On Endless Belt Or Chain Patents (Class 226/170)
  • Patent number: 11382170
    Abstract: A battery selector system, which has at least one battery selector having a knob, a core assembly, and a housing. The core assembly has a chassis core cover, a chassis core, a chassis core contact plate, a main printed circuit board, and a secondary printed circuit board. The core assembly further has a wireless microcontroller, which connects to a wireless network. The housing has electrical terminal studs. The knob, the core assembly, and the housing are assembled creating a sealed unit. Each of the electrical terminal studs is connected to a battery, loads, or ground. The at least one battery selector connects through a wireless network, whereby the battery selector coordinates management functions via the wireless network. The at least one battery selector is a physical power controller for distributing loads to a cluster of batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: NODESIMPLE LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Neber
  • Patent number: 11260440
    Abstract: A caterpillar-traction drawing machine and a method for drawing of elongated workpieces can be provided with at least one drawing tool fastened pivotally on a tool holder and/or with at least two identical drawing recesses, which can be brought selectively into a drawing position, so that the influence of any fatigue phenomena that may exist is minimized. For the same reason, a caterpillar-traction drawing machine is advantageous in which the two chains of the caterpillar-traction unit are block chains and are respectively braced via an idler roller chain including idler rollers on respectively one pressing beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SMS group GmbH Sitz Duesseldorf
    Inventors: Thomas Cmiel, Joerg Lindbuechl, Dirk Hessberger
  • Patent number: 10526157
    Abstract: A web material advancement arrangement is provided with an entry drive system. The web material advancement arrangement can receive a web material from a storage roll and advance the web material through a machine, such as a packaging machine. The entry drive system may be arranged at the entry end of the web material advancement arrangement to push the web material in a downstream direction from the entry end toward the exit end of the web material advancement arrangement The entry drive system may include a motor that simultaneously rotates a pair of drive sprockets which may push clip assemblies that carry outer edges of a web material so that rotation of the drive sprockets pushes the web material in a downstream direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: CP Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond G. Buchko, Jr., Rodney W. Golla
  • Patent number: 10399847
    Abstract: An apparatus for ventilating a web of material used in the manufacture of pocketed springs may be removably attached to a pocket coiler. The apparatus has an upper movable portion which pivots relative to a stationary portion. The stationary portion may be removably attached to the pocket coiler. Each portion has at least one roller, a web of material passing between the rollers during use. One of the rollers may have protrusions to create openings in the material before the material enters the pocket coiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: John J. Brunnert, John E. Hull, Richard A. Krtek, Darrell A. Richmond
  • Patent number: 10263408
    Abstract: A movement-tolerant wiring arrangement for, among other things, a stand device configured for arrangement in an operating room incorporates a mounting apparatus for movement-tolerant mounting of at least one line, for example a cable, about an axis of rotation between two connection components that are displaceable, such as being twistable, relative to one another; and a fastening apparatus for arranging the at least one line relative to one of the connection components, for example at a socket of the stand device; wherein the mounting apparatus is fixable to the fastening apparatus and configured for movement-tolerant, such as, rotation-tolerant guidance of the at least one line about the axis of rotation and/or in the direction at least approximately parallel to the axis of rotation. Furthermore, a rotary joint, a socket or a stand device, respectively, can incorporate such a wiring arrangement, and can use of such a wiring arrangement at a stand device, for example, in the operating room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Inventors: Stefan Oginski, Ronny Bauditz, Jonathan Happel
  • Patent number: 10059559
    Abstract: A device for towing very long tubular objects, comprises: pulling means capable of driving, by friction, the object in a towing direction, gripping means capable of exerting a load on the pulling means to keep the pulling means and the towed object in continuous contact; the gripping means being driven by a relative movement relative to the towed object in a direction opposite to the towing direction, driving means, capable of driving the pulling means and the gripping means in a coordinated manner to ensure a continuous and uniform pulling of the object, further comprising setting means, capable of adjusting the load exerted on the pulling means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Longuet, Hervé Le Gras, Olivier Cosson, Benoît Peden, Jean Lagadec
  • Patent number: 9821979
    Abstract: The invention concerns a capstan reel (10) and a method for transporting an elongated article (6, 6a, 6b, 39, 42, 43, 45a, 47) between a floating vessel (2) and a body of water situated below the vessel, and a vessel applying such a capstan reel. The capstan reel comprises a rotatable cylindrical body (100) for spooling the elongated article around the body's axial axis (11), said body comprising a cylindrical contacting surface (35) for indirectly supporting at least a portion of the elongated article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: PARKBURN PRECISION HANDLING SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Johan Peter Schwartz, Kjetil Hoyer
