Slackness Sensor Patents (Class 242/418.1)
  • Patent number: 11427431
    Abstract: Method and system for feeding a twisted metal cable braided into a plurality of braids or a flat wire from a support or spool to a winder or winding machine, including unwinding the cable or wire from the spool, measuring a property of the cable or wire from among its tension, velocity and quantity, possible adjustment of the property and feeding the cable or wire to the machine with the property constant. The cable or wire is unwound in a controlled way in a direction at right angles to the axis of the spool directly from such spool or through a return member which receives the cable or wire from the spool from which it is unwound in an uncontrolled way, such controlled unwinding preventing the cable changing the structure of its braids through loosening or stretching and the wire undergoes torsion before its property is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: BTSR INTERNATIONAL S.P.A.
    Inventor: Tiziano Barea
  • Patent number: 9944417
    Abstract: A wrapping apparatus, its components, and corresponding methods for wrapping a load in packaging material are described herein. The apparatus has a packaging material dispenser having a frame and a plurality of packaging material supplies. The apparatus also has a load press for wrapping an upper surface of the load, where the load press has a central press section and a peripheral press section which can disengage the upper surface to allow wrapping of at least a part thereof. The apparatus also has an enclosure to prevent access during operation, as well as a packaging material seeking assembly which seeks out the packaging material to be wrapped. The apparatus and methods described allow for an automatic wrapping of a load which minimizes operator intervention, and further allow for the automatic resupply of packaging material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Wulftec International Inc.
    Inventors: Pascal Lemieux, Yvaylo Brankov, Sylvain Samson, Eric Dubreuil, Guy Lopes
  • Patent number: 9259776
    Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for heat exchanger fins is provided that can prevent deformation of a metal strip when the metal strip is conveyed by a feeding pin. In a manufacturing apparatus for heat exchanger fins, including a press apparatus having a mold that forms a metal strip by pressing a plurality of through-holes or a plurality of cutaway portions on a thin metal plate and a first feeding apparatus arranged on the downstream side of the mold for conveying the metal strip formed by the mold to the downstream side in the conveying direction, a second feeding apparatus that conveys a thin metal plate before press working by the mold into the mold in synchronization with a conveying operation of the first feeding apparatus is provided on the upstream side of the press apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: HIDAKA SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keiichi Morishita, Yoshitaka Ide
  • Publication number: 20150129705
    Abstract: A method for winding a synthetic yarn coming from an extruder including the steps of connecting at least one yarn exiting from an extruder with at least one corresponding bobbin rotatable around a longitudinal axis thereof, on which the yarn is wound; rotating the bobbin by imparting a specific speed and/or torque to the bobbin; measuring a value of the tension acting on the yarn upstream of the bobbin; adjusting the speed and/or the torque in order to maintain the measured tension value substantially equal to a constant reference value of the tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Tiziano Barea
  • Publication number: 20140374529
    Abstract: Provided is a conveyance device including a roll storage unit that stores a continuous sheet conveyance medium in a roll, a tractor that sequentially engages engaging parts in engagement holes formed along the length of the conveyance medium and conveys the conveyance medium stored in the roll storage unit, a roll drive unit that delivers the conveyance medium stored in the roll storage unit toward the tractor, a slack detection unit that detects slack in the conveyance medium between the roll storage unit and the tractor, and a control unit that controls the roll drive unit based on the detection value of the slack detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Hiroyuki NAKAYAMA
  • Patent number: 8915460
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for feeding a quasi-endless material web (4) to a manipulation device (19) receiving the material web (4), wherein a feed tension unit (8) is provided, through which the material web (4) is fed in an S-shape. The feed tension unit (8) comprises a pivotal feed dancer roller (12), the angle positions thereof being captured by a feed angle sensor (34) and fed to a control unit (36), by means of which the material web (4) is fed or retracted by a dispenser roller motor (3) in the direction of the manipulation device (19), depending on the deviation of the angle position from a reference angle position. Substantially uniform tension in the material web (4) is thereby ensured, even under extreme operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: A. Raymond et Cie
    Inventors: Martin Büsch, Tobias Buss
  • Patent number: 8910643
