Patents Examined by Katie L Gerth
  • Patent number: 11247325
    Abstract: A remote adapter for use with a lineman's hot stick that enables the lineman to mount a wide variety of power tools onto the far end of the hot stick for tasks involving high voltage equipment. The remote adapter allows the power tool to be actuated by pulling on an insulating pull-rope. The remote adapter includes a body for supporting the power tool, the body including: at least one slot for receiving at least one strap configured to strap the power tool to the body, at least one pivot hole for receiving a pivot pin, and a splined universal connector for attachment to a hot stick. The remote adapter also includes a lever arm that is pivotable with respect to the body. The lever arm includes a hole for receiving a trigger pin which actuates the power tool trigger when the insulating rope attached to an attachment feature is pulled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventor: Jason A. Jeremenko
  • Patent number: 11241780
    Abstract: An electric tool (1) includes piston (36) reciprocably housed in cylinder (34) provided in main body portion (10) and be pushed by a pressure of fluid; tool head (14) coupled to a distal end of the main body portion and performing a predetermined operation by being pushed by the piston; return channel (40) communicating from the cylinder to a fluid tank to allow the fluid to flow therethrough; pressure regulating valve (44) disposed in operational flow channel (42) branching from the return channel and taking an open position when the pressure of the fluid in the return channel becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value; operating pin (46) disposed in the operational flow channel and pushed by the pressure of the fluid flowing therein; and return valve (48) disposed in the return channel and taking an open position by being pushed by the operating pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Maxell Izumi Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiichiro Kamijo
  • Patent number: 11235898
    Abstract: An aseptic packaging machine includes a web-shaped packaging material feed, a sterilizer-filler nozzle assembly with a form section 40, a product supply duct, a sterilization medium supply duct, and an exhaust duct. One or more pre-sterilization medium supply feeds are connectable to a product inlet connector and a sterilization medium inlet connector. A collector cup 70 is movable relative to the nozzle assembly between an inactive and a docking position. The collector cup delimits one or more interior spaces 71a, 72a designed to, in the docking position, enclose a product outlet portion 4 to collect and/or drain away pre-sterilization media during a pre-sterilization of the nozzle assembly get to flow through and along it, and to also enclose the sterilization medium outlet portion 16 and/or exhaust inlet portion 22 in the docking position inside its one or more interior spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: JBT Food & Dairy Systems B.V.
    Inventors: Arjan Tervoort, Marijn Luijten
  • Patent number: 11224959
    Abstract: A driving tool for driving fasteners into a workpiece and operable in a single shot mode and in a bump fire mode, wherein the driving tool includes a resetting assembly including a control volume, wherein the resetting assembly is activatable in the bump fire mode by movement of a piston during each fastener driving-in cycle so that a fluid path from a cylinder to the control volume facilitates an increase in pressure to the control volume, and wherein responsive to a pressure in the control volume falling below a limit value due to venting of air from the control volume, the resetting assembly is operable to prevent actuation of a workpiece contact element from causing a valve piston to move to an actuation position until a trigger lever is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Torsten Weigmann, Klaus Von Soest, Olaf Haehndel
  • Patent number: 11207065
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating an anvil for a surgical stapling device. Various methods include forming an anvil body from a first material and a deformable anvil tip from a second material and attaching the deformable anvil tip to a distal end of the anvil body with a deformable second attachment member. Other methods include molding a deformable anvil tip to a distal end of an anvil body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chester O. Baxter, III, Gregory J. Bakos, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Christopher J. Hess, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 11192668
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to provide portioned instances of a compressible material includes a channel assembly, a gas source, a cutting assembly, and a discharge assembly. The channel assembly holds a bulk instance of the material extending through upper and lower channels of a continuous channel. The gas source supplies gas to compress the bulk instance. The cutting assembly moves in relation to the channel assembly to isolate the upper and lower channels, severing upper and lower material portions of the bulk instance. The discharge assembly directs gas to impinge on a lower face of the cutting assembly to discharge the lower material portion as a portioned instance. The channel assembly may be moveable, where operation of the gas source, cutting assembly, and/or discharge assembly are based on moving the channel assembly between various positions. The gas supply may be controlled based on a determined property of the portioned instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Dwight David Williams, James David Evans, Patrick Sean McElhinney, Jarrod Wayne Chalkley
  • Patent number: 11191543
    Abstract: An end effector is disclosed comprising a cartridge channel, a staple cartridge positionable in the cartridge channel, and a firing assembly configured to lock itself if the staple cartridge is not positioned in the cartridge channel. Moreover, the firing assembly is configured to lock itself if the staple cartridge has been at least partially spent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Andrew T. Beckman, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 11173683
    Abstract: An apparatus forms boxes with curved corners from a die-cut sheet. A forming matrix delimits a forming cavity by guides counterposed in pairs along two orthogonal axes. The guides define a die-cut sheet support plane. A forming head inserts inside the cavity to push the die-cut sheet to form a box. Vacuum gripping devices are arranged outside the cavity in opposite positions along the second axis and each grip from underneath the die-cut sheet to hold it on the support. Pusher devices are arranged outside and near one of the corners of the cavity. Each pusher device raises one side flap of the die-cut sheet from the support plane. An electronic control unit operates the main gripping devices, pusher devices and forming head according to the following sequence: actuating the gripping devices; actuating the pushers; deactivating the gripping devices; and inserting the forming head in the forming cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: GEO PROJECT INDUSTRIES S.R.L.
