Patents Examined by George R. Koch
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Patent number: 11728504Abstract: In a method and apparatus for assembling electrodes, in order to produce electrical energy storage devices, in particular lithium batteries, the electrodes are placed one after the other at a mutual distance on a separator which advances along a feeding path, then the separator is cut by a pair of counter-rotating blades along a cutting line perpendicular to the feeding direction of the separator, said cutting line being arranged in a separator portion without electrodes and comprised between two adjacent electrodes; the method and apparatus allow the assembly of electrodes of limited length with high productivity.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2018Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: MANZ ITALY S.R.L.Inventors: Pasqualino Alongi, Massimiliano Sale
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Patent number: 11718437Abstract: A label-rejecting station, where labels are carried by a support band along an advancing path. The rejecting station includes a deviator element and a contrast element. The deviator element is arranged along the advancing path and movable between an inactive position and an active position wherein it contacts the support band at a first surface thereof, deviating the advancing path. The contrast element is arranged along the advancing path downstream of the deviator element and includes: an abutting surface provided for receiving partially thereon a second surface of the support band, opposite to the first surface; and a detachment edge provided for detaching a label from the support band when the deviator element moves into its active position.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: G.D S.p.A.Inventors: Enrico Medina, Francesco Milandri, Giuliano Gamberini
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Patent number: 11717980Abstract: In one embodiment, systems and methods include using an ultrasonic cutter in a ground detection system to prevent damage to a substrate. The method of detecting a substrate comprises attaching a workpiece clamp to the substrate. The method further comprises cutting a layer of coating disposed on the substrate with an ultrasonic cutter, wherein the ultrasonic cutter operates at a frequency of about 20 kHz to about 40 kHz, wherein the layer of coating is non-conductive. The method further comprises contacting the substrate with the ultrasonic cutter.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Christopher Sean McCrory, Matthew Timothy McKee, Matthew Short, Lance Cronley
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Patent number: 11717920Abstract: A first resin member including a first contact surface and formed of laser beam-transmissive resin and a second resin member including a second contact surface, which contacts the first contact surface, and formed of laser beam-absorbing resin are arranged one upon the other. A laser welding apparatus includes a clamping unit abutting the second resin member and applying clamping force to the second resin member, a laser emitter emitting laser beam, a laser controller controlling output of the laser beam, a displacement sensor measuring displacement of the second contact surface in stacking direction of the resin members, and a control unit controlling the clamping unit to adjust the clamping force corresponding to displacement amount of the second contact surface continuously or intermittently obtained from the displacement sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignees: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd., HIROSHIMA CO., LTD.Inventors: Kosuke Inoue, Yuji Kaede, Shu Kumamoto, Hideaki Kunieda
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Patent number: 11712376Abstract: An absorbent article having a lateral direction, a vertical direction, and a front-rear direction that are orthogonal to each other is provided. The absorbent article includes: a first sheet-like member; a second sheet-like member; elastic members that are inserted along the lateral direction between a pair of mutually-opposing facing surfaces of the first sheet-like member and that are spaced apart in the vertical direction; joining portions that join the pair of mutually-opposing facing surfaces and that are spaced part in the lateral direction and in the vertical direction; and side-seal sections disposed at each lateral end portion of the absorbent article. The joining portions are formed on two sides of the elastic members in the vertical direction so that the elastic members are sandwiched and pressed between the joining portions on the two sides.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2019Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Unicharm CorporationInventors: Akihide Ninomiya, Masaharu Tomioka
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Patent number: 11708187Abstract: A label dispenser for peel-off labels pulls a web with peel-off labels attached from a label supply location to a take-up spool. The label dispenser maintains the web in a taut condition when the web passes over a peeling edge by providing first and second rods about which the web wraps in a sinuous flow path on the feed side of the peeling edge. The take-up spool resists turning in the reverse direction to maintain the web in a taut condition. A cam is selectably rotatable about an axis that is spaced apart from the center of curvature at each location on the curved surface that may contact the web to adjust the thickness of the flow path of the web at the peeling edge.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2020Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Inventor: Gaetan Simiriglio
