Patents Examined by Lucas E. A. Palmer
  • Vacuum packaging method and vacuum packaging apparatus
    Patent number: 10988271
    Abstract: The invention provides a vacuum packaging method and a vacuum packaging apparatus that can sufficiently degasify the inside of a packaging bag without any trouble and in which bubbles are less likely to remain inside the packaging bag after vacuum packaging, even if a liquid is included in a packaged object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: TOSEI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Furuse, Tatsuya Asari, Toshitaka Fukase
  • Limited use tool disposable enclosure
    Patent number: 10980609
    Abstract: A re-usable medical procedure power tool includes a subframe having a handle portion connected to a tool attachment portion and a power source portion. A removable, single use, contamination-blocking cover substantially covers the sub frame of the tool. At least the handle portion of the cover includes a flexible portion providing a tactile feel portion for a user. The tactile feel portion is movable sufficient to move an associated trigger attached to the subframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: INSURGICAL, LLC
    Inventors: Peter M Aman, Frederick N Matthews, Matthew Jones, Richard Acevedo, Daniel Tagtow, Roy Meiling
  • Universal winding machine for a multitude of tray designs
    Patent number: 10981686
    Abstract: A machine for winding suture into a suture tray package includes a base platform with package nests, each nest including upwardly-extending locating pins. A workstation places an empty tray onto one nest. Another workstation feeds a needle with attached suture in the tray and parks the needle in the tray. A winding station for winding the suture into a tray winding channel includes a rotatable winding head with configurable suture guiding pins, a stripper plate pushing the wound suture off the guiding pins, a suture control arm with proximal and distal ends and top and bottom sides, the distal end having a front standoff and a rear standoff incorporating a suture guiding channel, and a base member mounting the arm to base platform. A lid placement station places a lid onto a nest, a lid attachment station attaches lid to tray and an offloading station removes trays from nests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Harro Hoefliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Clifford Dey, Juergen Gattnar, Bernhard Waechter
  • Limited use tool disposable enclosure
    Patent number: 10966794
    Abstract: A re-usable medical procedure power tool includes a housing having a handle portion connected to a tool attachment portion and a power source portion. A removable, single use, contamination-blocking cover substantially covering the power source portion, the handle portion and the tool attachment portion. The housing has a first shape and the cover has a second shape similar to the first shape. The handle portion includes a tactile feel portion which is movable sufficient to move an associated trigger coupled to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Insurgical Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M Aman, Frederick N Matthews, Matthew Jones, Richard Acevedo, Daniel Tagtow, Roy Melling
  • Universal linear buttress retention/release assemblies and methods
    Patent number: 10952729
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a buttress retention assembly. The buttress retention assembly includes a sleeve configured to be detachably coupled with a first jaw member of a tool assembly of the surgical stapling apparatus, and a buttress material. The sleeve includes a proximal hook extending transversely outward from a lateral side of the sleeve, and a mouth including a hook configured to be received in a knife slot of the first jaw member. The mouth includes an inner surface having an inwardly extending boss. The buttress material includes a tab extending transversely outward from a lateral side thereof. The tab defines a proximal slot configured to receive the proximal hook of the sleeve. At least a portion of the distal end portion extends through the mouth of the sleeve. The distal end portion defines a distal slot dimensioned to receive the boss of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Justin Williams, Russell Pribanic
  • Method and apparatus to feed and form organized groups of smoking articles
    Patent number: 10954012
    Abstract: Method to feed and form organized groups of smoking articles, providing to feed a plurality of pockets of a transfer conveyor with pockets moved step-wise, thrusting said organized groups of smoking articles, by means of thrusters actuated independently from each other, in a direction of transfer and through respective forming drawers, into said pockets on the basis of a predefined production rhythm. The method provides, in the event of obstruction, stoppage or blockage of a forming drawer, to vary the operating speed of the thrusters associated with the other forming drawers in coordination and in synchrony with the step-wise feed speed of said transfer conveyor with pockets, in order to obtain an effective production rhythm equal or near to said predefined production rhythm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: I.M.A. INDUSTRIA MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Fiorenzo Draghetti
  • Limited use tool disposable enclosure
    Patent number: 10952804
    Abstract: A re-usable medical procedure power tool includes a housing having a handle portion connected to a tool attachment portion and a power source portion. A removable, single use, contamination-blocking cover substantially covering the power source portion, the handle portion and the tool attachment portion. The housing has a first shape and the cover has a second shape similar to the first shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Isurgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M Aman, Frederick N Matthews, Matthew Jones, Richard Acevedo, Daniel Tagtow, Roy Melling
