Defect In The Workpiece Sensed Patents (Class 118/670)
  • Patent number: 10060861
    Abstract: A method comprises: directing a laser beam onto a side of a tube, wherein the side includes a defect; moving the tube with respect to the laser beam such that the laser beam beams onto the defect; sensing a reflection of the laser beam from the side based on the defect; computationally identifying a change between the laser beam and the reflection; computationally acting based on the change. The side can be internal or external. In other implementations, the laser beam is moved with respect to the tube such that the laser beam beams onto the defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: SUNSPRING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Steven Sheppard, James Richard Lambdin
  • Patent number: 9744708
    Abstract: A method of controlling a slot die comprises, while continuing to pass the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, changing the position of the actuators with the controller to either increase the cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path adjacent each of the actuators or substantially close the fluid flow path adjacent the actuators, and after changing the cross-directional thickness of the fluid flow path adjacent each of the actuators, while continuing to pass the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, repositioning each of the actuators with the controller according to the set of discrete settings to resume operating the slot die with the actuators positioned according to the set of discrete settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Pentti K. Loukusa, Robert A. Yapel, Terence D. Neavin, Jennifer L. Trice, Kristopher K. Biegler, Paul C. Thomas, William J. Kopecky, Keith R. Bruesewitz, Robert B. Secor
  • Patent number: 9589246
    Abstract: A marking system for a rolled metal coil to provide markings containing data about material properties within the metal proximate the markings. The material property data may be used for allocating blanks from the coil for different vehicle body stampings. A monitoring device may be configured to provide material property data of metal during formation of a coil. A marking device may be configured to provide a 2D-matrix as the marking on a surface of the coil. A controller may be programmed to, in response to receiving the data, utilize the marking device to provide the 2D-matrix containing the material property data on the coil proximate a location of the material property. The 2D-matrix may also allow for the traceability of a finished part back to the coil it was blanked and subsequently formed from.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Laurent Bernard Chappuis, Ronald Russo, George Stanczuk
  • Patent number: 8893649
    Abstract: The imprint apparatus of the present invention includes a holding unit configured to hold a mold; a particle inspection unit configured to inspect whether or not particle is present on an imprint area, in which the resin pattern is formed, of the substrate; a dispenser configured to apply an uncured resin to the imprint area; a movable unit configured to move the imprint area with respect to the holding unit; and a controller. The movable unit is capable of moving the imprint area to each of an inspection position by means of the inspection unit, an application position by means of the dispenser, and a contacting position by means of the holding unit. Also, the controller causes the inspection unit to perform inspection of the imprint area in association with the movement of the imprint area by means of the movable unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sato
  • Patent number: 8752502
    Abstract: A device and a method for visual monitoring and stabilization of an elongated metallic strip during continuous transport of the strip in a transport direction along a predetermined transport path, wherein the strip has been coated with a metallic layer by the strip having continuously passed through a bath of molten metal. The device includes an electromagnetic stabilizing device with at least one first pair of electromagnetic stabilizing means arranged on each side of the predetermined transport path, and a wiping device for wiping off superfluous molten metal from the strip by applying an air current in a line transversely of the transport direction of the strip and across essentially the whole width of the strip. A first image-reading apparatus takes images of the actual position of the strip in relation to the predetermined transport path. A second and third image-reading apparatus take images of the surface of the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Boo Eriksson, Mats Molander, Peter Lofgren
  • Patent number: 8647703
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for coating a photoresist on a substrate. The photoresist coating apparatus includes a nozzle, a discharge unit, and a foreign substance barrier. The nozzle coats a photoresist on the substrate. The discharge unit is formed in a body with a lower portion of the nozzle and discharges a photoresist. The foreign substance barrier is formed at a front lower portion of the nozzle and protects the discharge unit from a foreign substance on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: O Jun Kwon
  • Publication number: 20130139752
    Abstract: An alignment film repairing system comprises an inspection device which has a charge coupling device and a defective position detecting circuit, the charge coupling element detects a defective position of an alignment film on a TFT/CF substrate, the defective position detecting circuit records a signal of position coordinate corresponding to the defective position; an alignment film defect elimination device eliminates a defect on the defective position on the TFT/CF substrate based on the signal of position coordinate to form a pin hole; and an alignment film repairing agent coating device coats and repairs the pin hole with an alignment film repairing agent based on the signal of position coordinate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventor: Yu Song
