Patents by Inventor Craig Billman
Craig Billman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11291551Abstract: The present invention relates to an expandable prosthetic implant device for engagement between vertebrae generally comprising an inner member, outer member, and gear member positioned coaxial with respect to each other such that the inner and outer members are moveable relative to each other along an axis. The gear member is axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member and the gear member threadedly engages a threaded portion of the inner member to translate inner member along the axis. The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predetermined alignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to the exterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Globus Medical Inc.Inventors: Noah Hansell, Paul W. Millhouse, Edward Karpowicz, Matthew Hansell, William Rhoda, Andrew Lee, Michael Lee Boyer, II, Craig Billman
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Patent number: 11051664Abstract: A dispenser for sheet products includes a housing having a space inside for accommodating a stack of sheet products, wherein the housing includes a dispensing opening for dispensing a sheet product from the front of the stack, an electronic controller configured to receive a pull-out signal indicating the removal of a product from the front of the stack through the dispensing opening and, upon receiving said pull-out signal, to send out a drive signal to transfer a number of sheet products from the front of the stack into a presentation position, and a pull-out detector for detecting the removal of a product from the front of the stack through the dispensing opening and for providing the pull-out signal to the controller.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2017Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Essity Hygiene and Health AktiebolagInventors: Craig Billman, Boris Allan Elfstrom, Jason Zerweck, Rui Zhang, Kevin Murphy
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Patent number: 10869766Abstract: The present invention relates to an expandable prosthetic implant device for engagement between vertebrae generally comprising an inner member, outer member, and gear member positioned coaxial with respect to each other such that the inner and outer members are moveable relative to each other along an axis. The gear member is axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member and the gear member threadedly engages a threaded portion of the inner member to translate inner member along the axis. The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predetermined alignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to the exterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2012Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.Inventors: Noah Hansell, Paul W. Millhouse, Edward Karpowicz, Matthew Hansell, William Rhoda, Andrew Lee, Michael Lee Boyer, II, Craig Billman
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Patent number: 10602890Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing sheet products includes a housing configured to accommodate a stack of the sheet products and defines a dispensing opening, the housing having a housing body and a cover movably attached to the housing body so that the cover can be moved between an open refilling position and a closed use position, a support plate reciprocally movable within the housing body and having a support surface for supporting the stack of sheet products at one of opposite faces of the stack, a stop movable between an active position in which the stop cooperates with the support plate limiting the movability of the support plate within the housing in one direction and an inactive position, and a link movably mounted in the housing body and cooperating with the cover and the stop to move the stop into the active position upon moving the cover into the open refilling position.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2017Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Essity Hygiene and Health AktiebolagInventors: Craig Billman, Eric Kemner, Jason Zerweck, Rui Zhang, Kevin Murphy
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Publication number: 20190350417Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing sheet products includes a housing configured to accommodate a stack of the sheet products and defines a dispensing opening, the housing having a housing body and a cover movably attached to the housing body so that the cover can be moved between an open refilling position and a closed use position, a support plate reciprocally movable within the housing body and having a support surface for supporting the stack of sheet products at one of opposite faces of the stack, a stop movable between an active position in which the stop cooperates with the support plate limiting the movability of the support plate within the housing in one direction and an inactive position, and a link movably mounted in the housing body and cooperating with the cover and the stop to move the stop into the active position upon moving the cover into the open refilling position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2017Publication date: November 21, 2019Inventors: Craig Billman, Eric Kemner, Jason Zerweck, Rui Zhang, Kevin Murphy
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Publication number: 20190343344Abstract: A dispenser for sheet products includes a housing having a space inside for accommodating a stack of sheet products, wherein the housing includes a dispensing opening for dispensing a sheet product from the front of the stack, an electronic controller configured to receive a pull-out signal indicating the removal of a product from the front of the stack through the dispensing opening and, upon receiving said pull-out signal, to send out a drive signal to transfer a number of sheet products from the front of the stack into a presentation position, and a pull-out detector for detecting the removal of a product from the front of the stack through the dispensing opening and for providing the pull-out signal to the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2017Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventors: Craig Billman, Boris Allan Elfstrom, Jason Zerweck, Rui Zhang, Kevin Murphy
