To Stop Operation Of Complete Machine Patents (Class 156/352)
  • Patent number: 11755874
    Abstract: A method for configuring a sensor tag includes placing the sensor tag in a location on a garment or fabric to be affixed. The method may further include applying a heat source at a temperature to the sensor tag for a time period. The method may further include removing the heat source after the time period has elapsed. The method may further include removing a paper layer between an adhesive layer and the garment of fabric prior to placing the sensor taking in the location. The method may further include removing a top protective layer after removing the heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: SENSORMATIC ELECTRONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Carlos Gomez Garcia, David Torrecilla, Olivier B. Sommer, Steven E. Trivelpiece, George H. West, Fernando Pereira Mosqueira
  • Patent number: 11667134
    Abstract: A printing device includes: a main body including an accommodating portion configured to accommodate a printing medium; a cover displaceable between an open position where the accommodation portion is opened and a closed position where the accommodation portion is closed; a platen roller attached to the cover and rotatably supported by the cover; a peeling roller attached to the cover and supported so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to a longitudinal direction of the platen roller; and a switching mechanism attached to the cover and configured to switch the peeling roller between a contact position where the peeling roller comes into contact with the platen roller and a non-contact position where the peeling roller is away from the platen roller in conjunction with displacement of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sho Asai, Yushi Kato, Masashi Tanizaki, Koshiro Shimoda, Shotaro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11485529
    Abstract: A cable tie mounting tool comprises an upstream jaw and a downstream jaw having concave guidance path portions for the strap of a cable tie, a placing mechanism configured to place a cable tie portion along the common concave guidance path by pushing it strap-end-first along the common concave guidance path starting at the upstream end of the upstream jaw and pushing it in downstream direction, an insertion mechanism for feeding the cable tie strap end of the placed cable tie through the head of the placed cable tie, and a tightening mechanism for tightening the cable tie and possibly cutting it. Also provided is a length adjustment mechanism for adjusting the length of the common concave guidance path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: HELLERMANNTYTON GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Schwinn, Taro Fukuda
  • Patent number: 11396140
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a moulded article from first and second moulding compounds includes attaching a first moulding component to a carrier tool, placing the carrier tool and the attached first moulding component in a mould, applying a first moulding process, removing the carrier tool, placing a second moulding component in the mould, and applying a second moulding process to shape the first and second moulding components and bond the first moulding component to the second moulding component. A moulded article is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew Mills, Aurele Bras
  • Patent number: 11383320
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for positioning weldments (20) in an ultrasonic welding device (34) and to an ultrasonic welding device comprising a sonotrode (14), to which ultrasonic vibrations are applied and which emits longitudinal vibrations, and an anvil (16), a weldment accommodation (19) being formed between a work surface (17) of the sonotrode (14) and an opposing surface (18) of the anvil (16), a change in position ?x of a positioning device (21) defining weld position P of the weldment (20) being captured in the longitudinal direction (22) of the sonotrode (14) by means of a position sensor, the application of vibrations to the sonotrode (14) being changed such depending on the change in position ?x that a change in amplitude ?y is performed according to an amplitude characteristic curve of the sonotrode (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: SCHUNK SONOSYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Stefan Mueller
  • Patent number: 10464360
