Patents by Inventor Rory A. Wolf

Rory A. Wolf 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).

  • Patent number: 10399128
    Abstract: A system (10) for cleaning an object (12) includes a roll cleaner (14) having a rotatable elastomeric roll (20) with a cylindrical outer surface configured to contact the first surface of the object (12), a rotatable adhesive roll (22) with a cylindrical outer surface contacting a portion of the outer surface of the elastomeric roll (20), and a support (24). The object (12) passes between the elastomeric roll (20) and the support (24), which contacts a second, opposing object surface. An atmospheric plasma cleaner (16) includes a sealed chamber (32) and at least one electrode (34) disposed in the chamber (32) and receiving a high voltage to generate a plasma applied to the first object surface. At least a portion of an inlet of the plasma cleaner (16) is formed by the elastomeric roll (20) and the support (24), and the contacting of the first and second surfaces of the object (12) by the elastomeric roll (20) and the support (24) seals the inlet of the plasma cleaner (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Rory A. Wolf, Stephen Frank Mitchell, Sheila Hamilton
  • Patent number: 10148069
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a position adjustment mechanism is provided for automatically adjusting the position of an electrode relative to a ground roller in a corona treatment apparatus. The position adjustment mechanism is capable of detecting thickened areas in a web of material that is being treated and automatically adjusting the air gap to maintain the quality of the surface treatment of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Rory A. Wolf, Eric J. Urban, Robert A. Kleinschmidt
  • Publication number: 20180105975
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an airfoil apparatus is provided which minimizes entry of entrained air into a system having a controlled internal environment, such as a corona treatment system, such entrained air resulting from a high-speed web moving into the system. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the airfoil apparatus is rotatable relative to the system so that the airfoil apparatus can be adjusted to changes in the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventor: Rory A. Wolf
  • Patent number: 9945067
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an airfoil apparatus is provided which minimizes entry of entrained air into a system having a controlled internal environment, such as a corona treatment system, such entrained air resulting from a high-speed web moving into the system. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the airfoil apparatus is rotatable relative to the system so that the airfoil apparatus can be adjusted to changes in the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Rory A. Wolf
  • Patent number: 9856559
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a color sensor is provided for sensing whether a ground roller in a corona treatment system needs to be serviced. The color sensor is capable of detecting imperfections which have changed the reflectance level of the ground roller from a predefined level. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, if a determination is made that the ground roller needs to be serviced, then an alarm is activated and/or the operation of the corona treatment system is ceased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Rory A. Wolf
  • Publication number: 20170324223
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a position adjustment mechanism is provided for automatically adjusting the position of an electrode relative to a ground roller in a corona treatment apparatus. The position adjustment mechanism is capable of detecting thickened areas in a web of material that is being treated and automatically adjusting the air gap to maintain the quality of the surface treatment of the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Rory A. Wolf, Eric J. Urban, Robert A. Kleinschmidt
  • Publication number: 20170226632
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a color sensor is provided for sensing whether a ground roller in a corona treatment system needs to be serviced. The color sensor is capable of detecting imperfections which have changed the reflectance level of the ground roller from a predefined level. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, if a determination is made that the ground roller needs to be serviced, then an alarm is activated and/or the operation of the corona treatment system is ceased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventor: Rory A. Wolf
  • Publication number: 20170113254
    Abstract: A system (10) for cleaning an object (12) includes a roll cleaner (14) having a rotatable elastomeric roll (20) with a cylindrical outer surface configured to contact the first surface of the object (12), a rotatable adhesive roll (22) with a cylindrical outer surface contacting a portion of the outer surface of the elastomeric roll (20), and a support (24). The object (12) passes between the elastomeric roll (20) and the support (24), which contacts a second, opposing object surface. An atmospheric plasma cleaner (16) includes a sealed chamber (32) and at least one electrode (34) disposed in the chamber (32) and receiving a high voltage to generate a plasma applied to the first object surface. At least a portion of an inlet of the plasma cleaner (16) is formed by the elastomeric roll (20) and the support (24), and the contacting of the first and second surfaces of the object (12) by the elastomeric roll (20) and the support (24) seals the inlet of the plasma cleaner (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Rory A. Wolf, Stephen Frank Mitchell, Sheila Hamilton