Means Responsive To Weight Or Dimension Patents (Class 156/360)
  • Patent number: 11492163
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a random case sealer including a pneumatically-controlled top-head-actuating assembly configured to vary the speed of the top-head assembly when ascending (to make room for the case beneath the top-head assembly) and when descending onto the case (to engage the top surface of the case during sealing). The case sealer includes a pressure sensor that monitors the pressure of gas incoming from a gas source delivered to the top-head-actuating assembly via one or more valves. A controller controls the open level and/or the open time of the valves based on the pressure of the incoming gas to ensure the top-head-actuating assembly operates as desired regardless of whether the pressure of the incoming gas is equal to, below, or above a desired pressure. These features result in increased throughput compared to prior art random case sealers without requiring stronger cases or more protective dunnage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLC
    Inventors: William J. Menta, Bryce J. Fox
  • Patent number: 11293798
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for length measurement of a flat good in a goods processing system having first and second stations, each having a sensor in the transport direction of the flat good, a control processor implements a path control and counts encoder pulses of an encoder in the first station. An event is determined by the sensor of the second station, and an associated numerical value Z1 of the encoder pulses is stored in the control processor, as is a numerical value Z2 for a distance between the two sensors is also stored. An additional event is determined by the sensor of the first station, and an associated numerical value Z3 of the encoder pulses is stored. As soon as both events are present, Z2 and the difference ?=Z3?Z1 are added by the control processor, and the sum is used to designate the length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Francotyp-Postalia GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Geserich, Volker Baum
  • Patent number: 11203455
    Abstract: A wrapping machine for wrapping trayed food products includes a wrap station at which trayed food products are wrapped and a film dispensing system for drawing out film at the wrap station. A conveying system moves trayed food products through the wrapping machine. The machine may include a printer and label apply arrangement positioned for applying labels to trayed food products after wrapping, where the printer and label apply arrangement includes a support that is pivotable between an operating position and an access position. The film dispensing system may include a knife movable for cutting the film, and opposite ends of the knife are mechanically linked via spaced apart first and second belts to maintain alignment of the opposite ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Justin T. Blackford, Michael A. Whitby
  • Patent number: 10919660
    Abstract: A labeling apparatus includes a label holder and a controller. The label holder is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position that is closer to a conveyer than is the retracted position, and receive a label on an end of the label holder facing the conveyer. The controller is configured to control the label holder to move towards a standby position between the retracted position and the extended position until an object to be labeled is conveyed on the conveyer to a position facing the label holder, and then towards the extended position such that the label is attached to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hisashi Tsujimura
  • Patent number: 10569922
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method and system for labeling one or more products such as packages transported along a conveyer, and more specifically to applying a label on a respective package by way of a vertically adjustable assembly positioned above the conveyor. The adjustable assembly includes at least a label printer and an applicator for printing and applying the label on a surface of the package on the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Fluence Automation LLC
    Inventors: Richard Wojdyla, Brian Bowers, Tim Palmer, Tomasz K. Bednarek
  • Patent number: 10450099
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for automatically printing and applying one or more label to at least one item to enable shipping of the at least one item by a carrier are provided. In some aspects, a movable label applicator device includes a printer for printing the one or more label onto a supply of labeling material, wherein the one or more printed label contains unique information associated with the at least one item. In some aspects, the device further includes an applicator for applying the one or more printed label to a surface of the at least one item, wherein the applicator is configured to apply multiple labels to the surface of the at least one item such that the multiple labels are removably stacked on top of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Fluence Automation LLC
    Inventors: Brian Bowers, Tim Palmer
  • Patent number: 10399361
    Abstract: A printer is provided which includes a control unit and a print head with a burn line and a platen roller. The print head is coupled to the control unit. The print head is positioned in a vertical orientation relative to the platen roller over which a media label passes during printing. A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, coupled to the control unit, for programming RFID tags on the media label is also provided. The RFID reader is coupled to a RFID antenna. The RFID antenna is above the media label path, the print head's vertical orientation allowing the RFID antenna to be accommodated in close proximity to the print head burn line. Further, a label stop sensor (LSS) module is provided, coupled to the control unit, for monitoring movement of the media label along a media path. The LSS module is disposed adjacent to the RFID antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Datamax-O'Neil Corporation
    Inventors: Sébastien Michel Marie Joseph d'Armancourt, Chin Young Wong
