Patents Examined by Thanh Truong
  • Patent number: 9693909
    Abstract: A method and device for turning a continuous supply of absorbent cores oriented in cross machine direction into a machine direction orientation and dividing the supply of absorbent cores into two or more sub-lines is provided. The device includes a plurality of turning plates which each include means for picking up, holding and releasing the absorbent cores, means for reversibly transferring the turning plates from a core pick-up point to a core release point, each turning plate being mounted rotationally on an axis, so that the absorbent cores can be re-oriented from a cross-machine direction at the pick-up point into machine direction at the release point while being held on the turning plates. Each turning plate includes means for picking up, holding and releasing two or more absorbent cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Thomas Tombuelt-Meyer, Rodrido Rosati
  • Patent number: 9696082
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for distributing articles is arranged to deliver articles to selected stacking positions in two or more storage units. An article is dispensed to a first article transport and distribution section in a main storage unit, and then either delivered to a stacking position in the main unit or transported through a connecting window onto a second transport and distribution section in a satellite storage unit for delivery to a stacking position in that unit. The procedure is repeated to distribute subsequent bags of ice to selected stacking positions in each unit. Additional satellite storage units may be provided and included in the delivery sequence for distributing bags of ice throughout the units. The storage units may be refrigerated, merchandizing units for bagged ice, with the main storage unit associated with an ice bagged ice supply unit which dispenses bags of ice into the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: REDDY ICE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: Henrik Pape
  • Patent number: 9688043
    Abstract: An uninterrupted bag making machine includes a conveyance unit, a conveyance unit driving means, a sealing unit having sealing assemblies, a sealing unit driving means, a perforating unit having a cutting device, a perforating unit, a perforating unit driving means, a breaking unit, and a control unit. With the conveyance unit, a film tube is conveyed to pass through the sealing unit, the perforating unit, and the breaking unit. Furthermore, with the control unit in cooperation with various driving means, the sealing assemblies can be moved in the direction of the film tube being moved, and the cutting device of the perforating unit is rotated in synchronous with the film tube being moved. As such, the film tube can be processed with sealing operations, perforating operations, and breaking operations at predetermined locations along the film tube without an interruption, so that the production rate and capacity can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: COSMO MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chun Liang Lin
  • Patent number: 9687972
    Abstract: An impact rotation tool includes a drive source that generates power. An impact force generation unit generates impact force by changing the power generated by the drive source to pulsed torque. A shaft transmits the pulsed torque to the distal tool with the generated impact force. A torque detector generates a signal corresponding to the torque applied to the shaft. A determination unit determines whether or not a torque value obtained from a signal corresponding to the torque has reached a predetermined torque value. A control unit controls the drive source to a predetermined driving state when the determination unit determines that the torque value has reached the predetermined torque value. The determination unit is arranged on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumiaki Sekino, Toshiharu Ohashi, Tadashi Arimura, Kenichirou Inagaki
  • Patent number: 9688042
    Abstract: A format adjustment device (1) is used to adjust the format of at least one functional element (7) on a packaging machine. The format adjustment device (1) comprises at least one bearing element (2), at least one format gauge (3) comprising at least one mounting section (4) and at least one position element (5) having a stop section (6), and at least one functional element (7) having a connecting section (8). The format gauge (3) can be connected to the bearing element (2) via the mounting section (4). The stop section (6) of the position element (5) can be connected to the connecting section (8) of the functional element (7), such that the position of the at least one functional element (7) relative to the bearing element (2) can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Frank
  • Patent number: 9688430
    Abstract: Equipment for feeding containers to a packaging machine comprising a magazine containing stacked containers. The equipment comprising a carousel device for collecting and inserting the containers into a conveyor. The magazine is positioned with its lower end slightly above that of the conveyor and suitably upstream thereof, in that a carousel device, rotating about a horizontal axis orthogonal to the direction of continuous advance of the upper run of the conveyor of the packaging machine, is located under the magazine and upstream of the conveyor, in that this carousel device comprises a plurality of suction cup units positioned in a way determined by interaction with cams, and in that the units are designed to grip the container and draw it from the base of the store by gripping the base wall by means of which these units subsequently deposit the container in a dynamic way on to the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: ZAMBELLI S.R.L.
