Patents Examined by Stephen F. Gerrity
  • Patent number: 11389976
    Abstract: A disposable isolator including a bottom, a flexible peripheral wall defining a clean and sterile inner volume, a first pair of joining parts forming a first tight junction at the bottom, this first pair including an inner part placed inside the inner volume and suitable for positioning containers, and an outer part placed outside the inner volume and suitable for cooperating by shape matching with a positioning cavity provided on a support table, and a second pair of joining parts forming a second tight junction at the peripheral wall and including an outer part suitable for being connected to a robot, and an inner part suitable for being connected to a manipulating tool, the first and second pairs being designed so that the robot applies the manipulating tool on the containers positioned on the support table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: JCE BIOTECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Eric Gohier
  • Patent number: 11390408
    Abstract: A machine for applying a tubular band to a container moving in a feed direction includes a mandrel assembly about which tubular film is passed. The mandrel assembly is configured to eject tubular bands in an angular direction or orientation that is partly against the feed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: AXON LLC
    Inventor: Adam W. Duncan
  • Patent number: 11390402
    Abstract: A bulk container vacuum filing system includes a base portion and movable portion. The bulk container vacuum filing system serves to position and maintain a bulk container within a chamber, seal the interior of the chamber, dispense material into the bulk container, and draw a vacuum or create positive pressure within the chamber and/or the bulk container during at least a portion of the dispensing process. Base portion of the bulk container vacuum filing system includes a vacuum source and a material supply line along with electronic controls and sensors for operating and monitoring the filling process. The moveable portion include a support structure for supporting the bulk container, such as a bulk bag, in the proper place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: TMT Vacuum Fillers, LLC
    Inventors: Clinton Scott Towne, Randall L. Williamson, Brock A. Gale
  • Patent number: 11383862
    Abstract: An automatic packing machine and automatic packing method for express delivery are provided. The automatic packing machine for express delivery includes: a frame; a box discharging mechanism, fixed to the frame; a weighing mechanism, fixed to the frame, the weighing mechanism including a weighing plate and a weighing plate steering engine which are arranged in coordination and an image collecting module, the weighing plate steering engine and the image collecting module being fixed to the frame, and the image collecting module facing the weighing plate; a box body unfolding mechanism; a box closing mechanism; a conveying mechanism; and a controller, connected to all other structures of the automatic packing machine for express delivery. Through the technical solutions of the present invention, multiple functions are integrated, the degree of automation is high, and different items are packaged by using different box bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Binzhou University
    Inventors: Jing Liu, Pengchuan Liu, Qingfa Lu, Xiaowu Zhu, Jianmeng Cao, Ruiyang Sun
  • Patent number: 11377287
    Abstract: Method for processing hot-filled plastic containers are provided. In some embodiments, the method may include hot-filling a plastic container, sealing the container, and conveying the sealed container, each with an inner annular wall and a push-up portion in a first position. In some embodiments, the method may further include creating a vacuum pressure in the hot-filled and sealed container and repositioning the push-up portion from the first position to a second position under a mechanical force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: CO2PAC Limited
    Inventors: David Melrose, John Denner, Paul Kelley, Gregory Trude
  • Patent number: 11377243
    Abstract: A machine for making filter bags of different shapes for infusion products includes: a wheel defining a work surface and rotating about a relative axis; feed stations for placing tags on the work surface, a continuous thread, along a weave path, and a strip of filter material superposing the weave of thread and the tag. A sealing device is located downstream of the feed stations for sealing between the thread, tag and strip of filter material. A feed device moving the strip along a feed line is positioned downstream of the wheel. A station introduces a dose of infusion product in bag and closes the bag. The feed device has two feed rollers, for unwinding the strip, controlled by a control system for adjusting the speed of rotation of the feed rollers as a function of the length of the filter material needed to form the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: I.M.A. INDUSTRIA MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Sauro Rivola, Andrea Sermenghi, Mauro Bianchi
  • Patent number: 11376809
