Abstract: A control system for a device, such as an appliance, is designed by storing software representations of pre-existing control panel components (2005) and pre-existing control processes (2010) on a computer, using the computer to develop a control panel for the device by selecting and placing software representations of pre-existing control panel objects in a software representation of the control panel (2015), and using the computer to develop control software for the device by selecting software representations of pre-existing control processes and associating the selected control processes with the selected control panel objects (2020). The control software then is downloaded from the computer to control hardware to be included in the device (2025). Finally, the device is tested using the control software running on the control hardware and under the control of the computer (2030).

Abstract: A wrapping machine which includes a film former for shaping a continuous film of packaging material into a continuous tube, a film drive for drawing the continuous film of packaging material past the former and past a cutting and sealing station, a product infeed drive for feeding products to be packaged through the former into the continuous tube of packaging material so that the products are spaced apart from one another in the tube, and a motor-driven rotary cut/seal head at the cutting and sealing station for cutting and sealing the continuous tube of packaging material as each product moves through that station. The wrapping machine also includes independent closed-loop servo-control circuits for the film drive, the product infeed drive, and the cut/seal head drive, each of which is responsive to a desired velocity control signal.

Abstract: A horizontal wrapping machine which includes a former for shaping a continuous film of packaging material drawn past the former into a continuous tube, a film drive for drawing the continuous film of packaging material past the former and past a cutting and sealing station, a product infeed drive for feeding products to be packaged through the former into the continuous tube of packaging material so that the products are spaced apart from one another in the tube, and a pair of motor-driven cut-heads at the cutting and sealing station for cutting and sealing the continuous tube of packaging material as each product moves past the cutting and sealing station. The horizontal wrapping machine further includes independent closed loop servo control circuits for the film drive, product infeed drive, and cut-head drive, each of which are responsive to a desired velocity control signal.

Abstract: A horizontal wrapping machine which includes a former for shaping a continuous film of packaging material drawn past the former into a continuous tube, a film drive for drawing the continuous film of packaging material past the former and past a cutting and sealing station, a product infeed drive for feeding products to be packaged through the former into the continuous tube of packaging material so that the products are spaced apart from one another in the tube, and a pair of motor-driven cut-heads at the cutting and sealing station for cutting and sealing the continuous tube of packaging material as each product moves past the cutting and sealing station. The horizontal wrapping machine further includes independent closed loop servo control circuits for the film drive, product infeed drive, and cut-head drive, each of which are responsive to a desired velocity control signal.

Abstract: A control circuit for a solenoid driver for a dispenser having inherent pull-in and drop-out delays. The circuit includes a tachometer that generates pulses representative of the speed of a conveyor that conveys a substrate upon which the dispenser dispenses fluid. A sensor generates a trigger signal indicating that the substrate is at a preselected location. Delay counter circuitry, enabled through the trigger signal, generates an enabling signal after receiving a preselected number of pulses. Duration counter circuitry, enabled by the enabling signal, generates an initial driving signal of a preselected signal duration. Compensator circuitry receives the initial driving signal and modifies it so as to compensate for the pull-in and drop-out delays so that fluid is deposited for the dispensing duration upon the substrate commencing at the preselected position.

Abstract: A coating system for automatically discharging a coating material from a nozzle onto objects moving relative to the nozzle in a path past the nozzle. Each object receives two separately located quantities of the coating material from the single nozzle. A first sensor detects the presence of an object at a first point upstream of the nozzle, and a second sensor detects the presence of the object at a second point downstream of the first point and yet upstream of the nozzle. A delay timer is responsive to either of the sensors to produce a delay signal after a delay time corresponding to a predetermined distance of travel by the sensed object. A duration timer is responsive to the delay signal to produce a duration signal for a duration time corresponding to a predetermined distance of travel by the sensed object. The duration signal is used to create a control signal for effecting discharge of the coating material from the nozzle onto each object.

Abstract: A sensor circuit in a system for automatically coating objects with a coating material wherein the coating material is discharged onto objects moving in a path relative to a discharge station in response to a control signal. A sensor detects the presence of an object at a point along the path upstream of the discharge station and produces an object detection signal which is processed by the sensor circuit to produce a sensor signal. The sensor signal is used by a timing and driver circuit to provide a delayed control signal to the coating material discharge apparatus, after an appropriate delay, for a desired duration. The sensor circuit includes an integrator for integrating the object detection signal produced by the sensor and a trigger circuit coupled to the integrator for providing a substantially rectangular wave output derived from the integrated object detection signal.

Abstract: A controller for uniformly dispensing fluid onto a substrate in response to movement between the dispensing unit and the substrate has a sensor which senses the rate of relative movement and supplies a signal reflective of the movement to an operation device which in turn generates and supplies a control signal to a regulator. The regulator is positioned in the fluid dispensing system and regulates the flow rate of the fluid to the dispensing unit so that the substrate receives a substantially uniform fluid coating per unit length. The operation device receives the signal from the sensing means and computes the rate of relative movement.

Abstract: A coating system for automatically discharging a coating material from a nozzle onto objects moving relative to the nozzle in a path past the nozzle. Each object receives two separately located quantities of the coating material from the single nozzle. A first sensor detects the presence of an object at a first point upstream of the nozzle, and a second sensor detects the presence of the object at a second point downstream of the first point and yet upstream of the nozzle. A delay timer is responsive to either of the sensors to produce a delay signal after a delay time corresponding to a predetermined distance of travel by the sensed object. A duration timer is responsive to the delay signal to produce a duration signal for a duration time corresponding to a predetermined distance of travel by the sensed object. The duration signal is used to create a control signal for effecting discharge of the coating material from the nozzle onto each object.

Abstract: A digital control system is disclosed for activating a responsive device, such as a dispenser, at a preselected time after an initiating event, for a predetermined duration period. The system can be used for example in the packaging industry to apply adhesive at precise locations on a box moving on a conveyor. The system automaticaly compensates for conveyor speed and for the pull-in time and/or drop-out time of the responsive device.