    Inventor: Flavio Zambelli
  • Patent number: 9682468
    Abstract: A handheld machine tool has a drive motor for driving a tool holder, in which a tool is able to be accommodated. In addition, a cam-action mechanism for generating a hammer function is provided, which includes a cam-action mechanism holder and a notched disk. The cam-action mechanism holder is in contact with a heat-dissipating component situated inside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Blum, Heiko Roehm, Tobias Herr
  • Patent number: 9685359
    Abstract: A load port device comprises a link mechanism that has a main moving link whose one end is connected with a door holding member in a rotatable manner, a guide that bends and extends from a horizontal direction to a vertical direction and that guides one end of the main moving link, a main moving block with which the other end of the main moving link is connected in a rotatable manner and a door hoisting shaft that extends in the vertical direction and that moves the main moving block in the extending direction. The link mechanism allows the end of the main moving link to move from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction or from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction along the guide in a state that the other end of the main moving link moves to the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: SINFONIA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Funato, Mitsuo Natsume, Mitsutoshi Ochiai
  • Patent number: 9669953
    Abstract: A packaging machine comprises a vertical mounting plate and a horizontal mounting plate fixed at an upper part of the vertical mounting plate. The horizontal mounting plate comprises a fixed frame that encloses an article binding workstation from left, right and above. The vertical mounting plate and the fixed frame are mounted on a packaging machine frame. The packaging machine also comprises a tape spool. A packaging machine core and a belt pre-feeding device are mounted on the horizontal mounting plate. The packaging machine core comprises a belt feeding and retreating and belt tensioning device. The belt feeding and retreating and belt tensioning device comprises a belt feeding and retreating mechanism and a belt tensioning mechanism. The packaging machine provides improvement in packaging quality, overall packaging efficiency and operation reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: HANGZHOU YOUNGSUN INTELLIGENT EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Bangyi Luo
  • Patent number: 9669954
    Abstract: An apparatus for feeding tubular blanks to a packaging machine includes a collecting group (10) provided with a first gripping member (11), suitable to grip single flat-folded tubular blanks (2) at a first face, and an opening group (20) provided with a second gripping member (21), suitable to grip the blanks (2) at a second face. The collecting group (10) includes a drive mechanism (12, 15) provided with a first arm (12) tilting under control of motor members (5), and with a second arm (15), carrying the first gripping member (11), which is mounted tilting on the first arm (12), and which is axially slidable for imparting to the first gripping means (11) an alternated rototranslation motion. The opening group (20) includes support a structure (22) of the second gripping means (21) pivoted on said second arm (15) of the collecting group (10) and constrained to a pulling means (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: I.M.A. INDUSTRIA MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Maurizio Ferretti
  • Patent number: 9663253
    Abstract: Process and corresponding apparatus for wrapping a product in a wrapper of sheet material, adhering to the surface of the product, the process comprising the steps of: providing a first and a second sheet of wrapping material, shaping said first sheet according to a cup-shaped configuration comprising a bottom portion substantially complementary to a bottom portion of the surface of the product, a tubular portion which extends above the top of the product when inserted in said so-shaped sheet and defining a mouth adapted for the introduction of the product and an annular flange terminal portion surrounding said mouth, introducing the product in said first shaped sheet, and connecting said second sheet to said annular flange so as to form a closed wrapper around said product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Soremartec S.A.
    Inventors: Fabio Federici, Luciano Massa, Giovanni Sobrero
  • Patent number: 9655613
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device is configured for use in open and/or laparoscopic surgical procedures. The device includes a staple holder with a first support element and a second support element for supporting a beltless continuous staple chain. Each staple of the staple chain is configured to be frangibly separated from the staple chain to pierce and secure a target tissue when each staple is deployed. The device also includes a plurality of standoff members wherein each of the plurality of standoff members is configured to support one of each staple of the staple chain when the one of each staple is being deployed. The surgical stapling device may be a cartridge-based or a cartridge-less based staple device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Dextera Surgical Inc.
