Patents Issued in August 4, 2020
  • Patent number: 10730176
    Abstract: A hand tool comprises a handle having a central area having a lower end and an upper end and a pair of outwardly extending arms at the upper end, and a shaft having a fixed end connected to the lower end of the central area and an open opposite end for receiving a tool bit. A ratchet mechanism is formed between the shaft and the central area to control rotational movement of the shaft. A ring is releasably mounted on the shaft and capable of limited movement relative to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventor: David Plehn-Citrone
  • Patent number: 10730177
    Abstract: A tool cabinet includes a cabinet body, a plurality of storage members, an input device, and an output device. The cabinet body has first and second openings. The input device includes a cord winder and a power cord. The power cord has a plug portion exposed from the first opening, and a cord portion connected between the cord winder and the plug portion. At least a portion of the cord portion is pulled out of the first opening when the plug portion is moved to a non-retracted position. The cord winder includes a resilient member for biasing the plug portion toward a retracted position. The output device includes a power strip electrically connected to the power cord, and having a plurality of sockets that is exposed from the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventor: Chia-Ming Liu
  • Patent number: 10730178
    Abstract: An operator supervising a wearer of an exoskeleton is verified by performing a verification routine on the operator using the exoskeleton. If the verification routine is unsuccessful, the exoskeleton is caused to follow a pre-established response routine. If the verification routine is successful, movement of the exoskeleton is allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ekso Bionics, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Harding, Niel McCaffrey, Kurt Amundson, Reuben Sandler, Adam Zoss, Katherine Strausser
  • Patent number: 10730179
    Abstract: A method is provided for constructing a robotic arm including a plurality of links and a rope assembly. The method includes providing the rope assembly having a rope with a plurality of rope bearings threaded thereon; and attaching the plurality of rope bearings of the rope assembly to the plurality of links of the robotic arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew Crispin Graham, Jason Curle, Trevor Hawke
  • Patent number: 10730180
    Abstract: A teleoperated robotic system that utilizes a graphical user interface (GUI) to perform work on a workpiece(s) using a robot. A coordinate system of the GUI is correlated to the tool center point (TCP) of the robot and the TCP or workspace of a teleoperated member, such as a haptic joystick. Operable manipulation of the teleoperated member is correlated to a movement at a particular location in the robot station, such as movement of the TCP of the robot. The GUI can also provide digital representations of the workpiece, which is based on inputted and/or scanned information relating to a reference workpiece and/or the particular workpiece on which the robot is performing work. The GUI can further provide indications of the various stages of assembly of the workpiece, as well as an indication of work already, or to be, performed on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Gregory F. Rossano, Carlos Martinez, Jianjun Wang, Biao Zhang, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge
  • Patent number: 10730181
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer-readable media storing executable instructions, for enhancing robot learning. In some implementations, a robot stores first embeddings generated using a first machine learning model, and the first embeddings include one or more first private embeddings that are not shared with other robots. The robot receives a second machine learning model from a server system over a communication network. The robot generates a second private embedding for each of the one or more first private embeddings using the second machine learning model. The robot adds the second private embeddings to the cache of the robot and removes the one or more first private embeddings from the cache of the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Nareshkumar Rajkumar, Patrick Leger, Abhinav Gupta
  • Patent number: 10730182
    Abstract: To provide an action information learning device, robot control system and action information learning method for facilitating the performing of cooperative work by an operator with a robot. An action information learning device includes: a state information acquisition unit that acquires a state of a robot; an action information output unit for outputting an action, which is adjustment information for the state; a reward calculation section for acquiring determination information, which is information about a handover time related to handover of a workpiece, and calculating a value of reward in reinforcement learning based on the determination information thus acquired; and a value function update section for updating a value function by way of performing the reinforcement learning based on the value of reward calculated by the reward calculation section, the state and the action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Yamamoto, Yuusuke Kurihara
  • Patent number: 10730183
