Plural Material-moving Means Patents (Class 226/108)
  • Patent number: 11712746
    Abstract: A wire feeder assembly of the type generally associated with an electric arc welding machine including a driveshaft in rotatable communication with an individually servo motor at one end and a worm gear assembly at the other end is provided. Due to the assembly’s slim design, a series of assemblies can be deployed on a metal plate cladding machine spaced approximate 4 inches apart, which facilitates the construction of previously unattainable welding patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Inventor: Andrew Kostecki
  • Patent number: 11025039
    Abstract: A transmission line installation system includes a transmission line conveying apparatus that operates to install a transmission line within a conduit by advancing the transmission line through the conduit. The transmission line conveying apparatus includes a plurality of components. The components include local controllers. Communication with the local controllers of the components synchronizes operation of the components during the installation of a transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: CONDUX INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Bradley P. Radichel, David J. Stockton, Eric L. Cope, Michael Wayne Brooks
  • Patent number: 10919243
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding a plurality of tread bands in a process for building tyres for vehicle wheels. Each tread band initially includes, on a side thereof, a service fabric. The tread bands are initially arranged at different heights. The method includes positioning a first auxiliary conveyor belt of an auxiliary collection device including a plurality of juxtaposed auxiliary conveyor belts at a first height corresponding to the height of a first tread band, then, proceeding with the removal of the service fabric from the first tread band while the first tread band is transferred onto the first auxiliary conveyor belt. The method also includes positioning at least one second auxiliary conveyor belt of the auxiliary collection device at at least one second height corresponding to that of at least one second tread band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.p.A.
    Inventor: Lorenzo Pulici
  • Patent number: 10913296
    Abstract: A printing assembly for digital printing on a continuous metal strip, including: a digital printing unit having a printing area and a conveyor belt arranged for advancing the continuous metal strip in a longitudinal direction through the printing area, an inlet guide unit located upstream of the printing unit and configured to guide the continuous metal strip along a path comprising at least one first movable bend which is freely movable in the longitudinal direction, and an outlet guide unit located downstream of the digital printing unit and configured to guide the continuous metal strip along a path comprising at least one second movable bend which is freely movable in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: GLOBUS S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giacomo Puttini
  • Patent number: 10895830
    Abstract: A belt drive device includes a first pulley, a second pulley, a first bulging portion, a belt, and a pressing portion. The first bulging portion is formed along an outer periphery of the second pulley to bulge outward in a radial direction of the second pulley at a center of the second pulley in an axial direction of the second pulley. The belt is stretched between the first pulley and the first bulging portion. The pressing portion presses an outer peripheral surface of the belt at a center of the belt in a width direction of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kohei Ishido
  • Patent number: 10843855
    Abstract: A material for decorative wrap including a sheet of non-corrugated material having a first side, a second side, a first edge, and a second edge; a plurality of scores formed into the first side extending from the first edge to the second edge; and a plurality of scores formed into the second side extending from the first edge to the second edge. The plurality of scores formed into the first side and the plurality of scores formed into the second side may alternate such that every other score is formed into the first side and the remaining scores are formed into the second side. Each score formed into the first and second sides may extend substantially perpendicular to at least one of the first and second edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: The Imagine Group, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Richard Popp
  • Patent number: 10315269
    Abstract: A welding wire feeder including an alignment tongue and groove connection between a clamp arm and a welding drive assembly housing is provided. In certain embodiments, an alignment tongue extends from an end of the clamp arm opposite a pivot point about which the clamp arm rotates relative the assembly housing. A corresponding alignment groove may be formed in the assembly housing to receive the alignment tongue when the clamp arm is rotated such that a drive wheel mounted on the clamp arm contacts a drive wheel mounted on the assembly housing. In addition, a tensioner may be pivoted into a groove in the clamp arm to transfer a compressive force through the clamp arm, forcing the drive wheels together. The alignment tongue and groove may reduce lateral displacement of the clamp arm relative to the assembly housing that may be caused by a force transferred to the clamp arm as the tensioner is pivoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Mark Richard Christopher
  • Patent number: 10281059