  • Patent number: 10338390
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for fabricating an eyepiece from a lens blank including blank bodies that are bonded to each other. In an embodiment, the blank bodies are formed by injection molding and adhered to one another. Fabrication of the eyepiece includes variously machining the blank bodies to shape respective lens bodies of the eyepiece. One or more blocking structures are coupled to reinforce the lens blank during at least part of such machining. In another embodiment, any blocking structures that are to resist forces of a particular machining process are coupled only indirectly to one of the blank bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Ozan Cakmakci, Oscar A. Martinez, James C. Dunphy, Hongqin Shi, John Fitch, Omar Negrete, Yeh Tung
  • Patent number: 10308388
    Abstract: Provided is a method and a device for processing containers, the containers being transported along a predefined transport path and being combined with at least one product that can be defined in terms of its amount, such that the product is supplied to each individual container in a predetermined supply region of the transport path, the product being guided to the supply region along a supply path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Alexander Kasarin, Armin Pueschner
  • Patent number: 10179669
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for labelling packs including an advancement device for transporting a pack in a transporting direction, a dispensing device for dispensing a label into a dispensing position, and an application device for applying the dispensed label to the pack. A punch including a punch shank and punch foot moves the dispensed label from a receiving position, where the punch foot receives the label, to a discharging position, where the label is applied to the pack by the punch foot. The punch shank is pivotally mounted about a first pivot axis transverse to the transporting direction, and is movable axially in a guide element. The punch shank is connected to a lifting element of a lifting device via an articulation. The lifting element is movable parallel to a direction angled relative to the transporting direction. A first drive with a motor drives the lifting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Espera-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Marcus Korthäuer, Peter Wolff, Winfried Vicktorius, Ralf Dippe
  • Patent number: 9926096
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method and system for labeling one or more products such as packages transported along a conveyer, and more specifically to applying a label on a respective package by way of a vertically adjustable assembly positioned above the conveyor. The adjustable assembly includes at least a label printer and an applicator for printing and applying the label on a surface of the package on the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Fluence Automation LLC
    Inventors: Richard Wojdyla, Brian Bowers, Tim Palmer, Tomasz K. Bednarek
  • Patent number: 9828130
    Abstract: A container handling machine including at least one operative unit comprising support means to support a shaped container, and a plunger selectively moved along a given axis to deform a base of the container from a first swollen configuration to a second configuration, in which the base is in part retracted inwardly of the container with respect to the first configuration so as to form a recess delimited by a boundary surface defining an internal volume of the container smaller than that in the first configuration. The plunger is provided with a shaped head interacting with the container base and comprising: first engaging means and an interacting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: SIDEL S.P.A. CON SOCIO UNICO
    Inventors: Godet Florian, Stefano Molinari, Raffaele Pace
  • Patent number: 9809343
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for automatically printing and applying one or more label to at least one item to enable shipping of the at least one item by a carrier are provided. In some aspects, a movable label applicator device includes a printer for printing the one or more label onto a supply of labeling material, wherein the one or more printed label contains unique information associated with the at least one item. In some aspects, the device further includes an applicator for applying the one or more printed label to a surface of the at least one item, wherein the applicator is configured to apply multiple labels to the surface of the at least one item such that the multiple labels are removably stacked on top of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Fluence Automation LLC
    Inventors: Brian Bowers, Tim Palmer
  • Patent number: 9802728
    Abstract: Printing systems may include a rotatable tamp head that may be repositioned, as necessary, in order to cause a label to be printed in a specific location or in a certain alignment on an object. Such tamp heads may be repositioned as necessary where the label may cross a seam, a crease, a fold or another surface feature which might cause the label to be bowed or damaged in transit. The tamp head may be positioned in a manner that would enable any information, markings or bar codes thereon to remain legible and intact even if the label is applied across such a surface feature. An orientation of the object may be determined using one or more sensors aligned at various angles with respect to a direction of travel of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler B Rodgers, Patrick Joseph Houlihan, David Arthur Ogle, II
  • Patent number: 9656479
    Abstract: A labelling machine comprises a first motive apparatus configured to advance a label web along a label web path; an encoder arranged to output a sensor signal which is indicative of a rate of movement of said label web along said label web path; and a printer configured to print on said label web, the printer including a second motive apparatus configured to advance a print ribbon along a ribbon path. The labelling machine further comprises a controller configured to receive said sensor signal and control the second motive apparatus based on the sensor signal. The controller is configured to supply a pulsed control signal to the second motive apparatus, the intervals between pulses of the pulsed control signal being a function of a desired rate of movement of the print ribbon along the ribbon path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Videojet Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy Ellis
