Responsive To Presence, Absence, Or Condition Of Article To Which Applied Patents (Class 156/363)
  • Patent number: 11577875
    Abstract: A portable hybrid hand labeler is disclosed that relies on mechanical motion, which eliminates the need for motors and the corresponding energy required to run the motors. The portable hybrid hand labeler also houses an ink jet head and a digital print mechanism, which offers the user infinite print flexibility via downloadable print bands. The portable hybrid hand labeler is preferably battery driven, and comprises a unique drive system and mechanism to harvest the kinetic energy from the trigger pull and a display panel with a solar panel to collect solar energy to trickle charge the battery pack, thereby increasing usage time between charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Retail Information Services LLC
    Inventors: Jeanne Duckett, Frederick Pou, Timothy Brown, Jesus Romo, Jr., Mark Morrow, Txus Carrion, Dee Sawyer, John Mistyurik, Leah Burch, John Gallant, Kartavyakumar Patel
  • Patent number: 11401912
    Abstract: A flexible balsa wood panel for a rotor blade of a wind turbine, including a plurality of balsa wood modules and a polymer film which is attached to a surface of each balsa wood module to connect the balsa wood modules together is provided. The flexible balsa wood panel has the following advantages. An adhesion area of the polymer film is significantly larger than that of a glass fiber mesh. This in turn reduces the risk of balsa wood modules falling off during handling the flexible balsa wood panel. A polymer film with a high melting temperature relative to a maximum blade curing temperature can be selected in order to avoid curing process induced delaminations. Furthermore, due to the polymer film attached to the first surface, a more uniform adhesion may be achieved compared to a currently used glass fiber mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventors: Harald Stecher, Thomas Bro Wernlund
  • Patent number: 11247414
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tape laying apparatus configured to lay prepreg tape to mould surface. The tape laying apparatus includes a tape supply spool, a compaction head, a cutting tool and at least one travel distance adjustment component. The tape supply spool is configured for the prepreg tape to be wound thereon. The compaction head is configured for delivering the prepreg tape to the mould surface from the tape supply spool. The cutting tool is movable along a cutting path. The cutting tool is configured to cut the prepreg tape passing through the cutting path. The at least one travel distance adjustment component is movably located between the cutting path and the compaction head and configured to push the prepreg tape passing through the cutting path so as to increase or decrease a travel distance of the prepreg tape from the cutting path to the compaction head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chang-Chou Li, Yen Bor Fang, Shun-Sheng Ko, Teng-Yen Wang, Yang-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 11189530
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of chips from a workpiece including plural planned dividing lines on a front surface includes a cutting step of causing a cutting blade to cut into the workpiece for which a side of the front surface of the workpiece is held by a holding table in such a manner that a side of a back surface of the workpiece is exposed and forming a cut groove that does not reach the front surface of the workpiece on the side of the back surface of the workpiece along each planned dividing line, a sticking step of sticking an expanding sheet to the workpiece, and a dividing step of dividing the workpiece along each planned dividing line by expanding the expanding sheet to form the chips from the workpiece after the sticking step and the cutting step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: DISCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naoko Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11066203
    Abstract: Provided is a test tube automatic alignment and label attaching apparatus including a basket formed in a box shape and whose upper surface is open to receive a plurality of test tubes and having a concave bottom surface; a test tube supply device mounted inside the basket and configured to discharge test tubes received in the basket to one side of the basket; and a test tube feeder configured to move the test tubes discharged from one side of the basket. Various other embodiments are available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: ENERGIUM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junghun Kang, Kanghee Lee, Hophyang Ryu, Sangjun Park
  • Patent number: 11052601
    Abstract: In a 3D-printing system, a deposition head comprising a band assembly having a body and a band for compacting a filament onto the surface of an object being manufactured. One or more actuators are mounted on the assembly body and are used to shape the band to a desired contour. The band is connected to the one or more actuators, is curved toward the surface of the object to enable contact with the surface, and is capable of being driven along its length by one or more drive wheels that are under the control of a controller. The drive wheels are configured to advance the band along its length by a first distance and in response to a first signal from the controller. The controller provides the first signal based on an estimate of thermoplastic build-up on a portion of the band that overlaps the point of compaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Arevo, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven George Manuel
