Patents Examined by Mary Hibbert
  • Patent number: 10315903
    Abstract: A device for opening, or re-closing, and holding lids of containers, each provided with an oblong spout, comprises a removal head of the pneumatic type which has a through housing channel which develops along an axis and in which the spout is at least partly housed, and a holding member, associated to the removal head, to cooperate with the spout. The holding member is actuated pneumatically to define at least a reversible condition of holding the spout inside the housing channel and comprises elastically deformable means which laterally delimit the housing channel. The elastically deformable means are configured to be deformed elastically by means of a fluid under pressure, so as to selectively define a reduction in section of the housing channel suitable to hold the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: STEELCO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Fabio Zardini
  • Patent number: 10279557
    Abstract: A machine and method for converting film into bags or other articles includes a web traveling from an input section to a rotary drum, to an output section. The rotary drum includes at least one seal bar with a sealing zone and a weakening zone, or it can include or at least one sealing die that extends in the machine direction. The single sealing zone or sealing die may be a heated perforator, and may include a heating wire. The heating wire may be an NiCr wire stitched into the heater, and be disposed on a cap or on the seal bar. The weakening zone may create a line of weakness that is uniform or varies in intensity. The sealing zone may include temperature zones, cartridge heaters, cooling air, or heated air, or a source of ultrasonic, microwave or radiative energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: CMD Corporation
    Inventor: Paul A. Selle
  • Patent number: 10160256
    Abstract: A method for opening an envelope throat of an envelope transported along an envelope channel dependably opens the envelope throat of the envelope during insertion in an inserter. The envelope, in order to open the envelope throat, is first over-pressed against a counter-pressure and then the counter-pressure is released to open the envelope throat, and/or the envelope is over-pressed against the hold-down force that holds the envelope down on an envelope transport, in order to open the envelope throat. For this purpose, an inserter inserts one or more items into an envelope moving along an envelope channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Boewe Systec GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Schempp, Manfred Ziegler, Torsten Paessler
  • Patent number: 10118784
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a packaging machine and a method, wherein one embodiment of a protective device comprises a protective hood and the protective hood is lifted around a shaft comprising two rolls, and is shifted by means of guides in the protective hood on the rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMUELLER SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Albert Gabler, Wolfgang Negele, Stefan Bieringer
  • Patent number: 10111662
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes a housing having an actuator; an elongated member extending from the housing; an end effector disposed on an end of the elongated member, the end effector having a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw having a staple cartridge and the second jaw having a plurality of staple forming recesses; the staple cartridge having at least a first segment and a second segment, the first segment and the second segment each having a tissue contacting surface and staple receiving slots defined in the tissue contacting surface, the first segment and the second segment being biased toward the second jaw and movable; a biasing members for each of the first segment and the second segment; and a pressure sensor for each of the first segment and the second segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael A. Zemlok, Adam J. Ross, Russell Pribanic, Ryan Williams
  • Patent number: 10053254
    Abstract: A method for labelling packages comprising a feed unit for transporting a package, a printing device for printing a label detachably affixed to a carrier strip and an application unit for applying the printed label to the underside of the package. The printing device is arranged laterally outside the feed unit which comprises a label dispensing unit for dispensing the printed label with a directional component in a direction contrary to the package transport direction. The application unit comprises a manipulator means for the label, which moves along an axis extending transversely to the transport direction. The label, detached from the carrier strip, can be transferred onto the feed unit laterally outside the same in a first axial position of the manipulator means and can be brought close to the package, and can be applied onto the underside of the package in a second axial position of the manipulator means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Espera-Werke GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Wolff
  • Patent number: 10046873
