Having Means To Control Coating Application Patents (Class 118/679)
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Patent number: 6258167Abstract: An apparatus for forming a film of a process liquid, comprising a mounting table for supporting the substrate to be processed substantially horizontally, a process liquid supply device for supplying a process liquid for processing the substrate, a linear nozzle having a header space which has a length substantially corresponding to a diameter of the substrate and a liquid discharge portion, the header space mutually communicating with the liquid discharge portion, a liquid inlet port which communicates with the process liquid supply device and whose opening is formed above the header space, a moving device for relatively moving the linear nozzle and the mounting table while the liquid discharge portion faces the substrate on the mounting table, and a control device for controlling a viscosity of the photoresist solution within the header space or controlling a temperature of the developing liquid in the header space.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1999Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Yukihiro Kawano, Takashi Takekuma
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Patent number: 6251186Abstract: A machine for applying adhesive to preset regions of products in general, particularly soles for shoes, comprising a conveyor for continuously moving individual products to be glued, a three-dimensional vision unit for acquiring a spatial shape of each individual product in transit, a first gluing head, which is driven by the vision unit to apply adhesive to a first portion of the product in transit, and at least one second gluing head, which is driven by the vision unit to apply the adhesive to a second portion of the product in transit which is different from the first portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Inventor: Lucio Vaccani
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Patent number: 6251185Abstract: A system for placing chopped fiberglass strands onto a preform screen where desired includes a relatively light-weight chopper/feeder unit mounted on the outer end of a robot arm in closely spaced relation to the preform screen for robotically directing the chopped fiberglass strands onto the preform screen where desired with very little loss. Within the chopper/feeder unit is a cutter for chopping the fiberglass strands to the desired length. The cutter is driven by a variable speed motor attached to the chopper/feeder unit. Also attached to opposite sides of the chopper/feeder unit are a pair of air amplifiers that produce a sufficient volume and velocity of air flow around said cutter and through said unit to carry the chopped fiberglass strands away from the cutter and out through a discharge chute onto the preform screen.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Molded Fiber Glass CompaniesInventors: Richard S. Morrison, Robert E. Mollman, Kenneth T. Hutchinson
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Patent number: 6248175Abstract: A system and method is provided that facilitates the application of a uniform layer of developer material on a photoresist material layer. The system includes a nozzle adapted to apply a predetermined volume of developer material on a photoresist material layer along a linear path having a length approximately equal to the diameter of the photoresist material layer. A movement system moves the nozzle to a first position offset from a central region of the photoresist material layer for applying a first predetermined volume of developer material to the photoresist material layer while the developer material is spin coated. The movement system also moves the nozzle to a second position offset from the central region for applying a second predetermined volume of developer material to the photoresist material layer while the developer is spin coated. The first position is located on an opposite side of the central region with respect to the second position.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1999Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Ramkumar Subramanian, Khoi A. Phan, Bharath Rangarajan, Bhanwar Singh, Michael K. Templeton, Sanjay K. Yedur
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Patent number: 6248174Abstract: An apparatus for direct or indirect application of liquid or pasty coating medium onto a traveling material web, notably of paper or cardboard, includes a paint curtain applicator mechanism and at least one sensor unit to register the flow quantity of the coating medium layer applied onto the material web and to provide a corresponding flow quantity signal. At least one regulation device regulates at least one manipulated variable of the paint curtain applicator mechanism upon which the flow quantity of the coating medium layer applied onto the material web depends. A control unit, which receives the flow quantity signal provided by the at least one sensor device, determines at least one face value for the at least one manipulated variable and controls the at least one regulation device on the basis of the at least one manipulated variable-face value.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1999Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbHInventor: Martin Kustermann
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Patent number: 6197115Abstract: An automated system for performing an operation on a component within a manufacturing workstation is disclosed. The system includes a robot controller having seven axes of motion control. A robotic manipulator is connected to the robot controller and has six axes of motion. The robotic manipulator includes tooling for grasping the component upon which the operation is performed. A fixed location tool is provided for performing the operation, and a servo mechanism is provided for operating the fixed location tool. The servo mechanism is controlled by one of the seven axes of motion control of the robot controller, whereby the robotic manipulator moves the component with respect to the fixed location tool for performing the operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1999Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Assignee: ABB Flexible Automation Inc.Inventors: Bruno Barrey, Claus Madsen, Peter J. Deir
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Patent number: 6190726Abstract: A method and assembly for coating a moving web of paper or paperboard by means of a coating mix jet which is directed to the surface of the web without mechanical support. The present invention is based on applying a desired amount of the coating mix to the web via a narrow-gap slit orifice, and by measuring the coat weight on the web, adjusting the position of at least one lip of the slit orifice to achieve the desired weight and cross-machine profile of the applied coat.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1997Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Valmet CorporationInventors: Jukka Koskinen, Jukka Linnonmaa