    Abstract: A controller has a state observation unit to acquire a present state of a robot as a state variable, a label data acquisition unit to acquire, as a label, a detected value of a force sensor attached to an arm and to detect necessary data for control of a pressing force, and a learning unit to generate a learning model indicative of the correlation between the state variable acquired in a no-load state and the label acquired under the state variable acquired in the no-load state and to estimate the detected value of the force sensor. The controller controls the pressing force by using the detected value of the force sensor acquired in the present state of the robot acquired in a loaded state and the detected value of the force sensor estimated by the learning unit based on the present state of the robot acquired in the loaded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tamotsu Sakai
  • Patent number: 10730184
    Abstract: A control system (10) according to the present invention includes a robot arm (11) provided in a manner capable of moving in a given space, a motor (14) for operating the robot arm (11), a torque adjustment device (16) for operating in a manner capable of adjusting a transmitted torque that is transmitted from the motor (14) to the robot arm (11), and a control device (19) for performing operation control of the robot arm (11). The robot arm (11) is provided with a gravity-compensating mechanism (12) for cancelling an effect of gravity due to the robot arm (11), and the control device (19) commands adjustment of the transmitted torque at the torque adjustment device (16), without taking into account the effect of the gravity of the robot arm (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: WASEDA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Alexander Schmitz, Soumya Bhavaraju, Yoshihiro Sakamoto, Gonzaro Aguirre Dominguez, Ritsuki Sato, Wei Wang, Shigeki Sugano
  • Patent number: 10730185
    Abstract: A system for inspecting, cleaning, and/or repairing one or more blades attached to a rotor of a gas turbine engine. The system includes a track disposed adjacent to the rotor, a mechanical arm moveable along the track, a number of tools attachable to the mechanical arm, and a controller configured to control a position of at least one of the tools that is attached to the mechanical arm about the one or more blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Zachary L. Walters, Maxwell E. Miller, Robert E. Huth
  • Patent number: 10730186
    Abstract: A method and device for the open-loop/closed-loop control of a robot joint that is driven by an electric motor are provided, wherein the robot joint has a current sensor that comprises first sensor electronics for detecting a first operating current of the electric motor, a first position sensor for detecting a drive position of a drive train of the robot joint, a second position sensor for defecting an output position of an output train of the robot joint, and a first torque sensor for detecting a torque in the output train, wherein the electric motor is controlled by open-loop/closed-loop control on the basis of a pre-determined target control variable. The method comprises: providing measured values; checking for the presence of a fault by the first fault detector when the measured values and/or time derivatives thereof fail to satisfy first threshold values; and checking for a fault with further fault detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Kastanienbaum GmbH
    Inventor: Sami Haddadin
  • Patent number: 10730187
    Abstract: An endoscope captures images of a surgical site for display in a viewing area of a monitor. When a tool is outside the viewing area, a GUI indicates the position of the tool by positioning a symbol in a boundary area around the viewing area so as to indicate the tool position. The distance of the out-of-view tool from the viewing area may be indicated by the size, color, brightness, or blinking or oscillation frequency of the symbol. A distance number may also be displayed on the symbol. The orientation of the shaft or end effector of the tool may be indicated by an orientation indicator superimposed over the symbol, or by the orientation of the symbol itself. When the tool is inside the viewing area, but occluded by an object, the GUI superimposes a ghost tool at its current position and orientation over the occluding object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David Q. Larkin, Thomas R. Nixon, David S. Mintz
  • Patent number: 10730188
    Abstract: A gripping device for gripping an egg tray (3A) having a dimpled structure includes a gripping unit (4) that is movable up and down to engage and grip the egg tray (3A) and move it. The gripping unit comprises (4) at least a pair of opposite grip ping members (42A, 42B) which are movable in opposite directions, substantially transverse to the up and down movement of the unit (4), from a retracted position to an advanced position to grip a dimple (31) of the egg tray (3A), and from the advanced position to the retracted position to release the dimple. Each gripping member (42A, 42B) of said pair has a separate pressure operated actuator (46) operatively connected to it. The actuator (46), upon pressurization, moves the corresponding gripping member (42A, 42B) from the retracted position to the advanced position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: SANOVO TECHNOLOGY NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Edwin Lambertus Maria Papen, Dirk Willem Wikkerink, Erik Pieter Van Gaasbeek, Hielke Dijkstra
  • Patent number: 10730189
