Patents Examined by Scott A Howell
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Patent number: 11332271Abstract: The invention relates to a filling device (2) for filling a holder with vulnerable products, for instance apples, and a method therefor. The filling device according to the invention comprises: —a main frame (14) provided with an elevator conveyor (4) with a supply side (10) and a filling side (12); —a distributing device (28) connected operatively to the filling side of the elevator conveyor and provided with one or more distributors configured to distribute products over the holder; —height adjusting means (42,44) configured to move the distributing device in the height relative to the holder such that the distributing device is movable in the height during filling of the holder; and—a supply side guide arranged (66,68,70) on the main frame (14) for operation with the height adjusting means and configured to align the supply side of the elevator conveyor with a delivery end of a feed conveyor during a movement of the distributing device in the height.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2016Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: DE GREEF'S WAGEN-, CARROSSERIE- EN MACHINEBOUW B.VInventors: Wilhelm Jan Nijland, Hendrik Jan Van Ooijen, Harm-Jan De Bruin
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Patent number: 11324507Abstract: The presently disclosed stapling device includes a stomal sleeve secured to an anvil assembly of a tool assembly of the stapling device. The stomal sleeve has a tubular configuration having a first end portion secured to a tissue contact surface of the anvil assembly and a second end portion secured to a distal face of an anvil head of the anvil assembly. In use, the stapling device is fired to secure the first end portion of the stomal sleeve to dermal and intestinal tissue within a stoma and to separate the first end portion of the stomal sleeve from the anvil assembly. When the stapling device is withdrawn from the stoma, the second end portion of the stomal sleeve is withdrawn from the stoma and subsequently disengaged from the anvil head of the anvil assembly such that the second end portion of the stomal sleeve is positioned externally of the stoma.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2018Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventor: AVVLN Srinivasa Murthy Aravalli
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Patent number: 11325228Abstract: A rotary impact tool in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a motor, an impact mechanism, an impact detector, and a controller. The controller executes constant duty ratio control from when the motor is started until an impact is detected by the impact detector. The controller executes constant rotation speed control in response to detection of an impact by the impact detector.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2018Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATIONInventors: Takaaki Osada, Hirokatsu Yamamoto, Goshi Ishikawa, Kunihisa Shima
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Patent number: 11286075Abstract: The machine (1) for laying sliced food products (2) in containers (3), comprises: a first conveyor (4) able to convey slices (2) or groups of slices (2) along at least one advancement direction and provided with an end portion (40) from which the slices (2) are released; a second conveyor (5) able to convey containers (3) suitable for receiving one or more slices (2) from the end portion (40) of the first conveyor (4), the second conveyor (5) being placed below the first conveyor (4); and a positioning apparatus (45, 46, 47, 81, 82) for regulating the arrangement of the first and the second conveyor (4, 5) with respect to each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2017Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: GRASSELLI S.P.A.Inventor: Giorgio Grasselli
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Patent number: 11285594Abstract: A hammer drill is provided including a motor, an electrical power circuit arranged to provide power to the motor, a tool holder arranged to hold a cutting tool, and a drive transmission operable in at least two modes of operation. A mode change mechanism is provided to switch the drive transmission between the at least two modes of operation, and at least one electrical switch is located within the electrical power circuit to provide power to the motor. Hammer drill further includes lock-on mechanism is configured to lock the at least one switch in the closed state when it is activated, a controller configured to control an operation of the motor, and an electrical power circuit configured to provide power to controller. The motor is prevented from operating when no power is provided to the controller.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Rene Gumpert, Tim Heimrich, Petr Dusik
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Patent number: 11279098Abstract: A method reduces the microbiological loading of container products made at least partially of at least one plastic material. As part of a first production process, a plastic granulate (29) is fed to an extruder device (19), which melts the granulate (29). As part of a subsequent production process, the melted granulate is forwarded onto a blow-molding, filling and sealing machine for obtaining the respective container product. At least in parts of the first production process, the plastic material undergoes at least one of the following treatment steps: high-energy radiation and/or plasma treatment and/or a gas having a sterilizing effect.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: KOCHER-PLASTIK MASCHINENBAU GMBHInventors: Martin Groh, Christoph Bohn, Michael Spallek
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Patent number: 11259806Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument configured for use with a staple cartridge that contains a plurality of staples configured to be ejected therefrom by a camming assembly supported therein. The surgical stapling instrument includes a first jaw that is configured to removably support the surgical staple cartridge therein. A second jaw is movable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position. A cartridge verification member is configured to block distal advancement of the camming assembly from the unfired position unless the cartridge verification member detects a verification feature on the staple cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Chad P. Boudreaux, Jason L. Harris, Gregory J. Bakos