  • Patent number: 10934045
    Abstract: An apparatus for labeling support structures includes: a chassis having a locomotive assembly, and supporting a label generator and an effector assembly with an end movable relative to the chassis and carrying a label manipulator with an image sensor; a controller coupled to the locomotive assembly, label generator, effector assembly and label manipulator, and configured to: obtain label placement data defining a location relative to a support structure reference feature for replacement of a previous label with a new label; control the locomotive assembly to travel to the support structure; detect the reference feature via image data captured at the image sensor; control the effector assembly to place the label manipulator at the location relative to the reference feature; control the effector assembly and the label manipulator to remove and discard the previous label, retrieve the new label from the label generator, and place the new label at the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Beach
  • Patent number: 10780722
    Abstract: A meandering control device includes: a detector configured to detect a position of an edge of a web being conveyed in a width direction of the web; a corrector configured to correct a position of the web being conveyed in the width direction; and a controller including a digital filter configured to perform filtering on a position signal indicating the position of the edge detected by the detector to attenuate a noise component. The controller is configured to drive the corrector to correct the position of the web in the width direction based on the position signal after the filtering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: RISO KAGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideaki Inoue
  • Patent number: 10780687
    Abstract: A method of making a pad of labels comprises: printing display information on a top surface of a substrate; affixing a first layer of lamination material to a bottom surface of the substrate; affixing a second layer of lamination material to the top surface of the substrate, the second layer of lamination material having a release coating applied to a top surface thereof; applying an adhesive strip to a bottom surface of the first layer of lamination material, the adhesive strip being covered by a liner material; cutting the substrate having first and second layers of lamination material affixed into at least one label; removing the liner material to expose the adhesive strip after cutting the substrate into at least one label; and arranging the labels into a pad of labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: ELECTRONIC IMAGING SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Browning, Gene Bethards, Scott Aten, Brian LeFevre, Patrick Cross
  • Patent number: 10081450
    Abstract: A method is disclosed of orienting a container in a labeling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Inventors: Dale C. Merrill, Francois Gagnon
  • Patent number: 9989514
    Abstract: A system for detecting Poly-Bag and Poly Wrap on mail pieces, intended to be a sub-assembly on a mail unit open system that automatically opens wrapped bundles of either letter or flat mail. The system generally includes two orthogonally-opposed but otherwise identical Poly Bag Detectors both controlled by a programmable controller and deploying a swinging pendulum test, plus a Poly Wrap detector employing a rolling friction wheel test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Postis LLC
    Inventors: Mohammed Islam, Guillaume Lacalmontie, Eric Ducharne
  • Patent number: 9809344
    Abstract: A labeling unit for applying labels to containers includes a label removing device, a vacuum drum, and a gluing device. The vacuum drum receives labels at a first transfer position and delivers them to a second transfer position. The gluing device is arranged within an angular region of rotary motion of the vacuum drum between the first and second transfer positions. The vacuum drum moves labels past the gluing device. The label removal device removes either labels or label residues that remain on the vacuum drum in the angular region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Oliver Kress
  • Patent number: 9011617
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for manufacturing a multi-layer composite (13) by laminating a sheet-like element (6) onto a backing (2) in a laminating unit (1), having steps, in this order, of conveying the element (6) in a longitudinal direction, detecting a position of the element (6), correcting the position of the element (6) on the basis of the detected position and on the basis of a reference position (15), and bonding said element (6) onto the backing (2). The detection step comprises the phases of measuring the lateral position, an angle of pivoting, and a longitudinal position of the element (6), and the correction step includes phases of lateral movement (T), pivoting (P), and longitudinal movement (L) of the element (6), apparatus elements perform the steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Asitrade AG
    Inventors: Thomas Mayer, Alex Mann, Michel Siegenthaler, Philippe Guglielmetti
  • Patent number: 8997816
    Abstract: A tape dispenser includes a torque controller and a take-up cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: First Solar, Inc
    Inventors: Richard S. Malik, Jr., Thomas Truman
  • Patent number: 8980025
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for laminating a first and a second sheet (1, 2) comprising—a chamber (10) having a first, a second and a third compartment (11, 12, 13 resp.) subsequently arranged along a first axis (Z), each compartment having a port (21, 22, 23 resp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek Tno