  • Publication number: 20150018188
    Abstract: A foil processing device comprises at least two supply units for supplying at least two foils for processing, a processing unit for processing the at least two foils to each other and a transport unit for transporting the foils from the supply unit to the processing unit. At least one of the foils is segmented comprising mechanically weak zones separating subsequent foil segments for enabling real-time correction of a relative position between the foils. The transport unit includes at least two support members for supporting at least two subsequent segments of the segmented foil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Jacobus Hubertus Theodoor Jamar, Irene Kaashoek
  • Patent number: 8925715
    Abstract: A feeding apparatus feeds a metal strip with cutaway portions in a conveying direction and includes: a reference plate on which the metal strip is placed and in which a slit is formed; moving bodies that are provided below the reference plate and are moved by driving means parallel to the reference plate in the conveying direction; feed pins that advance into the cutaway portions, are provided on the moving bodies so as to move up and down with respect to the reference plate, and pull the metal strip in the conveying direction when the moving bodies move; and at least one guide portion that contacts a side surface on an opposite side of the metal strip to the cutaway portions and guides conveyance of the metal strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Hidaka Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanao Karasawa, Toshiyuki Nanaarashi
  • Patent number: 8903289
    Abstract: A belt moving unit includes an endless belt member and plural support rolls supporting the belt member movably and rotating, wherein the support rolls include one or more follower rolls rotating to follow the movement of the belt member and at least one of the follower rolls is used as an inertial roll to which inertia is applied, wherein the inertial roll includes a rotation shaft, a rotational inertial member rotating with the rotation shaft and applying inertia, and a roll body disposed along a peripheral surface of the rotation shaft and including plural roll-divided members, and wherein the plural roll-divided members include a fixed divided member fixed to the rotation shaft and rotating along with the rotation shaft to follow the movement of the belt member and a rotating divided member rotating independently of the rotation of the rotation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yimei Yu, Junji Hanatani, Takehiro Oishi
  • Patent number: 8398063
    Abstract: A ribbon transport apparatus for a printing press is provided. The ribbon transport apparatus includes a vacuum conveyor belt transporting a ribbon and a manifold supporting the vacuum conveyor belt. The vacuum conveyor belt and the manifold are arranged to draw the ribbon towards the vacuum conveyor belt via a suction. A method of transporting a ribbon in a printing press is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Gross International Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Dieter Theodor Ebert, Barry Mark Jackson, Dave John Gagnon
  • Patent number: 8225586
    Abstract: A packaging machine includes a clamping arrangement, composed of a series of clamps designed to grip and release a web of flexible material, and which are coupled to a belt that is advanced along a predetermined path to advance the web of flexible through the machine. The belt is made up of side-by-side belt portions that are spliced together in axially spaced locations by the clamps, to withstand the forces and stresses placed thereon as the web material is advanced. Each clamp is formed of an upper jaw member and a lower jaw member that are pivotably interconnected together, in combination with a guide member the guides movement of the belt through the machine. The belts are independently driven by operation of a pair of motors, which are synchronously operated in order to advance the opposite edges of the web material at the same rate of speed through the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: CP Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond G. Buchko, Dwayne C. Long
  • Patent number: 7934362
    Abstract: A packaging machine includes a clamping arrangement, composed of a series of clamps designed to grip and release a web of flexible material, and which are coupled to a belt that is advanced along a predetermined path to advance the web of flexible through the machine. The belt is made up of side-by-side belt portions that are spliced together in axially spaced locations by the clamps, to withstand the forces and stresses placed thereon as the web material is advanced. Each clamp is formed of an upper jaw member and a lower jaw member that are pivotably interconnected together, in combination with a guide member the guides movement of the belt through the machine. The belts are independently driven by operation of a pair of motors, which are synchronously operated in order to advance the opposite edges of the web material at the same rate of speed through the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: CP Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond G. Buchko, Dwayne C. Long
  • Publication number: 20100213231
    Abstract: The web conveyer for manufacturing an absorber including an absorber core and a covering member covering the absorber core, conveys an absorber web including the absorber core sandwiched by a pair of webs to form the covering member. A thickness of the absorber core is larger than a thickness of the covering member. The web conveyer includes a direction changing mechanism which changes a conveyance direction of the absorber web by 90° or more. A rotation distance of the absorber web, that is, the length of a semi-circumference of the changing roller, is larger than is longer than a length of each of the absorber cores in the conveyance direction MD of the absorber web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroki YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20100044408
