Patents Examined by Robert Long
  • Patent number: 9764869
    Abstract: There is provided a moisture-sensitive vacuum packing machine, and particularly, there is provided a moisture-sensitive vacuum packing machine for sensing moisture within a chamber. The moisture-sensitive vacuum packing machine includes: a device housing having a controller and a vacuum driving unit; a chamber unit positioned above the device housing and having a first chamber and a second chamber whose interiors are vacuumized when the vacuum driving unit operates; and a sensing unit installed in the chamber unit such that it is associated with the controller, and sensing the presence or absence of moisture within the second chamber according to whether the sensing unit comes into contact with the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignees: ROLLPACK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyul-Joo Lee
  • Patent number: 9757124
    Abstract: An end effector for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed which includes a staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body, a plurality of staples, and a longitudinal slot extending longitudinally along a length of the cartridge body. The longitudinal slot includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. In addition, the end effector includes a cutting member slidably movable along the longitudinal slot and an implantable assembly which includes a first layer and a second layer, wherein the second layer includes a first portion and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, and wherein the first layer is attached to the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Emily A. Schellin, Michael J. Vendely, Lauren S. Weaner, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Taylor W. Aronhalt
  • Patent number: 9758264
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filling and closing device (20) for an applicator for active substances (1) and to a method for filling and closing such an applicator for active substances (1) by means of such a filling and closing device (20). The applicator for active substances (1) comprises an applicator tube (7) that overlaps the sealing edge (5), at least in part. The filling and closing device (20) comprises a receiving element (21) for the lower part (2) of the applicator for active substances (1), having a circumferential pressure surface (22) and a receiving channel (23) for the applicator tube (7), said receiving channel extending below the pressure surface (22). The receiving element (21) is constructed of at least two parts, having a base element (24) and a cover element (25) that is movable with respect to the base element (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Harro Höfliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Joos, Achim Götz, Markus Bohn, Udo Mattern, Claudia Mattern
  • Patent number: 9751176
    Abstract: A power tool is provided and may include a motor, an output shaft, a neck portion, and a collar portion. The output shaft may be driven by the motor. The neck portion may be configured to receive a removable attachment accessory. The neck portion may define a first diameter and may include a plurality of indexing features. The collar portion may be supported by the neck portion. The collar portion may include an outer circumferential surface defining a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. The outer circumferential surface may include at least one recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Jason McRoberts, Ashok S. Baskar, Nicholas A. Mondich, Anthony Reth
  • Patent number: 9750499
    Abstract: A surgical system can include an electric motor, a sensor and a microcontroller in signal communication with the electric motor and the sensor. In various instances, the microcontroller can adjust the velocity of a firing element when the sensor detects a change in current drawn by the electric motor that exceeds a threshold amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Leimbach, Shane R. Adams, Mark D. Overmyer, Brett E. Swensgard, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin L. Houser
  • Patent number: 9750527
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is designed for clamping, cutting, and/or joining tissue. This surgical instrument includes a handle portion, an elongate portion extending distally from the handle portion, first and second jaw members disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion, a shaft movable upon actuation of the handle portion, and a knife bar operatively coupled to the shaft. At least one of the jaw members is movable with respect to the other between an open position and an approximated position for engaging body tissue therebetween. The knife bar has a curved profile and moves along at least one of the jaw members upon movement of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Stanislaw Kostrzewski
  • Patent number: 9751204
    Abstract: The invention is based on a hand-held power tool device equipped with a locking device. The locking device is provided for locking an output device and has at least one locking element for supporting at least one radial clamping force. According to a proposed embodiment, the locking element is provided to fasten and/or axially secure at least one component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Jens Blum, Heiko Roehm, Tobias Herr
  • Patent number: 9743928
