Patents Examined by Paul T. Bowen
  • Patent number: 5326011
    Abstract: A web of material, typically paper, metal or film and most commonly roll photographic plate material, passes between a first, driven, roller made from material with a high coefficient of friction, typically neoprene rubber, and a second, driven, roller made from material with a low coefficient of friction, typically metal or nylon. The high-friction drive roller (only) is positionally adjustable. The web is driven straight ahead, without appreciable undesirable steering or skew, over a broad range of adjustments of the separation, and the parallelism, between the two rollers. The web motion is responsive substantially to only the high-friction drive roller, and the web speed may accordingly be regulated, including so as to be maintained highly uniform, in response to the drive roller (only).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Printware, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald V. Mager, Daniel A. Baker
  • Patent number: 5326009
    Abstract: An air nozzle for use in the production of nonwoven fabric that is adapted to receive spun filaments from a spinning nozzle and feed the filaments in an air jet into a receiver. The air nozzle is directed to the prevention of any abrasion of the inner surface of the nozzle body by an additive, such as titanium white, contained in filaments, and thus to the prevention of any defects in the nonwoven fabric. The inner surface of a nozzle body for guiding filaments is formed using a ceramic material to protect that surface. The nozzle body has a conical passage whose diameter gradually decreases from an inlet for receiving the filaments from the spinning nozzle, and a straight passage continuing from the conical passage and extending with a constant diameter, at least part of the inner surface of the conical passage and/or the straight passage being formed as a ceramic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Kobayashi, Naoyuki Tamura, Haruo Sasako
  • Patent number: 5323945
    Abstract: A differential capstan roller for a thermal printer is provided by dividing a capstan roller into first and second end segments, and an intermediate middle segment drivingly engageable with a drive shaft to drive the middle segment, and gearing the first and second end segments together differentially. The first and second end segments are driven with the middle segment through the gearing so that the average velocity of the end segments is equal to the velocity of the middle segment at any instant in time but the velocities of the two end segments are not always equal to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Matoushek
  • Patent number: 5323944
    Abstract: An arrangement for the lateral positioning of a recording medium (100) in a printer or photocopier comprises a scanning arrangement (S) for establishing the ACTUAL position of the recording medium and a motor-drivable roll arrangement consisting of a counter-roll (201) and a pressure roll (205) which can be pivoted onto and away from the counter-roll (201), between which rolls the recording medium is guided. Furthermore, an apparatus (E) is provided for the controllable adjusting of the pressing force at the feed roll (205) on the counter-roll (201) along its roll length, and a control arrangement (P) which registers the ACTUAL position of the recording medium (100) via the scanning arrangement (S) and adjusts the pressing force of the feed roll (205) via the said apparatus (E) as a function of a predeterminable REFERENCE position. The arrangement is used preferably in the fuser station of an electro-photographic printer for the controllable lateral positioning of the recording medium (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme AG
    Inventors: Martin Faust, Rudolf Waechtler, Walter Kopp, Edmund Creutzmann
  • Patent number: 5320266
    Abstract: A strip storage arrangement with a strip storage unit in strip treatment plants. The strip storage unit is divided into two or more storage sections. Each strip storage section has its own tension drive. Speed-controlled intermediate strip drives are arranged between the storage sections. The intermediate strip drives apply the bending and friction forces of the preceding storage section, so that the tension input value of the first loop strand of each storage section is equal. The resulting strip storage unit can have any storage capacity and is of simple and operationally safe construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: BGW Bergwerk-und Wlazwerk-Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Oskar Noe, Rolf Noe, Andreas Noe
  • Patent number: 5320267
    Abstract: A web transport apparatus that will not cause the web to break by exerting external forces in different ways on two lateral sides. The transport apparatus includes a group of pins that are studded on flat plates connected together to form a chain on either side of a web so that it is transported in multiple stages as it is retained on two lateral sides. An annular member supports the web from the inside by pins in each of the reversing sections that rotate to reverse the direction of web transport, with the piercing end of each pin facing either inward or outward. The annular member has a central shaft located at the center of the locus of rotation of the flat plates and has an outside diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the locus of rotation of the web. Preferably, the annular members rotate at the same speed as the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Oono, Hiroshi Nakajima, Masayuki Kawarada, Hiroki Saito
  • Patent number: 5320297
    Abstract: A device for reeling web-like material, in which the roll being formed is held between heads borne on carrier arms, which device reels the roll with a central drive. The drive is provided by direct-current, permanent magnet electric motors maximum power output mounted in the carrier arms, in which motors the stator, is faced with permanent magnets made of samarium cobaltate (SmCo.sub.5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Beloit Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernd Goerner, Volker Rose