    Abstract: A field joint transfer system for transferring a hot field joint along a curved path between a tensioner and a stinger during deployment of a pipeline from a pipelay vessel. The system comprises a plurality of adjustable pipe support units defining a curved path between the tensioner and the stinger, wherein one or more of the pipe support units can be moved out of engagement with the pipeline to allow the hot fieldjoint to pass the respective pipe support unit without contact, while maintaining support for the pipeline along the curved path. A mobile pipe support may be provided on an overhead gantry to follow the pipe as it passes along the curved path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimon Tullio Ardavanis, Laurent Daney
  • Patent number: 10060559
    Abstract: An underwater utility line, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. The underwater utility line can include an adjustably buoyant tube. The underwater utility line can also include a transmission line to transfer energy disposed in an interior of the adjustably buoyant tube. The underwater utility line can further include a gas source and a controller to control the gas provided by the gas source to alter the buoyancy of the adjustably buoyant tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Inventor: Mitchell Fait
  • Patent number: 9687930
    Abstract: Methods and systems for using near field communication (NFC) protocol and logic to calibrate welding operations and systems are described. Further, methods and systems for using NFC logic and tags are described for networking, calibrating and linking components that comprise welding systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Hillen, Michael Volzer, Nick Trinnes
  • Patent number: 9630813
    Abstract: An offshore floating vessel includes a hoisting system including a drive for moving connecting device and emergency brakes to inhibit motion of the connecting device; wherein the hoisting system is to be operated at least in a hoisting mode and in an active heave compensation mode; wherein hoisting system is to perform an active heave compensation when operated in the active heave compensation mode and to operate without active heave compensation when operated in the hoisting mode; wherein the emergency brakes are operable in a normally-energized mode including a de-energized state where the emergency brakes engage so as to inhibit motion of the connecting device relative to the floating vessel; wherein the hoisting system is operable in a fixed-to-bottom mode; wherein the hoisting system is to perform an active heave compensation when operated in fixed-to-bottom mode; and wherein the hoisting system is adapted to prevent the emergency brakes from engaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: MAERSK DRILLING A/S
    Inventor: Jesper Holck
  • Patent number: 9617803
    Abstract: An enhanced riser control system may employ electrical tensioners coupled to a drilling riser by wires. The electrical tensioners may provide quick response to a tension controller to handle positioning of the drilling riser. The electrical tensioners of the enhanced riser control system may be combined with hydro-pneumatic tensioners in a riser hybrid tensioning system. A controller within the enhanced riser control system may be configured to distribute tension to electrical tensioners and to control electrical tensioners to adjust the length of the first and second wires. The electrical tensioners may be used, for example, to suppress vortex-induced-vibration (VIV) and control drilling riser recoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: TRANSOCEAN SEDCO FOREX VENTURES LIMITED
    Inventors: Yin Wu, Edward Peter Kenneth Bourgeau
  • Patent number: 9494257
    Abstract: Disclosed is a laying device (1) of the tensioner type for the controlled clamping and moving of an elongated body, intended to be carried by a laying tower. The laying device (1) includes an annular frame (10) including two mobile frame parts (101) that each include at least one guiding box (11) and that are assembled to an element (13) for the fastening of the laying device (1) to the tower (2), through a main pivot element (14). The main pivot element (14) defines a single main rotation axis (14?), around which the mobile frame parts (101) are rotationally operable between the closed/open configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: REEL
    Inventors: Karamoko Konate, Marc Huillery
  • Patent number: 9459425
    Abstract: A spool system includes a spool and a spool support. The spool includes a spool body, a shaft, and an anti-rotation feature. The spool body has a center axis of rotation. The shaft includes a first end disposed on the spool body and extends from the spool body along the center axis of rotation to a second end. The anti-rotation feature is disposed on the shaft and defines a non-circular shape. The spool support supports the spool and defines a slot sized to slidably receive the shaft and a feature receiver that has a complimentary shape of the anti-rotation feature. The spool moves along the slot between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the stowed position, the anti-rotation feature of the spool is received by the feature receiver and prevents rotation of the spool. In the deployed position, the anti-rotation feature allows rotation of the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Lee Smith, Sandeep Lalgudi Jayaram, John Paul Hill
  • Patent number: 9145015
    Abstract: A method for moving print media includes providing a transport member having an operative surface to deflect the print media such that the print media has a non-linear profile in a direction perpendicular to a media travel path. A roller, having an axis of rotation and a diameter, and including three sections with the second section located between the first and third section as viewed along the rotational axis is provided. The diameter of the roller in the first and third sections is greater than in the second section. The roller is used to deflect the web of print media in a direction opposite to that of the deflection of the web of print media by the transport member, thereby spreading the web of print media in a cross-track direction to reduce the formation of wrinkles in the web of print media as it travels over the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: James A. Katerberg, Michael J. Piatt