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Patent number: 6171401Abstract: A liquid dispense apparatus including a chuck having a support surface, a dispense nozzle directed toward the support surface, and a controller. The controller is connected to the dispense nozzle and the chuck and contains instructions which, when executed by the controller, perform the method including rotating the chuck at a first speed, dispensing a process liquid from the dispense nozzle, rotating the chuck at a reduced second speed, and distributing the process liquid while rotating the chuck at the reduced second speed.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1998Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Paul Shirley
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Patent number: 6132809Abstract: A robotic conformal coating system has a end effector and multiple tiltable valves coupled to the end effector. The end effector is capable of X, Y and Z axis motion, as well as rotation about the Z axis. A programmable controller controls the movement of the end effector and valves, as well as the actual dispensing and/or spraying of conformal coating.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1997Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: Precision Valve & Automation, Inc.Inventors: Anthony J. Hynes, Jonathan Neal Urquhart
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Patent number: 6127090Abstract: A process for producing a photosensitive resin printing plate comprising a step of forming a liquid photosensitive resin into a layer by applying the same to a substrate with a bucket, wherein a forming speed variation point for said layer is set at a position which is 30 to 80% of the forming distance of said layer, and wherein the liquid photosensitive resin is formed into a layer by successively reducing the forming speed thereafter.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1998Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinichi Kawatsuji, Mitsuhiro Watanabe
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Patent number: 6120604Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting parts through a plurality of processing areas. The conveyor system comprises a plurality of conveyors, each of the conveyors for transporting parts through an associated one of the processing areas. Each of the conveyors are driven by a motor. Each of a plurality of sensors are associated with one of the plurality of processing areas. Each of a plurality of control interfaces are associated with a device in one of the plurality of processing areas. Each of a plurality of control circuits are associated with one of the plurality of processing areas and coupled to corresponding sensors and corresponding interfaces. At least one operator interface is coupled to the plurality of control circuits. Wherein, the operator interface can modularly control and monitor devices within the plurality of processing areas.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1997Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: George Koch Sons, Inc.Inventor: Brian Thomas Hawkins
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Patent number: 6106623Abstract: In order to prevent a coating liquid from scattering outside the surface of a printed sheet, an on-demand coating head having plural jet sections is arranged along a direction parallel to the left and right edges of the printed medium, and jets only liquid droplets along a predetermined direction by vibration of a piezoelectric vibrator plate and a coating area with a width extending along a direction parallel to the edges of the printed medium. That is, the head is in a reciprocating manner moved on the printed medium along a direction perpendicular to a direction of arrangement of the jet sections, and the head is in a relative manner moved on the printed medium along a direction perpendicular to the above moving direction by a secondary coating scanning control circuit.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1998Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masaji Nishikawa
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Patent number: 6096132Abstract: An automatic painting device wherein control for driving spray gun heads in a Z axis direction is executed correctly with respect to a surface to be painted having a curved shape so that painting can be effected while keeping a constant interval between the plurality of spray gun heads and the surface to be painted. The automatic painting device can include a spray gun head unit holding a plurality of spray gun heads, an X axis direction driving mechanism for driving the spray gun head unit in a horizontal X axis direction, and a Y axis direction driving mechanism for driving the spray gun head unit in a Y axis direction perpendicular thereto, and in which different paints are ejected by the plurality of spray gun heads. The different spray gun heads are held by the spray gun head unit movably in a Z axis direction perpendicular to the x axis direction and the Y axis direction, independently from each other.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: L.A.C. CorporationInventors: Tadashi Kaiba, Syusei Murai
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Patent number: 6086734Abstract: A thin-film depositing apparatus of the present invention deposits a sputtered film on a substrate in a sputtering chamber, and removes the substrate having the sputtered film deposited thereon from the sputtering chamber via a load-lock chamber by a robot arm. As a system for controlling the sheet resistance of the sputtered film deposited on the substrate, a measuring device using an eddy current method is mounted in the proximity of a substrate outlet of the load-lock chamber and measures the sheet resistance of the sputtered film of the substrate removed from the substrate outlet. With this structure, it is possible to provide a thin-film depositing apparatus which stably measures the sheet resistance of a thin film deposited on a substrate and performs feedback of the measurement result to control the film deposition conditions so that a thin film to be deposited on a subsequent substrate has a desired thickness.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1999Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoshinori Harada