    Abstract: A mechanism (10) for feeding a length of twisted pair cable (15), comprises a driven capstan (11) and a continuous belt (17) defining, respectively, first and second contact surfaces for the twisted pair cable (15). The continuous belt (17) is supported and arranged so that a portion thereof embraces an arc (16) of the substantially circular periphery of the capstan (11). Drive means are provided to effect rotation of the capstan (11), so as to feed a length of twisted pair cable (15) along the arcuate path (16) defined between the first and second contact surfaces where the arc (16) of the capstan (11) intersects the continuous belt (17). The arcuate path (16) is sufficiently narrow such that the capstan (11) and the continuous belt (17) embrace the length of twisted pair cable (15), and sufficiently long such that at least two nodes (19) of said length of twisted pair cable (15) are accommodated therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGISTS EUROPE LIMITED
    Inventors: Frank Gerwin Kaufhold, Ian Albert Edward Swann, John Richard Willoughby, George William Francis
  • Publication number: 20090071997
    Abstract: A print media loading mechanism for a modular printer assembly is disclosed. A pair of opposed endless belts is provided. Each belt passes around a pair of rollers. Opposed roller pairs are slidably received by sliders attached to a frame of the printer assembly. A pair of arms is attached to each opposed roller pair, the pair of arms having a common pivot point. A traversing mechanism connects to each pair of arms at the common pivot point. A drive assembly, including at least one worm screw and motor which rotates the worm screw, is also provided. The worm screw interacts with the traversing mechanism in order to move the traversing mechanisms apart and closer together respectively. This in turn moves the opposed endless belts apart and closer together respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7429310
    Abstract: A paper or board machine has a fabric (10) that is adapted mobile as well as rolls (11, 11?) arranged to support the fabric (10). The fabric (10) is tensioned by changing the position of one roll (11?) of the rolls (11, 11?). Correspondingly, the fabric (10) is guided by changing the alignment of one roll (11?) of the said rolls (11, 11?). Surprisingly the fabric (10) is both tensioned and guided by changing the alignment and position of only one and the same roll (11?). In addition, the wrap angle of the fabric (10) at this roll (11?) is set higher than 30°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Pertti K. Heikkilä, Erkki Kärkkäinen, Erkka Nieminen, Samppa J. Salminen, Veli-Matti Vainio
  • Patent number: 7424964
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the automatic hauling of very long elongate objects. This device in particular allows very long tubular objects of relatively flexible and delicate structure such as, in particular, underwater cables, pipes or alternatively linear sonar antennas of the “streamer” type to be handled. The device chiefly comprises traction means consisting of at least two running strips with rough surfaces which are pressed on each side of the object and drag it along in a traction movement and gripping means which constantly keep the running strips pressed against the object in order to ensure good adhesion. Another subject of the invention is means for actuating the traction means and the gripping means in a coordinated manner so that the object that is to be hauled experiences continuous traction throughout the hauling operation. The device according to the invention has the advantage of being mounted on a stationary chassis and therefore of not requiring an operating area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Vito Suppa, Christophe Borel
  • Publication number: 20080203131
    Abstract: A film guiding assembly for guiding a plastic film during travel along a desired path includes at least two non-rotating turning bars over which the film passes, and an actuator for pivoting the turning bars to laterally shift the film. A sensor for senses the lateral position of the film downstream of the turning bars and operates to cause the actuator to pivot the turning bars when necessary to maintain the film leaving the guiding assembly in the desired path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Mirek Planeta
  • Patent number: 7335274
    Abstract: A production method of a decorative film comprising a step of, in a state in which a transparent resin film is laid on a surface of a laminate sheet in which a pattern layer is placed on one surface of a base film of a thermoplastic resin, inserting the laminate sheet and the transparent resin film into between a pair of endless belts placed opposite each other, thereby obtaining a decorative film, wherein the transparent resin film is preheated by contact with a peripheral surface of a preheat roll urged toward the endless belt, and the transparent resin film is run so as to constantly contact a peripheral surface of at least one guide roll during a period between departure from the peripheral surface of the preheat roll and contact with the laminate sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Polumer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Aso, Satoshi Tamura, Atsushi Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 7300371
    Abstract: A diverting roller has a roller body having a longitudinal axis. A plurality of pairs of pulleys are rotatably mounted on the roller body adjacent a circumference of the roller body. An endless belt is looped around each of the pairs of pulleys in such a fashion that each belt has substantial portion oriented in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roller body. The travel of belts around their respective pulleys permits a non-normal angle of incidence of the web to the longitudinal axis. The non-normal angle of incidence and the travel of the belts permit the axial movement of a web of indefinite length material when the web is in contact with belts of the diverting roller. One or more of the diverting rollers may be employed in a system for inverting a moving web of indefinite length material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Leonard M. Volin, Mark J. Zach
