Patents Assigned to Zellweger Uster Ltd.
  • Patent number: 4619527
    Abstract: A boundary or line-detecting process using image-filtering is used to detect fabric faults in moving textile fabric webs. A double-slit mask or an electrical equivalent thereof is used as a filter. The output signal of the filter is formed from the difference between the two luminosity values averaged across each slit of the filter mask. The image-filtering system is realized either by non-coherent optical spatial filters or by means of digital electronic circuits. The surface of the fabric web generally has a certain texture which already contains boundary and line elements. These basic values are used to derive fabric-specific parameters from which the boundary or line elements due to fabric faults are deducted. The boundary or line elements which remain, owing to their increased contrast, unambiguously indicate faults in the fabric web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: Zellweger Uster, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rolf Leuenberger, Christian Hunziker
  • Patent number: 4591995
    Abstract: For monitoring stranding machines for breakage or run-out of single strands, a device is employed which checks the rope or cable after stranding for uniformity of the rope or cable surface. For this purpose, an electrical image of the rope or cable surface is read into a memory and the measured values compared with this stored pattern during the further stranding process. In the event of deviations resulting from this comparison, disconnecting or other actuating elements are actuated in order to avoid the production of further faulty lengths of rope or cable. For reflection measurements, electromagnetic, optical or acoustic waves can be employed. Instead of scanning of the rope or cable surface based on reflection, corpuscular radiation which partially penetrates the rope or cable can be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Assignee: Zellweger Uster Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Schurch
  • Patent number: 4572243
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the tension on textile fabrics in a textile machine especially a loom. At least a part of a fabric is subjected to simultaneous transverse deflections, the speed of propagation of the simultaneous transverse deflections along the fabric is determined, and the tension on the fabric is determined in accordance with the determined speed of propagation. An exciter and a receiver is utilized for initiating the transverse deflections and determining the speed of propagation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: Zellweger Uster Ltd.
    Inventor: Ernst Felix
  • Patent number: 4549428
    Abstract: Device for the determination of the amount of substance or the density of fiber structures, which utilizes the elastic properties of the fiber material. By means of a sphere which is positioned in a conical opening in a duct through which the fibers pass and which presses on the fibers with a part of its surface, a nozzle is throttled, so that the pressure on the nozzle represents a measure for the force on the sphere. This pressure is in a definite relationship to the fiber pressure on the sphere and can be measured with a pressure measuring device and transformed into an electrical signal by means of a normal commercially-available converter. A small groove in the wall of the duct behind the sphere avoids the attachment of fibers between the sphere and the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Assignee: Zellweger Uster Ltd.
    Inventors: Erwin Murbach, Jean Peter
  • Patent number: 4527894
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring the velocity of a moving object. Measuring beams composed of sequences of optical pulses are directed towards the object which is to be measured and follow such object. Based upon transit time measurements of reflected pulses there are formed distance values and distance difference values. While taking into account the time interval of the pulse sequence there are computed velocity measuring values and velocity values computed from homogeneous groups of values are displayed as reliable velocity values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: Zellweger Uster Ltd.
    Inventors: Simon Goede, Peter Hauser, Silvio Mira
  • Patent number: 4500792
    Abstract: An apparatus controls the titer of synthetic fiber tows by an optical measurement of the cross section of the tow. A ray beam which illuminates the tow from one side is directed towards a photodiode row, on which the tow throws its shadow. The number of photodiode elements of the diode row lying in the shadow produces a measurement for the cross section of the tow. In order to eliminate the form effect of the tows, they may be provided with a false twist by a twisting device or a suitable thread guide may be provided. In order to use the photodiode row in an improved manner, several tows may be guided next to each other and may be measured using one and the same lens system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: Zellweger Uster Ltd.
