Patents Examined by Mohammed S. Alawadi
  • Vibration assisted free form fabrication
    Patent number: 11298740
    Abstract: Systems and methods for forming a workpiece are disclosed. The system may include a fixture assembly for receiving a workpiece having opposing first and second surfaces, first and second tools, and a vibration source configured to vibrate the first and/or second tool. The first and second tools may be configured to move along first and second predetermined paths of motion as the first and/or second tool is vibrated by the vibration source and may exert force on the first and second surfaces to form the workpiece. The method may include vibrating a tool using a vibration source and moving the vibrating tool and another tool along first and second forming paths to form the workpiece. The vibration source may be an ultrasonic transducer and may vibrate the tool at a frequency of at least 1 kHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel E. Wilkosz, Vijitha Seraka Kiridena
  • Grinding device
    Patent number: 11291335
    Abstract: A grinding device includes a grinding mechanism, a driving mechanism capable of driving the grinding mechanism to operate, and a grinding seat located between the grinding mechanism and the driving mechanism. The grinding mechanism includes a rotating shaft unit inserted in and protruded from the grinding seat to be rotatably connected to the driving mechanism, an inner grinding unit sleeved on the rotating shaft unit, and an outer grinding unit surrounding and spaced from the inner grinding unit. The driving mechanism is able to drive the rotating shaft unit to bring the inner grinding unit to rotate and grind the substance to be ground in cooperation with the outer grinding unit. The grinding mechanism further includes a supporting unit sleeved on and abutted against the rotating shaft unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: TSANN KUEN (ZHANGZHOU) ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guanyi Liu, Haozhan Wei, Chongzhe Xu
  • Mill for spice products
    Patent number: 11266269
    Abstract: The mill for spice products, in particular such as cinnamon sticks, houses a reservoir for storing the spice product. The reservoir communicates through a passage, with a grinding mechanism. The reservoir includes a mechanism for fragmenting the spice product. The mechanism for fragmenting are defined by a crusher of the spice product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: PEUGEOT SAVEURS
    Inventors: Nicolas Brouillac, Samuel Savatier, Gaetan Carrier
  • Canted coil springs and assemblies and related methods
    Patent number: 11235374
    Abstract: Canted coil spring rings each with a first plurality of coils having first coil major and minor axes; a second plurality of coils each having second coil major and minor axes; the coils of the first plurality of coils alternating with the coils of the second plurality of coils according to an alternating pattern. The spring rings having inner and outer perimeters and wherein the inner perimeter of the spring ring is defined by at least said first plurality of coils. The resulting configuration of the spring ring has improved spacing along the inner perimeter, among others, with respect to a similar canted coil spring ring having a constant coil cross section, such as a coil length with all similar coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Peter J. Balsells, Jin Kim
  • Punch assembly with interchangeable tips
    Patent number: 11235370
    Abstract: A punch assembly with interchangeable tips includes a punch body and a punch tip releasably coupled to the punch body. The punch body includes a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a cross-sectional shape defined between the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end includes a flange configured to engage a punch holder. The distal end includes a distal surface defining a lateral direction. The punch tip is coupled to the distal end of the punch body via a magnetic coupling provided by a plurality of magnets. The punch tip includes a working surface and a coupling member. The distal end of the punch body engages the coupling member of the punch tip in a tongue-in-groove arrangement wherein the plurality of magnets are provided within a tongue and cupped within a groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: E&S Enterprises Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Paul Staten, Donald Carl Edwards
  • Method and machine for bending metal including adjustable die
    Patent number: 11229937
    Abstract: A press brake for bending a workpiece including a movable ram and a support beam. A punch is connected to the ram, and a die is connected to the support beam. The punch and the die are separated by a gap. The ram is configured to be driven towards the support beam to thereby close the gap between the punch and the die and deform the workpiece. The die includes a pair of die members extending in a longitudinal direction separated by a recess having a width in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The width of the recess is adjustable by moving the die members, which are releasably engaged with the support beam. The die members move horizontally to disengage from the support beam to thereby allow for lateral movement of the die members to adjust the width of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: ACCURPRESS AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Scott Pettie, Dragisa Djuric
  • Combined machine for working wire rod and corresponding working method
    Patent number: 11229938
