Patents Issued in December 8, 2020
  • Patent number: 10857669
    Abstract: A modular robotic system that includes a plurality of self-configuring robots. Each self-configuring robot includes a frame structure having a plurality of cylindrical bonding magnets positioned along the edges of the frame structure. The frame structure includes magnetic, non-gendered, hinges on any of the edges of the frame. The hinges provide enough force to maintain a pivot axis through various motions. The cylindrical bonding magnets are free to rotate allowing for multiple self-configurations with other like self-configuring robots. A movement generator is positioned within the frame structure that pivots to generate multi-axis movement allowing both robust self-reconfiguration with the other self-configuring robots and independent locomotion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Daniela Rus, John W. Romanishin, Kyle W. Gilpin
  • Patent number: 10857670
    Abstract: A modular robotic system that includes a plurality of self-configuring robots. Each self-configuring robot includes a frame structure having a plurality of cylindrical bonding magnets positioned along the edges of the frame structure. The frame structure includes magnetic, non-gendered, hinges on any of the edges of the frame. The hinges provide enough force to maintain a pivot axis through various motions. The cylindrical bonding magnets are free to rotate allowing for multiple self-configurations with other like self-configuring robots. A movement generator is positioned within the frame structure that pivots to generate multi-axis movement allowing both robust self-reconfiguration with the other self-configuring robots and independent locomotion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Daniela Rus, John W. Romanishin, Kyle W. Gilpin
  • Patent number: 10857671
    Abstract: A robot includes a first arm rotatable around a first axis, a second arm connected to the first arm at a second axis which is parallel to the first axis and around which the second arm is rotatable, a third arm connected to the second arm at a third axis which is parallel to the first axis and around which the third arm is rotatable, a distal-end swingable portion rotatably connected to the third arm, a distal end rotatably connected to the distal-end swingable portion, a fourth actuator configured to rotate the distal-end swingable portion and including a first motor having a first motor rotation axis, and a fifth actuator configured to rotate the distal end and including a second motor having a second motor rotation axis that is parallel to the first motor rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventors: Yusuke Kinoshita, Eiji Fujitsu, Kazuyoshi Nogami
  • Patent number: 10857672
    Abstract: Provided is a real-time robot controlling system which includes a first layer comprising one or more control target devices; a second layer comprising a device control module controlling directly the devices at upper level of the first layer; a third layer comprising a shared memory connected to the device control module at upper level of the second layer; a fourth layer comprising one or more agents performing independent processes using the shared memory at upper level of the third layer; and a fifth layer controlling the one or more agents according to user commands at upper level of the fourth layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: RAINBOW ROBOTICS
    Inventors: Jung Ho Lee, Jeong Soo Lim
  • Patent number: 10857673
    Abstract: A simulation device for a robot rearranging articles in a random arrangement on a conveyor to a regular arrangement while tracking the conveyor. The simulation device includes a model locating section for locating a conveyor model, a plurality of article models, a sensor model and an arraying robot model in a virtual space; a conveying motion simulating section for making the conveyor model convey the article models in the random arrangement; a detecting motion simulating section for making the sensor model obtain position information of the article models; an arrangement pattern generating section for generating an arrangement pattern on the conveyor model; and an arraying motion simulating section for making the arraying robot model pick up the article models in the random arrangement and place the picked-up article models in accordance with the arrangement pattern, while tracking an article conveying motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Atohira, Yoshiharu Nagatsuka
  • Patent number: 10857674
    Abstract: A robot system and a robot are capable of easily defining a position of a target object with respect to a robot. The robot system includes a first robot, a first cell which is provided with the first robot and is capable of moving, and a positioning unit which is provided in an inner portion of the first cell and positions a target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventors: Masato Yokota, Shiguma Iijima
  • Patent number: 10857675
    Abstract: A control device includes a control section configured to control a robot on the basis of first information concerning positions and sequential numbers for drawing a linear object around a first object. The first information is received by a receiving section and displayed on a display section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Masakazu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10857676