  • Patent number: 7293683
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a packaging machine which has transport means in the form of two transport chains (5, 6) for lateral grasping and transporting of a length of material (7) consisting of packaging material. In particular with longer plants above approximately 10 meters in transport length the stretching property of the transport chains owing to the load has a marked effect on the precision of the transport distance. This results in fluctuations of the transport distance between the two transport chains and therefore distortions of the length of material, which, depending on the type of packaging material, can even lead to tearing of the length of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Inventor: Johann Natterer
  • Patent number: 7267255
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for web tracking adjustment for a web handling system comprises biasing a steering roller in a gimbal direction, and adjusting the bias to achieve the desired tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Young, Larry T. Schlitzer, Kevin E. Yousey, Kevin S. Reitter
  • Patent number: 7146891
    Abstract: A method for segregating and transferring a product from a web of material includes the steps of conveying the web of material between a punching roll and a counter pressure roll, the punching roll having at least one cutting edge and at least one suction orifice; punching-out the product from the web with the cutting edge; adhering the punched-out product on the punching roll under a vacuum connected to the at least one suction orifice; rotating the punching roll to position the punched-out product proximate to a conveyor belt; detaching the punched-out product from the punching roll; and transferring the punched-out product onto the conveyor belt. In certain embodiments, the suction orifice of the punching roll is ventilated with a gas stream to facilitate detachment of the punched-out product; and a vacuum is applied to the conveyor belt to draw the detached product thereto and hold it thereon under suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme AG
    Inventor: Dieter Sahm
  • Patent number: 7135085
    Abstract: A production method of a decorative film comprises a first step of laying a base film of a thermoplastic resin on a pattern layer of a transfer sheet in which the pattern layer is placed on one surface of a carrier film, thermally transferring the pattern layer onto the base film, and thereafter stripping off the carrier film, thereby obtaining a laminate sheet in which the pattern layer is placed on one surface of the base film; and a second step of, in a state in which a transparent resin film is laid on a surface of the laminate sheet on the pattern layer side, inserting the laminate sheet and the transparent resin film into between a pair of endless belts placed opposite each other, and conveying the laminate sheet and the transparent resin film under heat and pressure, thereby obtaining a decorative film in which a transparent resin layer of the transparent resin film is placed on the surface of the laminate sheet on the pattern layer side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Aso, Satoshi Tamura, Atsushi Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 7036923
    Abstract: A conveyor unit in an image recording apparatus can convey a record medium, being unwound from a roll, in either of a first direction in which the roll is unwound and a second direction reverse to the first direction. The image recording apparatus includes first and second contact mechanisms capable of bringing the record medium into close contact with a conveyor member at positions distant in the respective first and second directions from an image recording position where an image recording head records an image on the record medium. The first contact mechanism brings the record medium, being conveyed in the first direction, into close contact with the conveyor member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Takagi, Susumu Kuzuya
  • Patent number: 6972074
    Abstract: Equipment for fabric guiding in a paper machine has a fabric (10) and rolls (12–18) adapted to support it. In connection with the roll (17) end there is arranged equipment comprising a stand (19) and a nip guard (26). The stand (19) includes a transfer base (20) as well as transfer equipment (22) for moving the transfer base (20). The equipment further comprises an edge detector (23) for the roll (17) arranged on the opposite side of the fabric (10), for which edge detector there is a vertical bracket (25) arranged in the stand (19). The vertical bracket (25) and the nip guard (26) form an integrated sheet-metal construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc
    Inventors: Ville Nenonen, Samppa J. Salminen, Risto Väätänen
  • Patent number: 6834823
    Abstract: Supply device for supplying rubber material (11) to a cutting device (3). In the direction away from the cutting device the supply device contains a supplying table (3) having a supplying mechanism (4), an unwinding trestle (7) containing a stock of rubber material, a space between the unwinding trestle (7) and the supplying table (3), which space is suitable for taking up a loop of rubber material forming a stock buffer. Between the unwinding trestle (7) and the supplying table (3), preferably at a distance above the supplying table, a first conveyor (5) having a drive is placed. Preferably at a distance above the unwinding trestle a second conveyor (8) having a drive is placed, in which the space for taking up the loop of rubber material is formed between the second (8) and the first (5) conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Vmi Epe Holland B.V.
