Patents Examined by Mary C Hibbert-Copeland
  • Patent number: 10542976
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a drive shaft, a motor for rotating the drive shaft, and a motor speed control. The motor speed control includes a first switch and a second switch which are in communication with the motor. The first switch is disposed over and in registration with the second switch. The first switch has an activated state such that the first switch sends a first signal to the motor. The motor rotates the drive shaft in response to the first signal. The second switch sends a second signal to the motor that varies the speed that the motor rotates the drive shaft in response to a force applied to the second switch by the first switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Anthony Calderoni, Xingrui Chen, Luis Dussan, John Pantazis, Japhet Colon
  • Patent number: 10517707
    Abstract: A method of packaging a surgical implant is provided. The method includes receiving a portion of the surgical implant or a component coupled to the surgical implant at least partially within a recess of an implant holder. The recess includes a plurality of lobe shapes adapted to engage the implant or component. The recess only receives a top portion of the surgical implant or component couple to the surgical implant. The holder is inserted into a container. The holder has a first configuration in which the mouth of the recess is arranged to partially surround a portion of an implant or a component coupled to an implant. When the holder is at least partially received in the container, the recess grips the implant in a position spaced apart from the container. The holder also has a second configuration in which the mouth of the recess opens to release the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: FINSBURY ORTHOPAEDICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Kevin Neal, Thomas Stacey
  • Patent number: 10501992
    Abstract: A tensioning device for a chain transmission for movement transfer between a driver device and a slide to be driven by a drive chain along a linear guide of a rock drill rig. A first fastening member fastens a first end of the drive chain on the slide. A second fastening member fastens a second end of the drive chain on a tensioning head, which is arranged displaceable in a tension direction of the drive chain on the slide. A spring device is arranged between the tensioning head and the slide for spring loading the tensioning head in the tension direction. At least one of the first and second fastening members includes an adjuster for adjusting tension in the drive chain. Also a method, a handling device and a rock drill rig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: EPIROC ROCK DRILLS AKTIEBOLAG
    Inventor: Rune Lindberg
  • Patent number: 10472107
    Abstract: The invention relates to an advancing device (10) for advancing a film web (200) in a bag filling installation (100, having a main advancing drive (20) with at least one driven main advancing roller (22) for advancing the film web (200), wherein for an adjustment of the tensile stress of the film web (200) in the transport direction (T) of the film web (200) an auxiliary advancing drive (30) is disposed before the main advancing drive (20) with at least one driven auxiliary advancing roller (32) for advancing the film web (200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: WINDMÖLLER & HÖLSCHER KG
    Inventors: Hans-Ludwig Voss, Oliver Huil, Ralf Udally, Thomas Hawighorst, Rüdiger Große-Heitmeyer, Roman Smid
  • Patent number: 10470766
    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 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Materials Resources Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew A. Wixey, Gary M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10464202
    Abstract: Power tools with housings or hammer cases include a thin wall titanium shell tapering from a smaller forward section to a larger rearward section; with at least the rearward section having a wall with a substantially constant wall thickness and an interface flange that includes an outer perimeter profile that is curvilinear and defines a plurality of outwardly extending detents that provide an interference fit with the wall of the hammer case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Connor Allan Hayes, James Francis Bouchard, Randolph Robert Ruetsch, Michael Sikorski
  • Patent number: 10464700
    Abstract: A method for making an intermediate component (11) of a single use capsule (1) for extraction or infusion beverages includes the step of: arranging a first strip (S1) of thermoformable filtering material above rigid bodies (2); joining the first strip (S1) of thermoformable filtering material to the rigid bodies (2) at respective rims (7); forming the first strip (S1) of thermoformable filtering material to achieve a filter (8) that defines a chamber (5) for a dose of product. A machine for making intermediate components of single use capsules (1) for extraction or infusion beverages includes: a feeding system (40); a transport system (50); a joining station (60); and a forming station (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: GIMA, S.P.A.
