Patents by Inventor Martin McNestry
Martin McNestry has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20180079545Abstract: A gap sensor assembly for a labelling machine, the labelling machine configured to convey label web along a web path. The gap sensor assembly comprises a roller configured to guide the label web along the web path, and a sensor arrangement configured to produce a sensor signal which is a function of a property of a portion of label web. The roller comprises at least a portion of the sensor arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Martin MCNESTRY, Keith BUXTON
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Patent number: 9850018Abstract: A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock; a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of the label stock; a movable element which defines a portion of a web path between the supply spool and the take-up spool support; a sensor configured to produce a sensor signal indicative of the position of the movable element; a controller configured to receive the sensor signal and output a brake assembly control signal based upon the sensor signal; and a brake assembly configured to apply a braking force to one of said spool supports based upon the brake assembly control signal, the braking force resisting rotation of said one of said spool supports. The controller is configured to control the brake assembly based upon the sensor signal so as to cause the moveable element to move towards a desired position.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2013Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Videojet Technologies Inc.Inventors: Martin McNestry, Gary Pfeffer
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Publication number: 20170268690Abstract: An electrically operated fluid flow valve arrangement (50) includes an electrically powered magnetic field generator (42), a valve body (44) defining a valve chamber (7), an inlet port (5), an outlet port (20)and a valve member (18)located in the chamber (7). The valve member(18) is movable between closed and open conditions relative to one of the ports (5, 20). The valve member (18) includes a permanent magnet (9). The arrangement (50) includes a switchable pole 46 formed of a ferromagnetic material. In use, in a first latched condition, the valve member (18) is retained by the switchable pole (46) in one of the closed or open conditions and,in a second latched condition, in the other of the closed or open conditions, the valve member (18) being moved from one latched condition to the other by operation of the generator (42).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2015Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventor: Martin McNestry
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Patent number: 9724933Abstract: A thermal transfer printer, including first and second spool supports each being configured to support a spool of ribbon; a ribbon drive configured to cause movement of ribbon from the first support to the second spool support; a printhead for selectively transferring ink from the ribbon to a substrate; an electromagnetic sensor arranged to sense electromagnetic radiation and to generate data indicative of a property of the ribbon based upon sensed electromagnetic radiation; and a controller for processing data generated by the electromagnetic sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2012Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Videojet Technologies Inc.Inventors: Martin McNestry, Steven Buckby
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Patent number: 9694928Abstract: A labelling machine comprising a supply spool support (12) adapted to receive a supply spool (28), a takeup spool support (14) adapted to form a takeup spool (32) of web (30) from which at least some labels (74) have been removed, a motor (40) arranged to turn the takeup spool, and a controller to control operation of the motor. A web path (16) is defined between the supply spool and the take-up spool, and the controller is arranged to control the motor to turn the take-up spool so as to cause controlled predetermined linear movement of a web along the web path and onto the take-up spool, furthermore comprising a sensor (50) operable to sense linear displacement of the web and/or displacement of the web in a direction other than the direction of the web, a printer (34) movable between a first position and a second position, and a separator surface (24) comprising a first portion inclined relative to the web path.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2015Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Videojet Technologies Inc.Inventor: Martin McNestry
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Publication number: 20160355023Abstract: A tape drive comprising first and second motors, the first motor being a torque-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective motor, and a controller operable to control the energization of the motors such that tape may be transported in first and second directions between spools mounted on the spool supports. Each spool support is coupled to a respective motor by means of a drive coupling providing at least one fixed transmission ratio. When tape is moved in said first direction, said torque-controlled motor is energised in a first rotational direction, when tape is moved in said second direction, said torque-controlled motor is energised in said first rotational direction for a part of said movement and a second opposite rotational direction for another part of said movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Martin MCNESTRY, Keith BUXTON
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Publication number: 20160185126Abstract: A method for operating a thermal transfer printer includes providing a ribbon, providing at least one spool configured to take up the ribbon, and providing a printhead. The substrate is moved relative to the printhead at a speed. The ribbon is moved relative to the printhead at a speed that is less than the speed of the substrate while using the printhead to selectively transfer ink from the ribbon to the substrate to print an image on the substrate. Data is captured from the ribbon after ink has been transferred to the substrate. The data is processed to control at least one property of the printer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2016Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Martin McNestry, Steven Buckby
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Publication number: 20160185146Abstract: A thermal transfer printer comprising: first and second spool supports each being configured to support a spool of ribbon; a ribbon drive configured to cause movement of ribbon from the first spool support to the second spool support; a printhead configured to selectively transfer ink from the ribbon to a substrate, the printhead pressing the print ribbon and substrate together against a print roller; a substrate drive configured to cause movement of a substrate past the printhead; a sensor configured to monitor rotation of the print roller and generate a signal indicative thereof; and a controller configured to determine a measure of movement of the substrate and/or ribbon past the print roller based on the signal output by the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2014Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Martin McNestry, Philip Hart, Gary Pfeffer
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Publication number: 20160159610Abstract: A spool support, for supporting a windable material, comprises a main body, an actuator and a clamp portion. The actuator is movable relative to the main body between a first position and a second position. The clamp portion is pivotably connected to the main body. The actuator actuates the clamp portion such that the clamp portion pivots relative to the main body between a retracted position when the actuator is in the first position and a deployed position when the actuator is in the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2014Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventor: Martin Mcnestry
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Patent number: 9233553Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2013Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Videojet Technologies (Nottingham) LimitedInventors: Martin McNestry, Keith Buxton, Philip Hart