    Abstract: [Object] To enable further suppression of the movement amount of an arm section when switching states. [Solution] There is provided a control apparatus configured to execute a current tracking control on a basis of a measurement value of a torque sensor of an actuator provided in at least one of multiple joint sections included in an arm section of a medical support arm apparatus, the current tracking control causing a motor of the actuator to output torque by which a position and an attitude of the arm section are maintained, and switch a first state in which the motor is driven in accordance with a predetermined control method, and a second state in which the joint section is locked using a brake of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yohei Kuroda, Tetsuharu Fukushima, Fumiyasu Suzuki, Toshimitsu Tsuboi
  • Patent number: 10730190
    Abstract: A side-loading robotic arm for use with front-end loaders. The robotic arm is configured to separately and independently attach to the forks of the front-end loader, relative to a liftable container. With this configuration, the robotic arm is useable with any type of liftable container that might be useable with the front-end loader. The robotic arm includes a tip arm that is pivotable between a stowed position and an operational position. The stowed position stores the tip arm and gripper arms inside a vertical plane of the lifting forks of the front-end loader. The operational position extends the tip arm and gripper arms outside of the vertical plane of the major lifting arms of the front-end loader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventor: Anthony Stephen Kouri
  • Patent number: 10730191
    Abstract: A monitoring device of a robot system including: a current sensor detecting a value of a current flowing through the servo motor; a current/torque converting the value of the current flowing through the servo motor which is detected by the current sensor into a torque value; a driving torque estimating section estimating at least a part of driving torque required to drive the servo motor; a differential torque calculating differential torque between the torque value obtained by conversion in the current/torque converting section and an estimated value of the driving torque; an external force converting the differential torque calculated by the differential torque calculating section into an external force applied to the robot; and a stop signal generating section which generates to stop the robot based on a value of the external force obtained by conversion in the external force converting section, and supplies the stop signal to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Muneto
  • Patent number: 10730192
    Abstract: A glove box for handling harmful material is formed to be lightweight and modular in design, allowing for use in the field and various remote locations where a full laboratory is not available. The tank portion of the glove box is formed of a rigid, lightweight plastic and includes a number of standard-sized passageways for connecting other components (intake filter, exhaust filter, input/output containers, gasketed gloves, etc), allowing for modularity in its configuration. The top portion of the glove box may include a transparent window for viewing the material within the glove box. Filter components utilize HEPA filter elements and a separate, portable power supply is used to control a vacuum fan included in an exhaust filter. The power supply can also be used to perform diagnostic tests on the glove and may include a battery back-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventors: Marc Cordes, Paul LaHaye
  • Patent number: 10730193
    Abstract: A cutter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a blade body that includes a base body portion and a cutting edge portion disposed along an end portion of the base body portion and connected to the end portion. The base body portion contains a first metal. The cutting edge portion contains a second metal and a plurality of hard particles having hardness higher than that of the second metal. A cutter according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a blade body that includes a base body portion and a cutting edge portion disposed along an end portion of the base body portion and connected to the end portion. The base body portion contains a first metal as a primary component. The cutting edge portion contains, as a primary component, a second metal having hardness lower than that of the first metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takanori Nishihara
  • Patent number: 10730194
    Abstract: A sewer's multi-tool assembly for performing multiple sewing tasks with a single tool includes a pair of scissors that is hingedly coupled together for cutting fabric. A pair of magnets is provided and each of the magnets is coupled to a respective one of the scissors. Each of the magnets magnetically engages a sewing machine when the scissors are positioned on the sewing machine. In this way the scissors are inhibited from falling off the sewing machine. A pair of grips is each coupled to a respective one of the scissors for transporting the object without cutting the object. Each of the grips is spaced apart from each other when the scissors are closed such that neither of the grips impedes the scissors from closing and thusly cutting. A seam ripper is coupled to a respective one of the grips for ripping seams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventor: Diana Jean Marble
  • Patent number: 10730195
