Patents Examined by Mary C Hibbert-Copeland
  • Patent number: 11432818
    Abstract: A surgical buttress assembly for a surgical stapling apparatus includes a buttress and a release strap. The buttress includes a buttress body portion supporting a toe strap that extends distally from the buttress body portion. The release strap is releasably coupled to the toe strap of the buttress. The release strap is movable relative to the buttress to separate the release strap from the buttress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Justin Williams, Russell Pribanic, Stanislaw Marczyk
  • Patent number: 11432817
    Abstract: A packaging assembly is designed for an applicator that contains a buttress assembly that is used with a surgical stapler to reinforce a cut and stapled tissue site. The packaging assembly protects the buttress assembly from damage due to physical contact as well as exposure to adverse environmental factors like excess moisture, etc. In one example the packaging assembly includes a dual tray design with an inner tray that holds the applicator. The combined inner tray and applicator are hermetically sealed within a foil assembly or foil pouch. The foil pouch with the inner tray and applicator within is placed within the outer tray to protect the foil from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Trevor J. Barton, Denise Griffiths, John V. Hunt, Kevin O'Brien, Emily A. Schellin, Nicholas B. Van Stolk, Michael J. Vendely
  • Patent number: 11427362
    Abstract: Provided is a novel vacuum packaging machine, comprising a machine body (1), a vacuum cover (2) and a bag hanging mechanism (3), wherein a vacuum chamber (11) enabling a packaging bag (4) to be vertically placed is provided in the machine body (1), the vacuum cover (2) is provided on the machine body (1) and corresponds to the vacuum chamber (11), and the bag hanging mechanism (3) is provided at the upper part of the vacuum chamber (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: GUANGZHOU ARGION ELECTRIC APPLIANCE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guoqiang Liang, Linhua Pan, Yuanchao Wu, Zhicun Yin
  • Patent number: 11407545
    Abstract: A sealing device for sealing a lid material to sealing areas of a blister web comprises a first, heated sealing tool and a second sealing tool arranged opposite each other and movable relative to each other. A first intermediate element of elastic material is attached to the first sealing tool on a side facing the second sealing tool, and a second intermediate element of thermally-insulating material is attached to the second sealing tool on a side facing the first sealing tool. The first and second sealing tools are movable relative to each other between an opened position and a closed position, in which at least sections of the first intermediate element and of the second intermediate element exert pressure on each other. In the closed sealing position, the first intermediate element rests on the lid material and the second intermediate element rests on lands of the blister web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: KOCH PAC-SYSTEME GMBH
    Inventors: Juergen Bitzer, Michael Dressle, Christian Rothfuss
  • Patent number: 11400616
    Abstract: [Problem] To make it easy to attach a counterplate to a specified position on a cutting plate, to prevent the counterplate falling from the cutting die during blanking, and to prevent the counterplate from making contact with a sheet. [Solution] The present invention includes: a housing (2) which includes a hole-side inclined portion (21), and in which an accommodation hole is formed; an engaging means (3) which alternates between a lower lock and an upper lock in the housing (2); and a sliding shaft member (4) fitted in the housing. The inside diameter of the upper side of the hole-side inclined portion (21) is larger than the inside diameter of the lower side thereof. The engaging means (3) is disposed above the hole-side inclined portion (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventor: Kazuaki Asai
  • Patent number: 11382627
    Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly comprising an anvil, a cartridge channel, a staple cartridge configured to be operably positioned in the channel, a firing member, and a ramp is disclosed. The channel comprises a base, an elongate internal slot, and a proximal channel opening defined in the base. The elongate internal slot comprises an encased internal passageway. The proximal channel opening is separate from the elongate internal slot. The firing member is movable from a first position to a second position distal to the first position. The firing member comprises a lateral extension configured to be received in the encased internal passageway as the firing member travels through the elongate internal slot during a firing motion. The proximal channel opening is configured to indicate when the firing member is in the first position. The ramp is for guiding the lateral extension into the encased internal passageway during the firing motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Thomas W. Huitema, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Charles J. Scheib, Cortney E. Henderson
  • Patent number: 11375999
    Abstract: A surgical stapler is provided that maintains the jaws of the stapler in an open position and prevents firing of staples when a cartridge is not loaded in one of the jaws. Distinct positioning and sequencing of the jaws, capture pin and firing of the staples are provided by a latch mechanism. Such locking and latching mechanisms ensure proper operation of the stapler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew A. Wixey, Gary M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11364604
