Patents by Inventor Jimmy F. Plyler

Jimmy F. Plyler has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Operator-free fabric web inspection system
    Patent number: 6462820
    Abstract: A moving fabric web vision inspection system. The apparatus includes at least two electronic cameras on one side of the moving fabric web for measuring the light intensity of a predetermined area of the moving fabric web. A high frequency, backlight, contrast panel on the other side of the moving fabric web provides reference point for the cameras to detect a defect. A controller connected to each of the electronic cameras generates a stop signal if the light intensity of the predetermined area of the moving fabric web deviates from a predetermined value. The predetermined value corresponds to a detected defect in the moving fabric web. Finally, a repair station downstream from the cameras allows an operator to repair a defect detected by the vision inspection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: Edmund L. Pace, Glenn R. Pierce, John R. Everhart, David L. Kamp, Jimmy F. Plyler, Dennis Starnes, James Moore Schenck, George S. Noonkester
  • Operator-free fabric web inspection system
    Patent number: 6259526
    Abstract: A moving fabric web vision inspection system. The apparatus includes at least two electronic cameras on one side of the moving fabric web for measuring the light intensity of a predetermined area of the moving fabric web. A high frequency, backlight, contrast panel on the other side of the moving fabric web provides reference point for the cameras to detect a defect. A controller connected to each of the electronic cameras generates a stop signal if the light intensity of the predetermined area of the moving fabric web deviates from a predetermined value. The predetermined value corresponds to a detected defect in the moving fabric web. Finally, a repair station downstream from the cameras allows an operator to repair a defect detected by the vision inspection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: Edmund L. Pace, Glenn R. Pierce, John R. Everhart, David L. Kamp, Jimmy F. Plyler, Dennis Starnes, James Moore Schenck, George S. Noonkester
  • Fabric width control system
    Patent number: 5867878
    Abstract: A fabric width control system for a fabric compactor for compacting a moving fabric web. The system includes a vision assembly for measuring the width of the moving fabric web downstream of the fabric compactor. A mechanical spreader is located upstream of the fabric compactor for adjusting the width of the web in response to a control signal from an open loop controller. The controller is connected to the vision assembly and the mechanical spreader for controlling the position of the mechanical spreader in response to a change in the width of the moving fabric web from a pre-set value. In the preferred embodiment, a cloth stabilizer is located downstream of the fabric compactor for maintaining the moving fabric web at a pre-determined position with respect to the vision assembly, thereby further increasing the accuracy of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne G. Foster, David L. Kamp, John R. Everhart, Michael D. Hines, Erik D. Moore, Jimmy F. Plyler, James Moore Schenck