Patents Examined by James Engel
  • Patent number: 5885391
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of forming coreless rolls of pressure sensitive adhesive tape involves the use of a mandrel assembly having a specific circumferential tape supporting segment thereon for winding tape. The circumferential tape supporting segment has a tape engaging surface portion that, in a radial orientation, is compressible yet sufficiently stiff to support the tape as it is successively wound about the mandrel to form a tape roll, and that is sufficiently pliant to permit ready axial removal of a wound tape roll from the shaft. The innermost wrap of pressure sensitive adhesive tape about the mandrel is masked by an adhesive liner. That liner is formed from one portion of a liner/tab segment which had been applied to the tape previously, and prior to winding, the tape is severed, and the remainder of that liner/tab forms an end tab on the outermost end of the previously formed coreless tape roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: David R. Cram, Dee Lynn Johnson, Harvey D. Ogren, Jeffery N. Jackson
  • Patent number: 5885396
    Abstract: A wallcovering border includes a decorative repeating pattern which is imprinted upon a strip of wallcovering of indeterminate length and which has a substantially straight upper edge. The upper edge is applied in engagement with the corner between the wall and the ceiling to thereby permit application of the border to the wall in a substantially straight strip. A score line is embossed on the wallpaper between the decorative pattern and the upper edge. The portion of the border between the edge and the pattern is removed along the score line after the border is initially positioned on the wall to thereby provide a decorative border having a nonlinear upper edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: D.W. WallCovering, Inc.
    Inventor: David Weinberg
  • Patent number: 5882474
    Abstract: A labeling machine for labeling a plurality of containers is disclosed. The labeling machine includes a loading mechanism that sequentially receives containers and discharges containers in a spaced relationship. A star wheel has a plurality of receptacles disposed about the periphery of the star wheel, and is rotatable around an axis of rotation. The star wheel sequentially receives containers from the loading mechanism. The receptacles are pivotally secured to the star wheel for limited radial and pivotal movement. The receptacles have a leading end and a trailing end relative to the direction of rotation of the star wheel. A label dispenser including a label holder is disposed adjacent the periphery of the star wheel. The label has a decorated side facing the dispenser and an adherent side facing the star wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: B&H Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary G. Gomes, Joe C. Parker
  • Patent number: 5882461
    Abstract: A concentric radial flow hollow fiber module includes internal and external annular-shaped spaced apart bodies disposed in a concentric arrangement and hollow fibers extending across an annular interspace extending through the module between the bodies and connected with the bodies. The internal body surrounds an inner space while the external body is surrounded by an outer space. Each body includes an annular wall made of a non-permeable plastic material having adhesive properties and an elongated strengthening element contained within and extending circumferentially about the annular wall. Each hollow fiber includes an tubular wall having spaced opposite inner and outer end portions encapsulated respectively in the internal and external bodies and open respectively to at least one of the inner and outer spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Integrated Process Technologies
    Inventor: Jan Rogut
  • Patent number: 5882451
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying an electronic component adhesive with a minimum length of time for setting a proper application condition. Variation of application shapes of each type of the adhesive is monitored under various different application conditions and its resultant data is saved. When a desired application shape is inputted, the application nozzles are automatically controlled to apply desired doses of the adhesive under an optimum application condition which is defined by retrieving the data previously stored. Also, various different application shapes for bonding respective electronic components may be determined and saved in advance, so that a proper application condition can be automatically determined by retrieving the data on the application shapes when a desired electronic component is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Sasaki, Naoithi Thikahisa, Hiroyuki Miyake, Akira Iizuka, Eiichiro Terayama, Yuzuru Inaba
  • Patent number: 5882470
    Abstract: Directly following application of a label (3) to the adhesive coating (5) of a backing web (2) by rolling the affixation point (8) non-contact sensing by the sensor (31) of a detector device (30) establishes whether the adhesive coating (5) is not fully covered due to mutual misorientation. In the case of such a misorientation the backing web (2) including substantially all other means of a paper processing line are halted, as a result of which the exposed adhesive coating (5) is unable to soil any further parts of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: bielomatik Leuze GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Martin Bohn, Wolfgang Scheller, Klaus Horz
  • Patent number: 5879503