    Abstract: A printing module configured to print a label on a curved surface of an article includes an expandable printing mechanism configured to be expanded to an open configuration for receiving the article or contracted to a closed configuration placing the curved surface in an operative position with respect to a print head and an article moving assembly configured to grasp and hold the article and effect relative movement between the curved surface and the print head. The printing mechanism includes contact elements, such as rollers, that contact or otherwise engage the article when the printing mechanism is in the closed configuration and maintain the curved surface in the operative position with respect to the print head during relative movement between the curved surface and the print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated
    Inventors: Rolf Silbert, Robert Rosati, David Buse, Olev Tammer, Matthias Merten
  • Patent number: 10287050
    Abstract: An in-line label applicator includes a label printer to print variable data on each label and a label application station that moves the printed labels into a container conveyance path for application to containers moving along the path. One scanner scans the label code of each printed label before the label reaches the conveyance path, and another scanner scans the helper code of each container as the label is being applied during movement of the container along the conveyance path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: ID TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: John A. Roe
  • Patent number: 10071544
    Abstract: A separation apparatus for separating a superposed substrate in which a processing target substrate and a supporting substrate are joined together with an adhesive, into the processing target substrate and the supporting substrate, includes: a first holding unit which holds the processing target substrate; a second holding unit which holds the supporting substrate; a moving mechanism which relatively moves the first holding unit or the second holding unit in a horizontal direction; a load measurement unit which measures a load acting on the processing target substrate and the supporting substrate when the processing target substrate and the supporting substrate are separated; and a control unit which controls the moving mechanism based on the load measured by the load measurement unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignees: Tokyo Electron Limited, INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Hirakawa, Masaru Honda, Akira Fukutomi, Takeshi Tamura, Jiro Harada, Kazutaka Noda, Xavier Francois Brun
  • Patent number: 9714152
    Abstract: An apparatus for folding in two a continuous web (10) that advances in a longitudinal direction (A), comprising: a folding station (22) designed to fold said continuous web (10) along a line of longitudinal folding (B) parallel to said longitudinal direction (A); and an alignment station (24) for mutual alignment of opposite longitudinal edges (14) of said continuous web (10), wherein said alignment station (24) comprises two suction belt conveyors (42, 44) having respective branches facing one another (50, 52) designed to pick up by means of suction respective folded sections (34, 32) of said web (10), said suction belt conveyors (42, 44) being mobile in a transverse direction (D) and being associated to a control device (72) designed to move said suction belt conveyors (42, 44) by the same amount and in opposite directions in said transverse direction (D) as a function of information on the position of said longitudinal edges (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Fameccanica.Data S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gabriele Sablone
  • Patent number: 9579849
    Abstract: A hole expanding device includes an electric heating device, a moving device, an rotating device, and a carrying device. The electric heating device includes a transition portion and a hole expanding rod fixed onto the transition portion. The electric heating device heats the hole expanding rod to a predetermined temperature. The rotating device is fixed onto the moving device. The moving device drives the rotating device to move along a direction parallel to the hole expanding rod. The carrying device is fixed onto the rotating device and includes a receiving groove for receiving and fixing a workpiece. The rotating device rotates the carrying device to make two opposite surfaces of the workpiece face the hole expanding rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chang-Wei Kuo
  • Patent number: 9457923
    Abstract: Tab length is controlled in a tape applicator by adjusting the position of a tension roll as the diameter or periphery of the tape supply roll is changed to increase the force pulling the tape from the supply roll as the diameter of the tape supply roll decreases without significantly changing the tension in the tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: LAMUS ENTERPRISES INC.