  • Patent number: 9645006
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a mass flow sensor while harvesting grain includes sensing an accumulated mass of a portion of grain within the grain tank with a first sensor. A mass flow rate sensor is calibrated based at least in part on a signal of the first sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignees: Deere & Company, Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Phelan, Jeremiah K. Johnson, Aaron J. Bruns, Matthew J. Darr, Robert McNaull
  • Patent number: 9469427
    Abstract: There is disclosed a labelling machine for applying sleeve labels on respective articles, comprising: a conveyor movable along a path comprising, in turn, a first inlet station for the articles still to be labelled and a second outlet station for the labelled articles; the conveyor comprises a handling device adapted to displace at least one first of the sleeve label and the article still to be labelled along a first segment of the path, so as to insert the article still to be labelled within the sleeve label; the conveyor also comprises a positioning device adapted to actively position a second of the sleeve label and the article in a desired position with respect to the first of the article and the sleeve label along a second segment of the path; the first segment is comprised within the second segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: SIDEL S.p.A. con Socio Unico
    Inventor: Mattia Giuliani
  • Patent number: 9352872
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method and system for labeling one or more products such as packages transported along a conveyer, and more specifically to applying a label on a respective package by way of a vertically adjustable assembly positioned above the conveyor. The adjustable assembly includes at least a label printer and an applicator for printing and applying the label on a surface of the package on the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Bell and Howell, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Wojdyla, Tim Palmer, Brian Bowers, Tomasz K. Bednarek
  • Publication number: 20150136304
    Abstract: To provide a method of friction welding and an apparatus of friction welding in which a length of time for manufacturing one product is reduced as much as possible regardless of the dimension errors of works. The fast forwarding distance Lx1 is calculated for the fast forwarding by using the results of measuring the dimensions of works W1, W2 under the condition of the constant slowly forwarding distance Lx2, Thereby, for the work of a legitimate dimension and even for the work having a dimension smaller than the legitimate dimension, the elongation of the slowly forwarding distance is prevented compared with the work having the longer dimension than the legitimate dimension, and the relative proportion of the fast forwarding distance Lx1 is increased by making shorter the specified slowly forwarding distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: NITTAN VALVE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryo Onose, Takehiro Okuno
  • Patent number: 9017497
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing laminated core segments including: a process to blank and laminate, wherein the segment core sheets formed in the adjacent virtual lines are aligned so that directions of the segment core sheets alternate, each of the segment core sheets are blanked and formed by a die device, and the laminated core segments are formed by laminating the blanked segment core sheets in the die device; a process to eject, wherein each of the laminated core segments formed by blanking and laminating in each virtual line is ejected from the die device; and a process to identify a blanking position, wherein the distinguishing marks are provided for the laminated core segments to identify the virtual lines therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsui High-Tec, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuki Namaike, Tadashi Shibuta, Akikazu Higuchi, Takeshi Sato
  • Patent number: 9011617
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for manufacturing a multi-layer composite (13) by laminating a sheet-like element (6) onto a backing (2) in a laminating unit (1), having steps, in this order, of conveying the element (6) in a longitudinal direction, detecting a position of the element (6), correcting the position of the element (6) on the basis of the detected position and on the basis of a reference position (15), and bonding said element (6) onto the backing (2). The detection step comprises the phases of measuring the lateral position, an angle of pivoting, and a longitudinal position of the element (6), and the correction step includes phases of lateral movement (T), pivoting (P), and longitudinal movement (L) of the element (6), apparatus elements perform the steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Asitrade AG
    Inventors: Thomas Mayer, Alex Mann, Michel Siegenthaler, Philippe Guglielmetti
  • Publication number: 20150083301
    Abstract: A tyre layer application assembly and a method for applying a tyre layer around a substantially circular circumferential surface of an object. The assembly is provided with a drive which, during application, is coupled to the object for driving the object in a driven rotation about a concentric axis of rotation with respect to the circumferential surface, wherein the assembly includes a tracking device which, during application, is arranged to be fixed to a part of the tyre layer that is applied to the circumferential surface, wherein the tracking device is rotatable in a tracking rotation about the axis of rotation of the object, independent of the driven rotation of the object about the same axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: VMI HOLLAND B.V.
