Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Sisson

Thomas A. Sisson 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: 5584442
    Abstract: Apparatus for winding a strip (58) of web into a cartridge (40), the cartridge including an enclosing shell (42, 44); a spool (46) mounted for rotation within the shell, the spool being engageable externally of the cartridge (51, 53) for rotation; the spool comprising a core (54) with features (56) for attaching an end (60) of the strip to the core; an axially extended opening (50) through the shell for advancing or withdrawing the strip; and a light-shielding door (52). A shuttle mechanism (86) has a vacuum head (88) which grips the strip and moves the end to a position for engagement by a tool (94) positioned outside the opening, after which the tool inserts the end into the cartridge and attaches it to the core. A winding motor (354) rotates the spool to draw the strip into the cartridge. During the winding, a rotatable air bar (92) adjusts the path of the strip to prevent contact with the peripheral edges or walls of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joseph A. Watkins, Joseph E. Yokajty, Thomas A. Sisson, Thomas P. Melanson
  • Patent number: 5584441
    Abstract: Apparatus for winding a strip (58) of web into a cartridge (40), the cartridge including an enclosing shell (42, 44); a spool (46) mounted for rotation within the shell, the spool being engageable externally of the cartridge (51, 53) for rotation; the spool comprising a core (54) with features (56) for attaching an end (60) of the strip to the core; an axially extended opening (50) through the shell for advancing or withdrawing the strip; and a light-shielding door (52). A tool (94) inserts the end into the cartridge and attaches it to the core. A winding motor (354) rotates the spool to draw the strip into the cartridge. During the winding, a rotatable air bar (92) adjusts the path of the strip to prevent contact with the peripheral edges or walls of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Joseph A. Watkins, Joseph E. Yokajty, Thomas A. Sisson, Thomas P. Melanson
  • Patent number: 5190233
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and feeding strips of web material includes a source (36) of an indeterminate length of web material; means (40-48) for withdrawing a predetermined portion (10) of web material from the source; a guide track (56,98-104) for receiving the lead end of the portion and guiding its edges along a curved path; a rotatable vacuum drum (60) positioned intermediate the ends of the curved path for gripping the portion; a cutter (50) for cutting the web to define a strip; and a motor drive arrangement (62,64,66) for rotating the vacuum drum to feed the strip along the curved path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jayson J. Nelson, William E. Payment, Thomas A. Sisson, Joseph A. Watkins