By Means To Move Applicator Or Applicator Adjunct From Inoperative Position To Operative Position Patents (Class 118/681)
  • Patent number: 11944990
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a coating device for coating components with a coating agent, in particular for painting motor vehicle body components, with a printhead, a multi-axis coating robot and with a robot control which controls the coating robot. The disclosure additionally provides for a separate printhead control which controls the printhead valve of the printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Dürr Systems AG
    Inventors: Hans-Georg Fritz, Benjamin Wöhr, Marcus Kleiner, Moritz Bubek, Timo Beyl, Frank Herre, Steffen Sotzny
  • Patent number: 11513602
    Abstract: A fluid application system includes a pump unit configured to pump a fluid to a fluid applicator. The fluid application system includes a sensor configured to sense a motion made by a user and generate a sensor signal indicative of the sensed motion. The fluid application system also includes a control system configured to identify a gesture based on the sensor signal and control the fluid application system based on the identified gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Wagner Spray Tech Corporation
    Inventor: Nima Abbaspour
  • Patent number: 11110501
    Abstract: A sealant system for operation with a metal workpiece comprises a frame, a cam assembly mounted to said frame, a sealant reservoir, a sealant application unit connected to said sealant reservoir, and a control module for coordinating operation of said cam assembly and said sealant reservoir, wherein said control module comprises a temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of said sealant, an integrated heating system for heating said sealant and a controller in communication with said temperature sensor and said integrated heating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: MESTEK MACHINERY, INC.
    Inventor: Steven Kerska
  • Patent number: 10960424
    Abstract: This method allows a coating product to be applied to a component (13) being moved by a conveyor (12), along which conveyor at least one spray (62.1, 62.2) is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: EXEL INDUSTRIES
    Inventors: Cédric Le Strat, Philippe Provenaz, Eric Prus, Hervé Brochier-Cendre
  • Patent number: 9266141
    Abstract: An applicator head for a vacuum coating system includes a manifold shell having opposing shell plates, each including a conduit attachment coupled to a shell aperture. An applicator manifold is affixed to each shell plate. Each applicator manifold includes two coupled manifold plates, with one including a manifold aperture, and each is affixed to the respective shell plate so that each manifold aperture aligns with the respective shell aperture. An applicator channel is formed between the manifold plates of each applicator manifold, and the applicator channel is fluidically coupled to the manifold aperture of each respective applicator manifold. Each applicator channel forms an applicator port at a leading edge of each respective applicator manifold, and each leading edge is configured to be complementary in shape to an edge of a workpiece to be coated. First and second face plates are disposed over the leading edges of the applicator manifolds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: AWI Licensing Company
    Inventors: Sebastien G. Nalin, Scott L. Huntzinger
  • Patent number: 9266296
    Abstract: A method for making a plastic film having a three-dimensionally structured and colored surface includes the steps of: providing the film with a three-dimensional surface structure via a shaping process; determining the provided topography of the film surface via a scanning process; and, applying a coloring to the surface after the topography of the surface has been determined. A device configured to apply the coloring to the surface is controlled such that the application of the coloring to the surface is changeable in dependence upon at least one of topological data of the surface and macroscopic shapes of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Benecke-Kaliko AG
    Inventors: Roland Wolff, Michael Maeker, Dirk Iben, Oliver Stahlhut
  • Patent number: 9108432
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a shape information acquisition unit configured to acquire shape information indicating a shape of a three-dimensional object on which an image forming process is to be performed; a surface determination unit configured to determine a plurality of surfaces from which the three-dimensional object is constructed, based on the shape information; and an output image information generation unit configured to generate surface image information and join region image information. The surface image information is information on images to be formed on the respective surfaces. Each image is of a region obtained by cutting an end of the corresponding surface by a predetermined amount. The join region image information is information on an image to be formed on a join region between the adjacent surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Norimasa Sohgawa
  • Patent number: 9016232
    Abstract: A paper coater includes a frame, an entry guide roll and an exit guide roll both carried by the frame and along a path of travel of a continuous paper sheet. The paper coater includes independently controllable hot wax applicators carried by the frame between the entry and exit guide rolls. Each independently controllable hot wax applicator includes a press roll, an engraved applicator roll opposite the press roll so that the continuous paper sheet is therebetween, and with the engraved applicator roll extending into a hot wax reservoir to pick up hot wax. Each wax applicator includes a doctor blade adjacent the engraved applicator roll to control a thickness of hot wax. At least one selectively operable positioner relatively moves the press and engraved applicator rolls between active and idle positions. The paper coater provides different wax application rates and can be reconfigured relatively quickly between different application rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Profero Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas B. Jones, Oscar Eberhard, Kenneth I. Park
  • Patent number: 8944001