    Inventors: Jeroen Van Den Brand, Sander Christiaan Broers, Milan Saalmink, Andreas Heinrich Dietzel, Andreas Tanda
  • Patent number: 8968499
    Abstract: To provide a laminating method which achieve high accuracy and high quality in a laminating step of an optical sheet and a display panel. Contact areas between the optical sheet and the sheet holding head are read. At this time, an optical element face of the optical sheet is brought into contact with the sheet holding head, light is irradiated to the contact areas therebetween from a no-optical-element face, and positional information of the optical sheet is read based on the distribution of the reflected light thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: NLT Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Hiroya, Koji Shigemura
  • Publication number: 20150044786
    Abstract: Alignment systems, and wafer bonding alignment systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, an alignment system for a wafer bonding system includes means for monitoring an alignment of a first wafer and a second wafer, and means for adjusting a position of the second wafer. The alignment system includes means for feeding back a relative position of the first wafer and the second wafer to the means for adjusting the position of the second wafer before and during a bonding process for the first wafer and the second wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Xin-Hua Huang, Xiaomeng Chen, Ping-Yin Liu, Lan-Lin Chao
  • Patent number: 8910687
    Abstract: The device for placing histological and biological samples encompasses a working area, a bin for cover glasses with a slot in the lower part, a cover glass pusher embodied in the form of a plate, the thickness of which is less than the thickness of the cover glass, a unit for placing the cover glass, which can be reciprocally displaced above the working area, and a press connected to the drive for reciprocally displacing the cover glass placing unit. This unit is embodied in the form of at least one spring-loaded, narrow plate or needle, the length of which exceeds the width of the pusher, and situated directly under the cover glass pusher in the same fastener. Said fastener is connected to the reciprocating motion drive in a direction perpendicular to the working area, wherein the reciprocating motion drive is a carriage. The carriage also accommodates guides for lowering and lifting the press. The press is embodied in the form of at least one elastic clamping element secured to the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventors: Ilya Borisovitch Izvozchikov, Anatoliy Ivanovitch Kurapov
  • Publication number: 20140360671
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a wafer from a carrier includes a platform having an upper surface, a tape feeding unit, a first robot arm, and a controller coupled to the platform. The controller is configured to mount a wafer frame, by using the tape feeding unit, on a wafer of a wafer assembly on the upper surface of the platform. The wafer assembly includes the wafer, a carrier, and a layer of wax between the wafer and the carrier. The controller is also configured to heat the upper surface of the platform to a predetermined temperature and separate, by the first robot arm, the wafer and the wafer frame mounted thereon from the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Chien Ling HWANG, Lin-Wei WANG, Chung-Shi LIU
  • Publication number: 20140322834
    Abstract: An apparatus for bonding substrates and a method of bonding substrates are provided. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a first plate to mount a first substrate is provided. A chamber body movably connected to the first plate is provided. A second plate that is placed opposite to the first plate and a second substrate is mounted on the second plate is provided. A chamber lead having the second plate mounted inside is provided which is movably connected to the chamber body to move rotationally or linearly to open or close the chamber space with the chamber body. A pair of first alignment cameras is placed outside of the chamber space to scan the first substrate or the second substrate. A stage control unit is provided to move the first plate or the second plate to align the first substrate and the second substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: LTrin Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yong Won CHA, Chang Woo RYOO, Sang Jun OH, Gun Woo PARK, Jae In PARK
  • Publication number: 20140318682
    Abstract: A device for manufacturing circumferentially closed tubular tube bodies, comprising conveying means for conveying the substrate in a conveying direction, and also comprising tube-forming means which are designed to form a web-like substrate, which has a first and a second longitudinal edge, into a tubular form in which, in the circumferential direction, the first and the second longitudinal edge form or delimit a contact region, in particular abutting or overlapping region, which extends in the conveying direction, wherein the tube-forming means effect the shaping of the substrate into the tubular form in a shaping region and comprise welding means for welding the tubular form at a weld circumferential position, first sensor means, which are upstream of the shaping region; in the conveying direction, for detecting the position of the substrate web, setting means for setting the position of the substrate web transversely with respect to the conveying direction, and first control means which are designed to act
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Packsys Global (Switzerland) Ltd.