    Inventor: Joe Augustine S. T. Lam
  • Patent number: 9199388
    Abstract: A label finishing station receives a web carrying printed images for labels arranged so there are a plurality of images formed in rows or ranks across the width of the web. The images are also arranged in longitudinal columns along the length of the web. A cutting station carries a plurality of cutter heads to cut out the plurality of labels forming each row or rank simultaneously. The web, with the label peripheries cut out, may be slit longitudinally and formed into finished rolls of labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Primera Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Cummins, Todd A. Britz, Darren W. Haas, Michael R. Tolrud
  • Publication number: 20150107774
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly to selectively drive/stop by checking whether temperature control of transfer rolls is normal is provided. The apparatus includes transfer rolls, the temperature of which is controlled by a temperature control unit, to pass a transfer film on which a polymer electrolyte membrane and electrodes are formed therebetween in order to press the transfer film and to transfer the electrodes onto the polymer electrolyte membrane; a thermochromic pigment inserting device installed at a front end of the transfer rolls to coat the thermochromic pigment on the polymer electrolyte membrane; a color information acquiring unit installed at the rear side of the transfer rolls to acquire color change information of the thermochromic pigment; and a controller to check whether temperature control of the transfer rolls is normal from the color change information of the thermochromic pigment acquired by the color information acquiring unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Hoon Hui LEE
  • Publication number: 20130269854
    Abstract: A machine to tape articles, also having a complex shape, along edges of layers of material already temporarily joined together along a join line, comprising a taping unit suitable to apply a tape in correspondence to the join line, and at least a movement unit to determine the feed of the edges and comprising a first roll having a first axis of rotation and at least a second roll having a second axis of rotation substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation. The first roll and the second roll define, in use, a passage gap for the edges. The second roll is mounted on a support element configured to rotate around an axis of rotation substantially coinciding with the second axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: MACPI S.P.A. PRESSING DIVISION
    Inventor: Giovanni Cartabbia
  • Publication number: 20130139969
    Abstract: There is described a labelling machine for applying labels onto articles, comprising a protective wall; one first labelling group which may move between an operative position in which it applies a plurality of labels onto corresponding articles, and a rest position; wall comprises at least one first opening which is at least partially engaged, in use, by first labelling group when it is set in operative position; first labelling group is arranged completely on a first side of wall as it is arranged in rest position, and is arranged at least partially on a second side, opposite to first side, of wall when it is arranged in operative position; wall comprises at least one first panel which may be moved between a closed position in which it covers opening, and an open position in which it leaves free opening; labelling machine comprises connecting means for connecting first panel to first labelling group at least when first labelling group moves, in use, between rest position and an intermediate position, which i
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Mattia Giuliani, Marco Ferri
  • Patent number: 8434540
    Abstract: There is disclosed a configurable modular labeling machine and a method of making same. The machine can be selectively assembled in a number of different configurations. The machine has a frame or housing that can mount selectively positionable applicator and rewind modules. The applicator module includes a plate that can carry direction-changing and feed rolls and can mount a dispensing mechanism. The rewind module can include a plate that can mount direction-changing rolls and a rewind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: Johannes S. Lenkl
  • Patent number: 8360123
    Abstract: This disclosure discloses a tag label producing apparatus comprising: at least one feeding roller; a printing device; and an apparatus antenna; and a coordination control portion that controls in coordination the feeding roller, the printing device, and the apparatus antenna, such that information transmission/reception is performed between an RFID circuit element and the apparatus antenna when an IC circuit part of the RFID circuit element provided to a tag medium is fed downstream in a transport direction from a segment from a nearest roller to the apparatus antenna along a feeding path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyasu Fukui, Tsuyoshi Nagae, Kiyoichi Ohta, Hitomi Hioki, Shintaro Tomita
  • Patent number: 8316905
    Abstract: An isostatic press is disclosed in which tunnel-like passages are formed between the envelope surface of a force absorbing body and a prestressing device. A method and a press are further disclosed, wherein a cylindrical element is prestressed simultaneously with obtaining a tunnel-like passage on the cylindrical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Avure Technologies AB
    Inventors: Stefan Sehlstedt, Lennart Svensson
  • Patent number: 7935199
    Abstract: When a label on a conveyor belt is detected, there is performed a label sticking process of making a sticking mechanism take out the label and stick it to an article at a predetermined position, while when a defect of the label on the conveyor belt is detected before detecting the label, the label is sent out to a label recovery position without performing the label sticking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignees: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, Takara Pac Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadayoshi Mochida, Shinichi Kashiwagi, Takashi Sekimoto
  • Patent number: 7868101
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for preparing an environmentally degradable polymeric compound as well as to such a compound per se and to its use. A compound of the present invention includes a polycondensated lactic acid containing polymer, having a molecular weight (Mw) of from 500 to 50,000 g/mol, to which a flexibilizing aliphatic polyester having a molecular weight of from 500 to 50,000 g/mol is coupled. The amount of lactic acid including groups in the polymeric compound ranges from 50 to 99% and the amount of flexibilizing polyester groups ranges from 1 to 50%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Tate & Lyle Public Limited Company
    Inventors: David Neal Lewis, Gerrit Schutte, Henk Westerhof, Jane Janssen, William E. Kelly
  • Patent number: 7814953
    Abstract: A rotary labelling machine comprises a carrousel that can be pivotally driven by a carrousel motor and a plurality of container stations supported by said carrousel, wherein each container station comprises a container-holder plate and a plate motor suitable to rotate the plate about its own axis, carrousel sensor means detecting the movement of the carrousel and generating a reference signal representative of the carrousel angular position, a plurality of local control units. Each control unit is connected with one of the plate motors, respectively, and is configured to receive and process the reference signal and generate a control signal specific for said plate motor. Signal propagation means are connected to the carrousel sensor means and to the local control units to propagate the reference signal to each of the local control units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Sidel Holdings & Technology S.A.
