Patents Examined by Hemant Desai
  • Patent number: 11124018
    Abstract: A system device and method for storing paint in which paint (2), either at a paint store or at home, is placed in a storage bag (1) that is sealed to create one or more packets (10). The packets may then be stored for use at a later date for touching up damaged or marked paint on walls and other surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventor: David M. Brown
  • Patent number: 11122834
    Abstract: The method for drying filter rods comprises the steps of providing a filter rod, providing a support surface (2) for receiving the filter rod (4) and guiding the filter rod on the support surface by a guide element (1) arranged above the support surface. The method further comprises the step of supplying a gas stream of compressed gas having a pressure between 0 and 6 bar to the filter rod through the guide element when the filter rod is transported along the support surface, before wrapping the filter rod with a wrapping material (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Gianni Caprini
  • Patent number: 11124322
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gripping head (15) for insert sheets (11) for inserting between rows of folding boxes (3) in a receptacle (2), characterized in that it comprises: at least one first aspiration element (17a, 17b) designed to grasp an insert sheet (11), at least one second aspiration element (18a, 18b) designed to grasp an insert sheet (11), at least one linear element (19a, 19b) on which at least the first aspiration element (17a, 17b) is mounted and able to slide, a controllable actuating mechanism (20), designed to displace at least the first aspiration element (17a, 17b) by sliding on the at least one linear element (19a, 19b) into a position of grasping in which the at least one first aspiration element (17a, 17b) and the at least one second aspiration element (18a, 18b) are positioned at a spacing from each other in order to grasp an insert sheet (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Bobst Mex SA
    Inventor: Nicolas Brizzi
  • Patent number: 11123069
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, a cartridge, and a staple driver actuator. The end effector is operable to manipulate tissue. The end effector comprises a lower jaw, a pivotable anvil, and a translating cutter. The translating cutter is operable to translate relative to the lower jaw and the anvil when the anvil is pivoted toward the lower jaw to manipulate tissue. The cartridge is insertable into the lower jaw and includes a plurality of staples. The staple driver actuator is disposed within the cartridge. The staple driver actuator comprises a secondary cutting element. The translating cutter of the end effector is operable to drive the staple driver actuator distally to staple and cut tissue substantially simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Jerome R. Morgan, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Charles J. Scheib, Michael J. Vendely
  • Patent number: 11117691
    Abstract: An automatic packaging machine, comprising an input conveyor belt, a reel holder, containing a reel of single-fold film, a contoured shaped film former, a sealing bar, a collecting device, an output conveyor belt, and a pulling device with at least an upper driving wheel and a lower driving wheel in contact with a layer of single-fold film interposed between said wheels which, rotating in opposite directions, move the single-fold film along the automatic packaging machine; a drive shaft, which transfers a rotational motion to the driving wheels to move the single-fold film along the automatic packaging machine; a lifting actuator, which moves the upper driving wheel away from the lower driving wheel (or vice versa) when sealing the single-fold film, so as to reduce the tension exerted by the driving wheels on the single-fold film during the sealing step and having a lifting actuator actuated by the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Smipack S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marco Gasparini, Luca Pianetti
  • Patent number: 11117249
    Abstract: A powered fastener driving tool, and particularly a powder-actuated fastener driving tool including a housing assembly partially defining a plurality of pawl leg pockets, a piston assembly and a barrel assembly removably and partially positionable in a receiver assembly that is partially positioned in the housing assembly, and a plurality of attachment pawls including respective legs positioned in respective ones of the pawl leg pockets and configured to maintain the piston assembly and the barrel assembly removably and partially positionable in the receiver assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Jablonski, Joey Lee
  • Patent number: 11109861
    Abstract: An exemplary surgical method includes possessing a loader that holds a curved-tip cartridge, and a surgical stapler that includes an anvil and channel at a distal end thereof; causing at least one of the loader and the channel to move toward the other; as a result of the causing, engaging the loader and the curved-tip cartridge with the channel; and causing at least one of the loader and the channel to move away from the other, such that the curved-tip cartridge remains engaged with the channel. That method further may include actuating the surgical stapler; grasping the unloader; sliding the unloader toward the channel; disengaging the curved-tip cartridge from the channel with the unloader; and withdrawing the unloader away from said channel, wherein the withdrawing causes the curved-tip cartridge to disengage from the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: AESCULAP AG