    Inventors: Florian Fischer, Cornelis Wouteres Janszen
  • Patent number: 8986476
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for fulfillment of patient prescription orders by adapting a standard or stock container pre-filled with medication or the like for use as a patient-specific container through precise application of patient-specific information to the pre-filled container. Precise placement of the patient-specific information to the pre-filled container enables pharmacy management to fully utilize valuable information provided with the pre-filled container, thereby improving the quality of service to the patient while making the process of prescription order fulfillment more efficient. In general, preferred embodiments comprise control apparatus and information-application apparatus. In embodiments, the information-application apparatus is adapted to place a patient-specific label on the container. Preferred forms of the information-application apparatus include a label printer and a positioner. The preferred printer applies patient-specific information on a label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: AutoMed Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob A. Dent, Brian Gorman, Mark Bidus
  • Patent number: 8967215
    Abstract: A labelling device includes a linearly displaceable piston operably connectable to a moving mechanism for moving the piston from a resting position to a labelling position. A label carrying mechanism is arranged at the distal end of the piston for carrying an adhesive label and affixing the adhesive label to an object via physical contact at the labelling position of the piston. A force-switching-state system is provided to maintain the piston in relation to the moving mechanism in an attracting force state and the piston moves with the moving mechanism. The physical contact creates an opposite repelling force from the object onto the label carrying mechanism causing separation of the displaceable piston from the moving mechanism. This separation causes a change of the force state of the displaceable piston from an attracting to a repelling force state, causing the linearly displaceable piston to move back to the resting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Marel Limited
    Inventor: Steven Bates
  • Patent number: 8968500
    Abstract: A method for joining, by adhesive bonding, at least two large joining partners in vehicle construction, in particular in aircraft construction, comprises the following steps: detecting the geometric data of the joining partners in an automated manner, detecting the joint gap dimensions of the joining partners from the geometric data, applying adhesive to one or both joint faces of the two joining partners to be joined as a function of the joint gap dimensions, joining the joining partners in the joining position, and sequentially applying joining pressure to the joint faces along the joint gap to bring the joining partners into the final joining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Niermann, Holger Frauen
  • Patent number: 8915279
    Abstract: A rotary lamination apparatus includes a die, a punch, a rotation drive source, a mounting table, at least one proximity sensor, and a determining device. The punch punches core pieces from a thin plate material. The rotation drive source drives and rotates the die about the central axis of the die. The mounting table is arranged in the inner space formed by the die. The core pieces are rotated and laminated on the mounting table. The proximity sensor detects whether the die is in the proximity of a predetermined position in a non-contact manner after the die has stopped rotating. The determining device determines whether the die is stopped at the predetermined position based on a detection result from the proximity sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Hirata
  • Patent number: 8840742
    Abstract: A system for detecting a missing tow in a tow band may include a fiber placement head for applying a tow band to a substrate forming a composite layup. The system may further include a heating device for preheating the substrate prior to application of the tow band. The system may additionally include an infrared camera mounted to the fiber placement head and configured to generate a real-time thermal image of the composite layup during the application of the tow band to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Truong D. Pham, Samuel Stewart
  • Patent number: 8821659
    Abstract: Real-time alignment of substrates is conducted by way of placing a first substrate together with a second substrate located over the first substrate in a fixed relative position onto a first substrate holder. The first substrate holder is operative to support the first substrate. A second substrate holder is operative to contact and control the position of the second substrate relative to the first substrate. A pattern recognition system is operative to view reference marks on the first and second substrates for determining their relative alignment, and a positioning mechanism coupled to the first substrate holder and/or the second substrate holder will align the first substrate relative to the second substrate based on their relative alignment as determined by the pattern recognition system. Thereafter, the substrates are fully laminated to secure them to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: ASM Technology Singapore Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Man Chung Ng, Man Lai Chau
  • Patent number: 8800628
    Abstract: An airship hull repair system. The system includes a drive subsystem configured to move the system across an airship hull, a damage detecting subsystem configured to detect damage to the airship hull, a hull repair subsystem configured to repair the detected damage to the airship hull, and a magnetic coupling. The drive subsystem, the damage detecting subsystem, and the hull repair subsystem are included in an interior piece of the system configured to move on an interior of the airship hull and an exterior piece of the system configured to move on an exterior of the airship hull. The magnetic coupling couples the interior piece and the exterior piece to move together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: John Morehead, Nicholas Piini, Kyle Hofstatter, Eric Younge
  • Patent number: 8795452