    Inventors: Maurizio Trento, Gianluca Lovisetto
  • Patent number: 11148270
    Abstract: A stapler is provided, including: a main body, a striking mechanism and a staple straightening mechanism. The main body includes an inner space and a staple outlet. The striking mechanism is disposed in the inner space and includes a striking member configured to strike a staple and a driving member by which the striking member is driven to move relative to the staple outlet. The staple straightening mechanism is disposed on the main body and includes an aperture corresponding to the staple outlet, at least one abutting member being movable within the aperture and a force accumulating assembly which is drivable by the driving member. The force accumulating assembly includes a blocking portion and a force accumulating member which is releasably blockable with the blocking portion, and the force accumulating member is movable toward the aperture to strike the at least one abutting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: APEX MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jing-Li Wang
  • Patent number: 11142879
    Abstract: Post installation apparatuses are disclosed that decrease the length of a post subject to buckling so that more force can be applied when installing a post in the ground. In one embodiment, a post installation apparatus includes a frame that defines an elongated vertical passage configured to receive a post such that the post vertically extends through the elongated vertical passage when the elongated vertical passage receives the post. The frame provides the structural support so that a post secured to the frame does not buckle. To allow for easy removal of the post, the elongated vertical passage defines an elongated vertical opening in the frame such that the post is removable through the elongated vertical opening. The post installation apparatus also includes one or more securement devices that are configured to be positioned across the elongated vertical opening so as to secure the post in the elongated vertical passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventor: Howard Louis Lovell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11104540
    Abstract: The invention provides a fiber product folding and stacking system comprising at least one folding wheel, a plurality of suction channels, a plurality of valves and a plurality of passages. The folding wheel includes a plurality of protruding wheels and a plurality of recessing wheels. The protruding wheels and the recessing wheels are adjacent to each other, and suction channels are arranged within the protruding wheels. The passages are disposed in the folding wheel and are fluidly connected to the suction channel. The valves are disposed within the recessing wheels of the folding wheel, and include a connecting opening, a valve channel and a valve opening. When the folding wheel rotates, portion of the suction channels will be fluidly connected to the valve channel through the passage and the valve opening to generate a negative pressure thereon for absorbing the fiber product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Chan Li Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tung-I Tsai
  • Patent number: 11096693
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The surgical stapling instrument includes an anvil configured to clamp a tissue, a circular stapling head assembly comprising a first row of staples and a second row of staples, a first staple driver configured to drive the first row of staples, a second staple driver configured to drive the second row of staples, wherein the first and second staple drivers are independently actuatable. A motor is coupled to the anvil. The motor is configured to move the anvil between a first position and a second position. A control circuit coupled to the motor. The control circuit is configured to set a stroke length for the first and second staple drivers to a first length, detect a malformed staple in the first row of staples, and set the stroke length for the second staple driver to a second length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Gregory J. Bakos, Jason L. Harris, Chester O. Baxter, III
  • Patent number: 11096689
    Abstract: An end effector is disclosed comprising a cartridge channel, a staple cartridge positionable in the cartridge channel, and a firing assembly configured to lock itself if the staple cartridge is not positioned in the cartridge channel. Moreover, the firing assembly is configured to lock itself if the staple cartridge has been at least partially spent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Andrew T. Beckman, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 11066202
    Abstract: A product bagging assembly and method of manipulating a web material bag that is operable to create a bag opening that is greater than six inches and which is operable without substantially detracting from product throughput associated with use and operation of the product bagging assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the bag opening/closing assembly includes a first actuator and a second actuator that are connected to one another such that a position of one of the actuators can be manipulated by operation of the other actuator. The product bagging assembly can be provided as a kit configured for plug and play operation with previously provided bag and product delivery systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Pregis Sharp Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jeramy Williams, Daniel J. Folger
  • Patent number: 11065751