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for replacing a photoresist (PR) bottle using a vehicle. An exemplary vehicle includes a processor configured to receive a request signal to replace a first PR bottle. The processor is also configured to transmit an order based on the request signal. The vehicle also includes a plurality of wheels configured to move the vehicle from the first location to a second location, and from the second location to the first location. The vehicle further includes a robotic arm configured to load, at the first location, the first PR bottle into a first container; load a second PR bottle in a second container; remove a cap from the second PR bottle and a socket from the first PR bottle; couple the socket of the first PR bottle to the second PR bottle; and unload the second PR bottle from the second container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Oliver Yu, Huei-Chi Chiu, Shi-Ming Wang, Li-Jen Wu, Yu Kai Chen, Sharon Yang
  • Patent number: 10857677
    Abstract: A tip attachment is disclosed. The tip attachment may an attachment body including a recess to fit on or in a tip of a device during programming of a robotic device. The attachment body may be structured such that the attachment body defines a set of angles of the tip during the programming of the robotic device. The recess may be sized such that the recess defines a distance between the tip and a workpiece during the programming of the robotic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Hammar, Craig Habeger, Michael Noble, William Barnickel, Joshua Geary
  • Patent number: 10857678
    Abstract: A method and a system for manufacturing a mold for creation of complex objects by controlling and moving two end effectors of a robotic system is provided. The two end effectors have a flexible cutting element attached to, and extending between, the two end effectors. The method includes the steps of: defining at least one surface representing the inner surface of the mold; dividing the surface into a number of segments represented by planar curves on the surface; for each planar curve, calculating at least one elastic curve representing the planar curve; for each calculated elastic curve, calculating a set of data corresponding to placement and direction of the two end effectors for configuring the flexible cutting element to a shape corresponding to the calculated elastic curve; and sequentially positioning the end effectors according to each set of data. The flexible cutting element thereby cuts the mold from a block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Danmarks Tekniske Universitet
    Inventors: Jens Gravesen, David Brander, Jakob Andreas Bærentzen, Steen Markvorsen, Toke Bjerge Nørbjerg, Kasper Hornbak Steenstrup
  • Patent number: 10857679
    Abstract: A method for a robot to autonomously interact with elevator controls comprising: while physically traversing a route to a target location within an environment, determining that the route includes navigating to a particular floor that is different than a current floor of the robot; navigating to a set of one or more elevators along the route; identifying a location of an elevator call button corresponding to the set of one or more elevators; navigating to the location of the elevator call button and pressing the elevator call button, wherein pressing the elevator call button comprises: rotating the robot in place until a vertical structure faces the elevator call button; extending or retracting the vertical structure until a button pushing element is aligned with the elevator call button; moving towards the elevator call button and causing the button pushing element to press the elevator call button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Savioke, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Cousins, Robert S. Bauer, Adrian Canoso, Heather Klaubert
  • Patent number: 10857680
    Abstract: A self-moving robot comprises a robot body. A control device is provided in the robot body, and a functional processing module and a moving module connected to each other are provided in the robot body. The moving module is controlled by the control device to drive the functional processing module to conduct mobile processing work in a working space. An opening hole is formed inside the functional processing module so that the moving module is arranged rotatably in the opening hole in an embedded manner. The moving module can freely rotates relative to the functional processing module through a connection mechanism. A walking method of the self-moving robot is further disclosed. The present invention is of simple structure, low cost and significantly improved moving mode, and the cleaning efficiency of the self-moving robot is improved with the same amount of time or power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: ECOVACS ROBOTICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiaoming Lv
  • Patent number: 10857681
    Abstract: A finger of a robotic hand includes a palm portion, a fixed phalanx fixed to the palm portion, a first movable phalanx rotatably connected to the fixed phalanx, a second movable phalanx rotatably connected to the first movable phalanx, a first pulling member to pull the first movable phalanx so as to rotate the first movable phalanx with respect to the fixed phalanx, a second pulling member to pull the second movable phalanx so as to rotate the second movable phalanx with respect to the first movable phalanx, and an actuator to pull the first pulling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: UBTECH ROBOTICS CORP