    Abstract: One feature pertains to cutters that include a first lever, a second lever having a bottom edge, and a cutting lever having a top edge. A first member rotatably couples the first lever to the second lever, a second member couples the cutting lever to the first lever and/or the second lever, where the second member provides a pivot for the cutting lever to rotate relative to the second lever. A means for rotating the cutting lever relative to the second lever to move the top edge toward or away from the bottom edge when the first lever's first end is moved relative to the second lever's first end is provided, where the first lever, the second lever, and the cutting lever are arranged in a side-by-side configuration such that each has a longitudinal axis that is parallel to each other when the cutters are in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventor: Paul Brainard
  • Patent number: 10730196
    Abstract: System and method for improving the shaving experience by providing improved visibility of the skin shaving area. A digital camera is integrated with the electric shaver for close image capturing of shaving area, and displaying it on a display unit. The display unit can be integral part of the electric shaver casing, or housed in a separated device which receives the image via a communication channel. The communication channel can be wireless (using radio, audio or light) or wired, such as dedicated cabling or using powerline communication. A light source is used to better illuminate the shaving area. Video compression and digital image processing techniques are used for providing for improved shaving results. The wired communication medium can simultaneously be used also for carrying power from the electric shaver assembly to the display unit, or from the display unit to the electric shaver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: May Patents Ltd.
    Inventor: Yehuda Binder
  • Patent number: 10730197
    Abstract: A hair cutting appliance is configured to be moved through hair in a moving direction in order to cut hair. The hair cutting appliance includes a housing portion, a blade set having a skin-facing top surface, and a releasable attachment comb. The blade set is arranged pivotably with respect to the housing portion. The attachment comb includes a supporting frame, at least one spacing guard element configured to space the blade set from a working surface when in operation, a mounting portion configured to be attached to a housing portion of the hair cutting appliance, and an orientation determining portion configured to engage the blade set and to define a locking orientation of the blade set when mounted to the hair cutting appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Luca Iaccarino, Britt Roumen, Martinus Bernardus Stapelbroek, Jan Bennik, Johan Pragt, Remy Amos Abraham Ripandelli, Robbert Freerk Johan Van Der Scheer, Albert Jan Aitink, Roalnd Van Straaten, Everhardus Johannes Hoexum, Jan Van Dalen
  • Patent number: 10730198
    Abstract: Within tyre manufacturing, a reinforcing structure of the tyre, such as the zero-degree layer of the belt structure, is made by an apparatus having devices for guiding a continuous elongated element towards a forming drum, devices for applying the elongated element against a laying surface of the drum, and a cutting unit to cut off the continuous elongated element when application has been completed. Once the cutting operation has been carried out, the free end of the continuous elongated element is set to a grip position downstream of the cutting unit, through a reciprocating slider and a threading element blocking the continuous elongated element with respect to the slider when the latter moves towards the forming drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Mauro Bigogno, Gianni Portinari
  • Patent number: 10730199
    Abstract: A circular saw guide is provided having an upper frame member with a plurality of angular indicia on an edge thereof. A lower frame member is pivotable relative to said the frame member. The upper surface of the lower frame member is adapted to receive a workpiece to be cut thereon. A pivot member is provided for selectively preventing or allowing pivoting of the lower frame member relative to the upper frame member. The upper surface of the upper frame member is adapted to guide the footplate of the circular saw. By pivoting the lower frame member relative to the upper frame member, the edge of the workpiece can be aligned with a desired indicia, which is indicative of the angle that the board will be cut. A method of cutting a workpiece at a desired angle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventor: Marko Stankovic
  • Patent number: 10730200
    Abstract: A bucking apparatus to be used in conjunction with a loader and topping saw that are mounted to a logging platform or trailer. The bucking apparatus is attached to the loader and includes a plurality of hatches. The hatches can be adjusted for different lengths so that different length logs can be cut when eliminating faults from the trees. The hatches of the bucking apparatus are measured to be particular distances from the topping saw and so, when a tree is pulled through the topping saw with the loader, the end being held can be aligned with one of the hatches, and then the saw can be engaged thus creating a log of the particular length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventor: Jeremy Wheeler
  • Patent number: 10730201
