Patents Issued the Week of February 16-20

2.23.26

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. 12,551,861 entitled “Apparatus for Treating Materials with Plasma” issued February 17, 2026 to Directa Plus S.P.A. of Lomazzo, Italy. Invented by Flavio Brandolese of Milano, Italy; Giulio Giuseppe Cesareo of Como, Italy and Laura Giorgia Rizzi of Saronno, Italy. Abstract: Apparatus for treating materials with plasma, comprising a microwave generator (15), a waveguide (20) and a tubular torch (30), comprising three coaxial tubes (33, 35, 37) and a central section (30.2) connected to the waveguide (20) by means of a body (50) having a cavity (52) through which the tubes pass. A plasma containment chamber is defined in the outer tube (35) at the cavity (52) of the body (50).

U.S. Patent No. 12,552,119 entitled “Method and System for Applying a Sealing Agent to the Surface of an Internal Cavity of a Pneumatic Tire” issued February 17, 2026 to Bridgestone Europe NV/SA. Invented by Roberto Pontone and Paolo Staffi both of Rome, Italy. Abstract: A method and a system for applying a sealing agent to the inner surface (2) of a pneumatic tire (4) comprising a supply circuit (10) having a sealing agent collection device (11) comprising a tank (14); a sealing agent heating device (12); and a sealing agent supply device (13) implemented by means of a pumping device (17) that supplies the sealing agent to an applicator device (7), a piston (26), an extractor element (28) intended to withdraw the sealing agent and to supply it to the pumping device (17); a piston (26) position control device (30); and a level sensor (29) for detecting the quantity of sealing agent within the tank (14); wherein the passage of the control device (30) at the position of the level sensor (29) determines the beginning of depletion position of the tank (14) and a completely empty position of the tank (14) as a function whereof the extractor element (28) and heating element (12) are actuated.

U.S. Patent No. 12,554,354 entitled “Microstructured Phase Interfacial Device” issued February 17, 2026 to BVW Holding AG of Cham, Switzerland. Invented by Lukas Bluecher of Eurasberg, Germany and Michael Milbocker of Holliston, Massachusetts. Abstract: The present disclosure relates to gripping surfaces and devices comprising the same, wherein the gripping surface comprises a shape tunable surface microstructure, wherein the height, width and spatial periodicity of the microstructures corresponds to an integer multiple of Schallamach wave amplitudes and wavelengths of a target surface, wherein the device microstructures and induced Schallamach waves are entrained by applying strain to the device.

U.S. Patent No. 12,552,205 entitled “Radio-frequency Identification (RFID) Device to be Inserted in a Tire” issued February 17, 2026 to Bridgestone Europe NV/SA. Invented by Roberto Lombardi, Maria Cecilia Palumbi, Guido Lippiello and Cristian Capaldi all of Roma, Italy. Abstract: A tire comprising a tread, a carcass defining an inner cavity, an innerliner layer designed to make sure that the air contained in the inner cavity remains under pressure, and a radio-frequency identification device, which is fixed on a free surface of said innerliner layer. The radio-frequency identification device comprises a transmission assembly comprising at least a RFID chip and an antenna connected to the RFID chip, and a rubber covering structure, which covers the transmission assembly and is fixed on a free surface of the innerliner layer. The rubber covering structure has a stress relaxation modulus (G.sub.m(0))cs smaller than the stress relaxation modulus(G.sub.m(0))i of the innerliner layer.

U.S. Patent No. 12,553,196 entitled “Measuring Paving Thickness During Slip Form Paving” issued February 17, 2026 to Wirtgen GmbH of Windhagen, Germany. Invented by Michael Engels of Montabaur, Germany, Gunnar Ramseger of Borod, Germany, Christoph Weigel of Sankt Augustin, Germany. Abstract: A slip form paving machine includes a machine frame, a plurality of ground engaging wheels or tracks, and front and rear height adjustable lifting columns, the lifting columns being adjustable to adjust a height of the machine frame relative to a ground surface. A slip form mold is supported from the machine frame. A front height sensor configured to detect a distance of the machine frame from the ground surface ahead of the concrete slab and generate a front height signal. A rear height sensor is configured to detect a distance of the machine frame from an upper surface of the concrete slab and generate a rear height signal. A controller is configured to receive the front and rear height signals and to determine a thickness of the concrete slab based at least in part on the front and rear height signals.

U.S. Patent No. 12,553,210 entitled “Skid Steer Loader Power Boost” issued February 17, 2026 to Deere & Company of Moline, Illinois. Invented by Grant Henn, Michael Elgin, Brett Graham, Karl Haine, Jason Bennett all of  Dubuque, Iowa. Abstract: A construction machine includes a machine frame, a plurality of ground engaging wheels or tracks supporting the machine frame, a work implement, and a lifting linkage connected to the work implement for lifting and lowering the work implement relative to the machine frame. A position sensor is operably associated with the lifting linkage for generating a position signal representative of a position of the lifting linkage within a range of motion. A hydraulic actuator is connected to the lifting linkage for moving the lifting linkage through the range of motion. A hydraulic pressure supply system provides hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic actuator. A controller is configured to receive the position signal and to generate a control signal to vary a system relief pressure of the hydraulic pressure supply system at least in part in response to the position signal.

U.S. Patent No. 12,553,197 entitled “Self-Propelled Earth Working Machine Having Twin Motors and a Working Transmission Transmitting Their Power Output Variably” issued February 17, 2026 to Wirtgen GmbH of Windhagen, Germany. Invented by Christian Berning of Züplich, Germany, Olaf Gaertner of Linz, Germany and Christopher Mittelstädt of Neustadt, Germany. Abstract: A self-propelled earth working machine includes a machine frame, a working apparatus, at least one function apparatus, a drive system including first and second motors, a function transmission and a working transmission. The working transmission is configured to transmit torque between the drive system and the working apparatus. The working transmission connects the first motor and the second motor to the working apparatus for the transmission of torque such that the working apparatus may be driven to perform the earth working movement solely by the first motor or solely by the second motor or jointly by the first and second motors, wherein the working transmission connects the first motor to the working apparatus at a first transmission ratio and connects the second motor to the working apparatus at a second transmission ratio different from the first transmission ratio.