    Abstract: A labor-saving stapler is provided, including: a housing, having a nail outlet; a striker, disposed within the housing and movable between a preset position away from the nail outlet and a nailing position near the nail outlet; an energy-accumulating mechanism, including a connection portion connected to the housing and a connection end cooperating with the striker; an operable mechanism, movably connected to the housing and having a depression portion abutable against the energy-accumulating mechanism; a limitation mechanism, connected to the housing, the striker being positionably restricted by the limitation mechanism; wherein when the striker is in a preset position and positionably restricted by the limitation mechanism, the energy-accumulating mechanism is depressible by the depression portion to be in a energy-accumulating state, and when the striker is free of restriction by the limitation mechanism, the energy-accumulating mechanism actuates the striker to move toward the nailing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: APEX MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jing-Li Wang
  • Patent number: 11059254
    Abstract: A conveyor of a cardboard-folding station receives a cardboard blank having a first portion, first and second lateral closing walls hinged thereto and facing upstream and downstream, respectively, an upper closing wall hinged to the second lateral closing wall and facing downstream, a third and a fourth lateral closing wall hinged and partly raised with respect to the first portion and projecting from sides of the conveyor. An article rests on the first portion, with four flanks or the article respectively facing the four lateral closing walls of the blank. At a first folding zone the third and fourth lateral closing walls are folded to cover the third and the fourth flanks of the article, and at a second folding zone the second lateral closing wall and the upper closing wall are folded to cover the article's second flank and its upper face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: F.L. AUTO S.R.L.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Ponti
  • Patent number: 11052562
    Abstract: A tool-holder column for a unit for converting a flat substrate that has two upper bearings (14, 16) each for supporting one end of an upper rotary tool (10), and two lower bearings (15, 17) each for supporting one end of a lower rotary tool (11), the flat substrate being movable longitudinally between the upper rotary tool (10) and the lower rotary tool (11), the bearings (14, 15, 16, 17) being vertically movable in opposite directions on either side of the longitudinal direction (L) of movement of the flat substrate, and a common drive for the bearings (14, 15, 16, 17) allowing the bearings (14, 15, 16, 17) to be moved simultaneously by one and the same distance in opposite directions, and including a screw device (25), the bearings (14, 15, 16, 17) being mounted one above another on the screw device (25) such that the rotation of the screw device (25) causes the linear movement of the bearings (14, 15, 16, 17) in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventors: Boris Béguin, Philippe Clément
  • Patent number: 11045270
    Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly configured to be operably attached to and detached from a surgical robot interface is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly comprises a shaft assembly comprising an end effector and a closure drive member configured to move a second jaw relative to a first jaw of the end effector. The surgical instrument assembly further comprises a control assembly, wherein the shaft assembly is operably coupled with the control assembly, and wherein the control assembly comprises a housing, a closure drive system configured to actuate the closure drive member, and an exterior closure drive actuator exterior to the housing and configured to be actuated by a clinician to manually rotate a rotary input drive of the closure drive system to move the second jaw relative to the first jaw when the surgical instrument assembly is not operably attached to the surgical robot interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Mark D. Overmyer, Vincenzo Barbato, Robert L. Koch, Jr., Nathan D. Grubbs
  • Patent number: 11046469
    Abstract: Container collecting and opening apparatus includes a store holding containers in a flattened configuration; an extracting device for extracting the flattened containers from the store and arranging them in a waiting position; and a transfer device movable between, a first, upstream, position for collecting containers from the waiting position and a second, downstream, position for releasing the containers. A container-opening device includes an abutment and a gripper positionable by the transfer device in a position along a container transfer pathway between the first position and the second position, so that the abutment is abutted by the container being opened and the gripper retains the opened-out container. A collecting device collects the container opened out by the container-opening device and transfers the opened-out container by rotating it with the axis thereof vertical to a crate of a packing line, while maintaining the container in the opened-out configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: MARCHESINI GROUP S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Monti
  • Patent number: 11039961
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to transfer and fold a partially folded absorbent article. The transfer apparatus includes a frame that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a transfer member that is rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The transfer member includes a receiving surface. While advancing absorbent article, the transfer member rotates the absorbent article about the second axis of rotation. The partially folded absorbent article is transferred to a folding apparatus. The folding apparatus advances the partially folded absorbent article such that the end regions of the belt of the partially folded absorbent article are directed away from the folding apparatus. The end regions are engaged by a folding assembly. The folding assembly guides and/or pushes the end regions toward the central region of the belt and/or the chassis to form a folded absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Michael Devin Long, Todd M. Fegelman, Matthew Alexander Gittings, Tanner Laurie Williams