Patents Issued the Week of April 28-May 2

5.1.25

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 15 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. 12,288,658 entitled “Switching Device and Voltage Limiting Device Having a Switching Device” issued April 28, 2025 to Rail Power Systems GmbH of München, Germany. Invented by Julian Beuchelt of Eppstein, Germany. Abstract: A switching device includes first and second fixed switching contacts and a movable switching contact. The first and second fixed switching contacts are connected to first and second device terminals and are arranged next to one another in such a way that their contact surfaces point in the same direction. The movable switching contact can be moved between a closed position and an open position. The first and second fixed switching contacts and the movable switching contact form an arrangement of electrical conductors which are arranged substantially parallel to one another. At least one of the fixed switching contacts has an elongated contact surface which extends in the direction of current flow. Electrodynamic forces act on the fixed conductors and the movable conductor, which are directed in such a way that the conductors attract each other, i.e., the switching contacts tend to close.

U.S. Patent No. 12,285,981 entitled “Tire” issued April 28, 2025 to Bridgestone Europe NV/SA of Zaventem, Beligum. Invented by Luca Spiri and Brenda Cecilia Barrios Perez both of Roma, Italy. Abstract: The present invention relates to a tyre (1) comprising: —a carcass (5); —at least one high elongation belt (1, 2, 3, 4), being applied as a single cord externally to said carcass (5); and —an external tread portion (6), provided with two or more grooves (7) extending according to a circumferential direction (L) around said tread portion (6), wherein the axial width (Wg) of at least one of said grooves (7), measured according to an axial direction (A) parallel to an axis of rotation (R) of said tyre (10) and orthogonal to said circumferential direction (L), is at most equal to 2 millimeters.

U.S. Patent No. 12,287,631 entitled “Method for the Management of a Warehouse that Houses Pneumatic Tires Fitted with Transponders and Arranged In Vertical Stacks” issued April 28, 2025 to Bridgestone Europe NV/SA of Zaventem, Beligum. Invented by Francesco Iozia of Roma, Italy. Abstract: Autonomously guided robot (8) for the automatic recognition of pneumatic tyres (2) fitted with transponders (7) and arranged in a stack. The autonomously guided robot (8) has: a main body (21) that is capable of moving independently within a storage warehouse (1) wherein the stack of pneumatic tyres (7) is arranged; a reader device (9) which is provided with a reader component (10) and an antenna (11) and that is capable of reading the transponders (7); a movement unit (14) which is mounted on the main body (21) and that supports the antenna (11) for moving the antenna (11) in relation the main body (21) in a vertical direction (Z); and a control unit (24).

U.S. Patent No. 12,286,754 entitled “System and Method of Dynamic Corrective Enzyme Selection and Formulation for Pulp and Paper Production” issued April 28, 2025 to Buckman Laboratories International, Inc. of Memphis, Tennessee. Invented by Mark Reed of Bartlett, Tennessee; Feiran Li of Memphis, Tennessee and John Carter also of Memphis, Tennessee. Abstract: Systems and methods as disclosed herein automatically provide real-time dosing corrections for an industrial process wherein enzyme blends are applied to natural fibers for pulp/paper production. An initial enzyme blend (e.g., enzymes and supporting formulation components, as relevant) and respective dose rates are selected to be applied based on expected fiber surface substrate characterization, expected fiber quality characterization, the physical conditions of the system being treated, respective characteristics of the initially selected enzyme blend components, etc. Upon application of the initial enzyme blend, online sensors provide real-time feedback data corresponding to measured actual values for the fiber surface substrate characterization and fiber quality characterization. A replacement enzyme blend (enzymes and supporting formulation components) and respective dose rates thereof is dynamically selected based on the feedback data. The enzyme dosing stage can be optimized responsive to product changes and/or variations in fiber sources/blend and/or physical conditions, substantially in real time.