    Inventors: Sicong Liu, Youjun Xiong, Hongyu Ding, Qidong Xu, Jianxin Pang
  • Patent number: 10857682
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing high flow vacuum control to an end effector of an articulated arm. The system includes a high flow vacuum source that provides an opening with an area of high flow vacuum at the end effector such that objects may be engaged while permitting substantial flow of air through the opening, and a load detection system for characterizing the load presented by the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Berkshire Grey, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wagner, Kevin Ahearn, Benjamin Cohen, Michael Dawson-Haggerty, Christopher Geyer, Thomas Koletschka, Kyle Maroney, Matthew T. Mason, Gene Temple Price, Joseph Romano, Daniel Smith, Siddhartha Srinivasa, Prasanna Velagapudi, Thomas Allen
  • Patent number: 10857683
    Abstract: A robot hand includes a first portion, and a second portion detachable from the first portion, including a pair of holding pieces for holding a workpiece. The first portion includes a first movable member movable in one direction by a first stroke, an actuator which moves the first movable member. The second portion includes a second base which is detachably attached to the attaching and detaching mechanism, and a second movable member movable in one direction by a second stroke which is larger than the first stroke. At least one of the holding pieces is fixed to the second movable member. A first engaging portion is provided in the first movable member, second engaging portions are provided in the second movable member, and the second engaging portion can be engaged with the first engaging portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshio Motowaki
  • Patent number: 10857684
    Abstract: Systems and methods for perception-based tactile sensing in a robot are provided. The robot may include an external portion and an illuminator that outputs illumination. The robot may further include a receiving sensor that receives illumination. The robot may also include a pair of conduits, located at an external portion, that include an injecting conduit that traverses one or more housings of the robot. The injecting conduit may be configured to receive the illumination from the illuminator and output the illumination to illuminate an object external to the robot. The pair of conduits may also include a receiving conduit, traversing one or more housings of the robot, configured to receive the illumination from the object external to the robot and output the illumination to the receiving sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Zapolsky, Kevin Stone, Matthew Amacker, Arshan Poursohi
  • Patent number: 10857685
    Abstract: A cutter apparatus includes a housing and a blade holder coupled to the housing, wherein the housing includes a distal portion (e.g., a blade storage compartment) that is both slidably and pivotally coupled to portions of the housing and configured to serve as a cover for the blade holder. The cutter apparatus can also include a cover release device configured to facilitate repositioning the cover between a locked position at which the cover is secured to the housing and a released position at which at least a portion of the cover is free to pivotally reposition away from the housing providing access to the blade holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: PACIFIC HANDY CUTTER, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Garavaglia, Brandon L. Spoelstra, Markus E. Gropl, Mark Marinovich
  • Patent number: 10857686
    Abstract: A reciprocating electric razor head includes a fixed blade and a fixed blade support for supporting and fixing the fixed blade. The fixed blade is provided with hair entrance holes for body hair to enter, and an inner side of the fixed blade is provided with a movable blade capable of moving backward and forward in a reciprocating manner relative to the fixed blade to cut off the body hair inside the hair entrance holes, such that the fixed blade obtains a very flat cutting working face contacting the movable blade without the need for additional precision machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Little Stone Ceramic Blade (Zhongshan) Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Rangpan Wu
  • Patent number: 10857687
    Abstract: A positioner for a carton sizer is provided. The positioner includes a housing and a latch. The housing houses the latch. The latch is pivotally connected to the housing. The latch may be pivoted between a latched position and an unlatched position. The positioner may be removably attached to a mast of a carton sizer at a selected height along the mast. The latch may engage the mast in the latch position to hold the positioner to the mast. The latch may disengage from the mast in the unlatched position. The carton sizer includes a handle and a cutter. The handle is connected to the mast. The positioner may engage a carton to provide support for the cutter against the carton during the cutting of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventors: William Richard Laupan, Jacob Henry Laupan