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Publication number: 20190167438Abstract: The present invention relates to an expandable prosthetic implant device for engagement between vertebrae generally comprising an inner member, outer member, and gear member positioned coaxial with respect to each other such that the inner and outer members are moveable relative to each other along an axis. The gear member is axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member and the gear member threadedly engages a threaded portion of the inner member to translate inner member along the axis. The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predetermined alignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to the exterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2019Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: Noah Hansell, Paul W. Millhouse, Edward Karpowicz, Matthew Hansell, William Rhoda, Andrew Lee, Michael Lee Boyer, II, Craig Billman
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Patent number: 9499369Abstract: A braking assembly used in a dispenser that dispenses a continuous supply of material such as paper. The braking assembly includes a support structure. A first fixed gear is rotatably connected to the support structure. A movable chassis is also connected to the support structure. A second movable gear is held by the chassis and moves with the chassis. Teeth of the first gear and teeth of the second gear intermesh with each other and allow the paper to pass therethrough. The chassis maintains the teeth of the first and second gears in contact with each other while enabling a distance between gears to be adjustable. The assembly further includes a braking mechanism that varies an amount of force required to rotate the gears.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2013Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: SCA TISSUE NORTH AMERICA LLCInventors: Craig Billman, Jeffrey J. Brickl, Wayne Hansen, Edward A. Raleigh, Rodney Wilson, John W. Grosz
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Patent number: 9393128Abstract: The present invention relates to an expandable prosthetic implant device for engagement between vertebrae generally comprising an inner member, outer member, and a gear member. The gear member may be axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member and the gear member may threadedly engage a threaded portion of the inner member to translate the inner member. The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predetermined alignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to the exterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2015Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: GLOBUS MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Noah Hansell, Edward Karpowicz, William Rhoda, Andrew Lee, Michael Lee Boyer, II, Craig Billman, Paul Millhouse, Matthew Hansell
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Patent number: 9370284Abstract: A retention mechanism in a dispenser for retaining an exchangeable roll of material, the retention mechanism includes a housing including a front wall. An insertion slot for a bearing pin of an end plug of the exchangeable roll extends along the front wall. A cam lock is arranged in the housing so as to be rotatable in a plane which is parallel to the front wall and to the direction of extension of the insertion slot. The cam lock includes a retaining member which is movable between an open position and a locked position by rotating the cam lock. When the retaining member is in the open position, the bearing pin can be inserted into the insertion slot, and when the retaining member is in the closed position, the bearing pin is retained in a locking section of the insertion slot.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2010Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS ABInventors: Per Moller, Martin Bonnevier, Joonas Jokitalo, Oskari Jokitalo, Craig Billman, Erik Hjort
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Patent number: 9326647Abstract: An object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for dispensing absorbent sheet material from a roll. The apparatus includes a roll holder for rotatably supporting said roll, and a roll fill level indicator arrangement. The roll fill level indicator arrangement includes a pivoting arm and a moveable first indicator device. The pivoting arm includes roll engagement device for engagement with an outer peripheral surface of said roll. A position of said first indicator device is continuously responsive to an angular position of said pivoting arm, such that said roll fill level indicator arrangement is able to provide a gradual roll fill level indication.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS ABInventors: Björn Larson, Craig Billman, John S. Formon, Erik Hjort, Per Möller
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Publication number: 20160051370Abstract: The present invention relates to an expandable prosthetic implant device for engagement between vertebrae generally comprising an inner member, outer member, and gear member positioned coaxial with respect to each other such that the inner and outer members are moveable relative to each other along an axis. The gear member is axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member and the gear member threadedly engages a threaded portion of the inner member to translate inner member along the axis. The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predetermined alignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to the exterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2012Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: Noah Hansell, Paul W. Millhouse, Edward Karpowicz, Matthew Hansell, Willam Rhoda, Andrew Lee, Michael Lee Boyer, II, Craig Billman
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Publication number: 20150209154Abstract: The present invention relates to an expandable prosthetic implant device for engagement between vertebrae generally comprising an inner member, outer member, and a gear member. The gear member may be axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member and the gear member may threadedly engage a threaded portion of the inner member to translate the inner member. The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predetermined alignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to the exterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: Noah Hansell, Edward Karpowicz, William Rhoda, Andrew Lee, Michael Lee Boyer, II, Craig Billman, Paul Millhouse, Matthew Hansell
