Patents Examined by Thomas M Wittenschlaeger
  • Patent number: 11952156
    Abstract: A vertical packaging machine for packaging products in a modified atmosphere. According to one embodiment, the vertical packaging machine includes a hopper through which the products to be packaged are introduced, a hollow forming element arranged downstream of the hopper, at least the hopper and the forming element forming a supply conduit through which the product to be packaged falls. The vertical packaging machine also includes an injection device configured for injecting a gaseous fluid into the supply conduit. A gas supply source is communicated with the inside of the supply conduit, the gas supplied to the supply conduit being suitable for packaging products in a modified atmosphere. A supply unit communicates the gas source with the inside of the supply conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: ULMA Packaging, S.Coop.
    Inventors: Alberto Otxoa-Aizpurua Calvo, Eneko Izquierdo Ereño
  • Patent number: 11945617
    Abstract: A wetting unit for wetting a surface of one of a first and a second continuous water-soluble films to be coupled and sealingly joined to each other so as to delimit therebetween recesses containing dosed quantities of at least one fluid composition for producing unit dose articles. The wetting unit is configured to wet only surface areas of one of the first and second continuous water-soluble films which are to be joined to the other of the first and second continuous water-soluble films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventor: Anselmo Cicchitti
  • Patent number: 11944292
    Abstract: An anvil-attachable layer for use with a surgical stapler, or fastening instrument, wherein a proximal end portion of the layer is attached to a staple cartridge assembly, for example. The layer may be attached to the staple cartridge assembly by an adhesive, weld, or a staple-cartridge-based clamp, wherein the attachment is weak enough to allow the layer to pull away from the staple cartridge assembly with stapled tissue. Alternatively, the layer can include two or more lateral slits that define a connector region that can be cut by a knife of a surgical stapler to release the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Katherine J. Schmid, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 11945707
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing a flip-off cap from a bottle for pharmaceutical substances, which enables automating the removal process in a pharmaceutical substance handling line and, at the same time, may be easy and inexpensive to manufacture. In an example the apparatus comprises a removal station in which a cap is removed from the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: COMECER S.p.A.
    Inventors: Nicola Raspadori, Alessandro Brunetti
  • Patent number: 11944336
    Abstract: Various shaft guide embodiments are disclosed and may comprise a shaft guide body that comprises a proximal end that may have an oval shape aligned on a proximal long axis and a distal end that may have a distal oval shape aligned on a distal long axis that is transverse to the proximal long axis. The shaft guide body may further comprise a first passage that defines a first passage proximal opening oriented in a first orientation and a second passage that defines a second passage distal opening that is oriented in a second orientation that differs from the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventor: Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 11946501
    Abstract: Systems and methods can include stretching a stud of a hammer assembly by tightening, according to a preset amount, a plurality of fasteners, which can extend from a first end surface and/or a second end surface of a first nut threadedly coupled to the stud, against an upper surface of a body of the hammer assembly. The fasteners and the first nut can provide a clamping load for the stud upon completion of the tightening. The systems and methods can also include, after the stretching, tightening a second nut, which can be threadedly connected to the stud, toward a seat formed in the body of the hammer assembly; and further tightening the second nut, against the seat. The systems and methods can further include transferring the clamping load from the fasteners and first nut to the second nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Cody Moore
  • Patent number: 11945090
    Abstract: A powered device includes a powerhead unit and an attachment unit selectively attachable to and powered by the powerhead unit. The powerhead unit includes a motor, a first shaft segment having a first driveshaft segment coupled to the motor, and a first connecting portion attached to the first shaft segment. The attachment unit includes an operational unit configured to be driven by the motor, a second shaft segment having a second driveshaft segment coupled to the operational unit, and a second connecting portion attached to the second shaft segment for coupling to the first connecting portion. One of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion defines an axial opening having a keyway and includes a button having a hook portion. The other of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion defines a slot and includes a key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shane McCue, John L. Whealon, Kyle D. Korn
  • Patent number: 11945085