    Inventor: Julius Läubli
  • Patent number: 8840742
    Abstract: A system for detecting a missing tow in a tow band may include a fiber placement head for applying a tow band to a substrate forming a composite layup. The system may further include a heating device for preheating the substrate prior to application of the tow band. The system may additionally include an infrared camera mounted to the fiber placement head and configured to generate a real-time thermal image of the composite layup during the application of the tow band to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Truong D. Pham, Samuel Stewart
  • Patent number: 8821659
    Abstract: Real-time alignment of substrates is conducted by way of placing a first substrate together with a second substrate located over the first substrate in a fixed relative position onto a first substrate holder. The first substrate holder is operative to support the first substrate. A second substrate holder is operative to contact and control the position of the second substrate relative to the first substrate. A pattern recognition system is operative to view reference marks on the first and second substrates for determining their relative alignment, and a positioning mechanism coupled to the first substrate holder and/or the second substrate holder will align the first substrate relative to the second substrate based on their relative alignment as determined by the pattern recognition system. Thereafter, the substrates are fully laminated to secure them to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: ASM Technology Singapore Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Man Chung Ng, Man Lai Chau
  • Patent number: 8733416
    Abstract: A method for positioning an article within a label applicator and securing the article between a first roller, a second roller, and a moveable contact member includes securing the article by moving the moveable contact member from a first position in which the moveable contact member is not in contact with the article to a second position in which the moveable contact member is in contact with the article. A label is received for application to the article by delivering the label between the article and at least one of the first roller, second roller, and the moveable contact member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventor: Raymond Herard
  • Patent number: 8721816
    Abstract: A method of producing a roll of an optical film laminate including a polarizing film having a thickness of 10 ?m or less is described. The method includes providing a roll of a separator film-attached optical film laminate formed by subjecting a laminate comprising a continuous web of a thermoplastic resin substrate and a polyvinyl alcohol type resin layer to a 2-stage stretching consisting of a preliminary in-air stretching and an in-boric-acid-solution stretching, to reduce a thickness of the polyvinyl alcohol type resin layer to 10 ?m or less. The method further includes causing a dichroic material to be absorbed in the polyvinyl alcohol type resin layer. The method further includes detecting a defect existing in the optical film laminate and the adhesive layer and upon detection of a defect, recording a position of the defect. The method further includes winding into a roll a separator film-attached optical film laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Takeharu Kitagawa, Takuya Nakazono, Shusaku Goto, Minoru Miyatake, Tomohiro Mori, Takashi Kamijo
  • Patent number: 8696840
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing strips of labels includes a strip of labels having a plurality of individual labels following one after the other. The apparatus includes a conveying device that conveys the strip of labels along a conveying path, and a position detection device provided along the conveying path that detects a position of the strip of labels. The apparatus includes a processing device that is provided along the conveying path. The processing device includes a cutting unit that is constructed and arranged to cut the strip of labels. The apparatus includes a labelling device that is arranged downstream with respect to the processing device along the conveying path. The labelling device is constructed and arranged to attach processed labels to containers. The position detection device includes an image detection device that is configured to capture two-dimensional images of regions of the strip of labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Stefan Piana, Anton Niedermeier
  • Publication number: 20140076476
    Abstract: A labelling apparatus for the labelling of containers includes at least one first labelling device, a storage device and a control device. The at least one first labelling device applies a label from a first strip of labels to a container. The control device controls the labelling of the containers based on a detection result of a first detection device which detects a pattern of containers and container-absence points in a supply flow of the containers to the first labelling device, and/or on the basis of a detection result of a second detection device which detects a filling state of the labels in the storage device. The control interrupts the labelling of the container if the first detection device detects a pre-determined pattern of containers and container-absence points and/or if the second detection device detects a pre-determined filling state of the labels in the storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Juergen Koller, Thomas Zech
  • Publication number: 20140069567
    Abstract: A flexible circuit with multiple independent mounting points can be mounted (soldered) to substrates by independently (and concurrently) positioning mounting points in x, y, and theta (angular rotation) with vacuum chucks. In one embodiment the vacuum chucks can be guided by computer aided vision to locate and match fiducials on the flex circuit with fiducials on the substrate. In one embodiment, hot bars can be used in a subsequent bonding operation to secure an adhesive coupling between the flexible circuits and the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Silvio GRESPAN, Shih-Min HSU, Heng-Hsi WU, Kuo-Hua SUNG