    Inventors: Klaas Nauta, Adrianus Theodorus Hendrikus De Keijzer
  • Publication number: 20040245306
    Abstract: A device for guiding a film in an apparatus comprises guiding and driving means engaged on the two lateral edges of the film. The guiding and driving means is further designed to force the film to follow a curved trajectory in the imaging zone of the apparatus. The means guiding and driving the film include two coaxial rollers whereon the film is urged to span through its two edges, and two parallel driving belts urged respectively to be supported on said edges on the side opposite the rollers, along an arc with predetermined sustaining angle. The invention is useful for guiding film in an optoelectronic apparatus such as a scanning analysis device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: KIS
    Inventor: Patrice Lavergne
  • Patent number: 6820786
    Abstract: A not-yet-bonded or only slightly bonded nonwoven staple fiber material cannot be delivered from the nip of a calendar roller pair to a following endless conveyor without support during transport. To provide this support, the invention provides for a supporting rotating element such as an endless conveyor or perforated drum, either of which is designed to be permeated by air from below flowing toward the element. This feature simultaneously achieves a cooling effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Fleissner GmbH & Co Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Gerold Fleissner
  • Publication number: 20040129753
    Abstract: Equipment for fabric guiding in a paper machine has a fabric (10) and rolls (12-18) adapted to support it. In connection with the roll (17) end there is arranged equipment comprising a stand (19) and a nip guard (26). The stand (19) includes a transfer base (20) as well as transfer equipment (22) for moving the transfer base (20). The equipment further comprises an edge detector (23) for the roll (17) arranged on the opposite side of the fabric (10), for which edge detector there is a vertical bracket (25) arranged in the stand (19). The vertical bracket (25) and the nip guard (26) form an integrated sheet-metal construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Ville Nenonen, Samppa J. Salminen, Risto Vaatanen
  • Patent number: 6705029
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a trench in a seabed for burying a line generally consisting of a main frame, at least one buoyancy tank mounted on the main frame, a pair of endless track assemblies, each engageable in gripping relation with a side of the line for propelling the frame along the line, a pair of jet legs mounted on the main frame and communicable with a source of fluid under pressure, for ejecting high velocity streams of fluid to dislodge portions of the seabed when the track assemblies grip the line and propel the main frame along the line to form a trench and allow the line to fall therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Richard A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6688508
    Abstract: A conveyor device capable of conveying a belt-like material from a lower site to an upper site without elongating the belt-like material and without applying unrequired stress thereto. The conveyor device comprises a lower conveyor unit for conveying the belt-like material supplied from material supply means, a central conveyor unit having an induction conveyor which is located adjacent to the front end of the lower conveyor unit and has at least one end movable in a vertical direction, a central conveyor having an inversion conveyor and an expansion conveyor disposed above the lower conveyor unit along a horizontal path, and a unit for expanding or contracting the above expansion conveyor, for inverting the belt-like material received from the above lower conveyor unit and conveying it in an upward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Bridgestone
    Inventor: Takashi Ishiwatari
  • Patent number: 6658973
    Abstract: A device for transferring segregated flat-shaped products includes a transfer device and a transport device by which the products transferred from the transfer device are further transported along a transport path. The transport device includes a moveable transport surface having suction openings communicative with a vacuum container. The transfer device includes a roll arranged transverse to the transport path and having suction orifices arranged about a circumference thereof. The roll has internal channels having openings in opposed axial end faces of said roll which are communicative with the suction orifices. Vacuum chamber members are disposed axially at the opposed end faces of the roll which is rotatable relative to the vacuum chamber members. Each of the vacuum chamber members has a concentric grove and a ventilation channel which correspond to the openings of the internal channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme AG
    Inventor: Dieter Sahm
  • Patent number: 6619432
    Abstract: A cable transport apparatus (1) has a first rotational axis (20a, 20c) and a second rotational axis (20b, 20d) that are not in parallel but cross each other with a predetermined angle therebetween. In this way, a V-shaped space is formed between transport belts (40a, 40b). The cable transport apparatus (1) can thus transport a thin cable (100) being in contact with the lower part of the V-shaped space and transport a thick cable (200) being in contact with the upper part thereof. Even if cables to be transported have respective successively increasing diameters, such cables can be transported using the same apparatus. Further, the cables never escape from the cable transport apparatus and can be transported without lowering the transport speed of the cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Takako Yasui
  • Patent number: 6604345
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying a banderole around one or a plurality of products creating an electrostatic attraction between the band material being supplied and the conveyor unit. The conveyor unit is connected to earth potential, and electrodes are positioned in the vicinity of the trajectory to be followed by the band material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Sollas Holland B.V.