    Inventor: Kurt Aeppli
  • Patent number: 4481820
    Abstract: The present method relates to the measurement of fibrous material, such as slivers and rovings, by ultrasonics. By a suitable arrangement of a sound source and a sound pick-up with the fibrous material disposed therebetween, only those sound waves arrive at the sound pick-up which have penetrated the fibrous material. All lagging disturbing signals which are generated by reflections and interferences are suppressed by the pulsed operation of the sound source and by the corresponding gating of the sound pick-up, as a result of which, the value to be measured, namely, the quantity of fibers present at any time in the measuring data, is substantially free from disturbing influences. This measured value may be used as a value for the cross-sectional regularity, or as a controlled variable for the production of regular rovings or slivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: Zellweger Uster Ltd.
    Inventor: Christoph Thomann
  • Patent number: 4438548
    Abstract: A regulation of the density of the fibre clothing on cards, carding engines and the like is described which is based on measuring the torque which has to be used for the drive of the licker-in or the cylinder. The signal corresponding to this torque is compared with a desired value which is either arbitrarily adjustable or is obtained from a sliver count measuring member or constitutes a combination of the two.The torque is either measured by measuring the power consumption for the drive of the licker-in and/or the cylinder, or by measuring the torsion of a torsion shaft, or by measuring the slip occurring in a variable coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Assignee: Zellweger Uster Ltd.
    Inventor: Werner Grunder
  • Patent number: 4386494
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for binding fiber bundles, as produced in the textile industry. Each of the two fiber bundles is mixed with the other fiber bundle in two regions of the binding and is wound around in a force-locking manner with individual fibers originating from the fiber bundles. The loose ends of the two bundles to be bound are automatically severed during the course of the formation of the binding and the remaining ends are introduced or worked into the binding using a pair of rotatable disc-shaped deformation members which are selectively movable toward one another while rotating to engage the fiber bundles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1983
    Assignees: Ernst Felix, Zellweger Uster Ltd.
    Inventor: Ernst Felix
  • Patent number: 4341066
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for binding fiber bundles which reduces an abrupt cross-sectional course at each end of the fiber bundle resulting from the loose ends of the bundles having been removed. The loose ends are, during the binding operation, severed in a fraying manner by abrasive edges and the frayed bound ends are worked into the resulting binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Assignee: Zellweger Uster Ltd.
    Inventor: August Baumgartner
  • Patent number: 4341065
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for avoiding untwisting during the formation of a binding of two fiber bundles. The rotational direction of deformation members acting on the fiber bundles is selected to be different in different groups of deformation members in order to reproduce or to increase the original twist during the binding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Assignee: Zellweger Uster Ltd.
    Inventors: August Baumgartner, Martin Plaschy
  • Patent number: 4319332
    Abstract: A monitoring method and apparatus is disclosed for monitoring surfaces and spaces as well as objects present therein. A pulse transmitter delivers, by means of a beam deflection element, in a defined sequence and in defined directions pulsed directional beams, and received beams are directionally selectively received. Distance vectors and their changes are evaluated in a computer for surface or terrain, space and object measurement and/or object recognition and/or sounding of an alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Assignee: Zellweger Uster Ltd.
    Inventor: Walter Mehnert
  • Patent number: 4318299
    Abstract: A measuring funnel for determining the tension of slivers includes a stationary component having a funnel-shaped inlet opening and a movable component. The bore for the passage of the sliver continues in the movable component, and may have a section along which it continues to taper. The passage of sliver thereby exerts a force on the movable component in the direction of its travel. This force is compensated by pneumatic or electrical means, so that the movable component takes a balanced position for every sliver cross section. These balanced positions are then converted into corresponding signals by means of electrical or pneumatic sensors, which signals are either used for measuring the absolute sliver cross section or for regulating the sliver cross section to a set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Assignee: Zellweger Uster Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard Morf
  • Patent number: 4315607
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for obtaining pedeterminable and exact yarn lengths on cross-wound bobbins. It is thereby assumed that all complete cops substantially have the same yarn length and of these only individual partial or remnant cops may contain less yarn. By determining the operation periods or the number of revolutions of the grooved cylinder or the cross-wound bobbin in relation to the yarn length of complete cops, counting values are introduced into a control unit which are totalled in this unit and compared with a set value which corresponds to the yarn length of the complete cross-wound bobbin. As soon as the set value has been obtained, the winding method is interrupted. Further developments of this method enable operating periods or the number of revolutions of different winding points to be compared and thereby to recognize defecting winding methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1982
    Assignee: Zellweger Uster, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ernst Felix
  • Patent number: 4272868
    Abstract: A device for obtaining a control signal corresponding to the density of the fibre covering lying on a fibre carrying element such as the cylinder, the licker-in, the take-off roller, or the doffer of a card. The device includes a holder which extends over the width of the fibre carrying element to span the width of the fibre covering on the fibre carrying element. This holder contains means responsive to the density of the fibre covering which produces electric output signals corresponding to the density of the fibre covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1981
    Assignee: Zellweger Uster, Ltd.