  • Transfer device for organized groups of smoking articles, apparatus and method to feed and form organized groups of smoking articles comprising said transfer device
    Patent number: 10946994
    Abstract: Transfer device configured to transfer smoking articles in a direction of transfer from a feed store to a transfer conveyor with pockets of an apparatus to feed and form organized groups of smoking articles. The transfer device includes a forming drawer comprising an upper wall and a bottom wall. The upper wall is disposed fixed in a position opposite the bottom wall and the bottom wall is configured automatically mobile with respect to the fixed upper wall between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: I.M.A. INDUSTRIA MACCHINE AUTOMATCHE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Fiorenzo Draghetti
  • Inserting system
    Patent number: 10933683
    Abstract: An envelope inserting system has an envelope duct for empty envelopes, a transport device for transporting the envelopes from the duct to a packing pocket, a feeding device for feeding the envelope content to and into the pocket, and an outlet-transport device for reforwarding the filled envelope. The transport device has an envelope tunnel mounted movably on the inserting system about a pivot axis, upper and lower tunnel guidances for aligning the envelope with the pocket, and a swivel device operatively connected to the tunnel, and at least one drivable envelope pusher roll. The roll, in a first position, which the tunnel and roll occupy relative to the pocket, is fed from below against the downstream end portion of the upper tunnel guidance and a lower edge of an end edge of the end region is offset downwards relative to a plane defined by the guiding surface of the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: KERN AG
    Inventor: Urs Lehmann
  • System, apparatus, and method for preparing a beverage cartridge
    Patent number: 10925430
    Abstract: A system for beverage cartridge preparation allows users to self-select, fill, and seal single use cartridges with improved convenience and for long term storage. The system includes a cartridge handling system and a cartridge filling system operative relative to a cartridge to be filled. The cartridge handling system includes mobility relative to operative members of the cartridge filling system and one or more single use beverage cartridges. Adaptive cartridge shapes and components are provided to fit a particular preparation system. Adaptive and alternative mechanisms for the systems and aspects herein allow convenient manual filling, packing, and sealing of a plurality of single cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: MB2 CUP DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Michael Bertash, Morgan Bertash, James S. Delis
  • Multiple compartment container assembly
    Patent number: 10919679
    Abstract: Described herein is a multiple compartment container assembly which allows multiple distinct substances to be separately stored and/or consumed and/or dispensed. The separate compartments are accessed through apertures located at opposing ends of the container assembly, each aperture having a separate, leak resistant closure. A user may select which of the compartments to access by opening one or another of the closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: FLPSDE, LLC
    Inventor: Ben Bazis
  • Packaging machine with hinged protective cover
    Patent number: 10906681
    Abstract: A packaging machine comprising a machine frame, an area of protection and a protective cover. The protective cover, when disposed at a protective position, shields the area of protection at least partially against access from outside the packaging machine. The protective cover may be fully removable from the machine frame as well as lockable on the latter at an access position. The protective cover, when occupying its access position, allows access to the area of protection of the packaging machine. The machine frame may have a locking lever arranged thereon, wherein the locking lever is configured for retaining the protective cover at the access position. The locking lever may extend through an opening in a wall of the protective cover when the protective cover is disposed at its access position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMUELLER SE & CO. KG
    Inventor: Manuel Wölfle
  • Covered container manufacturing device and blister packaging machine
    Patent number: 10889392
    Abstract: A covered container manufacturing device for manufacturing a resin covered container that includes: a container main body; an outer cover portion that opens and closes the container main body; and a hinge portion that couples the container main body with the outer cover portion, and wherein the container main body, the outer cover portion and the hinge portion are integrally formed, the covered container manufacturing device including: an angle regulator that regulates a relative angle of the outer cover portion with respect to the container main body to a predetermined angle of less than 180 degrees, wherein the angle regulator comprises: a heater that comprises a heating portion that generates heat and heats the hinge portion; and a bender that bends the outer cover portion relative to the container main body at the heated hinge portion, wherein the heater heats inside of the hinge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: CKD CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naohiko Noda
  • Filling assembly for the manufacturing of a packaging and dispensing device for dual content
    Patent number: 10874188