  • Patent number: 8455039
    Abstract: A photoresist-coating apparatus includes a substrate on which a particle-detecting area and an invalid particle-detecting area are defined, a nozzle discharging photoresist to the substrate and moving along a direction, and a particle-detecting sensor controlling on and off of the nozzle in the particle-detecting area according to presence of particles, wherein in the invalid particle-detecting area, the nozzle operates independently from detection of the particle-detecting sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Yeol Park
  • Patent number: 8424485
    Abstract: The invention aims to provide substrate treatment equipment that can automatically collect a substrate in a normal condition without needing manual operation. The equipment includes a substrate holder 26 for holding substrates 12 in a multistage manner and a substrate transfer unit 34 for transferring the substrates 12 into the substrate holder 26, wherein a substrate holding condition of the substrate holder 26 is sensed by a sensing section 60. The sensing section 60 has photo-sensors 64a, 64b, and sensing waveforms sensed by the photo-sensors 64a, 64b are compared with a normal waveform. A control section 66 is provided, which controls a substrate transfer unit 34 such that substrates 12 other than at least a substrate 12 that was determined to be abnormal are transferred by the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Hirano, Akihiro Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20120321797
    Abstract: An imprint method includes an inspection step of inspecting a substrate to obtain information of a foreign substance on the substrate; and a film forming step of forming a film covering the foreign substance, using the information of a foreign substance on the substrate, wherein the film forming step is performed before the contact step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi KUROSAWA
  • Publication number: 20120312230
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for fabricating an RFID label tag, the apparatus including an air assist pad adhering the RFID label to the label folding unit by discharging air of a predetermined pressure to an RFID label discharged from an RFID label printer, and a retrieving unit retrieving a defective RFID label by moving the defective RFID label to a position of the air assist pad, in a case an RFID label discharged from the RFID label printer is determined to be defective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kwang Hyun Kim, Woo Seok Roh, Jung Ki Moon
  • Patent number: 8256375
    Abstract: A method for the production and control of plates for electronics comprising a first step in which a plate is positioned, by means of positioning means, in a loading station; a second step in which the plate is disposed in a deposition station associated with a unit for depositing metal, or other material, in which the metal is deposited on the plate, in order to generate on the plates metal tracks, according to a pre-determined and desired topological disposition; a third step in which the plate is disposed in an exit station and a detection means is activated so as to detect the presence of defects in the plate; and a fourth step in which the plate is discharged from the exit station. In the first step the detection means is activated to identify defects in the plate disposed in the loading station. In the second step the deposition unit is activated in order to deposit the metal on the plate when in the first step the detection means has not detected any defect in the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials Italia S.R.L.
    Inventor: Andrea Baccini
  • Patent number: 7691156
    Abstract: An exemplary repairing method includes providing a substrate having a plurality of conducting lines; detecting a broken position of one of the conducting lines; switching on a nozzle; and forming a copper layer at the broken position on the substrate. The repairing method of the present invention employing a repairing device for performing a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method to forming the copper layer at a position of the broken defect of one of the conducting lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Innolux Display Corp.
    Inventor: Shuo-Ting Yan
  • Publication number: 20090269483
    Abstract: A method for the production and control of plates for electronics comprising a first step in which a plate is positioned, by means of positioning means, in a loading station; a second step in which the plate is disposed in a deposition station associated with a unit for depositing metal, or other material, in which the metal is deposited on the plate, in order to generate on the plates metal tracks, according to a pre-determined and desired topological disposition; a third step in which the plate is disposed in an exit station and a detection means is activated so as to detect the presence of defects in the plate; and a fourth step in which the plate is discharged from the exit station. In the first step the detection means is activated to identify defects in the plate disposed in the loading station. In the second step the deposition unit is activated in order to deposit the metal on the plate when in the first step the detection means has not detected any defect in the plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS BACCINI SPA CON SOCIO UNICO
    Inventor: Andrea Baccini
  • Patent number: 7608150
