Patents Issued the Week of September 14-18

9.17.26

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. 12,735,766 entitled “Process for Processing Hard Metal” issued September 15, 2026 to Betek GmbH & Co. KG of Aichhalden, Germany. Invented by Matthias Philipp of Rottweil, Germany, Alexander Haller of Rottenburg, Germany, Tobias Hilgert of Schramberg, Germany, Manuel Much of Schramberg, Germany, and David Huber of Schramberg, Germany. Abstract: The invention relates to a process for processing hard metal, wherein the hard metal is alloyed with a low-melting alloy metal in a reaction space of a reactor and converted into a vapor phase in the presence of inert gas. The vapor phase is at least partially condensed in a condensation step under an overpressure relative to ambient pressure. In some examples, the inert gas is supplied to the reaction chamber at least temporarily during the condensation phase from an inert gas source external to the reaction chamber and discharged from of the condenser into the environment at least at intervals during the condensation phase. In this way, the equipment required can be significantly reduced compared to prior art hard metal chemical extraction processes.

U.S. Patent No. 12,734,112 entitled “Automatic, Gravity-Fed, Solid Dosage Form Dispenser” issued September 15, 2026 to BIOCORP PRODUCTION S.A.S. of Issoire, France. Invented by Alain Marcoz of Montmorin, France. Abstract: The invention relates to a process for processing hard metal, wherein the hard metal is alloyed with a low-melting alloy metal in a reaction space of a reactor and converted into a vapor phase in the presence of inert gas. The vapor phase is at least partially condensed in a condensation step under an overpressure relative to ambient pressure. In some examples, the inert gas is supplied to the reaction chamber at least temporarily during the condensation phase from an inert gas source external to the reaction chamber and discharged from of the condenser into the environment at least at intervals during the condensation phase. In this way, the equipment required can be significantly reduced compared to prior art hard metal chemical extraction processes.

U.S. Patent No. 12,734,775 entitled “Method and Apparatus for the Application of a Highly Viscous Fluid” issued September 15, 2026 to Roberto Pontone and Paolo Straffi of Roma, Italy. Abstract: A method and a system for applying a highly viscous fluid to an inner surface of a cavity of a tire, comprising an applicator device for the highly viscous fluid and a delivery circuit for the highly viscous fluid connected to the applicator device and having a highly viscous fluid collection device comprising a tank that internally defines a collection chamber; a delivery device for the highly viscous fluid implemented by means of a pumping device that delivers the highly viscous fluid to the applicator device; a movable piston that delimits the collection chamber at the perimeter; an extractor element intended to move with an alternating movement so as to draw the first highly viscous fluid inside the collection chamber and deliver it to the pumping device; and a position sensor, in particular a linear position transducer, suitable for detecting the position of the piston.

U.S. Patent No. 12,735,050 entitled “Tire Models for Simulations on Wet Surfaces” issued September 15, 2026 to  Bridgestone Europe NV/SA of Zaventem, Belgium. Invented by Alfredo Corollaro and Carlo Alberto Marino of Roma, Italy. Abstract: A computer-implemented method of predicting the behaviour of a vehicle tire on a wet road surface comprises: providing a computer-implemented tire model; inputting a vertical tire load and a longitudinal tire velocity to the tire model; using the computer-implemented tire model to calculate a predicted tire cornering force in terms of the lateral load-dependent friction coefficient and/or cornering stiffness being dependent on the vertical tire load and being dependent on the longitudinal tire velocity; and outputting the predicted tire cornering force from the computer-implemented tire model.

