Patents Examined by Joshua G Kotis
  • Patent number: 11141155
    Abstract: A surgical tool for use with a robotic system that includes a tool drive assembly that is operatively coupled to a control unit of the robotic system that is operable by inputs from an operator and is configured to robotically-generate output motions. A drive system is configured to interface with a corresponding portion of the tool drive assembly for receiving the robotically-generated output motions and applying the output motions to a drive shaft assembly which is configured to apply control motions to a surgical end effector operably coupled thereto. A manually-actuatable control system operably interfaces with the drive shaft assembly to facilitate the selective application of manually-generated control motions to the drive shaft assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventor: Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11141851
    Abstract: A cordless, hand-held power tool, such as a hammer drill/driver, a drill/driver, an impact driver, an impact wrench, etc., that includes a brushless direct current (“BLDC”) motor. Each of the hand-held power tool includes a removable and rechargeable battery pack, electronics, and a BLDC motor that have been designed and balanced to produce a high-performance-capable (e.g., high-power, high-current, high-torque) hand-held power tool. The hand-held power tool is capable of delivering high instantaneous (i.e., short duration) current to the BLDC motor for short-duration high power operation and high continuous (i.e., long duration) current to the BLDC motor for long duration high power operation. Additionally, the short and long duration power is capable of being provided in a smaller (in size) and lighter (in weight).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brandon L. Verbrugge, Matthew J. Mergener, Matthew P. Wycklendt, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger, Dennis J. Grzybowski
  • Patent number: 11141156
    Abstract: A surgical tool for use with a robotic system that includes a tool drive assembly that is operatively coupled to a control unit of the robotic system that is operable by inputs from an operator and is configured to robotically-generate output motions. A drive system is configured to interface with a corresponding portion of the tool drive assembly for receiving the robotically-generated output motions and applying the output motions to a drive shaft assembly which is configured to apply control motions to a surgical end effector operably coupled thereto. A manually-actuatable control system operably interfaces with the drive shaft assembly to facilitate the selective application of manually-generated control motions to the drive shaft assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventor: Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11142358
    Abstract: In order to be able to produce foil bags in a more flexible manner it is proposed according to the invention to transport individual foil sheets (100) instead of using the continuous flow pack method by using independently moveable transport slides (120) of a flexible transport device (111) and filling, erecting and sealing the foil bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Gerhard Schubert GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Schubert
  • Patent number: 11142362
    Abstract: The film sealing and wrapping machine with a rotary cut and seal jaw is provided. The rotary cut and seal jaw has an internal sliding mechanism which provides for smooth and quiet operation. The rotational speed of the jaw may be varied to increase through put and to provide for a title bag around products. The rotary cut and seal jaw may comprise a seal bar and pressure pad may both be spring loaded to self align the seal bar and pressure pad during the sealing and cutting process. Lastly, a gap defined by a belt disposed upstream and downstream of the seal bar and pressure pad may be mechanically linked to the pressure pad through a control carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: nVenia LLC
    Inventors: Raymond Uttaro, John Robinson, Michel Laurin
  • Patent number: 11141947
    Abstract: A device for processing a plate element (35) has a rotable hub (52), two tools (57, 58), mounted on the hub (52) to process the element (35) when each tool is in a respective processing position; a drive to rotate the hub (52) and the two tools (57, 58); a rotatable counter-tool (64). The rotation (R) of the hub (52) varies during a rotation cycle of the hub (52), and includes two constant speed phases during each of which one of the two tools (57, 58) is, in succession, in the processing position; and at least one phase with each of the two tools (57, 58) in an intermediate position between the respective processing positions, so as to achieve a front lateral processing position and a rear lateral processing position on the element (35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Lootvoet, Olivier Boudry
  • Patent number: 11141846