    Abstract: A tool for machining chamfers includes a tool body defining a first reference and a second reference configured for proper positioning of the tool body on a workpiece. A router port is defined through the tool body to provide access to the workpiece for a router. A router attachment proximate the router port is configured to position a router mounted to the router attachment for machining a chamfer in the workpiece with reference to the first and second references.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sven R. Lofstrom, Ryan Lehto, Joshua Richards
  • Patent number: 10730202
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing OSB wood material panels, in particular OSB wood material panels having reduced emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including the following steps: a) producing wood strands from suitable woods; b) torrefying at least some of the wood strands; c) glue-coating the torrefied wood strands and non-torrefied wood strands with at least one binder; d) scattering the glue-coated wood strands onto a conveyor belt; and e) pressing the glue-coated wood strands to form a wood material panel. The invention further relates to an OSB wood material panel that can be produced in accordance with said method and to the use of torrefied wood strands to reduce the emission of VOCs from OSB wood material panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: SWISS KRONO Tec AG
    Inventors: Norbert Kalwa, Ingo Lehnhoff
  • Patent number: 10730203
    Abstract: A method of making a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) article by combining a preceramic polymer with one or more sized nanopowders and optional surfactants and/or solvents to form a mixture suitable for 3D printing, depositing the mixture on a mandrel, curing it to form a green body, and pyrolyzing the green body such that the nanocrystalline surface of the CMC article has sufficiently the same surface roughness and figure accuracy of the mandrel to enable the CMC article to be used without further polishing. The mixture can be a paste or slurry that is self supporting and exhibit pseudoplastic rheology. The preceramic polymer is preferably a precursor to SiC, and the nanopowders preferably comprise SiC. The article can be densified by using polymer infiltration pyrolysis, with or without nanoparticles. The curing and pyrolysis of the article can be performed with microwave radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Goodman Technologies LLC
    Inventor: William A. Goodman
  • Patent number: 10730204
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, methods and resins for additive manufacturing. In one embodiment, a method for additive manufacturing of a ceramic structure includes providing a resin including a preceramic polymer and inorganic ceramic filler particles dispersed in the preceramic polymer. The preceramic polymer is configured to convert to a ceramic phase. The method includes functionalizing inorganic ceramic filler particles with a reactive group and applying an energy source to the resin to create at least one layer of the ceramic phase from the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Wayde R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10730205
    Abstract: The improved mold assembly for cultured marble molding is provided. The mold assembly can comprise a male mold portion and a female mold portion. The assembly can further comprise a molding tool. The molding tool can have a side wall having an upper curved portion and a lower curved portion. The molding tool can have a bowl portion and an apron portion spaced from the bowl portion by a gap. The molding tool can be constructed from a flexible and/or soft material. The molding tool can facilitate molding of a countertop having at least one seamless curved edge and/or an at least partially seamless sink portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: RSI HOME PRODUCTS MANAGEMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Damian J. Le Duff, Manuel Alvarez
  • Patent number: 10730206
    Abstract: Provided are methods for producing a thermoplastic vulcanizate and thermoplastic vulcanizates provided therein. The method includes introducing vulcanizable rubber, thermoplastic resin, a masterbatch of a propylene-based elastomer and a cure accelerator for a phenolic resin curative to the reactor, and phenolic resin curative to a reactor and dynamically vulcanizing the rubber with the phenolic resin curative in the presence of the cure accelerator and the thermoplastic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Declan Whelan, Stephen F. Roche, Porter C. Shannon
  • Patent number: 10730207
    Abstract: The invention relates to the film products and methods of their preparation that demonstrate a non-self-aggregating uniform heterogeneity. Desirably, the films disintegrate in water and may be formed by a controlled drying process, or other process that maintains the required uniformity of the film. The films contain a polymer component, which includes polyethylene oxide optionally blended with hydrophilic cellulosic polymers. Desirably, the films also contain a pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic active agent with no more than a 10% variance of the active agent pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic active agent per unit area of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Aquestive Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert K. Yang, Richard C. Fuisz, Garry L. Myers, Joseph M. Fuisz
  • Patent number: 10730208
