Patents Examined by Veronica Martin
  • Patent number: 11065750
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns improvements for a gas-powered fixing tool, and particularly a combustion chamber or precombustion chamber for a gas-powered fixing tool, a working chamber for a gas-powered fixing tool, a fuel gas injection device for a gas-powered fixing tool and a gas-powered fixing tool including one or more of these elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Cordeiro, Patrick Herelier, Frédéric Nayrac, Christian Ricordi, Alain Vettoretti
  • Patent number: 11034010
    Abstract: A hydraulic hammering device is capable of sufficiently transmitting blow energy to bedrock while further strengthening cushioning action and suppressing damage to equipment. The device includes a pushing piston disposed behind a transmission member and having a smaller propulsive force than that of a main body, a damping piston positioned behind the pushing piston to slide reciprocally forwards and backwards and having a greater propulsive force than that of the main body, a direction-restrictor in a high-pressure circuit between pushing and damping chambers, to which hydraulic fluid is supplied for providing the pistons with propulsive forces, and a fluid supply source. The direction-restrictor restricts an outflow from the chambers side to the fluid supply source side while allowing fluid inflow from the fluid supply source side to the chambers and the pushing chamber sides. A throttle in a drain circuit discharges leaked fluid from a sliding contact location to a tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Furukawa Rock Drill Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Kaneko, Masahiro Koizumi, Toshio Matsuda
  • Patent number: 11034012
    Abstract: A hand-held power tool includes an output spindle and a drive unit configured to rotationally drive the output spindle such that the drive unit can be changed over between a first direction of rotation and a second direction of rotation in order to drive the output spindle in the first or second direction of rotation. The hand-held power tool further includes at least one operating element configured to initiate a changeover operation for changing over the drive unit between the first direction of rotation and the second direction of rotation such that the at least one operating element is in form of a monostable switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Fuchs, Florian Bantle, Juergen Gairing
  • Patent number: 11026848
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to transfer and fold a partially folded absorbent article. The transfer apparatus includes a frame that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a transfer member that is rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The transfer member includes a receiving surface. While advancing absorbent article, the transfer member rotates the absorbent article about the second axis of rotation. The partially folded absorbent article is transferred to a folding apparatus. The folding apparatus advances the partially folded absorbent article such that the end regions of the belt of the partially folded absorbent article are directed away from the folding apparatus. The end regions are engaged by a folding assembly. The folding assembly guides and/or pushes the end regions toward the central region of the belt and/or the chassis to form a folded absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Michael Devin Long, Todd M. Fegelman, Matthew Alexander Gittings, Tanner Laurie Williams
  • Patent number: 11020843
    Abstract: A tool for fastening an insulator to a support, the insulator including an insulator body having a front and back, a formation for supporting a barrier, and at least one mounting formation having a front and a back by which the insulator is attached to a support, the back of the mounting formation in use being proximal to the support, at least one of the at least one mounting formation including at least one passage extending transversely through the mounting formation from the front to the back of the mounting formation, and at least one alignment member, the tool including a driver blade for driving a staple, and at least one passage alignment member, in use the at least one passage alignment member aligning at least one passage of the insulator, with one leg of a staple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Graeme Laurence Young, Gordon Douglas Irving, Simon Gerard Hall, Ashif Iqbal Memon
  • Patent number: 11015760
    Abstract: A hand-held power tool (100) may include an electric power source (110), an electric motor (120) selectively coupled to the electric power source (110), a working assembly (130) operably coupled to the electric motor (120) to perform a working function responsive to actuation of the electric motor (120), and a control assembly (140) operably coupled to the electric motor (120) to provide selective control over actuation of the electric motor (120). The control assembly (140) may be configured to provide the selective control based on performance of at least two dissimilar operator actions. The control assembly (140) may include a sensing member (210) and a throttle control member (200). The sensing member (210) may be configured to be operable to an actuated state responsive to an enabling action comprising a first of the two dissimilar operator actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Pär Martinsson, Mia Herou, Mikael Arvidsson
  • Patent number: 11000276