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of determining a position of a height sensor in a dispensing system. The dispensing system includes a dispenser, height sensor, camera, and a calibration device configured to receive a signal from the height sensor. The calibration device may include an optical sensor that generates an alignment signal in response to receiving light from the height sensor and/or a fiducial that causes the height sensor to generate the alignment signal in response to a detected height change. The alignment signal is used to automatically determine the position at which the height sensor is aligned with the calibration device. The position of the height sensor relative to a camera is determined by aligning the camera with the calibration device and recording its position. The recorded coordinates of the camera are compared to the coordinates of the height sensor when the height sensor is automatically aligned with the calibration device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Floriana Suriawidjaja, Todd S. Weston
  • Patent number: 8939106
    Abstract: A painting system according to the embodiments includes a painting booth surrounded by a ceiling and a sidewall, a conveyor line that is arranged in the painting booth and conveys an object to be painted, and a painting robot that performs painting on the object. The painting robot includes a base portion fixed on the sidewall side in the painting booth, and an arm portion that is connected to the base portion and has a seven-axis configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventor: Shingi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8916241
    Abstract: A can coating machine control system includes a coating control signal that functions as a go/no-go signal based on a plurality of monitored conditions such as can in position, vacuum pressure, gun in position, guard in position and speed condition. Local pressure regulation of the coating material in the spray gun is provided along with optional control of the material temperature. Local pressure regulation allows for optional spray weight control based on a wrap number derived from speed and gun spray durations. A CAN to CAN network buffer is provided as well for primary network isolation. A gun control circuit may be used to select specific gun drive signals and to adjust gun drive signals based on real-time feedback of the actual spray duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Khoury, Charles Nagy, Stephen G. Nemethy, Mark J. Ignatius
  • Patent number: 8889551
    Abstract: A deposition device includes a deposition source for discharging a deposition material to be deposited on a substrate, an angle control member at least partly in a discharging path of the deposition material for controlling a discharging angle of the deposition material, and an angle control member driver coupled to the angle control member, the angle control member driver for moving the angle control member in a discharging direction of the deposition material to control the discharging angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 8875648
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for preventing oxidation or contamination during a circuit printing operation. The circuit printing operation can be directed to OLED-type printing. In an exemplary embodiment, the printing process is conducted at a load-locked printer housing having one or more of chambers. Each chamber is partitioned from the other chambers by physical gates or fluidic curtains. A controller coordinates transportation of a substrate through the system and purges the system by timely opening appropriate gates. The controller may also control the printing operation by energizing the print-head at a time when the substrate is positioned substantially thereunder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kateeva, Inc.
    Inventors: Sass Somekh, Eliyahu Vronsky
  • Patent number: 8820378
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a coated analytic substrate using a compact and portable automated instrument located in the laboratory setting at the point of use which can consistently produce one or a plurality of coated analytic substrates “on demand” for using the analytic substrate immediately after coating, preferably without a step of rinsing the coated analytic substrate before use. The apparatus preferably uses applicator cartridges having a reservoir containing the coating compositions used to form the coatings. Preferably the cartridges are removable and interchangeable to facilitate the production of individual analytic substrates having different coatings or different coating patterns. These coated analytic substrates have superior specimen adhesion characteristics due to the improved quality of the coatings applied by the coating apparatus and due to the quickness with which the coated analytic substrates can be used in the lab after production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Lee H. Angros
  • Patent number: 8770138
    Abstract: A plated film having a uniform film thickness is formed on a surface of a substrate. A semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes: a holding mechanism for holding a substrate rotatably; a nozzle for supplying a processing solution for performing a plating process on a processing target surface of the substrate; a substrate rotating mechanism for rotating the substrate held by the holding mechanism in a direction along the processing target surface; a nozzle driving mechanism for moving the nozzle in a direction along the processing target surface at a position facing the processing target surface of the substrate held by the holding mechanism; and a control unit for controlling the supply of the processing solution by the nozzle and the movement of the nozzle by the nozzle driving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kenichi Hara, Mitsuaki Iwashita, Takashi Tanaka, Takayuki Toshima, Takehiko Orii
  • Patent number: 8739731
    Abstract: A delivery assembly for depositing a gasket made of polymeric material within a seat having a predefined shape provided within a product, which comprises at least one working head provided with a nozzle for dispensing the polymeric material substantially in the liquid state. An increase in volume is associated with the polymeric material at the phase transition from liquid to solid; the expanded gasket, due to the increase in volume, defines by interference a stable coupling with the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: G.T. Line S.r.l.