  • Patent number: 10857688
    Abstract: A rivering filtration system for a power saw machine includes a filtration tray having a filtration cavity for collecting operation fluid after the operation fluid is delivered onto the cutting blade, and a fluid collecting tray located underneath the filtration tray, wherein the fluid collecting tray has first and second cavities. The filtration tray provides a first filtration stage for filtrating the visible residual particles out from the operation fluid. The fluid collecting tray provides a second filtration stage that the operation fluid is slowly filled in the first cavity from the filtration cavity to ensure slurry residual particles in the operation fluid being deposited at the first cavity, and a third filtration stage that the operation fluid is slowly filled in the second cavity from the first cavity to ensure the slurry residual particles being filtrated out of the operation fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Chao-Ying Lee
  • Patent number: 10857689
    Abstract: A conduit cutting assembly is comprised of a conduit cutting surface, a drive shaft, a top shield and a bottom guide. The conduit cutting assembly is inserted into a rotary device which provides a torque to rotate the conduit cutting assembly. The shield glides along the top surface of the conduit preventing deeper penetration of the cutting surface and deflecting dust as conduit is cut. The guide is positioned on the internal side of the conduit and prevents the cutting surface from contacting encased wiring. The distance between the bottom surface of the shield and the top surface of the guide is closely aligned to the conduit wall thickness. Conduit cutting assemblies can be customized for conduit material and conduit wall thickness. The conduit cutting assembly safely cuts through conduit without damaging encased wiring, limits incidental contact with the cutting surface, and limits contact with dust generated through the cutting procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Zids Tools, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Rawlings
  • Patent number: 10857690
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to adjusting and maintaining a position of a cutting surface used to create lines of weakness for rolled products. A perforating apparatus includes a housing rotatably supported by a frame, wherein the housing is adapted to rotate about a first axis. A support member including a first cutting surface is rotatably supported by the housing, wherein the support member is adapted to rotate about a second axis offset from the first axis. A roll including a second cutting surface is positioned adjacent the support member, wherein the roll is adapted to rotate about a third axis. The second cutting surface is adapted to contact the first cutting surface as the roll rotates about the third axis. The perforating apparatus is configured such that the functions of adjusting the position of the first cutting surface and holding the first cutting surface in a fixed position are separate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Brian Christopher Schwamberger, Gustav André Mellin, Michael Devin Long
  • Patent number: 10857691
    Abstract: A multifunctional end effector includes a support structure configured to be carried by a robotic system and at least two of a fluid stream cutting system, a spindle system and/or a scanning system, each mounted to the support structure. Also described is a fluid stream cutting system having a plurality of fluid stream catchers selectively mountable to the fluid stream system and a mounting arrangement for mounting each fluid stream catcher to the fluid stream cutting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: PAR SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Jung, Andrew McChain
  • Patent number: 10857692
    Abstract: Embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for cutting wood workpieces, such as logs and cants, into desired products. In various embodiments, after a log is chipped into a cant, the cant may be scanned and re-optimized based on the new scan data and information about the source log, such as simulated orientation parameters, a 3D model, and/or potential cut solutions. In other embodiments, data from multiple sensor types may be used in combination to detect splits in logs, cants, or both. Optionally, re-optimization and split detection techniques may be used in combination to improve wood volume recovery, value, and/or throughput speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: USNR, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas G. Strasky, Stephen Doiel, Gerald David Larson, Robert Arnold, Ryan Munion, Dimitrios Paul Marinakis
  • Patent number: 10857693
    Abstract: A sawmill for tree logs includes a rocking carriage to pick up fresh logs and feed them into the path of a saw blade, as well further provisions relating to improvements to infeed systems for the fresh logs, as well as to, outflow systems for transfer of sawn-off product to a production line conveyor or the like for further processing to downline processes after the first saw cuts on the fresh logs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Jeff Barber
  • Patent number: 10857694