    Abstract: An ultrasonic manipulator of dental floss is provided with an ultrasonic mechanism and a floss creep controller mechanism to enable periodic floss creep during use and a reverse of creep upon a tension designation. A process controller controls floss driving and an eccentric mechanism, and a user pause function allows a stop of floss motion and a locking of drive motors to allow floss to resist undue stress and to minimize damage to drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Ross E. Aronson
  • Patent number: 8820600
    Abstract: The present application provides a yarn accumulator for use with a yarn sausage in a heat setting line. The yarn applicator may include a sled in contact with the yarn sausage and a tensioning device in communication with the sled. The tensioning device applies a variable tension to the sled based upon the length of the yarn sausage. The tensioning device may include a sled pulley in communication with the sled, a ratioed pulley set in communication with the sled pulley, a counterweight pulley in communication with the ratioed pulley set, and a counterweight in communication with the counterweight pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Beaulieu Group, LLC
    Inventor: John (Jack) Haselwander
  • Patent number: 8720812
    Abstract: A winding apparatus providing steady tension includes: a loading unit rotatably supporting a roll of a sheet, releasing the sheet, and outputting an angle signal and a torque signal; a winding unit adapted to collect the sheet into a roll form; a dancer roller and a tension sensing unit separately arranged between the loading unit and the winding unit and outputting a shift signal and a tension signal respectively; and a control module having a calculating unit and a command unit. The calculating unit electrically connects with the loading unit, the dancer roller and the tension sensing unit to receive the signals and generates a torque command signal. The command unit electrically connects with the calculating unit and the loading unit to receive the torque command signal and produces a control signal by the torque command signal or a velocity signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Metal Industries Research & Development Centre
    Inventors: Kuan-Chih Liu, Chorng-Tyan Lin
  • Patent number: 8485462
    Abstract: A paper transportation control method for an apparatus enables conveying paper with appropriate tension on the paper by appropriately controlling a paper delivery operation of a delivery roller. When paper is conveyed by a paper feed roller pair of a roll paper printer, and tension on the paper is detected to exceed an upper tension limit based on displacement of a damping mechanism (a first time), a paper delivery operation of a delivery roller pair starts at a second time after a start operation delay time corresponding to a feed rate passes after the first time. When the tension returns to or below the upper tension limit, the paper delivery operation stops at a third time after a stop operation delay time similarly corresponding to the feed rate passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Motohiro Nakamaki, Ichimi Masuda, Nobuhiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 8353475
    Abstract: A roll recording material transport device includes a driving side roll holder, a driven side roll holder, a driving side spindle, a driven side spindle, a spindle driving source, a driving side support mechanism, a driven side support mechanism, a transport roller, and an assist executing section. The assist executing section executes assist control in which a rotating force in the direction of transporting the roll of recording material is applied by the spindle driving source through the driving side spindle and the driving side roll holder in an engaged state to the roll portion. The frictional force between the driving side spindle and the driving side roll holder is set smaller than the frictional force between the driven side spindle and the driven side support mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Kobayashi, Kiyoto Komuro
  • Patent number: 8167228
    Abstract: A roll recording material transport device includes a driving side roll holder, a driven side roll holder, a driving side spindle, a driven side spindle, a spindle driving source, a driving side support mechanism, a driven side support mechanism, a transport roller, and an assist executing section. The assist executing section executes assist control in which a rotating force in the direction of transporting the roll of recording material is applied by the spindle driving source through the driving side spindle and the driving side roll holder in an engaged state to the roll portion. The frictional force between the driving side spindle and the driving side roll holder is set smaller than the frictional force between the driven side spindle and the driven side support mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Kobayashi, Kiyoto Komuro
  • Patent number: 8082056
    Abstract: A band is introduced into the pit entrance of a looping pit. This band is released from the looping pit at a pit exit. A segment of the band can thereby be buffered. The entrance-sided drag that exists in the band at the pit entrance is measured by an entrance-sided drag measuring device; the exit-sided drag that exists in the band at the pit exit is measured by an exit-sided drag measuring device. The values of the entrance-sided and exit-sided drags are passed to a control device. Depending on the entrance-sided and exit-sided drags, a control signal for at least one driven roller arranged between the pit entrance and exit is identified by the control device and is passed to the at least one driven roller. The band buffered in the looping pit is acted upon by the at least one driven roller according to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bertram Schulze