    Abstract: A coating apparatus and an operating method thereof that prevent damage to the nozzle of a spinless coater from impurities on a substrate during resin coating of the substrate, and impurities remaining on a stage at the bottom of the substrate. The coating apparatus comprises a stage, a nozzle, a nozzle cleaner, and a stage cleaner. A substrate is placed upon the stage. The nozzle discharges resin on the substrate to perform coating. The nozzle cleaner cleans the nozzle. The stage cleaner cleans the stage. The operating method includes removing a coated first substrate from atop a stage, cleaning the stage using a stage cleaner, introducing a second substrate to be coated onto the cleaned stage, and discharging resin through a nozzle onto the second substrate and coating the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong Kweon Park, Seung Bum Lee, Sang Hyoung Jin
  • Patent number: 7588642
    Abstract: The apparatus and method use an optical feedback system to align a brush assembly with a stent strut. Once alignment is achieved, a coating is dispensed onto the stent strut via the brush assembly and the brush assembly is moved along the stent strut to coat the stent strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Grayson Morris, Svava Maria Atladottir, Carla Pienknagura
  • Patent number: 7488388
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a flat panel display device includes a substrate on which a picture display section is formed and a stage on which the substrate is loaded. A dispenser applies a sealant along an outer line of the picture display section in the substrate. A light detector emits light toward the sealant and detects the amount of reflected light in real-time. A controller detects broken lines in the sealant in accordance with a signal supplied from the light detector and controls the dispenser so as to re-apply the sealant to spaces in the broken line in which the sealant is not present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Choon Ryu, Hae Joon Son
  • Patent number: 7488505
    Abstract: When a coating film is formed on a substrate, the inplane uniformity of the thickness of the coating film is enhanced to improve through put. Above the substrate, there are provided main and auxiliary nozzles separately movable, and monitoring means for monitoring the state of the surface of the substrate to detect the occurrence of an uncoated region on the surface of the substrate. On the basis of previously prepared coating data, a coating liquid is spirally applied on the substrate by the main nozzle. Then, if the monitoring means detects the occurrence of the uncoated region in a coated region in which the coating liquid has been applied by the main nozzle, a control part detects whether it is required to supply the coating liquid to the uncoated region. If it is required, the coating liquid is supplied to the uncoated region by the auxiliary nozzle. On the other hand, the portion of occurrence of the uncoated region has been grasped by the control part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tomohide Minami, Shinichi Sugimoto, Takahiro Kitano, Jun Ookura, Hiroaki Kurishima
  • Patent number: 7410541
    Abstract: A roll coater assembly system for application of a fluid material having a transport system with a part loading system, an application system, and a curing system for curing the material applied. The transport system is a continuous conveyor having a plurality of work stations movably supporting and transporting items to be processed to the application systems and curing systems, with the conveyors of the transport and loading systems having a single drive mechanism which operates both of the conveyors, such that the cylindrical items are provided to circumferentially located stations within and surrounding a cylindrical wheel of the part loading system which rotates to engage and move the cylindrical items into and out of the stations of the cylindrical wheel about a central axis of the cylindrical wheel and into the transport system conveyor by movement of the drive mechanism and respective conveyor synchronized by a control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: VMI Epe Holland BV
    Inventors: Thomas J. Boyd, Kathleen C. Boyd, Robert L. Brown
  • Patent number: 7387683
    Abstract: A coating apparatus includes support for supporting a mother substrate including unit substrates, a coater for coating the unit substrate with photosensitive materials, a detector for detecting foreign matters, a remover for removing the foreign matters from the unit substrate, and a controller for controlling the coater, detector, and remover. The coater includes a body containing the photosensitive materials, and inlet and outlet portions for inputting and outputting the photosensitive materials to/from the body. A width of the outlet portion is the same as that of the unit substrate. The detector is positioned at front of the coater to detect the foreign matters before the coating process. The remover removes the foreign matters. The coater discharges the photosensitive material only onto the unit substrate. Discharging of the photosensitive material is interrupted when the foreign matters are found.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Inventors: Seong-Bong Kim, Dong-Uk Choi
  • Publication number: 20080057738
    Abstract: An apparatus for atomic layer deposition (ALD) and methods for manufacturing a semiconductor device using the same. In one example embodiment, an ALD apparatus includes a heater, a plasma device, a distance control unit, and a controller. The heater is configured to have a semiconductor substrate mounted thereon. The plasma device is positioned opposite an upper side of the heater. The distance control unit is configured to control a distance between the plasma device and the semiconductor substrate. The controller is configured to determine whether the semiconductor substrate has been plasma-damaged by the plasma device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: DONGBU HITEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: June Woo LEE