    Inventor: Massimo Tonelli
  • Patent number: 8578878
    Abstract: A can coating machine control system includes a coating control signal that functions as a go/no-go signal based on a plurality of monitored conditions such as can in position, vacuum pressure, gun in position, guard in position and speed condition. Local pressure regulation of the coating material in the spray gun is provided along with optional control of the material temperature. Local pressure regulation allows for optional spray weight control based on a wrap number derived from speed and gun spray-durations. A CAN to CAN network buffer is provided as well for primary network isolation. A gun control circuit may be used to select specific gun drive signals and to adjust gun drive signals based on real-time feedback of the actual spray duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Khoury, Charles Nagy, Stephen G. Nemethy, Mark J. Ignatius
  • Patent number: 8573150
    Abstract: An automated apparatus and method for coating medical devices such as an intravascular stent, are disclosed in the method, a 2-D image of a stent is processed to determine (1) paths along the stent skeletal elements by which a stent secured to a rotating support element can be traversed by a dispenser head whose relative motion with respect to the support element is along the support-element axis, such that some or all of the stent skeletal elements will be traversed (2) the relative speeds of the dispenser head and support element as the dispenser head travels along the paths, and (3), and positions of the dispenser head with respect to a centerline of the stent elements as the dispenser head travels along such paths The rotational speed of the support and relative linear speed of the dispenser are controlled to achieve the desired coating thickness and coating coverage on the upper surfaces, and optionally, the side surfaces, of the stent elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Biosensors International Group, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ivan Vecerina, Vinh Pham
  • Patent number: 8561571
    Abstract: A method of applying a coating solution onto an upper surface of a glass plate that is transported in a substantially horizontal attitude, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the method including the steps of transporting the glass plate into a coating chamber, and opening the plurality of coating nozzles which are positioned in a row at constant intervals therebetween along a curved shape of the upper surface of the glass plate in a width direction of the glass plate perpendicular to the direction of transporting the glass plate by the nozzle position adjusting means and the nozzle height adjusting means, to thereby inject the coating solution when the coating nozzles are located in a region of the upper surface of the glass plate which extends from the leading edge of the glass plate to the rear edge of the glass plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Central Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Takafumi Shioi, Tadaaki Nakano, Shigeo Hamaguchi, Yoshinori Akamatsu, Nobuyuki Itakura
  • Patent number: 8302559
    Abstract: A method for producing lithium ion secondary batteries includes the steps of: (A) preparing an electrode sheet with lead-forming parts, (B) intermittently forming porous insulating layers containing an inorganic oxide filler and a binder on a surface of the electrode sheet excluding the lead-forming parts, (C) connecting a lead to each of the lead-forming parts, and (D) fabricating batteries by using the electrode sheet to which the leads are connected. The step B includes: the step of applying a slurry containing the inorganic oxide filler and the binder to the outer surface of a gravure roll, and transferring the slurry applied to the outer surface of the gravure roll on a surface of the electrode sheet that is being transported by a plurality of guide rolls excluding the lead-forming part; and the step of moving at least one selected from the gravure roll and the guide rolls to make the electrode sheet away from the gravure roll in the lead-forming part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Fukumoto, Tsumoru Ohata, Tetsuya Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8291855
    Abstract: A system for automatically reproducing an image on a large surface, such as the surface of an outdoor or indoor athletic field or athletic court. The system includes a computer, a microcontroller, a mobile robotic platform, a plurality of distance sensors, a plurality of boundary markers, and image reproduction machinery. The computer takes the image input by the user and translates for use by the microcontroller. The distance sensors use the boundary markers to provide positioning information to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is used to control motors and sensors on the mobile robotic platform and image reproduction machinery. The mobile robotic platform propels and steers the system along the surface. The image production machinery comprises a guide rail, a carriage, and a paint head assembly which reproduce the image onto a large surface. The movement of the image production machinery is decoupled from the movement of the mobile robotic platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey Joseph Hoerl, Jr., Arthur Cranwell Boensch, III
