Slackness Sensor Patents (Class 242/420.6)
  • Patent number: 11260647
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for decoupling an element that is bonded to a surface by an adhesive are provided. In one example, the apparatus includes a body, a first spool that is rotationally coupled to the body, and a cable having a first cable end portion that is coupled to the first spool, a second cable end portion that is coupled to the body, and a cable intermediate portion that is disposed between the first cable end portion and the second cable end portion. The apparatus is configured to be positioned adjacent to at least one of the element and the surface with the cable intermediate portion disposed adjacent to the adhesive such that when the first spool is rotated, the cable wraps about the first spool, thereby pulling the cable intermediate portion through the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle Biezenbos, Blake Edwards, Christopher A. Gay, Jeremy Greene, Gerald Lee
  • Patent number: 11046543
    Abstract: A conveyance device includes: a conveyance mechanism configured to unwind and convey a web from a web roll; a brake configured to brake rotation of the web roll; a controller configured to perform control of gradually reducing a torque of the brake and then turning off the brake in an operation of turning off the brake in a state where conveyance of the web by the conveyance mechanism is stopped and the brake is on with a tension applied to the web between the web roll and the conveyance mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: RISO KAGAKU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Manabu Tachi
  • Patent number: 10464777
    Abstract: A yarn feeder may comprise a metric-sized motor and a winding wheel, and a drive shaft axially protruding from a first end of the motor is configured to connect to a rotating member. The winding wheel formed in a tube shape comprises a first end and a second end, and an interior channel is adapted to axially penetrate through the winding wheel from the first end to the second end thereof. The interior channel is configured to accommodate the motor, and the rotating member is coupled with the interior channel such that the motor is configured to drive the winding wheel through the rotating member. The motor in the present invention is a metric-sized motor which is not only easy to buy in the market but also reduces manufacturing cost and the volume of the yarn feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Sunshine Kinetics Technology Co. Ltd
    Inventor: Shen-Te Feng
  • Patent number: 9631497
    Abstract: A laminar air flow development device for use with stationary web material testing equipment is disclosed. The laminar air flow development device has a machine direction, a cross-machine direction orthogonal thereto, and a Z-direction orthogonal to both the machine and cross-machine directions. The stationary web material testing equipment has a first web material support having a Z-direction thickness, D. The device has first and second surfaces contactingly and matingly engaged to form an airfoil having a machine direction length, L, a cross-machine direction width, a leading edge, and a trailing end. The airfoil has a chord disposed between the first and second surfaces. The trailing end has a width equal to the Z-direction thickness, D. The device has a ratio of L/D ranging from about 1 to about 70 and provides machine direction laminar air flow to at least one surface of the first web material support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Pawel Marek Siczek, Gustav André Mellin
  • 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: 8276838
    Abstract: A general winding and feeding apparatus includes a rotating shaft on the upper side of a standing wall of a base, and a motor is connected to the rotating shaft in the standing wall. A swing arm extends across a traveling material and is situated at a suitable position on the standing wall. Digital variable frequency methods may be used to drive the motor, which operates in conjunction with light-coupled sensors to detect the traveling speed of a material on the swing arm and sense a swing position of the swing arm. Feedback is generated in real-time to modify the speed of the motor, and the constant speed travel of the material can be achieved while being either wound or unwound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Godex International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Feng-Yi Tai, Ta-Cheng Hsiung, Chien-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 8205819
    Abstract: An automatic dereeler includes a rocker arm that is movable between various positions to indicate the relative tension on a continuously supplied material. A sensor detects the rocker arm position which is transmitted to a controller. The controller actively controls a motor to either increase or decrease the resistive torque on a rotating axle that carries the continuous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Andrew T. Groff, Stephen J. Schmidt, Thomas E. Dotson
  • Patent number: 8002214
    Abstract: A rolled medium holding device includes a first gear mechanism 61 that is connected to a roll shaft holding the rolled medium and sends-out/rewinds the rolled medium, a second gear mechanism 62 that is connected to a torque limiter 64 and includes a plurality of torque transmission means, and a gear switching mechanism 63 that shifts connection between the plurality of torque transmission means and the first gear mechanism by operating the second gear mechanism for applying different back tension to the roll shaft. Accordingly, torque transferred from the torque limiter can be shifted, and whereby back tension in correspondence with a used rolled medium can be easily applied in a simple manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Genta, Takuya Yasue, Masaki Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20100193624