  • Publication number: 20040173148
    Abstract: A coating apparatus includes support for supporting a mother substrate including unit substrates, a coater for coating the unit substrate with photosensitive materials, a detector for detecting foreign matters, a remover for removing the foreign matters from the unit substrate, and a controller for controlling the coater, detector, and remover. The coater includes a body containing the photosensitive materials, and inlet and outlet portions for inputting and outputting the photosensitive materials to/from the body. A width of the outlet portion is the same as that of the unit substrate. The detector is positioned at front of the coater to detect the foreign matters before the coating process. The remover removes the foreign matters. The coater discharges the photosensitive material only onto the unit substrate. Discharging of the photosensitive material is interrupted when the foreign matters are found.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong-Bong Kim, Dong-Uk Choi
  • Patent number: 6776845
    Abstract: When a coating film is formed on a substrate, the inplane uniformity of the thickness of the coating film is enhanced to improve through put. Above the substrate, there are provided main and auxiliary nozzles separately movable, and monitoring means for monitoring the state of the surface of the substrate to detect the occurrence of an uncoated region on the surface of the substrate. On the basis of previously prepared coating data, a coating liquid is spirally applied on the substrate by the main nozzle. Then, if the monitoring means detects the occurrence of the uncoated region in a coated region in which the coating liquid has been applied by the main nozzle, a control part detects whether it is required to supply the coating liquid to the uncoated region. If it is required, the coating liquid is supplied to the uncoated region by the auxiliary nozzle. On the other hand, the portion of occurrence of the uncoated region has been grasped by the control part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tomohide Minami, Shinichi Sugimoto, Takahiro Kitano, Jun Ookura, Hiroaki Kurishima
  • Patent number: 6740195
    Abstract: A sensor, such as a mass spectrometer, capable of detecting the presence of materials in a sampled gas is interconnected with a processing chamber of a vacuum manufacturing tool. The sensor includes a timing circuit which is activated only if certain levels of specific materials are detected. Furthermore, the timer is set to run a predetermined time interval after activation so as to discriminate between known transient processing conditions and the presence of impurities which can greatly influence the manufacturing process. When the timer exceeds the predetermined time duration, an output signal can alert the process operator or automatically shutdown the manufacturing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Leybold Inficon, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis C. Frees, Valentin Rio
  • Patent number: 6562139
    Abstract: An apparatus for finishing marine vessel surfaces including track-mounted robots, movable relative to the vessel being finished. The robots are controlled by a computer, with each robot having a plurality of tools attachable to the robots both for mapping the surface contours of the vessel and for painting or otherwise finishing the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Visions East, Inc.
    Inventor: John Stephen Morton
  • Patent number: 6514346
    Abstract: Joints or other discontinuities in live gas pipelines are sealed by spraying the joint or discontinuity with a coating material by means of an explosion-resistant coating device (10), capable of traversing long lengths of pipe (14). The coating device is inserted into the pipe and uses an explosion-resistant camera (44) for locating joints or other discontinuities in the pipe. The preferred coating material is a high build epoxy-type elastomeric polyurethane (48), which quickly cures in the presence of pressurized flowing gas. Several joints or discontinuities, spanning several hundred feet of pipe, may be coated using a single excavation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: NEUCO, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall A. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20020189540
    Abstract: A process controller and method employing a machine vision system for automatically and continuously monitoring and controlling the processing of coated fasteners, and for separating the fasteners into three groups of “good”, “rejected” and “purge”/recyclable parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Gregory Alaimo, Raymond Oleskie
  • Patent number: 6398870
    Abstract: A coating defect detecting and marking system is provided for automatic detection and marking of a coating defect on the body surface of a car. The system detects a spot to mend such as a flaw or coating defect on the outer surface of a coated car body and marks the position of the spot to mend. There are provided along a production line along which the car body is conveyed an imaging block to detect a spot to mend such as a flaw or coating defect on the outer surface of the coated car body, and a piezo pump to provide a jet of marking solution to a corresponding position on the car body surface to the spot to mend detected by the imaging block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Chuo Electronic Measurement Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kaya, Motoaki Fuchiwaki
  • Patent number: 6290776
