Abstract: A device for feeding web material to a printer that is adapted to accept web from an external roll, adequately align the web with the printer and properly tension the web as it passes through the printer. The infeed device includes a pair of parallel guide rods spaced sufficiently apart to allow passage of the web there between. A pair of edge guides, attached to the parallel guide rods define the web path there through. A spring-loaded pressure pad acts in combination with a smooth metal shoe to tension the web. Further tension is applied to the web as it passes a curved smooth metal surface, just prior to entering the printer. The infeed device allows a wide variety of web materials and web thicknesses to be tensioned and fed into the printer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a uniform illumination to a part provides a backlight unit in the form of a light panel located beneath the part. A reflector, generally hemispherical in shape, is located over the part to receive reflected light from the backlight. A first plane-polarizing material is positioned over the backlight, also beneath the part, and a second plane polarizer is located adjacent an aperture at the apex of the hemispherical reflector. A camera, mounted external of the reflector, is positioned to receive light passing through the second polarizer. Transmitted light from the backlight is polarized by the first polarizing material as it is transmitted to the reflector. Light directly received by the camera is filtered-out by the second polarizer, while reflected light that illuminates the part can substantially pass through the second polarizer into the camera.

Abstract: A system for stacking continuous folded forms or web coming from a folder and separator and moving to a conveyor. A table is positioned adjacent and in line with the conveyor and in a position for receiving a horizontally-extending stack of folded forms disposed on the table top. The table is a tiltable table and is able to be tilted from a substantially-horizontal position to a substantially-vertical position to likewise move the stack from a horizontal to a vertical stack position. A cart is movable to a position adjacent to the tilted table for receiving from the table the vertical stack for support on the cart. The cart can include a plurality of storage locations that can each be provided with a stack.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing a continuous pinless web that is free of tractor pin feed holes within a utilization device that is originally adapted to feed web having tractor pin feed hole strips along its widthwise edges is provided. The utilization device can comprise an IBM high-volume laser printer having an image transfer drum synchronized to a pair of tractor pin feed drive units. A drive roller is operatively connected to the lower pin feed unit according to a preferred embodiment. A registration controller is utilized to synchronize the movement of the web with the operation of the utilization device element using a differential and a separate registration motor. The image transfer drum and drive roller are each synchronized to a central drive motor that generates pulses via an encoder. The pulses track the movement of the image transfer drum. A mark sensor reads marks on the web to synchronize actual movement of the web with the image transfer drum using the registration motor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for image processing provides a memory having a plurality of individual parallel buffers constructed from random access memories (RAMs) for storing data related to a group of image pixels. The buffers each store a parallel, identical version of the image data so that an image processor can access data related to a given pixel in the overall data from each buffer simultaneously. An address expander for the buffer rows and buffer columns is used to convert a row and column address of a selected “central” pixel into a plurality of related pixel data addresses offset at predetermined distances from the selected pixel data's address. In this manner, the address expanders enable a group of related pixels, each in a different parallel buffer, to be accessed simultaneously, without requiring the processor to be interconnected with all of the buffers. This substantially reduces the complexity of processor interconnection design, while substantially enhancing processor speed.

Abstract: The invention is a stapler and staple guide assembly for same. The stapler provides automated stapling for stacks of sheet material regardless of stack thickness. In a first embodiment two staple guides load individual sheets or small stacks of sheets onto a staple with the staple supported in a base. The staple is then cut to an appropriate height and cinched. In another embodiment, numerous split guides may be cascaded to increase staple loading speed. Other improvements to a stapling process include dimpling sheets of material and/or pre-drilling sheets of material to simplify loading sheets onto a staple.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing web that is free of tractor pin feed holes comprises the driving of the web along a predetermined path within the utilization device. A web guide is provided in an upstream location from a utilization device element. The guide engages width-wise edges of the web and forms the web into a trough to stiffen the web. A drive roller and a follower roller impinge upon opposing sides of the web and rotate to drive the web through the guide. The drive roller is located adjacent to the guide according to a preferred embodiment. A registration controller is utilized to synchronize the movement of the web with the operation of the utilization device element. The controller includes a drive controller that controls the speed of either the drive roller or the utilization device element to maintain the web and the utilization device element in appropriate synchronization.

Abstract: A self-tapping fastener is provided. The fastener is formed from a blank having an odd number of lobes along a cross section taken perpendicular to its axis of rotation. The lobes define a relatively high out-of-round cross section along a tapered thread-forming zone, and a relatively low out-of-round cross section along the main body taken in a direction toward the drive head. Between the main body and tapered thread-forming zone is located an additional thread forming zone having an axial length of approximately one thread pitch and a cross section that conforms to the high out-of-round of the tapered zone. The maximum diameter (at the lobes) of the additional thread-forming section approximately matches that of the full-diameter main body section. A lower-diameter stabilizing section can be provided ahead of the tapered zone, adjacent the tip of the fastener.

Abstract: A system and method for incorporating, in the production of a continuous stream of images, by an image transfer device upon a moving web, post-production operations upon the web at various locations. Locations of a web, having a plurality of images placed thereon, output from an image transfer device are tracked. Specific operations at various locations upon the web are performed by a post-production device as the web passes through it. The web is directed from the image transfer device to the post-production device. In response to the tracking of locations upon the web, the point when a location has entered the post-production device is determined. In response to this determination, the post-production device is commanded to perform its specific operation at a connect location.