    Inventors: Vanni Zacche', Antonio Secchi
  • Publication number: 20100175835
    Abstract: A laminating device includes first and second rollers, a motor, a first drive element associated with the motor and configured to be driven thereby, a second drive element associated with at least one of the rollers, and adapted to engage the first drive element so that the motor may drive the rollers to rotate in respective first directions, and a support arrangement which at least partially supports at least one of the rollers and the second drive element. The support arrangement is movable with respect to the first drive element between a first position, in which the first and second drive elements engage one another, and a second position, in which the first and second drive elements are disengaged from one another, allowing rotation of the rollers in respective second directions without this motion being transmitted to the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventor: Samuel J. Bradley
  • Publication number: 20090314413
    Abstract: A tax stamp apparatus applies labels to individual packages of cigarettes, and prints tax information on the labels after they are applied to cartons of cigarettes. The apparatus may include a digital scanner that scans and decodes two-dimensional bar code information printed on the labels. The tax information may be supplied to the apparatus from a remote location, and the scanned data may be compared to the tax information supplied to the apparatus to verify that the tax indicia have been applied to the cartons of cigarettes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: R.E.D. STAMP, INC.
    Inventors: Jason L. Brandow, Marc J. Wilson, Bruce D. DeBoer, James S. Rabourn, Steven J. Lilly, Jack E. Spaans
  • Patent number: 7578332
    Abstract: A printer with a peeler mechanism 1 for peeling labels from a web, the printer having a movable web pressure roller 24 which may be moved from a web pressure position 24A in which pressure is applied to a platen roller 20 to a retracted position 24B in which pressure is not applied. The printer also has a photosensor 21 and photoreceptor having an emitter/receptor surface 21a for detecting the presence and absence of labels peeled from the web. A window 22b in the label guide surface 22a becomes covered to shield the photosensor output for defining a no-label detection stateWhether the peeler mechanism is set to operate in the label peeling mode or is set to a retracted position defining a non-peeling continuous label dispensing mode of operation can be determined based on the output of the label detection photosensor 21, and the label dispensing mode can be set to the label peeling mode or continuous label dispensing mode based on this determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shoichi Murata, Hideki Kawakami, Masahiko Yamada, Tomoaki Kimura
  • Publication number: 20090194230
    Abstract: A tax stamp apparatus applies labels to individual packages of cigarettes, and prints tax information on the labels after they are applied to cartons of cigarettes. The apparatus may include a digital scanner that scans and decodes two-dimensional bar code information printed on the labels. The tax information may be supplied to the apparatus from a remote location, and the scanned data may be compared to the tax information supplied to the apparatus to verify that the tax indicia have been applied to the cartons of cigarettes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Jason L. Brandow, Marc J. Wilson, Bruce D. DeBoer, James S. Rabourn, Jack E. Spaans
  • Patent number: 7465770
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for preparing an environmentally degradable polymeric compound as well as to such a compound per se and to its use. A compound of the present invention includes a polycondensated lactic acid containing polymer, having a molecular weight (Mw) of from 500 to 50,000 g/mol, to which a flexibilizing aliphatic polyester having a molecular weight of from 500 to 50,000 g/mol is coupled. The amount of lactic acid including groups in the polymeric compound ranges from 50 to 99% and the amount of flexibilizing polyester groups ranges from 1 to 50%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Tate & Lyle Public Limited Company
    Inventors: David Neal Lewis, Gerrit Schutte, Henk Westerhof, Jane Janssen, William E. Kelly
  • Publication number: 20070277919
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring automated composite fabrication processes are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes performing a manufacturing operation on a portion of a workpiece using a tool moveable relative to the workpiece. Simultaneously with performing the manufacturing operation, the tool is translated relative to the workpiece, and a portion of the workpiece upon which the tool has performed the manufacturing operation is monitored. The monitoring includes illuminating an illuminated strip of the workpiece using a laser, and receiving a reflected beam reflected from the illuminated strip into a camera. Output signals from the camera may be analyzed to detect and characterize a feature of interest, wherein the feature of interest may include an edge, an overlap, a gap, a wrinkle, and foreign object debris (FOD).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrej M. Savol, Steven R. Walton