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Patent number: 6080249Abstract: A method for adhering a member and an apparatus for adhering the member to a base is useful for preventing warping of the member and non-uniformity of the strength of adhesion. After the adhesive application unit is positioned at a first position at a fixed distance from an initial application position of the base, movement of the unit is started from the first position with the moving unit while the action of discharging adhesive of the application unit is started. Next, the action of discharging adhesive of the application unit is completed at the final application position of the base and the movement is stopped at a second position at a fixed distance from the final application position of the base. This results in movement of the application unit at a constant speed from the initial application position to the final application position of the block. Therefore, non-uniformity of the adhesive layer at the initial application position and the final application position of the block can be prevented.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1997Date of Patent: June 27, 2000Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Tsutomu Honma, Yoshiaki Yanagida
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Patent number: 6071347Abstract: Method and apparatus for manufacturing a heater roller which includes a cylindrical electrically insulating substrate having an outer circumferential surface, and an electrically resistive heat generating layer formed on the substrate for heating a desired member in evenly pressing contact with that member, wherein an electrically resistive paste for forming the electrically resistive layer is delivered from a paste delivery tube of a paste delivery device onto the outer circumferential surface of the substrate, while the cylindrical substrate is rotated about its axis and while the paste delivery device and the electrically insulating substrate are fed relative to each other in the axial direction of the cylindrical substrate, such that the relative feeding speed is controlled in relation to the relative position of the paste delivery device and the substrate in the axial direction of the substrate, within a range that permits formation of a film of the electrically resistive paste on the substrate, which fiType: GrantFiled: September 29, 1998Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: Noritake Co., LimitedInventors: Yoshiharu Ogawa, Kazuo Kobayashi, Ken Takeoka, Kazunori Hosomi
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Patent number: 6059884Abstract: The invention relates to a control system of a coating apparatus for a coating medium, such as powder or wet lacquer, comprising at least one coating device, in which a quantity measuring means for determining the amount of coating medium supplied to the coating device, a quantity control means for setting the quantity of the coating medium to be discharged by the coating device, and a digital control device for controlling the operation of the coating device are associated to the or any coating device, wherein the control device, the quantity measuring means and the quantity control means are connected to one another by a bus structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Mirror & Pictures Vermarktungs und Handels GmbHInventors: Kurt Seitz, Horst Adams, Markus Hasler
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Patent number: 6051070Abstract: An apparatus for applying a material to a substrate. A material application station includes a shutter assembly having at least one horizontally extending blade which is rapidly displaceable from a closed configuration in which an outlet path of the shutter assembly is obstructed to an open configuration in which the outlet path is open. While the blade of the shutter assembly is in the closed configuration, a coating material is applied to a first predetermined area on an upper surface of the shutter assembly. A substrate is located beneath the shutter assembly in the outlet path. The blade of the shutter assembly is rapidly opened so that the coating material falls onto the substrate over a second predetermined area on an upper surface of the substrate. The second predetermined area is substantially equal to the first predetermined area. The resulting deposit is of a controlled diameter. A rapid opening of the blade allows the deposit to fall a short distance onto a substrate such as a pizza base.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1998Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.Inventor: Adrian M. Sunter
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Patent number: 6044764Abstract: While a transfer sheet 3 including a water-soluble base sheet on which a print layer is provided is floated on water, an adhesion is applied after the base sheet is dissolved, thereby to form a semi-fluidal print layer. An object is pressed against the print layer to achieve printing. In this technique, the present printing method and apparatus shorten the warm-up time required for dissolving the base sheet of the transfer sheet 3 to improve the working efficiency, and the transfer sheet 3 is previously cut at a predetermined length and is then floated on the water surface 5, so that wasteful consumption of the transfer sheet is reduced. The bottom of a water tank 11 is formed to be shallow in the left side than in the right side, so that the amount of water contained in the water tank 11 is reduced to shorten the warm-up time.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1998Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Katsuya Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toshio Ogisu
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Patent number: 6033718Abstract: An apparatus and procedure for applying a protective coating to a lens disc; the procedure comprises the positioning of trays (7) carrying lens discs, on a conveyor belt (9), which comes to a halt opposite a sensor means which detects the lenses; the tray (7) enters a coating chamber (4) provided with a coating diffusor (11); and the tray (7) comes to a halt repeatedly leaving one of the lens carried on the tray (7) opposite the diffusor (11); the pulverised coating material is sprayed onto the lens and then the tray (7) passes on to a drying section (3). The apparatus comprises trays (7) carrying lenses; a means for the transport thereof; a chamber (4), provided with a coating diffusor (11) and a gas extraction means (13); there is also a sensor means (15) and a stopping means for regulating the movement of the tray (7) as far as the drying section (3).Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1998Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: Indo Internacional, S.A.Inventors: Lluis Miquel Marias Albrich, Benigno Moreno Vidales, Joan Perez Agudo, Alfred Santiago Palmero