    Abstract: A flexible structure inflation and sealing assembly that can comprise a driver configured for engaging the flexible structure to drive the structure in a downstream direction longitudinally along a material path and a nozzle configured for reception in an inflation channel that extends through the flexible structure. At least a portion of the nozzle is flexible and is operable to adjust to the direction and angle that the flexible structure approaches from. The flexible portion may align with a tip of the nozzle in one axis and the opposite end of the nozzle in a second axis thereby allowing for misalignment of the flexible structure as it engages the nozzle and is directed to a pinch area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: PREGIS INNOVATIVE PACKAGING LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Christopher M. Rains
  • Patent number: 11370568
    Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine forms a bag by filling and sealing a packing object in a wrapping material. The form-fill-seal machine includes a thickness adjustment unit which adjusts a thickness of the bag and a control unit which controls an operation of the thickness adjustment unit. The control unit acquires thickness information obtained in a rear stage of the form-fill-seal machine and relating to a thickness of the bag and controls the operation of the thickness adjustment unit on the basis of a result obtained by performing statistical processing on the thickness information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Koike, Makoto Ichikawa, Yuchuan Tong, Motoki Takayama, Ryo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11369377
    Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed that comprises a retainer that is configured to be removably mounted to a staple cartridge that is configured to be operably seated in a stapling device. The retainer comprises an authentication key that is configured to defeat a first firing member lockout provided the stapling device. The stapling device further comprises a second lockout that is configured to prevent the firing member of the device from advancing through a staple firing stroke when a spent staple cartridge is seated in said stapling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, Gregory J. Bakos, Richard W. Timm
  • Patent number: 11369371
    Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument includes an anvil body defining a longitudinal axis, a cartridge body coupled to the anvil body, a staple cartridge releasably mounted relative to the cartridge body, a firing member mounted to the cartridge body and configured for longitudinal movement through the staple cartridge, and a lockout member supported by the cartridge body. The lockout member defines a single longitudinal slot for at least partial reception of the firing member. The lockout member is configured for movement from a locked position preventing longitudinal movement of the firing member to a release position permitting longitudinal movement of the firing member upon mounting of the staple cartridge to the cartridge body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Mimi Ding, Hui Zhan
  • Patent number: 11369378
    Abstract: An adapter assembly includes a cam housing defining a proximal cam slot and a distal cam slot, a first elongate shaft, and a second elongate shaft. The first elongate shaft has a proximal end portion received in the proximal cam slot, and a distal end portion configured to be coupled to a surgical loading unit. The second elongate shaft has a proximal end portion received in the distal cam slot, and a distal end portion configured to be coupled to the surgical loading unit. The first and second elongate shafts are configured to move in opposing longitudinal directions in response to a rotation of the cam housing to articulate the surgical loading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: John Beardsley, Kenneth Whitfield, Russell Pribanic, Stanislaw Kostrzewski, David Nicholas
  • Patent number: 11369373
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses for a surgical stapler. An example surgical stapler can include a handle assembly and a body portion extending from the handle portion, the body portion having a staple cartridge assembly, the staple cartridge assembly defining a first row of staple receiving slots, the staple receiving slots have an outer edge, wherein the staple receiving slots are arranged in a generally radial orientation with respect to the center axis of the staple cartridge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Lexington Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Leon Amariglio, Andrew Marecki
  • Patent number: 11358742
    Abstract: System, assemblies, and methods for heat shrink sealing open-topped containers wherein the system includes a two-part housing or enclosure wherein a majority of a bulk roll of film material is accessible when the cover is open. The system preferably includes a movable feed roll to improve the efficiency associated with reloading operations. In a preferred aspect, the system includes a movable sealing unit that accommodates use of the lidding system with open ended containers having various sizes and shapes. In a more preferred aspect, the system includes an indicia generating device operable to label sealed containers and a knife that generates a perforation in the film during sealing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventor: Kimmo Vari
  • Patent number: 11352158