  • Patent number: 6769466
    Abstract: A laminating apparatus for laminating a film on a record medium includes a fixing unit for fixing a film onto a front side of a record medium, a feed unit for feeding the record medium to the fixing unit, a film introducing unit for directing the film to the fixing unit, and a conveying unit for conveying toward a discharge port the record medium and the film which are fixed together by the fixing unit. A cutter is disposed between the conveying unit and the discharge port and adapted to cut the film, and a control unit having a repeat mode is provided in which the conveying unit is stopped in a condition that a preceding record medium leaves the fixing unit and the feed unit is driven to feed a succeeding record medium toward the fixing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Osumi, Taku Yokozawa, Hitoshi Kobayashi, Yasushi Hori
  • Patent number: 6736179
    Abstract: A lamination system comprises a first transfer means, a cutting means provided at the downstream of the first transfer means for cutting a laminate film, a second transfer means for transferring the cut laminate film, a card transfer means for transferring a card along a card transfer path that converges with the film transfer path at a point of convergence, and a thermocompression bonding means for laminating the cut laminate film with the card at the downstream of the point of convergence, in which a means for detecting a failure in cutting the laminate film is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Japan Servo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Ito, Shunichi Kawamata, Naotaka Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6729374
    Abstract: A device for laminating labels disposed upon a continuous strip of liner. The device includes a plurality of spindle structures for supplying a continuous strip of protective film and the continuous strip of liner to a laminating structure, which adheres the continuous strip of protective film to the continuous strip of liner over the labels disposed thereon to form a single continuous strip of laminated liner. The laminating structure has a drive wheel with a plurality of teeth arranged upon the surface of the drive wheel so as to engage a plurality of tractor feed holes formed into the continuous strip of the laminated liner. The drive wheel rotates to bring the continuous strip of laminated liner into contact with a plurality of laminate cutting blades that rotate in registration with the drive wheel so as to cut the protective film in registration with the labels disposed upon the strip of liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Wallace J. Beaudry
  • Patent number: 6702918
    Abstract: A rapid prototyping process and apparatus that provides an intermittent material feed type variable-lamination rapid prototyping using a linear thermal cutting system, wherein intermittently fed materials are cut to have variable lengths, widths, and lateral gradients with the 4-axis control-type linear thermal cutting system controlled by a computer, and based on cutting operation data generated in the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Dong-Yol Yang, Dong-Gyu Ahn, Sang-Ho Lee, Hong-Seok Choi, Seung-Kyo Park
  • Publication number: 20030127192
    Abstract: A device for laminating labels disposed upon a continuous strip of liner. The device includes a plurality of spindle structures for supplying a continuous strip of protective film and the continuous strip of liner to a laminating structure, which adheres the continuous strip of protective film to the continuous strip of liner over the labels disposed thereon to form a single continuous strip of laminated liner. The laminating structure has a drive wheel with a plurality of teeth arranged upon the surface of the drive wheel so as to engage a plurality of tractor feed holes formed into the continuous strip of the laminated liner. The drive wheel rotates to bring the continuous strip of laminated liner into contact with a plurality of laminate cutting blades that rotate in registration with the drive wheel so as to cut the protective film in registration with the labels disposed upon the strip of liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Wallace J. Beaudry
  • Publication number: 20030084985