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Publication number: 20150360490Abstract: A ribbon includes a substrate film, wherein the film comprises a tensionable material; and an ink disposed on the ribbon. A length of the ribbon includes portions that have been tensioned to provide a code readable from the ribbon by measuring the tension over the length of the ribbon.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2015Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: Martin MCNESTRY, Gary PFEFFER
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Patent number: 9211747Abstract: A ribbon includes a substrate film, wherein the film comprises a tensionable material; and an ink disposed on the ribbon. A length of the ribbon includes portions that have been tensioned to provide a code readable from the ribbon by measuring the tension over the length of the ribbon.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2015Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Videojet Technologies Inc.Inventors: Martin McNestry, Gary Pfeffer
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Patent number: 9211716Abstract: A capping device for an ink jet print head, includes a base, the base configured to receive an ink jet print head comprising nozzles for ejecting ink in a print direction, and a cap assembly attached to the base and configured for movement between a closed position when the print head is not printing and an open position to allow for the ejection of ink from the nozzles when the print head is printing. The cap assembly includes a cover support configured for generally planar movement with respect to the base in a direction perpendicular to the print direction and a cover attached to the cover support in a generally planar relationship thereto. The cover is adapted to provide additional movement with respect to the cover support in a direction different from the planar movement in the direction perpendicular to the print direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2014Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Videojet Technologies Inc.Inventors: John Wall, Thomas E. Kimerling, Casey Robertson, Martin McNestry, Julio Naveira, David Doornink, Kevin Kuester, Anthony Selmeczy, Mark Waterman, Stephen Cooke, Graham Thomas
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Publication number: 20150291302Abstract: A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock comprising a web and a plurality of labels attached to the web and which are separable from the web; a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of web; a first motive means configured to propel the web along a web path from the supply spool support towards the take up spool support, the first motive means comprising a first motor including a first stator and a first rotor; a labelling peel beak located along the web path and configured to peel the labels from label web as the label stock passes the labelling peel beak; and a printer for printing on the labels.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2013Publication date: October 15, 2015Inventors: Martin McNestry, Gary Pfeffer, Philip Hart, James Butcher, Steven Buckby
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Publication number: 20150274346Abstract: A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock comprising a web and a plurality of labels attached to the web and which are separable from the web; a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of web; a sensor configured to produce a sensor signal indicative of a periodic property of at least a portion of the label stock; and a controller configured to calculate a displacement of the web a web path defined between the supply spool and the take-up spool based upon the sensor signal and a length of a component of the label stock.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2013Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Steven Buckby, Martin McNestry, Gary Pfeffer, Philip Hart
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Publication number: 20150274347Abstract: A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock; a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of the label stock; a movable element which defines a portion of a web path between the supply spool and the take-up spool support; a sensor configured to produce a sensor signal indicative of the position of the movable element; a controller configured to receive the sensor signal and output a brake assembly control signal based upon the sensor signal; and a brake assembly configured to apply a braking force to one of said spool supports based upon the brake assembly control signal, the braking force resisting rotation of said one of said spool supports. The controller is configured to control the brake assembly based upon the sensor signal so as to cause the moveable element to move towards a desired position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2013Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Martin McNestry, Gary Pfeffer
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Patent number: 9145021Abstract: A ribbon includes a substrate film, wherein the film comprises a tensionable material; and an ink disposed on the ribbon. A length of the ribbon includes portions that have been tensioned to provide a code readable from the ribbon by measuring the tension over the length of the ribbon.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2012Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: Videojet Technologies Inc.Inventors: Martin McNestry, Gary Pfeffer
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Publication number: 20150210419Abstract: A labelling machine comprising a supply spool support (12) adapted to receive a supply spool (28), a takeup spool support (14) adapted to form a takeup spool (32) of web (30) from which at least some labels (74) have been removed, a motor (40) arranged to turn the takeup spool, and a controller to control operation of the motor. A web path (16) is defined between the supply spool and the take-up spool, and the controller is arranged to control the motor to turn the take-up spool so as to cause controlled predetermined linear movement of a web along the web path and onto the take-up spool, furthermore comprising a sensor (50) operable to sense linear displacement of the web and/or displacement of the web in a direction other than the direction of the web, a printer (34) movable between a first position and a second position, and a separator surface (24) comprising a first portion inclined relative to the web path.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventor: Martin McNestry
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Patent number: 9038685Abstract: A labelling machine comprising a supply spool support (12) adapted to receive a supply spool (28), a takeup spool support (14) adapted to form a takeup spool (32) of web (30) from which at least some labels (74) have been removed, a motor (40) arranged to turn the takeup spool, and a controller to control operation of the motor. A web path (16) is defined between the supply spool and the take-up spool, and the controller is arranged to control the motor to turn the take-up spool so as to cause controlled predetermined linear movement of a web along the web path and onto the take-up spool, furthermore comprising a sensor (50) operable to sense linear displacement of the web and/or displacement of the web in a direction other than the direction of the web, a printer (34) movable between a first position and a second position, and a separator surface (24) comprising a first portion inclined relative to the web path.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2009Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Videojet Technologies Inc.Inventor: Martin McNestry
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Patent number: 8961045Abstract: A thermal transfer printer incorporating a tape drive comprising a first torque-controlled motor and a second position-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller for controlling the energization of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is arranged to determine a control signal to be provided to the torque-controlled motor to set the tape tension, and to provide said control signal to the torque-controlled motor, determination of the control signal including determination of a component intended to compensate for the inertia of a spool of tape driven by the torque-controlled motor.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2014Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Videojet Technologies (Nottingham) LimitedInventors: Martin McNestry, George Borkey Yundt