Patents Examined by Chinyere Rushing-Tucker
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Patent number: 9833235Abstract: A surgical instrument system is disclosed, the system including a first component and a second component, the first component being a reload assembly and the second component being selected from a group consisting of a handle assembly and an adapter assembly, the surgical instrument system including at least one chip assembly having a housing assembly on the first component, the housing assembly containing a chip, and a plug assembly on the second component, the chip having data for, and being configured to, prevent use of the reload assembly if the reload assembly is unauthorized.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2013Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Christopher Penna, Jonathan W. Sapienza, Anne Nelson, Paul D. Richard
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Patent number: 9826979Abstract: An introducer for being fitted with a circular stapler, is a flexible plastic member in a whole shape of conical with an inner cavity; the introducer has a proximal end and a distal end, outer diameter of the introducer is gradually increased from the distal end to the proximal end and a maximum outer diameter of the proximal end is less than or equal to a maximum outer diameter of a staple cartridge assembly; when pulled by an external force, the plastic member may be unwound spirally and finally forms a strip body capable of being disengaged from the circular stapler. The introducer provided by the present disclosure has the advantages that: as the maximum outer diameter of the introducer is approximately equal to the maximum outer diameter of the staple cartridge assembly, the process of introducing can be achieved without bad influence resulting from increasing the outer diameter of the circular stapler.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Suzhou Touchstone International Medical Science Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wangdong Chen, Min Sun, Shuicheng Ding, Zongshun Wang, Wei Xu, Kai Liu
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Patent number: 9809334Abstract: A vending machine provides a housing for enclosing a container unit, a printing unit, a bagging unit, and a retrieval bin. The units are connected to each other by a number of passages that allow stored products to be transported between the units. Customers interact with the vending machine via a terminal, which actuates other components based on customer inputs. The container unit serves as a primary storage, holding the product until a customer makes a purchase. The requested product is then funneled into a primary passage, either towards the bagging unit or forked to the printing unit if necessary. The bagging unit has a door that allows the product to drop into a bag. The bag itself is retrieved from a storage area and positioned below the door by a bag manipulating mechanism. It is then sealed and dropped into the retrieval bin to allow a customer access.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Inventors: Mark A. Kramme, Christian Clark Kramme
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Patent number: 9782879Abstract: A pneumatic nailer includes a working piston connected to a driving plunger for driving in a fastening means and which is subjected to compressed air when a driving-in process is triggered. The nailer also includes a triggering device which has a manually actuatable trigger and a contact feeler. Actuating the trigger and the contact feeler together activates a first control valve and can trigger a driving-in process. A second control valve is activated when actuating the trigger independently of an actuation of the contact feeler. A chamber is provided, which is either aerated or deaerated via a throttle when the second control valve is activated. A locking piston is provided which is displaced from a resting position into a locked position when the pressure in the chamber passes a predetermined pressure threshold and which in the locked position prevents a driving-in process from being triggered.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2014Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: JOH. FRIEDRICH BEHRENS AGInventor: Joachim Bauer
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Patent number: 9782883Abstract: A portable machine tool has at least one drive motor, at least one gearbox unit, at least one connecting drive train unit, and at least one actuating element. The at least one connecting drive train unit is configured to transmit a force from the at least one drive motor to the at least one gearbox unit. The at least one connecting drive train unit is also configured to bypass the at least one actuating element.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2013Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Rudolf Fuchs, Florian Bantle
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Patent number: 9776750Abstract: An apparatus for forming a carton containing a group of articles and a method of forming a carton. The apparatus comprises an article positioning system for positioning articles into a plurality of groups of articles and moving the groups of articles along a processing path, a blank handling apparatus for conveying a plurality of carton blanks towards the plurality of groups of articles, and a folding mechanism that is downstream of the blank handling apparatus for folding a portion of the ends of each respective carton blank downwardly around the respective group of articles.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2012Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.Inventors: Kevin T. May, Kelly Ziegler