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises an articulable end effector; a drive shaft connected to the end effector that drives the end effector; an electric motor connected to the drive shaft that drives the drive shaft; a battery unit for supplying power to the electric motor; at least one sensor for sensing a status of the instrument; and an alphanumeric display located on the instrument and in communication with the at least one sensor. The alphanumeric display is for displaying alphanumeric characters that display visually to a user of the instrument a status of the instrument based on an input from the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Kevin R. Doll, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Eugene L. Timperman
  • Patent number: 9737297
    Abstract: A surgical fastening instrument including a handle portion, an elongated portion, an end effector and a clamp is disclosed. The elongated portion extends distally from the handle portion. The end effector includes a pair of jaws having a tissue contacting surface disposed substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongated portion. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated portion, and at least one of the jaw members is movable with respect to the other between an open position and an approximated position for engaging body tissue therebetween. The clamp has a clamping surface extending substantially transversely from an elongated member and has a height exceeding a height of the elongated member to extend adjacent a side surface of the jaw containing the plurality of fasteners. The clamp is movable from a proximal position to a distal position for engaging body tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Danyel Racenet, David M. Farascioni, Dino Kasvikis, Katelyn O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 9725198
    Abstract: Shrink wrap films that are customized to have a shape matching a shape of a particular part or parts are disclosed. The shrink wrap films can be formed using unique manufacturing techniques that involve heating the part or parts prior to applying the shrink wrap film. The resultant part or parts will have substantially wrinkle-free and defect-free shrink wrap film applied thereon. In some embodiments, additional functional and cosmetic features are formed in the shrink wrap film. In some embodiments, a laser cutting procedure is used to form the features in the shrink wrap film. Methods can be used to provide visually and tactilely smooth and aesthetically appealing shrink wrapped consumer products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Eugene A. Whang, Paul E. Newburn, Mark E. Doutt, Rafael L. Dionello, Hsien Y. Pu, Michael A. Korinek, Evan A. Cernokus, Michael S. Long
  • Patent number: 9724096
    Abstract: An end effector for use by a surgeon to staple an anatomical structure of a patient during a surgical procedure includes an anvil and a cartridge. Each of the anvil and the cartridge has a face that is positionable on the anatomical structure. The anvil is coupled the cartridge at first and second ends. The anvil is movable relative to the cartridge to define a first gap between the faces at the first ends that is less than a second gap between the faces at the second ends. A stapling device includes the end effector coupled to a manipulator via a shaft. The manipulator is accessible to the surgeon. The surgeon uses a clamping mechanism to selectively move the anvil and the cartridge to clamp the anatomical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Standard Bariatrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Thompson, Ben Thompson, Richard P. Nuchols, Russell L. Holscher
  • Patent number: 9724100
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for stapling tissue. The apparatus includes an anvil and a trocar selectively coupled with the anvil. The anvil may have an inner opening and a plurality of staple pockets aligned around a surface of the anvil. The anvil may be inserted trans-orally through an esophagus prior to being coupled with the trocar. The trocar may include a shaft and a locking assembly. The locking assembly may secure the anvil in position relative to the trocar when the locking assembly is in the expanded position. The apparatus may also include an alignment assembly to align the staple pockets of the anvil relative to the apparatus. The apparatus may also include an introduction assembly to guide the anvil through the esophagus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Charles J. Scheib, Cortney E. Henderson, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 9718574
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a covering structure for a cardboard package comprising a tubular body made up a cardboard material. The covering structure comprises a flat assembly of three materials: (1) a cellulosic material covered with a reactivatable barrier material over the face thereof oriented towards a safety membrane, making up a lid cardboard, (2) a laminating part arranged between said lid cardboard and the safety membrane, with a shape conjugated to the shape of the opening of the tubular body, made from paper, or paper whereof the face oriented towards said lid cardboard is coated with a material having barrier and sealing properties, and (3) a safety membrane, made up of a paper coated with at least one reactivatable barrier material on the surface thereof not oriented towards the laminating part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Georges Sireix
  • Patent number: 9713867