    Abstract: The invention is relative to a method of producing corrugated cardboard in which a corrugated [fluting] web [medium] (6b) is laminated onto a covering web (6c), gas is blown onto a longitudinal running side of a corrugated cardboard web and a separating of the corrugated web (6b) from the covering web (6c) in non-adhered areas of the corrugated cardboard web is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Fahri Iren
  • Patent number: 6516850
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying strip fastener elements or zippers to web material includes an unwind stand holding a roll of film material, an infeed dancer arrangement of rollers, a zipper apparatus which conditions zipper material, cuts zippers and delivers zippers to a zipper feed apparatus. The zipper feed apparatus loads zippers into a sealing platen of a rotating turret. The rotating turret carries the zippers successively to a position adjacent a surface of the film and a seal bar presses the film to successive zippers to seal the zippers thereto while a new zipper is being received in a sealing platen of the turret at a loading station at a rotational position at a distance from the sealing station. The film with zippers attached is drawn downstream of the turret to a rewind dancer roll assembly and thereafter to a rewind stand for winding into a roll of zippered film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Hudson-Sharp Machine Co.
    Inventors: Gerry J. Blohowiak, Peter J. Hatchell, Sean Kevin Lemerand, Ernest H. Teske, Scott C. Romenesko
  • Publication number: 20020096261
    Abstract: A labeling machine includes a label applying unit disposed adjacent to a conveying unit, and a controller coupled electrically to a bar code sensor, a label sensor and a container sensor. The controller compares bar code data of a label from the bar sensor with predetermined bar code data, and generates an inhibit signal when a mismatch occurs. The controller determines length of the label in accordance with first and second signals from the label sensor and distance information from an encoder unit, compares the determined length with predetermined label length data, and generates the inhibit signal when a mismatch occurs. The controller determines container dimension of a container being conveyed by the conveying unit in accordance with container feature information from the container sensor and distance information from another encoder unit, compares the determined container dimension with predetermined container dimension, and generates the inhibit signal when a mismatch occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Sheng-Hui Yang
  • Patent number: 6401782
    Abstract: A device for laminating labels disposed upon a continuous strip of liner. The device includes a plurality of spindle structures for supplying a continuous strip of protective film and the continuous strip of liner to a laminating structure which adheres the continuous strip of protective film to the continuous strip of liner over the labels disposed thereon to form a single continuous strip of laminated liner. The laminating structure has a drive wheel with a plurality of teeth arranged upon the surface of the drive wheel so as to engage a plurality of tractor feed holes formed into the continuous strip of the laminated liner. The drive wheel rotates to bring the continuous strip of laminated liner into contact with a plurality of laminate cutting blades that rotate in registration with the drive wheel so as to cut the protective film in registration with the labels disposed upon the strip of liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Wallace J. Beaudry
  • Patent number: 6279636
    Abstract: A method and system for automatically merging and attaching documents, such as photocopies of remittance checks or the like, to envelopes from which the documents originated is disclosed. The system uses a series of bins and conveyors to automatically retrieve, synchronize, merge and reassociate each document to its respective envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Daniel E. Miller
  • Patent number: 6151870
    Abstract: A machine for packaging products using a plastic film comprises: at least a fixed frame (TF) and at least a mobile counter-frame (CM), said counter-frame (CM) can be moved between a lifted rest position and a lowered working position wherein the film is clamped against said frame (TF), the movement of the mobile counter-frame (CM) is controlled by at least a fluid-dynamic actuator (25) which works between the machine frame (11) and said mobile counter-frame. According to the invention, a link (26) is positioned between said actuator (25) and said frame (11), said link is pivoted to the actuator (21) in (27) and is pivoted to the frame (11) in (28), said link (26) is further provided with a control device (30) connected to a sensor (32), in order to automatically stop the machine from working.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Interdibipack S.p.A.
