Patents Examined by Andrew M Tecco
  • Patent number: 11279524
    Abstract: The invention relates to a production method of a material, a material and packaging intended mainly for food products. The design of the material used in the packaging machines allows for providing handles in the final packaging without the need for secondary operations. The handles are obtained through either placing a secondary narrower web onto the primary material, wherein the handle constitutes said web, or adjacent holes are cut in the primary material, wherein the handle is formed by the holes separating the primary material. A combination of these two methods or materials is also conceivable. In the area of holes, the primary material is joined with the secondary material, which is either a film or a membrane, wherein the secondary material is larger than the holes and it forms an overlap around them. The materials are joined in the overlap area around the inner circumference of the secondary material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: SILBO SP. Z O.O.
    Inventor: Marcin Spiewok
  • Patent number: 11278279
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a surgical instrument with a robotics system, a memory device and an end effector having an elongate channel, knife position sensor(s) and a firing bar coupled to a knife. In response to drive motions initiated by the robotics system, the firing bar may translate within the elongate channel. As the firing bar translates, the sensor(s) transmit a signal to the memory device. The position of the knife may be determined from the output signals and may be communicated to the robotics system or instrument user. The sensors may be Hall Effect sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jerome R. Morgan, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11273939
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a case former configured to receive a case in a blank configuration, open the case into a tubular configuration, fold the lower minor flaps to manipulate the case into a partially closed-bottom configuration, square the case while in the partially dosed-bottom configuration, and fold and tape the lower major flaps shut to manipulate the case into a closed-bottom configuration. The squaring step ensures that the case has a rectangular cross-section after taping rather than a rhomboid cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLC
    Inventor: Bryce J. Fox
  • Patent number: 11272929
    Abstract: A surgical system includes a power source, a handle housing, a motor, an adapter assembly, an end effector, and a correction unit. The motor is disposed within the handle housing and is in electrical communication with the power source. The adapter assembly is operably coupled to the handle housing and supports an input and an output shaft coupled by the universal joint. The input shaft is in mechanical communication with the motor. The end effector is coupled to the adapter assembly and is selectively articulatable relative to the adapter assembly. The correction unit is in electrical communication with the power source and the motor and is configured to adjust the input shaft speed of the input shaft to maintain a substantially constant output shaft speed of the output shaft as the end effector articulates relative to the adapter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Justin Williams, Anthony Sgroi
  • Patent number: 11272927
    Abstract: A piece of buttress material and an end-effector of a surgical instrument including features which can aid a surgeon in properly and quickly attaching the piece of buttress material to the end-effector. In various embodiments, a piece of buttress material can include retention features which can be engaged with portions of an end-effector to releasably retain the piece of buttress material to at least a portion of the end-effector. Similarly, an end-effector can include features configured to engage portions of a piece of buttress material to releasably retain the piece of buttress material to the end-effector. In at least one embodiment, more than one piece of buttress material can be releasably retained to an end-effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Swayze, Jerome R. Morgan, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Thomas W. Huitema
  • Patent number: 11267594
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for roll-formed containers for shipping. In one embodiment, an example method may include determining, using a first sensor system, a first dimension of a first item, determining a length of packaging material to use for packing the first item based at least in part on the first dimension, and causing a first crease line and a second crease line to be formed on a surface of the packaging material. Some methods may include causing a first side of the packaging material to be folded over the first item, causing a second side of the packaging material to be folded over the first side of the packaging material to form an overlapping portion, and causing ends of the packaging material to be pressed to form a package, where the first item is disposed in the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Garett Ochs
  • Patent number: 11259800
    Abstract: A retraction mechanism allows the full distal retraction of the firing drive from various positions. The retraction mechanism has been developed for use with a hand held surgical apparatus. An embodiment of the retraction mechanism includes a drive member, a first pulley, a second pulley, and a firing drive. The drive mechanism is configured to be driven by a motor. The first pulley is configured to rotate when the motor drives the drive mechanism. The second pulley is movable relative to the first pulley between a proximal position and a distal position. The firing drive is movable relative to the first pulley between proximal and distal positions. In operation, the first pulley rotates in a first direction in response to a distal translation of the firing drive and wherein the firing drive moves proximally upon rotation of the first pulley in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Stanislaw Marczyk, Joseph Bender-Zanoni
  • Patent number: 11260615
    Abstract: A dunnage conversion machine for converting an expandable pre-slit sheet stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage product includes an improved expansion assembly that provides means for adjusting the spacing between axes of rotation of components through which the sheet stock material is drawn. The adjustability enables pre-slit sheet stock materials of differing thicknesses and/or having differing slit patterns to be fed through the expansion assembly with no or minimal compression of an expanded dunnage product, jamming in the conversion machine, bunching, and/or tearing of the pre-slit sheet stock material or expanded dunnage product resulting from expansion of the pre-slit sheet stock material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp.
