller may be positioned to provide a downward force on the can carrier to attach the can carrier to the top of the cans as the cans are moved past the at least one roller by the push members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: American Canning Machines, LLC
    Inventors: Michael T. Daniel, Donna H. Daniel, David C. Racino
  • Patent number: 10358245
    Abstract: A method of wrapping a load with a stretch wrapping system utilizes a system for monitoring film properties, a module in the stretch wrapping systems controller to analyze the data or film properties and further utilize the data to determine, at least in part, appropriate machine settings and or wrapping pattern for the film and execute by providing appropriate machine settings such that effective wrapping of the load and proper use of the film are achieved. The film properties include film stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Inventor: Paul Kurt Riemenschneider, III
  • Patent number: 10357246
    Abstract: A motor-driven surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises a motor that is supported in a housing and includes at least one rotary drive system that is configured for selective operable engagement and disengagement with the motor assembly. A bailout drive train is supported by the housing assembly and is configured for selective operable engagement and disengagement with the at least one rotary drive system. A bailout handle assembly is selectively movable between a stored position within the housing assembly and an actuation position such that, when the bailout handle assembly is in the stored position, the at least one rotary drive system is retained in operable engagement with the motor assembly and when the bailout handle assembly is in the actuation position, the bailout drive train is in operable engagement with the at least one rotary drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 10358241
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gripper device for picking up and releasing a group of food slices, the group of slices being arranged with a slice at one end lying on a support surface and each subsequent slice through to the slice at the other end lying against the preceding slice and being displaced relative to the preceding slice. A counter hold is provided opposite a first structure which comprises a first blade portion. A displacement mechanism is provided for moving at least one of the first structure and the counter hold away from and towards the other. A tilting mechanism is able to rotate the blade portion. To pick up a group of food slices, at least one of the first structure and the counter hold moves towards the other. The tilting mechanism rotates the first blade portion such that it tilts towards the counter hold causing the group of food slices to be arranged in a stack between the first blade portion and the counter hold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Thurne-Middleby Ltd
    Inventor: Ben James Wilson Findlay
  • Patent number: 10351405
    Abstract: A capping machine for screwing a threaded cap on a threaded container having a threaded finish, the capping machine receiving the threaded cap from a cap distributor. The capping machine includes a cap guiding element provided above cap screwing belts, both being provided above a conveyor. The cap guiding element is movable between an upper position and a lower position. The cap guiding element is configured for abutting downwardly against the threaded cap when the threaded cap is in register therewith and maintaining the threaded cap in a predetermined attitude for at least part of the screwing process. The cap guiding element moves towards the lower position as the cap screwing belts screw the threaded cap on the threaded container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: NJM PACKAGING INC.
    Inventors: Luc Jalbert, Steve Boissonneault, Alexandre Lebel, Maxime Demers, Alexandru Berceanu, Jonathan Monette
  • Patent number: 10351285
    Abstract: Robotic pick-and-place automation is used to transfer oral solid pharmaceuticals from moveable trays or canisters. Sensors are used to verify that the pharmaceuticals have been properly placed in the desired pharmaceutical locations precisely according to the patient prescription data. A pharmacist places pharmaceutical products within dispensing trays or canisters to present the pharmaceutical products for picking and placing via the robotic pick-and-place machinery. Once the canister or tray is located adjacent the pick-and-place device, a sensor or imaging unit associated with the pick-and-place device verifies that the pharmaceutical product the size, shape, and/or color of an expected pharmaceutical product that is to be placed within the packaging material in accordance with patient prescription data stored by a computer associated with the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: MTS Medication Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Sweet, Edward D Kames, Heather Gileta, Robert Barrett, Alan Kraemer
  • Patent number: 10350742
    Abstract: Percussion unit, especially for a rotary hammer and/or percussion hammer, comprising a control unit which is designed for controlling a pneumatic percussion mechanism. According to the disclosure, the control unit comprises at least one load estimation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Nitsche, Antoine Vandamme, Thomas Winkler, Helge Sprenger, Haris Hamedovic, Wolfgang Fischer, Christian Bertsch, Mario Eduardo Vega Zavala, Ulli Hoffmann, Thilo Henke, Achim Duesselberg
  • Patent number: 10352285
    Abstract: In a nozzle plate, a portion of fuel flowing out from a fuel injection port of the fuel injection device is atomized by impinging on an interference body. At the same time, the flow of the portion of fuel is sharply bent and impinges on fuel which straightly advances and passes through a nozzle hole and an orifice thus turning the flow of fuel into a turbulent flow. Further, both end portions of the orifice form non-rounded sharpened corner portions. Hence, a liquid film of fuel injected from the corner portions and areas in the vicinity of the corner portions of the orifice is formed into a thin sharpened and pointed state whereby an end portion of the liquid film of fuel injected from the orifice is easily atomized due to a friction between the end portion of the liquid film of fuel and air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: ENPLAS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji Noguchi
  • Patent number: 10350849
    Abstract: A machine for forming a joined blank assembly from first and second blanks of sheet material includes a deck coupled to a frame, and a first transfer assembly associated with the frame. The first transfer assembly is configured to position the first blank on the deck. The machine also includes a second transfer assembly associated with the frame. The second transfer assembly is configured to position the second blank in at least a partially overlying relationship to the first blank on the deck. The machine further includes at least one compression member configured to compress the second blank and the first blank together against the deck to form the joined blank assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: WestRock Shared Services, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Dean Graham, Amer Aganovic, Kirk Steven Kempnich, II
  • Patent number: 10351406
    Abstract: Disclosed is a unique knife plate structure for preventing rotation of a plastic container during the capping operation, wherein the container neck is provided with a finish ring or lip, wherein the knife plate is formed to provide laterally and vertically directed sharp edged or pointed container neck contact spikes each of which spikes penetrates (slightly) a portion of the plastic neck surface at the junction of the underside of the finish ring with the neck to hold the container in a fixed non-rotational position while the cap or lid is being rotationally applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Inventor: John M. Leslie
  • Patent number: 10343180
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system (20) provided to a spray bar (10) mounted on a carrier (1) at an angle (?10) adjustable relative to the carrier (1), the control system (20) comprising an actuator for changing the angle (?10) of the spray bar (10); a control device for controlling the actuator; and a damping device connected to the actuator to damp vibrations and oscillations of the spray bar (10) and thus stabilize the angle (?10). The invention is characterized in that the control system (20) further comprises a recharging device operating simultaneously with the control device to compensate for a pressure change in the damping device during a change in the angle (?10) of the spray bar (10). The invention also relates to a spray bar (10), a carrier (1) and a method of implementation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: EXEL INDUSTRIES
    Inventors: Sébastien Rouyer, Mathieu Mick
  • Patent number: 10335792
    Abstract: A reagent bottle includes an outer cap and an inner closing cap. The inner closing cap has a recess for gripping the cap. In addition, a system for handling closures is provided wherein a method removes a closing cap from a reagent bottle and a related gripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC OY
    Inventors: Vesa Nuotio, Olli Myyryläinen