U.S. Patent No. 12,735,264 entitled “Material Processing Device And Method For Adjusting A Conveyor Device Of A Material Processing Device” issued September 15, 2026 to Kleemann GmbH of Kleemann GmbH of Göppingen, Germany. Invented by Felix Löhr of Welzheim, Germany, Christian Weller of Esslingen, Germany, and Wolfgang Schmid of Rechberghausen, Germany. Abstract: The invention relates to a material processing device (1), in particular a mobile material processing device (1), having a conveyor device (10), in particular a conveyor belt, for conveying processed material and/or material to be processed in a direction of conveyance (FR) between a pick-up area (13) and a discharge area (16) of the conveyor device (10), wherein the conveyor device (10) has a first and a second conveying area (11, 12), wherein the first conveying area (11) is coupled to the material processing device (1) in the area of a first connection (15) such that it can swivel about a first joint having a first swivel axis (15.1), wherein the first conveying area (11) and the second conveying area (12) are interconnected by means of a second joint having a second swivel axis (25), wherein the second conveying area (12) is connected to a tension means (30) by means of a third joint in the area of a second connection (17), and wherein the first, the second and the third joint form parts of a joint mechanism. The invention also relates to a method for adjusting a conveyor device (10) of a material processing device (1).

U.S. Patent No. 12,734,527 entitled “Crusher for Mineral Materials or Recycled Materials” issued September 15, 2026 to Kleemann GmbH of Kleemann GmbH of Göppingen, Germany. Invented by Till Krauss of Rechberghausen, Germany, Gerd Meyer of Amstetten, Germany, Jochen Meier of Hülben, Germany, Steffen Häberle of Herbrechtingen, Germany, and Rainer Teichert of Haan, Germany. Abstract: A crusher includes first and second crusher bodies defining a crushing gap. A hydraulic cylinder is coupled to one of the crusher bodies to adjust a width of the crushing gap. A pressure relief valve includes a pressure chamber communicated with the hydraulic cylinder. A pressure relief piston is movable between a closed position and an open position. The closed position blocks a fluid connection between the pressure chamber and a pressure equalization area exterior of the pressure relief valve. The pressure relief piston includes at least one piston pressure surface delimiting the pressure chamber in the closed position transversely to the actuating direction of the piston, wherein in the closed position of the pressure relief piston a projection of the at least one piston pressure surface in a projection plane transverse to the actuating direction of the pressure relief piston delimits only a part of the pressure chamber transverse to the actuating direction of the pressure relief piston.

U.S. Patent No. 12,735,850 entitled “Milling Attachment” issued September 15, 2026 to Wirtgen GmbH of Windhagen, Germany. Invented by Marcel Joisten of Neuwied, Germany, and Stefan Abresch of Dierdorf (Elgert), Germany. Abstract: A work machine includes a machine frame, an attachment mounting frame, and a milling attachment. A hydraulic tilt cylinder is configured to tilt the milling attachment about a tilt axis relative to the attachment mounting frame. A hydraulic circuit is connected to the hydraulic tilt cylinder and is operable in both an active tilt mode where hydraulic fluid under pressure is applied to the hydraulic tilt cylinder to tilt the milling attachment, and a floating mode in which the hydraulic tilt cylinder does not apply any tilting force to the milling attachment, the hydraulic circuit being configured to be switchable between the active tilt mode and the floating mode during milling of a ground surface by rotating the milling drum.

U.S. Patent No. 12,735,860 entitled “Automatic Blade Pitch Adjustment for Dozer” issued September 15, 2026 to Deere & Company of Moline, Illonois. Invented by Bradley C. Dauderman of Dubuque, Iowa and Cory J. Brant of Dubuque, Iowa. Abstract: A system and a method detect an initial movement of a work machine having a blade. The pitch of the blade is automatically adjusted such that a cutting edge of the blade is at a cutting angle with respect to the surface to enable initiation of a cut below a track plane by the cutting edge. When the cutting edge is elevated to or above the track plane, the pitch of the blade is automatically adjusted to a carry angle. When the cutting edge rises at least a selected distance above the track plane, the pitch of the blade is automatically adjusted to a shedding angle. When the work machine is cutting, the system and method detect bridging of the work machine and automatically reduce the angle of the blade to counter the bridging effect.