  • Patent number: 8191503
    Abstract: A liquid application apparatus includes: an application roller having an application surface for applying a liquid to a medium, at least the application surface of the application roller being constituted by an elastic body; a liquid holding unit including an abutting part which abuts against a circumferential surface of the application roller so as to form a liquid holding space, the abutting part including a measuring roller which has a projection-recess surface capable of holding a specific amount of the liquid; and a drive control device which rotates the application roller and the measuring roller in such a manner that the liquid is transferred from the application surface to the medium while the liquid is supplied to the application surface from the liquid holding unit, and which halts rotation of the measuring roller while rotating the application roller after an end of application of the liquid to the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Kusunoki
  • Patent number: 8104427
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and device, which is suitable for use in an operating theater just prior to implantation, for selectively applying a medical coating to an implantable medical device, for example a stent. Disclosed is a device for use with a stent deployed on a catheter balloon. The device is configured to apply a medical coating of a desired thickness to the surface of a stent only. This is done by use of a drop-on-demand inkjet printing system in association with an optical scanning device. The device is further configured so as to, if necessary, apply a plurality of layered coats, each layered coat being of a different coating material, and if appropriate, different thickness. The section of the housing in which the stent is held during the coating procedure is detachable from the housing base. The detachable housing section may be easily cleaned and re-sterilized or simply disposed or simply disposed of.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Avraham Shekalim, Ascher Shmulewitz, Eyal Teichman
  • Patent number: 8037841
    Abstract: A liquid droplet ejection apparatus includes an ejection inspecting section for recognizing an inspection pattern printed on a printing unit as an image, and inspecting ejection performance of the functional liquid droplet ejection heads, a workpiece alignment section for aligning a workpiece relative to a set table, a table moving section for moving the set table between the printing area and an alignment position, a unit moving section for moving the printing unit between a retracted position and an inspection position, and a controller for controlling the functional liquid droplet ejection heads, the ejection inspecting section, the table moving section, the unit moving section, and the workpiece alignment section. The controller allows alignment processing of moving the set table to the alignment position and aligning the workpiece and inspection processing of moving the printing unit to the inspection position and performing inspection of the ejection performance to be performed simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Kojima
  • Patent number: 7992516
    Abstract: A phosphor layer forming apparatus (1) in which a paste (21) containing a phosphor is discharged so as to cover each of a plurality of light-emitting elements (11) mounted on a substrate (10) includes the following: a discharge portion (12) for discharging the paste (21) in the form of droplets onto each of the light-emitting elements (11); a measurement portion (13) for measuring the thickness of individual phosphor layers that are formed of the paste (21) covering each of the light-emitting elements (11); and a discharge control portion (14) for controlling the amount of the paste (21) to be redischarged for each phosphor layer in accordance with the thickness of the individual phosphor layers measured by the measurement portion (13). This phosphor layer forming apparatus can reduce the manufacturing time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Shida, Hiroyuki Naito, Noriyasu Tanimoto, Yasuharu Ueno, Makoto Morikawa
  • Patent number: 7992517
    Abstract: A gantry tower spraying system with a cartridge/receptacle assembly includes a gantry and a spray assembly coupled to the gantry to allow for translational movement of the spray assembly along the gantry. The spray assembly includes a receptacle for receiving a cartridge containing a cosmetic liquid for skin treatment, and a spray nozzle coupled to the receptacle for receiving the cosmetic liquid and dispensing the cosmetic liquid in a spray. The receptacle has an inner surface of a size and shape to generally conform to a size and shape of a portion of an outer surface of the cartridge. The spraying system can further be provided with an oscillation mechanism adapted to cause oscillation of the spray nozzle. The bottle can be provided with a keying mechanism for engaging a corresponding key structure of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: MT Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Cooper, Troy H. Cooper, Ricky C. Croft
