Patents Examined by Debra M Sullivan
  • Patent number: 12139317
    Abstract: A can end has a public side and an opposing product side. A circumferential curl is located about a center axis and defines an outer perimeter of the can end. A circumferential wall extends downwardly from the curl. A circumferential, generally U-shaped countersink extends radially inwardly from the circumferential wall relative to the center axis and upwardly. A center panel extends radially inwardly from the countersink relative to the center axis and has a displaceable tear panel defined by frangible score and a hinge segment on the public side and a tab fixed to the public side which has a nose portion overlying a portion of the displaceable tear panel. A circumferential panel joins the countersink with the center panel and has a first panel radius joined to a second panel radius by a short wall extending upwardly and inwardly. The circumferential panel has a bead formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: REXAM BEVERAGE CAN COMPANY
    Inventors: Randall G. Forrest, Michael R. Gogola
  • Patent number: 12142391
    Abstract: A device and a method twist single cables about a twisting axis to form a cable bundle along an extension axis. The device includes single rotating units, which are spaced from one another at a variable distance, for separately holding cable ends at one end of the single cables, wherein each single rotating unit is mounted rotatably about an associated pivot axis, wherein each pivot axis runs substantially perpendicular to the extension axis of the cable bundle; a twisting unit for holding and twisting cable ends at the other end of the single cables; and a distance-adjusting apparatus for adjusting the variable distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: komax Holding AG
    Inventor: Michael Drab
  • Patent number: 12134905
    Abstract: A binding machine includes: a feeding unit configured to feed a wire; a guide part configured to wind the wire fed by the feeding unit around a binding object; a twisting unit configured to twist the wire wound on the binding object by the guide part; and a contact part against which the binding object is butted. The guide part includes: a first guide configured to curl the wire around the binding object butted against the contact part; a second guide configured to guide the wire curled by the first guide to the twisting unit; and an induction part provided to at least one of the first guide and the second guide, and configured to guide the binding object between the first guide and the second guide. The induction part is configured so that a distance between the induction part and the contact part is variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobutaka Tashima, Shinpei Sugihara
  • Patent number: 12134120
    Abstract: A method and tool for obtaining face teeth having a plurality of radial teeth on an annular collar of an inner ring of a wheel hub; in which annular roughed-out face teeth are first formed on the collar coaxial with an axis of symmetry (A) of the collar and having a plurality of radial first teeth arranged in a crown and alternating at constant pitch with a plurality of radial first concavities; then a shaping tool comprising a pressing head provided with annular calibration face teeth is axially pressed onto the collar to engage with the annular roughed-out face teeth, second radial concavities of the annular calibration teeth each being delimited by a bottom wall having a rounded circumferential profile exactly reproducing in negative the rounded circumferential profile of the tips or ridges of the radial teeth of the required face teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Maurizio Bertola, Fulvio Carlo Nicastri, Paolo A Re
  • Patent number: 12128468
    Abstract: A method of bending a contoured metal sheet, the contoured metal sheet having a longitudinal axis extending along the length of the contoured metal sheet comprising: securing a first sheet section of the contoured metal sheet in a securing section between a securing surface of a securing member and an engagement surface of an engagement member; positioning at least part of a second sheet section of the contoured metal sheet in a forming section between a forming member having a pressing surface and a seating member having a seating surface; moving the forming section and the securing section relative to one another to: bend the first sheet section the selected angle relative to the second sheet section over a first bending edge; and feed the second sheet section from between the pressing surface and the seating surface, over a second bending edge, to between a forming surface and a backing surface; and positioning a following section substantially adjacent to the second bending edge to cooperate with the f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: FORMFLOW PTY LTD
    Inventor: Matthew Edward Dingle
  • Patent number: 12121953
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a bending press (10), wherein the bending press (10) comprises a first platform (1) with a first tool mount (11) and a second platform (2) with a second tool mount (12), wherein one of the platforms (1) is movable relative to the other platform (2) for performing a working movement, a safety device (20) for creating a light barrier (27), in particular laser light barrier, extending between the tool mounts (11, 12) transversely to the working movement of the movable platform (1), which light barrier (27), in a cross-section, forms a light field (7), wherein the safety device (20) has a first mount (21), which carries a light emitter (25) for creating the light barrier (27), and a second mount (22), which carries a light receiver (26) for receiving the light of the light barrier (27), and wherein the first mount (21) is arranged on a first side of the first platform (1) and is adjustable relative to the first platform (1) by a first adjustment drive (23), such
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: TRUMPF Maschinen Austria Gmbh & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Denkmeier, David Haim, Peter Simmel
  • Patent number: 12126032
    Abstract: A method for forming a metal composite film for battery cells includes at least the following steps: (a) inserting the metal composite film into a forming apparatus having a recess; (b) fixing the metal composite film in place by closing a film holder; (c) preforming the metal composite film within the recess in a first direction; and (d) final forming of the metal composite film within the recess in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Frederik Grau, Kartik Jamadar, Christian Theuerkauf
