Patents Examined by Sameh Tawfik
  • Patent number: 10766641
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for settling a product in a partially formed package. In one aspect, the invention comprises the steps: providing a partially formed package; filling the partially formed package with a product; and settling the product in the partially formed package. The settling step comprises rotating a paddle wheel comprising at least one paddle against the partially formed package. In a second aspect, the invention comprises an improved product settler for settling product in a partially formed package. The improved product settler comprises a paddle wheel. The paddle wheel comprises at least one paddle that is positioned to cause an impact against the partially formed package. The impact agitates the partially formed package and thereby settles the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Eduard Edwards, Chad Arthur Huebner
  • Patent number: 10759161
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the bulk manufacture of objects, materials, or products from sheets or fabrics, which are either folded or to be folded, with designs, images, text, and raised patterns that are reconstituted strip by strip at the edge of the folds thereof, in the recessed portions, and in the edge surfaces. The present invention provides a process for repeating designs and shapes, which are shifted relative to one another, on at least one sheet and from one sheet to the other, by reproducing, cutting, or stamping, is merged with folding operations necessitated by the design or suitable for the technical process of the machines in a predetermined manufacturing procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Inventor: Cristian Todie
  • Patent number: 10745169
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to work relatively rigid material such as cardboard in sheets, to make boxes. The apparatus includes a loader suitable to have, according to a desired order, substantially flat reinforcement elements, and gripping means movable between a first gripping position in which they cooperate with the loader to pick up the reinforcement elements, and a second positioning condition, in which they position the reinforcement elements on the sheet according to a predetermined positioning pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: PANOTEC SRL
    Inventors: Giuseppe Capoia, Carlo Capoia
  • Patent number: 10737454
    Abstract: A method and machine for visual inspection of bags for quality control, in particular providing a way to inspect pinch bottom bags and flat bottom bags continuously exiting a production line, without the need to stop or delay the production or movement of the bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Inventors: Steve Kohn, Luis DeOliveira, Libanio S. Almeida
  • Patent number: 10737818
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a packaging assembly and a method of packaging differently sized products, such as fresh meat cuts. The packaging assembly can include at least one thermoform packaging machine having at least two forming stations. The thermoform packaging machine can also include a control unit configured for providing, during operation and in a manner that is automatically adaptable in response to the supplied products, formats with a first or a second number of troughs for placing the respective products thereinto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Multivac Sepp Haggenmüller SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Lau, Thomas Fickler
  • Patent number: 10723582
    Abstract: A method and apparatus include directing an article to a receiving device; transferring the leading portion of the article to a folding device; transferring the leading portion of the article to an oscillating device while holding the trailing portion of the article on the receiving device; reversing the oscillating device; folding the article by overlaying the leading portion of the article on the trailing portion of the article to define a folded state while continuing to hold the trailing portion of the article on the receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventor: Adam Nicholas Schoulz
  • Patent number: 10710758
    Abstract: A system is presented for monitoring and controlling in a sterilizable environment the peeling of a cover from a tub sealed by the cover. The system employs a platform having a fiducial source locating structure for holding the tub, a cover removal station disposed to engage with the cover and to peel the cover from the tub, a light source disposed to illuminate a portion of the platform proximate the cover removal station, a light sensor sensitive to light from the light source and disposed to preferentially collect and measure light diffusely reflected from the illuminated portion of the platform, and a controller with software to operate the system. An associated method for monitoring and controlling the peeling of the cover involves moving a peeled portion of the cover into a predetermined peeling monitor zone within the illuminated portion of the platform, and measuring an intensity of light from the light source diffusely reflected specifically from the peeling monitor zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: VANRX PHARMASYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Carlos Alberto Diaz-Geurrero
