Patents Examined by Jacob A Smith
  • Patent number: 12728074
    Abstract: A method for inspecting medicaments loaded into wells of a blister card includes the steps of: inserting a blister card loaded with medicaments in a plurality of wells into an inspection holder in a housing; inverting the blister card so that the medicaments descend through chutes of a funnel of the inspection holder, each of the chutes corresponding to a well of the blister card, wherein descension of the medicaments is stopped by a cover that overlies the chutes; capturing images of the medicaments through the cover; and determining, based on the captured images, whether the medicaments in the blister card were correctly loaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2026
    Assignee: SYNERGY MEDICAL BRG INC.
    Inventor: Abderrahmane Chalah
  • Patent number: 12721626
    Abstract: A staple head includes a first jaw and a second jaw, a connecting member, a stop member and a firing mechanism. The connecting member is connected to proximal ends of the first jaw and the second jaw. The stop member is rotatably mounted on the connecting member and includes a first blocking portion. The firing mechanism is movable along an axial direction of the stapler and includes a second blocking portion. In a first state, the first blocking portion is located on a path where the second blocking portion moves in a direction toward a distal end side. When an external force is applied to the stop member, the stop member rotates relative to the connecting member in a first direction such that the first blocking portion moves in a direction away from an axial center of the stapler, the stop member enters a second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2025
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2026
    Assignee: TOUCHSTONE INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL SCIENCE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hua Zang, Yanping Ye, Kaifen Fu, Yujin Miao
  • Patent number: 12722830
    Abstract: There is described a multilayer rod (24) for an induction coil (22,22?) of a sealing unit (18) comprising a metal layer (25) and a corrosion-resistant layer (26); the corrosion-resistant layer (26) comprises and/or is formed from a nickel alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2026
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Massimiliano Bononi, Stefano Fantini, Richard Sandberg
  • Patent number: 12722269
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing having a motor housing portion and a handle portion extending therefrom. An electric motor is positioned within the motor housing portion. The power tool also includes trigger switch configured to activate and deactivate the motor. The power tool further includes a non-contact mode selector switch that is separate from the trigger switch and configured to adjust an operational mode of the tool. The non-contact mode selector switch is positioned in a foot of the handle portion opposite the motor housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2026
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Maxwell L. Merget, Jingyuan Liang, Michael R. Sande, Michael Halverson, Ian Duncan, Nicholas C. Mantych, Alex Huber
  • Patent number: 12714611
    Abstract: The invention concerns the sector of production and packaging lines for disposable hygiene products, for example nappies and/or absorbent underpads for babies, adults and animals. In further detail, the invention concerns a forming station (1) for forming an absorbent core for disposable hygiene products of the type comprising at least one ply (2) scattered with cellulose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2026
    Assignee: TEKNOWEB CONVERTING SRL
    Inventor: Pierangelo Mandotti
  • Patent number: 12715099
    Abstract: An electric device includes a housing, an electromechanical assembly housed within the housing, a battery arranged within the housing and comprising at least one tabless battery cell, and at least one connector that is electrically coupled to the electromechanical assembly and the battery so as to electrically connect the electromechanical assembly and the battery. The at least one connector is mechanically decoupled from at least one of the electromechanical assembly and the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2025
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2026
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel White, James Knea, Robert Bonasewicz, Joseph Scaduto, Audel Gutierrez, Ralph Kramarski
  • Patent number: 12708365
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end tool rotatable in at least one direction, the end tool including a jaw unit having a first jaw configured to accommodate a cartridge, and a second jaw facing the first jaw, a working member configured to be movable in a lengthwise direction of the first jaw, and a first elastic member disposed on a proximal side of the first jaw and configured to restrict a movement of the working member depending on whether the cartridge is accommodated in the first jaw, wherein when the cartridge is disposed on the first jaw, one end of the first elastic member is supported by the cartridge and then elastically deformed, and the first elastic member releases the restriction on the movement of the working member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2025
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2026
    Assignee: LIVSMED INC.