    Abstract: A hot dip coating apparatus enables stable and continuous production of a coated steel strip having a high degree of uniformity of the coating quality over the breadth of the steel strip and clean coated surfaces free of deposition of dross. The hot dip coating apparatus has a bottom slit through which a steel strip to be coated is introduced and pulled upward through the coating tank, and an electromagnetic sealing device which applies a magnetic field to the molten metal in the coating tank so as to hold the molten metal inside the tank. The coating tank is provided at its top with an overflow dam for allowing the molten mental to overflow out of the coating tank. The apparatus also has a molten metal supply system which produces a circulating flow of the molten metal through the coating tank. The molten metal supply system has molten metal buffers which communicate with a molten metal supply passage and from which the molten metal is discharged towards the steel strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignees: Kawasaki Steel Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Tada, Chiaki Kato, Toshitane Matsukawa, Kazumasa Mihara, Kenichi Unoki
  • Patent number: 6086954
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for direct or indirect one-sided or double-sided application of a liquid or pasty coating medium onto a spliced traveling material web, notably of paper or cardboard, includes at least one applicator applying the coating medium at a predetermined point of coating application onto the material web. At least one coating suspension system briefly suspends the application of the coating medium at the point of coating application or at a point of suspension located, based on the direction of travel of the material web, ahead of the point of coating application. The suspension of the application of coating medium occurs while or before the material web splice passes the point of coating application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Kaufmann, Zygmunt Madrzak
  • Patent number: 6013308
    Abstract: A method for removing coating defects from a vehicle body or the like includes the steps of putting a defect information mark on a defect portion of an inspected object's coating, recognizing a position and a removal setting of the defect portion from the defect information mark, and non-contact removal of the defect portion in accordance with the position and the removal setting recognized in the recognizing step. According to the present invention, only the defects are removed, even when they are very small. The non-contact removal step may include spraying a water jet to permit removal of a defect without damaging a base coat. The non-contact removal step is very straightforward. Therefore, the removal position need not be defined in three dimensions. Accordingly, the shape of the vehicle body or the like is not required to be input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeki Saito
  • Patent number: 5942059
    Abstract: A control apparatus and method for a coating device utilize a measurement system to determine whether a body supplied to the coating device is acceptable for coating and/or to establish template data in preparation for a coating operation. The measurement system also obtains measurements of a body while the body is being coated, and these measurements are used to control the coating operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Decapo Ltd
    Inventors: Jan Wulker, Willie Reppel
  • Patent number: 5922399
    Abstract: A coating line system has a main coating line including at least a main coating booth for coating a workpiece, and a coating repairing line branched from the main coating line downstream of an inspecting section for inspecting the coated workpiece for a coating defect thereof. The coating repairing line has a coating repairing booth for repairing a coating defect of the workpiece which is caused in the main coating line, and a drying furnace disposed downstream of the coating repairing booth along the coating repairing line, for drying the workpiece which has been repaired in the coating repairing booth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mikio Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5913977
    Abstract: Joints or other discontinuities in live gas pipelines are sealed by spraying the joint or discontinuity with a coating material by means of an explosion-proof coating device, capable of traversing long lengths of pipe. The coating device is inserted into the pipe and uses a halogen lit explosion-proof camera for locating joints or other discontinuities in the pipe. The preferred coating material is a high build epoxy-type elastomeric polyurethane, which quickly cures in the presence of pressurized flowing gas. Several joints or discontinuities, spanning several hundred feet of pipe, may be coated using a single excavation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: NEUCO, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall A. Nichols
  • Patent number: 5875370
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating apparatus having a removable coating module for applying a protective coating to at least one surface of a photosensitive material. The coating apparatus can be a stand-alone unit and can be added to an existing or new photographic processor. The coating product can be a solution having a predetermined viscosity which is applied to at least one surface of the photosensitive material prior to drying in a manner that allows the solution to be uniformly applied to the at least one surface at a specific layer thickness. The viscous solution after drying functions as a protective coating which can protect the processed photosensitive material against scratches and moisture. The removable coating module facilitates maintenance and cleaning after the viscous solution has been consumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David L. Patton, Kevin M. O'Connor, Anne E. Bohan, Ralph L. Piccinino, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5585137