    Abstract: A combined machine for working a wire rod in order to obtain metal products with at least a curved shape is disclosed that comprises a support bench configured to support and guide, along an axis of movement, a mobile slider comprising a work plane on which a curving unit is operative. The combined machine has vise means in the support bench. The slider also comprises, on the work plane, a bending unit associated with the curving unit and the vise means are positionable in a direction orthogonal to the axis of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: M.E.P. Macchine Eletrroniche Piegatrici, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Del Fabro
  • Tools, machines, and methods for machining planar workpieces
    Patent number: 11219936
    Abstract: A tool for machining a planar workpiece, comprising an upper tool having a clamping shaft and an upper main body that lie on a common positioning axis, a tool body arranged opposite to the clamping shaft on the upper main body, the tool body comprising a bending edge, and a lower tool having a lower main body that receives a rotational body that is rotatable around an axis of rotation running in a direction of the bending edge of the tool body, wherein the upper tool and the lower tool are movable towards and away from each other in a stroke direction for machining the workpiece arranged therebetween, and wherein the upper main body defines a projection surface that is perpendicular to the positioning axis and the bending edge of the tool body is adjacent tangentially to the projection surface or is outside the projection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Kappes, Rainer Hank, Alexander Tatarczyk, Simon Ockenfuss, Markus Wilhelm, Marc Klinkhammer, Leonard Schindewolf, Dennis Traenklein, Joerg Neupert, Dominik Bitto, Markus Maatz, Christian Jakisch
  • Device and method for comminuting bulk material grains
    Patent number: 11213828
    Abstract: A device for comminuting bulk material grains (K) having a first element, designed as a rotor having a cylindrical circumferential surface with a first surface (31) and a first receiving portion (41), and a second element designed as a shear strip (51) having a second surface (61) and a second receiving portion (71), and a supply unit. The first and the second surfaces (31, 61) lie parallel to and face one another. The first and second elements are relatively movable between first and second positions (P1, P2) in a plane of the first and the second surfaces (31, 61). In the first position (P1), the first and second receiving portion (41, 71) communicate with one another, via a passage (9) forming a receptacle, in which the bulk material grain (K) can be positioned, and, upon moving to the second position (P2), a cross section of the passage (9) is narrowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: BÜHLER AG
    Inventors: Simon Künzle, Daniel Rickenbach
  • Herb grinder and blades for herb grinder
    Patent number: 11207695
    Abstract: A grinder has a bottom with a first row of first asymmetrical blades extending from the bottom. A top of the grinder has a second row of second asymmetrical blades extending from the top. The first asymmetrical blades and second asymmetrical blades are triangle shaped. A first side of each blade has one point, and a second side of each blade has two points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Superior Precision Engineering LLC
    Inventor: Brandon Breneman
  • Hydraulic power tool
    Patent number: 11203107
    Abstract: A working head for a hydraulic power tool including a head frame and a first moveable die head configured to move along the working head frame. The first moveable die head configured to receive a first moveable die comprising a first body length. A second die head is adapted to receive a second die comprising a second body length. The first body length of the moveable die is different from the second body length of the stationary die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Koski, Troy Marks, Eric Norquist, James Ballard, Kris Kanack
  • Waste system including disposal with multiple inlets
    Patent number: 11198995
    Abstract: The present invention provides a waste system including a disposal with multiple inlets that can receive water and waste materials from multiple basins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: FB Global Plumbing Group LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Douglas Dodd, Matthew J. Lance
  • Baler with removable sidewalls
    Patent number: 11197426
    Abstract: A baler including a frame having a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. The baler also having a compression chamber, where the compression chamber defines a central axis extending longitudinally therethrough, a plunger assembly at least partially positioned and movable within the compression chamber, and a panel removably coupled to the frame, and where the panel at least partially defines the compression chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Nikhil Kulkarni, Darin L. Roth, Timothy J. Kraus, Jeremy M. Erdmann
  • Vertical shaft impact crusher
    Patent number: 11192116
    Abstract: Vertical shaft crushers and control systems therefor are disclosed. In some embodiments a rotor of the crusher is reversible and/or autogenous. In some embodiments a crushing chamber of the crusher includes at least one anvil and at least one rock shelf chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Superior Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Schultz, Robert Ross
  • System and method of forming a metallic closure for a threaded container
    Patent number: 11185909