  • Patent number: 12115574
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bending press (10) for bending a workpiece (19), comprising a first platform (1) with a first tool mount (11) and a second platform (2) with a second tool mount (12), wherein one of the platforms (1) is movable relative to the other platform (2) for performing a working movement, a first safety device (20) for creating a light barrier (27) extending between the tool mounts (11, 12) transversely to the working movement of the movable platform (1), wherein the first safety device (20) has a first mount (21) and a second mount (22), wherein one of the mounts (21) carries a light emitter (25) and the other mount (22) carries a light receiver (26), and wherein the first mount (21) is arranged on a first side of the first platform (1) and is adjustable relative to the first platform (1) by a first adjustment drive (23), a controller (9) that is connected to the first adjustment drive (23), characterized in that the first tool mount (11) is designed in the form of a guide rail, which ha
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: TRUMPF Maschinen Austria GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Denkmeier, Christian Kurz
  • Patent number: 12109607
    Abstract: A structure to apply flexing to an object to test resilience to being bent has a first portion and a second portion. The structure includes a base, a rotating member, a pressing plate, and an adjusting assembly. The base defines first and second receiving grooves, and the second receiving groove receives the first portion. The rotating member on the base is partially received in the first receiving groove. An abutting surface of the rotating member is recessed to form a third receiving groove which receives the second portion. The pressing plate on the base presses against the first portion. The adjusting assembly controls the rotating member to rotate towards the base about a desired angle, thereby causing the second portion to be bent with respect to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: TRIPLE WIN TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Jin-Hong Li, Chun-Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 12109600
    Abstract: A press forming method forms a press-formed product having a hat-shaped cross section and includes: a first forming process of press-forming a preformed part in which a portion corresponding to web corresponding to a web portion, and a portion corresponding to side wall corresponding to a side wall portion and including a twisted side wall portion of a twisted shape along the longitudinal direction, are formed, the preformed part including a portion corresponding to convex curve corresponding to a convex curved portion; and a second forming process of press-forming the preformed part into the press-formed product. The twisted side wall portion at the first forming process is twisted such that an angle between the twisted side wall portion and the portion corresponding to web is larger on an end portion side than at a center of the portion corresponding to convex curve in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoshi Sumikawa
  • Patent number: 12109605
    Abstract: A bead forming method includes the steps of preparing a bumper stay having a partition wall that partitions an internal space and extends in a longitudinal direction, an elastic body that can be inserted into the bumper stay, and a pusher that presses the elastic body; inserting the elastic body into the bumper stay and arranging the elastic body in the bumper stay so as not to come into contact with the partition wall; and forming a buckling bead by compressing the elastic body in the longitudinal direction of the bumper stay by the pusher to expand the elastic body outward in a radial direction without coming into contact with the partition wall, thereby bulging a part of an outer wall of the bumper stay outward in the radial direction without deforming the partition wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taiki Yamakawa, Toru Hashimura, Yasuhiro Maeda
  • Patent number: 12090536
    Abstract: A hot extrusion die for a special-shaped square pipe includes a die cavity sleeve with a special-shaped cavity. A hot extrusion mandrel is arranged in the die cavity sleeve. An area between the die cavity sleeve and the hot extrusion mandrel forms a die cavity hole. A first extrusion diversion hole and a second extrusion diversion hole are arranged below the die cavity hole. An integral centroid of the die cavity hole is located at a circle center of a radial cross section of the die cavity sleeve. Further disclosed is a hot extrusion integral forming method for a special-shaped square pipe, including: heating and expanding a blank material; heating the blank material again after expanding; performing hot extrusion on the blank material; and cooling the formed special-shaped square pipe in air to a room temperature, and inspecting surface quality and mechanical properties of the special-shaped square pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignees: CENTRAL IRON AND STEEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, HANDAN XINXING SPECIAL STEEL PIPES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhenbao Liu, Xiaohui Wang, Jianxiong Liang, Yongqing Sun, Changjun Wang, Zhiyong Yang, Yuguang Gao, Jie Gao, Fuqiang Liu, Ailiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 12083572
    Abstract: Provided is a press molding method in which a plate material is molded into a target molded body including a ridge section, said method including: a first step for molding an intermediate molded body; and a second step for forming the target molded body from the intermediate molded body. The target molded body and the intermediate molded body have coincident regions where the cross-sectional shapes coincide on both sides of an intermediate ridge section, and an intermediate region where the cross-sectional shapes do not coincide. The intermediate region includes: an outer region in which the intermediate molded body protrudes outward of an edge radius with respect to the target molded body; and an inner region in which the intermediate molded body is curved inward of the edge radius with respect to the target molded body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirokatsu Akiba, Takeshi Sano, Kenji Matsutani, Takayuki Kano
  • Patent number: 12083576