  • Patent number: 7963245
    Abstract: A liquid application device includes a rotating unit for rotating an application member to apply liquid to a medium in contact with the application member, a liquid application unit including the application member, and a retention member for retaining liquid in a sealed liquid retention space formed to be in contact with the application member. The liquid application unit applies the liquid retained in the liquid retention space to the medium via the application member by rotating the application member. In addition, a control unit controls the rotating unit, wherein the control unit controls, after receiving information of instruction on applying liquid to the medium, the rotating unit to rotate, before the application member contacts the medium, the application member so that the rotating unit performs a preliminary rotation that forms a pool of the liquid in an area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naomi Oshio, Osamu Iwasaki, Yoshinori Nakagawa, Atsuhiko Masuyama, Naoji Otsuka
  • Patent number: 7897195
    Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and devices for coating stents are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: David Rego, Kurt Kilchenmann, Sang joon Park, Mark Haight, Anthony S. Andreacchi, Yung-Ming Chen, Arnoldo M. Currlin, Antonio Garcia, Jason Van Sciver, Thomas David Esbeck, Bryan D. Glenn, Patrick A. Tuohy, Richard Baillargeon, Edward P. Garcia, Steven E. Lehner
  • Patent number: 7886684
    Abstract: A gantry tower spraying system with a cartridge/receptacle assembly includes a gantry and a spray assembly coupled to the gantry to allow for translational movement of the spray assembly along the gantry. The spray assembly includes a receptacle for receiving a cartridge containing a cosmetic liquid for skin treatment, and a spray nozzle coupled to the receptacle for receiving the cosmetic liquid and dispensing the cosmetic liquid in a spray. The receptacle has an inner surface of a size and shape to generally conform to a size and shape of a portion of an outer surface of the cartridge. The spraying system can further be provided with an oscillation mechanism adapted to cause oscillation of the spray nozzle. The bottle can be provided with a keying mechanism for engaging a corresponding key structure of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: MT Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Cooper, Troy H. Cooper, Ricky C. Croft
  • Patent number: 7823536
    Abstract: An automatic waxing apparatus and a method thereof are provided. The automatic waxing apparatus includes a movable door-shaped module, at least a waxing module and a controlling module. The movable door-shaped module includes a door-shaped structure capable of moving with respect to the vehicle. The waxing module disposed on the door-shaped structure includes a wax-supplying unit and a wax-polishing unit. The controlling module is coupled to the door-shaped structure, the wax-supplying unit and the wax-polishing unit. The controlling module, according to the information of the vehicle, determines a moving path of the door-shaped structure, a waxing path of the wax-supplying unit, and a polishing path of the wax-polishing unit with respect to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Hung-Chiao Cheng, Chia-Ming Liu, Ma-Tien Yang, Buh-Shiuh Teng
  • Patent number: 7806076
    Abstract: A developing apparatus for developing a substrate whose surface is coated with a coating solution and then exposed includes a substrate supporting unit for horizontally supporting the substrate, a rotation driving mechanism for rotating the substrate supporting unit forwardly or backwardly with respect to a vertical axis, a developer nozzle, disposed to face a surface of the substrate supported by the substrate supporting unit, having a strip-shaped injection opening extended along a direction extending from a periphery of the substrate toward a central portion thereof, a moving unit for moving the developer nozzle from an outer portion of the substrate toward the central portion thereof, and a controller for controlling operations such that while the substrate is rotated forwardly by the rotation driving mechanism, a developer is supplied through the injection opening to the surface of the substrate by moving the developer nozzle and, then, the substrate is rotated backwardly by the rotation driving mechanis
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Taro Yamamoto, Atsushi Ookouchi, Hirofumi Takeguchi, Kousuke Yoshihara
  • Publication number: 20100095887
    Abstract: A method and system for distributing sauce is disclosed. The method and system may include retrieving runtime parameters from memory or from user input, for distributing sauce onto pizza dough from an arm positioned over a turntable. The method and system may include coordinating turntable speed, sauce dispensing speed, and arm movement speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: AUTOMATIC BAR CONTROLS, INC.