    Inventor: David T. Schaller
  • Patent number: 9655616
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a handle assembly, a shaft assembly extending distally from the handle assembly, and an end effector selectively detachable from the shaft assembly. The end effector includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first jaw member supports a lever that is pivotally movable relative to the first jaw member between an extended position and a retracted position. The lever is in contact with a leaf spring to spring bias the lever to the extended position. The second jaw member supports a drive beam that is selectively engagable with the lever to facilitate a pivotal movement of the second jaw member relative to the first jaw member between an unapproximated state and an approximated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Ernest Aranyi
  • Patent number: 9643375
    Abstract: Provided herein is a device for folding a stack of sheets. The device includes a frame, means for pre-folding a stack of sheets along a crease line into a main plane such that a booklet with a straight back is obtained, means for keeping the pre-folded booklet relative to the frame, a carriage movably arranged to the frame and moveable parallel to the back of the booklet, and a nip arranged to the carriage for receiving the back of the pre-folded booklet. The nip direction forms an angle greater than zero with respect to a direction of movement of the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: SDD Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Franciscus Roland Oudsen
  • Patent number: 9636274
    Abstract: The device (D) for transferring pharmaceutical articles from a counter to inside containers (C), continuously advancing along an advancement direction (V), comprises a first series of tubular elements (T1) and a second series of tubular elements (T2) having dimensions such as to be able to freely receive the pharmaceutical articles internally thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: MARCHESINI GROUP S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Monti
  • Patent number: 9630307
    Abstract: A rotary hammer is adapted to impart axial impacts to a tool bit. The rotary hammer includes a motor, a spindle coupled to the motor for receiving torque from the motor, and a piston at least partially received within the spindle for reciprocation therein. A crank hub is coupled to the motor for receiving torque from the motor. The crank hub defines a rotational axis and includes a socket offset from the rotational axis. A pin includes a first portion at least partially received within the socket and a second portion fixed to the piston. The first portion of the pin is both pivotable within the socket and axially displaceable relative to the socket in response to rotation of the crank hub for reciprocating the piston between a forward-most position within the spindle and a rearward-most position within the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin Ludy, Daryl S. Richards
  • Patent number: 9629628
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus (stapler) is provided and is configured to couple to a reload. The reload includes a first jaw member releasably supporting a cartridge that includes a slide deflector that is movable from a first position to a second position. One or more lockout steps are provided on one of the first and second jaw members of the reload. A drive member includes a working end urged to move toward the lockout step. In the first position, the slide deflector is positioned to prevent engagement of the working end of the drive member with the lockout step, and in the second position the slide deflector is positioned to allow engagement of the working end with the lockout step to prevent further advancement of the working end. Distal translation of the working end causes the slide deflector to move from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Ernest Aranyi
  • Patent number: 9629623
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument may include at least one drive system that is configured to generate control motions upon actuation thereof. At least one drive system defines an actuation axis. The surgical instrument may further include at least one interchangeable shaft assembly that is configured to be removably coupled to the at least one drive system in a direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis and transmit the control motions from the at least one drive system to a surgical end effector operably coupled thereto. A lockout assembly may interface with the at least one drive system for preventing actuation of the drive system unless the at least one interchangeable shaft assembly has been operably coupled to the at least one drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Richard L. Leimbach, Wendy A. Kerr, Brett E. Swensgard, Kevin D. Sackett, Mark D. Overmyer
  • Patent number: 9625340
    Abstract: A gas pressure testing device, which is for checking pressure of gas inside the gas compartment portion of a bag, including: a pressing member (31) disposed on one side of the bag, a receiving member (38) positioned on another side of the bag, and a movable support member (39) having thereon the pressing member and a distance sensor (32). The pressing member being kept urged toward the gas compartment portion by air cylinder (44) is moved toward the bag so that the gas compartment portion is sandwiched by the pressing member and the receiving member. The distance sensor measures the distance (D) at such time to the pressing member and sends a distance signal to a control unit (37). Based on the distance signal, the control unit determines whether or not the gas pressure in the gas compartment portion is within a preset range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: TOYO JIDOKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tohru Yoshikane, Shota Morishige
  • Patent number: 9615825
    Abstract: A release tool is provided for an end effector with a pair of jaw members and a drive beam assembly configured for axial movement through the pair of jaw members. The release tool includes an elongate body member, a gripping assembly, and a release bar. The gripping assembly is secured to the elongate body member and is configured to secure the elongate body member to the end effector. The release bar is supported by the elongate body member and is axially movable relative to elongate body member. The release bar is configured to engage a beam of the drive beam assembly to retract the beam to a proximal position when the beam is disposed in a position distal of the proximal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Frank J. Viola