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first waveguide having a first surface having a first hole through which a fiber passes, and a second surface having a second hole through which an object passes and opposing the first surface, a magic tee connected to the first waveguide, and an adjustable short plunger connected to the magic tee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Motonori Nakamura, Toshio Danzuka, Akira Inoue, Haruhiko Aikawa
  • Patent number: 5567240
    Abstract: An apparatus including a supply source for a long composite which includes a long carrier film and a green ceramic layer continuously formed thereon along its longitudinal direction, a printing station, a drying station and a punching station. A conductor film is printed on the green ceramic layer with conductive paste in the printing station, the printed conductor film is dried in the drying station, and the green ceramic layer provided with the conductor film is punched while being registered with the conductor film and separated from the carrier film in the punching station, whereby a ceramic green sheet for a laminated ceramic electronic component is extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Kogame, Mitsuro Hamuro
  • Patent number: 5498441
    Abstract: The present invention includes a first coating section, a second coating section and a device for transferring products from the first to the second sections. The first section includes a feeding and loading station for depositing products onto product holders retained in product carrier plates. The products are advanced to a first dipping station in the first section to coat a first portion of the product. The plates are then advanced to a first rotating station in the first station and rotated at least one revolution for spreading the coating over that first portion. The plates are then advanced to a dryer that extends over the first section of the coating apparatus and the coating is dried. The transfer device transfers the products to the second section of the coating apparatus in such a manner to expose the uncoated portion of the products. The plates are then advanced to identical dipping and rotating stations and dryer as in the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC
    Inventor: Norbert I. Berta
  • Patent number: 5489339
    Abstract: An electrode capable of pushing against a silicon substrate with a constant force is mounted inside a vacuum chamber or a gas-replacing chamber. A bias voltage source can supply a given electrical current between the silicon substrate and the electrode. A temperature-controlled heater and a positioning mechanism are mounted under the silicon substrate. A gas inlet nozzle for adjusting the ambient is mounted close to the location of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignees: Seiko Instruments Inc., Takao Hattori
    Inventors: Takeo Hattori, Masatoshi Yasutake
  • Patent number: 5415693
    Abstract: A paste applicator for drawing a paste pattern on a substrate has X- and Y-axis tables, on which the substrate is mounted, and a paste reservoir tube, a nozzle, a nozzle support and an optical displacement meter all fixed to a Z-axis table in opposite relation to the substrate. The paste reservoir tube and the nozzle are communicated with each other by a horizontal portion of the nozzle support. The horizontal portion is extended to a position below the optical displacement meter so that the nozzle is located close to a measuring point of the optical displacement meter. This arrangement places the nozzle as close as possible to the measuring point of the optical displacement meter, whereby an error between data measured by the optical displacement meter and an actual nozzle-to-substrate gap is substantially eliminated to assure that the paste is applied to the substrate in a desired pattern and configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Hitachi Techno Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomio Yoneda, Shigeru Ishida, Haruo Mishina
  • Patent number: 5413806
    Abstract: A continuous strip coating machine has top and bottom applicator rolls and a backup roll adjacent the top applicator roll. A lift roll to lift the strip of material and thus vary the angle of wrap of the strip about the bottom applicator roll is provided. The use of the lift roll in turn varies the pressure between the strip and the roll and thus the thickness of the coating applied to the strip bottom. Thickness may be measured indirectly by measuring pressure of the strip on the applicator roll. Thickness may also be measured directly. Oscillations of the strip in a drying oven may also be sensed and compensated for. Feedback control is used with the thickness measuring techniques to control the coating thickness by varying angle of wrap, relative speed between the applicator roll and strip, and/or nip pressure between the applicator roll and a transfer roll that transfers coating material to the applicator roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Curt Braun
  • Patent number: 5411588
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for processing disc-shaped registration carriers, provided with a number of processing stations in which the disc-shaped registration carriers are supported, and with a transport assembly by which said disc-shaped registration carriers can be moved from one processing station to another processing station. The transport assembly is fitted with interconnected, jointly driven holders for simultaneously taking hold of and moving the registration carriers between the processing stations. The processing stations are at least partially fitted with readily exchangeable processing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: OD & ME B.V.
