Patents Examined by Lucas E. A. Palmer
  • Patent number: 11292624
    Abstract: A robotic end of arm tool to effectuate loaded case closure is provided. The tool includes a loaded case flap folding assembly to effectuate folding of flaps extending from a first case panel of a loaded case and, advantageously, loaded case squaring assemblies. The folding assembly includes flap engaging elements, a linkage and an actuator, the flap engaging elements operatively united with the linkage, the linkage actuatable via the actuator in furtherance of causing the flap engaging elements to engage the flaps extending from the first case panel. Flap engaging elements include a first flap engaging element for engagement with a first flap extending from the first case panel of the loaded case, and second and third flap engaging elements for engagement with second and third flaps opposingly extending from the first case panel, each of the second and third flaps adjacent the first flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Douglas Machine Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron M. Frederick, Travis John Bakker, Robert Allan Danner, Jr., Christopher Todd Davis, Richard W. Lukanen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11278280
    Abstract: A surgical system is disclosed that comprises a stapling instrument including a jaw closure lockout and a staple cartridge configured to defeat the jaw closure lockout when the staple cartridge is seated in the stapling instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Patent number: 11267671
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a roller pair configured to convey a sheet, a sheet bundle conveyer configured to convey a sheet bundle to the roller pair, and circuitry configured to cause the sheet bundle conveyer to contact leading edges of sheets of the sheet bundle to the roller pair and cause the roller pair to rotate in reverse to align the leading edges of the sheets of the sheet bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohsuke Haraguchi, Shinji Asami, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Michitaka Suzuki, Tomomichi Hoshino, Fumiharu Yoneyama, Akira Kunieda, Takuya Morinaga, Makoto Hidaka, Koki Sakano
  • Patent number: 11260519
    Abstract: A hand-held tool that is prepared for remote control has a handle region, an actuating button, and a removable attachment part held in the handle region. The attachment part has a handling extension and a collar encompassing the handle region. The collar includes first and second collar parts pivotably connected together. The attachment part acts upon the actuating button. The actuating button is displaced into an actuating position by a housing section of the collar for a duration of an arrangement of the attachment part on the handle region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: GUSTAV KLAUKE GMBH
    Inventors: Egbert Frenken, Andreas Lehr
  • Patent number: 11254459
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a box sealer including a first box measurer including a top flap engager configured to move downwardly from a disengaged position above a box at a box measuring position to an engaged position in which the top flap engager engages one or more of the four upright open top flaps of the box. The amount of movement of the top flap engager is partially used to determine the height of the box. The determined height is then used to position a combined flap closer and flap sealer at an appropriate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLC
    Inventors: William Joseph Menta, Bryce James Fox
  • Patent number: 11212909
    Abstract: A wireless communication device configured to be removably received in a first compartment of a first power tool device of a first type or in a second compartment of a second power tool device of a second type different than the first type of the first power tool device. An electronic processor of the wireless communication device may be configured to determine whether the wireless communication device is coupled to the first power tool device of the first type or the second power tool device of the second type. The electronic processor may be further configured to set an operational characteristic of the wireless communication device based on the determination of whether the wireless communication device is coupled to the first power tool device or the second power tool device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven M. Smith, Anthony M. Davis
  • Patent number: 11203484
    Abstract: A flat-packing machine for producing a package of compressed innerspring units (10) comprises a press device having a first pressing tool (210) and a second pressing tool (220). The press device is configured to compress an innerspring unit (10) between the first pressing tool (210) and the second pressing tool (220) while one of the first pressing tool (210) and the second pressing tool (220) holds one or more further previously compressed innerspring units (10) in a compressed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: L&P Swiss Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Stjepan Vadlja, Josip Maric, Dinko Ursic, Stjepan Glozinic
  • Patent number: 11198528
    Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging device (1) and method for fitting an external package (3) with a dividing element (2) and for filling a divided external package (3) with articles (4). The packaging device (1) comprises a first supply station (70) for external packages (3) that are open on one side, a second supply station (60) for expanded and/or unfolded dividing elements (2), a placement device (6) for placing the expanded and/or unfolded dividing element (2) into the external package (3), at least one holding device (9) that holds and/or stabilizes the expanded and/or unfolded dividing element (2) inside the external package (3) prior to the articles (3) being placed therein, and an article feed station (11) for placing the articles (4) into an external package (3) that is divided by the dividing element (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: KRONES Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus Prinz, Simon Aigner, Rolf Immanuel Trussina-Kaidel
  • Patent number: 11192767
    Abstract: A capping head for the application of caps on containers or bottles, as well as a capping assembly, are provided. The capping head comprises a hollow housing internally defining at least a first chamber in which a shaft rotating about a longitudinal axis is housed, the rotating shaft being coupled with the hollow housing through the interposition of a magnetic or electromagnetic decoupling assembly comprising at least a rotor and a stator. The decoupling assembly being suitable to allow a relative rotation between the hollow housing and the rotating shaft when the rotating shaft is subjected to a braking torque exceeding a threshold torque. Means for enhancing the thermal dissipation power generated by the decoupling assembly is located inside the hollow housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: AROL S.P.A.