    Abstract: A 3D printer with a lift mechanism is disclosed. The 3D printer is coupled to the lift mechanism which is in turn coupled to a base or the ground. The lift mechanism comprises telescopically extendable columns comprising concentric cylinders positioned within one another, so as to extend and collapse fully, thus raising and lowering the 3D printer to a specific height. The lift mechanism further comprises extendable and lockable diagonals which connect neighboring telescopic columns at their top portions in a helical fashion. The diagonals are installed for sturdiness and support as the lift is operated, as well as to position the lift at a desired height when the diagonals are locked in place. The lift mechanism may comprise 2 telescopic cylinder columns or 3 or more telescopic cylinder columns. The lift mechanism comprises at least a first stage and an intermediate stage, and optionally a last stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: APIS COR ENGINEERING, LLC
    Inventor: Nikita Chen-Iun-Tai
  • Patent number: 10857695
    Abstract: A surface treatment method is provided that is capable of raising the slidability of a ceramic surface at low cost using a comparatively simple method. Dimples are formed on a surface of a treatment region, this being a portion of a ceramic surface where surface treatment is to be performed, by ejecting substantially spherical ejection particles having a median diameter of from 1 ?m to 20 ?m, together with compressed gas at an ejection pressure of from 0.01 MPa to 0.7 MPa, so as to achieve a value of a fastest decay autocorrelation length of not less than 10. The dimples are formed so as to have a plan view profile with a ratio between a horizontal Feret diameter and a vertical Feret diameter of from 0.7 to 1.43. Thereby a ceramic surface with improved slidability can be obtained regardless of use or non-use of a lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: FUJI MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiji Mase, Shozo Ishibashi, Yusuke Kondo
  • Patent number: 10857696
    Abstract: A device and a method for heating and curing artificial stone with microwave are provided. The device includes a microwave curing cavity, within which an incompletely cured artificial stone is placed, and microwave is used to heat the artificial stone to completely cure the artificial stone; wherein, a frequency of the microwave is in a range of 300˜1120 MHz. The present disclosure provides a separately designed microwave curing cavity, and utilizes 300˜1120 MHz microwave having a large penetrating depth, to realize a rapid curing of a large-sized artificial stone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignees: INSTITUTE OF ELECTRONICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, GUANGXI ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, GUANGXI LISHENG STONE CO., LTD., GUANGXI HEZHOU MINING INDUSTRY INVESTMENT GROUP
    Inventors: Haibing Ding, Zhaochuan Zhang, Dianyi Sun, Zhimin Huang, Zhiqiang Zhang, Liang Tang, Weisong Li, Dengfeng Lu, Songjun Liu, Ke Tang, Ren Xiao
  • Patent number: 10857697
    Abstract: An extrusion equipment adapted for supercritical foaming and mixing of a raw material includes a mixing unit, an injection unit for injection of supercritical fluid into the mixing unit, and an extrusion unit for extrusion of the raw material. The mixing unit includes a tube for input of the raw material, and a propelling screw rod and an auxiliary screw rod that are disposed side by side in the tube and that cooperatively compress and propel the raw material. The auxiliary screw rod rotates at a speed at least twice that of the propelling screw rod and in a direction opposite to that of the propelling screw rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Yen-Ju Chou
  • Patent number: 10857698
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a pellet, comprising a) providing residual rubber powder from i rubber disintegration process; b) providing a pelletizing system, including a pelletizer and a cooling device; c) feeding the residual rubber powder as at least part of a feed material, into a pelletizer; d) providing the rubber powder in an amount between 50% and 100%; i) applying a pressure to the residual rubber for a predetermined process duration; f) releasing the pelletized rubber and cooling the pelletized rubber at a cooling rate dependent on the operational temperature of the pelletizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Genan Holding A/S
    Inventors: Lars Linnemann, Carsten Sigvert
  • Patent number: 10857699
    Abstract: The tire vulcanization mold includes a molding surface for molding a tire surface of a pneumatic tire set in a cavity, a concave portion provided on the molding surface, and a vent plug provided in the concave portion. The vent plug includes a housing having a cylindrical shape and including an exhaust passage, a stem that is inserted in the housing and configured to open and close the exhaust passage of the housing, and an urging member urging the stem toward the cavity side. The concave portion has a narrow portion having a width substantially equal to the outer diameter of the housing of the vent plug, and the vent plug is disposed in the narrow portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: TOYO TIRE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaaki Ohara
  • Patent number: 10857700