    Abstract: A can seaming apparatus comprising a frame, a can handling assembly and a can seaming assembly. The frame has a bottom end and a top end, an upper mounting plate and a lower mounting member. The can handling assembly has an upper chuck and a lower chuck, the upper and lower chucks configured to releasably retain a can and top therebetween. The can seaming assembly includes a roller frame with a first and second roller, wherein the first and second rollers are directable into contact with the can and top while being retained by the upper and lower chucks. The upper chuck is fixed to an axle that extends through the upper mounting plate, and is rotatably coupled to the upper mounting plate. The axle extends beyond the upper mounting plate and structurally configured to be free from obstruction sufficient to allow a for the operable attachment of a chuck of a power tool. A combination can seaming apparatus and power tool is likewise disclosed, as are methods of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: OKTOBER, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Grumm, Svend Sorensen
  • Patent number: 12083577
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tear-off lid (27). A lid blank (9) is punched with a punching tool (1, 5) having a die (6) and a cutting punch (2, 3) to form a lid ring (8) with a central removal opening (17) surrounded by a sealing flange (18). The edge of the removal opening (17) is then formed by drawing to a collar (20) projecting from the sealing flange (18) on the intended inside of the lid (underside), the collar (20) is rolled up at its free end and a tear-off foil (24) is sealed or glued onto the sealing flange (18) on the intended outside of the lid (upper side). In accordance with the invention, the die (6) is arranged on the inner side (bottom) of the lid and the cutting punch (2, 3) is moved into the die (6) from the outer side (top) of the lid while punching out a punched pad (16) and the punched pad (16) is conveyed by compressed air through the die (6) to a conveyor (33) by means of which it is removed from the tool area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: SOUDRONIC AG
    Inventors: Peter Gysi, Marcel Oberholzer
  • Patent number: 12076774
    Abstract: A press-forming apparatus includes a punch, a die having an inclined surface, and a die holding plate. A blank holder has a holding surface, and a die load sensor detects a load in a pressing direction, a load in a first direction perpendicular to the pressing direction, and a load in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A controller calculates a normal force of the die based on the loads in the pressing direction, in the first direction, and in the second direction. The loads are detected by the die load sensor, and the controller calculates the amount of correction of clearance between the die and the blank holder based on the normal force of the die. The first driver moves the die in the pressing direction based on the amount of correction of clearance, and a second driver drives the punch in the pressing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideaki Hamada, Mitsuo Saitoh, Naoki Nojiri
  • Patent number: 12076770
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of working sheet metal, and sheet metal working apparatus for performing such methods. Such methods include steps of providing a sheet metal workpiece having first and second surfaces opposed to each other and at least one edge, bending the workpiece to form at least a first sidewall portion defined between the edge and a basal region, the first sidewall portion thereby defining a curved fold region in the sheet metal workpiece adjacent the first sidewall portion. Following this, first anvil tool and a first forming tool are provided for contact with and constraint of the first and second surfaces of the sheet metal workpiece respectively. The forming tool and/or the anvil tool are then progressively slid along the curved fold region to cause shear material transfer in the curved fold region to further deform the curved fold region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Cambridge Enterprise Limited
    Inventors: Julian Allwood, Adam Nagysochacki, Christopher Cleaver, Omer Music, Evripides G. Loukaides
  • Patent number: 12070783
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for axially shaping a tube use a mandrel guided in the tube and an annular die guided on the outside of the tube. The tube is clamped in a clamping device. The outer diameter of the tube is reduced by moving the annular die in a pushing direction. In order to form undercuts on the outside and inside of the tube the method uses the following steps: Reversing the direction of movement of the die and the mandrel upon reaching an end position from the pushing direction to an opposite pulling direction. In a first setting step, the die and the mandrel are then moved in relation to one another to a first preset annular-gap setting, and in a subsequent first shaping step, the die and the mandrel are moved in the pulling direction, while maintaining the preset annular gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Walter Henrich GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Steinmetz, Bernd Henrich
  • Patent number: 12064799
    Abstract: Method for the production of flat metal products, in particular coils of strip, in endless and/or semi-endless mode, in which a metal product is continuously fed to a rolling mill consisting overall of at least 4 stands. The rolling stands are, in sequence, roughing stands, and finishing stands. It is provided to perform a flying gauge change of the metal product exiting from the rolling mill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: DANIELI & C. OFFICINE MECCANICHE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Martinis, Paolo Bobig
  • Patent number: 12065846
    Abstract: A binding machine includes a main body, a wire feeder, a curl forming part, a cutter configured to cut the wire wound on the object to be bound, a binding part including a rotating shaft, a handle provided on one side of the main body in a first direction intersecting an axial direction of the rotating shaft, a blower configured to generate an air flow through an inside of the main body; and an exhaust port provided on one side or another side of the main body in a second direction intersecting the axial direction of the rotating shaft and an extending direction of the handle, and configured to exhaust air generated by the blower and passed through the inside of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichirou Morimura, Takahiro Ito, Terufumi Hamano