  • Patent number: 9085176
    Abstract: A method for printing on a moving print medium in a printing system is disclosed. The method includes providing a linehead defining one or more print zones. A plurality of transport rollers are provided, wherein at least one transport roller is disposed opposite the linehead, adjacent to the second side of the print medium, and aligned with one of the print zones. A vacuum assembly is disposed opposite the second side of the print medium and includes a vacuum manifold aligned with the aligned transport roller. The print medium is moved through the printing system and a vacuum force operates on the print medium such that at least a portion of the print medium is deflected thereby increasing a wrap angle of the moving print medium around the aligned transport roller. Liquid is jetted from the linehead onto the print medium to form a print.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael J. Piatt, James A. Katerberg, Randy D. Vandagriff
  • Patent number: 8845214
    Abstract: A conveying device includes a first feeder that rotatably supports a roll sheet and feeds the roll sheet to a conveying path, a second feeder that feeds a cut sheet to the conveying path, and a controller that determines whether a sheet fed to the conveying path is the roll sheet or the cut sheet based on the relationship between movement of the sheet fed to the conveying path and rotation of the roll sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Hata
  • Publication number: 20130126578
    Abstract: A substrate aligning unit includes a first driving roll, a second driving roll, a web guider, an encoder roll, and a controller. The first driving roll transfers a substrate in a first direction. The second driving roll is disposed spaced apart from the first driving roll in the first direction and transfers the substrate in the first direction. The web guider controls a position of the substrate in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The encoder roll senses the position of the substrate to generate a sensing signal. The controller controls the first driving roll, the second driving roll, and the web guider based on the sensing signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyeong-Min Yeo, Min-Uk Kim, Hyun-Seok Kim, Sin Kwon, Jae-Hyuk Chang, Sung-Hee Lee
  • Publication number: 20130014624
    Abstract: A paper discharging apparatus comprises: a first conveying unit; a second conveying unit which includes a pinch roller and a feeding roller that are arranged closer to the downstream side; a movable mechanism which moves a surface part between a first position that the surface part is not contacted with the pinch roller and a second position that the surface part is contacted with the pinch roller through the paper so as to push the pinch roller; a control unit which moves the surface part to the second position, clamps the paper by the pinch roller and the surface part, and conveys the paper, thereby bending the paper, and which moves the surface part to the first position and clamps the paper by the pinch roller and the feeding roller, and rotates the feeding roller, thereby discharging the paper from the conveyance path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Eoka, Tsuyoshi Sanada
  • Patent number: 8286943
    Abstract: A handling assembly includes motor driver wheel assemblies that are supported on one or more platforms. The wheel assembles can be moved inwardly into engagement with tubing, cable or rods extending through the platforms so that the tubing, cable or rods can be raised or lowered in a controlled manner by frictional contact between the driven wheels and the tubing, cable or rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Express Energy Services Operating LP
    Inventors: Jerry W. Noles, Jr., Dudley J. Perio, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120037680
    Abstract: A transportation device includes a first roller that transports a sheet-shaped medium from an upstream to downstream in a transporting direction; a guide member that has a guide section extended along the transporting direction and is arranged upstream of the first roller in the transporting direction; and a second roller that is movable between a correcting position where the second roller pinches the sheet-shaped medium with the first roller and corrects a curl of the sheet-shaped medium, and a standby position where the second roller separates from the transporting passage further than the correcting position, wherein the guide member is movable to an escaping position that is separated from a moving passage that is from the correcting position to the standby position of the second roller if the second roller moves to the correcting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shun Ito
  • Publication number: 20110226884
    Abstract: A cable handling system has a cable traction unit having a sequence of cable-driving pulleys, a cable path coiling partially around each one of the cable-driving pulleys in the sequence, the cable traction unit being mounted on a rear portion of the vehicle; a cable accumulator unit mounted on the vehicle, having an cable chamber fixed relative to the vehicle and having an annular cable receiving area between a cylindrical outer wall and a cylindrical inner wall, and a cable channel having a first end communicating with the cable traction unit, and a second end communicating with the annular cable receiving area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: 9019-8813 Quebec Inc.