    Inventors: Pietro Di Bernardo, Ugo Roberto Montani
  • Patent number: 6129809
    Abstract: The most important heat-sealing parameters must be able to be adapted to different conditions of use in a simple and accurate manner. This is accomplished by the hot air temperature, on the one hand, and the amount of hot air, the speed of rotation of the pressing rollers (8, 9) and/or the pressing pressure of the pressing rollers (8, 9), on the other hand, being able to be controlled via controllers (41, 37, 24, 29), wherein a basic setting of the set points of these controlled variables is performed as a function of material- and/or application-specific characteristics, and by the position of the hot air nozzle (16) in terms of height (H), distance (A) and/or of the oncoming flow angle (.alpha.) with respect to the roller gap being able to be set by motor operators (18, 19, 21) as a function of the intended use and/or the thickness of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: G.M. Pfaff Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernd Ellenberger, Klaus Kutscher, Karl Herzer, Manfred Neurohr
  • Patent number: 5876557
    Abstract: A safety device is provided for a film removing and peeling apparatus, which rolls a coated resin member between a pair of rolls facing each other and rotating at different peripheral rotating speeds and which applies a shearing stress between the resin material and a film to peel the film from the resin material. The safety device includes: a flat plate to which a resin material is fed, the flat plate being provided so as to extend in a substantially horizontal direction at a height substantially corresponding to a gap between the rolls, and the flat plate having a front edge located so as to be close to the rolls; a pushing plate for pushing material on the flat plate to squeeze the resin material into the gap between the rolls; and an air cylinder for moving the pushing plate in a forward direction to cause the pushing plate to push material on the flat plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamamoto, Kazuo Katsuno, Toshikazu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5855729
    Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a lining material into a pipeline includes an elongated carrier device having a hollow central portion which encloses a liner-bladder assembly. The liner-bladder assembly includes an elongated inflation bladder which engages an open end of the carrier device and expands under fluid pressure out of the carrier device. The pipe liner is frangibly attached to the inflation bladder such that its attachment anchors the liner with respect to the open end of the carrier device to permit accurate placement of the liner within a pipeline proximate to a compromised section of the pipeline. The frangible connection breaks when the carrier device and inflation bladder are removed from the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: LMK Enterprises
    Inventors: Larry W. Kiest, Jr., Gary VanAmeyde
  • Patent number: 5833783
    Abstract: In a lead frame taping apparatus and a method thereof, a plurality of punching portions are provided and each punching portion concurrently attaches a tape to at least two lead frames. Also, the tape can be continuously attached to the different kinds of a lead frame without the exchange of molds by differing the operation time of each punching portion. Further, a taping detecting sensor is provided to detect the attachment of the tape at the lead frame. Therefore, productivity is increased while saving labor and inferior products can be accurately detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Aerospace Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: O-dong Choi, Jong-uk Kim
  • Patent number: 5820713
    Abstract: A sealing machine and method are described as used for sealing the edges of documents so that envelopes are not needed. In known such machines, particularly when used for sealing the documents by pressure, problems arise if documents overlap either partially or fully (i.e. a double document) because the pressure rollers in the machine easily jam. The documents being sealed may be very valuable (e.g. pay slips) and any loss or damage is a serious problem. The invention therefore provides means for sensing the presence of double or overlapping documents in a feed path of the machine and means for diverting such double or overlapping documents upstream of the sealing means. Both the thickness and the length of the documents are measured and compared to preset values, such as may be stored in a microprocessor either from ideal figures or from measurements taken during a controlled start-up procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Printed Forms Equipment Limited
    Inventor: Robert Oliver Iddon
  • Patent number: 5749986