    Abstract: An electric power tool includes an electrical motor adapted to drive a rotating shaft. The electric motor is adapted to be fed with a pulsed current where the pulsed current includes a main current pulse (A) in a first direction driving the rotating shaft in a first direction and adapted to provide a current (C) in an opposite direction following the main current pulse to retract the electrical power tool. The pulsed current prior to the current (C) in the opposite direction includes a first pre-pulse current pulse (B) in the same direction as the current in the opposite direction and of a magnitude lower than the current (C). The pulsed current prior to the main pulse includes a second pre-pulse current pulse (D) which is in the same direction as the main current pulse and of a magnitude lower than the main current pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: ATLAS COPCO INDUSTRIAL TECHNIQUE AB
    Inventor: Adam Klotblixt
  • Patent number: 11364689
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a bottom-gusseted package, wherein each package includes an inwardly-extending, pleat-like gusset at the bottom of the package. To permit heat-sealing formation of each package, the sleeve from which each gusset is formed comprises a lamination of two differing polymeric materials, a sealant layer and a non-sealant layer, so that only an exterior surface of each sleeve, at which the sealant layer is positioned, exhibits the desired heat-sealing characteristics. To facilitate package formation, the sleeves from which the bottom gussets are formed are maintained in a closed or sealed configuration during package formation by providing a heat-sealed bond at the edge of each sleeve. In one embodiment, portions of the non-sealant layer are vaporized to provide sealable surface regions of the sealant layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Barry-Wehmiller, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Romenesko, Thomas McGrane
  • Patent number: 11345563
    Abstract: A folding machine for folding fiber products and fiber products formed and stacked thereby are disclosed. The folding machine includes two folding devices, each of which includes a cutting device, a delivery wheel, a folding-line wheel, a platen wheel, and a folding wheel. The cutting device cuts the fiber product and transports the cut fiber product to the delivery wheel. The folding-line wheel is adjacent to the delivery wheel for making a first folding line on the fiber product carried by the delivery wheel, and then the platen wheel folds the fiber product along the first folding line. Subsequently, the once-folded fiber product is transported to the folding wheel. The folding wheels of the two folding devices are adjacent to each other and are used to fold the fiber product passing therethrough for a second time, and thus fiber products with three folds are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: CHAN LI MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wen-Cheng Liu
  • Patent number: 11272930
    Abstract: A method of surgical stapling uses a surgical instrument operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector with a pair of jaws. A placement tip extends distally from one of the jaws of the end effector. The placement tip is elastically deformable when the placement tip is subject to a clamping force. In some instances the placement tip includes an arcuate bend, while in other instances the placement tip is straight. The placement tip can have a variety of non-rectangular lateral cross-sectional shapes. In some instances, the placement tip is made of a material of a specified durometer range and having a high color contrast. A distal end of the placement tip may change position based on the state of deflection of the placement tip in response to the clamping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Gregory J. Bakos, Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11241772
    Abstract: A vehicle O2 sensor wrench attachment is made integral with a safety latch for an air hammer rod. The safety latch comprises a jaw assembly that has a swivel tooth that is manually moved from an open position to allow insertion of the air hammer rod into the mouth. For a working mode using the air hammer to hit the jaw assembly, the tooth is moved to a locked mode. A ball and spring assembly ensures the air hammer rod, having a transverse rod, stays in the locked mode during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Inventor: Ryan P. Roche
  • Patent number: 11185327
    Abstract: A method of surgical stapling that uses a surgical instrument operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector with a pair of jaws. A placement tip extends distally from one of the jaws of the end effector. The method includes positioning the end effector at a desired site for surgical stapling. The method also includes controlling one or more of the jaws of the end effector to place the end effector in an open position. The method also includes positioning the end effector such that tissue is located between the jaws. The method also includes clamping the tissue between the jaws by moving at least one of the jaws toward the other jaw. The method also includes advancing a firing beam of the apparatus from a proximal position to a distal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Gregory J. Bakos, Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hilary A. Reinhardt, Christopher J. Hess, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Daniel L. Baber
  • Patent number: 11186393