    Inventors: Robert C. Cheich, Dennis J. Wagner
  • Patent number: 11260518
    Abstract: An ergonomic handle is disclosed for use with a power tool, the power tool having a power source, a housing containing a source of motion, and a tool holder coupled the housing and defining a tool holder axis and a forward direction toward a working end of the tool and rearward direction away from the working end of the tool. The handle includes a handle portion having a proximal end coupled to the housing and a distal end coupleable to the power source, and defining, from the proximal end to the distal end, a first region, a second region, a third region, and a fourth region, and defining a handle axis that is generally transverse to the tool holder axis. The first region includes a switch for actuating the source of motion and adapted to receive a user's thumb and forefinger when the forefinger is actuating the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Lopano, Gabriel Concari, Sion Netzler, Dustin Lee
  • Patent number: 11247321
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of impact tools with impact mechanisms rigidly coupled to electric motors are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, an impact tool may comprise an impact mechanism, an electric motor, and a control circuit. The impact mechanism may comprise a hammer and an anvil, the hammer being configured to rotate about a first axis and to periodically impact the anvil to drive rotation of the anvil about the first axis. The electric motor may comprise a rotor that is rigidly coupled to the impact mechanism, the electric motor being configured to drive rotation of the hammer about the first axis. The control circuit may be configured to supply a current to the electric motor and to prevent the current from exceeding a threshold in response to the hammer impacting the anvil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL U.S., INC.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Cooper, John J. Linehan, Edward Charles Eardley
  • Patent number: 11246592
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a shaft, an end effector rotatable relative to said shaft about an articulation joint, an articulation system configured to rotate the end effector, and an articulation lock. The articulation lock is configured to selectively couple the articulation system to a frame of the shaft. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument further comprises a lock plate movable within the shaft frame. In such embodiments, the articulation lock is configured to lock the articulation system to the lock plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 11241235
    Abstract: A method of operating a surgical assembly is disclosed. The method includes receiving a first input from a first RFID scanner indicative of a first information stored in a first RFID chip of a first modular component of the surgical assembly, receiving a second input from a second RFID scanner indicative of a second information stored in a second RFID chip of a second modular component of the surgical assembly, determining an operational parameter of a motor of the surgical assembly based on the first input and the second input, and causing the motor to effect a tissue treatment motion of the first modular component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Shane R. Adams, Kevin M. Fiebig
  • Patent number: 11229994
    Abstract: A method detects whether a fastener is already tightened using a tightening tool with a pulse mechanism. The method includes placing the tightening tool on the fastener, and accelerating rotational parts of the tightening tool. The rotational speed of the rotational parts is limited to a first rotational threshold value in revolutions per minute during an initial tightening phase, the first rotational threshold value being set to be in a range of 20% to 80% of a second rotational threshold value in revolutions per minute needed in a secondary tightening phase to provide a target fastening value for the fastener. And it is detected whether a pulse occurs during the initial tightening phase, the initial tightening phase being measured from a moment when the rotational parts are accelerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: ATLAS COPCO INDUSTRIAL TECHNIQUE AB
    Inventor: Christian John Robert Friberg
  • Patent number: 11225345
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing liquid containers by: producing a plastic container by a blow moulding process; filling the plastic container with a flowable medium, such as a liquid; and at least partially closing the container, which is filled with the liquid, with a container closure. After the at least partial closing of the container, a gaseous medium is fed to the interior of the container via at least one opening introduced into at least one portion of a wall of the plastic container or a circumferential wall of the container closure or via an intermediate space which exists between a mouth and the container closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Inventors: Wolfgang Roidl, Jochen Hirdina
  • Patent number: 11224427