    Abstract: A device for filling and closing disposable bags for containing banknotes comprises an upper container for temporarily housing banknotes, provided with a bottom with an opening for the exit of the banknotes from the container, a piston for pushing the banknotes towards the opening on the bottom of the container, a bag made of flexible plastic film, intended to be filled with the banknotes temporarily housed in the container, a support for the bag containing the banknotes, vertically movable through controlled lowering means and placed below the container, sealing bars arranged between the upper container and the movable support, and an electromagnetic stop element that can be controlled to lock the movable support with respect to the sealing bars, said electromagnetic stop element consisting of an electromagnet applied to the movable support and of a fixed element made of ferromagnetic material, adapted to face the electromagnet in operative condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: CIMA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Nicoletta Razzaboni, Vittorio Razzaboni
  • Patent number: 9975232
    Abstract: A pin anchor driver for use with a rotary hammer includes a main shaft having a bore in which a drill bit of the rotary hammer is at least partially receivable, a driver head coupled to the main shaft, and a magnet positioned between the main shaft and the driver head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roger D. Neitzell, Ryan Malloy
  • Patent number: 9955703
    Abstract: A method and system for wrapping meat in containers is provided. The method and system provide a modified atmosphere, other than that which exists as standard air, to a container such that a final sealed product contains an internal volume or atmosphere of modified gas. In-line processing features dispense the desired modified gas such that minimal interruption is provided in an automated or partially automated packing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: JBS USA, LLC
    Inventors: John Erick Johnson, Jose Luis Montes, Brian Charles Adams
  • Patent number: 9957069
    Abstract: Providing a packaging machine and a packaging method both of which are capable of packaging with an imperforate bag provided with no small apertures or no aerating part, can prevent contamination of foreign substances such as insects and can further prevent the packaging bags from being damaged or collapsed during storage in a piled state or transportation by execution of reliable deaeration. The packaging machine and a packaging method have a closing unit 4 which holds a vicinity of mouth a of a packaging bag A inserted with a deaeration nozzle held from opposed sides of the bag A, an airway securing unit, a shaping press unit and a temporary sealing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL PACKER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Ishikawa, Shinya Ozeki
  • Patent number: 9937613
    Abstract: A circular cylindrical striker member 2 for a drilling machine adapted to transfer kinetic energy to an impulse receiving member 4. The striker member has a diameter dmax, and includes a side surface 12 and an impulse surface (6). The striker member is adapted to transfer the kinetic energy to the impulse receiving member by a ring shaped active surface of the impulse surface, wherein the ring shaped active surface is concentric with regard to the cross section of the striker member, has a diameter da, where da<dmax, and has a width wa that during the contact moment with the impulse receiving part is less than 0.2 dmax.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Saf, Thomas Östling
  • Patent number: 9889964
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a cover, a method of covering, and a cover system for shipments of products transported by air with ULDs. The cover system can be adapted to any skid such as wooden or plastic pallets used for smaller loads used in air transport or any other mode of transportation. The cover system can include one or multiple parts. Each part of the cover system can be made of one or more layers. Each layer can be made of a single material or a combination of different materials. Different parts of the cover can be made of different materials or different combination of materials. The cover system provides thermal protection to temperature-sensitive products in or on the ULD. The cover system maintains the proper relative humidity level and gas concentrations for horticultural product loads. The cover system decreases the amount of water vapor released in the cargo holds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: BLUEYE, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Emond, William Pelletier
  • Patent number: 9878890
    Abstract: A universal container capper/decapper includes a capper/decapper assembly, and an axial actuator. The capper/decapper assembly comprises a capper/decapper housing, and at least one gripper arm. The capper/decapper housing has an axis of rotation. Each gripper arm has a driven end, a gripper end, and a knee portion intermediate the driven end and the gripper end. Each gripper arm is pivotally coupled to the housing proximate the knee portion. The axial actuator is coupled to each driven end and is configured to drive each gripper end in a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation by rotating each gripper arm about the respective knee portion relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Sergey Mikhailov
  • Patent number: 9867615