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a versatile nail magazine for a nailing gun. In certain embodiments, the versatile nail magazine includes an elongated nail magazine body for loading nails. The nail magazine body includes: a front end connected to a nailing head of the nailing gun, and a rear end for reloading various types of nails, a nail shank track having a lower end, and an upper end, a nail head track disposed on the upper end of the nail shank track, and one or more nail head positioning protrusions disposed between the upper end of the nail shank track and the nail head track for securing the plurality of nails. The nail shank track, and the nail head track extend lengthwise along nail magazine body. Nails in a nail strip are loaded in the nail head track, and the nail shank track from rear end of nail magazine body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: TAIZHOU DAJIANG IND. CO., LTD
    Inventors: Ming-Jun Yang, Zai-Jun Zhu
  • Patent number: 9708086
    Abstract: A method for producing a single-use capsule (1) for extraction beverages comprises the steps of: positioning a flat piece (8) of filter paper over a cup-shaped rigid body (2); joining the flat piece (8) of filter paper along at least the rim (7) of the rigid body (2); forming the piece (8) of filter paper towards the interior of the rigid body (2) and by means of plastic deformation of the piece (8) of filter paper so as to define a containment chamber (5); filling of the containment chamber (5) with a dose (D) of product; closing of the chamber (5) and of the external rigid body (2) with a sheet lid (6). This invention also relates to a machine (100) which implements said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: GIMA, S.P.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Bianchi
  • Patent number: 9708088
    Abstract: A combination chamber and external suction vacuum packaging machine is operable to evacuate a vacuum bag and seal closed an open margin of the bag. The vacuum packaging machine includes a base and a lid that define a vacuum chamber operable for use in a chamber packaging operation, where the bag is entirely received within the vacuum chamber, and an external packaging operation, where only part of the bag is received within the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Hantover, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Rausch, Bernard G. Huff
  • Patent number: 9707654
    Abstract: Positive feed tools that include gear heads configured to be driven by a motor. The gear heads further include a pneumatic manifold that provides for access to input/output signals to add on additional components that include additional air logic functionality. The gear head includes first and second interface positions. Each interface is configured to receive either the motor for powering the gear head or an add-on component to provide additional functionality to the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Apex Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Myhill
  • Patent number: 9700319
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device is configured for use in open and/or laparoscopic surgical procedures. The device includes a handle assembly, a shaft assembly coupled to the handle assembly, and an end-effector coupled to the shaft assembly. The end-effector comprises of a jaw assembly configured to clamp, staple, and/or cut a target tissue. The handle assembly comprises of a trigger element that can activate a drive assembly to advance a clamp drive assembly to clamp the aforementioned target tissue. The clamp drive assembly comprises of a clamp slide member to either advance the clamp drive assembly in a first direction or retreat the clamp drive assembly in a second direction. The clamp drive assembly is movably coupled to a clamp driver member. Movement of the clamp driver member operates clamping operations of a jaw assembly of the surgical stapling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Dextera Surgical Inc.
    Inventors: Cara C. H. Motooka, Brendan M. Donohoe, Bryan D. Knodel
  • Patent number: 9700320
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for removably coupling a cartridge to an end effector of a surgical device. In general, one of a cartridge and a surgical device can include at least one mating element, and the other of the cartridge and the surgical device can include at least one engagement feature configured to removably engage the at least one mating element. The engagement of the at least one mating element and the at least one engagement feature can help ensure that the cartridge is fully mated to the surgical device such that the surgical device can properly fire fasteners disposed within the cartridge. The engagement of the at least one mating element and the at least one engagement feature can be configured to provide a positive indication that the cartridge is fully seated in an end effector of the surgical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Brian F. Dinardo, Mark D. Overmyer, John S. Kimsey, Sol A. Posada, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 9693773
    Abstract: An anvil assembly is provided. The anvil assembly includes an anvil center rod, a head assembly pivotally secured to the anvil center rod assembly from an operative position to a tilted position, and a sleeve slidably disposed about the anvil center rod. The sleeve is associated with the head assembly such that movement of the head assembly from the operative position towards the tilted position effects proximal movement of the sleeve about the anvil center rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Justin Williams