    Abstract: A decoiler for spooled strip and wire materials includes a motorized platform for supporting a coiled spool of material on a base. An upstanding control post has a guide which feeds material from the spool to a metal forming machine under predetermined tension. A horizontal support arm mounted on the base has an outer end supporting the control post. A lockable swivel joint pivotally connects the support arm with the base to shift the same between a wide variety of different feed positions, and includes a lock that retains the control post in a selected feed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Johnnie L. Jones
  • Publication number: 20090121065
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a transfer device that can feed a work in a stable condition without applying it any excess loads. The transfer device for feeding a tape-shaped work to a process stage standing in an upright position, which is placed on one side of the process stage and which includes a supply reel, a take-up reel and a work feeding mechanism. Specifically, the supply reel, around which the work and a protective sheet are wound, is adapted to feed the work and the protective sheet therefrom. The take-up reel is adapted to wind the work and the protective sheet that have been fed from the supply reel, and it is located below the supply reel. The work feeding mechanism is adapted to forward the work from the supply reel to the take-up reel through the process stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: ORC Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Sato, Akira Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 7484682
    Abstract: In a tape drive during a transition to a stand-by mode, a tape is wound under control of a processor (e.g., CPU) until duration of a time interval between moments when rotational positions of the reels change decreases to a pre-determined threshold. Thereafter, in the stand-by mode, the processor switches control over the tape drive to a low-power logic circuit (e.g., PLC) and enters a power-save mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Shuhei Nadehara
  • Patent number: 7469855
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for unwinding a vertically oriented roll of web material is disclosed. The roll comprises a lower surface, an upper surface and a circumferential surface. The apparatus comprises: at least one drive element adapted to rotate the vertically oriented roll, a sensor adapted to measure a tension of the web, and a controller adapted to adjust a speed of the web according to the tension of the web. The method comprises steps of rotating the roll, determining a desired web tension, and adjusting the speed of the roll according to the desired web tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kevin Benson McNeil, Thomas Timothy Byrne
  • Patent number: 7458538
    Abstract: The device comprises: supports (3A, 5A; 3B, 5B) to support at least a reel (B1) in an unwinding position; at least a peripheral drive mechanism which acts on the cylindrical surface of the reel being unwound and transmits peripherally to said reel a torque to draw it in rotation; and at least a center drive mechanism (41) which transmits centrally to said reel an auxiliary torque to draw it in rotation together with the torque transmitted by the peripheral drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Fabio Perini S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giulio Betti, Roberto Morelli, Angelo Benvenuti
  • Patent number: 7392960
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for unwinding a vertically oriented roll of web material is disclosed. The roll comprises a lower surface, an upper surface and a circumferential surface. The apparatus comprises: at least one drive element adapted to rotate the vertically oriented roll, a sensor adapted to measure a tension of the web, and a controller adapted to adjust a speed of the web according to the tension of the web. The method comprises steps of rotating the roll, determining a desired web tension, and adjusting the speed of the roll according to the desired web tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kevin Benson McNeil, Thomas Timothy Byrne
  • 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: 7028940
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for unwinding a vertically oriented roll of web material is disclosed. The roll comprises a lower surface, an upper surface and a circumferential surface. The apparatus comprises: at least one drive element adapted to rotate the vertically oriented roll, a sensor adapted to measure a tension of the web, and a controller adapted to adjust a speed of the web according to the tension of the web. The method comprises steps of rotating the roll, determining a desired web tension, and adjusting the speed of the roll according to the desired web tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kevin Benson McNeil, Thomas Timothy Byrne
  • Publication number: 20040251370
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for unwinding a roll of web material are disclosed herein. The web material is unwound from the roll and the machine direction of motion of the web is altered without creating a problematic span of web material. A value analogous to the tension of the web material is determined. The speed of the web is adjusted according to the analog of the tension of the web. The apparatus can comprise an unwind stand to rotate the roll, and a means for altering the direction of travel of the web material. The apparatus further comprises a means to determine an analog of the web material tension and a means of controlling the speed of the web according to the analog of the web tension. The web material is routed to a downstream process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Bruce Jerome Solberg, David Kent Mattheis
  • Patent number: 6820833
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a yarn processing system comprising a textile machine, a yarn feed device and a supply spool. According to the inventive method, the yarn feed device pulls the yarn from the supply spool with varying speed and forms and maintains a yarn intermediate store. In addition, a rotatable supply spool (B) is turned at least by the yarn tension elicited by the winding drive (4) of the yarn feed device (F), and the yarn (Y) is tangentially removed from the supply spool (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignees: Ingenjoersfirman Elektroteknik IETV AB, IROPA AG
    Inventors: Magnus Carlsson, Lars Helge Gottfrid Tholander