  • Patent number: 7926688
    Abstract: A web processing assembly including first, second and third fixed spaced apart pairs of nip rollers moving the web respectively at a first, second and third speeds, the first and third speeds being constant and similar, the second speed being variable with a mean speed similar to the first and third speeds, a first idler roller engaging the web between the first and second pair of rollers and a second idler roller engaging the web between the second and third pair of rollers, each idler roller maintaining the web in constant tension by moving along a restrained path perpendicular to its axis to compensate for a difference between the variable second speed and the respective one of the constant first and third speeds. A method for processing a web and system for conveying a web are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Durst Phototechnik AG
    Inventors: Louis Dupuis, Ross Hoge, James Koehler
  • Patent number: 7905446
    Abstract: An overend unwind system for unwinding tacky elastomeric fiber threads such as uncoated spandex thread, capturing the ballooning affect of the thread as the thread leaves the spool, applying a first-stage tension control on the thread adjacent where the thread leaves the spool, feeding the unwound thread to a nip in a downstream process, and applying a final tension increment to the thread adjacent where the thread enters the downstream process. All thread guide surfaces encountered by the thread after leaving the spool, and while the thread is under designed operating tension, are moving surfaces, such that the tensioned thread thereby experiences a reduced level of drag as the thread traverses its path of travel from the spool to the downstream process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: OverEnd Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Richard J. Hartzheim
  • Patent number: 7896280
    Abstract: A device for controlling the feed of a yarn to a textile machine operating intermittently on the yarn, there being provided elements to sense the tension of the yarn and elements for measuring and modifying its feed speed, all connected to control and regulator elements for the tension and speed parameters, which continuously measure the values of both parameters during the feed of the yarn to the textile machine so as to act on a rotary member in order to modify the tension of the yarn when necessary. The rotary member is movable in a controlled manner in the two opposing directions of rotation to feed the yarn to the textile machine or to rewind it in order to prevent its accumulation in correspondence with the machine, the tension of the yarn fed or rewound being maintained at constant values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Tiziano Barea
  • Patent number: 7878447
    Abstract: An overend unwind system for unwinding tacky elastomeric fiber threads such as uncoated spandex thread, capturing the ballooning affect of the thread as the thread leaves the spool, applying a first-stage tension control on the thread adjacent where the thread leaves the spool, feeding the unwound thread to a nip in a downstream process, and applying a final tension increment to the thread adjacent where the thread enters the downstream process. All thread guide surfaces encountered by the thread after leaving the spool, and while the thread is under designed operating tension, are moving surfaces, such that the tensioned thread thereby experiences a reduced level of drag as the thread traverses its path of travel from the spool to the downstream process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: OverEnd Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Richard J. Hartzheim
  • Patent number: 7861963
    Abstract: A thread accumulation device includes a discharge chute (13) for receiving and guiding a strand that is formed by a thread take-up device and a carriage for taking up a thread spiral, guided on the discharge chute (13) and resting on the end of the strand of the side that is opposite to the thread take-up device. At the outlet of the thread take take-up device, the discharge chute (13) is equipped with a transport unit (16) that adapts to the inside shape of the discharge chute (13). The invention can be applied more particularly in the field of the textile industry, in particular the treatment of thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Superba
    Inventors: Michel Mazoyer, Philippe Massotte, Didier Thibault
  • Patent number: 7699258
    Abstract: A device for controlling the feed of a yarn to a textile machine operating intermittently on the yarn, there being provided elements to sense the tension of the yarn and elements for measuring and modifying its feed speed, all connected to control and regulator elements for the tension and speed parameters, which continuously measure the values of both parameters during the feed of the yarn to the textile machine so as to act on a rotary member in order to modify the tension of the yarn when necessary. The rotary member is movable in a controlled manner in the two opposing directions of rotation to feed the yarn to the textile machine or to rewind it in order to prevent its accumulation in correspondence with the machine, the tension of the yarn fed or rewound being maintained at constant values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Tiziano Barea
  • Patent number: 7568651