    Inventor: Omer LaForest
  • Publication number: 20110220699
    Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging machine, in particular a thermoformer, traysealer, comprising at least two transport chains for transporting a web of material, such as a film or the like. The packaging machine is characterized in that sensor means are provided for detecting the chain length and/or the chain pitch and/or the chain tension of the transport chains, means being provided for stretching and/or relaxing at least one individual transport chain, and control means being provided for adapting different lengths or chain pitches of two transport chains by stretching and/or relaxing at least one transport chain in a controlled manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMULLER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Elmar Ehrmann, Ivo Ruzic
  • Publication number: 20100264189
    Abstract: Supply device (1) for a cutting device (2) for a web of reinforced rubber material, comprising a first and a second web transporter provided with web engagers, wherein the first and second web transporters are spaced apart from each other in web direction and are attached to a first and a second carriage that are connected to each other for being reciprocally moved as one unity, o attached to a common reciprocally movable carriage (23), respectively, wherein the first web transporter is situated downstream from the second web transporter, wherein the supply device furthermore comprises guides for guiding the carriage (s) with both transporters during the reciprocal motion, wherein the guides for the carriage or carriages with both transporters are continuous for the entire stroke of the reciprocal motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Anthonie Slots, Martinus Regterschot
  • Publication number: 20090314816
    Abstract: A material feeder apparatus for feeding stock material to a machining device is provided. The material feeder apparatus includes a drive motor, a drive wheel, a guide wheel and a positioning mechanism. The drive wheel is operably coupled for rotation to the drive motor. The guide wheel is spaced apart from the at least one drive wheel defining a stock material slot therebetween. The positioning mechanism is to at least on of the drive wheel and the guide wheel for adjusting the stock material slot defined by the spacing between the at least one guide wheel and the at least one drive wheel. The material feeder apparatus may include both a drive and slave stock material feeder that are daisy chained together for being simultaneously driven by a single drive motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: PACIFIC BEARING COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Schroeder, William E. O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20090272780
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for handling an elongate member such as a cable between two points has a support line extending between the points, and winch mechanisms and wrapping devices at each of the points, to permit the elongate member to transit between the two points in a wrapped bundle that is supported mechanically against damage and deviation from a controlled path between the points, and to permit the bundle to be unwrapped at the second point for further manipulation of the elongate member. The invention is particularly useful in raising and lowering a load, towing, and also handling service cables, tubes, pipes, hoses or other elongate lines that are connected between two points. A preferred embodiment is described for the subsea deployment of wireline and the deployment of signal and power cables to subsea wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Alexander Charles Crawford
  • Publication number: 20090218380
    Abstract: A web processing machine permitting inspection and repair of a roll of web material includes an inspection zone vertically juxtaposed to a splicing zone. The inspection zone is structured to be removed from the juxtaposed position to a retracted position in which the splicing zone is exposed to permit an operator to perform a modification of the web without having to substantially move physically from the position in which the operator was located to perform inspection while the machine is running.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventor: Allan R. Prittie
  • Publication number: 20080203130
    Abstract: A roller for a web-processing machine, the roller having a support core, which is braced in the region of both its ends via a respective bearing arrangement, and an outer covering, which in its axially central region is mounted in a radially fixed manner in relation to the support core and in the region of its two ends is braced in a radially displaceable manner in relation to the support core by a respective additional bearing arrangement, whereby the outer covering is displaceable in the region of its two ends respectively by an actuator arranged within the outer covering, the actuator being adjustable and including two inter-mounted eccentrics to which is assigned respectively one pivoting device, whereby the two pivoting devices are controllable such that the size of the resulting eccentricity and the position of the resulting eccentricity are adjustable preferably separately from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Josef Kerschbaumer, Georg Gobec, Norbert Gamsjaeger, Benno Bader, Thomas Gruber-Nadlinger
  • Patent number: 7101504
    Abstract: Method of and apparatus for continuously manufacturing highly oriented super micro filaments with a diameter of 5 ?m or less from most of thermoplastic polymers stably by a simple and convenient means without requiring any special apparatus of high accuracy and high level, characterized in original filaments supplied from a filament supply means are heated by infrared beams and the heated filaments are drawn by tension provided by their own weight or under an applied tension of 1 MPa or less, and are drawn to 1000 times or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Yamanashi TLO Co.