    Inventors: Dario Rea, Fabio Franceschi
  • Patent number: 10449647
    Abstract: A feed unit for drilling and/or tapping comprising a housing, a quill in the housing movable between retracted and extended positions, the quill rotationally supporting a spindle for carrying a rotary tool, a screw for moving the quill between said positions, a ball spline shaft in the housing coaxial with the spindle, a ball spline nut having recirculating steel balls rolling in raceways on the ball spline shaft, the spindle radially supporting the ball spline shaft within the quill with zero clearance through the ball spline nut, rotation of the ball spline shaft being imparted to the spindle through the ball spline nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: ZAGAR INC.
    Inventor: Nicholas C. Merlini, III
  • Patent number: 10433844
    Abstract: A surgical instrument including a surgical end effector and a threaded rotary input shaft. An actuator member is in operable engagement with the surgical end effector and is in selective threaded engagement with the threaded rotary input shaft such that when the actuator member is in an engaged configuration, rotation of said threaded rotary input shaft causes the actuator member to move axially to impart an actuation motion to the surgical end effector and when the actuator member is in a disengaged configuration, rotation of the threaded rotary input shaft will not be imparted to the actuator member. A switch may be employed for selectively moving the actuator between the engaged and disengaged configurations. A locking system may be employed for preventing axial movement of the actuator member when the actuator member is in the disengaged configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chester O. Baxter, III, Jerome R. Morgan, David C. Yates, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 10435189
    Abstract: There is provided a sealing apparatus for a cryopreservation bag, with which a sealing treatment of an inlet/outlet of the cryopreservation bag is carried out automatically and anyone can safely and properly carry out the sealing treatment. The sealing apparatus includes: a bag clamping device 56; a laser device 57; and a scanning structure 58 for moving the bag clamping device 56, for example. The bag clamping device 56 includes a fixed pinching block 67, a movable pinching block 69, and a clamp actuator 70. The laser device 57 includes a laser oscillator 104 and a condensing lens 107. The fixed pinching block 67 includes a block base 73, a heat radiator 74, and a heat radiator holder 75. An infrared laser beam is radiated to a sealed portion 55 of the bag to form a seal bead 125 for sealing in a state in which the sealed portion 55 is pinched and fixed by the heat radiator 74 and the movable pinching block 69 and while the bag clamping device 56, for example, is moved by the scanning structure 58.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: UEDA SEITAI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Kurosaki, Katsuhiko Ueda, Kimitoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 10427258
    Abstract: Feed tools and methods of use for initiating a change in a spindle feed direction from an advance direction that moves the spindle towards a workpiece to a retract direction that moves the spindle away from the workpiece. The tool and methods may use a thrust overload force that is generated on one or more of the components to initiate the shift from forward to retract and/or a lift ring that acts on one or more of the components. The tool and methods may also include a two-stage piston to accomplish the shift. The various components may be used independently or in combination within the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: APEX BRANDS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Watford, Jason Allen Matthews, Kevin Myhill, Marc Djabri
  • Patent number: 10420555
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a handle, a firing system, a shaft assembly defining a shaft axis, an articulation joint assembly, an end effector, and articulation means is disclosed. The shaft assembly comprises at least one rotary drive shaft assembly. The articulation joint assembly comprises a first joint segment defining a proximal socket, a second joint segment comprising a proximal gimbal movably supported within the proximal socket and defining a distal socket, and a third joint segment comprising a distal gimbal movably supported within the distal socket. The surgical end effector is operably coupled to the third joint segment and comprises a firing member operably interfacing with the at least one rotary drive shaft assembly. The articulation means selectively moves the third joint segment in multiple directions that are transverse to the shaft axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chester O. Baxter, III, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 10420556