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method of correcting a loosely wound supply roll to be used with a label applying machine is described. The method includes providing a supply roll having a material web wound thereon, the supply roll mounted on a supply roll spindle such that the material web is aligned with an intake of a labeling mechanism on the label applying machine. The method further includes mounting a moveable web guide to apply pressure to the material web being supplied to the labeling mechanism, wherein the web guide includes an encoder. The method further includes determining the tension of the material web wound around the supply roll using the movable web guide and the encoder. Further still, the method includes adjusting the tension of the material web wound around the supply roll if the material web is determined to be too loosely wound about the supply roll to provide adequate tension to the web as the web leaves the supply roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard Kessler
  • Patent number: 7438251
    Abstract: A web tensioning device utilizes a dancer arm which can be positioned by a controlled servo motor. In a preferred embodiment, the controller for the servo motor receives an input signal based on the acceleration (positive or negative) of the dancer arm and implements a torque component necessary to maintain predetermined web tension, for example, an applied torque component that changes the position of the dancer arm. The controller may also receive additional input signals indicative of the acceleration of the web itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Specialty Systems Advanced Machinery, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick C. St. Germain, Gerald K. Langreck, Vernon C. Wickman, Ryan J. Carlson
  • Patent number: 7303163
    Abstract: A yarn feeder system (1) includes a plurality of yarn feeders combined into one group (8). In the trial mode, the yarn feeders operate in an individually tension-controlled manner on the basis of a specified yarn tension value. The yarn feed quantities or yarn speeds that result from this at the various yarn feeders are reported to a central unit. From the reported yarn speeds, the central unit calculates a group average and sends this to the yarn feeders as a specified value for subsequent operation. As a result, the individual yarn feeders can subsequently operate in the purely positive mode. Moreover, the central unit can receive signals that characterize both the machine speed (rpm) and pattern signals, on the basis of which the yarn feeders of the particular group that is to respond at that time are switched on and off or speeded up or slowed down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Memminger-IRO GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Huss, Norbert Bammert
  • Patent number: 7118062
    Abstract: A system of detecting and adjusting the normal force exerted by a web material around the circumferential surface of a cylinder is provided. Sensors associated with the cylinder surface are wired to a processor that compares detected normal web forces with a set value. An actuation device is activated by the processor to adjust the normal force exerted by the web by, e.g., adjusting the tension in the web material. A positioning device that preferably translates a web-wound spool is also provided as an option for the actuation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Presstek, Inc.
    Inventors: Nandakumar Vaidyanathan, Steven Degon, Robert Bruce Lowd, Brian Roland Lamoureux, Keith Vaillancourt, James Hand
  • Patent number: 7073695
    Abstract: A multi-end strand tension controller has an overfeed roll and an underfeed roll with strand engagement surfaces. Depending on the outgoing tension, the strand positioner selectively apply the strand against one of the underfeed rollers to adjust the tension and the output of the tension controller. The underfeed roller is fed at a speed slower than the speed of the strand while the overfeed roller is fed at a speed greater than the speed of the feed of the strand. Multiple strands forming the web can be provided utilizing a controller and different predetermined tensions may be applied to each of the individual strands based upon loading of individual strand positioners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Manufacturing Designs & Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: John G. Haselwander
  • Patent number: 6988854
    Abstract: Fiber-optic cable is dispensed underwater into a trench from a vehicle moving along the bed of the body of water. The cable is wound on a stationary spool and dispensed over the end of the spool by a rotary arm driven by a motor controlled to maintain a desired tension in the cable. The cable has a fiber optic core, metal wires wound around the core, and a tensioned laminate of copper tape adhered to plastic tape wound around the wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Sanmina-SCI Corporation
    Inventor: David R. Porter
  • Patent number: 6930802