    Inventors: Boris Brodsky, James M. Tuyls, John W. Dewing
  • Patent number: 7691450
    Abstract: Two sprayer units are arranged along a conveyer. A coating surface of a panel conveyed by the conveyer is divided into four coating areas. Then, the sprayer units reciprocate parallel to the conveying direction and coat the individual coating areas. At this time, at the boundaries of the coating areas, the positions of the turning paths for reciprocation of the sprayer units are shifted from the front side to the rear side in the conveying direction and step-like coating trajectories are formed. As a result, the size of the area coated by each of the sprayer units can be expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: ABB K.K.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Kenmoku, Takehito Katsunuma
  • Publication number: 20100077959
    Abstract: A virtual coatings application system realistically simulates airless spray painting. The system generally includes a display screen on which is defined a virtual surface that is intended to be virtually painted or coated by the user. The user operates the instrumented airless spray gun controller which is instrumented with a tracking device and an electronic on/off switch for the trigger. The system also has a motion tracking system that tracks the position and orientation of the airless spray gun controller with respect to the virtual surface defined on the display screen. Simulation software generates virtual spray pattern data in response to the setup parameters and the position and orientation of the airless spray gun controller with respect to the virtual surface. Virtual spray pattern images are displayed in real time on the display screen in accordance with the accumulation of virtual spray pattern data at each location on the virtual surface. The primary purpose of the system is to enhance training.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Jeremiah G. Treloar, Christopher A. Lampe, Jason M. Ebensberger, Michael J. Bolick, John Whiting, Richard J. Klein, II, Eric C. Peterson, Chad J. Zalkin, Warren C. Couvillion, JR., Stephen R. Gray
  • Patent number: 7687099
    Abstract: A spray coating apparatus comprises a spray gun (12) operable to deposit a sprayed coating via a spray nozzle (18) onto a surface, a mapping means (22) associated with the spray gun (12) operable to ascertain and store topographical characteristics of the surface, a position sensor (28) operable to ascertain the position of the spray gun (12) relative to the surface, a coating thickness monitor (26) operable to ascertain the thickness of a coating applied to the surface, and a nozzle control means (24) operable to control the deposition of the sprayed coating, wherein the nozzle control means (24), in use, control the deposition of the sprayed coating in response to information provided by the position sensor (28), the coating thickness monitor (26) and the mapping means (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: BAE Systems PLC
    Inventor: Paul Edward Jarvis
  • Patent number: 7650852
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing objects includes an elevated tubular frame rail mounting a four axis robot arm with a tool such as a painting applicator. The robot is attached to a mounting base that moves along the rail permitting painting of the top and/or side of a vehicle body. Electrical power and fluid lines can be routed through the rail to the robot. Two such rails and multiple robots can be combined as a module for installation in a new or an existing painting booth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Fanuc Robotics America, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Clifford, Eric D. Buchanan, James M. Kowalski, Roy A Jerue, Paul D. Copioli, Mike G. Beem
  • Patent number: 7591902
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and methodology for dummy-dispensing resist though a dispense head while mitigating waste associated with the dummy-dispense process. The dummy dispensed resist is returned to a reservoir from which it was taken. Between substrate applications, the dispense head can be positioned to dispense resist into a return line. The flow of resist from the dispense head keeps resist from drying at the dispense head. By funneling the dummy-dispensed resist into a return line with low volume, for example, waste from the dummy-dispensing process can be mitigated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Bharath Rangarajan, Ramkumar Subramanian, Khoi A. Phan, Ursula Q. Quinto, Michael T. Templeton
  • Patent number: 7588642
    Abstract: The apparatus and method use an optical feedback system to align a brush assembly with a stent strut. Once alignment is achieved, a coating is dispensed onto the stent strut via the brush assembly and the brush assembly is moved along the stent strut to coat the stent strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Grayson Morris, Svava Maria Atladottir, Carla Pienknagura
  • Patent number: 7569110
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and device, which is suitable for use in an operating theater just prior to implantation, for selectively applying a medical coating to an implantable medical device, for example a stent. Disclosed is a device for use with a stent deployed on a catheter balloon. The device is configured to apply a medical coating of a desired thickness to the surface of a stent only. This is done by use of a drop-on-demand inkjet printing system in association with an optical scanning device. The device is further configured so as to, if necessary, apply a plurality of layered coats, each layered coat being of a different coating material, and if appropriate, different thickness. The section of the housing in which the stent is held during the coating procedure is detachable from the housing base. The detachable housing section may be easily cleaned and re-sterilized or simply disposed or simply disposed of.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Labcoat Ltd.