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus, a surgical stapling loading unit and a staple cartridge assembly are provided including a buttress releasably disposed against a tissue contacting surface of a cartridge assembly and/or an anvil assembly, a continuous length of suture securing a respective surgical buttress against the respective the tissue contacting surface, wherein the suture extends transversely across the respective surgical buttress, and a retaining feature securing each suture to the respective cartridge assembly and anvil assembly. The retaining feature may include an adhesive adhering the suture to a surface of the cartridge assembly and/or anvil assembly. The adhesive may adheres the suture to multiple locations along the surface of the cartridge assembly and/or anvil assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Stanislaw Kostrzewski
  • Patent number: 10413294
    Abstract: Shaft assembly arrangements for surgical instruments are disclosed. A surgical instrument assembly can comprise a proximal shaft assembly comprising a distal coupling portion. The surgical instrument assembly can also comprise a distal shaft assembly comprising a proximal coupling portion configured to be releasably coupled to the distal coupling portion. The distal shaft assembly can also include an articulation joint and an end effector configured to articulate about the articulation joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Jerome R. Morgan, Chester O. Baxter, III
  • Patent number: 10399836
    Abstract: A device for closing a filled container with a screw cap, for example, for closing support ring-less bottles with a screw cap, is described. The device includes a neck guide with at least one torsion protection element for accommodation of a neck section of the filled container in a torsion-protected manner during the closing with the screw cap, and a discharge element for discharging the closed container from the neck guide. The neck guide and the discharge element are displaceable relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Bruno Landler, Markus Schönfelder
  • Patent number: 10399216
    Abstract: A hammer/drill includes a housing, a motor with armature shaft, a spindle rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis in the housing, a tool holder rotatingly driven by the motor about the longitudinal axis, a hammer mechanism for generating impacts acting on the tool holder, a drive shaft coupleable with the armature shaft, and a switching arrangement to switch between drilling, hammer drilling, and hammering modes. The switching arrangement comprises a selector and coupling part axially displaceable on the drive shaft between lower and upper positions, coupling and decoupling the drive shaft to the armature shaft respectively. The coupling part includes a sleeve comprising a flange, and the selector comprises a fork for engaging a lower part of the flange. A protuberance engages a drive member of the selector to pivot the selector when the spindle is rotated, engaging over only a portion of the rotational movement of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Lauterwald, Ana-Maria Roberts
  • Patent number: 10392146
    Abstract: A food storage appliance is provided including a housing, a lid pivotally attached to the housing movable between an open and closed position, an elongated heat sealing element, an elongated resilient bumper mounted on an underside of the lid with a plurality of elastic members which bias the bumper into an extended position when the lid is open, and when the lid is moved to the closed position the bumper sandwiches a portion of a food storage container to be sealed against the heat sealing element while the elastic members allow the bumper to adjust to maintain even pressure on the food storage container along the elongated heat sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Ledger, Eddy Fung
  • Patent number: 10360822
    Abstract: A tamper evident tag is provided having a sealant layer, and ink layer and an oxygen barrier layer. The tag may be a film-based tag incorporating a color shifting ink layer located in the sealant layer and a bar code in the ink layer. The tag may be placed over one or more perforations in the bottom end covering of a container. When the container is opened, air enters the interior of the container, passes through the perforations and into the sealant layer. When air reaches the color shifting ink layer, it changes to a color the same as or similar to the bar code, rendering the bar code illegible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Thor Versluys, Laura BuenAbad
  • Patent number: 10344861
    Abstract: A sleeve is disclosed for use with a piston of a hydraulic hammer. The sleeve may have a generally cylindrical body with a top end and a bottom end, and a central bore passing axially from the top end of the generally cylindrical body to the bottom end. The generally cylindrical body may be a composite structure including a guide layer forming an inner annular surface of the central bore, an energizer layer located radially outward of the guide layer and being bonded to the guide layer, and a support layer bonded to the energizer layer. The support layer may form an outer surface of the generally cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Cody T. Moore