    Abstract: A hand-held power tool, in particular a hammer drill or combination hammer, having a tool fitting for holding a striking and rotating tool on a working axis, an electric motor coupled to a transmission shaft, an impact mechanism, which has a striker that is moved periodically along the working axis, and having a rotary drive, which drives a guide tube carrying the tool fitting in rotation about the working axis, wherein the rotary drive is coupled to the transmission shaft via a rocker lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Ludwig, Erwin Manschitz, Josef Fünfer
  • Patent number: 11931036
    Abstract: A loading unit for engagement with a surgical instrument, and including single and double retention slots, is discloses. At least one single retention cavity includes a first retention guiding surface configured to engage a first pusher guiding surface of a single pusher retained therein, a second retention guiding surface configured to engage a second pusher guiding surface of a single pusher retained therein, a third retention guiding surface configured to engage a third pusher guiding surface of a single pusher retained therein, and a fourth retention guiding surface configured to engage a fourth pusher guiding surface a the single pusher retained therein. At least one double retention cavity includes a first retention guiding surface configured to engage a first pusher guiding surface of a double pusher retained therein, and a second retention guiding surface configured to engage a second pusher guiding surface of a double pusher retained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Stanislaw Kostrzewski
  • Patent number: 11932440
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a thermoforming packaging machine (1) for producing sealed packages (2) having a planar surface (3) and a shaped recess (4) comprising a sealing station (6) with a lower sealing tool (7) comprising of a first part (8) provided with a first seal seam support (8a) for supporting a first sealed seam (9) at the outer perimeter (10) of the planar surface (3) of the moulded product (2a) and a second part (11) provided with a second support (11a) provided with a seal seam support opening (12). The second support (11a) supports a second sealed seam (12a) on the planar surface (3) of the moulded product (2a) following the perimeter (13) of the shaped recess (4). The first part (8) and the second part (11) are separate parts which are detachable connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: What The Future Venture Capital (WTFVC) B.V.
    Inventor: Edmund David Aufenast
  • Patent number: 11931875
    Abstract: A power tool operable with an exchangeable tool head, and comprising a tool body, and a hydraulic cylinder with a main piston A quick coupling system is arranged at a free end of the tool body and includes an actuation unit and a locking unit movable by the actuation unit between a released position and a locked position to secure the exchangeable head to the tool body. Thee locking unit comprises a first and a second half-ring radially movable between the released position and the locked position. When in the locked position the locking unit is adapted to secure the exchangeable head to the tool body, such that transmission forces can be exchanged between the exchangeable head and the main piston. When in the released position the locking unit is adapted to release any force applied to the exchangeable head to remove the exchangeable head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Dubois et Cie S.A.A
    Inventors: Patrick Vervier, Vincent Cerfeuillet
  • Patent number: 11926030
    Abstract: A power tool includes a motor, a driving mechanism, a main housing, a handle housing, a first guide part and a second guide part. The handle housing is movable relative to the main housing at least in a front-rear direction. The first and second guide parts are configured to guide relative sliding between the main housing and the handle housing in the front-rear direction. Each of the first guide part and the second guide part includes a first engagement part and a second engagement part engaged with each other to be slidable in the front-rear direction. The main housing has the first engagement part. The handle housing has the second engagement part. The second guide part is spaced apart from the first guide part and located rearward of the first guide part in the front-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyonobu Yoshikane, Yoshiro Tada
  • Patent number: 11919669
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a device for dispensing a product, including a supply of a device having a reservoir, the reservoir being connected to a deformable chamber and being provided with a filling opening, the interior of the deformable chamber being delimited at least in part by a movable wall, a displacement of which causes a variation in the volume of the deformable chamber, a step of filling of the chamber deformable through a filling valve, a step of filling of the reservoir with product, and a closing step in which the filling opening is closed. Application includes, for example, the pharmaceutical or cosmetic or agro-food industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: GB DEVELOPPEMENT
    Inventor: Guillaume Boulais
  • Patent number: 11919270