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a tire comprising at least one component having a surface coated with a liquid release layer, a process for preparing a tire having at least one component with a surface coated with a release layer, and a cured tire comprising a tire body at least one component with a surface coated with a release layer. The release layer comprises at least one silicone rubber and at least one adhesive polymer which may be present in latex form in the liquid release layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Craig R. Balnis
  • Patent number: 10857701
    Abstract: A heating apparatus that includes a plurality of heating devices for temperature conditioning of preforms made of a thermoplastic material to a temperature and temperature distribution suitable for blow molding, and a transport chain guided on a revolving chain path. The preforms are transported through the heating apparatus by the transport chain along a transport path. Along a heating section that is part of the transport path, the plurality of heating devices are stationarily arranged one after another in a transport direction. On at least one side facing the heating devices, counter reflectors are provided, which together with the heating devices form a tunnel-like heating area through which the preforms are transported for heating. At least one counter reflector travels along with the preform through the heating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: KHS Corpoplast GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Lewin, Deniz Ulutürk, Niels Meyer
  • Patent number: 10857702
    Abstract: A PVB film for HUD, a forming mold and a forming method thereof are presented. The accuracy error of HUD imaging achieved by the PVB film for HUD is ±0.1 mrad. The forming mold includes an upper mold and a lower mold, the two of which can form an enclosed mold cavity when clamped together, wherein protective films are disposed on inner surfaces of the upper mold and the lower mold, respectively, for supporting PVB material and preventing the PVB material from bonding with the upper mold and the lower mold, and wherein shapes of the protective films match shapes of the upper mold and the lower mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventor: Xiaofeng Guo
  • Patent number: 10857703
    Abstract: A multilayer polyethylene film comprising a core layer, a first outer layer, and a second outer layer, wherein the core layer is positioned between the first outer layer and the second outer layer, the core layer comprises a linear low density polyethylene and, optionally, a first low density polyethylene resin, and the first outer layer and the second outer layer independently comprise a polyethylene resin and, optionally, a second low density polyethylene resin, wherein the density of the linear low density polyethylene is less than the density of the polyethylene resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignees: Dow Global Technologies LLC, Dow Quimica Mexicana S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Vivek Kalihari, Fabricio Arteaga Larios, Jacquelyn A. Degroot
  • Patent number: 10857704
    Abstract: A process for producing an eyelet for a biomedical electrode (e.g. an electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode) involves: hot pressing an electrically conductive thermoplastic or elastomeric resin to produce a film having a web of eyelets, each eyelet having a post protruding from a first face of the film and a flange at a second face of the film; applying a coating of a non-polarizable conductive material (e.g. a silver-containing material) on to a contact face of the flange; and, cutting the film to produce the eyelets separated from the web. Preferably, the process involves extrusion replication. A web of eyelets for biomedical electrodes has a film of an electrically conductive thermoplastic or elastomeric resin possessing a plurality of posts protruding from a first face of the film, and preferably a layer of a non-polarizable conductive material on a second face of the film. The process may be a one-step continuous process that is cheaper and simpler than current commercial processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Cameron E. Derry, John P. Tryphonopoulos
  • Patent number: 10857705
    Abstract: A technique for initiating the formation of pores in a polymeric material that contains a thermoplastic composition is provided. The thermoplastic composition contains microinclusion and nanoinclusion additives dispersed within a continuous phase that includes a matrix polymer. To initiate pore formation, the polymeric material is mechanically drawn (e.g., bending, stretching, twisting, etc.) to impart energy to the interface of the continuous phase and inclusion additives, which enables the inclusion additives to separate from the interface to create the porous network. The material is also drawn in a solid state in the sense that it is kept at a temperature below the melting temperature of the matrix polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Vasily A. Topolkaraev, Ryan J McEneany, Neil T. Scholl, Antonio J. Carrillo, Mark M. Mleziva
  • Patent number: 10857706