    Inventor: Willem Langemaat
  • Publication number: 20030089756
    Abstract: A vacuum belt conveyor includes an air-pervious endless belt, a first pulley positioned at the upstream end of the conveyor and a second pulley positioned at the downstream end of the conveyor, the pulleys guiding the belt when the belt is traveling. The endless belt comes into contact with a plate having openings which are connected to a source of negative pressure. The belt, in the area of the upstream end of the conveyor, is in contact with a curved and perforated guiding surface, with the perforations, being connected to a source of negative pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: Sylvain Demers
  • Patent number: 6488193
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying and applying a strip component (11) such as a tire tread is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing the strip component on a belt conveyer (16), determining a guideline (52) of the strip component (11) at an exit end (20) of the belt conveyor (16), and laterally adjusting the exist end (20) of the belt conveyor (16) to align the guideline (52) of the strip component (11) with a predetermined guideline such as the guideline of a tire building drum (12). The apparatus includes a belt support transverse housing (76) which is laterally moveable by a motion controller (64) in response to a sensor (58) which detects the guideline (52) of the strip component (11). Guides on the transverse housing (76) move the belts of the conveyor (16) on slider plates without physically touching the conveyed strip component (11), thereby preventing damage to the component material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
    Inventors: Raymond Patrick Eckman, Gary Robert Burg, Mark Daniel Banas
  • Patent number: 6443443
    Abstract: A suction belt conveyor for a sheet processing machine includes an operationally revolving endless suction belt having, at an outer side thereof a filigree structure formed by indentations, the suction belt being formed with penetrating bores terminating in the indentations. In a variation of the foregoing, the suction belt conveyor for a sheet processing machine includes an operationally revolving endless suction belt formed with pores distributed in longitudinal and transverse directions of the suction belt, so that the suction belt is air permeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Roland Hirth, Richard Mack, Udo Lautenklos
  • Patent number: 6425512
    Abstract: A process of transporting at least a portion of a web from a first structure to a second structure via an apparatus that includes at least two pulleys located at spaced locations from each other, an air-pervious endless belt positioned to run from the first structure to the second structure, an underpressure source arranged to produce an underpressure adjacent to the run of the endless belt, a nose shoe disposed beyond the second pulley and spaced from the second pulley, thereby defining an opening. The nose shoe has an inlet and air jet outlet positioned adjacent the second pulley. A guiding tray is arranged beyond the nose shoe having an upstream section positioned adjacent the nose shoe, and the upstream section includes an air slot, which extends cross-wise to a web travel direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Tony Hill, Leif Mohrsen
  • Publication number: 20020092884
    Abstract: A not-yet-bonded or only slightly bonded nonwoven staple fiber material cannot be delivered from the nip of a calendar roller pair to a following endless conveyor without support during transport. To provide this support, the invention provides for a supporting rotating element such as an endless conveyor or perforated drum, either of which is designed to be permeated by air from below flowing toward the element. This feature simultaneously achieves a cooling effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Gerold Fleissner
  • Patent number: 6419217
    Abstract: A paper web is drawn into a printing and can be guided along a selected one of several paths. The paper web is weakened along a line of separation and is then held by a retaining system that can move the web in a conveying direction along a first path. The web is fed to a different conveying path and is separated ot torn along the line of separation. This line of separation or weakening is formed at an angle to the production direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Wolfgang Hartmann, Horst Bernhard Michalik
  • Patent number: 6415971
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for handling and texturing yarn are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a yarn supply positioned to supply a plurality of strands of yarn, a false twister positioned downstream from the yarn supply for imparting a false twist to the plurality of strands of yarn, a yarn undulation former positioned downstream from the false twister for forming undulations in each of the plurality of strands of yarn, and a conveyor positioned to receive the plurality of yarn strands having undulations formed therein and for conveying the undulated strands of yarn downstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: American Linc Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Lynn Hoover, Ronnie Wayne Dye, Johnny Melvin Norris, Jr., Everett Lee Carswell