    Inventors: Petrus J. F. Diepens, Joost Van Erp, Michael A. T. Hompus
  • Patent number: 5324358
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oiling frame for chemical fibre machines in which signal emitted by a sensor disposed above the filament bobbin winding machine of the chemical fibre machine for detecting broken filaments in any fibre strand is received by a cylinder for the same to actuate a set of blades below oil nozzles in the oiling frame so that the blades may instantaneously and simultaneously cut the fibre strands moving downward from the oil nozzles. Since the blades and the blade covers are designed to have several sharp edges which facilitate quicker and more precise cutting thereof while the blades can be economically made of non-expensive metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Inventor: Ching K. Tseng
  • Patent number: 5306346
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating a fastener with head and shank portions is disclosed. The invention includes the steps of and apparatus for transferring the fasteners from a feed mechanism such that the fasteners are positioned for coating. The fasteners are then conveyed through a plurality of operating stations, beginning with a heating station where the shank portions of the fasteners are heated. Subsequently, at a material applying station, a coating material is applied to the heated shank portions. A preferred embodiment of the method and apparatus of the present invention includes using a magnetic holder to carry the fasteners horizontally by their head portions, where fasteners are centered by a rotating wheel, heating the shank portion to a temperature above the melting point of the applied material and applying the material to the heated shank portion to form a coating thereon. The magnetic holders are part of an endless traveling belt that rotates continually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Nylok Fastener Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony DiMaio, Richard J. Duffy, Eugene Sessa
  • Patent number: 5228920
    Abstract: Apparatus for applying protective coatings to photographic films or papers in web or sheet form. More specifically, apparatus for applying protective coatings that are curable by actinic radiation is provided. The apparatus includes a feeding station for supplying film which may be either a feed spool or a sheet feeder for holding and supplying individual sheets of film. The apparatus further includes a conveyor for conveying the film through a coating station and a curing chamber to a receiving station which also may either be a take-up spool to receive coated cured film or a stacking device to receive a stack of individual sheets of film. The conveyor can either be a series of conveying spools or pulleys or an endless conveyor belt in the case of individual sheets of film. The coating station includes a coating roller having a pattern of grooves formed by winding wire onto the surface thereof or other pattern of surface indentations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Inventor: Ernest E. Thompson, III
  • Patent number: 5199992
    Abstract: The invention is a method and a master machine of carrying out the method, for balancing and correct a workpiece at a single station. The correction apparatus is a material applicator and ultraviolet light source which is controlled by a microprocessor to supply metered amounts of viscous material to a workpiece at a desired location to cure an unbalance. The ultraviolet light source cures the viscous material into a solid deposit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Hines Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon E. Hines, Myles Jakubowski
  • Patent number: 5141768
    Abstract: The method and apparatus for correcting the dynamic balance of a rotating body, whereby the correction of the dynamic balance of a rotating body is achieved by fixing a correcting agent on the rotating body after the position of the dynamic unbalance and the amount of the dynamic unbalance in the rotating body are measured, are so constructed as to detect whether or not the correcting agent fixed on the rotating body is protruding from a prescribed configuration of the rotating body. Therefore, the method and the apparatus are capable of not only correcting a dynamic unbalance of a rotating body, but also detecting the protrusion of the correcting agent fixed on the rotating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromitu Ibe, Akira Yamano
  • Patent number: 5069234
    Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of an exterior pipe surface includes one or more nozzles or other treating means which are carried by a frame. The frame can be mounted around the pipe to be treated and is capable of moving along the pipe surface in longitudinal direction thereof, due to the provision of travelling wheels. Disclosed are provisions for allowing the apparatus to keep itself in balance on the pipe during operation. Such provisions include detection means (e.g. a pendulum with sensors) for detecting undesired displacements of the frame in circumferential direction of the pipe, and control means (such as e.g. hydraulic cylinders with a common system of hydraulic lines and valves) for adjusting the wheel axes of one or more travelling wheels in angular position, in response to a signal delivered by the detection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Van Voskuilen-Woudenberg B.V.
    Inventor: Anders G. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 4971537
    Abstract: An automated machine for continuously puttying the side edges of a plurality of elongated plywood boards is disclosed. The device includes a laterally adjustable conveyor system for accommodating boards of various widths. Also included are a pair of opposed putty applicator heads for simultaneously applying putty under pressure to both side edges of the plywood boards as the boards pass thereby. Excess putty striking or wiping devices are included for wiping excess putty from the side edges of the boards which is applied by the putty applicator heads. The machine quickly, efficiently and completely putties the side edges of large numbers of plywood boards rapidly and continuously in a mass production operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignees: Harry O. Hoffman, Kathleen A. Hoffman
    Inventors: Harry O. Hoffman, James E. Kalbes, Steve P. Zarnosky
  • Patent number: 4934228
    Abstract: A system for detecting offsize defects and for segregating the veneer sheets containing the defects from the non-defective sheets. Scanners are positioned along the in-feed conveyor leading to the clipper. As offsize defects are identified, a computer determines which of the sheets to be cut will contain the defects. These sheets are segregated as by diverting them to a pull chain conveyor following the cutting of the sheets from the continuous sheeting. Dye is sprayed on the area of the defects as detected by the scanners to aid in further handling of the defective sheets when removed from the pull chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: U.S. Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Bolton, John C. Holbert, Jeffrey D. Ballance