Recently Issued Patents

7.22.22

Patent Protection & Registration

Patents grant property rights on new and useful inventions, allowing the patent holder to prevent others from using, making, or selling that invention without permission for a limited time. U.S. patents are permitted by the U.S. Constitution and are designed to promote scientific progress and invention. By allowing inventors to profit from licensing or selling their patent rights, inventors can recoup their research and development costs and benefit financially from their inventing efforts. There are three main types of patents utility, plant, and design. Utility and plant patents can last up to 20 years, while design patents can last up to 14 years. When a patent expires, the patented material enters the public domain, making it free to use by anyone without a license. U.S. patents are issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

U.S. Patent No. 11,390,778 entitled “Patterned Surfaces with Suction” issued July 19, 2022 to BVW Holding AG of Cham, China. Invented by Lukas Bluecher of Eurasberg, Germany and Michael Milbocker of Holliston, Massachusetts. Abstract: A microstructured pressure-sensitive surface is described comprising a Wenzel-Cassie hydrophilic-hydrophobic zone structure and capillary action with improved peel strength. The capillary action is enhanced by the Wenzel-Cassie zone creation, and the barrier energy to disruption of the Wenzel-Cassie zone is increased by the capillary action. The micro-structured surfaces of the present invention create water zones of exclusion, where entropic effects reinforce Wenzel-Cassie zone stability, creating a suction effect that conforms the microstructure surface to a target surface.

U.S. Patent No. 11,390,105 entitled “System and Apparatus for Book Block Binding and Method Thereof” issued July 19, 2022 to Lighting Source, LLC of LaVergne, Tennessee. Invented by Peter Kubiak of Rosenheim, Germany and Martin Josef Strasser of Staudach-Egerndach, Germany. Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided for providing a rotatable perfect binding separated step solution configured to maximize efficiency for one-off book printing. The multi-clamp binding apparatus includes a rotatable body, a plurality of fixed operation stations associated with the rotatable body, and a plurality of clamps coupled to the rotatable body. Each of the clamps may retain at least one workpiece. The rotatable body may rotate each of the plurality of clamps to one or more of the plurality of fixed operation stations. In operation, a book block is received at an in-feed location of the perfect binding apparatus. The book block is stored within a holding apparatus of the perfect binding apparatus. The book block is then rotated between a plurality of fixed operation stations. At least one operation is performed upon the book block at each of the plurality of fixed operation stations.

U.S. Patent No. 11,389,715 entitled “Training Device for Cue Sports” issued July 19, 2022 to Joe Giribaldo of Stamford, Connecticut also invented by Joe Giribaldo. Abstract: A training device and method of use for positioning balls on the playing surface of cue sport game tables such as billiards is provided herein, to assist players in making practice shots to enhance their playing skills and techniques. The training device includes a central base and a pair of triangularly shaped ramps. The central base includes a rectangular bottom surface, first and second pentagonal side walls extending perpendicularly from the rectangular bottom surface. The pair of triangularly shaped ramps rotatably coupled to the central base on opposite sides of the first and second pentagonal side walls Each ramp includes first and second ramp edges extending acutely from a corner distal the central base. The pair of triangularly shaped ramps are configured to rotate about the central base between a first configuration associated with a first launch location and a second configuration associated with a second launch location.