    Abstract: A apparatus includes a shaft, an end effector, an articulation joint, and a locking feature. The end effector is pivotable from a first position to a second position. The end effector is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the shaft in the first position and angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft in the second position. The articulation joint couples the shaft with the end effector and pivots the end effector from the first position to the second position. The locking feature is coupled with the articulation joint and translates from a proximal position to a distal position. The locking feature locks the articulation joint when the locking feature is in the distal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Fanelli, Jeffrey C. Gagel, Jason E. Zerkle, Robert J. Simms
  • Patent number: 9850023
    Abstract: A carton for holding a plurality of containers. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises at least one top panel, at least one side panel foldably connected to the at least one top panel, and a bottom panel foldably connected to the at least one side panel. The carton further comprises a support foldably connected to the top panel for supporting at least one article of the plurality of articles and a dispenser for allowing removal of the plurality of articles from the carton. The dispenser comprises a dispenser panel that is at least partially defined by a tear line in the at least one side panel and the at least one top panel. The dispenser panel is for being at least partially removed for at least further opening a dispenser opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Ana Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 9814463
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus (stapler) is provided. The stapler includes a housing, elongated member, and a reload. A cartridge is configured to selectively couple to a first jaw member of the reload and includes one or more resilient members thereon. An anvil operably supported on a second jaw member of the reload is configured to compress one or more fasteners ejected from the cartridge. The anvil includes one or more locking members thereon. A knife is configured to translate through the cartridge and anvil when the first and second jaw members are in a closed configuration. Engagement between the knife and the resilient member(s) causes the resilient member(s) to move from an initial configuration that allows the knife to travel distally past the locking member(s) to a final configuration that allows the locking member(s) to engage the knife.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Justin Williams, Christopher Penna, Lee Ann Olson, Stanislaw Marczyk, Kenneth M. Cappola, Thomas R. Hessler, Ernest Aranyi, Stanislaw Kostrzewski
  • Patent number: 9809342
    Abstract: A device for facilitating folding of a container comprising a first flattening element and a second flattening element arranged to flatten a first end portion and a second end portion of a sealed end of the container, respectively. By flattening the first and second end portions, these are made thinner, which, in turn, facilitates folding of the first end portion and the second end portion towards a middle portion of the sealed end, placed between the first end portion and the second end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Markus Florentzson, Mats Nyhlén, Johnny Månsson
  • Patent number: 9809336
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for formation, filling, and sealing unit dose packages for consumer products are described herein. A filling system with a filling control system is also disclosed. Although the filling system is described in conjunction with a method for forming, filling, and sealing unit dose packages, the filling system and filling control system can be used in other dispensing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Shawn Christopher Pallotta, Jason Matthew Orndorff, Gavin John Broad, Adal Amine Tecleab, Cullen Joseph Breithaupt
  • Patent number: 9776315
    Abstract: A power tool is provided which accommodates interchangeable tool heads. The power tool includes: a tool body having a housing and an electric motor mounted within the housing, as well as a tool head that releasably attaches via a mechanical connection and an electrical connection to the tool body. The tool releasably connects to the output shaft of the electric motor when the tool head is attached to the tool body. A tool switch interposed between a power source for the electric motor and the electric motor is operable to supply power from the power source to the electric motor. A tool accessory switch interposed between the tool accessory and the power source for the electric motor is operable to supply power from the power source via the electrical connection to the tool accessory, thereby providing the tool operator independent control of the tool accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Michael F. Cannaliato, Keith E. McQuaid, David A. Miller, Steven J. Phillips, Oleksiy P. Sergyeyenko
  • Patent number: 9750522
    Abstract: A transecting fastener is operable to cut and secure tissue. The transecting fastener comprises a plurality of legs configured to grip tissue. The transecting fastener further comprises a crown portion and at least one blade. The crown portion joins the plurality of legs and is malleable. The at least one blade is positioned on each of the plurality of legs. The at least one blade is operable to cut tissue. A fastener deploying instrument may be used to deploy the transecting fastener. The fastener deploying instrument may deploy the fasteners in parallel pairs, in an end to end manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Charles J. Scheib, Mark D. Overmyer