    Inventors: Avraham Shekalim, Ascher Shmulewitz, Eyal Teichman
  • Patent number: 7556690
    Abstract: First link members (56A and 56B), a pair of second link members (57A and 57B), and three head holders (51R, 51G, and 51B) are installed rotatably. Rotational pivots (50A and 50B) provided at intermediate portions of the second link members (57A and 57B) and a reference nozzle of the reference head holder (51R) are positioned on the same line in a main scanning direction. The reference head holder (51R) is rotated about the reference nozzle, and the other head holders (51G and 51B) are also rotated simultaneously. The head holders (51G and 51B) are formed to be movable parallel to a sub scanning direction, irrespective of the rotation angles thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Goto
  • Patent number: 7553375
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a functional device mounting board comprises a holder for holding a substrate on which functional devices are to be formed, a jet head for ejecting a droplet containing a functional material onto the substrate, and a data input unit for supplying droplet ejection information to the jet head. The jet head ejects the droplets onto the substrate based on the droplet ejection information so as to form the functional device in the functional device forming area. The functional device is formed by allowing a volatile ingredient of the droplet, while allowing a solid component of the droplet to remain on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuro Sekiya
  • Patent number: 7547362
    Abstract: A dispenser for a liquid crystal display panel includes a syringe having a nozzle provided at an end thereof, a body in which the syringe is mounted, a vertical driving stepping motor for moving the body in a vertical direction, a first sensor for detecting whether the nozzle of the syringe is in contact with a substrate, a second sensor for detecting a gap distance between the nozzle and the substrate, and a main unit for controlling the vertical driving stepping motor in response to an output from the second sensor to obtain a desired gap distance between the nozzle and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Su Jung, Yong-Keun Kwak
  • Patent number: 7510611
    Abstract: A coating solution is sprayed on a rotating wafer held horizontally from a nozzle provided above the wafer while the nozzle is travelling over the wafer from a wafer center to a wafer outer area, thus spirally spraying the coating solution on the wafer. The nozzle stops when the coating solution has reached the wafer outer area and the coating solution is sprayed in circle on the wafer outer area while the wafer is rotating. A coating solution including a component of a coating film and a solvent may be sprayed on a first area to be coated of the wafer and the coating solution and a solvent for the coating film may be sprayed on a second edge area located outside the first area of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tomohide Minami, Shinichi Sugimoto, Takahiro Kitano, Jun Ookura, Hiroaki Kurishima
  • Publication number: 20090047481
    Abstract: A method and system for garment manufacture fixes a curable polymer in either a continuous bead or in a non-continuous or segmented bead onto a cut fabric piece. The cut fabric piece, the continuous bead and the non-continuous, segmented bead have a wide array of configurations. If the cut fabric piece has a contoured edge region, a silicone bead proximate that edge has a conforming configuration. In the method, the cut fabric piece is placed in a coordinate space. The location of the cut fabric piece is sensed and that information is used to control the movement of a curable polymer dispenser. The dispenser applies a curable polymer from the curable polymer dispenser onto the cut fabric piece in the desired configuration after which the polymer is cured. If the fabric is cotton, the curable polymer is drawn into the cotton fibers prior to cure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: Cupid Foundations, Inc.