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting and utilizing a voltage produced by a variety of materials for process control and analysis purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Tracy A. Wyatt
    Inventor: W. Tison Wyatt
  • Patent number: 5688361
    Abstract: An automatic vessel supplying and labeling apparatus takes out a desired vessel from racks, supplies it to a predetermined position, supplies a desired label, corresponding to the vessel, to the position, and applies the label to the vessel in the predetermined position. A judging unit checks the label information on the vessel, and judges whether the label is correctly applied to the vessel, and the vessel is sorted into one of two places, one place for collecting vessels with correctly applied labels and the other for collecting vessels with not correctly applied labels in accordance with the result of judgment. The label is applied to the vessel after a sensor detects the label supplied to the predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Inventor: Teruaki Itoh
  • Patent number: 5662763
    Abstract: A mount apparatus according to this invention has a mount head for pressing a semiconductor chip on a mount substrate through an adhesive layer. A position sensor for discretely detecting the position of the mount head in a pressing process every predetermined time interval is arranged in the mount head. A non-defect/defect determination unit is also arranged, and the non-defect/defect determination unit performs non-defect/defect determination of the adhesive layer on the basis of the position detected by the position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 5607526
    Abstract: Label applying apparatus (e.g. a stamper) includes a system for advancing articles (18B) with labels applied to them to a stabilising region (32) following a signal to interrupt operation of the apparatus. This, together with means for inhibiting further feed of labels to the adhesive applicator (16), prevents unnecessary waste of labels and/or articles. The apparatus includes a pinch roller (42) carried by a knife drum (12) arranged to sever successive leading ends of a web (2) of label material to form individual labels, the roller cooperating with a suction drum (14) to ensure reliable separation and transfer of successive labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Molins PLC
    Inventor: William M. Buckley
  • Patent number: 5558743
    Abstract: In the production of cigarette packs, glue assemblies (14) having glue nozzles (15) are increasingly used in order to provide with glue pack folding tabs to be adhesively bonded to one another. The glue assemblies (14) or glue nozzles (15) require careful maintenance. For this purpose, the packaging machine is equipped with a maintenance station (16) which allows the necessary manipulations on the glue assemblies (14) in a position convenient for tending purposes. The maintenance station (16) or a holding device (17) is designed in such a way that glue assemblies (14) can be positioned alternatively in a testing position and in a cleaning position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Michael Schlenker
  • Patent number: 5556490
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for indicating suitable binding times for a file or files placed in a file binding apparatus. The suitable binding time is comprised of the time (t.sub.0 -t.sub.2 ; t.sub.3 -t.sub.5 ; t.sub.6 -t.sub.8) required to heat the heating plate of the binding apparatus to a predetermined maximum temperature governed by the switch-off temperature (T2) of a thermostat, and the time taken for the heating plate to cool to a similarly predetermined switch-on temperature (T1) of the thermostat, determined by a lower temperature. The suitable binding time is determined by utilizing the switch-off and switch-on temperatures of the thermostat, wherein the thermostat output signal controls an indicating device which indicates the aforesaid suitable binding time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Bindomatic AB
    Inventor: Jan Tholerus
  • Patent number: 5534105
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for impermeably sealing microencapsulated or other scent slurry during the printing process. The method comprises the application of an impermeable overlay sheet over the scent slurry on a continuous web of material, using double-sided tape or other adhesive means along the periphery of the overlay sheet. Preferably an impermeable metallic foil is used for the overlay, but other impermeable sheet material (e.g., plastic sheet) may be used. The apparatus continually feeds and applies the impermeable overlay sheet also disclosed. A second, similar apparatus may be provided to mirror the first apparatus, in order to apply a second impermeable overlay sheet to the opposite surface of the scent slurry coated web, thereby preventing bleed through of the scent and/or other chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Inventor: Craig A. Boyd