  • Patent number: 5312033
    Abstract: A web conveyor drive system, for example of the suction box type, employs independent motor drives for each of the plurality of drive rollers in the suction drive. Web tension drive loads are equalized across the drive rollers by controlling the individual motor drive current to a value substantially equal to the average of all the motor drive currents in the conveyor drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Walton, Alfred Gooray
  • Patent number: 5310107
    Abstract: A pneumatic compliant tape guidance device for pneumatically applying a biasing load to a passing tape media. The tape guidance device includes at least one guide button and associated cylinder in which the guide button travels. It also includes a supply port which provides the input for a pressure and/or a vacuum to a pressurized chamber which couples the supply port with the cylinder. The guide button position and its applied pressure are controlled by a compressor which controls the amount of air pressure applied to the guide button through the supply port. The pneumatic compliant tape guidance applies pressure to the top edge or bottom edge of the tape media. The guide button may be configured to travel over a support tube which transfers the pressure/vacuum applied at the supply port to the guide button. The amount of pressure the guide button applies to the passing tape media is determined by the pressure/vacuum which is applied by a pneumatic source to the supply port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Christian A. Todd, Lynn C. Jacobs, Brian P. Egan
  • Patent number: 5310128
    Abstract: A tape storage apparatus is used with a mailing machine having printing postage indicia on a discrete portion of a strip of tape of indefinite length which is fed along a tape path extending through the mailing machine by a tape feeding device mounted within the mailing machine. The tape storage apparatus includes a base having vertical guide rails and a tape holding device mounted on the guide rails for movement therealong. A releasable latch holds the tape holding device in a lowermost position against the force of a plurality of resilient spring device for moving the tape holding device upwardly to a position in which the tape holding device becomes accessible to an operator or service person for reloading rolls of tape or performing service on the apparatus. When the tape holding device is in its lowermost position, it is functionally integrated with the mailing machine, but it is inaccessible for reloading tape or for threading tape into the feeding device in the mailing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence M. Doeberl, Joseph Gelb, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5310105
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring and controlling lengths of movement of a continuous stock material strip which is intermittently fed by feed rollers along a predetermined path of travel to a machine which includes a reciprocally operable carriage having tooling for acting upon the strip. The apparatus comprises a strip measuring mechanism for engaging with and sensing a length of movement of the strip and generating a first signal representative of the length of movement of the strip. A controller receives the first signal from the strip measuring mechanism, and comparing the first signal to a second signal representative of a predetermined desired length of movement of the strip. The controller generates a shut-down signal to the machine if the difference between the first and second signals exceeds a predetermined shut-down limit range and generates a length error signal representing the difference between the first and second signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Inventor: William D. Mills
  • Patent number: 5310106
    Abstract: This device is designed such that the differential tangential speeds V are variable at different points of a deformable flat film (1) or plate that moves along at least one drawing roller (3) rotating about an axis XX, said film (1) or plate moving in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the roller and resting on a generatrix G.sub.N of the roller. The roller (3) has a rotational speed N which is constant with time, while the distance G.sub.N C.sub.1 from the supporting generatrix G.sub.N of the film to the axis C.sub.1 of rotation of the roller is variable with time. The invention is applicable to the drawing of plastic films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Societe des Etablissements Thimon
    Inventors: Hubert Thimon, Paul Jacquier
  • Patent number: 5307973
    Abstract: A profiled rod for a web-spreading roller has an elongated basic body of approximately C-shaped cross section with holding legs on both sides and with a friction-grip elastic support on its back. The support is fastened to an intermediate support made of stiffer material than the support itself and the intermediate support is pushed lengthwise onto the basic body and detachably fastened to its back and holding legs with a clamping claw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Erhardt & Leimer GmbH
    Inventors: Heinrich Schmidt, Otto Lorenz, Werner Geyer
  • Patent number: 5307972