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a staple cartridge that defines a stepped deck. The surgical instrument further includes a staple comprised of seamless unitary structure. The staple is configured to be formed and/or stamped from a sheet of material. The staple includes a base and staple legs. A staple drive surface is integrally formed in the base, and a sled is configured to directly contact the staple drive surface to directly drive the staple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Patent number: 10987177
    Abstract: Various embodiments of tool assemblies are provided having at least one rotary input coupling and at least one linear input coupling for allowing either a rotary output or a linear output (e.g., from a tool driver on a surgical robot) to activate at least one mechanism of the tool assembly. For example, mechanisms of the tool assembly can include a clamping assembly, a firing assembly, an articulation assembly, and a roll assembly. The clamping assembly can open and close jaws of an end effector, the firing assembly can translate a knife assembly through the end effector to fire staples and cut tissue, the articulation assembly can articulate the end effector, and the roll assembly can rotate the elongate shaft and/or the end effector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Robert L. Koch
  • Patent number: 10973522
    Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a handle assembly, a central body extending distally from the handle assembly, an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The handle assembly includes a stationary handle defining a window and a tissue gap indicator assembly that includes a slide that supports indicia that is visible through the window. The indicator assembly includes a lever which couples the slide to a drive screw of the surgical stapler to translate movement of the drive screw into movement of the slide. The lever is configured and adapted to translate movement of the drive screw over a distance of X1 into movement of the slide over a distance of X2, wherein X2 is greater than X1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Xiliang Zhang
  • Patent number: 10966720
    Abstract: A surgical fastener applier including a housing containing a compartment, an elongated member extending distally from the housing, first and second jaws and a firing mechanism positioned within the housing. The firing mechanism is movable between a first position and a second position to effect firing of fasteners into the tissue clamped between the first and second jaws. A cover on the housing is openable to access the compartment. A power pack is removably loadable into the compartment, the power pack having a motor and an engagement member removably engageable with the firing mechanism within the compartment when the power pack is loaded into the compartment to effect movement of the firing mechanism from the first position to the second firing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: RevMedica, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Robert Satti, III, Jeffrey M. Ott, Thomas G. Wenchell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10959733
    Abstract: A surgical anvil assembly for use with a circular stapling instrument includes an anvil center rod defining a longitudinal axis and an anvil head pivotally coupled to the anvil center rod and movable between a first operative condition and a second tilted condition. The anvil assembly further includes a locking assembly configured to selectively lock the anvil head in each of the first and second conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joseph Guerrera, Charles R. Kollar
  • Patent number: 10959728
    Abstract: A surgical fastener applier including a housing containing a compartment, an elongated member extending distally from the housing, first and second jaws and a firing mechanism positioned within the housing. The firing mechanism is movable between a first position and a second position to effect firing of fasteners into the tissue clamped between the first and second jaws. A cover on the housing is openable to access the compartment. A power pack is removably loadable into the compartment, the power pack having a motor and an engagement member removably engageable with the firing mechanism within the compartment when the power pack is loaded into the compartment to effect movement of the firing mechanism from the first position to the second firing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: RevMedica, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Robert Satti, III, Jeffrey M. Ott, Thomas G. Wenchell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10946606
    Abstract: A machine for providing cushioning products of varying lengths from a supply of a web material having sequential transverse rows of inflated protrusions. A pair of opposing feed members form a feed nip for moving the web along a path of travel. At least one sensor detects location information for the sequential rows of inflated protrusions as the web travels along the path of travel. A severing device is moveable between (i) an engaged position to separate the web transversely or perforate the web transversely and (ii) a disengaged position. A controller is programmed (i) to receive the location information and (ii) to operatively control the severing device to move it to the engaged position when a selected row is in a determined position relative the severing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Jay D. Lepine, Brian A. Murch, Laurence B. Sperry
  • Patent number: 10941617