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Patent number: 6027568Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a masking, insulating and/or lubricating barrier coating on a portion of the threads and/or other surfaces of discrete objects such as fasteners utilizing a liquid coating material as provided. The present invention can selectively coat threaded and/or unthreaded surfaces of fasteners having odd shapes, deep threads and extended hubs. The fasteners are subsequently elevated and inverted onto a conveying system that moves them away from the area where the coating material is applied directly into a heat treatment device such as an oven in a continuous on-line process that does not require manual handling of the fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1996Date of Patent: February 22, 2000Assignee: ND Industries, Inc.Inventors: John S. Wallace, Charles M. Stempien, Joseph A. Lopetrone
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Patent number: 6024798Abstract: A substrate placed on a movable table movable in the X-direction and a spreading nozzle swingable in the Y-direction are relatively moved such that an extended line of the center axis of the spreading nozzle draws a zigzag trace on the substrate. During this relative movement, spacers are spread from the spreading nozzle while the substrate is sequentially discharged by a discharging bar in the moving direction of the substrate by a discharging bar. When the spreading nozzle passes each of folded portions where the trace is folded, the spread amount of the spacers from the spreading nozzle is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1998Date of Patent: February 15, 2000Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yuka Yamada, Ikuo Hiruta
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Patent number: 6010739Abstract: In a method for direct or indirect application of a liquid or pasty medium onto a traveling material web, notably of paper or cardboard, where during the application the cross profile (length profile) of the medium is modified under control and thereafter, in the direction of travel, the length profile (cross profile) of the previously applied medium is modified under control. Control of the cross profile and control of the length profile of the applied medium occur separately from one another in automatic control loops based on measurements of the applied profile. In addition is a pertaining apparatus with an applicator, an equalizer, a pertaining cross profile control loop, and a pertaining length profile control loop.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1997Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbHInventors: Manfred Ueberschar, Anton Plomer, Hans-Peter Sollinger, Bernhard Kohl
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Patent number: 6001181Abstract: The present invention is an automated sealant applicator held by a gantry tool and is computer directed and controlled for performing sealant operations on workpieces. The automated sealant applicator is computer directed and controlled for moving around a workpiece and for applying controlled amounts of sealants along precise paths, and with desired sealant patterns. The amount, path, and pattern of sealant are derived from engineering data. A CCD advanced vision system and/or a cutter chuck with a positioning and locating system can be used to precisely locate and apply sealant to the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 1997Date of Patent: December 14, 1999Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventor: George Nicholas Bullen
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Patent number: 5999779Abstract: A developing device for developing a latent image electrostatically formed on an image carrier includes an endless developing belt, and an applicator roller for applying a viscous developing liquid consisting of a dielectric carrier liquid and toner dispersed in the carrier liquid to the developing belt in the form of a thin layer. The developing liquid is transferred from the developing belt to the image carrier for developing the latent image. The applicator roller holds a preselected amount of the developing liquid thereon, contacts a portion of the developing belt not pressed from the rear side, and rotates in a direction opposite to a direction in which the developing belt moves. The device is therefore capable of uniformly applying the developing liquid to the developing belt and thereby improving image quality.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Noriyasu Takeuchi
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Patent number: 5968272Abstract: An image forming substance removing apparatus for preventing an unstabilizing liquid from being excessively applied to a sheet material unnecessarily, preventing a bad state of transporting the sheet material, and not requiring a long time for drying the sheet material is provided. In the above-mentioned apparatus, an unstabilizing liquid supplying unit applies the unstabilizing liquid to the transfer material and is constructed with an applying roller for pumping up the unstabilizing liquid by an action of its rotation, a restriction roller for bringing the applying roller into contact with the transfer paper, and others. And further, in order to move the restriction roller between a position of coming into contact with the applying roller and a position of departing therefrom, a tip end sensor for sensing the tip end of the transfer paper, a spring, and a solenoid, etc. are provided in the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1998Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hidenori Tomono, Eriko Chiba, Hiromichi Komai, Toshio Kawakubo, Tohru Maruyama, Masatoshi Saitou
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Patent number: 5968297Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for treating a workpiece such as a shoe component. The workpiece treating apparatus preferably includes a transporter for transporting a workpiece along a predetermined path of travel and a storage device for storing a plurality of predetermined parameters of each of a plurality of workpieces. A workpiece identifier is positioned responsive to the storage device for identifying the workpiece during travel along the predetermined path. A workpiece treatment applicator is positioned adjacent the transporter and responsive to the workpiece identifier for applying a treatment a workpiece being transported along the predetermined path of travel. A workpiece treatment position determiner preferably is positioned responsive to the workpiece identifier for continuously determining the position of the workpiece treatment applicator along a predetermined trajectory during treatment of the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1998Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: Intelligent Machine Concepts, LLCInventors: Jeffrey A. Hooker, James E. Spencer, Jr.