    Inventor: Akihiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6851593
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the strain of a web material supplied to a machine by adjusting a tension force applied to the web material. An operator defines a target web strain via an input device. A speed sensor senses the speed of the web material supplied to the machine at a first position and a second position and generates a speed signal representative of the difference. A tension sensor senses a tension force applied to the web prior to the first position and after the first position and generates a tension signal representative of the difference. A control system calculates web strain as a function of the tension signal and speed signal, and compares the calculated strain with the target web strain and generates a speed control signal as a function of the comparison. The feed device is responsive to the speed control signal for adjusting a speed differential of the web to adjust tension force applied to the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Weber, Thomas Arthur Bett, Tanakon Ungpiyakul
  • Patent number: 6799412
    Abstract: A cottoner having a wadding section forming station, the station having: a carrier, a holder, and a feed mechanism mounted on a base in series. Moving means on the base reciprocate the a carrier toward and away from the feed mechanism. An operating controller on the base open and close the holder. The carrier has a gripper for gripping a length of wadding material to carry it from the holding means toward the feeding means when the carrier is moved toward the feed mechanism while the holder is open. The carrier releases the length of wadding material when moved away from the feed mechanism while the holder is closed to hold the length of wadding material. The cottoner includes an inserting station for inserting each section of wadding material formed at the wadding section forming station into a container. The cottoner also has a sensing station for sensing if the wadding material has been inserted, and inserted properly, into the container at the inserting station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: NJM/CLI Packaging Systems International
    Inventors: Luc Jalbert, Bruno Jalbert
  • Publication number: 20030230618
    Abstract: A device for processing continuous webs has a machine frame and at least one tool arranged on the machine frame for processing the continuous web. A drive device is provided for driving the at least one tool. The drive device is a two-row gear wheel having a first toothing and a second toothing, wherein the first toothing has an inch-based division and the second toothing has a metric division. The at least one tool is driven by the first toothing when processing the continuous web according to an inch-based size and wherein the at least one tool is driven by the second toothing when processing the continuous web according to a metric size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: Muller Martini Holding AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Ruoff
  • Patent number: 6627834
    Abstract: The shape of each electrical supply die for contact-supplying electricity to a wire electrode is changed to a cylindrical shape, and grooves are provided in its outer surface in parallel to the traveling direction of the wire, wherein upper electric supply is effected by contact-supplying of electricity at a projecting surface formed between adjacent ones of the grooves, while lower electric supply is effected by pressure contact-supplying of electricity by causing a concave surface to contact the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Moro, Shiro Imai
  • Patent number: 6488193
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying and applying a strip component (11) such as a tire tread is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing the strip component on a belt conveyer (16), determining a guideline (52) of the strip component (11) at an exit end (20) of the belt conveyor (16), and laterally adjusting the exist end (20) of the belt conveyor (16) to align the guideline (52) of the strip component (11) with a predetermined guideline such as the guideline of a tire building drum (12). The apparatus includes a belt support transverse housing (76) which is laterally moveable by a motion controller (64) in response to a sensor (58) which detects the guideline (52) of the strip component (11). Guides on the transverse housing (76) move the belts of the conveyor (16) on slider plates without physically touching the conveyed strip component (11), thereby preventing damage to the component material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
    Inventors: Raymond Patrick Eckman, Gary Robert Burg, Mark Daniel Banas
  • Patent number: 6450752
    Abstract: A feeder system for incrementally feeding a tube along a linear tube path to a point of use. The feeder system includes a frame, and first and second belts on the frame. The first and second belts are capable of moving incrementally in respective first and second belt paths and thereby incrementally moving a tube engaged by the first and second belts in the linear tube path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Hill Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Hill
  • Publication number: 20010025869
    Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus for forming a block of folded material, and a method for forming a block of folded material. The inventive apparatus includes a folder for folding a web onto a block, a holder holding an end of the web from a bottom layer of the block. The apparatus further includes a cutter for providing an end portion from an uppermost layer of the block. The inventive method includes the steps of folding a web onto a receiving element until a portion of the web forms a folded block of a preselected height, and feeding the uppermost web layer to a cutter. The inventive method further includes cutting an uppermost web layer to form an end portion, and laying the end portion from a bottom layer of the block at least partly on top of the block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Applicant: Gevas Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Sander
  • Patent number: 6135336
    Abstract: Capstan arrangement for transporting a cable to a treatment plant, which capstan arrangement comprises a stationary stand, a capstan wheel rotatably mounted on the stand with a peripheral track for the cable and a motor driven driving device in engagement with the capstan wheel for rotating the capstan wheel in relation to the stand. To achieve a play-free rotation of the capstan wheel, the capstan wheel is provided with a co-axial ring-shaped driving flange, whereby the driving device comprises pairs of drive wheels pressing against opposite sides of the driving flange, at least one drive wheel of each pair of drive wheels being motor-driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Nextrom Holding S.A.