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Patent number: 11702238Abstract: A label rewind machine counts labels on a label roll having an elongated web with labels attached. The rewind machine has an unwind spindle and a rewind spindle, and a first label sensor and a second label sensor. The label roll is placed on the unwind spindle, and the web is threaded through the first and second sensors and attached to the rewind spindle, creating a web path. As the web is drawn along the web path, each sensor detects the presence or absence of a label on the web proximate that sensor and generates an electronic signal. Together, the sensors generate a specific quadrature sequence dictated by the presence of labels on the web. If the detected sequence mimics a selected sequence, the rewind machine records a unitary count of one label. The label count is indexed by one each time the rewind machine detects the selected sequence.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: HICKMAN HOLDINGS CORP.Inventor: Todd Hickman
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Patent number: 11701268Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an elastic composite structure for an absorbent sanitary product includes an anvil with weld pattern comprising at least one anchoring region and at least one deactivating region. The anchoring region includes anchoring welds that form anchoring bonds that fuse facing web layers and anchor elastic thread(s) in position relative to the facing web layers. The deactivating region includes a break bar constructed to sever the thread(s). A method of manufacturing the elastic composite structure includes positioning a tensioned elastic thread between web layers, fusing the web layers to form an anchored zone that includes anchoring bonds that fuse the web layers and anchor the tensioned elastic thread therebetween, and cutting the thread to form a deactivated zone between adjacent portions of the anchored zone that is free of tensioned threads. The method further includes fusing the web layers within the deactivated zone.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2019Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: CURT G. JOA, INC.Inventors: Robert Earl Andrews, David Edward Schuette, Jeffrey Wayne Fritz, Justin Marshall Lafferty
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Patent number: 11701269Abstract: A method for manufacturing a disposable absorbent pant includes forming an elasticized multilayer web and joining a third nonwoven web to it and optionally sandwiching leg and waist elastic members between one or more layers of the elasticized multilayer web and/or the third nonwoven web to form disposable absorbent pants.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Sarah Marie Wade, Gary Dean LaVon, Miguel Alvaro Robles
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Patent number: 11697520Abstract: A label applying system includes a conveyance path for moving an item in a conveyance direction, and a label applicator With an elongated label applying arm pivotably moveable between a label load position spaced away from the item and a label apply position in which a free end of the elongated label applying arm is moved into contact with the item. The elongated label applying arm is configured to be sufficiently flexible such that at least a label carrying portion of the elongated label applying arm bends, as it moves into contact with the item, for pressing a label against the item.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2022Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: ID TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Ronald Lee Schmoker, Matthew D. McLean
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Patent number: 11692915Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a coated analytic substrate using a compact and portable automated instrument located in the laboratory setting at the point of use which can consistently produce one or a plurality of coated analytic substrates “on demand” for using the analytic substrate immediately after coating, preferably without a step of rinsing the coated analytic substrate before use. The apparatus preferably uses applicator cartridges having a reservoir containing the coating compositions used to form the coatings. Preferably the cartridges are removable and interchangeable to facilitate the production of individual analytic substrates having different coatings or different coating patterns. These coated analytic substrates have superior specimen adhesion characteristics due to the improved quality of the coatings applied by the coating apparatus and due to the quickness with which the coated analytic substrates can be used in the lab after production.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2022Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Inventor: Lee H. Angros
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Patent number: 11691353Abstract: A process is provided for heat sealing substrate layers.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2021Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Jonathan L. Price, Pawel M. Siczek, Andre Mellin
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Patent number: 11685129Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for the creation of predictable and accurate defects in a fiber tow of an Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) process, with such artificial defects being useful to support calibration of an in situ inspection system used in the AFP process. Various embodiments include methods for creating such artificial defects that support calibration of an in situ inspection system of an AFP system or process. Various embodiments may also include a defect stencils for an AFP system or process.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINSTRATOR OF NASAInventors: Peter D. Juarez, Elizabeth D. Gregory