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Patent number: 5958137Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for the controlled placement of a shear-thinnable polymer composition into a moving web. The controlled placement is preferably performed by applying the polymer composition onto a surface of a moving web, shear thinning the composition and placing it into the web, and curing the polymer composition. A preferred apparatus includes one or more process heads that has mounted thereto a rigid knife blade for engagement with the moving web. The knife blade is movable vertically and rotationally. The process head is also movable horizontally along the path of the moving web. A plurality of macro and micro tension zones are established and are monitored for controlling the apparatus and process.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1997Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Nextec Applications, Inc.Inventors: James Michael Caldwell, George Schmermund
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Patent number: 5951766Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for depositing a viscous flowable mass to coat or decorate the surface of a product. The apparatus has a linearly moveable manifold assembly with at least one nozzle for depositing the viscous material on the surface of a product passing beneath the nozzle, a counterbalance eccentric drive system, and a linear motion assembly connected to the drive system and manifold assembly. At least one of the assembly and nozzle is heat traced and controlled so as to maintain the temperature of the viscous material in a range such that the material is flowable. By changing at least one of (a) the speed of the moving manifold assembly, (b) the speed of the product under the nozzle, and (c) the stroke length, the product surface can be ornamented in a variety of ways. The apparatus is particularly useful for decorating a food product with icing.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1996Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Kellogg CompanyInventor: Robert C. Miller
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Patent number: 5938848Abstract: A first embodiment includes a control system which operates a spray gun to apply an even coating of flux to a circuit board or a plurality of different length circuit boards irrespective of the speed that the circuit board(s) move through a coating chamber. In a second embodiment, the control system pulses the spray gun on and off with a pulsing pattern that coats a plurality of zones of a circuit board with spray patterns of different length and thickness.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1996Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Nordson CorporationInventors: Patrick T. Hogan, Kenneth Zalewski, John P. Byers, James Powell, Drew Roberts, Richard G. Christyson
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Patent number: 5932012Abstract: A paste applicator for drawing a paste film in a desired pattern on a substrate, including a table for detachably supporting a substrate, a paste reservoir tube to be filled with a paste, and a nozzle communicating with the paste reservoir and having a paste discharging port opposing to an upper surface of the substrate mounted on the table. A device is supplied for changing the relative positional relationship between the nozzle and the substrate mounted on the table. The paste is applied onto the substrate to form a desired pattern of the paste. A measuring device measures a position of a paste discharging port of a nozzle exchanged together with the paste reservoir tube by using a paste pattern formed by applying the paste onto the substrate held on the table using the exchanged nozzle. The center of the paste pattern nearly agrees with the center of the paste discharging port.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1996Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: Hitachi Techno Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigeru Ishida, Haruo Mishina, Yukihiro Kawasumi, Tomio Yoneda, Masayuki Saito, Hiroshi Tsutsumi
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Patent number: 5922132Abstract: A system for improving accuracy of application of a fluid to a desired area of an object which is moving transversely to the direction in which the fluid, e.g., an adhesive, is emitted from a nozzle via an electrically actuated valve. Photoelectric or other such detecting means are positioned in known distance from the nozzle to generate a signal in response to presence of fluid at that position. The delay time between detection of the moving object at a predetermined position and generation of the signal to open the valve is varied commensurately with the time period between generation of the valve-opening and fluid-detection signals of the preceding cycle. The variable delay time thus reflects more accurately the actual electrical and mechanical response times of the valve as opposed to an estimated, fixed delay time. A second detector may be spaced a predetermined distance along the path of adhesive flow from the first detector to provide measurement of fluid velocity.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1997Date of Patent: July 13, 1999Assignee: K-G Devices CorporationInventor: Thomas Martel
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Patent number: 5876501Abstract: Wheel lubricating apparatus includes a conveyor for transporting wheels on their side in succession into position to be lifted by a lower unit into clamp engagement with an upper stationary unit to support the wheel to be lubricated against rotation. A pair of lubricant brushes are supported by a rotary carriage on opposite sides of the wheel and are rotated in alternating half rotations during each successive soaping cycle to apply soap to the bead seats of the wheels.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1997Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Assignee: Fori Automation, Inc.Inventor: Paul George Doan