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an attachment unit for attaching a container element to a container body. The attachment unit comprises a retaining device adapted to retain the container body while the container element is being attached to the container body and an applicator for positioning the container element in the container body. The retaining device comprises at least one through-going positioning cavity being adapted to receive a portion of the container body. The applicator is aligned with the positioning cavity, such that the container element is displaceable by means of the applicator into the container body by moving at least partly through the positioning cavity of the retaining device. The attachment unit comprises an internal housing arranged to provide and maintain a protective gas atmosphere above the positioning cavity of the retaining device. The internal housing is adapted to at least partly enclose the applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventor: Lennart Larsson
  • Patent number: 11185330
    Abstract: A cover member for a surgical staple cartridge. The cover member is configured to retain a wedge sled within the staple cartridge in a starting position when the cover member is attached to the body of the staple cartridge. The cover member includes a top portion that covers all of the fastener openings in the deck of the staple cartridge when the cover is attached to the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Thomas W. Huitema, Michael E. Setser, Geoffrey C. Hueil
  • Patent number: 11123230
    Abstract: A method of folding a pant-like disposable absorbent garment includes providing a garment defining first and second waist side regions, a waist center region positioned therebetween, and a crotch region longitudinally below the waist center region. In particular embodiments, the method further includes folding the garment along a transversely extending fold line so as to bring the crotch region into superposed relation with the waist center region; providing a chute having a floor and first and second side walls; urging the garment into the chute; and, while the garment is in the chute, folding the garment along longitudinally extending first and second fold lines so as to position the first and second waist side regions over the waist center region. The first and second fold lines are adjacent the first and second side walls, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason K. Sieck, Bradley W. Schoon, Brian R. Vogt, Steven Kolasinski
  • Patent number: 11123850
    Abstract: A removable contact trip can be received in an aperture of the barrel and can be slidable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to an end of the barrel. The removable contact trip can define a muzzle aperture aligned with the driver axis and through which a fastener is driven by the nail driver. The removable contact trip can include a latch pocket. A removable contact trip latch can be biased toward a latched position in which the removable contact trip latch extends through a window of the barrel and is receivable in the latch pocket to latch the removable contact trip to the barrel. The removable contact trip latch can also be movable to an unlatched position in which the removable contact trip latch is not receivable in the latch pocket to unlatch and permit removal of the contact trip from the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Erin Elizabeth Jaskot, Stuart Garber
  • Patent number: 11117692
    Abstract: Process for reducing the height of a box to the level of the apex of the stack of objects therein, wherein horizontal score lines are made at a height substantially equal to that of the apex of the stack of objects and such that the distance between the apex and the top of the box is greater than the half-width of the box. During a phase of simultaneous folding of the upper parts of the two side walls parallel to the length of the box toward the centre thereof, and before the upper edges or ridges of the upper parts meet, the angles of inclination of the upper parts are differentiated with respect to one another so that, when the upper parts meet, the upper edge of one covers the upper edge of the other, the upper parts sliding over one another during the final phase of folding the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: B+ Equipment
    Inventors: Claude Durand, Frédéric Duffes, Robert Casanova
  • Patent number: 11109860
    Abstract: A surgical end effector configured for interchangeable use in connection with a hand-held surgical system and a robotically-controlled surgical system is disclosed. The surgical end effector comgrises a cartridge mounting gortion, a firing member, an anvil, and an end effector shaft assembly configured to be interchangeably attachable to a proximal shaft gortion grotruding from one of the hand-held surgical system or the robotically-controlled surgical system such that the surgical end effector is selectively articulatable relative to the groximal shaft gortion about multigle axes that are transverse to a shaft axis that is defined by the proximal shaft gortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chester O. Baxter, III, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 11103244
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector that is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector includes a pair of jaws. One of the jaws has a greater thickness than the other. On the thicker jaw is a placement tip that is elastically deformable from a biased curved position when the tip is subject to a force, such as the force exerted when tissue is clamped between the jaws. The placement tip extends distally from the distal end of the jaw to which it is attached. The placement tip can have a variety of shapes. The placement tip is made of a material having a lower stiffness than the material of the jaw from which the placement tip extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Gregory J. Bakos, Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Daniel Baber