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Patent number: 11681386Abstract: Provided is a flexible decorative laminate sheet that can be formed into a 3-dimensional formed body at one time, be smaller in weight owing to reduction in the number of members to be used, and be capable of simplifying a manufacturing process, a module for a touch panel, and a touch panel. The flexible decorative laminate sheet includes: a hard coat layer; a decorative layer having visible light transmissivity and electric charge transmissivity; and a conductive layer forming a touch sensor, wherein the hard coat layer, the decorative layer, and the conductive layer are arranged in the stated order, wherein an information display portion configured to display information when the touch sensor is activated is provided, and wherein the flexible decorative laminate sheet is formed into a 3-dimensional formed body through forming.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: OIKE & CO., LTD.Inventor: Noriyuki Sato
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Patent number: 11673702Abstract: A method for applying labels to a cable or conduit with a known circumference, the method including supplying at least one label, wherein the at least one label has a known label height, the label height is greater than the known circumference of the cable or conduit, and the label has a bottom, middle, and top portions, providing at least one tamping device, tamping the middle portion of the at least one label to the cable or conduit with the at least one tamping device, wherein the middle portion of the at least one label adheres to the cable or conduit, providing a guide shoe assembly, pressing the top portion of the at least one label against the cable or conduit with the guide shoe assembly, and pressing the bottom portion of the at least one label against the cable or conduit with the guide shoe assembly, wherein the top portion of the at least one label and the bottom portion of the at least one label overlap after pressed onto the cable or conduit.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2020Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Encore Wire CorporationInventors: Mark D. Bennett, William T. Bigbee, Jr., Stephen S. Griffin
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Patent number: 11673343Abstract: The invention relates to a welding tool and a method for pulse welding films of plastic for medical packs formed as bags. The invention generally provides for the film material that has been plastified during welding, and is consequently free-flowing, to be specifically displaced by increasing the sealing surface area. The displaced film material can for instance compensate for dimensional and form tolerances. At the same time, however, the strength of the welded seam region, which adjoins the interior space of the bag, is not reduced.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbHInventors: Gerald Wegner, Jorn Wittorf
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Patent number: 11673703Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for applying a sticker label to a waste container during waste collection operations. The apparatus can include an xyz-positioner, and a sticker labeling dispenser, wherein the xyz-positioner is disposed on a waste collection vehicle, and wherein the sticker labeling dispenser is disposed on the xyz-positioner, and wherein the xyz-positioner is configured to move the sticker labeling dispenser along x, y, and z coordinates and into proximity with the waste container during operations of the waste collection vehicle, such that the sticker label can be applied to the waste container.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2020Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: WM RECYCLE AMERICA, L.L.C.Inventors: James L. Gaydos, Emily Hess, Madison Grace Holdsworth, Nathan Bernard Jacoby, Sadie Jezierski, Trevor Lynd, Stacy Katz
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Patent number: 11673349Abstract: Applied power as a function of time is ramped up at the onset of an RF welding process in a manner that is predetermined to match source and load impedance as reflected by maximized forward power during at least the majority of the welding process. The ramp-up portion takes the form of a non-linear curve, such as an S-shaped curve, as opposed to one or more discrete steps. The applied power may then be maintained at or near that maximum required value at least a majority of the remainder of the heating portion of the welding process. The shape of the non-linear ramp-up portion of the applied power curve may be predetermined using, for example, virtual motor control using applied power as a virtual axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2019Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: R+D Custom Automation, LLCInventors: Eric S. Holmes, Loren W. Esch
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Patent number: 11667424Abstract: This invention relates to a machine and a method for labelling and inspecting containers for liquids, automatically applying a label on each container on a seamless zone of it, using an optical inspection device provided with an illuminator having a collimator interposed between a light generator of the illuminator and a carousel of the machine.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2017Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: SACMI COOPERATIVA MECCANICI IMOLA SOCIETA COOPERATIVAInventors: Marco Casadio, Giorgia Fuschini
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Patent number: 11654636Abstract: Methods for ultrasonic welding of thermoplastic polymer workpieces and assemblies made therefrom are provided. The method may comprise disposing a first region of a first thermoplastic polymer workpiece and a second region of a second thermoplastic polymer workpiece between an ultrasonic horn and an anvil of an ultrasonic welding device. The first workpiece has a preformed deformation and at least one of the first and/or second workpieces has an adhesive precursor applied thereto. The ultrasonic horn or anvil seats within the preformed deformation. Ultrasonic energy is applied from the ultrasonic horn to create a weld nugget between the first and second workpieces. The assembly thus formed has a green strength sufficient to be further processed immediately. The methods provide a robust weld joint with controlled adhesive bondline thickness.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Pei-chung Wang, Bradley J. Blaski