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Patent number: 9023108Abstract: The present invention relates to an expandable prosthetic implant device for engagement between vertebrae generally comprising an inner member, outer member, and gear member positioned coaxial with respect to each other such that the inner and outer members are moveable relative to each other along an axis. The gear member is axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member and the gear member threadedly engages a threaded portion of the inner member to translate inner member along the axis. The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predetermined alignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to the exterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Globus Medical IncInventors: Noah Hansell, Edward Karpowicz, William Rhoda, Andrew Lee, Michael Lee Boyer, II, Craig Billman, Paul Millhouse, Matthew Hansell
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Publication number: 20150097068Abstract: An object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus for dispensing absorbent sheet material from a roll. The apparatus includes a roll holder for rotatably supporting said roll, and a roll fill level indicator arrangement. The roll fill level indicator arrangement includes a pivoting arm and a moveable first indicator device. The pivoting arm includes roll engagement device for engagement with an outer peripheral surface of said roll. A position of said first indicator device is continuously responsive to an angular position of said pivoting arm, such that said roll fill level indicator arrangement is able to provide a gradual roll fill level indication.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2012Publication date: April 9, 2015Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products ABInventors: Björn Larson, Craig Billman, John S. Formon, Erik Hjort, Per Möller
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Publication number: 20140081402Abstract: The present invention relates to an expandable prosthetic implant device for engagement between vertebrae generally comprising an inner member, outer member, and gear member positioned coaxial with respect to each other such that the inner and outer members are moveable relative to each other along an axis. The gear member is axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member and the gear member threadedly engages a threaded portion of the inner member to translate inner member along the axis. The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predetermined alignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to the exterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Inventors: Noah Hansell, Edward Karpowicz, William Rhoda, Andrew Lee, Michael Lee Boyer, II, Craig Billman, Paul Millhouse, Matthew Hansell
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Publication number: 20140061355Abstract: A braking assembly used in a dispenser that dispenses a continuous supply of material such as paper. The braking assembly includes a support structure. A first fixed gear is rotatably connected to the support structure. A movable chassis is also connected to the support structure. A second movable gear is held by the chassis and moves with the chassis. Teeth of the first gear and teeth of the second gear intermesh with each other and allow the paper to pass therethrough. The chassis maintains the teeth of the first and second gears in contact with each other while enabling a distance between gears to be adjustable. The assembly further includes a braking mechanism that varies an amount of force required to rotate the gears.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: SCA TISSUE NORTH AMERICA LLCInventors: Craig Billman, Jeffrey J. Brickl, Wayne Hansen, Edward A. Raleigh, Rodney Wilson, John W. Grosz
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Patent number: 8616486Abstract: A braking assembly used in a dispenser that dispenses a continuous supply of material such as paper. The braking assembly includes a support structure. A first fixed gear is rotatably connected to the support structure. A movable chassis is also connected to the support structure. A second movable gear is held by the chassis and moves with the chassis. Teeth of the first gear and teeth of the second gear intermesh with each other and allow the paper to pass therethrough. The chassis maintains the teeth of the first and second gears in contact with each other while enabling a distance between gears to be adjustable. The assembly further includes a braking mechanism that varies an amount of force required to rotate the gears.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2012Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: SCA Tissue North America LLCInventors: Craig Billman, Jeffrey J. Brickl, Wayne Hansen, Edward A. Raleigh, Rodney Wilson, John W. Grosz
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Patent number: 8590738Abstract: A dispensing system that removes individual napkins from a stack of interfolded napkins in a manner that allows the number of napkins dispensed to be easily counted and controlled so that an appropriate number of napkins are dispensed. The counted napkins are collected in an easily manageable form and presented to a user.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2009Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: SCA Tissue North America LLCInventors: John S. Formon, Craig Billman, Jeffrey J. Brickl, John W. Grosz, Wayne Hansen, Matthew T. Woerpel, Edward A. Raleigh
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Patent number: 8337559Abstract: The present invention relates to an expandable prosthetic implant device for engagement between vertebrae generally comprising an inner member, outer member, and gear member positioned coaxial with respect to each other such that the inner and outer members are moveable relative to each other along an axis. The gear member is axially fixed to the outer member and freely rotatable with respect to the outer member and the gear member threadedly engages a threaded portion of the inner member to translate inner member along the axis. The implant is configured to engage the vertebrae in a predetermined alignment and the gear member includes gear teeth exposed to the exterior and configured to be accessible by a tool member at a plurality of angular positions around the perimeter of the implant device.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2010Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.Inventors: Noah Hansell, William S Rhoda, Andrew Lee, Michael L. Boyer, II, Paul W. Millhouse, Edward Karpowicz, Matthew Hansell, Craig Billman