  • Patent number: 10703065
    Abstract: A machine for manufacturing flat bottom bags includes a drum for carrying along at least one blank having a flattened tubular shape in an advancing direction, a first scoring apparatus upstream of the drum for marking on the blank a first folding line which is transverse with respect to the advancing direction, a front gripper on the drum that grips a front edge of the blank on the drum, in an opening step, and and carries along the blank, a first lateral gripping means on the drum that grip the lateral edges of the blank in the region of the first folding line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: HOLWEG GROUP
    Inventor: Vincent Schalck
  • Patent number: 10668670
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a process. In an embodiment, the process includes (A) providing a fitment with a base having a wall thickness (Tw). The base comprises an ethylene/a olefin multi-block copolymer. The process includes (B) placing the base between two opposing multilayer films. Each multilayer film has a respective seal layer comprising an olefin-based polymer. The process includes (C) positioning the base and opposing multilayer films between opposing seal bars. Each seal bar comprises (i) a front surface, (ii) a recessed surface a distance (x) behind the front surface, the recessed surface having a first end and an opposing second end. Each seal bar comprises (iii) a curved surface at each opposing end. The curved surface extends between the front surface and the recessed surface. Each curved surface has a radius of curvature (Rc) greater than or equal to distance (x). The process includes (D) heat sealing the base to each multilayer film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Marcos Pini Franca, Bruno Rufato Pereira, Raimund Gerstner, Liangkai Ma
  • Patent number: 10661423
    Abstract: The disclosure is based on a hand-held power tool having at least one switch device which comprises at least one switching element at least for activating a power supply of a drive unit, having at least one quick-change tool holder which is provided for holding an insertion tool which is different from an insertion tool with an SDS® shaft having a maximum transverse extent of 10 mm and/or having at least one accumulator interface. It is proposed that the at least one switching device comprises at least one locking unit which is provided for maintaining, at least essentially independently of an effect of an operator activation force, an active operating mode which can be activated by actuating the at least one switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Schlegel, Christian Lang
  • Patent number: 10654224
    Abstract: Various device embodiments perform a sealing operation on a moving web, and comprise, among other things a plate assembly with an air cylinder assembly. The air cylinder assembly comprises a mount, a back plate, at least one air cylinder positioned between the mount and the back plate. The first plate assembly further includes a linear servo motor for linearly moving the air cylinder assembly with respect to the first base, and a first tooling plate with a sealing surface area. The first tooling plate coupled to the back plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Delta Industrial Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David Schiebout, Jeffrey T. Bruin
  • Patent number: 10633126
    Abstract: A machine for positioning the flaps of a box, including: a conveying surface, arranged so as to advance one or more boxes along an advancement direction; a deflecting element, structured so as to tilt two opposite transverse flaps of a box back with respect to the direction of advancement of the boxes, and to tilt two opposite side flaps of the box outwards; at least one orientating device, structured so as to arrange at least one transverse flap in a substantially vertical position, and at least one grip device, which is movable along the advancement direction and structured so as to grip the transverse flap in the substantially vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: BORTOLIN KEMO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Marino Sain
  • Patent number: 10625894
    Abstract: Method for the aseptic filling of a bag with a pharmaceutical product or liquid which comprises the following steps: a) a first step in which the cap is inserted in the inlet of the bag; b) a second step in which said cap is raised and the pharmaceutical product or liquid concerned is introduced; c) a third step in which the cap is re-inserted in the inlet of the bag; and d) a fourth step in which the cap and the inlet of the bag are welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: GRIFOLS, S.A.