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Patent number: 5876502Abstract: A glue gun type gluing apparatus has glue guns 8a and 8b for applying glue to a gluing area in a joint flap 2 of a corrugated board sheet 1 for manufacturing a box, which runs on a box manufacturing line, a sheet end detection sensor 3 for detecting the front and rear ends of the corrugated board sheet 1, an encoder 7 for measuring the travel distance of the corrugated board sheet 1, and a control unit 9 for controlling the operation of the glue guns 8a and 8b. The control unit 9 learns and stores the position of gluing area on the basis of the information from the sheet end detection sensor 3 and the encoder 7 while the corrugated board sheet 1 is run at a low speed, and restricts the acquisition of detection signals by the sensor 3 during the time from the passing of the end point of the joint flap 2 to the arrival of the start point of the next joint flap 2.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1997Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Assignee: Nireco CorporationInventors: Hirofumi Sugimura, Yoshimitsu Ishibashi, Katsuhiko Koike, Hideaki Miyaoka
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Patent number: 5866194Abstract: Method and apparatus for manufacturing a heater roller which includes a cylindrical electrically insulating substrate having an outer circumferential surface, and an electrically resistive heat generating layer formed on the substrate for heating a desired member in evenly pressing contact with that member, wherein an electrically resistive paste for forming the electrically resistive layer is delivered from a paste delivery tube of a paste delivery device onto the outer circumferential surface of the substrate, while the cylindrical substrate is rotated about its axis and while the paste delivery device and the electrically insulating substrate are fed relative to each other in the axial direction of the cylindrical substrate, such that the relative feeding speed is controlled in relation to the relative position of the paste delivery device and the substrate in the axial direction of the substrate, within a range that permits formation of a film of the electrically resistive paste on the substrate, which fiType: GrantFiled: June 11, 1996Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: Noritake Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiharu Ogawa, Kazuo Kobayashi, Ken Takeoka, Kazunori Hosomi
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Patent number: 5863332Abstract: The invention involves a fluid treatment device and fluid treatment method to solution or melt coat or impregnate a resin or polymer to a predetermined, metered thickness into a substrate. The invention is effective in impregnating or coating various substrates in both a continuous or batch process on one side, two sides, or in the case of a porous substrate, penetration and complete saturation is possible. The invention offers significant advantages and benefits over existing methods and equipment and allows the coating or impregnation process to be performed at lower cost and higher efficiency with increased environmental safety.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1996Date of Patent: January 26, 1999Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Elizabeth Foster, Jeffrey Curtis Hedrick, Robert Maynard Japp, Kostas Papathomas, Stephen Leo Tisdale, Alfred Viehbeck
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Patent number: 5853481Abstract: An apparatus for applying a coating to an object includes a pair of reciprocating members which each include a porous resilient pad mounted for movement toward and away from each other. The apparatus includes a coating supply system for supplying coating to the resilient pads. The pads have a movement sequence from an initial rest position where the pads are spaced apart from one another to a coating loading position where the pads are in physical contact and have a degree of compression with each other to load the coating onto the pads, then the pads are moved to an intermediate rest position with the pads spaced apart an the object to be coated is moved between the pads. The sequence then includes a coating delivery position where the pads are in physical contact with each other and the object so that the pads have a degree of compression with each other and the object thereby applying the coating to the object.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1997Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Assignee: Becton Dickinson and CompanyInventors: Victor A. Williamitis, Jeanne E. Lambert, Min Shiu Lee, Robert A. Taller
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Patent number: 5776249Abstract: A powder spray coating device which includes an injector air flow controller having two alternate air flow paths for delivering feed air to an injector which delivers powder to a spray device. Optionally, the air flow controller also may have two alternate air flow paths for delivering supplemental air to the injector or downstream from the injector. In a first setting of a mode selector, feed air is delivered through a manually adjusted air valve and in a second setting of the mode selector the feed air is delivered through an automatically adjusted air valve. When supplemental air is provided, the supplemental air passes through a manually adjusted air valve in the first mode selector setting and through an automatically adjusted air valve in the second mode selector setting. A controller may detect articles to be coated and set the automatically adjusted feed air and supplemental air valves.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1996Date of Patent: July 7, 1998Assignee: Gema Volstatic AGInventor: Guido Rutz
