The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 12, 2005
Filed:
Aug. 14, 2003
Clifford A. Dey, Riegelsville, PA (US);
Robert J. Cerwin, Pipersville, PA (US);
Thomas Warner, Milroy, PA (US);
Clifford A. Dey, Riegelsville, PA (US);
Robert J. Cerwin, Pipersville, PA (US);
Thomas Warner, Milroy, PA (US);
Ethicon, Inc., Somerville, NJ (US);
Abstract
A novel method and apparatus for riveting a two-piece suture tray package. A two-piece suture tray assembly is provided having a top member and a bottom member. The top member has a top and a bottom, and plurality of rivet members extending down from the bottom of the top member. The rivet members have free ends. The bottom member has a top and a flat bottom surface, and a plurality of rivet receiving openings extending therethrough. A counterbore surrounds each rivet receiving opening in the flat bottom surface. An ultrasonic riveting apparatus is provided having a clamp member with a cavity, and an ultrasonic horn member having a flat bottom moveably mounted in the cavity. The assembly is mounted in the riveting apparatus and engaged by the clamp member. The flat bottom of the horn member engages the free ends of the rivet members, and when energized by an ultrasonic generator, causes the free ends of the rivet members to deform into the counterbores, such that the free ends are flat and in alignment with the bottom surface of the bottom member.