    Abstract: Provided are an assembly type terminal for a fuel pump capable of decreasing a process additionally required at the time of injection-molding a flange using a separation type terminal according to the related art and preventing a defect of a product that may occur at the time of injection-molding the flange, and a method of manufacturing a fuel pump flange using the same. The assembly type terminal for a fuel pump includes: a plurality of power supply terminals; a plurality of coupling bodies 100 and 200 coupling one or more power supply terminals to each other; and a coupling member 300 formed in the coupling bodies and coupling the plurality of coupling bodies 100 and 200 to each other, wherein the plurality of coupling bodies are spaced apart from each other and are coupled to each other by the coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: COAVIS
    Inventors: Chaehoon Lim, Kusung Kwon, Heejin Yoon, Dongheon Mo
  • Patent number: 10857707
    Abstract: An injection molding machine for a composite molded product is an injection molding machine for a composite molded product, in which an injection device or a rotary table is arrayed with a movable platen attached with a movable metal mold and the injection device or the rotary table is driven using an electric motor, wherein, at any position below, side, or rear of the movable platen, a plurality of cableveyors, and which house cables, and connected to the movable metal mold or the movable platen or connected to the injection device in addition to the movable metal mold or the movable platen is disposed in parallel to one another so that longitudinal directions of the cableveyors coincide with a mold opening/closing direction A of the movable platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: THE JAPAN STEEL WORKS, LTD.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Miyaki
  • Patent number: 10857708
    Abstract: An exemplary process includes determining a desired pore size, selecting an initial pore size greater than the target pore size, manufacturing a porous structure with the initial pore size, forging the porous structure to form a forged part having the desired pore size, and forming an orthopedic device from the forged part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek Pawar, Mark Morrison, Carolyn Weaver
  • Patent number: 10857709
    Abstract: An injection-molding process for injecting a shoe soling including at least two adjacent injection-molding layers onto a shoe upper drawn over a shoe last, uses a mold cavity including a frame, the cavity being covered at the top by the upper also serving as a mold cover, with plastic material being injected into the cavity below the upper. To produce two adjacent injection-molding layers of plastic materials having different properties and reaction times in one operation, i.e. without needing an interim mold opening, before covering the cavity a film is clamped over it by a clamp mounted on the frame. When filling the cavity, the space below the film is first filled with plastic material to produce the first injection-molding layer and then, to produce the adjacent second injection-molding layer, the space above the film is filled with plastic material. Plastic materials are used that inseparably attach to the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: KLOECKNER DESMA SCHUHMASCHINEN GMBH
    Inventors: Adrian Strauss, Joachim Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 10857710
    Abstract: There is provided a mold conveying guide device for use in replacement of a mold by conveying the mold into and out of a mold fixing position in an injection molding machine. A connecting arm is attached to the mold and projects in a direction in which the mold is conveyed into the mold fixing position. A guide roller is rotatably supported at a tip end portion of the connecting arm. The guide roller is configured to rotate while being in contact with a mold attaching surface of at least one of a fixed platen and a movable platen, and configured to guide the mold such that the mold can come close to or move away from the at least one of the fixed platen and the movable platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Nichietsu Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10857711
    Abstract: This invention relates to a handling device for the removal of plastic injection-molded parts, designed as pipette tips, medical reaction vessels or contact-lens molds, from an injection mold tool (11), having a removal gripper having a plurality of receiving positions (1-32; 104, 105) for receiving one injection-molded part from each of the cavities in each instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Waldorf Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Czizegg, Ralf Fuhrmann, Christian Boos
  • Patent number: 10857712
    Abstract: A tandem mold for creating injection-molded parts from synthetic material includes a first part (2), a second part (4), a third part (6), and a guide (20, 22, 26, 28). A first parting surface is defined between the first part (2) and the third part (6), and a second parting surface is defined between the second part (4) and the third part (6). The mold also includes, for each parting surface, at least one mechanical stop (44) that is movable between a first position, where said stop prevents a drive mechanism from reaching the closed position of the mold, and a second position, or retracted position, where the mold can reach its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: PLASTISUD
    Inventor: Jacques Buzzo Titella
  • Patent number: 10857713