  • Publication number: 20040079831
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for unwinding a vertically oriented roll of web material is disclosed. The roll comprises a lower surface, an upper surface and a circumferential surface. The apparatus comprises: at least one drive element adapted to rotate the vertically oriented roll, a sensor adapted to measure a tension of the web, and a controller adapted to adjust a speed of the web according to the tension of the web. The method comprises steps of rotating the roll, determining a desired web tension, and adjusting the speed of the roll according to the desired web tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kevin Benson McNeil, Thomas Timothy Byrne
  • Patent number: 6676062
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for discharging webs at a predetermined web speed in an uninterrupted process, in which the web end (37) on an initially active take-off roll (2) must be placed against and joined to the beginning of a web on a roll initially situated in a waiting station. To this end, the web tension in the processing line (39) is adjusted to a predetermined target value. In order to influence the web tension in additional areas during the joining of the web ends (37), a web accumulator equipped with an externally controlled drive is provided in addition to the compensation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Honigmann Industrielle Elektronik GmbH
    Inventor: Jürgen Herhaus
  • Patent number: 6601792
    Abstract: A winding device is disclosed comprising a winding mechanism for winding a thin medium, such as paper, film and cloth and the like, output by a printer on a winding core. A looseness-detecting sensor is provided for detecting looseness of the medium and for actuating the winding mechanism upon detection. When a sheet tray is attached to the printer, the looseness-detecting sensor is capable of receding from the moving area of the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignees: Sankyo Seiki Mfg. Co., Ltd., Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumito Komatsu, Noboru Ueno, Kiyotsugu Takasawa
  • 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: 6419180
    Abstract: The apparatus is intended for guiding a cable from an outlet of a cable drum, which is rotated by a drive, to an inlet of a cable processing appliance which draws the cable in with a predetermined speed and a tensile force. Between the cable outlet and a cable inlet of the cable processing appliance, the apparatus has an element for guiding the cable, forming at least one rising cable section and at least one falling cable section. The rising cable section is monitored by a first sensor system, and/or the falling cable section is monitored by a second sensor system in each case in order to detect the position of the cable and/or a force acting on the cable. The variables detected by the sensor system are used to control the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Micafil AG
    Inventor: Paul Gmeiner
  • Patent number: 6390409
    Abstract: A roll stand with a frame, a holder arm arranged in the frame, a shaft for the holder, a holder, a motor, and a transmission agent. The transmission agent includes a first and second toothed wheel mounted on an incoming shaft, which is arranged to be driven by the motor, a third toothed wheel and a fifth toothed wheel are arranged on the shaft for the holder, freewheel hubs are arranged at the shaft for the holder between the third and the fifth toothed wheel. The freewheel hubs are capable of locking a toothed wheel in one direction of rotation. Due to the arrangement of the toothed wheels, a first and second drive path is formed so that the transmission agent is capable of achieving two gear changes on an outgoing shaft, depending on the direction of rotation of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Megtec Systems Amal AB
    Inventor: Hans Högberg
  • Publication number: 20020008173
    Abstract: A drive for a roll changer with at least one motor (1a, 1b) for driving the roll changer has a driving electronic unit (9). The driving electronic unit drives the motor (1a, 1b), of which there is at least one, such that the motor (1a, 1b), of which there is at least one, acts as a drive and/or as a brake. A process is provided for driving or actuating a roll changer, where at least one motor (1a, 1b) of the roll changer is actuated or driven such that it acts as a drive or as a brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Daniel Burri, Erich Kaufmann, Ulrich Kohli
  • Patent number: 6340130
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: INDAG GmbH & Co. Betriebs-KG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Wild, Eberhard Kraft
  • Publication number: 20010054666
    Abstract: A winding device is disclosed comprising a winding mechanism for winding a thin medium, such as paper, film and cloth and the like, output by a printer on a winding core. A looseness-detecting sensor is provided for detecting looseness of the medium and for actuating the winding mechanism upon detection. When a sheet tray is attached to the printer, the looseness-detecting sensor is capable of receding from the moving area of the medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventors: Fumito Komatsu, Noboru Ueno, Kiyotsugu Takasawa
  • Patent number: 6305145
    Abstract: Wrapping apparatus for winding a wrapping foil web (F) around an object (1) includes a foil dispenser (2) arranged to circulate along a ring-like endless track (3) around the object to be packaged. The foil dispenser (2) comprises a frame (4), a detachable and replaceable foil roll (5) mounted on the frame, supporting elements (6) for supporting the foil roll on the frame, and tensioning arrangements (7) for braking foil delivery from the roll and maintaining a predetermined foil tension. The tensioning arrangements (7) comprise a sensor (8) for detecting foil web tension, and an electric motor (9) for driving the foil roll (5). The torque, speed of rotation and direction of rotation of the electric motor is controlled on the basis of foil tension as detected by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Oy M. Haloila AB
    Inventor: Yrjö Suolahti
  • 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