    Inventors: Jordi Boira Bonhora, Miquel Faba Vilella, Daniel Fleta Coit
  • Patent number: 10604393
    Abstract: A device for unstopping a stopped specimen vessel that contains a liquid specimen such as blood is equipped with a mechanism which sucks and captures particles floating around the opening of the specimen vessel and prevents contamination of the specimen. The unstopping device grips a vessel and the stopper of the opening of the vessel, and removes the stopper from the opening of the vessel by changing the relative distance between the vessel-gripping mechanism and the unstopping mechanism. The unstopping device is equipped with: suction holes for sucking therethrough the gas which is present around the opening and contains liquid or solid particles; a pipeline which is connected to the suction holes and through which the sucked gas and particles are led downstream; a suction device connected to the pipeline; and a spirally flexed pipeline part disposed between the pipeline and the suction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Enoki, Shigeki Yamaguchi, Takahiro Sasaki, Tooru Inaba
  • Patent number: 10597180
    Abstract: A packaging machine with a carousel with horizontal axes, particularly suitable for packaging rolls of paper or packs of paper serviettes or other solid products of variable size, of the type that comprises a plurality of identical seats on the same carousel, angularly equidistant from each other, radially open towards both the outside and the inside and each formed by a longitudinal wall fastened perpendicularly to said carousel and by a parallel and opposite wall, the distance of which from said fixed longitudinal wall can be adjusted to ensure that, with a movement parallel to the axis of the carousel, a product of variable size with its wrapping sheet can be inserted between these walls, and wherein the same seats comprise, between said longitudinal walls, two transverse walls designed to cooperate with the ends of said product with the wrapping sheet inserted in the same seats, which for this must have an adjustable reciprocal distance, whereby at least one of these transverse walls is connected to means
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: CPS Company S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Cassoli, Marco Cassoli, Paolo Cassoli
  • Patent number: 10569402
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses a driving machine includes a trigger, a first switch turned on or off by an operation of the trigger, a push lever that moves in response to an operation of pressing an ejection port of a fastener against a driven material, and a second switch turned on or off by movement of the push lever. The driving machine drives the fastener when the first switch and the second switch are both in the ON state. The trigger includes a switching mechanism to switch between a single-shot driving mode and a continuous-shot driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: KOKI HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Iijima, Hiroki Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 10526103
    Abstract: A method of forming a carton. The method includes obtaining a blank having at least one panel and at least one article protection flap foldably connected to the at least one panel. The method includes positioning the at least one panel to at least partially form an interior space of the carton, loading at least one article in the interior space, and folding the at least one article protection flap relative to the at least one panel after the loading the at least one article. The folding includes moving the article protection flap from a first position that is substantially parallel to the at least one panel to a second position wherein the article protection flap is folded relative to the at least one panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Schmal, O'Neal Alexander, Mark Baldino, Michael Cerio, John Murdick Holley, Jr., Frank N. Moncrief, Raymond S. Kastanek, Colin Ford
  • Patent number: 10525652
    Abstract: Method for producing cardboard tubes by winding a plurality of ribbons (U, L) onto a spindle (1), a preset number of the ribbons (U, L) being glued in correspondence of the lower or radial inner surface thereof, characterized in that a predetermined amount of supplementary quick setting glue is applied on the lower surface of the last ribbon (U) destined to be wound on the spindle (1), in proximity to at least a longitudinal edge (BU) of the ribbon (U) forming a corresponding stripe of quick setting glue (G) astride of a section (ST) of the same ribbon interested or intersected by a subsequent cutting action executed downstream of the spindle (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventor: Fabio Perini
  • Patent number: 10464701
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately performing multiple tasks on a web of material are described herein. The method and apparatus include at least a first detector for detecting a detectable feature on the web of material for performing a first operation at a first location on the web of material, and a second detector for detecting a detectable feature on the web of material for performing a second operation at a second location on the web of material. The method and apparatus further include an automated compensating device that cooperates at least indirectly with the detectors. The compensating device reduces any variations in position along the length of the web of material between at least one of said first locations and/or said second locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Meghan Lykowski, Deborah Sue Slovut, Joseph Latta, Joseph A. Barlage, George Stacy Shumpert
  • Patent number: 10463365
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device is provided. The surgical stapling device includes a handle assembly, an adapter assembly removably and selectively attachable to the handle assembly, and a loading unit removably and selectively attachable to the adapter assembly. The adapter assembly extends from the handle assembly for transmitting actuating forces from the handle assembly to the loading unit. The adapter assembly includes a connector assembly. The loading unit includes a shell member and a housing extending from an inner surface of the shell member. The surgical stapling device further includes a chip assembly disposed within the housing and moveable relative to the shell member to facilitate connection with the connector assembly of the adapter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Justin Williams