    Abstract: A filling assembly (12), comprising: a container (14) for storing a first fluid composition (38), a pipette (54) removably inserted in the container through an opening (22); and a plug (110) removably to a dispensing end (66) of the pipette, defining an inner compartment (112) isolated from the first fluid composition. The filling assembly comprises a holding element (56) configured to hold the pipette inside the container in a predetermined position while maintaining at least one aperture (70) within the opening, said aperture allowing for fluid communication between the outside and the inside of the container, so that the container and the pipette may be filled simultaneously with the first and second fluid compositions (38, 114) respectively, before assembling the second open end (62) of the pipette with a pressure supply device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: L'OREAL
    Inventors: Jinseok Kim, Stéphane Leroux, Vincent Jacquart
  • Apparatus for endoscopic procedures
    Patent number: 10874392
    Abstract: A surgical device is disclosed. The surgical device includes: a jaw assembly including a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw; and an articulating assembly removably coupled to the proximal end of the jaw assembly, the articulating including a distal joint member, a proximal joint member, and a pivot pin fixedly coupled to the distal joint member and rotatably coupled to the proximal joint member, wherein the jaw assembly and the distal joint member define a first longitudinal axis extending between a proximal end of the jaw assembly and a distal end of the distal joint member, and the proximal joint member defines a second longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Paul A. Scirica, Justin Williams, Kevin Robert Slisz
  • Low inherent viscosity bioabsorbable polymer adhesive for releasably attaching a staple buttress to a surgical stapler
    Patent number: 10863984
    Abstract: A surgical stapler end effector comprises a staple cartridge, an anvil, and a buttress assembly. The staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples and a deck. The staple cartridge is operable to drive the staples through the deck. The anvil is movable from an open position toward the staple cartridge to reach a closed position. The anvil includes an underside having staple forming surface configured to receive staples driven through the deck. The buttress assembly comprises a buttress body and an adhesive material. The adhesive material comprises a polymer. The polymer is bioabsorbable. The polymer has an inherent viscosity at or below 3.0 dL/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Rao S. Bezwada, Christopher W. Widenhouse
  • Cutting station for making transversal cuts in a cardboard sheet and a machine for packing an article internally of a cardboard box obtained from the cardboard sheet
    Patent number: 10857752
    Abstract: A cardboard sheet is cut from a continuous cardboard strip unwound from a fanfold. A conveyor advances the strip along a conveyor plane and halts the strip for cutting. A first rotary circular blade mounted above the conveyor plane is movable in alternating translation transverse thereto and can pass through or beyond the conveyor plane to cut the continuous strip to obtain a cardboard sheet. A cutting profile of a toothed second rotary circular blade mounted above the conveyor plane contacts the continuous strip of cardboard without passing beyond it so as to realize thereon a transverse score line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: F.L. AUTO S.R.L.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Ponti
  • Adapter assembly for interconnecting electromechanical surgical devices and surgical loading units, and surgical systems thereof
    Patent number: 10849624
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to adapter assemblies for use with and to electrically and mechanically interconnect electromechanical surgical devices and surgical loading units, and to surgical systems including hand held electromechanical surgical devices and adapter assemblies for connecting surgical loading units to the hand held electromechanical surgical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Earl M. Zergiebel, David Chowaniec, Ryan V. Williams, Anand Subramanian
  • Unit for feeding lateral flaps of a hygiene absorbent article and method for the format change of the feeding unit
    Patent number: 10842686
    Abstract: The unit for feeding lateral flaps of a hygiene absorbent article having: an input conveyor of a first continuous strip; a cutting assembly provided with a receiving drum, of the first suction-pick up heads that hold the lateral flaps and which are mounted to as to be radially movable on the receiving drum, and at least one blade which cyclically cuts the first strip crosswise; a spacer assembly having a pair of spacer drums provided with second suction-pick up heads that receive the lateral flaps of the receiving drum; and an actuator system, which cyclically moves each first suction-pick up head radially between a radial pick-up position and a radial release position, in the area of an output station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: GDM S.p.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Piantoni, Valerio Soli, Federico Tordini, Marco Rosani, Mauro Pietralunga
  • Method and apparatus for unpacking semiconductor wafer container
    Patent number: 10840121
    Abstract: An automated method of unpacking a container containing semiconductor wafers from a sealed bag is provided. The method includes inflating the bag with a gas using an automated gas dispenser. After inflating the bag, the bag is cut using an automated cutting device to expose the container, and the cut bag is removed from around the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fu-Hsien Li, Chi-Feng Tung, Chi Yuan Chu, Jen-Ti Wang, Hsiang Yin Shen