    Abstract: An inspectable joint in a medical device is disclosed that includes at least one medical-grade tube having an end, a medical-grade fitting having at least one joining surface configured to accept the end of the tube, and a joining material disposed between the tube and the joining surface. The joining material includes a first component configured to couple the tube to the fitting and a second component configured to provide observable evidence of the presence of the joining material between the tube and the joining surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Carefusion 303, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Steven Alpert, Lisa Davis
  • Patent number: 8789568
    Abstract: Machines for manufacturing photovoltaic modules and methods for manufacturing photovoltaic modules can include tape handling components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard S. Malik, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140166207
    Abstract: A device for conveying a spring string (31) has a first spring conveyor (3) and a second spring conveyor (4). By means of a sensor device, in operation, lengths of a plurality of segments of the spring string differing from one another are detected, while the spring string (31) is guided past a sensor (5) of the sensor device arranged in the conveying direction upstream of the second spring conveyor (4). A control device (9) is provided which sets, in an operating state of the device (1) in which both the first spring conveyor (3) and the second spring conveyor (4) convey the spring string (31), time-sequentially a plurality of relative conveying speeds between a conveying speed of the second spring conveyor (4) and a conveying speed of the first spring conveyor (3), depending on the detected lengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Spuhl AG
    Inventors: Christopher Hug, Andreas Meier
  • Patent number: 8752603
    Abstract: Apparatus for connecting at least two plates (1, 2) of which a supporting plate (1) comprises a higher strength than a supported plate (2) posed thereon. By means of a connecting element (5) rotated by a rotational feeder unit (11), the connecting element with a collar (6) presses the supported plate (2) onto the supporting plate (1). With a shaft (10) a friction welding connection to the supporting plate (1) is made. The rotational feeder unit (11) is provided with a measurement device with measures an axial force exerted by the rotational feeder unit as well as a respective feeding motion and which indicates, upon abutment of the shaft of the connecting element onto the supporting plate, the pressure increase encountered therein, which, thereby, advances the rotational feeder unit, the feeding motion of which is adjustable to at least three sequential connecting stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: EJOT GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Eberhard Christ, Jörg Thiem, Marco Werkmeister
  • Patent number: 8720516
    Abstract: An ultrasonic welding system includes a controller, an electrically powered linear actuator driving a movable element to which an ultrasonic welding stack is mounted to move linearly and apply a controlled force and/or speed to a workpiece. A sensor measures a control variable and outputs to the controller a signal corresponding thereto. Based on this signal, the controller causes the linear actuator movable element to apply through the ultrasonic welding stack a predetermined positive initial force at an initiation of a welding operation and to limit a linear displacement of the ultrasonic welding stack to a predetermined initial displacement until the dynamic signal output from the sensor indicates that a sensed variable satisfies a predetermined condition. Based on the signal relating to the satisfied predetermined condition, the controller moves the ultrasonic welding stack in accord with a default weld profile or a weld profile selected from available weld profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Dukane Corporation
    Inventors: Leo Klinstein, Paul Golko, William E. Jurkowski
  • Patent number: 8715434
    Abstract: A method of removing an out-of-tolerance area in a composite structure may comprise determining a location of the out-of-tolerance area within the composite structure, and selecting a volume of the composite structure to be removed based on the location of the out-of-tolerance area. The method may further include programming a machine tool to remove the volume and to pause after removal of each one of a quantity of layers of the volume. The method may additionally include removing one of the layers using the machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Lawrence S Lindgren, Scott W. Lea, Gary E. Georgeson
  • Patent number: 8701730
    Abstract: Problems of a conventional cover glass sticking device, in which a slide glass having one end side, where a describing portion is formed, is stored in a storage container and the one end side is always projected from level of a protection liquid therein, are solved by the device of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignees: Sakura Seiki Co., Ltd., Sakura Finetek Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohji Naritake, Kiyokazu Iijima, Seiichi Takizawa, Tetsu Nagabayashi
  • Patent number: 8695670
    Abstract: A label and label attaching device for attaching a label onto a backing sheet. The label has a protruding apex portion, side surfaces defined when the label is folded at the apex and end portions at the outer base ends of the side surfaces. A label sheet is formed by temporarily attaching labels to a backing sheet. Prior to attachment, an intermediate portion of the label protrudes from its back surface to its front surface in a folded chevron shape. Outer end portions of the side surfaces project out from the side surfaces and the outer end portions are temporarily attached to the backing sheet with the folded portion protruding. The attaching device has two divided bodies to which the outer end portions are temporarily attracted. The divided bodies are movable together and apart to define the folded label. Then the label holding unit moves the folded label to an attaching position on the backing sheet which is moving past.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Sato Holdings Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Victor S. Barczyk, Klaus Horn, Martin Wellsandt
  • Publication number: 20140096900
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method and system for labeling one or more products such as packages transported along a conveyer, and more specifically to applying a label on a respective package by way of a vertically adjustable assembly positioned above the conveyor. The adjustable assembly includes at least a label printer and an applicator for printing and applying the label on a surface of the package on the conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: BELL AND HOWELL, LLC.