  • Publication number: 20020074377
    Abstract: Vacuum conveyor and process for transporting at least a portion of a material web in a web travel direction. The vacuum conveyor includes a suction box is positioned within a loop having a conveyor run adapted to contact and guide the material web and a return run moving in a direction opposite the conveyor run. The suction box includes a suction opening positioned adjacent the conveyor run to suction the material web onto the conveyor belt and an exhaust opening positioned adjacent the return run. A vacuum source is coupled to the exhaust opening through the return run. The process includes creating a suction air flow through the return run of the conveyor belt and suctioning at least a portion of the material web onto the conveying run.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Applicant: VOITH SULZER PAPIERTECHNIK PATENT GmbH
    Inventors: Allan Broom, George Kutak-Petrik
  • Patent number: 6405914
    Abstract: Vacuum conveyor and process for transporting at least a portion of a material web in a web travel direction. The vacuum conveyor includes two pulleys, a suction box positioned between the two pulleys, and an endless conveyor belt arranged around the two pulleys to form a loop. The suction box is positioned within the loop and the loop includes a conveyor run adapted to contact and guide the material web and a return run moving in a direction opposite the conveyor run. The suction box includes a suction opening positioned adjacent the conveyor run to suction the material web onto the conveyor belt and an exhaust opening positioned adjacent the return run. A vacuum source is coupled to the exhaust opening through the return run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Allan Broom, George Kutak-Petrik
  • Publication number: 20010050154
    Abstract: A vacuum belt conveyor is suitable for guiding a running paper web, in particular a threading tail, and includes an air-pervious endless conveyor belt traveling around a vacuum box which supports two belt pulleys. At least one vacuum blower creates a negative pressure within the loop of the belt. The vacuum blower is positioned within the vacuum box at a certain distance from the conveying run of the belt and is driven by an air turbine. One of the pulleys is driven by an electric motor (M′) positioned inside of that pulley.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Allen Broom, Hannu Esa
  • Publication number: 20010050300
    Abstract: A process of transporting at least a portion of a web from a first structure to a second structure via an apparatus that includes at least two pulleys located at spaced locations from each other, an air-pervious endless belt positioned to run from the first structure to the second structure, an underpressure source arranged to produce an underpressure adjacent to the run of the endless belt, a nose shoe disposed beyond the second pulley and spaced from the second pulley, thereby defining an opening. The nose shoe has an inlet and air jet outlet positioned adjacent the second pulley. A guiding tray is arranged beyond the nose shoe having an upstream section positioned adjacent the nose shoe, and the upstream section includes an air slot, which extends cross-wise to a web travel direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: VOITH SULZER PAPIERTECHNIK PATENT
    Inventors: Tony Hill, Leif Mohrsen
  • Patent number: 6308878
    Abstract: A transport belt for transporting a fiber strand to be condensed through a condensing zone of a ring spinning machine is provided with a perforation for an air suction stream which suctions the fiber strand. In at least one fiber strand transporting area, the perforation has at least 100 holes per square centimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventor: Hans Stahlecker
  • Patent number: 6302308
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for handling and texturing yarn are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a yarn supply positioned to supply a plurality of strands of yarn, a false twister positioned downstream from the yarn supply for imparting a false twist to the plurality of strands of yarn, a yarn undulation former positioned downstream from the false twister for forming undulations in each of the plurality of strands of yarn, and a conveyor positioned to receive the plurality of yarn strands having undulations formed therein and for conveying the undulated strands of yarn downstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: American Linc Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Lynn Hoover, Ronnie Wayne Dye, Johnny Melvin Norris, Jr., Everett Lee Carswell
  • Patent number: 6074054
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with an endless belt conveying a sheet and a drive roller and driven roller supporting the endless belt. A brake is provided for the driven roller and the drive roller is driven by a drive unit which is controlled so as to repeat driving status and stopping status thereof mutually and to make the brake work when the driving unit is at the stopping status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hitoshi Katsuyama