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of drilling ground along a drilling direction, the method comprising: providing at least first and second drill tubes (40, 42); providing an articulated and motorized manipulator arm (12) having a gripper member (30); using the gripper member (30) to take hold of the first drill tube (40); moving the gripper member in the drilling direction so as to drive the first drill tube into the ground, the gripper member releasing the first drill tube; then taking hold of the second drill tube and fastening the second drill tube to the first drill tube; and moving the gripper member so as to drive the first and second drill tubes into the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: SOLETANCHE FREYSSINET
    Inventors: Laredj Benchikh, Daniel Perpezat, Lotfi Beji, Sara Cascarino
  • Patent number: 10932783
    Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a handle assembly that supports an audible indicator mechanism including a spring biased clicker. The spring biased clicker includes a pin that is received within a pin slot or cavity in the housing of a stationary handle of the handle assembly. The pin is movable through the cavity in response to actuation of the firing trigger assembly and unapproximation of the anvil assembly to guide movement of the clicker such that the clicker 1) provides an enhanced audible indication to a clinician that the firing stroke of a firing trigger has been completed, and 2) provides an enhanced indication to a clinician that the anvil assembly has been moved back to the unapproximated or spaced position after the firing stroke has been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Xiliang Zhang
  • Patent number: 10926904
    Abstract: A process for packaging a product arranged on a support comprising unrolling a film, moving the film to a packaging assembly defining at its inside a packaging chamber, progressively moving a number of supports inside the packaging chamber of the packaging assembly, closing the packaging chamber with the film sheets held above the respective support, optionally causing one or both of: a gas withdrawal from the hermetically closed packaging chamber and gas injection of a gas mixture of controlled composition, heat sealing the film to said support, wherein the heat sealing uses one or more heaters having heating surfaces which are heated for discrete and short time periods only. An apparatus for performing the above process is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Cryovac, LLC
    Inventors: Jvanohe Rizzi, Stepfano Capitani
  • Patent number: 10926896
    Abstract: A device is depicted and described for the single-sided closure of packaging sleeves for the production of composite packages, in particular carton/plastic-composite packages, by forming by means of a mandrel wheel with a plurality of mandrels arranged distributed uniformly over the circumference and directed radially outwards, which pass successively through several processing stations in the circumferential direction of the mandrel wheel, wherein each mandrel has a head on its free end, on which the folding sections to be closed of the packaging sleeve slid onto the mandrel are folded and sealed in the closed position, and wherein the head of the mandrel is designed to be variable in its outer dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: SIG Technology AG
    Inventors: Thomas Vetten, Jürgen Richter
  • Patent number: 10912565
    Abstract: A handle assembly for a surgical stapler can comprise a rotatable actuation shaft. The actuation shaft can have a first rotational orientation in which it can actuate a jaw assembly in a repeatable open and close mode, a second rotational orientation in which it can actuate a jaw assembly in a staple firing mode, and a third rotational orientation in which it can actuate a jaw assembly in a reversing mode. The handle assembly can include a rotational mechanism arranged to discretely position the rotatable actuation shaft in one of the rotational orientations. The rotational mechanism can be arranged for single handed operation such as by including a slidable switch or selector to rotate the actuation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation
    Inventors: Atal C. Patel, Jonathan Covach, Christina N. Reed, Gary M. Johnson, Matthew M. Becerra
  • Patent number: 10906684
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for, or method of, packaging a product within a packaging bag, wherein the packaging bag includes an inner liner and an outer liner. The method including the steps of marking the inner liner with a first marking unit, filling the bag with the product, and subsequently marking the outer liner with a second marking unit. The markings may be machine readable and/or randomly generated and stored in a database. The system may further include a machine reader, which is capable of accessing the database, and which is capable of reading the markings on the inner liner and/or the outer liner, to thus determine if an outer liner subsequently removed from an inner liner is/was the same outer liner associated with the same inner liner, at the time when the bag was filled and/or packaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: TECHNOPAK LIMITED
    Inventors: Henricus Jacobus Johannes Hermans, Shane Robert Reckin
  • Patent number: 10889391
    Abstract: A zipper closure device for use with a turret type flexible pouch fill machine. The zipper closer device has a pair of rollers supported by an arm which is permitted to oscillate within a support module. The support module is mounted such that the rollers oscillate in a radial direction with respect to the access of rotation of the turret. The support module is supported by an arm in a post which permits positioning of the closer device with respect to the position of the pouches to be closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Pouch Pac Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Emmanuel K. Christophel