Patents Issued the Week of November 2-6

11.4.26

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. 12,779,803 entitled “Application System and Method for Applying a Sealing Agent to the Inner Surface of a Pneumatic Tire” issued November 3, 2026 to Bridgestone Europe NV/SA [BE/BE] of Zaventem, Belgium. Invented by Roberto Pontone of Roma, Italy. Abstract: An application system and method for applying a sealing agent to the inner surface of a pneumatic tire comprises: a support device operable for rotating the pneumatic tire around an axis of rotation; a dispensing head operable to be arranged inside the pneumatic tire in order to apply a layer of sealing agent to the inner surface of the pneumatic tire itself; a main extrusion device which is connected to the dispensing head and that is operable for supplying the dispensing head with a first throughput of sealing agent; and an additional extrusion device which is connected to the dispensing head, and which is separate and independent from the main extrusion device, and is operable for supplying the dispensing head itself with a second throughput of sealing agent that merges with the first throughput of sealing agent.

U.S. Patent No. 12,782,238 entitled “Apparatus and Method for Testing Tires” issued November 3, 2026 to Bridgestone Europe NV/SA [BE/BE] of Zaventem, Belgium. Invented by Bram Vincent of Zaventem, Belgium. Abstract: An apparatus for testing tires comprises a probe having a structure which adjusts to a superficial profile of the tire cavity and comprises an electrically insulating material. A chain mail portion connected to the structure comprises an electrically conductive material, and has a width to engage the surface of the cavity in the area of the crown and, at least partially, in the area of the sidewalls. A roller supports the tire and rotates it around a first central axis, and comprises a central core made of an electrically conductor material, and at least a coating layer, which is applied on the outside of the central core, and has an even thickness. The roller comprises an outer surface having a concave profile facing the tire. A high-voltage test system tests for defects in the carcass and comprises two electrodes defined by the central core and the chain mail portion.

U.S. Patent No. 12,779,472 entitled “Material Processing Unit and Method of Opening and Closing a Housing Part of a Housing of a Material Processing Unit” issued November 3, 2026 to Kleemann GmbH of Göppingen, Germany. Invented by Felix Löhr of Welzheim, Germany, Christian Schlecht of Aalen, Germany and Christian Weller Esslingen, Germany. Abstract: A material processing unit has a movable tool accommodated in a housing. The housing includes a housing part which can be moved between an open position and a closed position relative to a further housing part. A safety device prevents any opening of the housing when the tool is driven and/or prevents any driving in the open position. The safety device includes at least two actuators and a controller. A first actuator locks the housing part in the closed position. A second actuator causes, supports and/or permits a movement of the housing part. Sensors are assigned to the actuators. A controller is designed to control the drive and the actuators and to receive the actuation states detected by the sensors. A method for opening/closing a housing of a material processing unit is also provided.

U.S. Patent No. 12,781,467 entitled “Work Machine and Method for Object Detection Including Identifying and Ignoring a Moveable Work Implement” issued November 3, 2026 to Deere & Company of Moline, Illinois. Invented by Justin Borgstadt of West Des Moines, Iowa. Abstract: A work method and method provide intervention feedback based on spatially proximate objects in a work area. The work machine includes perception sensors and a work implement. During a calibration stage, the implement is moved to various positions across an available range of movement, and depth data are provided for each position and for each of various perception field portions with respect to objects within a perception field. For each position, a multidimensional manifold is created and stored comprising depth data associated with the work implement for the perception field portions including the work implement. During a machine operation stage, further perception inputs are used to determine current depth data for the perception field portions, and feedback signals are conditionally generated corresponding to an intervention event state which is determined while ignoring any objects identified as corresponding to the multidimensional manifold corresponding to a current position of the work implement.

U.S. Patent No. 12,778,007 entitled “System and Method for Predicting and Acting Upon Airborne Obscurant Conditions Related to Activity in a Work Area” issued November 3, 2026 to Deere & Company of Moline, Illinois. Invented by Michael Bullis and Bimal Jacob both of Urbandale, Iowa and Scott Breiner and Brett Graham both of Dubuque, Iowa. Abstract: system and method are provided for predicting airborne obscurant conditions related to work machine activity in a work area. Models are developed by collecting time-series inputs for changes in airborne obscurant levels, and corresponding activity by work machines in the same work area, as correlated with observed airborne obscurant conditions comprising airborne obscurant threshold violations, intervention events, and/or a lack thereof. In association with a current operation, input signals are collected from airborne obscurant sensors having a field of view associated with the current work area, and ascertaining work machine operating parameters for work machines within or proximate to the current work area, wherein the models are used to predict airborne obscurant conditions associated with the current work area and relating to detected changes in airborne obscurant levels and corresponding activity of the work machines in the current work area. Action signals are generated corresponding to the predicted conditions.

U.S. Patent No. 12,785,598 entitled “Field-Weakening Strategy for Torque-Loss Compensation” issued November 3, 2026 to Deere & Company of Moline, Illinois. Invented by Eric Vilar of Dubuque, Iowa and Yujiang Wu and Weijin Qiu both of Cary, North Carolina. Abstract: A system and a method operate in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the system and the method control the direct current and the quadrature current applied to an internal permanent magnet motor to achieve a desired rotational speed and a desired torque over a range of internal operating temperatures of the motor without exceeding a maximum stator current. If a calculated stator current exceeds a maximum stator current, the system and the method operate in the second mode wherein the system and the method control the direct current and the stator current to maintain the calculated stator current below the maximum stator current.

U.S. Patent No. 12,780,557 entitled “Conveyor Device for a Material Processing Plant” issued November 3, 2026 to Kleemann GmbH of Göppingen, Germany. Invented by Florian Nägele of Hüttisheim, Germany. Abstract: A conveyor device for a material processing plant includes a material conveyor section. A support device is coupled to the conveyor section, wherein the support device bears a vibration exciter having two exciter units, wherein the exciter units, each have an exciter motor which drives at least one imbalance mass using a motor rotor, wherein a fastening section is used to fasten the exciter units to the support device for vibration transmission. To make for a structurally simple design and improved force transfer from the vibration exciter into the support device the motor stators of the two exciter motors may be interconnected by means of at least one connecting element, wherein the connecting element forms a bridging area, which bridges the distance between the motor stators.

U.S. Patent No. D1,156,032 entitled “Smart Wallet” issued November 3, 2026 to Mia Kaminski of Franklin, Tennessee. Invented by Scott Kamnski also of Franklin, Tennessee. Claims: The ornamental design for a smart wallet as shown and described.