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Patent number: 9776748Abstract: Control of a wrapping apparatus is facilitated by enabling an operator to input a load containment force requirement and/or a minimum number of layers of packaging material to be applied to a load, with a wrap control system automatically determining wrap force and other parameters required to meet user input requirements and/or parameters to minimize the expertise required of an operator and to provide more consistent and reliable wrapping of loads. In addition, a wrapping apparatus may be controlled to apply at least a minimum number of layers of packaging material to a load throughout a contiguous region thereof.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Lantech.com, LLCInventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Michael P. Mitchell
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Patent number: 9731410Abstract: To provide a hand-held power tool which is equipped with a motor and can be used in a normal driving mode for a tip end tool and also in driving modes other than the normal driving mode. A power tool in which a tip end tool is driven by a motor to thereby perform a predetermined machining process on a workpiece, wherein the motor is a dual rotor motor comprising: an inner rotor; an outer rotor; and a stator including a driving coil mechanism, with the inner rotor and the outer rotor being coaxially disposed.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2011Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATIONInventors: Shinji Hirabayashi, Kenichi Ota
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Patent number: 9706993Abstract: An end effector usable with a surgical instrument includes a first jaw pivotably coupled to a second jaw. The first jaw includes staple forming depressions. A staple cartridge is releasably attachable to a channel of the second jaw. A plurality of staples is disposed in the staple cartridge. A shipping wedge is releasably attached to the staple cartridge. The shipping wedge maintains the staples in their respective retention slots and is usable to separate the staple cartridge from the channel of the second jaw.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2014Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Thomas Hessler, Stanislaw Kostrzewski, Ernest Aranyi
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Patent number: 9701006Abstract: In one illustrative embodiment, a power tool may comprise a housing supporting a motor, a primary switch coupled to the housing and configured to control a supply of energy to the motor, and an secondary switch that is reconfigurable between a first position near the primary switch and a second position spaced apart from the first position. When the secondary switch is coupled to the housing in the first position, the primary switch and the secondary switch may be configured such that a user holding the power tool with only one hand can operate both the primary switch and the secondary switch using the one hand. When the secondary switch is coupled to the housing in the second position, the primary switch and the secondary switch may be configured to require the user of the power tool to simultaneously operate the primary switch and the secondary switch using two hands.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand CompanyInventor: Laurence V. Borst
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Patent number: 9662778Abstract: A rotary hammer includes a motor, a spindle coupled to the motor for receiving torque from the motor, a piston at least partially received within the spindle for reciprocation therein, and an anvil received within the spindle for reciprocation in response to reciprocation of the piston. The anvil imparts axial impacts to a tool bit in response to reciprocation of the piston. The rotary hammer also includes a bit retention assembly for securing the tool bit to the spindle. The bit retention assembly includes a collar with an indicator thereon. The indicator is at least partially visible to a user of the rotary hammer when the tool bit is improperly inserted within the spindle.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Troy C. Thorson, Jeremy R. Ebner
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Patent number: 9656774Abstract: A sealing jaw assembly for a sealing unit, and in particular an arrangement for suspending a sealing jaw in a socket is disclosed. The arrangement is based on a first and a second spring arrangement wherein the action of the first spring arrangement onto the sealing jaw may be activated and deactivated.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2012Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.Inventor: Richard Persson
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Patent number: 9649807Abstract: An apparatus for forming objects, in particular containers, and for applying respective labels thereto, includes a forming arrangement provided with a punch cooperating with a cavity of a die to make the objects by forming a sheet of thermoformable material. The cavity includes a first wall element and second walls. The first wall element is movable between a first operating position in which it receives a label and a second operating position in which it bounds the cavity in cooperation with the second walls, and supports the label in such a manner that during a subsequent forming operation the label is fixed to, in particular substantially incorporated in, the object.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2011Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Sarong Societa'per AzioniInventors: Andrea Bartoli, Flavio Traldi, Elio Sanibondi
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Patent number: 9643374Abstract: The device, which serves for processing flat products, particularly separated sheets of paper, includes a device body that is holding a tool, with which the flat products can be processed. The inventive device further includes a tool bearing that is connected to the device body and that includes at least one bearing drive unit, a control unit controlling the bearing drive unit, a tool drive unit and a modular tool unit that includes said tool and that can be actuated by the tool drive unit when it is coupled to the tool drive unit, wherein the modular tool unit is releasably held by the tool bearing and is movable by the bearing drive unit towards the tool drive unit under the control of the control unit until it is coupled with the tool drive unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: MULTIGRAF AGInventors: Daniel Barrer, Ivan Coric
