Patents by Inventor William T. Waters

William T. Waters 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: 5822056
    Abstract: An inspection apparatus for measuring the flange of a can prior to forming the flange into a radially outward directed flange includes a light generating element for generating generally parallel light rays of a light beam along an axis and a refractor for receiving the parallel light rays and separating the light rays into a first light beam and a second light beam. The first light beam propagates generally along the axis into the can and is reflected within the can to produce a lighted image of the inside edge of the flange. The second light beam propagates at an angle relative to the axis to illuminate and produce a lighted image of the outside edge of the flange. A video camera generates image data from the lighted images, and a data processor interprets the image data. The refractor includes an outer cylindrical member and an inner cylindrical member disposed in a cavity extending through the outer cylindrical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventors: William T. Waters, Grover C. Edmonds