    Inventor: Woo Jung Choi
  • Patent number: 12709021
    Abstract: A second hand H2 that couples a first workpiece to a second workpiece, where the first and second workpieces are to be coupled to each other by insertion coupling, includes: a second gripper 5 that grips the first workpiece; a straight-moving actuator 6 that moves the second gripper 5 straight in the direction of a predetermined axis E; and a rotation actuator 7 that rotates the second gripper 5 about the axis E. The second gripper 5 includes three second fingers 51 that grip the first workpiece, and a linkage 52 that opens and closes the three second fingers 51.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2026
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yohei Murase, Takeshi Matsuura, Tamami Oryu, Hisao Wada, Hiroaki Fukuda
  • Patent number: 12702414
    Abstract: A surgical stapler is provided. The surgical stapler includes: an intermediate connecting member, an end effector assembly, a first bending tension member and a second bending tension member; the first bending tension member is configured to pass through the first channel to connect to the end effector assembly; the second bending tension member is configured to pass through the second channel to connect to the end effector assembly; a first protruding structure is provided on a side of the first channel close to the second channel; when the second bending tension member is forced to pull the end effector assembly to bend along a second direction, the first bending tension member passively contacts the first protruding structure, generating additional tension force. The present disclosure prevents the first bending tension member from loosening during the surgical procedure, thereby reducing traction or abrasion to the patient's tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2025
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2026
    Assignees: EZISURG MEDICAL CO., LTD., EZISURG (SUZHOU) MEDICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Chuangang Tang, Guang Yang, Honglin Nie
  • Patent number: 12698111
    Abstract: A coupling method for attaching a component to a container using an automated coupling unit. The method employs a coupling assembly mounted on a frame, having a gripping device with a retaining element for selectively holding the component, and a coupling device with an ultrasonic welder coupling element. The container is positioned in a retaining seat while the gripping device moves to contact and constrain the component. The retaining and coupling elements are then moved to a coupling position where a portion of the component contacts the container. The ultrasonic welder is activated for a time amount to create a stable coupling between the component and container. After deactivation, an ultrasonic pulse is generated to disengage the component from the coupling element before the elements move to a final position. The method enables automated attachment of components to containers through ultrasonic welding techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2025
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2026
    Assignee: G.D S.P.A.
    Inventors: Andrea Biondi, Luca Cavazza, Umberto Zanetti, Enrico Campagnoli, Antonio Gigante
  • Patent number: 12691654
    Abstract: A retention device for retaining blanks includes: a support, a first gripping portion secured to the support and provided with first retention elements of a blank, a second gripping portion secured to the support or to the first gripping portion and provided with second retention elements of the blank, and a movement mechanism for the second gripping portion with respect to the first gripping portion. The movement mechanism is configured to perform a pure rotation of the second gripping portion about a virtual rotation axis defined outside the retention device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2026
    Assignee: G.D S.P.A.
    Inventors: Salvatore Carboni, Antonio Vitali
  • Patent number: 12691555
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a power tool. The power tool can include an outer casing forming a housing, a motor, and a motor-driven appendage. The power tool can include a hinge mechanism having a hinge axis between an appendage-leg and a motor-leg, the appendage-leg comprising the motor-driven appendage and the motor-leg comprising an output shaft affixed to the motor. The housing can have an appendage port adjacent to the secured portion and capable of housing the unsecured portion. The motor-driven appendage can move between the closed state and the open state by hinging about the hinge axis and by passing through the aperture, laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2026
    Inventor: Julian Patterson
  • Patent number: 12692033
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) and method for manufacturing a pouched product involve a forming unit (50) arranged to feed a continuous supply of a pouch material (20) configured as a continuous channel member. A dosage unit (500) is operably engaged with the forming unit (50) and is arranged to introduce a dose of a filler material (130), having at least one object (134) within the dose, into a pouched portion of the channel member, the pouched portion having a closed leading edge such that the pouched portion is arranged to retain the dose of the filler material (130), having the at least one object (134) within the dose, within the pouched portion. An object metering unit (300) is arranged to introduce objects (134) into the dosage unit (500), and includes a rotatable feed member (248) arranged to meter the objects (134) introduced into the dosage unit (500) so as to direct the at least one object (134) into the dose of the filler material (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2026
    Assignee: Nicoventures Trading Limited
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Pipes, Balager Ademe, Matthew Dean Griffitts
  • Patent number: 12677968