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Patent number: 11247815Abstract: Screw cap, loading piston, and method for aligning the screw cap and the loading piston in relation to each other and a method for screwing a screw cap onto a threaded neck portion of a packaging container. The screw cap can include a base portion having a top and a bottom surface, an annular portion raised from the base portion, the annular portion having an inner and an outer surface, and at least one first threaded portion arranged on the inner surface of the annular portion, wherein the base portion can include engagement means, such that the screw cap can engage a tool with at least one complementary engagement means in a process of screwing the cap onto the container with the complementary threaded neck portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2016Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.Inventors: Håkan Berg, Magnus Virgili
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Patent number: 11247428Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing microperforated patches for MAP includes drilling or punching microperforations through continuously advancing label stock. Holes can be drilled by at least one microperforating laser traversed across the label stock as it advances, a laser beam deflected or split using a servo-driven galvanometer, beam splitters, or a plurality of mirrors, or by drills mounted into a rotating die cylinder across which the stock passes as it is advanced. Numbers and sizes of microperforations can be adjusted by manipulation of laser control parameters, or by exchange of die cylinders. The laser can be a CO2 laser with between 10 W and 100 W output. The drills can be carbide drills. The label stock is typically 6-18 inches wide, and can include an adhesive covered by a release sheet. The stock to be microperforated can include separate rows of labels or can be suitable for die-cutting after microperforation.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2017Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: MarstonMAP, LLCInventor: Elizabeth Varriano-Marston
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Patent number: 11234694Abstract: A method comprises providing an articulation tool including an articulation mechanism comprising a proximal link and a distal link, end effector, elongated shaft, rotating member, and an articulation lock comprising a first lock configured to prevent pivoting of the elongated shaft about a yaw axis, a second lock configured to prevent pivoting about a pitch axis, and an actuator to actuate both locks simultaneously. The method further comprises driving movement of the proximal link which causes corresponding movement of the distal link, adjusting the actuator between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration in which the links and end effector are held in a fixed orientation with respect to the elongated shaft, and driving rotation of the rotating member which causes rotation of the elongated shaft while the links and end effector are held in the fixed orientation and rotation of the end effector about the end effector longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2017Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Lewis Isbell, Jr.
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Patent number: 11235453Abstract: An electric working machine in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a motor, a controller, and a setter. The controller is configured to change a rotational state of the motor, in response to an establishment of a condition for change after the motor is initiated, from a low speed rotation to a high speed rotation. The setter is configured to set, based on a situation in the motor in the low speed rotation, a control variable of the motor in the high speed rotation and/or the condition for change.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2018Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshitaka Ichikawa, Goshi Ishikawa, Shinichi Hira, Yasuhito Kawai, Masahiro Watanabe, Takuya Kusakawa
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Patent number: 11230398Abstract: A method and a feeding apparatus for feeding spacers for cigarette packs are disclosed, in which each spacer comprises a substantially rectangular flat body, the spacers being insertable in cartons for cigarette packs to space out packs with dimensions smaller than the standard dimensions; the spacers are stacked on a pallet that is positioned in a withdrawal station; the stacks of spacers are withdrawn from the withdrawal station and transferred to a respective hopper by passing each stack of spacers through an upper opening of the hopper, to then unload the spacers one by one through a lower opening of the hopper.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2019Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: G.D S.p.A.Inventors: Davide Parazza, Luca Federici
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Patent number: 11207067Abstract: A surgical instrument including a channel that is configured to support a replaceable surgical staple cartridge therein. An anvil is movably supported on the channel and is configured to selectively move between an open position and a closed position. A rotary driven closure system operably interfaces with the anvil and is configured to move the anvil between the open position and the closed position upon application of rotary opening and closing motions thereto. The instrument also includes a rotary driven firing drive shaft and an axially movable firing member that is in driving engagement with the rotary driven firing drive shaft and is configured for sliding engagement with the channel and the anvil upon application of rotary firing motions to the rotary driven firing drive shaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Gregory J. Bakos