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Patent number: 9637262Abstract: A folding unit for producing packages of pourable food products from sealed packs having each a main portion and opposite end portions arranged on opposite sides of the main portion; each pack comprises a fin and a pair of flaps projecting laterally from main portion; a first movable conveying member fed with a plurality of packs and which feeds the pack along a forming path; and folder which interacts with each pack along forming path to fold relative first end fin onto the portion; the folder comprising: a first member movable along forming path together with the conveying member and defining a slot receiving, in use, end fin; and a second member movable relative to first member between a first position in which it engages at least partially slot, so as to fold end fin onto a relative end portion, and a second position in which it leaves free slot.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2012Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.Inventors: Richard Pedretti, Massimo Pradelli, Fabrizio Rimondi
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Patent number: 9630729Abstract: A system for packaging containers within a flexible container carrier includes a generally continuous string of container carriers arranged with divisible weakened connections between adjacent individual container carriers that is fed through an applicating machine for applying the container carriers to individual containers. A cut-off device is arranged downstream of the applicating machine to selectively accelerate or decelerate the containers to separate the generally continuous string into individual container carriers.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2012Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Samaras, Christopher J. Ludwig
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Patent number: 9610677Abstract: A hand-held power tool has a housing with a cylinder chamber. An internal combustion engine is arranged in the housing and the internal combustion engine has a cylinder arranged in the cylinder chamber. A device is provided that detects temperature information in the cylinder chamber when the internal combustion engine is in an inoperative state. An indicator device that indicates the temperature information is provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KGInventors: Mark Reichler, Klaus-Martin Uhl
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Patent number: 9603599Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an anvil selectively coupleable to a stapling head assembly and a trigger operable to fire staples into tissue compressed between the anvil and the stapling head assembly. In some versions, a lockout member may engage a securing feature to prevent actuation of the anvil relative to the stapling head assembly. For instance, a tab may engage a slot on an actuator, a screen door lock may provide frictional resistance or engage teeth on the actuator, a door may actuate into engagement with one or more recesses, geared teeth may mesh with teeth on the actuator, the lockout member may include a ratcheting assembly to engage actuator, and/or a push button may actuate into a recess while disengaging the lockout member. Alternatively, in some versions, the trigger actuation assembly may be disengaged prior to firing. An anvil position indicator may restrict engagement of the trigger actuation assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2011Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLCInventors: Christopher C. Miller, Edward G. Chekan, Johnny H. Alexander, III, John F. Cummings, Carl J. Shurtleff, Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs, Barry T. Jamison, Joseph E. Young, Cortney E. Henderson
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Patent number: 9604427Abstract: A fiber/plastic sheet product cutting-folding machine composed of a cutter, a rotary cutting wheel, one or more differential wheels, a first folding wheel and a second folding wheel is disclosed. The cutter and the rotary cutting wheel are adapted to cut off a fiber/plastic sheet product passing therebetween so that each cut piece of fiber/plastic sheet product has a straight cut edge. The differential wheel enables each two successive cut pieces of fiber/plastic sheet product to be partially overlapped, forming a stack of interfold fiber/plastic sheet product. Subject to the application of the fiber/plastic sheet product cutting-folding machine, each stack of interfold fiber/plastic sheet product is kept neat.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2012Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Chan Li Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chi Pin Hsu
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Patent number: 9604748Abstract: In a device for shaping a flat blank (46) made of cardboard into a container (48), comprising a shaping tool (50) and a ram (10) which can be moved in a primary shaping direction (z) into the shaping tool (50) so as to erect the flat blank by means of the shaping tool (50), at least two lateral walls (18) which can be pivoted about a respective pivot axis (s) located transversely relative to the primary shaping direction (z) are hinged to the ram (10), whereby a main surface defined by the free end edges (19) of the lateral walls (18) can be adjusted. In order to carry out a pivoting motion, the lateral walls (18) are seated in a non-positively sliding manner against wedge elements (28) by means of pretensioned spring elements (22, 24), the wedge elements being displaceable in the primary shaping direction (z).Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2012Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Alexander Frank