    Abstract: A system for forming a pressware product comprises rollers, a scoring tool, a scoring station actuator, a forming tool, and a forming station actuator. The rollers pull the web along a path having an angle. The scoring tool receives the material from the rollers and includes a vertically shiftable scoring punch with an edge that extends about an outline of the pressware product and a striker plate. The scoring station actuator shifts the scoring tool to form a slot in the web. The forming tool receives the scored web and includes a vertically shiftable positive mold assembly and negative mold assembly. The forming station actuator shifts the positive mold assembly to press against the web and form the pressware product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Brown LLC
    Inventors: Victor L. Chun, Steffen Brown, Russ Bliss, Philip Eichbauer, Brian Keeley, Robert Abel
  • Patent number: 11919152
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automated vacuum gripper, a feed unit and a method for conveying flat components (3). The vacuum gripper (1) comprises a support part (5), at least one support part element (7), a plurality of first suction elements (4?), which are arranged at the at least one support part element (7) and define a first suction plane; at least one bearing assembly (28) and at least one actuating assembly (29), wherein the at least one support part element (7) is pivotably mounted at the support part (5) by means of the at least one actuating assembly (29) about the at least one bearing assembly (28). The plurality of second elements (4) is arranged at the support part (5) and defines a second suction plane (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: TRUMPF Maschinen Austria Gmbh & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Matteo Dal Lago, Stefano Speziali
  • Patent number: 11912554
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing and retrieving products is provided. A system may include: a grasping head; first and second grasping members, each grasping member comprising: a top member; a post member; and first and second grasping fingers, where the first and second grasping fingers extend from the post member and are spaced apart from the top member by a predetermined distance, where the first and second grasping members are connected to the grasping head, where at least one of the first and second grasping members is movably connected to the grasping head, where the at least one of the first and second grasping members is movable relative to the other of the first and second grasping members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: MCKESSON CORPORTATION
    Inventors: Rich Herrschaft, Jason Warner
  • Patent number: 11911888
    Abstract: Portable, hand held, battery operated, hydraulic tools are provided with a tool frame and one or more interchangeable working heads. When the working head is connected with the tool frame, a piston actuated by a hydraulic system within the tool frame applies force to the working head to perform a task. The tool includes a sensor for detecting the type of head connected with the tool and a mechanism for adjusting the amount of force applied to the head by the hydraulic system based on the detected head type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
    Inventors: John David Lefavour, Daniel Paul Owens
  • Patent number: 11911991
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for expanding a box blank into a box, the apparatus comprising an arm assembly, a controller, a camera and a box blank conveyor. The arm assembly includes a folding arm having a position in a first direction and a rotational angle controlled by the controller based on a position of a feature of the box blank in the field of view of the camera. The camera captures images of the box blank which are used to position the arm assembly and to evaluate the need to reject a box blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Szu-Chen Huang, Fu-Hsien Li, Mao-Jung Chiu, Mao-Shun Lien, Po-Hsien Chiu
  • Patent number: 11905057
    Abstract: A mailer machine including a mailer supply station (e.g., a rotary mailer supply station, a linear mailer supply station, a non-linear mailer supply station, or the like) and a handling station operatively coupled to the mailer supply station. The mailer supply station provides, on a selective basis, mailers having different attributes. The mailer supply station of the mailer machine provides for movement of magazines with respect to a robot in the handling station that may have a distal end secured in a stationary and fixed location. As such, different magazines with dissimilar mailers may be moved to a picking location adjacent the robot, as dissimilar mailers are required. Further, the mailers within the magazines may be moved to a pre-determined pick-up location such that the robot is repeatably picking a mailer from the pre-determine pick-up location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Intertape Polymer Corp.
    Inventor: Bojan Jovanovic
  • Patent number: 11904448
    Abstract: In a control method for a hand-held power tool, a striking mechanism is driven with an electric motor, wherein an exciter piston of the pneumatic striking mechanism is driven periodically by the electric motor and a striking piston of the striking mechanism is coupled to the exciter piston via a pneumatic chamber. The method includes detecting the acceleration of a machine housing along a striking direction of the striking piston in different phases of the movement of the exciter piston; and controlling a rotational speed of an electric motor according to the detected acceleration in the different phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dario Bralla, Albert Binder, Donato Clausi, Michael Wierer, Serhey Khandozhko, Nikolaus Hannoschoeck