    Abstract: In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, embodiments of the present disclosure, in one aspect, relate to porous polymer membranes, structures including porous polymer membranes, devices including porous polymer membranes, methods of using porous polymer membranes, methods of making porous polymer membranes, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Yin Fang, Khalid Askar, Blayne M. Phillips, Peng Jiang
  • Patent number: 10730209
    Abstract: A composite friction unit of a three dimensional composite body is formed in a system for continuous process manufacturing of composite friction units. The system uses a plurality of rolls of reinforcing fiber fabrics, a resin dispensing system that receives a panel of reinforcing fiber fabric from each one of the rolls and separately dispenses resin through a plurality of dispensing tubes, each associated with a different panel, onto a surface of each panel. A forming die is positioned to receive the plurality of panels of reinforcing fiber fabric after resin is dispensed onto the panels and is configured to form a composite panel from the plurality of panels of reinforcing fiber fabrics. A cutting mechanism cuts a desired shape part from the composite panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventor: Benjamin V. Booher
  • Patent number: 10730210
    Abstract: Systems and methods of providing a composite material that is bendable but substantially resists stretching under tension. One embodiment may take the form of a composite material formed by over-molding a woven glass fiber with silicone. The woven glass fiber may be rolled out with a silicon polymer melted into the woven fabric as the rolling process continues. The composite of the two materials may provide a material that bends easily but does not substantially stretch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Derek C. Krass, Douglas J. Weber, Jen-Chun Hsu, Osamu Yabe
  • Patent number: 10730211
    Abstract: A method and configuration for automated operation of a two-roll mill. Also provided is a method for continuous or semi-continuous operation of a two-roll mill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Cabot Corporation
    Inventors: Ron Grosz, Lawrence R. Gooch
  • Patent number: 10730212
    Abstract: An opening/closing device (14) includes: a stationary platen (20); a movable platen (22) capable of moving toward or away from the stationary platen (20); an opening/closing mechanism (28) having a plurality of toggle links (30, 31, 32) at least one (32) of which is connected to the movable platen (22); a driving device (37) including a cross head (26) connected to at least one (30) of the toggle links and capable of moving the movable platen (22); and a control portion (50). The control portion (50) is configured to control the cross head (26) such that the movable platen (22) moves at fixed speed during fine die-opening operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Nagami, Takeshi Iida
  • Patent number: 10730213
    Abstract: An inclined type injection molding machine, comprising an injection part with a glue injection spray nozzle, an injection platform seat and a rack. The rack comprises a die closing and locking mechanism configured to install a die having a die pouring gate on the top center of the die. The injection platform seat has a horizontal base and an inclined surface, and the injection part is erected on the inclined surface with the injection platform seat horizontally erected at the part of the rack. The central line of the injection part is inclined to the central line of the die closing and locking mechanism, and the die closing and locking mechanism drives the die to perform a die opening and die closing motion in which the glue injection spray nozzle is able to keep contact with or be separated from the die pouring gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: GUANGDONG WEIDA INTELLIGENT EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hanrui Chen, Yongjun Huang, Zhongtiao Chen
  • Patent number: 10730214
    Abstract: A decorative sheet decorates a molded-article body in which a fiber-reinforced part, which constitutes a molded article with the molded-article body and contains a matrix resin having fibers and an epoxy group, is exposed to a surface. The decorative sheet includes an adhesive layer containing an amino-group-containing compound, the adhesive layer having an amino group that reacts with the matrix resin when bonding with the fiber-reinforced part. The decorative sheet also includes a decorative layer disposed on the adhesive layer and for decorating the surface of the molded-article body. The decorative sheet also includes a base film that is disposed on the decorative layer and has a polycarbonate-resin layer containing a polycarbonate resin and an inner-side acrylic-resin layer containing an acrylic resin. The inner-side acrylic-resin layer is disposed on the decorative layer, and the polycarbonate-resin layer is disposed on the inner-side acrylic-resin layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: NISSHA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Kashiwagi, Isao Yamamoto, Shinichi Kitamura, Takenori Yoshida, Michiyasu Okuda
  • Patent number: 10730215
    Abstract: An insert molding apparatus includes a forming die in which a first part is arranged, and that molds resin such that a portion of the first part is exposed; and a first mounting part that is arranged at a portion where the first part is exposed, and that has a passage that passes through a space in the forming die into which the molten resin is supplied and a portion where the first part is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOKAI KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuo Hirasawa, Kenji Tamura