    Inventor: Gustaf Linderoth
  • Patent number: 6085956
    Abstract: The inertial drag of idler rollers in a web-offset press with independently driven drive rollers is compensated by successively advancing downstream rollers during speed changes. This prevents low-tension conditions on the web and subsequent web breaks. Compensation is made for inertial coupling to the idler rollers through the web. Tension control is utilized to stabilize web position during startups and splices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Quad/Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Sainio, Timothy J. Pulte
  • Patent number: 5957359
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for equalizing the tension of optical fibers to a predetermined value, in which optical fibers (3) are passed from starting reels (1) through an equalizer wheel structure (4) to the next stage of the process. The equalizer wheel structure (4) is formed by two wheels (5, 6) on which the fibers (3) travel in succession. The first wheel (5) is adapted to supply fiber to the second wheel (6) at a greater rate than that which passes on the second wheel and is supplied to the next stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: NK Cables OY
    Inventor: Teuvo Paivinen
  • Patent number: 5904094
    Abstract: A roller arrangement in a folding apparatus of a rotary printing press includes a plurality of gathering rollers for passing a plurality of incoming ribbons along a line substantially tangential to the plurality of gathering rollers, thereby forming a multi-layered web. A first nip roller and a second nip roller, each having a coating of a resilient material are arranged such that the layered web is passed through a nip formed between the first and second nip rollers substantially tangential to each of the first and second nip rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Paul Emmett Bredenberg
  • Patent number: 5794830
    Abstract: A system and method for incorporating, in the production of a continuous stream of images, by an image transfer device upon a moving web, post-production operations upon the web at various locations. Locations of a web, having a plurality of images placed thereon, output from an image transfer device are tracked. Specific operations at various locations upon the web are performed by a post-production device as the web passes through it. The web is directed from the image transfer device to the post-production device. In response to the tracking of locations upon the web, the point when a location has entered the post-production device is determined. In response to this determination, the post-production device is commanded to perform its specific operation at a connect location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Roll Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: H. W. Crowley
  • Patent number: 5769301
    Abstract: A media transport bridge is an integral media transport device within an internal drum laser imagesetter that transports media from an imaging area in the drum to an external processor or intermediate buffer. Five pairs of rollers transport the film over the drum. A first stage of the bridge includes a first pair of rollers driven independently so that the first stage is removable and replaceable with a take-up cassette if desired. A friction drive within the imagesetter is adaptable to drive either the first stage or the take-up cassette when installed. Upon removal of the first stage, an automatic adjustment of the bridge is performed to balance the pivotally mounted bridge. The media is moved into the bridge by a pair of drum rollers while the first stage is synchronized with the other four pairs of rollers in the bridge and monitored to keep a slack loop of media at the first stage rollers to eliminate perturbations in the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Agfa Division, Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas K. Hebert, Mark E. Tellam, Libor Krupica, Peter Austin, Edward L. Kelley
  • Patent number: 5704304
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for simultaneously feeding two or more rolls of material into a sewing and cutting system. Specifically, the apparatus includes a roll let-off for supporting and feeding a first roll of material or cloth. The let-off includes a tension control unit for feeding the cloth at constant tension. A second roll let-off is also included for supporting and feeding a second roll of material. The second roll let-off also includes a tension control unit in combination with a torque supplying device. The tension control unit and the torque supplying device are adjusted to place a single tension on the material that allows the second roll of material to be fed with the first roll of material simultaneously and uniformly. By using the apparatus of the present invention, improved sewn products can be produced automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Burton & Noonan
    Inventors: Perry E. Burton, John V. Noonan
  • Patent number: 5586708