    Inventors: Richard WOJDYLA, Tim PALMER, Brian BOWERS, Tomasz K. BEDNAREK
  • Patent number: 8678057
    Abstract: A labeling applicator having a suction plate (21) including a pair of divided bodies (21b, 21c) movable relatively to two positions, i.e., a contact position (S) where the opposing end faces facing each other move toward contact while sucking a first surface side of a label (L) to which an RFID tag is attached and a separated position (V) where the opposing end faces are separated from each other, wherein a portion (2) of the label (L) is folded in a peak by the end faces of the divided bodies (21b, 21c) facing each other as a divided body (21c) moves, thus forming a folded portion (M) having a bend or curved position (7) on the proximal end, before labeling an article (W). A non-abutting portion (20) is provided by cutting the edge of each split body (21b, 21c) corresponding to the bend (7) on the proximal end of the folded portion (M) such that the end faces of the divided bodies (21b, 21c) do not abut when the end faces move toward contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sato Holdings Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Son Seonggon
  • Patent number: 8663410
    Abstract: A label finishing station receives a web carrying printed images for labels arranged so there are a plurality of images formed in rows or ranks across the width of the web. The images are also arranged in longitudinal columns along the length of the web. A cutting station carries a plurality of cutter heads to cut out the plurality of labels forming each row or rank simultaneously. The web, with the label peripheries cut out, may be slit longitudinally and formed into finished rolls of labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Primera Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Cummins, Todd A. Britz, Darren W. Haas, Michael R. Tolrud
  • Publication number: 20140022568
    Abstract: A label creation system includes: a tape printing unit which prints a reference mark as an indicator of unit length onto a tape and thus creates a reference label; an image pickup unit which picks up an image of the reference label arranged along a pasting surface forming a planned pasting area, together with the planned pasting area; an image processing unit having a dimension detection unit which compares the reference mark and the planned pasting area in a picked-up image and detects a length of the planned pasting area that is in a direction of length of the fixed-length label; and a label length setting unit which sets a label length of the fixed-length label based on the length of the planned pasting area that is detected; wherein the tape printing unit prints on the tape and creates the fixed-length label based on the label length that is set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Eiji Nakaya
  • Patent number: 8622111
    Abstract: A laminating device for laminating a window on a display panel for displaying an image includes: a first plate on which the display panel is provided; a second plate on which the window is provided and which is adjacent to the first plate; an applier provided on the second plate and applying a resin on the window; a folder for connecting the first plate and the second plate, for folding to allow the second plate to face the first plate, and for disposing the window on the display panel with the resin therebetween; and a pressurizer for pressurizing the second plate in a direction of the first plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Youn-Bum Lee
  • Publication number: 20130327463
    Abstract: Provided is a method of bonding substrates having a same planar shape, which includes: bonding a first substrate adsorbed to a lower surface of a first holding member and a second substrate adsorbed to an upper surface of a second holding member that is disposed below the first holding member; and determining whether a bonding position of the first substrate and the second substrate is acceptable by measuring an outer diameter of an overlapped substrate obtained by bonding the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the determining decides that, when the measurement result is less than a predetermined threshold value, the bonding position of the first substrate and the second substrate is normal, and when the measurement result is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value, the bonding position of the first substrate and the second substrate is abnormal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Shigenori Kitahara, Keizo Hirose
  • Publication number: 20130306216
    Abstract: A vibration welding system includes an anvil, a welding horn, a thin film sensor, and a process controller. The anvil and horn include working surfaces that contact a work piece during the welding process. The sensor measures a control value at the working surface. The measured control value is transmitted to the controller, which controls the system in part using the measured control value. The thin film sensor may include a plurality of thermopiles and thermocouples which collectively measure temperature and heat flux at the working surface. A method includes providing a welder device with a slot adjacent to a working surface of the welder device, inserting the thin film sensor into the slot, and using the sensor to measure a control value at the working surface. A process controller then controls the vibration welding system in part using the measured control value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicants: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Wayne W. Cai, Jeffrey A. Abell, Xiaochun Li, Hang Li, Hongseok Choi, Jingzhou Zhao