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Patent number: 11203448Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming package bodies open at one end from package sleeves open at both ends for the manufacture of filled packages. In order to allow packages with a cross section which is neither square nor rectangular to be formed more simply and reliably, the package sleeves are kept ready for further processing in a stack, folded flat along at least two folded edges running in the longitudinal direction of the package sleeve, the flat-folded package sleeves are transferred in succession from the stack to a forming station, the package sleeves are unfolded in a forming station and the unfolded package sleeves are, in the forming station, pushed onto a mandrel in order to close, in particular seal, a longitudinal end of the package sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2017Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: SIG Technology AGInventors: Thomas Vetten, Johannes Marx, Michael Heil, Felix Breitmar, Matthias Dammers, Jürgen Richter
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Patent number: 11192226Abstract: A carrier with a fastener depth limiter. The carrier may be used to drive fasteners of a staple type. Carriers may include a fastener holder and a fastener depth limiter securable to the holder. The holder may include an axial body with distal and proximal ends, a fastener-receiving opening in the distal end normal to the axis, and an anvil-receiving opening in which an anvil repeatedly strikes a fastener held by the holder as the holder retracts during fastener driving. The fastener depth limiter may be a collar and the collar may be axially adjustable along the holder to enable user selection of the depth limitation. A workpiece-contacting distal end of a collar-type depth limiter may be spaced axially outward from the distal end of the holder a distance approximately the same as a thickness dimension of the fastener, which may be the thickness dimension of the crown of a staple-type fastener.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2018Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Chicago Display Marketing CompanyInventors: Michael Keister, Richard A Keister
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Patent number: 11194322Abstract: A method for monitoring equipment and gathering consumption and diagnostic information can comprise receiving, at a server, a corrugate usage indicator. The corrugate usage indicator can comprise information relating to an amount of corrugate used by a first packaging system. The method can also comprise creating a usage profile for the first packaging system. The usage profile can comprise a corrugate usage profile. The corrugate usage profile can comprise an association between the amount of corrugate used by the first packaging system and the specifications and number of boxes created. Additionally, the method can comprise automatically generating, based upon the corrugate usage profile, a predicted time when a stock of corrugate associated with the first packaging system will be depleted.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2016Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: PACKSIZE LLCInventors: Chris R. Featherstone, Clinton P. Smith, Robert Lingstuyl, Jeffrey Lee Rasmussen
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Patent number: 11179154Abstract: An instrument includes a body, a shaft extending from the body, and an end effector in communication with the shaft. The end effector defines a longitudinal axis. The end effector includes first and second opposing jaws, a staple cartridge, and a placement tip. At least one of the first and second jaws is movable relative to the other of the first and second jaws between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The staple cartridge is coupled with the second jaw. The placement tip extends from a distal end of the first jaw or a distal end of the second jaw. The placement tip extends along a curvilinear path and terminates at a tip end. Successive perimeters of the placement tip taken perpendicular to the curvilinear path decrease moving toward the tip end. The tip end extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the end effector.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2018Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Cilag GmbH InternationalInventors: Jason L. Harris, Gregory J. Bakos, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: 11149495Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to tools capable of amplifying or dampening axial forces produced by downhole equipment. More specifically, apparatus and methodologies provide a tool for imparting amplified axial loads (e.g., a hammer sub), or, in the alternative, for dampening/reducing downhole vibrations or “noise” (e.g., a suppressor sub).Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2015Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Inventor: Charles Abernethy Anderson
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Patent number: 11148839Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for packaging drug portions, including a plurality of reservoir and dispensing stations, at least one conveyance and collecting apparatus, a packaging material feed, a packaging device, a folding and conveyance device included with the packaging device, a guide device including a receiving segment and a conveying segment, the conveying segment extending along the passage of the folding and conveyance device and guides drug portions into the tubular packaging material web, a first joining device arranged downstream of the folding and conveyance device, and a second joining device arranged downstream of the first joining device, which joins the tubular packaging material web at pre-specified intervals with respect to the direction of movement of the tubular packaging material, such that a continuous blister tube is created.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2017Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBHInventor: Dietmar Gross
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Patent number: 11141150Abstract: Various buttress loaders are provided for cleaning and affixing one or more buttresses to an end effector of a surgical stapler. In an exemplary embodiment, a buttress loader can be configured to clean at least one tissue-engaging surface of an end effector on a surgical stapler, and the buttress loader can be configured to attach a buttress to the at least one tissue-engaging surface of the end effector. For example, a buttress loader can have two slots configured to receive the end effector therein. One slot can be configured to clean the end effector, and the other slot can be configured to attach the buttress to the end effector.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONALInventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Michael J. Vendely, Prudence Vulhop