    Inventors: Werner Grunder, Ernst Loch
  • Patent number: 4271565
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for regulating out variations in the sliver weight on processing machines such as cards, carding engines, draw frames and the like wherein a first measuring device measures either the absolute cross-section or the relative variations of cross-section relative to a predetermined fixed desired value of a fibre sliver issuing from the machine. The first measuring device forms a corresponding first test signal. An additional measuring device is arranged at a point upstream of the first measuring device with respect to the direction of travel of the fibre material. The additional measuring device produces a second test signal corresponding to the relative variations in the cross-section of the fibre material relative to an average value for these variations formed over a predetermined period. The first and second test signals are used for controlling at least one regulating device which controls the cross-section of the fibre sliver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Assignee: Zellweger Uster, Ltd.
    Inventor: Werner Grunder
  • Patent number: 4184769
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for the detection of yarn defects, which may be effected in combination with a standard yarn clearer or independently thereof, the cross section of the yarn is continuously scanned and an electrical signal is generated representing not only the cross section and length of yarn defects, but also their frequency or periodicity, and these features are used as the criterion for generating a defect signal as an indication of detection of regular or irregular sequences of thick places in the yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Assignee: Zellweger Uster, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kurt Aeppli
  • Patent number: 4164805
    Abstract: An apparatus for dividing warps by means of leases, which is of the type having divider elements for the momentary edge warp end or thread and a feeder for the divided or separated threads for feeding such threads to tying elements. The divider elements separate the edge warp thread from the warp sheet in that the divider or separator elements, together with lease cords defining the lease following the separation of a thread, change their position relative to the warp sheet in such a manner that all threads following the edge warp thread are displaced away therefrom and the feeder only then moves through the complete path needed for the infeed of the separated thread to the tying elements when in fact a thread has been separated. Means ensure that the divider elements only then change their position relative to the warp sheet when the feeder has moved theough its complete path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1979
    Assignee: Zellweger Uster Ltd.
    Inventor: Alois Altenweger
  • Patent number: 4152815
    Abstract: An apparatus for dividing warp threads or ends by means of leases, comprising a first divider element or first divider means for separating a momentary edge thread from a sheet of warp threads or warp. The first divider element in conjunction with lease means, for instance constituted by lease cords, after separating a thread, changing its position relative to the sheet of warp threads in such a manner that all warp threads following the edge warp thread are displaced away therefrom. There is provided a second divider or separator element which is only capable of engaging a thread separated by the first divider element, possibly even a thread of a thread pair separated by the first divider element. The first divider element changes its position in a predetermined manner relative to the sheet of warp threads in dependency upon a programming device containing a program carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1979
    Assignee: Zellweger Uster Ltd.
    Inventor: Alois Altenweger
  • Patent number: 4121450
    Abstract: The density of an elongate fiber mass, in particular a fiber or filament sliver or roving, or a roll of tobacco, is continuously measured by passing the mass through a channel, supplying a fluid "e.g. air under pressure" to a transverse groove in the channel wall so that the fluid escapes along the channel at a rate dependent on said density, and measuring the pressure of the fluid upstream of the groove. Two further transverse grooves in the channel wall, between the first-mentioned groove and the ends of the channel, serve to extract the fluid, whereby the fluid flow and hence the density measurement are rendered independent of conditions at the channel ends. Preferably, a supplementary collector is provided between at least one end of the channel and the associated further groove, to extract any air that may enter the channel end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1978
    Assignee: Zellweger Uster Ltd.
    Inventor: Erwin Zurcher