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Matthias, Kevin L. Hudelson, Nicholas J. Terzulli, Thomas J. Palermo, Julian N. Nikolchev
  • Patent number: 11109864
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, a cartridge, and a staple driver actuator. The end effector is operable to manipulate tissue. The end effector comprises a lower jaw, a pivotable anvil, and a translating cutter. The translating cutter is operable to translate relative to the lower jaw and the anvil when the anvil is pivoted toward the lower jaw to manipulate tissue. The cartridge is insertable into the lower jaw and includes a plurality of staples. The staple driver actuator is disposed within the cartridge. The staple driver actuator comprises a secondary cutting element. The translating cutter of the end effector is operable to drive the staple driver actuator distally to staple and cut tissue substantially simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Jerome R. Morgan, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Charles J. Scheib, Michael J. Vendely
  • Patent number: 11111048
    Abstract: An unpacking system having a folding-out device for folding outwards an initially folded-in packaging portion of an item of packaging for an object, and having a stretching device for stretching an item of packaging for an object. The item of packaging herein is in particular a pouch, and the object is in particular a pharmaceutical or cosmetic object. The unpacking system furthermore has a transportation installation for transporting the object in a transportation direction. The packaging portion in the stretching device is stretched parallel with the transportation direction. A filling system is disclosed having such an unpacking system, and methods are disclosed for folding outwards, for stretching, and for unpacking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: GRONINGER & CO. GMBH
    Inventors: Bernd Franke, Josef Veile
  • Patent number: 11111036
    Abstract: Methods of making flexible containers that include structural support frames, including methods for sealing such containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Joseph Craig Lester, Marc Richard Bourgeois, Benjamin Jacob Clare, Tadayoshi Ishihara
  • Patent number: 11104467
    Abstract: A hole cutter is provided for a thermoforming packaging machine. The hole cutter uses a single actuator to move a row of film-cutting punches between extended and retracted positions for cutting holes and corresponding chads in a marginal film area of a web of thermoformed product packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: UltraSource LLC
    Inventor: Eric Lee Burgess
  • Patent number: 11104094
    Abstract: A line and method for the production of covered cardboard boxes are disclosed. The line includes a conveyor unit including a belt and a conveyor actuator that drives the belt intermittently in an alternating sequence of movements and stops. A feed unit individually feeds covering blanks from a reservoir to the conveyor unit in a sequence of feed instants. An erecting machine folds box blanks into corresponding boxes. A positioner individually positions the boxes from the erecting machine, in alignment on corresponding covering blanks disposed on the belt of the conveyor unit. A gluer spreads glue on one face of the covering blanks. A covering machine folds the covering blanks into contact with their respective boxes to cover the boxes. A control unit connected to the feed unit adjustably sets a phase displacement of the feed instants relative to the sequence of stops of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: EMMECI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Alessio Giovanneschi, Pablo Baroni
  • Patent number: 11097391
    Abstract: A spindle arrangement for a machine tool, comprising a spindle for driving a tool and at least one actuator for exciting vibration of the tool, characterized in that the spindle arrangement is provided with a compensation device for at least partly compensating the inertia forces produced by the vibration excitation in the spindle region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT WIEN
    Inventors: Friedrich Bleicher, Christoph Habersohn, Martin Fuchs
  • Patent number: 11097405
    Abstract: An impact tool is provided which includes a drive source configured to rotate an output drive. A hammer is movable in a first direction to apply a rotational impact force on an anvil which rotates the output drive. A first hammer angle sensor set to a first signal channel and located proximate to a surface of the hammer. A plurality of regularly spaced targets are located on the surface of the hammer. Each of the plurality of regularly spaced targets are detectable by the first hammer sensor. And detection of one or more of the plurality of regularly spaced targets by the first hammer sensor indicates movement of the hammer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL U.S., INC.