    Abstract: The present invention includes devices and methods that assist in hanging pictures or other things in a desired position on a wall or other surface where it is desired to insert two or more mounting nails or studs. Embodiments of the invention include a pair of nail-inserting punch assemblies that are provided on one or more stabilizing bars, although other embodiments may include more than two punch assemblies. Preferred embodiments may also include a measuring strip (ruler) between the punch assemblies, a slidable level, a slidable nail or stud carrier, and/or a laser. The unique nail insertion mechanism of each punch includes a sleeve for receiving a finishing nail, a magnet for holding the nail in place, and a coil spring for maintaining the handle in striking position. After positioning the device on a wall, applying punching force to each handle collapses the spring and causes a nail to be driven into the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventors: William Arbuckle, Michael Van Horst
  • Patent number: 11140831
    Abstract: Wrap material supply systems for delivering wrap material from a wrap material roll for application around crop bales include a baler housing containing a baling chamber, a drive roll rotatably mounted to the baler housing, and a pivoting frame coupled to the baler housing at a first pivot point. A feed roll is rotatably mounted to the pivoting frame and positioned to engage the wrap material roll. The wrap material supply system further includes a drive belt, which, when tensioned, transmits rotation from the drive roll to the feed roll. An actuator is controllable to rotate the pivoting frame about the first pivot point to move the feed roll relative to the drive roll, tension the drive belt, and initiate feeding of the wrap material from the wrap material roll into the baling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Jacob D. Kappelman
  • Patent number: 11141828
    Abstract: A first actuating element acts on a blocking device for an operator-controlled element for controlling the drive motor. In an enabled position of the blocking device, the operator-controlled element is enabled to control the drive motor. In a blocking position the blocking device mechanically blocks any actuation of the operator-controlled element. The first element acts on the blocking device via a transfer unit. In an actuated position of a second actuating element, the transfer unit establishes an operative connection between the first element and the blocking device, such that the blocking device is in the enabled position in the actuated position of the first element and is in the blocking position in the non-actuated position of the first element. In the non-actuated position of the second actuating element, the transfer unit is ineffective so that the blocking device is in the blocking position regardless of the first element's position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Kolb, Martin Failenschmid, Benedikt Posner, Sebastian Friedrich
  • Patent number: 11142354
    Abstract: A device for filling and closing pharmaceutical objects disposed in parallel rows in nests that are removably inserted into a substantially tub-shaped tub requires a conveying device with conveying sections for processing the objects, wherein individual processing stations for the objects are disposed along the conveying sections, a lifting station provided at an inlet of the conveying device for removing the nests from the tub, a removal station for removing an object row from the nest and transferring the object row to the conveying device, and an insertion station. Objects removed from the nest are fed by the conveying device to the individual processing stations for the processing. The objects are returned to the nest, tub or individually removed from the conveying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: GRONINGER & CO. GMBH
    Inventor: Josef Veile
  • Patent number: 11117749
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) with at least two modules that are selectively transferable into a specific operating position (BL) for handling of individual articles or article sets. The apparatus (1) comprises at least one transport module (3) that moves individual articles or article sets with a first packaging type and at least one work module (5) that moves individual articles or article sets with a second, different, packaging type. The work module (5) can handle packaging material during the movement, with the packaging material being in contact with the individual articles or article sets. The apparatus (1) has an operating position (BL) and a waiting position (W1), into which operating position (BL) the transport module (3) or the work module (5) can be selectively inserted, and into which waiting position (W1) the transport module (3) is transferable by removing it from the specific operating position (BL).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: KRONES Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Wittmann, Juergen Werner, Herbert Spindler
  • Patent number: 11053036
    Abstract: A process and apparatus can be used to vacuum skin package a product arranged on a support comprising providing a film portion above said support with the product being arranged between the support and the film portion; air tightly fixing the film portion to the support; removing at least a portion of air from a volume underneath said film portion through said at one nozzle inserted in an interspace between the film portion and the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Cryovac, LLC
    Inventors: Riccardo Palumbo, Antonio Liperoti
  • Patent number: 11034121
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dunnage apparatus, including a converting station and a deflector. The converting station converts a line of high-density supply material into low-density dunnage and ejects the dunnage at an exit in an exit trajectory along a path. The deflector is repositionable with respect to the exit between a first position, in which the deflector is interposed in the path to deflect the path of the dunnage from the exit trajectory to a first deflected trajectory, and a second position. The deflector is retained in each position during the ejection of the dunnage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Eric Charles Wright
