Patents Issued the Week of May 26-30

6.2.25

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. 12,311,626 entitled “Process for the Manufacture of a Multi-Compound Tread for Pneumatic Tires for Road Vehicles” issued May 27, 2025 to Bridgestone Europe NV/SA of Zaventem, Belgium. Invented by Enrico Fresch, Alessandra Bartoloni and Andrea Sabella all of Rome, Italy. Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a tread band for pneumatic tyres, wherein the blocks thereof comprise different rubber portions characterized by a different hysteresis loss. The process comprises a shredding step, wherein from a first and from a second rubber tread compound a plurality of fragments is manufactured with dimensions of between 6 and 30 mesh; a mixing step, wherein the fragments from the first and second compound are mixed together in order to obtain a mixture wherein the fragments are distributed in a random manner and retain their chemical/physical individuality; and an extrusion step, wherein the mixture from the preceding step is extruded for the manufacture of the tread band. The first and second compounds have different dynamic properties in terms of: dynamic modulus at 30° C., tanδ at 0° C., tanδ at 30° C. and tanδ at 60° C. The fragments retain a chemical/physical individuality both within the mixture formed during the mixing step and within the tread band formed during the extrusion step.

U.S. Patent No. 12,312,955 entitled “Milling Machine and Process for the Operation of a Milling Machine” issued May 27, 2025 to Wirtgen GmbH of Windhagen, Germany. Invented by Christian Berning of Zülpich, Germany; Andreas Vogt of Asbach, Germany; Thomas Lehnert of Oberraden of and Cyrus Barimani of Königswinter, Germany. Abstract: The invention relates to a milling machine, in particular a road milling machine, a stabiliser, a recycler or a surface miner, comprising a drive means which is configured such that the milling machine performs translatory and/or rotatory movements on the ground, and a working means which is configured such that the ground is machined. The invention also relates to a method for operating a milling machine of this type. The milling machine according to the invention has a control unit 15 to input drive parameters and work parameters. The control unit 15 is distinguished by a selection unit 15C to select an operating mode from a plurality of operating modes. The control and processing unit 20 has a memory 20A which stores at least one predetermined drive parameter which is assigned to the operating mode, and/or at least one predetermined work parameter which is assigned to the operating mode, for each operating mode of the plurality of operating modes. The control and processing unit 20 is configured such that at least one assembly 4, 5; 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19 of the drive means and working means is controlled subject to the at least one drive parameter or work parameter which is stored in the memory 20A for the operating mode selected using the selection unit 15C, such that the particular machine function is carried out. The milling machine further provides that at least one function which describes the dependence of a work parameter of one assembly on a drive parameter of another assembly is stored for each operating mode, the control and processing unit 20 being configured such that, based on this function, at least one assembly of the working means or drive means is controlled such that the particular machine function is carried out.

U.S. Patent No. 12,312,763 entitled “Linkage Assembly for Construction Machine” issued May 27, 2025 to Deere & Company of Moline, Illinois. Invented by Nilesh Kumbhar, Brett S. Graham, Eric Vilar and Giovanni A. Wuisan all of Dubuque, Iowa. Abstract: A construction machine comprising a machine frame, a plurality of ground engaging units for supporting the machine frame from a ground surface, a work tool coupling, left and right boom arms pivotally supported directly or indirectly from the machine frame and pivotally connected to the work tool coupling, left and right work tool actuators mounted on the left and right boom arms, respectively, and left and right actuator linkages connecting the left and right work tool actuators, respectively, with the work tool coupling.

U.S. Patent No. 12,313,488 entitled “Thermal Insulation System for a Capacitance Diaphragm Gauge” issued May 27, 2025 to Sumitomo (SHI) Cryogenics of America, Inc. of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Invented by Matt E. Datlen of Carson City, Nevada; Kurt R. Rustin of San Diego, California;  Nathaniel S. Hankel of Lemon Grove, California and Shawn C. Brown of Menifee, California. Abstract: A capacitance diaphragm gauge (CDG) assembly includes a CDG sensor positioned within a vacuum enclosure, which is maintained at a vacuum. The CDG sensor generates sensor signals responsive to a pressure of an applied gas. The vacuum enclosure provides thermal insulation around the CDG sensor. The CDG sensor is maintained at a selected operating temperature using an internal heater positioned on the CDG sensor. The internal heater is responsive to external heater control signals. The temperature of the CDG sensor is monitored using an internal temperature sensor mounted on the CDG sensor. The temperature sensor generates a temperature signal. The vacuum enclosure includes an end cap that seals the vacuum enclosure. Connectors positioned through the end cap communicate the sensor signals, the heater control signals and the temperature signals through the end cap. The connectors are hermetically sealed to the end cap to maintain the vacuum within the vacuum enclosure.