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Patent number: 5776251Abstract: In a duplex type coating apparatus, a left-right pair of dies and are disposed on opposite sides of a carrying path of a web, the dies and are each made up of an upper member and a lower member, a tip part of the lower member projects further toward the carrying path than a tip part of the upper member, and coating liquid discharge passages are inclined in the direction of the carrying path of the web. As a result, because the same amount of coating liquid is discharged from each of the dies and coated onto each side of the web, it is possible to carry out coating at the same coating thickness and in the same position on both sides of the web.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1996Date of Patent: July 7, 1998Assignee: Hirano Tecseed Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobuaki Irie, Takao Ishida, Akiyoshi Hashimoto, Yasutomi Yoshimura
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Patent number: 5766361Abstract: A process is provided for forming a conductive line between a conductor and a spacer formed on a substrate of a field emission display. In one embodiment, the process performs the steps of disposing a screen between the substrate and a distributing member, the screen having an opening which permits the extrusion a conductive material, and moving the distributing member relative to the screen to extrude the conductive material through the opening and form a conductive line connecting the conductor and the spacer, wherein the snap off distance is varied according as the distributing member moves along the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1997Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Micron Display Technology, Inc.Inventor: Darryl Stansbury
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Patent number: 5744190Abstract: In a process and device for spraying a coating product onto an article from a sprayer to which coating product is supplied from a reservoir equipped with a piston which is moved along a path in order to transport the coating product to the sprayer, movement of the piston is controlled as a function of movement of the sprayer relative to the article.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1995Date of Patent: April 28, 1998Assignee: Sames S.A.Inventor: Caryl Thome
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Patent number: 5741558Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for powder coating three dimensional articles (12) carried on a conveyor (14) includes a controller (36) for controlling the rate at which coating material is discharged from a gun (16), so that the rate is proportional to the surface area of the surface portions of the article (12) as they pass the gun (16). Some surface portions topographically have a greater surface area which must be covered, while others are flat or have cut-out regions, requiring less coverage or no coverage at all. In powder coating operations, the discharge rate is controlled via automatic or programmed control of an electro-pneumatic air regulator (42) which regulates the supply of pressurized air to a powder pump (24) connected to the spray gun (16). The apparatus (10) assures uniformity in coating for a three dimensional article (12) with multiple surface portions of varying topography such as curves, angles, cut outs, etc., while minimizing the amount of wasted coating material.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1996Date of Patent: April 21, 1998Assignee: Nordson CorporationInventors: Tatsuo Otani, Hidetaka Tsukamoto, Makoto Sekiguchi
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Patent number: 5712489Abstract: A system for detecting web flutter of a web leaving a nip utilizes a proximity of sensor preferably a plurality of proximity sensors arranged transversely of the web to locally measure the distance between the web and the sensors at a distance no greater close to the nip so that the proximity sensor determines roll the web is following leaving the nip in each area sensed by each detector so that this information may be used to monitor or control the coating system.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1995Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: MacMillan Bloedel LimitedInventors: David Richard Elvidge, Ronald Ewald Greb, Malcolm Kenneth Smith
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Patent number: 5711989Abstract: A computer controlled method for high speed viscous fluid dispensing includes the steps of providing a dot generator and moving the dot generator along at least X and Y axes. The dot generator is controlled to repeatedly eject jets of viscous fluid that break away from the dot generator as a result of their forward momentum and fly to the surface of an adjacent substrate to create dots. The method may further comprise the step of monitoring the size and location of the dots through a vision system. The method may further comprise the steps of assigning dot sizes to specific components based on user specifications or a component library. The method may further comprise the step of optimizing the dot placement paths by aligning the in-line points of dot formation.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1996Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: Nordson CorporationInventors: Robert L. Ciardella, Philip P. Maiorca, Alec J. Babiarz, Duong La, Carlos E. Bouras, Mark S. Meier, John L. Christofferson, Ronald N. Abernathy, Stanley C. Aguilar, James C. Smith