  • Patent number: 8657976
    Abstract: An optical film laminate that has predefined slit lines for enhancing both product accuracy and manufacturing speed in liquid-crystal display element manufacturing to radically improve manufacturing yield. The optical film laminate formed as a continuous web with the predefined slit lines for use in a continuous manufacturing system by laminating optically functional film sheets to liquid-crystal panels. The optical film laminate having defect-free regions having a predefined length corresponding to the dimension of a liquid-crystal panel and defective regions having a predefined length different from the defect-free region, based on the detected position of defects. The optical film laminate having a carrier film releasably laminated to an adhesive layer, wherein defect-free normal polarizing sheets and a defective polarizing sheets are formed on the carrier film by forming slit lines corresponding to above regions along the transverse direction of the optical film laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Kimura, Takayoshi Yamano, Takuya Nakazono, Kazuo Kitada, Tomokazu Yura, Fumihito Shimanoe, Satoru Koshio, Shouji Shibata
  • Publication number: 20140041807
    Abstract: A carousel labeling machine for pre-glued labels on a ribbon is provided. The machine includes a label cutting and transfer drum fed by a roller for unwinding the label ribbon from a reel, and rotating in step with the carousel, in the sense that the unwinding roller provides the drum with the label intended for the container that rests on a specific receptacle of the carousel. A cutter of the drum is actuated so as to cut the label when a photocell sends a clearance signal as a consequence of the presence of the container. If at least one container is missing on the corresponding receptacle, the photocell sends a command to the unwinding roller to feed the label ribbon to the cutting and transfer drum at a speed reduced with respect to the normal speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: P.E. LABELLERS S.P.A.
    Inventor: Nicola Schinelli
  • Patent number: 8636046
    Abstract: A labeling machine, comprising a conveyor of containers, each to be labeled with a label taken by cutting from a continuous ribbon wound in a reel, and further comprising feeder elements which are adapted to convey with the appropriate timing the ribbon to a device for the intermittent cutting of each individual label, and elements for locking the label during cutting which are inserted between the cutting device and a drum for transferring the cut label to a container provided on the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: P.E. Labellers S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mario Ballarotti
  • Patent number: 8627870
    Abstract: An apparatus (200) and a method for labeling containers (100) with different types of label is disclosed. To each of at least two labeling machines (1, 2) there corresponds an infeed star wheel (61, 62) and a discharge star wheel (81, 82). A container path (7) is formed, along which the containers (100) to be labeled are fed to the at least two labeling machines (1, 2) in a controlled manner. At least one type of label is processed with each of the at least two labeling machines (1, 2), wherein the types of label processed with the at least two labeling machines (1, 2) are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Dieter Leykamm
  • Patent number: 8622111
    Abstract: A laminating device for laminating a window on a display panel for displaying an image includes: a first plate on which the display panel is provided; a second plate on which the window is provided and which is adjacent to the first plate; an applier provided on the second plate and applying a resin on the window; a folder for connecting the first plate and the second plate, for folding to allow the second plate to face the first plate, and for disposing the window on the display panel with the resin therebetween; and a pressurizer for pressurizing the second plate in a direction of the first plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Youn-Bum Lee
  • Patent number: 8529715
    Abstract: An apparatus for attaching substrates includes a first chamber for supporting a first substrate and a second chamber for supporting a second substrate. A main seal member is placed between the first chamber and the second chamber so as to maintain a seal and a gap between the chambers. An alignment control part is placed between the first chamber and the second chamber so as to maintain the seal, and also to allow the second chamber to move with respect to the first chamber in order to align the substrates. The alignment control part may also control a gap between the chambers, to thereby maintain a uniform gap between the substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: ADP Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bong Hwan Choi, Seok Hee Shim
  • Patent number: 8491737
    Abstract: An optical film laminate that has predefined slit lines for enhancing both product accuracy and manufacturing speed in liquid-crystal display element manufacturing to radically improve manufacturing yield. The optical film laminate formed as a continuous web with the predefined slit lines for use in a continuous manufacturing system by laminating optically functional film sheets to liquid-crystal panels. The optical film laminate having defect-free regions having a predefined length corresponding to the dimension of a liquid-crystal panel and defective regions having a predefined length different from the defect-free region, based on the detected position of defects. The optical film laminate having a carrier film releasably laminated to an adhesive layer, wherein defect-free normal polarizing sheets and a defective polarizing sheets are formed on the carrier film by forming slit lines corresponding to above regions along the transverse direction of the optical film laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Kimura, Takayoshi Yamano, Takuya Nakazono, Kazuo Kitada, Tomokazu Yura, Fumihito Shimanoe, Satoru Koshio, Shouji Shibata