    Inventors: Marco Caffa, Marco Cipriani
  • Patent number: 11174050
    Abstract: A packaging apparatus includes a conveyor that moves one or more supports towards a packaging station, while a plastic film to be applied to said one or more supports is simultaneously transported to the packaging station itself. A longitudinally cutting unit longitudinally cuts the plastic film in order to form two or more film strips, and a compensating device exerts a tensioning action on one or more portions of said film strips. A packaging method includes longitudinally cutting the plastic film into strips and compensating to suitably tautly hold the film strips during their movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Cryovac, LLC
    Inventor: Riccardo Palumbo
  • Patent number: 11166721
    Abstract: A staple retainer for a surgical staple cartridge unit includes a body having first and second body sides configured to be positioned within an aperture defined between an anvil and a deck of the cartridge unit such that the first body side confronts the anvil and the second body side confronts the deck. The second body side is configured to retain staples within openings in the deck. A first protrusion at the first body side is configured to contact the anvil at a first location, and a second protrusion at the first body side is configured to contact the anvil at a second location. The protrusions are configured to resiliently deflect toward the second body side in response to the staple retainer being positioned within the aperture, and are further configured to cooperate with the second body side to maintain a predetermined distance between the anvil and the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Macall K. Campbell, Daniel L. Baber
  • Patent number: 11166773
    Abstract: An end effector that can have an upper jaw and a lower jaw. A wrist can connect the end effector to an elongated shaft. A beam member can be arranged to translate within the upper and lower jaw. An actuation assembly can have a pushing assembly configured to transfer compressive force to the beam member and a pulling assembly configured to transfer tensile force to the beam member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Ragosta, Matthew A. Wixey
  • Patent number: 11170601
    Abstract: A medication packaging device includes a frame structure on which a guide unit is removably fastened, the guide unit having multiple receptacle openings and a dispensing opening. The device also includes multiple storage and dispensing stations, each having a storage housing and a dispensing station having a medication dispensing channel, as well as a holding unit having a plurality of mounts. For each mount, a medication slide and a storage and dispensing station are arranged such that the receptacle openings of the medication slides are associated with the medication dispensing channels of the dispensing stations and the dispensing openings of the medication slides are associated with the receptacle openings of the guide unit. The holding unit and the frame structure are fastened on or in the device to be movable relative to one another so that the guide unit is accessible from outside the device when in an access position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: CAREFUSION GERMANY 326 GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
  • Patent number: 11161637
    Abstract: An article packaging machine and method or turning article packs, the article packaging machine having a turner station for turning article packs moving though the packaging machine. The packaging machine includes a main conveyor extending longitudinally from an upstream end to a downstream end and through the turning station. Article packs are carried by the main conveyor spaced and sequentially in the downstream direction through the turner station. The turner station includes flight drive assembly having multiple flight assemblies. The flight assemblies are driven above upper cam plates in the upstream direction, and below lower cam plates in the downstream direction. The flight assemblies include turner rods that are moved toward the main conveyor to contact the article pack in at least two points. The turner rods progressively move toward the main conveyor center line until the distal ends of the turner rods are moved past the article pack side walls and the pack is turned 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventors: Colin P. Ford, Thomas A. Rice
  • Patent number: 11147554