  • Patent number: 10730216
    Abstract: An injection moulding apparatus and method for producing a moulded article is disclosed herein. In a described embodiment, the method comprises: (i) securing a layer of film to a part of a first mould half at step 504; (ii) adjusting relative position of the first mould component and a second mould component to an initial moulding position at step 506 to define a mould cavity; (iii) injecting molten moulding material into the mould cavity at step 508 to enable the molten moulding material to contact the layer of protective film; (iv) moving a movable core at step 510 to compress the molten moulding material in the mould cavity; and (v) cooling the compressed molten moulding material at step 514 to bond the layer of film to the cooled moulding material to form the moulded article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Uniplas Enterprises Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Soe Zen Njoo, Kar Cheong Lim
  • Patent number: 10730217
    Abstract: A numerical controller instructs a robot or an automated machine (external device), in relation to a main task for which a retrying operation thereof has occurred, to execute, instead of or in addition to the main task, a sorting task to distinguish an exception molded product, which was produced from a time when a determination result became successful, and until a physical quantity to be measured lies within a management range, or until a stand-by time elapses, from a normal molded product produced before the occurrence of the retrying operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hajime Oono, Naoaki Seki, Ryousuke Mori
  • Patent number: 10730218
    Abstract: A pelletizing system including a supporting rail, a pelletizer that is suspended from the supporting rail, a suspension base, a supporting arm, and an articulated arm. The supporting arm is supported at a first end on the suspension base by means of a first swivel joint and is hinged to the supporting rail at a second end by means of a second swivel joint. The articulated arm includes a first articulated arm branch which is connected to a second articulated arm branch by a third swivel joint. The first articulated arm branch is supported on the suspension base by means of a fourth swivel joint, and the second articulated arm branch is hinged to the supporting rail by means of a fifth swivel joint. In an embodiment, the first through fifth swivel joints each have an essentially vertical swivel axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: MAAG AUTOMATIK GMBH
    Inventors: Juergen Veltel, Matthias Berrendorf
  • Patent number: 10730219
    Abstract: To provide a method for producing a fluororesin film, whereby defects due to deterioration (such as fish-eyes due to gelation) of a melt-processable fluororesin are less likely to occur during the production. A method for producing a fluororesin film, which comprises extruding a fluororesin material containing a melt-processable fluororesin through an extruder die, wherein the temperature of the extruder die is from 305 to 355° C., and the average flow velocity v0.95 of the fluororesin material as obtained by v0.95=Q0.95/A0.95, is at least 1×10?4 m/sec. Here, when the distance from the flow inlet 22 of the extruder die to the end of the manifold 24 of the extruder die is set to be x=1, Q0.95 is the flow rate (m3/sec) of the fluororesin material flowing in the manifold 24 at a position of x=0.95 from the flow inlet 22, and A0.95 is the cross-sectional area (m2) of the manifold 24 at a position of x=0.95 from the flow inlet 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: AGC Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Higuchi, Seigo Kotera
  • Patent number: 10730220
    Abstract: Three-dimensional polymeric strand netting, wherein a plurality of the polymeric strands are periodically joined together in a regular pattern at bond regions throughout the array, wherein a majority of the polymeric strands are periodically bonded to at least two (three, four, five, six, or more) adjacent polymeric strands, and wherein no polymeric strands are continuously bonded to a polymeric strand. Three-dimensional polymeric strand netting described herein have a variety of uses, including wound care, tapes, filtration, absorbent articles, pest control articles, geotextile applications, water/vapor management in clothing, reinforcement for nonwoven articles, self bulking articles, floor coverings, grip supports, athletic articles, and pattern coated adhesives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ronald W. Ausen, Thomas P. Hanschen, William J. Kopecky
  • Patent number: 10730221
    Abstract: A multilayer film having Machine Direction Orientation (MDO) is prepared by first co-extruding a multilayer film, then stretching the multilayer film in the machine direction at a temperature lower than the melting point of the polyethylene resin that is used to prepare the film. At least one layer of the film is a first polyethylene composition having a density of from about 0.94 to about 0.97 g/cc and at least one second layer is prepared from a polyethylene composition having a lower density than the first polyethylene composition. This disclosure enables the manufacture of films having outstanding barrier properties (low Water Vapor Transmission Rate, WVTR, and low Oxygen Transmission Rate, OTR) and good physical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.