  • Patent number: 8485239
    Abstract: A machine for labeling by way of pre-pasted labels printed on a ribbon, comprising a rotating carousel provided with pans for supporting containers to be labeled, and a drum for cutting and transferring each individual label onto the containers which, in the motion of the carousel, progressively face the drum, the machine further comprising a rotating roller, which is adapted to receive from the drum each label designed to be applied to a container that is not present on the corresponding pan of the carousel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: P.E. Labellers S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mario Ballarotti, Nicola Schinelli
  • Publication number: 20130174960
    Abstract: A labeling device may include a platform configured to advance objects, a sensing device directed toward the objects as the objects are advanced, and a label supply. The labeling device may include a robot configured to pick-up labels from the label supply and apply the labels to the objects as the objects are advanced, and a controller configured to operate the robot based upon the vision device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: John Bean Technologies Corporation, Corporation of the State of Delaware
    Inventor: Robert R. GOETZ
  • Patent number: 8475611
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for the application of a strip material to a substrate. Particularly, the present invention relates to a automatic application of an elongate strip of elastic material to a substrate. The present invention further relates to a device and a method for applying a seal strip such as a weatherstrip seal to a substrate. The elongate strip is advanced by drive means and positioned on a substrate by means of an application unit. The stress of the elongate strip is controlled by a stress control unit which is positioned in the area between the drive means and the application unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Klaus Malecki, Detlef Richert, Andreas Hoefer, Johannes Wossner, Thomas Ledermann, Martin Naumann
  • Patent number: 8464771
    Abstract: A multi-layer laminate media is provided on which information may be applied in machine or human readable form on a visible front surface by the output of one or more lasers, or other high intensity light source. In a preferred embodiment, the media has three layers including preferably transparent substrate, a thermochromic layer and a light absorbent layer located intermediate the media substrate and the thermochromic layer. The light absorbent layer is adapted to absorb light from the light source and convert the absorbed light into heat. The heat is immediately conducted into selected portions of the thermochromic layer which is in thermal contact with the light absorbent layer, causing portions of the thermochromic layer to change visual appearance such as color to create the desired mark. The media optimally includes obscuration materials to reduce the visibility of the light absorbent layer to the naked eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Sinclair Systems International LLC
    Inventors: M. Scott Howarth, Colin P. Woodward, Neil Griffin, Sam Hyde, Roger Clarke, Richard Calusdian, Wilson B. Murray, Richard Hirst, Richard Evans, Enrique B. Schilling, Gareth Melton, Timothy Moore, David Southwood
  • Patent number: 8460490
    Abstract: A roll of a continuous web of an optical film laminate with predefined slit lines for use in a continuous manufacturing system by laminating optically functional film sheets to liquid-crystal panels. The optical film laminate with predefined slit lines comprises an optically functional film having an adhesive layer which is subjected to a preliminary inspection, and a carrier film releasably laminated to the adhesive layer. Defect-free normal sheets and defective or defect-containing sheets having predefined length corresponding to the dimension of the liquid-crystal panel are formed on the carrier film by sequentially forming slit lines along the transverse direction with respect to the lengthwise direction of the optical film laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Nakazono, Seiji Umemoto
  • Patent number: 8460499
    Abstract: A labeling machine for the dispensing of labels, such as self-adhesive labels, on objects, such as containers or bottles. The labeling machine has an arrangement for the generation of a defined strip tension of the labeling material over its strip length between a looper and a dispensing edge, and for the generation of a defined strip tension of the backing material over at least a part of its strip length between the dispensing edge and a receptacle for the backing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Stenner, Frank Putzer
  • 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: 8434537
    Abstract: A manufacturing device of a stereoscopic image display panel includes a first unit for transferring a display panel provided in a display panel preparation space to an attachment space, a second unit for transferring a control film provided in a control film preparation space to the attachment space, and a drum unit positioned in the attachment space. The drum unit adsorbs the control film transferred to the attachment space by the second unit in a non-vacuum manner and rotates so as to attach the control film to a display surface of the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignees: LG Display Co., Ltd., YTS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaewuk Jeong, Keunhyuk Yang, Bosun Kim, Younggyun Han
  • Patent number: 8409388