    Abstract: A biodegradable tea leaf straw suitable for use above room temperature and its manufacturing method. The straw includes a tubular body made from a composite. The composite includes the following raw materials by weight percentage: 35% to 65% of tea leaf mixture and 35% to 65% of biodegradable material. The tea leaf mixture contains tea leaf powder and inorganic filler powder. A particle size of the tea leaf powder is smaller than that of the inorganic filler powder. The tea leaf straw retains the natural aroma of tea leaves. All raw materials used in the manufacturing process can be quickly decomposed by environmental microorganisms. The tea leaf straw does not dissolve in the beverage, thereby not affecting its flavor during consumption. The tea leaf straw is feature can attract consumers to use these straws as an alternative to existing plastic straws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2026
    Inventor: Hsien-Ming Wang
  • Patent number: 12669139
    Abstract: A hydraulic tool that executes a sequence of operations includes: a motor; a pump; hydraulic fluid driven by the pump; a chamber in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid; a ram movably positioned at least partially in the chamber according to the hydraulic fluid and pressure thereof; a primary trigger configured to cause, upon actuation thereof, activation of the motor thereby causing: the pump to move hydraulic fluid from the reservoir into the ram chamber, extending the ram; a control system; and at least one sensor in communication the control system. When the primary trigger is user actuated and the ram is fully extended or the tool is clamped around a work piece, the pump continues to pump fluid, under at least partial control by the control system, until a threshold condition is determined by the at least one control system using the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2026
    Assignee: Huskie Tools, LLC
    Inventors: David Charles Stanislaw, Michael C. Garrett
  • Patent number: 12668475
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying a container closure to a container, for example for applying a can lid to a can, for example in a beverage filling plant, includes an application unit having a closure receptacle for receiving a container closure, and an ejector unit movable relative to the application unit for ejecting a container closure received in the closure receptacle, wherein an ejector part, for example in the form of an ejector screen, which comes into physical contact with the container closure, for ejecting the container closure is arranged on the ejector unit on its side facing the closure receptacle, wherein the ejector part is detachably attached to the ejector unit via a quick-coupling mechanism. A closer including the apparatus is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2025
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2026
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Markus Schoenfelder
  • Patent number: 12660759
    Abstract: A baler for forming a bale of crop material includes a bale chamber for forming the bale. One or more constituent property sensors are configured to detect one or more constituent properties other than moisture content of the crop material used to form the bale and to generate one or more sensor signals corresponding to the one or more constituent properties. One or more bale forming actuators are configured to adjust one or more physical characteristics of the bale as the bale is formed. A controller is configured to receive the sensor signals and to generate one or more control signals to the one or more bale forming actuators to adjust the one or more physical characteristics of the bale at least in part in response to the one or more sensor signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2026
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mahesh Somarowthu, Noel W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 12661111
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a base and a shaft extending distally from the base along a longitudinal axis. The shaft is configured to rotate relative to the base about the longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument also includes an end effector operatively coupled with the shaft. The end effector is configured to articulate relative to the shaft about an articulation joint. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw configured to cooperate with the first jaw to clamp tissue. The second jaw is configured to support a stapling assembly. The surgical instrument further includes a firing assembly configured to be distally advanced through the shaft for driving distal translation of a staple actuator of the stapling assembly. The firing assembly is configured to be proximally retracted against at least one of the second jaw or the shaft to thereby apply a compression bias to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2026
    Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Eric D. Stout, Jonathan Z. Von Stein, Heather E. Dickson
  • Patent number: 12654302
    Abstract: A power tool and method for recording and playing back a motor parameter. The power tool includes a housing, a motor, a trigger, and a controller. The trigger outputs an activation signal based on a user input. The controller receives a user mode selection signal indicating a selected mode. The controller enters the recording mode when the user mode selection indicates the recording mode, and records a motor parameter to generate a recorded motor parameter. The recorded motor parameter covers a first time period in which motor is operating in response to depression of the trigger, a second time period in which motor is inactive in response to release of the trigger, and a third time period in which motor is operating in response to another depression of the trigger. In the playback mode, the controller operates the motor based on the recorded motor parameter upon receiving the activation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2026
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas G. Simeone, Matthew J. Mergener, Matthew Wycklendt
  • Patent number: 12643701
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a strapping machine strap-feeding assembly with features that enable adjustment of the strap-feeding assembly to accommodate different strap sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2025
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLC
    Inventors: Dimitrios Takidis, Philipp Buser, Christian Benz, Michael Meng