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an image recording apparatus, which records images on a roll-type recording medium. The image recording apparatus includes a recording device to record an image on a recording medium by emitting ink onto the recording medium; a cutting member to cut the recording medium after the recording device records the image, the cutting member being disposed downstream in respect to the recording device in a conveying-direction of the recording medium; a second conveyance member to convey the recording medium, the second conveyance member being disposed at a position located between the recording device and the cutting member in the conveying-direction of the recording medium; and a conveyance controller to control the second conveyance member so as to generate a slack of the recording medium at a section between the recording device and the second conveyance member in the conveying-direction of the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Toyoaki Sugaya, Fujio Miyamoto, Takashi Tsutsumi, Minoru Maekawara, Kenichiro Hiramoto
  • Patent number: 6874724
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the positionally correct winding up of a metal strip in a coiling device, the hot strip being fed to the coiling device by a driving device with driving rollers, the driving rollers being tiltable in relation to one another by a controller by means of actuators for changing the gap between the driving rollers, and the controller being fed the position of the edge of the hot strip upstream of the driving device as a measured variable and as a setpoint reference variable, an optimization of the winding result of the rolled strip coil being achieved by the surface geometry of the rolled strip being determined as a measured variable and fed to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignees: BFI VDeh-Institute fur angewandte Forschung GmbH, Thyssen-Krupp Stahl AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Muller, Andreas Wolff, Gerd Thiemann, Michael Degner
  • Patent number: 6851593
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the strain of a web material supplied to a machine by adjusting a tension force applied to the web material. An operator defines a target web strain via an input device. A speed sensor senses the speed of the web material supplied to the machine at a first position and a second position and generates a speed signal representative of the difference. A tension sensor senses a tension force applied to the web prior to the first position and after the first position and generates a tension signal representative of the difference. A control system calculates web strain as a function of the tension signal and speed signal, and compares the calculated strain with the target web strain and generates a speed control signal as a function of the comparison. The feed device is responsive to the speed control signal for adjusting a speed differential of the web to adjust tension force applied to the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Weber, Thomas Arthur Bett, Tanakon Ungpiyakul
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6824032
    Abstract: A controller for controlling the running tension of paper web for rotary press includes a paper feed unit (1) and a printing unit (2) provided with a printing cylinder (21) rotating according to an operation speed command. An in-feed roller (4) is provided in a running path of paper web (W) from a paper roll (11) of the paper feed unit (1) to the printing cylinder (21). A dancer roller device (5) detects a displacement amount of a dancer roller (51) relative to a reference position of the dancer roller (51) and absorbs variations of the running tension of the paper web (W) by the displacement. A tension control processing unit (S1) performs signal generation processing to optimize the peripheral speed of the in-feed roller (4) with respect to the peripheral speed of the printing cylinder (21) based on the displacement amount of the dancer roller (51) and the operation speed command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshizumi Kumatori
  • Patent number: 6776319
    Abstract: A tension device is utilized for equalizing, or at least reducing differentials in tension across strands in a web. The device utilizes an overfeed roll which rotates faster than the speed of feeding the web. Strands at the desired tension, or less, slip about the exterior surface of the overfeed roll. Strands which are greater than the desired tension have sufficient friction to be rotated, at least temporarily, by the overfeed roll to thereby create slack in the higher tension strands to equalize the tension relative to the other strands. Feedback from feed rolls, support rolls, and/or the overfeed roll may be utilized to adjust the speed of the overfeed roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Jack G. Haselwander
  • Publication number: 20040118892
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the strain of a web material supplied to a machine by adjusting a tension force applied to the web material. An operator defines a target web strain via an input device. A speed sensor senses the speed of the web material supplied to the machine at a first position and a second position and generates a speed signal representative of the difference. A tension sensor senses a tension force applied to the web prior to the first position and after the first position and generates a tension signal representative of the difference. A control system calculates web strain as a function of the tension signal and speed signal, and compares the calculated strain with the target web strain and generates a speed control signal as a function of the comparison. The feed device is responsive to the speed control signal for adjusting a speed differential of the web to adjust tension force applied to the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Weber, Thomas Arthur Bett, Tanakon Ungpiyakul
  • Patent number: 6623412