    Inventors: Warren A. Seith, Jason D. Urban, Douglas E. Pyles, Mark T. McClung
  • Patent number: 11096838
    Abstract: Methods and tooling for forming performance zones in substrates are provided. The methods and tooling for forming performance zones in substrates may be for use on an absorbent article manufacturing line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Jan Michael Trinkaus, Hans Adolf Jackels, Gueltekin Erdem
  • Patent number: 11090049
    Abstract: An end effector is disclosed. The end effector can include a staple cartridge comprising a staple comprising a first leg. The end effector can also include an anvil comprising a tissue compression surface, wherein a plurality of pockets are defined in the tissue compression surface, wherein the plurality of pockets comprises a pocket comprising a first cup configured to form the first leg. The first cup can comprise a first lateral side, a second lateral side, and a bottom intermediate the first lateral side and the second lateral side, wherein the bottom defines a depth relative to the tissue compression surface, and wherein the depth varies longitudinally along the length of the bottom. The first cup can further comprise sidewalls extending from the respective lateral sides to the bottom, wherein the sidewalls are defined by entirely-curved surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Gregory J. Bakos, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11091281
    Abstract: A product and method for reducing tensile strength loss associated with sterilization of the product by ionizing radiation sterilization methods is provided. The method includes providing a package that includes a layer having an oxygen transmission rate equal to or less than about 10 cubic centimeters of oxygen per 100 inches squared per 24 hours; providing a product in the package's interior; applying a vacuum to the exterior of the package in a controlled atmosphere until a vacuum pressure equal to or less than about 250 millibars is achieved; flushing the interior of the package with an inert gas until an inert gas flush pressure equal to or less than about 750 millibars is achieved; sealing the package; releasing the vacuum applied in the controlled atmosphere; and sterilizing the package/product with radiation. The resulting product has a reduction in its tensile strength of less than about 18.5% after sterilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: O&M Halyard, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavin H. Mannion, Phillip A. Schorr, Mark R. Ellswood, Stefan L. Blum, Jacob J. Fantuz, Aaron D. Smith
  • Patent number: 11090046
    Abstract: A motorized surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a displacement member configured to translate within the surgical instrument, a motor coupled to the displacement member to translate the displacement member, a sensor configured to sense a thickness of a tissue grasped by an end effector, and a control circuit coupled to the motor and the sensor. The control circuit is configured to retrieve an expected thickness of the tissue, determine the thickness of the tissue via the sensor, and set a duty cycle for driving the motor. The duty cycle corresponds to the thickness of the tissue relative to the expected thickness of the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 11089801
    Abstract: Countertop vacuum system, including a vacuum pump, suction device, the suction device including a pop-up arrangement, adapted for being mounted in an opening of the countertop, including a movable part and a stationary part, the stationary part having connecting means for mounting in the countertop opening and below a countertop working surface, the movable part being arranged for moving relative to the stationary part and for at least partially extending through the countertop opening, a suction hose, wherein the suction hose is connected to the vacuum pump. The suction hose is arranged extendable and retractable from an inner space of the movable part to the outside of the movable part. The system further has a suction adapter connected to the suction hose, wherein the suction adapter is provided with an interface for applying suction to a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: QUVA KITCHEN PRODUCTS B.V.
    Inventors: Eric Spelt, Johannes Rogier De Vrind, Jelle Wouter Wijbrandi, Dionne Ilonka Haanstra
  • Patent number: 11090897
    Abstract: A web of first or second material is provided with the spout, and a plastic bag is made from side gusset materials in addition to webs of the first and second materials. An aperture is formed in the web of the first or second panel material, and the spout is inserted into and positioned with the aperture, whenever the webs of the first and second panel materials are fed intermittently. After the webs of the first and second panel materials are superposed on each other, whenever the webs of the first and second panel materials are fed intermittently, the webs of the first and second panel materials are heat sealed with each other in a longitudinal direction thereof by a longitudinal seal device, and the webs of the first and second panel materials are heat sealed with the side gusset materials in a width direction thereof by a cross seal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Totani Corporation
    Inventor: Mikio Totani