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing an optical display device includes an optical display unit feeding apparatus with a counting section counting the number of optical display units fed, an optical film feeding apparatus with a roll exchanging section exchanging a roll of a previous category for a roll of a latter category and joining the optical films on each, a bonding apparatus bonding a cut optical film onto a surface of an optical display unit, and a controller storing the number N of optical display units that are bonded correspondingly with the optical films that are present from a joining position to a bonding position of the optical film, and stops the apparatuses when the number of remaining sheets of the optical display units of the previous category prior to bonding becomes substantially equal to the number N at the time of exchanging categories based on information from the counting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Tomokazu Yura, Kazuo Kitada, Satoru Koshio, Takuya Nakazono
  • Patent number: 8398800
    Abstract: Provided are a method and system for manufacturing optical display device that can make a previous category of an optical film remain less in the device at the exchange time of categories of optical films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Tomokazu Yura, Kazuo Kitada, Satoru Koshio, Takuya Nakazono
  • Patent number: 8397779
    Abstract: This invention relates to a material application system for applying material to a wrapper. The material application system comprises a material applicator means and an electronic application control means. Also provided is a rod making machine comprising a rod making section and the material application system. The invention also provides a method of applying material to a wrapper used in the tobacco industry comprising supplying a wrapper and applying a material to the wrapper using a material applicator and an electronic applicator control means therefore, which electronic applicator control means ensures accurate location of material application in an electronically adjustable variable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Jonathan Bray, William David Lewis, Steven Holford
  • Patent number: 8398793
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to minimize waste and improve quality and production in web processing operations. The apparatus and methods provide defect detection both before and after application of component patches to a traveling web to create a product. Web defect detection may be provided by way of at least one visual inspection station located upstream from the patch applicator. Patch defect detection may be accomplished by way of a visual inspection station located proximate the patch applicator. If defects are detected in either the traveling web or the component patch prior to patch application, patch application may be prevented until both a satisfactory web and patch are provided. If defects are detected after patch application, the resulting product may be culled. Furthermore, the apparatus may be provided with diagnostic software to warn against extant or imminent machine complications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Curt G. Joa, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E Andrews, Adam D DeNoble, Jeffrey W Fritz, Brian R Krueger, Alan J Rabe, Chris J Nelson
  • Patent number: 8388781
    Abstract: An apparatus for attaching substrates includes a first chamber for supporting a first substrate and a second chamber for supporting a second substrate. A main seal member is placed between the first chamber and the second chamber so as to maintain a seal and a gap between the chambers. An alignment control part is placed between the first chamber and the second chamber so as to maintain the seal, and also to allow the second chamber to move with respect to the first chamber in order to align the substrates. The alignment control part may also control a gap between the chambers, to thereby maintain a uniform gap between the substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: ADP Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bong Hwan Choi, Seok Hee Shim
  • Patent number: 8365789
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laminating foil having an initial roughness on at least one side, which makes the laminating foil matte, wherein the laminating foil has a marking configured as a surface pattern with surface portions on the matte side or at least on one of the matte sides, wherein the roughness of the surface portions is different from the initial roughness. The invention furthermore relates to a laminating foil set comprising the laminating foils, a method for hot laminating sheet material using such laminating foils, a laminating unit for using the laminating foil, and eventually a laminating system including the laminating unit and the laminating foils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Monolith GmbH Buerosysteme
    Inventor: Bernd Loibl
  • Patent number: 8360124
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for use in an in-mold labeling application utilizes a rolled label sheet having a multiplicity of pre-printed non-adhesive labels and a pre-printed registration mark associated with each of the labels, a sensor for detecting each of the registration marks to enable alignment of the label sheet in a predetermined longitudinal position before labels are cut therefrom; a set of driven pinch rolls for moving it forward or backward; a circumferential die cutter for cutting one or more labels from the label sheet; a passive float roll following the die cutter for creating a controlled loop in the label sheet that permits the die cutter to operate independently of a vacuum conveyor that follows the float roll, the vacuum conveyor including a sensor to detect each of the registration marks for enabling alignment of the label sheet in a position of registration thereon; and a plurality of vacuum plenums along the vacuum conveyor for selectively receiving hold down vacuum from an external sourc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: CBW Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Carson, Matthew C. Davis, Thomas A. Sahrle, Geoffrey S. White, Robert J. Wooden