Abstract: The invention is a stapler and staple guide assembly for same. The stapler provides automated stapling for stacks of sheet material regardless of stack thickness. In a first embodiment two staple guides load individual sheets or small stacks of sheets onto a staple with the staple supported in a base. The staple is then cut to an appropriate height and cinched. In another embodiment, numerous split guides may be cascaded to increase staple loading speed. Other improvements to a stapling process include dimpling sheets of material and/or pre-drilling sheets of material to simplify loading sheets onto a staple.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting the surface of an object using structured illumination is provided. A structured illuminator having a diffuser assembly, grid pattern and beam splitter projects the grid pattern on the surface. The projected grid pattern is viewed by a camera, which is aligned on-axis with the projection and substantially perpendicular to the surface. The structured grid pattern makes more-pronounced any surface defects. The projected image, defined by the grid pattern and received by the camera, is analyzed using a two-step technique that, first locates and scores the individual features of the grid, and then compares the locations of the actual features as viewed, to ideal locations for such features.

Abstract: A web roll cart for loading, unloading, and transporting rolls of web material wherein a handle may be pivoted between two different orientations, regardless of the presence of a roll of web material thereon. The two handle orientations permit the cart to be steered from either of two sides, and further permits a roll of web material to be presented to a web handling device in either of two orientations. A locking mechanism is provided so that the handle may be locked securely in either orientation while the cart is being steered. In a preferred embodiment, the web roll cart further includes four wheels, with two of the four wheels on casters for steering, and a v-shaped bed for receiving a roll of web material.

Abstract: A wide-angle illuminator for machine vision applications comprises a fiber optic bundle having a tail end defining a long narrow illumination line adjacent the workpiece and a head end defining a rectangular inlet adjacent the light source. The light source comprises a lamp located within a concave, elliptical cross-section reflector that is elongated in one direction. The elliptical cross-section is the same across the entire direction of elongation, thus defining a partial elliptical cylinder, which is preferably capped by flat, reflective surfaces at each end. The lamp, particularly the filament of the lamp, is aligned with one focus of the ellipse. The head inlet of the fiber optic bundle is aligned with the second focus of the ellipse so that the light emitted from the lamp is reflected to the second focus for transmission through the fiber optic bundle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing image pixel data in a plurality of parallel random access memories (RAMs) includes providing the RAMs so that they are arranged in pairs that each include an even RAM and an odd RAM. Each of the pairs includes an identical copy of the image pixel data stored at identical addresses in each of the RAMs relative to each other. An image processor receives image pixel data from the RAMs over multi-bit data lines. and addresses rows and columns of the pairs so that alternating columns of image pixel data corresponding to alternating pixel columns in an acquired image are stored in an alternating manner in each of an even RAM and an odd RAM. In other words, pixel data of alternating odd pixel columns are stored in succeeding columns in the odd RAM and pixel data of all even pixel columns are stored in succeeding columns in the even RAM.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing web that is free of tractor pin feed holes comprises the driving of the web along a predetermined path within the utilization device. A web guide is provided in an upstream location from a utilization device element. The guide engages width-wise edges of the web and forms the web into a trough to stiffen the web. A drive roller and a follower roller impinge upon opposing sides of the web and rotate to drive the web through the guide. The drive roller is located adjacent to the guide according to a preferred embodiment. A registration controller is utilized to synchronize the movement of the web with the operation of the utilization device element. The controller includes a drive controller that controls the speed of either the drive roller or the utilization device element to maintain the web and the utilization device element in appropriate synchronization.

Abstract: A sport shoe, particularly suitable for golf, provides a shoe with a base section sole and an overlying sole that is selectively removable from the base section sole. The base section sole can be spikeless, or include one type of spikes, while one or more overlying soles can include different spike types or spikeless faces. In one example, the base section sole contains metal long spikes that seat within magnetic recesses of the overlying sole. The overlying sole includes short plastic spikes or a spikeless face.

Abstract: A modular building panel and a method for constructing the same provides a framework composed of structural members, typically formed of metal, and a backer board typically formed of a cementacious composite for receiving an exterior wall coating surface. The backer board and the framework are separated from, and insulated from, each other by a layer of foam that is applied in liquid form and that expands and cures into a solid form. Substantially no fasteners extend between the backer board and the metal framework to reduce conduction of heat therebetween. The foam serves as an adhesive to hold the backer board rigidly in place at a predetermined spacing from the framework and to anchor the backer board to the structural members. The structural members can comprise U-shaped and C-shaped channel beams for further rigidity and enhanced anchoring. Upon assembly, the backer board and the framework are overlaid upon each other, typically using spacers of a predetermined spacing thickness.

Abstract: A seal for a printer toner cartridge, and a method for employing the seal is provided. The seal provides a flexible thin sheet material that can be folded to form two plies. The thin sheet material defines a seal that is wrapped around the developer roller of the toner cartridge so that a portion of the sheet material extends outwardly from the toner cartridge and can include a pull tab. The sheet material fills gaps formed between the developer roller and a doctor blade and also between the developer roller and a toner application roller. An additional layer is preferably provided to the seal, and joined adjacent the pull tab. It passes through a gap defined between the application roller and another roller, such as a primary charge roller. In addition a compressible strip may be provided between layers of the seal for enhancing the seal. By sealing these gaps, a positive barrier to toner expulsion is created.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for addressing a parallel image processing memory provides a plurality of random access memories arranged in an array in a set of array rows and array columns. Each of the memories has addresses for storing image pixel data that are arranged identically to each other. Each of the random access memories stores the group of image pixel data at the identical addresses. The entire group of image pixel data is stored in each of the plurality of random access memories. The random access memories can be constructed from a plurality of individual random access memory structures that are joined as a single memory storage unit, or buffer that enables one image pixel data to be addressed in each addressing cycle. An image processor generates address values for accessing the group of image pixel data over a plurality of address lines interconnected with respective of the plurality of buffers. The image processor manipulates the group of image pixel data.