    Inventors: Nitin Borse, Norman Aubee
  • Patent number: 10730222
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a die assembly for producing a microcapillary film. The die assembly includes a first die plate, a second die plate, a plurality of multi-jackbolt tensioners connecting the first die plate to the second die plate, a manifold, and a plurality of nozzles. The manifold is located between the pair of die plates and defines a plurality of film channels therebetween. The plurality of film channels converge into an elongate outlet, wherein a thermoplastic material is extrudable through the plurality of film channels and the elongate outlet to form a microcapillary film. The plurality of nozzles are located between the plurality of film channels. The plurality of nozzles are operatively connected to a source of channel fluid for emitting the channel fluid between layers of the microcapillary film, whereby a plurality of microcapillary channels are formed in the microcapillary film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Wenyi Huang, Jeffrey D. Wenzel, Jie Feng, Robert E. Wrisley, Hyunwoo Kim, Kurt A. Koppi, Scott R. Kaleyta, Thomas J. Parsons, Nicolas Cardoso Mazzola, Harpreet Singh
  • Patent number: 10730223
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a process for producing thermoplastic polyolefin roofing membrane. The process includes directly adding components of a high-load flame retardant TPO formulation to a counter-rotating twin screw extruder. The process includes extruding the formulation with counter-rotation of the twin screws and forming a TPO roofing membrane having a tensile strength of greater than 10 MPa and a flame retardance of rating of classification D as measured in accordance with EN ISO 11925-2, surface exposure test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Aleksandar Stoiljkovic, Stefan Ultsch, Xiaosong Wu
  • Patent number: 10730224
    Abstract: A container manufacturing device having a preform manufacturing portion, a conveyor, a blow molding device, where the preform is to the blow molding device while maintain the residual heat from the preform manufacturing portion. The preform manufacturing portion includes a molding die and a feeder for supplying a molten thermoplastic resin to a cavity of the molding die. In the blow molding portion, liquid is used to mold the preform into a container of a predetermined shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Discma AG
    Inventor: Shigeki Morikami
  • Patent number: 10730225
    Abstract: A crisscross thermoforming assist plug assembly having a pair of oppositely outwardly facing thermoforming assist plugs each carried by a respective one of a pair of thermoforming assist plug linkage arrangements, where at least one link of the linkage arrangement is used to extend one of the assist plugs in one direction crosses but does not contact in a side view or profile of the thermoforming assist plug assembly, and at least one link of the other linkage arrangement is used to extend the other one of the assist plugs in an opposite direction. The links of the linkage arrangement preferably pivot about a common pivot axis that preferably is an elongate pivot shaft extending transversely between elongate upper rails of a frame of the assembly. At least one of the links of the linkage arrangement is a drive link that extends or retracts one of the plugs that crosses a drive link that extends and/or retracts the other one of the plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Milsco, LLC
    Inventors: John Kucharski, Kyle Donovan