    Abstract: A surgical stapling system comprising a housing, an end effector, a replaceable staple cartridge, a driver element, a motor-powered firing element, a remote user-controlled console, and a retraction assembly is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw is rotatable relative to the second jaw into a closed position. The driver element is translatable distally in response to a firing motion. The motor-powered firing element is advanceable from a proximal position to a fired position to apply the firing motion to the driver element. The motor-powered firing element is retractable from the fired position toward the proximal position. The remote user- controlled console is capable of controlling the actuation of the motor-powered firing element. The remote user-controlled console comprises apparatus for sensing the closure of the first jaw and apparatus for sensing the advancement and retraction of the motor-powered firing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, James R. Giordano, Jeffrey S. Swayze
  • Patent number: 11213295
    Abstract: A surgical staple driver configured for use with a surgical staple cartridge that operably interfaces with a surgical instrument camming member that is axially movable along a first cam axis. A driver body is slidably supportable within the surgical staple cartridge. A camming surface is provided on the driver body that is oriented for camming engagement with the camming member along the first cam axis. The driver further includes a staple supporting portion that is configured to operably support at least one surgical staple thereon relative to the camming surface such that when the camming member engages the camming surface, the camming member passes transversely under a portion of a staple crown of at least one surgical staple supported on the staple supporting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chester O. Baxter, III
  • Patent number: 11207064
    Abstract: A stapling instrument for use with a robotic surgical system comprising a drive system including at least three motor-driven drivers is disclosed. The stapling instrument comprises a housing, a shaft, an articulation joint, and a loading unit. The housing comprises a drive interface defined on an exterior surface of the housing. The drive interface is operably engageable with the drive system of the robotic system. The drive interface comprises at least three rotatable inputs positioned thereon. Each input is operably engaged with one of the motor-driven drivers. The loading unit comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, a staple cartridge, and a drive member. The first jaw and the second jaw are rotatable about the articulation joint by a longitudinally-displaceable articulation actuator. The housing comprises means for converting the rotation of one of the rotatable inputs to the longitudinal motion of the articulation actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, John N. Ouwerkerk, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Patent number: 11203105
    Abstract: A percussion tool, for performing a chiseling operation on a workpiece with a chisel, comprises a housing including a front side, and rear side, and opposite lateral sides extending between the front and rear sides, a first handle coupled to a first of the lateral sides of the housing, a second handle coupled to a second of the lateral sides of the housing, the first and second handles oriented coaxially along a handle axis, an electric motor positioned within the housing, a percussion mechanism driven by the motor and including a striker supported for reciprocation relative to the housing along a striker axis, and a light source that produces light to illuminate the workpiece. The chisel is configured to deliver repeated axial impacts to the workpiece in response to receiving repeated axial impacts from the striker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew D. Van Hoorn, Kevin R. Gee
  • Patent number: 11203454
    Abstract: Provided is a medicine dispensing device having a container stocking portion) for stocking a plurality of medicine containers, a medicine supplying part for supplying solid medicines, container taking means for taking the container from the container stocking portion, a medicine filling part for filling the medicine container with the solid medicines supplied from the medicine supplying part and container checking means. The medicine checking means has posture keeping means for keeping a constant posture of the medicine container and a measuring member which can approach to and move away from the medicine container. The container checking means can check a type of the medicine container by holding the medicine container with keeping the constant posture by using the posture keeping means and allowing the measuring member to approach to the medicine container from a remote position and make contact with the medicine container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: YUYAMA MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Takada, Takashi Iwatani, Takafumi Imai, Jun Horii
  • Patent number: 11198525
    Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure is a method of packaging a plurality siding panels. The method includes providing a plurality of siding panels, each siding panel having a front face, a rear face, top edge, a bottom edge, and a support member secured to the rear face, placing a first siding panel vertically within a box, the box having a first side, a second side, a top side, and a bottom side, and placing a second siding panel vertically within the box next to the first siding panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: CertainTeed LLC
    Inventor: Ashley A. Schultz