    Abstract: Surgical instrument systems comprising lockouts are disclosed. The systems comprise a firing member, a staple cartridge assembly, and a lockout member. The lockout member, movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, is configured to prevent the firing member from being advanced through the staple cartridge assembly when the lockout member is in its locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Taylor W. Aronhalt, Austin E. Wise, Morgan R. Hunter, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 11134952
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body assembly with a handle and a shaft portion, an end effector with a staple deck fixed to the shaft portion, an anvil, and a firing assembly. The end effector further includes a trocar and a staple driver both configured to actuate relative to the staple deck. The staple driver can actuate a distance between an unfired position and a fired position. The trocar can couple with the anvil to define a gap distance. The firing assembly includes a trigger pivotably coupled with the body assembly via a first pivot, a driver actuator configured to actuate the staple driver, and a linkage assembly pivotably coupled with the trigger via a second pivot and the driver actuator. Where the second pivot is proximal relative to the first pivot. The linkage assembly can drive the driver actuator is response to the trigger pivoting about the first pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Gregory J. Bakos, Disha V. Labhasetwar, Gregory G. Scott, Nicholas M. Morgan, Michael A. Jacobs, Michael J. Stokes
  • Patent number: 11136184
    Abstract: A novel method for manufacturing a cubicle flexible intermediate bulk container is disclosed. At least two opposing sidewalls of the cubicle FIBC has a lower portion and an upper portion, both of which are formed of a combination of sheet material cut in rectangular and trapezoidal geometries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: BIGBAGSAN CUVAL DIKIM VE SANAY VE TIC A.S.
    Inventors: Cihan Cesur, Fatih Nasirli, Sevket Yildiz
  • Patent number: 11123849
    Abstract: In driving tools that perform driving actions on the condition that both the trigger and contact arm are activated, when the reference time t is reached after the trigger is activated, the power supply to the actuator is cut off, thereby allowing the contact arm stopper element to be moved to the lock position. The lock arm prohibits activation of the contact arm. The quicker motion of the actuator achieves a smoother transition to the locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoharu Ishikawa, Noriyuki Nishido
  • Patent number: 11123853
    Abstract: The A hand-held power tool includes a tool holder 2 for holding a tool and a pneumatic striking mechanism for periodically generating impacts on the tool held in the tool holder. The striking mechanism includes a guiding tube, an exciter piston, a striker, a pneumatic chamber closed by the exciter piston and the striker in the guiding tube, and a compensating opening in the guiding tube for ventilating the pneumatic chamber. A cap covers the compensating opening on an outside of the guiding tube. The cap is open in an opening direction which is largely tangential to the guiding tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Hammerstingl, Eduard Pfeiffer, Matthias Doberenz, Pierre Pallmer
  • Patent number: 11117696
    Abstract: A system for evacuating and sealing containers filled with product, for example, food product, includes an enclosed, sealed housing wherein the pressure level and the atmospheric content can be controlled. A vacuum shroud is positioned in registry with a container entrance opening in the housing, the shroud connectible to a vacuum source and to a source of replaceable gas to replace the ambient air to be removed from the container. The shroud is advanceable to seal the container entrance opening and is retractable from the container entrance opening. A container transport system inserts the container through the housing entrance opening and into the shroud. Thereupon, a sealing system seals the housing from the ambient after the container has been inserted into the shroud. After the air in the container has been replaced with an inert gas and then the shroud retracted, a closure subsystem applies a cover to the evacuated container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: PLF INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter Roy Scott, Mark Emond