    Abstract: A bag making machine including a film web supply roll, a draw roll for drawing the film web to a bag forming section, a seal bar in the bag forming section of the bag making machine for sealing the drawn film web, and a tension control system, the tension control system including a surface drive roll, a surface drive roll servo, a vacuum box, a torque mode capstan, a capstan servo drive, a draw roll servo drive, and a controller programable to control the film web tension in a first run of the film web between the supply roll and the torque mode capstan independently from the tension in a second run of the film web between the capstan and the draw roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Ro-An Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Peter Terranova, John Simonetti, Ed Steiner
  • Patent number: 6622619
    Abstract: A rod-actuating strap control device for a strapping machine includes a rod-interacting unit composed of an actuating rod and a weight rod assembled on a rotary member and the relative action produced between the rod-interacting unit and a press rod as well as the balanced rod with cooperation of the sensing function between a sensing switch and the actuating rod to effectively control the length or amount of the packaging strap stored in a strap reserving room. The operation between the actuating rod of rod-interacting unit and the weight rod is based on a lever structure, therefore no tiredness of resilience or damage of a twisting spring may happen to them, able to prolong the service life of the machine and control the length or amount of packaging strap stored in a strap reserving room with great precision and stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Tekpak Corporation
    Inventors: Chin-Chang Liu, Chi-jan Su
  • Publication number: 20030159424
    Abstract: A thread breakage preventing apparatus includes a tension relieving unit disposed on a running path of a yarn and serving to positively feed the yarn to a downstream side in a feeding amount corresponding to a tension of the yarn when the tension exceeds a preset tension. A part of the tension relieving unit is a rotational roller to be rotated at a constant rotating speed and serves to instantaneously increase and decrease the feeding amount of the yarn based on a behavior of the yarn corresponding to an increase and decrease in the tension of the yarn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Nakashima, Yutaka Takahama
  • Patent number: 6588695
    Abstract: An elongate product (BA1) is transported away from its storage device (VT) in such a way that at least one loop (SL) is formed at at least one longitudinal point on its running path (AW2). Changes in the geometric shape of the loop (SL) are registered and used to control or regulate the outward transport movement of the elongate product (BA1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: CCS Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Horst Knoch, Frank Renner, Swen Tischer
  • Patent number: 6585140
    Abstract: A device for drawing or braking metal bands or metal sheets and including two oppositely arranged endless revolving chain systems with a gap therebetween through which a metal band or a metal sheet is displaced and including carriage-like roller blocks for effecting one of clamping and driving the one of a metal band and a metal sheet, an elastic lining for covering the roller blocks; and elements for generating magnetic fields for controlling driving and/or restraining forces applied to the metal band or the metal sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Norbert Umlauf
  • Patent number: 6575346
    Abstract: A torque capstan is provided for use in an optical fiber cable manufacturing process which enables reverse oscillating lay (ROL) length to be maintained. The torque capstan comprises a first portion having at least two pulleys rotationally mounted thereon, a second portion having at least two pulleys rotationally mounted thereon, and first and second drive belts mounted on the pulleys of the first and second capstan portions, respectively. Rotational motion is imparted to the first and/or second drive belts through a drive system that is coupled to a drive pulley of at least one of the first and second capstan portions. Rotation of at least one of the drive pulley(s) causes the respective drive belt to rotate in a direction parallel to, or substantially parallel to, a direction in which an optical fiber cable being manufactured in the optical fiber cable manufacturing process is being pulled. Contact between the drive belts causes the drive belts to rotate in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Fitel USA Corporation
    Inventors: Slobodan F. Fenjac, Kelly L. Johnson, Wayne M. Newton, Eugene R. Rusiecki, Mark I. Shmukler, Donald D. Vargasreyes
  • Patent number: 6502734
    Abstract: A device for drawing or braking metal bands or metal sheets and including two oppositely arranged endless revolving chain systems with a gap therebetween through which a metal band or a metal sheet is displaced and including carriage-like roller blocks for effecting one of clamping and driving the one of a metal band and a metal sheet, an elastic lining for covering the roller blocks; a plurality of shaping and filler pieces for controlling tension applied to the elastic lining; and elements for generating magnetic fields for controlling driving and/or restraining forces applied to the metal band or the metal sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: Norbert Umlauf
  • Patent number: 6433499
    Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating a tension transducer for a web includes a pair of nip rollers and a motor for driving at least one of the pair of nip rollers, the motor having at least one roller output being a function of at least one of a motor torque and a motor velocity. A web tension transducer roll is located upstream of the nip rollers, the web tension transducer having a tension output being a function of the actual web tension of the web. A processor receives the at least one roller output and the tension output, the processor calculating a tension correction value as a function of the at least one roller output and the tension output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Kevin Lauren Cote, Lothar John Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20020000458
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the web tension in a perforation-welding system for making bags from synthetic resin foil webs in which whistling noises are eliminated by passing the web over a wall of a polygonal duct having an air outlet opening to which compressed air is fed. The air cushion and hence the spacing of the web from the wall is measured by an ultrasonic detector on the opposite of the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Applicant: LEMO Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Ludwig
  • Patent number: 6334564
    Abstract: In a rotary press, a traveling amount of a paper web is controlled by an infeed system including infeed rolls which feed the paper web to a subsequent stage for an operation such as a printing process. The infeed system of the rotary press includes a traveling amount measuring device disposed on a traveling line of the paper web fed by the infeed rolls for measuring the traveling amount of the paper web in a tension free state and for generating a signal representing the measured result, and a traveling amount controlling device for controlling the traveling amount of the paper web fed by the infeed rolls in response to the signal from the traveling amount measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Miyakoshi Printing Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Kishine, Akira Ishikawa, Takashi Ito
  • Patent number: 6332585
    Abstract: An apparatus for the intermediate storage of a strap to be supplied and delivered discontinuously in a machine is provided with a supply arrangement for the strap; a storage drum, which is disposed downstream thereof and which comprises an inlet for the strap, an ensuing helical storage channel for the storage of the strap, the radial extension of which exceeds its axial extension, which corresponds to the width of the strap, as well as an outlet, which adjoins the storage channel; and a discharge arrangement for the strap, which is disposed downstream of the storage drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: SMB Schwede Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Schwede
  • Patent number: 6276587
    Abstract: An arrangement for delivering a web of material from a storage reel to a process line for manufacturing absorbent disposable articles. The arrangement includes a web tension control unit for holding a predetermined value of tension in the web of material passing through the control unit for delivery to the process line. The control unit is placed in immediate proximity to the process line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Harald E. Børresen, Terje Nyrén
  • Publication number: 20010013561
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for supplying foil material, the apparatus comprising a motor-driven supply roll, a withdrawal means and a consumption sensor provided between the supply roll and the withdrawal means for controlling the drive of the supply roll in response to the consumption of foil material, and at least one stationary deflection roller, at least one sensor roller and a sensor means, the sensor roller being supported and arranged such that it changes the distance from the stationary deflection roller in response to the difference between supply capacity and withdrawal capacity of the foil material, and the sensor means senses said change in distance and accelerates the supply roll when the distance is smaller than a first predetermined distance, and slows down the supply roll when a second predetermined distance is exceeded. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding method for supplying foil material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventors: HANS-PETER WILD, EBERHARD KRAFT
  • Patent number: 6199787
    Abstract: A method of winding yarn into hanks, comprising the steps of loading a beam having a sheet of parallel ends of yarn wound thereon onto a rotatable beam stand; unwinding the sheet from the beam and passing the sheet through a nip between two reciprocating rolls; separating the parallel ends of yarn in the sheet from each other; and guiding each of the separated ends of yarn to a rotatable reel. The ends of yarn are then wound onto the rotatable reel by rotating the beam to release the sheet wound thereon; rotating the interacting rolls to draw the sheet through the nip; and rotating the reel to wind each separated end of yarn onto the reel. The rotational velocity of the beam and of the reciprocating rolls are controlled so as to keep the tension on the sheet of yarns below a defined value. By controlling tension, one reduces the likelihood of thread breakage and causes the yarns to be wound onto the reels in the form of loose hanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventors: Asif Jaffar, Mohammad Ismail Jaffar