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods of forming a metallic closure for a metallic bottle are provided. The present disclosure provides a pre-formed metallic closure and apparatus and methods of forming the metallic closure. The metallic closure can be reformed with a peripheral channel before the metallic closure is positioned on a metallic bottle. An inner tool and an outer tool can form the channel in one operation. Optionally, a thread can be formed on a metallic closure prior to use of the metallic closure to seal a metallic bottle. A capping apparatus of the present disclosure uses less force to seal a metallic bottle with a metallic closure of the present disclosure compared to the force required with a prior art ROPP closure. Accordingly, a metallic closure of the present disclosure can seal a metallic bottle formed of less material (such as by being thinner) than prior art metallic bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: BALL CORPORATION
    Inventors: John R. Ross, David J. Bonfoey
  • Method for removing liquid from a slurry
    Patent number: 11179909
    Abstract: A method for removing liquid from a slurry includes: (i) feeding the slurry into the inlet of a press; (ii) removing liquid from the slurry as the slurry advances through a deliquifying section of the press, thereby producing a pressate stream; (iii) forming a plug of material as the slurry is advanced through a plug formation section of the press; (iv) advancing the plug of material to a discharge section of the press; and (v) removing additional liquid from the plug of material by operating the press so that the pressure in the discharge section of the press is greater than the pressure of the pressate stream by at least 2 psi. The present invention also relates to a method for controlling discharge consistency from a press, without provision of discharge restrictors, by varying the pressure differential between a discharge section of the press and a pressate stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignees: Voith Patent GmbH, Iogen Energy Corporation
    Inventors: William Miller, Trevor Richardson, Stephen A. Rowland
  • Roller leveler with upper and lower leveling rollers and method for the simple and rapid inspection, maintenance, and servicing of the upper leveling rollers of a roller leveler
    Patent number: 11173531
    Abstract: A roller leveler and related method for leveling stock which includes an upper roller frame with an upper leveling unit, and a lower roller frame which has a machine bed with a lower leveling unit. The upper roller frame can be moved upward and downward relative to the lower roller frame by hydraulic drives. The upper leveling unit includes a plurality of upper leveling rollers and the lower leveling unit has a plurality of lower leveling rollers. The upper leveling rollers are supported with upper bearing plates and the lower leveling rollers are supported with lower bearing plates. At least several of the upper and lower leveling rollers are connected at one end to drive shafts of a drive device. A frame is moveable into and out of the roller leveler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Inventors: Christian Armbruster, Christian Hartmann
  • Crushing apparatus
    Patent number: 11173495
    Abstract: A crushing apparatus includes a first rotary shaft member, a second rotary shaft member, a plurality of first rotary cutters, a plurality of second rotary cutters, a plurality of first spacers, and a plurality of second spacers, the first rotary cutters and the first spacers being alternately disposed in a first axis direction, the second rotary cutters and the second spacers being alternately disposed in the first axis direction, the first rotary cutters and the second rotary cutters each forming a tearing blade that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the first axis direction, a portion of each of the first rotary cutters and a portion of each of the second rotary cutters overlapping when viewed from the first axis direction, and a gap being provided between the first rotary cutter and the second rotary cutter in the first axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Kurata, Yoichi Miyasaka
  • Method for the destruction of data carriers, collection vehicle and use of a pulper
    Patent number: 11174101
    Abstract: A method for the destruction of data carriers preventing access to the process of rendering confidential data carriers, which consist of paper or similar material, unreadable and allowing the carriers to be destroyed. In the method, confidential data carriers are collected at the point of origin in secure collection containers, removed by a collection vehicle, and are supplied to a paper recycling plant in a final step. The interior of a mobile pulper, which is connected to the collection vehicle, is filled with the confidential data carriers, the carriers are mixed with a pulping fluid and the mixture is blended by an agitator to form a suspension of defibrated documents and pulping fluid, a hydromechanical pulping process taking place in the pulper before the suspension is supplied to the paper recycling plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: RHENUS DATA OFFICE AG
    Inventor: Michael Jörg Huber
  • Method and apparatus for preparing liquid suspensions and solutions from medications in pill or tablet form
    Patent number: 11166878
    Abstract: An apparatus for liquefying solid pills includes a grinder configured to grind the solid pills to a powder, a receptacle configured to attach to the grinder and to capture the powder, and a cap configured to attach to the receptacle. The cap includes a port therethrough in fluid connection with the receptacle. The port is configured to mate with a tip of a syringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Hospi Corporation
    Inventors: Bradford Macy, Jr., Keith Wong, John Eaton, Igal Ladabaum