    Abstract: A pinch roller pressing device in a camera-integrated type VCR, comprising a cam gear provided with a vortex-type cam groove and an actuating lever provided at its one end with an actuating pin received in the cam groove of cam gear. A connecting lever is connected at one end thereof with the actuating lever, via a tension coil spring. A pinch roller lever is operatively connected to the connecting lever and provided at one end thereof with a pinch roller. A take-up arm is operatively connected to the pinch roller lever and provided at one end thereof with a guide shaft. The connecting lever has an engaging groove at the other end thereof, and the pinch roller lever has at one side of the lower surface thereof an engaging pin adapted to engage in the engaging groove. The device has a simple construction, thereby enabling more efficient use of the interior space of the applicance to which the device is applied. By virtue of the simple construction, the assembly and disassembly are also simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Goldstar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung K. Chang
  • Patent number: 5308164
    Abstract: The linear motion rolling guide unit according to this invention has the casing mounted on the track rail so that it can be moved along the track rail. The end caps formed with the recessed arc surfaces for the direction changing passages are attached to the ends of the casing. To form the direction changing passages, the spacers are disposed so that they face and are spaced from the recessed arc surfaces of the end caps. A number of rollers circulate through the raceways formed between the track rail and the casing and through the direction changing passages. The roller-contacting surfaces of the spacers are formed with oil grooves that extend in the direction of roller movement. The oil grooves act as an escape for grease and also hold grease therein, thus reducing the sliding resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Nippon Thompson, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5307970
    Abstract: A paper web threading apparatus for use in a paper web processing machine which aims at threading a paper web along a paper web threading path by moving a paper web threading member to which the paper web is secured along a guide member provided along the path, and which comprises detectors for detecting the paper web threading member which is moved along the guide member and outputting a detection signal; and an abnormality indication signal outputting device for outputting an abnormality indication signal when the detection signal is not outputted within a predetermined period of time during the movement of the paper web threading member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kazuaki Shibuya, Kunio Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5305965
    Abstract: An apparatus for winding and storing a tape-like article in core-less form in a container is disclosed. The tape-like article is fed along a movable guide member, being inserted into a center of the container through an opening on a side wall of the container, and being caught by a grip of a spindle inserted via a through hole on a side of the container. When the tape-like article is wound around the spindle to a preset length, the tape-like article is cut, and the spindle is released from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Yasuo Yamada, Masaaki Fuda
  • Patent number: 5301865
    Abstract: A strip storage unit for a continuous operation of rolling mill trains, particularly a loop-forming strip storage unit for sheet metal strips in strip treatment plants. The strip storage unit includes a loop carriage having at least one deflection roller for a strip loop. The loop carriage is movable on guides for changing the length of the loop. Support carriages which are also movable on guides and are provided with at least one support roller each are connected to the loop carriage through traction members, such as, ropes, chains or the like. The storage unit further includes at least one feed roller and a run-out roller for the strip. At least one cam drum is arranged at each support carriage. The traction members travel on the surfaces of the drum. For maintaining an equal distance between the loop carriage and the adjacent support carriage and between the support carriages when the loop carriage is moved by a certain distance, a torque motor acts on each cam drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Klamma, Withold Richert
  • Patent number: 5301864
    Abstract: A tape guide device has a guide member, a support shaft, flanges, a main shaft, a coil spring, a height adjustment nut, and a vibrating device, wherein the support shaft is disposed inside the guide member, the support shaft has teeth facing to a position of a node when the guide member is vibrated by the vibrating device, the teeth and the guide member are fixedly bonded to each other by an adhesive that presents a feature of a resilient member after the adhesive was cured, the main shaft is engaged with the support shaft so as to become freely slidable, the flange is attached to the support shaft with a clearance kept between it and an end face of the guide member and the guide member and the flanges can be adjusted in height under or against the bias of the coil spring by turning the height adjustment nut. The support shaft and the guide member are fixedly bonded to each other by the adhesive that becomes a resilient member after having been cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Etsuro Saito, Takashi Sasao
  • Patent number: 5299755
    Abstract: A tape cassette for use in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus, wherein tape reels for winding a recording tape are rotatably accommodated in a box-shaped cassette casing which is formed by combining upper and lower cassette halves, the recording material is extended outward along the front wall of the cassette casing between tape outlets formed at both end portions of a front wall of the cassette casing, and a lid for opening and closing the front surface of the recording tape which extends along the front wall of the cassette casing is supported at the front portion of the cassette casing so as to be rotatable upward and downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Fujii