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Patent number: 5683752Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for selectively applying a liquid on a surface in a selected pattern and position on the surface. The apparatus and methods include programmable devices that individually control a plurality of nozzles wherein each nozzle has its own separate liquid supply source.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1995Date of Patent: November 4, 1997Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Robert Lee Popp, Michael Lee Barlament, Larry Dean Primeau
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Patent number: 5679160Abstract: An apparatus for providing a barrier coating on a portion of discrete objects such as fasteners utilizing a liquid coating material is provided. The present invention introduces either a plurality of loose or interconnected parts onto a magnetized conveyor system and optically senses when parts are present. When parts are sensed, the sensor triggers a discrete shot of liquid coating material such as a fluorocarbon to be deposited onto a predetermined portion of each part. These parts can then be transferred to a second magnetized conveyor system that supports an opposite surface of the parts than the first conveyor. The invention can also remove excess coating material and also be provided with dryers or heaters to fix the coating material to the parts if necessary.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: October 21, 1997Assignee: ND Industries, Inc.Inventors: John S. Wallace, Charles M. Stempien, Joseph A. Lopetrone
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Patent number: 5672376Abstract: A method and apparatus for application of liquid materials onto substrates is provided. The present invention allows high speed selective application of curable liquids to a continuous succession of discrete substrates and subsequent curing of those liquids in order to form a solid or foamed coating on at least a portion of the substrates. The present invention provides increased speed efficiency and adherence of the liquid cured onto the substrates.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 1994Date of Patent: September 30, 1997Assignee: ND Industries, Inc.Inventor: John S. Wallace
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Patent number: 5622747Abstract: A photoresist dispensing apparatus coats a wafer with potoresist to define a layer having substantially uniform thickness. The apparatus receives photoresist into a reservoir. The photoresist flows from the reservoir to a substantially planar channel formed between parallel plates. The photoresist flows between the plates towards an elongated straight-edge exit opening. The surface tension and the viscous forces of the photoresist causes a bead to form at the exit opening. By passing a wafer beneath the dispenser apparatus at the exit opening so as to contact the bead, the surface tension is broken. As a result, the photoresist flows onto the wafer. The wafer is moved under the dispenser on tracks which maintain the wafer substantially level. The pressure from the photoresist in the reservoir maintains a steady flow of photoresist as the wafer passes below the dispenser. Accordingly, a substantially uniform layer of photoresist is applied. Photoresist layers as thin as 20 microns have been achieved.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: April 22, 1997Assignee: National Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Charles N. Todd, Frederick Dyson
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Patent number: 5620519Abstract: Application of wax to fruit, or groups of fruit in a conveyor system, can be controlled to optimize the protective and cosmetic effects of the wax application and to efficiently utilize the wax notwithstanding variations in size, texture, nature or number of the fruit, the type(s) of wax or the processing environment, by providing an intelligent wax controller. The wax controller has a camera which detects fruit passing through a field of view defined by an optical housing in which the camera is fixed. Particularly if the camera is a line-scan camera, two-dimensional pixel maps of the fruit passing through the viewing area are assembled and image processed to provide distinct pixel images even when the fruit are touching. The entire width of the conveyor belt is detected furing each detection time. The diameter of the fruit for each of the separated images is then determined, from which the total surface area of the fruit passing under the viewing area is computed.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1994Date of Patent: April 15, 1997Assignee: Sunkist Growers, Inc.Inventors: Henry A. Affeldt, Tim D. Conway, David M. Musoke
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Patent number: RE36534Abstract: In the method described, a compound substantially in the form of a paste is fed by means of a pump from a storage container (1) to a metering device (3) which determines the amount of paste to be applied to a workpiece (B). From the metering device, the paste is fed to a spray head (S) where it is .[.mixed with.]. .Iadd.swirled by .Iaddend.compressed air from a cylinder (4) or other suitable supply and sprayed on to the workpiece (B). The amount of compressed air supplied to the paste for spraying purposes is controlled by means of a control unit (6) in such a way that a strip of substantially constant width is applied to the workpiece (B).Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1998Date of Patent: January 25, 2000Assignee: SCA Schucker GmbHInventor: Josef Schucker