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, the foregoing needs are addressed by a splicing tool for joining a first tube and a second tube, including a first member and a second member which are moveably coupled. The first member has a first handle section and a first mold section. The first mold section has a first groove. The second member has a second handle section and a second mold section. The second mold section has a second groove. The first groove sized to receive at least a portion of a first tube, at least a portion of a second tube and a bonding material. The bonding material attaches the first tube to the second tube when the first and second grooves are substantially aligned and heat is applied to the bonding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. McDunn, Linda Limper-Brenner, Minoo D. Press
  • Patent number: 5879489
    Abstract: A method and apparatus automatically fabricates a three dimensional object from individual layers of fabrication material having a predetermined configuration. Successive layers are stacked in a predetermined sequence and affixed together to form the object. The fabrication material is carried on a substrate to a stacker. At the stacker the layers are stacked together, with each layer being successively affixed to the stack of previously affixed layers, and with the substrate removed from each layer after it is affixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventors: Marshall Burns, Kenneth J. Hayworth, Kim F. McGinnis
  • Patent number: 5879508
    Abstract: This patent publication discloses a method and assembly for placing an identification label to the end of a paper roll (1). Prior-art methods for placing the label have been hampered by the long duration of the work cycle caused by the picking movement of the label. According to the present invention the label is picked by means of a clamp element (7) from a slanted surface inclined at an angle of, e.g., 45.degree. from horizontal and transferred to the end of the roll (1) via an activation phase of the adhering surface by way of a continuous horizontal transfer movement, thus achieving a short work cycle. The assembly designed to implement the method performs the transfer movements by means of an arm (6) travelling along a guide rail (5) and a clamp element (7) connected by a joint (8) to the end of the arm (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Valmet Coperation
    Inventor: Jukka Makinen
  • Patent number: 5879507
    Abstract: Pressure-sensitive adhesive-backed labels are carried adhesive back side down on a backing strip. The apparatus completely removes each label from its backing material and then may relocate, manipulate, or hold the label by its adhesive back side before it is attached to a passing article. A group of rollers covered with a nonstick material is located in a frame with their axes aligned along a circumference so that the label is given a reverse curl (to the curl created by the supply roll) before application to the passing article. A solenoid actuated finger holds each label to the rollers while the frame moves to bring the label in contact with the passing article. This arrangement permits the label to be accurately placed on the passing article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Apax Corporation
    Inventors: Hubert J. Schroeder, Jovan Zivkovic
  • Patent number: 5876555
    Abstract: An apparatus for labelling packages with postage meter labels performs a method in which postage metered label combinations are received from a label feeder and postage meter, the label is stripped from its release sheet, and then the label is applied to its respective package. The labelling apparatus and method are designed for use in a high speed electronic finishing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Gunther International, Ltd.
    Inventors: Per Hellsund, George Rinaudo
  • Patent number: 5876530
    Abstract: A glue application roll 1 rotating at a circumferential velocity v.sub.1 is moved to touch a downstream side corrugating roll (an upper corrugating roll) 9 rotating at a circumferential velocity v.sub.2 via a core paper 11 and, in response to variation in vibration, noise, drive torque or pressing reaction force of the glue application roll 1 caused thereby, a setting position of the glue application roll 1 to the downstream side corrugating roll 9 is adjusted, thus a gap between the glue application roll 1 and the downstream side corrugating roll 9 is maintained approximately at a thickness of the core paper 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukuharu Seki, Makoto Ando, Takashi Nitta
  • Patent number: 5876556
    Abstract: Head part carrying a nozzle for picking-up a chip is moved up and down with the use of a can and cam follower during movement of the head part between a wafer in a chip supply part and a substrate in a positioning part so as to shorten a stroke for the up and down movement of the nozzle for picking up a chip from a wafer in the chip supply part, and mounting the chip on the substrate, and a load during the movement of the nozzle is reduced thereby it is possible to enhance the speed at which the head part is moved between the wafer and the substrate so as to shorten the time tact and to enhance the working efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuo Takanami
  • Patent number: 5873966
    Abstract: A method and system for manufacturing units of production enables the location of a splice to be accurately determined, so that only the unit of production containing the splice can be rejected without requiring additional units of production which are entirely free of defects to also be rejected. According to the method, first and second webs of material are spliced together so as to create a splice. The splice is marked with a magnetic marker. After the units of production are assembled, including a unit of production which contains the splice, the magnetic marker is magnetized. The magnetizing step occurs after the assembling step so that the orientation of the magnetic field remains parallel to the sensing direction until the magnetic field is detected. The magnetic marker is detected with a detector which has a plurality of closely spaced magnetic sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Industrial Company
    Inventors: Ira B. Goldberg, David L. Mays
  • Patent number: 5873965