    Abstract: A display unit of an injection molding machine that displays an order of operations of elements operating during clamp close or open of the injection molding machine, the display unit including a condition setting unit that sets a start condition of the operation; a group setting unit that sets the elements operating in conjunction with each other to be associated with the same group, based on the set start conditions; an order setting unit that sets the order of the operations of the elements associated with the same group, based on the set start conditions; and a display control unit that controls a display unit to display a field showing the group, and to display symbols indicating the operations of the elements associated with the groups in the fields, to show a before and after relationship in accordance with the set order of the operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junpei Maruyama, Kazuyoshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10857714
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus comprising an injection machine, a manifold, a mold, a clamp plate, an actuator interconnected to a valve pin and an external actuator controller, the actuator controller comprising a controller housing adapted to control upstream flow of drive fluid from an upstream actuator drive chamber such that the rate of travel of the drive piston is selectively adjustable to a first rate of travel or velocity over a first course of travel from a gate closed position to a predetermined position of upstream travel and such that the rate of travel of the drive piston beyond the predetermined intermediate upstream position occurs at a second rate of travel or velocity that is higher than the first rate of travel or velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Synventive Molding Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Lee
  • Patent number: 10857715
    Abstract: A mixer structure for a film die for a polymer melt includes multiple web elements. The web elements include a first web element and a second web element. The first web element and the second web element include at least an end, which is connected to a base. A film die includes a first tool element, a second tool element, and a flow channel for the polymer melt extending between the first tool element and the second tool element. The mixer structure is arranged in the flow channel. The mixer structure is held in at least one of the tool elements by a holding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Promix Solutions AG
    Inventors: Christian Schlummer, Frank van Lück, Rolf Heusser
  • Patent number: 10857716
    Abstract: An apparatus for the fabrication of a container, comprising a mold defining the form of said container and container and configured to accommodate a substantially tubular preform, an injection head configured to interface with the preform and establish fluid communication with a cavity thereof; an injection valve configured to selectively permit fluid communication through said injection head, and a stretching rod slideably disposed within the injection head; said apparatus further comprising a displacement plunger being disposed coaxially about and mobile relative to said stretching rod between a retracted position substantially within the injection head and an extended position wherein said displacement plunger projects at least partially from said injection head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Discma AG
    Inventors: Guillaume Chauvin, Damien Kannengiesser, Christophe Collin, Jean-Tristan Outreman, Jean-Louis Pellegatta
  • Patent number: 10857717
    Abstract: A device for controlling a blow-molding machine for producing a thermoplastic container, wherein a blowing gas for blow-molding the container is introduced into a thermally conditioned preform, while the preform is held in a blow mold of the blow-molding machine. The blowing gas is introduced during a preblowing phase into the preform so that the temperature-conditioned material of the preform approaches the walls of the blow mold. The blowing gas is introduced during a following finish-blowing phase into the preform so that the temperature-conditioned material of the preform is pressed into the contours of the blow mold walls. The volumetric flow rate of the blowing gas is determined at least during the preblowing phase by an adjustable flow-control valve that can be controlled by a control unit that generates a control signal for adjusting the flow-control valve. The flow-control valve is adjusted as a function of the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: KHS CORPOPLAST GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Litzenberg, Karl-Heinz Balkau, Dieter Klatt, Michael Linke
  • Patent number: 10857718
    Abstract: A piston device having an inlet through which the piston device can receive liquid and an outlet through which the piston device can inject pressurize liquid. A main body (28) of the piston device defines an inner chamber and an upstream duct placing the inner chamber in fluidic communication with the inlet. A valve having a valve plate, which is movable along a plate actuation path, between at least an opened position of the plate and a closed position of the plate. The plate actuation path extending at least in part inside the upstream duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Discma AG
    Inventor: Denis Gillet