  • Patent number: 11006665
    Abstract: A package that may be employed to store a tobacco-containing material is provided. The package may include a container including a body portion and a cover configured to engage the body portion. The body portion may define an internal space therein configured to receive a product. An internal surface of one or both of the body portion and the cover may include a wood liner. The wood liner may be a wood veneer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Ercilia Hernandez Garcia, Percy D. Phillips, Bruce Alan Bengtsson, James William Rogers, Craig Demarest
  • Patent number: 11006580
    Abstract: An enveloping material for a baler for enveloping a lateral surface of a bale includes a piece of material having at least one entrainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Pascal Gresset, Frederic Perrotin
  • Patent number: 10994881
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for packaging an optical lens including two faces and a peripheral edge, at least one of the faces having a convexity marked by a peak point, the method including the following steps: a step of depositing a protective strip made from a rigid material at least partially along the edge, the width of the strip extending beyond the peak point of the convex face of the lens; a step of inserting the lens into an envelope delimited by a wall; a step of positioning the lens in the envelope, such that the protective strip acts as a spacer in order to maintain a distance between the wall of the envelope and the convex face of the lens and thus preventing any contact between the wall and the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Essilor International
    Inventor: Patrick Henry
  • Patent number: 10987104
    Abstract: A surgical device includes a jaw assembly, an articulating assembly and a drive shaft. The jaw assembly includes first and second jaws. The articulating assembly is removably coupled to a proximal end of the jaw assembly and includes a distal joint member, a proximal joint member, and a pivot pin. The pivot pin is fixedly coupled to the distal joint member and is rotatably coupled to the proximal joint member. The jaw assembly and the distal joint member together define a first longitudinal axis. The proximal joint member defines a second longitudinal axis. The drive shaft includes a gear element that is meshingly engaged with a pivoting gear element that is fixedly coupled to the pivot pin. Longitudinal movement of the first drive shaft pivots the jaw assembly relative to the proximal joint member about a pivot axis defined by the pivot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: John W. Beardsley, David M. Jermine, David M Farascioni
  • Patent number: 10967995
    Abstract: A package preparation system includes a material conveyable along a longitudinal direction and including two folded layers of polymeric film joined at a fold. The fold extends longitudinally and defines a first side of the material opposite an open second side. A first welding device forms partition welds located between the two folded layers and extending from the fold to a terminus inward of the open side. A second welding device forms first and second seal welds that extend from the fold to the open side and are spaced from each other by a length extending longitudinally and traversing a plurality of the partition welds. The system includes a device comprising a nozzle insertable in the open side, and clamps that traverse the length and temporarily seal the open side around the nozzle while the nozzle inflates interior channels defined between the plurality of partition welds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Hoffman, Alexandra Kay Hartford, Mohan Mahadevan, John Gaetano Matrecano, Timothy Alan Talda
  • Patent number: 10952380
    Abstract: A baler-wrapper combination includes a bale forming device and at least one wrapping device with a bale support. The bale support being in the bale depositing position has a lateral offset to a vertical center plane of the bale forming device and is entirely positioned on one side of the vertical plane. A bale is moved on the bale support being in the bale receiving position and is wrapped. The wrapped bale is deposited from the bale support being in the bale depositing position on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Forage Company B.V.
    Inventor: Willem Jacobus Reijersen Van Buuren
  • Patent number: 10945728
    Abstract: A surgical instrument. In one form, the surgical instrument includes a housing that has an interchangeable shaft assembly removably attached thereto. The interchangeable shaft assembly includes an elongate shaft that has a surgical end effector operably coupled thereto for selective articulation relative to the elongate shaft. An articulation system is configured to selectively apply articulation motions to the surgical end effector when the articulation system is in an actuated orientation. A locking arrangement prevents detachment of the interchangeable shaft assembly from the housing when the articulation system is in the actuated orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jerome R. Morgan, Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Gary W. Knight