    Abstract: In a process and a device for carrying out a welding process on thermoplastic material webs, the value of the pressing force (F.sub.i) of a pair of pressure rollers is determined as a measured value representing the weld seam thickness and is used as the actual value of the controlled variable of a welding process regulating unit, and it is compared with a corresponding set value. The feed speed (V) of the welding device is used as the correcting variable of this regulating unit by increasing the speed in the case of decreasing weld seam thickness and decreasing the speed in the case of increasing weld seam thickness to compensate a possibly existing deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: G.M. Pfaff Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Greller
  • Patent number: 5868896
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for uniformly planarizing a surface of a semiconductor wafer and accurately stopping CMP processing at a desired endpoint. In one embodiment, a planarizing machine has a platen mounted to a support structure, an underpad attached to the platen, a polishing pad attached to the underpad, and a wafer carrier assembly. The wafer carrier assembly has a chuck with a mounting cavity in which the wafer may be mounted, and the wafer carrier assembly moves the chuck to engage a front face of the wafer with the planarizing surface of the polishing pad. The chuck and/or the platen moves with respect to the other to impart relative motion between the wafer and the polishing pad. The planarizing machine also includes a pressure sensor positioned to measure the pressure at an area of the wafer as the platen and the chuck move with respect to each other and while the wafer engages the planarizing surface of the polishing pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl M. Robinson, Chris Chang Yu
  • Patent number: 5868840
    Abstract: A spray gun for applying a liquid spray coating, such as paint, to a surface incorporates a light source and detection system for analyzing the position of the spray gun relative to a worksurface in order to optimize application of the coating to the surface. The light source is preferably in the form of a laser which emits a beam of light toward the worksurface. The laser is interconnected with the housing of the spray gun in a location over the spray gun handle so as not to effect the center of gravity of the spray gun. Optical sensors are mounted to the spray gun housing for receiving light reflected from the work-surface, and the sensors are interconnected with a processor for providing the operator with a real time visual indication as to compliance with predetermined paint application criteria. In addition, information can be stored to memory and downloaded for subsequent analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: The University of Northern Iowa Foundation
    Inventors: Richard J. Klein, II, Douglas L. Sevey
  • Patent number: 5868900
    Abstract: A tool for the fixation of a cable or line on a support by adherence means, the tool comprising a pressure wheel for guiding movement on and along said cable or line when mounted on a handle. The circumference of the pressure wheel is adapted to the form and dimensions of the cable or line in such a way that a predetermined pressure for adhesive fixation is applied with said guided movement. The circumference of the pressure wheel suitably comprises a cylindric groove track delimited on each side by a flange for contact against the support when applying pressure for adhesive fixation during the guided movement on and along the cable or line. The circumference of the pressure wheel may also comprise a frustoconically shaped groove track delimited at its narrower side by a flange to be in contact with the support and at its wider side by a transverse surface to be supported against a wall surface during the application of pressure for adhesive fixation during the guided movement on and along the cable or line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Roller International ASA
    Inventor: Finn Agnar Haglund
  • Patent number: 5865918
    Abstract: A label applicator for applying a label to an article. The label includes a first side having printed matter visible thereon and a second side having a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon. The label applicator includes plasma coated tray that defines a label support structure for supporting the label with the second side of the label resting on the label support structure. A label transfer pad structure is provided with an array of openings thereon that have a vacuum source communicating therewith for gripping the first side of the label, picking up the label from the plasma coated tray, and for pressing the label onto the article. The plasma coated tray gives a non-stick surface that will not readily retain the adhesive side of the label. The label transfer pad has a suction cup portion for insuring complete separation of the label and any release liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: PTI, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Franklin, Robert Franklin, Robert H. McOuage, Terrence D. Watson, Phillip M. Williams
  • Patent number: 5865945
    Abstract: A handle for use with a pressure sensitive film applicator tool includes a main body having a shape that configured to be easily gripped by a users hand. The applicator tool is a specifically configured double edged squeegee designed to apply pressure sensitive films to a substrate. The applicator tool has two blade portions formed on opposite longitudinal edges of the applicator tool. The handle includes a receiving arrangement for receiving one of the blade portions of the applicator tool. The handle also includes a grip arrangement for gripping the applicator tool and holding the applicator tool within the handle when one of the blade portions of the applicator tool is positioned within the receiving arrangement of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Drew B. McConaughy