  • Patent number: 8568545
    Abstract: A composite structure containing an out-of-tolerance area is restored using an automated material removal method. The location of an out-of-tolerance area within the structure is determined by non-destructive inspection and a volume of the structure to be removed is selected based on the location of the out-of-tolerance area. An automatic material removal tool is programmed and used to remove the selected volume of material. The volume of removed material may be is replaced by an integrated patch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Lawrence S. Lindgren, Scott W. Lea, Gary E. Georgeson
  • Publication number: 20130228285
    Abstract: In a method and a manufacturing unit for producing fiber composite material components, a first web of the fiber composite material is firstly applied to a component mould by means of an application tool arranged on a positioning device. A height profile of the applied first web is measured by means of a height profile measuring sensor. During the subsequent application of a second web of the fiber composite material to the component mould, a control device activates at least one drive motor of the positioning device depending on the measured height profile, so application errors, such as, for example, an overlapping of the webs, are avoided. The webs are applied in opposite application directions, wherein the application tool is rotated through 180° relative to the positioning device upon a change in the application direction. For measuring the height profile of the applied webs the manufacturing unit comprises two height profile measuring sensors arranged next to one another on the application tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: MAG IAS, GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Pause, Christian Boge
  • Patent number: 8524020
    Abstract: A method of removing an out-of-tolerance area in a composite structure comprises determining the location of the out-of-tolerance area and selecting a volume of the composite structure to be removed based on the location of the out-of-tolerance area. The method may further include programming a machine tool to remove the volume and to pause after removal of each one of a quantity of layers of the volume. The method may additionally include removing one of the layers using the programmed machine tool. The method may further include restoring the volume removed using the programmed area removal digital definition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Lawrence S. Lindgren, Scott W. Lea, Gary E. Georgeson
  • Patent number: 8512491
    Abstract: A method of bonding a first substrate and a second substrate includes the steps of rotating first substrate with an adhesive mass thereon, and second substrate contacting the mass and overlying the first substrate, controlling a vertical height of a heated control platen spaced apart from and not contacting the second substrate so as to control a temperature of the adhesive mass, so as to at least one of bond the first and second substrates in alignment with one another, or achieve a sufficiently planar adhesive interface between the first and second substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Tessera, Inc.
    Inventors: Vage Oganesian, Belgacem Haba, Ilyas Mohammed, Piyush Savalia, Craig Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8454771
    Abstract: A substrate bonding apparatus is equipped with a first table that holds one wafer of two wafers, a stage device that holds the other wafer in an orientation capable of opposing to the one wafer and that is movable at least within an XY plane, an interferometer system that measures positional information of the stage device within the XY plane, a first mark detection system that can detect subject marks including alignment marks on the other wafer held by the stage device, and a second mark detection system fixed to a part (the second table) of the stage device that can detect subject marks including alignment marks on the one wafer held by the first table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Horikoshi
  • Patent number: RE48331
    Abstract: A film tension control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a delamination unit installed on a transfer path of a polarizing plate to delaminate a release film from a polarizing film, the polarizing plate including the polarizing film and the release film attached to one surface of the polarizing film, an inspection unit installed on a transfer path of the polarizing film to inspect if impurities are present in an adhesive layer formed on one surface of the polarizing film, a tension indication unit installed on a movement path of the release film to indicate a degree of tension applied to the release film, a re-lamination unit to re-laminate the release film having passed through the tension indication unit on the adhesive layer of the polarizing film having passed through the inspection unit, and a tension adjustment unit installed on the transfer path of the re-laminated polarizing plate to adjust the tension of the optical film and the release film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Eun-Je Kim, Eung-Jin Jang, Jae-Ok Shin, Youn-Su Kim, Tae-Sick Kim, Jung-Kyu Park, Young-Sun Bang, Eui-Bong Ha, Dong-Ki Hwang, Jung-Sik Yoon