    Abstract: A packaging machine that has features for feeding a web in the form of a continuous chain of bags through the machine while helping maintain the web in proper alignment and proper tension, and having additional features for improved loading of the bags. The improved web feed includes a dancer assembly equipped with a pair of nips that are driven at speeds responsive to the rate of web travel through the machine so that tension between a web supply and the dancer nips is isolated from the downstream portions of the web. A web feed mechanism which automatically threads the web through baggers is also provided. The web feed mechanism includes elastic belts which frictionally grip the web to isolate the tension in the section between the dancer nips and the belts from the tension of the web feed mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard Lerner, Richard W. Hess, William M. Cronauer, Rick S. Wehrmann, James D. Kramer
  • Patent number: 5540371
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a wire feeder having a pusher system (12) and a puller system (14) to avoid birdnesting and collapse of the wire (11) in the wire guide or conduit (13) when the tip (15) of the wire feeder is blocked or a wire jam occurs. The pusher system (12) is adjusted by activating both the pusher system (12) and the puller system (14), adjusting the pusher system (12) to provide a desired wire feed speed when the tip (15) is not blocked, blocking the tip (15), and adjusting the pressure exerted by the rollers (22) of the pusher system (12) so that these rollers (22) slip on the wire (11) when the tip (15) is blocked. The puller system (14) is adjusted by disabling the pusher system (12), blocking the tip (15), activating the puller system (14), and adjusting the pressure exerted by the rollers (32) of the puller system (14) so that these rollers (32) do not slip on the wire (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventor: Malcolm T. Gilliland
  • Patent number: 5524805
    Abstract: A web feed roller is driven by a compact and simple web feed roller drive device included in the web feed roller. The web feed roller comprises a support shaft, a cylindrical hollow member rotatably supported on the support shaft, a stator provided with an electrically conductive member and fixed on the support shaft, a rotor fixed on the cylindrical hollow member to face with the stator, and an electrical connecting member connected to the conductive member of the stator. The web feed roller is electrically connected to a drive control system comprising a speed control device to control driving speed of the web feed roller, and a signal generating device for outputting a speed signal representing an actual speed of the web feed roller into the speed control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushikigaisha Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho
    Inventors: Noriyuki Shiba, Masayoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 5511712
    Abstract: Damage to rotating cylinders in a web-fed rotary printing machine, due to breaks or tears in the material web passing through the machine, is prevented by providing a web guide roller with a directionally switched coupling intermediate two spaced gripping locations. If the web breaks, the web guide roller becomes positively driven and prevents web roll up on one of the rotating cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Holm, Volker G. Rauh, Karl-Heinz A. Schneider
  • Patent number: 5497928
    Abstract: Wire is fed along a predetermined path by virtue of being pinched between an upper set of feed rolls and a lower set of feed rolls while the upper and lower rolls are rotated in opposite directions. The upper feed rolls are journaled cantilever fashion by an upper carrier which is fixed to the main frame of the apparatus. The lower feed rolls are similarly journaled by a lower carrier which is adapted to be moved upwardly toward the upper carrier to cause the lower feed rolls to pinch the wire against upper feed rolls after the wire has been threaded between the rolls. The lower carrier is moved upwardly by actuators which are offset laterally from the cantilevered rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Rockford Manufacturing Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Irvin Burns, Patrick Robbins
  • Patent number: 5475907
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for forming coils of yarn and for heat setting the yarn. The apparatus has a coiler adapted to receive yarn from a yarn source ant to form the yarn into a plurality of loops of a desired size. The coiler preferably includes a supporting frame, a pair of feed rolls mounted on the supporting frame and adapted for feeding yarn from the yarn source, and a rotatable coiler tube positioned downstream from the feed rolls. An air blowing device is positioned between the feed rolls and the coiler tube for facilitating the advance of the yarn into and through the coiler tube. A first variable speed drive is connected to the pair of feed rolls and a second variable speed drive is connected to the coiler tube for rotating the coiler tube at a selected speed to thereby form loops of yarn of a desired size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: American Line Corporation
    Inventor: Donald L. Hoover
  • Patent number: 5419480
    Abstract: A feed arrangement for a rotating bar includes a rotary drive carrying a series of axially spaced clamping devices comprising collets through which the bar passes. The clamping devices are axially reciprocated in phased sequence and the collet of each device closes upon the bar while the device is moving forwards. The sequence is so controlled that at all times the bar is clamped by the collet of at least one forwardly moving device and is thereby continuously fed forwards while being rotated by the active clamping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Arnold J. S. Pratt