    Abstract: An exemplary web of preformed bags includes first and second layers, first and second side, first and second side seals proximate the first and second edges, a plurality of transverse seals extending between the first and second side edges, an opening in the first layer, and a line of separation in the second layer, and first and second cuts in the first and second side seals. The first and second cuts are configured to reduce or eliminate a breaking force necessary to break the first and second side seals when the web is torn along the line of separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: John M. Stock
  • Patent number: 11352152
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a stretch-wrapping machine with self-adjusting pinch rollers configured to reorient themselves to compensate for misalignment relative to their respective pre-stretch rollers. This ensures the pinch rollers press the entire width of the film against their respective pre-stretch rollers as the film is drawn through the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLC
    Inventors: Pekka Mustonen, Yrjö Suolahti, Niko Aarras
  • Patent number: 11345500
    Abstract: An item packaging system can position and prepare a package for receiving one or more items. The package can be received by the system in a storage orientation and stored in a storage container. A picking assembly can be positioned above the storage container in a picking orientation and pick and rotate the package to a loading orientation. A gripper can grip the package in the loading orientation and transport the package to a loading station for loading the one or more items into the interior of the shipping receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Scott Kalm, Kushal Patel
  • Patent number: 11345547
    Abstract: A modular, scalable prescription dispensing and verification system includes a four-tiered central conveyor, dispensing control system with stored patient orders for creating dispensing and routing itineraries, carriers transporting itineraries and dispensed medications, induction station, pairs of processing stations divided by the conveyor, including automated and manual dispensing, verification, cold chain, and ambient packaging. Crossover conveyors transport carriers between dispensing station pair members for dispensing multiple products per station pair. One conveyor tier returns empty carriers to induction, another transports carriers from each dispensing station to verification, then to packaging, another transports carriers from induction to dispensing, then to additional dispensing, another conveys carriers from induction to dispensing stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Tension International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Terzini, Kenneth S. Myers
  • Patent number: 11337695
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a staple cartridge assembly and a medical stapler using the staple cartridge assembly. A first jaw is provided with a limiting portion; a cutter is provided with a securing portion; when a firing block is located at a proximal end of a staple cartridge assembly, a cutting push rod drives the cutter and the firing block together to move; when the firing block is located at the distal end of the staple cartridge assembly, a driving mechanism drives the cutter and the first jaw to move relative to each other; and the limiting portion and the securing portion resist against each other to restrict the cutter from continuing moving toward the distal end of the staple cartridge assembly. As a result, doctors can be effectively prevented from closing the stapler when the replacement of the fired staple cartridge assembly is not completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: TOUCHSTONE INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL SCIENCE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yanping Ye, Tuo Shu
  • Patent number: 11340600
    Abstract: A method for operating a packaging machine having at least one electric drive motor, the drive motor driving at least one functional unit of the packaging machine in a program-controlled manner when producing packaging using the following steps: (a) loading a parameter set into the control of the packaging machine, the parameter set containing at least one load parameter which limits the torque or the current consumption of the drive motor to a maximum when producing packaging; (b) operating the packaging machine for producing packaging, the maximally occurring actual value of the torque mustered at the drive motor or the current consumed by the drive motor being measured during operation; (c) determining a new load parameter as a function of the maximum actual value; (d) saving the new load parameter in a parameter set allocated to the packaging to be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: ROVEMA GMBH
    Inventors: Volker Dersch, Peter Trepke
  • Patent number: 11337699
    Abstract: Surgical stapling apparatuses have a surgical buttress attached thereto. The surgical buttress includes an elongate rectangular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and opposing lateral sides running along the elongate rectangular body from the proximal portion to the distal portion. Magnesium is on a surface and/or in pores of the surgical buttress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Eric J. Taylor