    Inventors: David Welsch, Anthony Angelino
  • Patent number: 7488388
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a flat panel display device includes a substrate on which a picture display section is formed and a stage on which the substrate is loaded. A dispenser applies a sealant along an outer line of the picture display section in the substrate. A light detector emits light toward the sealant and detects the amount of reflected light in real-time. A controller detects broken lines in the sealant in accordance with a signal supplied from the light detector and controls the dispenser so as to re-apply the sealant to spaces in the broken line in which the sealant is not present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Choon Ryu, Hae Joon Son
  • Patent number: 7479190
    Abstract: In the present invention, a plurality of solvent supply nozzles for solvents having different solubility parameters are provided in a coating treatment apparatus. For a solvent supply nozzle for use at the time of edge rinse, a solvent supply nozzle is selected that discharges a removal solvent having a solubility parameter different by a set value or more from that of a coating solvent contained in a coating solution. During coating treatment, the coating solution is discharged from a coating solution supply nozzle onto the central portion of a rotated substrate to form a solution film having a predetermined film thickness. Immediately after the formation, edge rinse is started with the coating solution on the substrate not dry yet, in which the removal solvent is supplied to the peripheral portion of the substrate from the selected solvent supply nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yoshiteru Fukuda, Tomohiro Iseki, Takayuki Ishii
  • Patent number: 7387684
    Abstract: A spray device for coating a surface of a human body with a spray liquid, the spray device including at least one nozzle and at least one liquid container, wherein the at least one liquid container is adapted to hold a volume of spray liquid substantially equal to an amount required to apply a single dosage of the spray liquid for coating a surface of a human body. The spray device further includes a liquid channel adapted to connect the at least one liquid container to the at least one nozzle, and a spray valve adapted to cause the spray liquid to flow from the at least one liquid container to the at least one nozzle using the liquid channel. The spray device still further includes a control device adapted to control the operation of the spray device; and a mounting device for mounting the spray device to a mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Mystic Tan, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Cooper, Troy H. Cooper, Ricky C. Croft
  • Patent number: 7297211
    Abstract: A spray device for coating a surface of a human body with a spray liquid, the spray device including at least one nozzle and at least one liquid container, wherein the at least one liquid container adapted to hold a volume of spray liquid substantially equal to an amount required to apply a single dosage of the spray liquid for coating a surface of a human body. The spray device further includes a liquid channel adapted to connect the at least one liquid container to the at least one nozzle, and a spray valve adapted to cause the spray liquid to flow from the at least one liquid container to the at least one nozzle using the liquid channel, the at least one nozzle producing a spray jet of the spray liquid. The spray device still further includes a control device adapted to control the operation of the spray device, and a sweeping device for sweeping the spray jet from the at least one nozzle to coat at least a portion of the human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Mystic Tan, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Cooper, Troy H. Cooper, Ricky C. Croft
  • Publication number: 20070209586
    Abstract: A virtual coatings application system has several features to enhance the realism of simulated spray painting. The system generally includes a display screen on which is defined a virtual surface (such as a truck door) that is intended to be virtually painted or coated by the user. Alternatively, the system includes a head-mounted display unit that displays a virtual spray painting environment in which the virtual surface is defined. The user operates an instrumented spray gun controller that outputs one or more signals representing data as to the status of the controls on the spray gun controller. The system also has a motion tracking system that tracks the position and orientation of the spray gun controller with respect to the virtual surface. Simulation software generates virtual spray pattern data in response to at least the data from the spray gun controller and the position and orientation data received from the tracking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Jason M. Ebensberger, Michael J. Bolick, Jeremiah G. Treloar, Richard J. Klein, Eric C. Peterson, Chad J. Zalkin, James B. Fisher, Leslie C. Hughes
  • Patent number: 7090726
    Abstract: A pair of hoses connects directly from the feed pumps to the extruder without utilizing a PCV (pressure compensating valve). Each feed unit has automatic air pressure relief through a solenoid valve on top of the feed unit so that the unit does not stall at full static line pressure. When the dispense valve at the extruder is shut off, air pressure to the air motor is dumped. A pair of electric eyes is utilized—the first signals the pump (by providing pressurized air) to provide pressure while the second actually opens the extruder when the article to be coated comes into position. The first valve is located only a short distance ahead of the second valve so that the line pressure does not have a chance to exceed the dynamic pressure before the extruder opens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: J. Robert Degenkolb, William A. Stusek