With Detector, Indicator, Or Control Patents (Class 242/563)
  • Patent number: 8684297
    Abstract: A method of grounding a dispenser. A low impedance path is connected to elements internal to the dispenser. The low impedance path is also connected to a surface contact spring which is adapted to contact an external mounting surface when the dispenser is affixed thereto. Static electrical charge accumulated on the elements is discharged through the low impedance path and the surface contact spring to the external mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: John R. Moody, Joshua M. Broehl
  • Patent number: 8662003
    Abstract: A wire level gauge for indicating the level of wire in a wire storage container and a method for determining the level of wire in a wire storage container using the wire level gauge. The wire level gauge has a level indicator with a magnet which is slidably movable on a measuring bar. The level indicator moves on the measuring bar and follows a leading edge of the wire in the wire storage container as the wire is dispensed from the wire storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventors: Edward L. Cooper, Brent M. Cooper
  • Patent number: 8631967
    Abstract: A method for preventing recalibration of an automated product dispenser, a sensor protector for a product dispenser, and a product dispenser including a housing having a sensor area, a capacitive sensor adjacent a first surface of the sensor area of the housing, where the sensor has a target sensing area extending through the first surface and beyond a second surface of the housing opposite the first surface in a direction away from the first surface and a sensor protector which includes a plurality of spaced apart projections extending from the second surface in the direction away from the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Dikran Babikian
  • Publication number: 20130292506
    Abstract: A wire electric discharge machining apparatus according to embodiments includes a wire electrode, a wire supplying unit that supplies the wire electrode, a collecting motor that collects the wire electrode at a predetermined speed, a tension motor that controls a tension of the wire electrode between the wire supplying unit and the collecting motor, a speed calculating unit that calculates a traveling speed of the wire electrode at a predetermined time interval, a speed storing unit that stores the traveling speed calculated by the speed calculating unit, a differential speed calculating unit that calculates a differential speed between a current traveling speed output from the speed calculating unit and a past traveling speed stored in the speed storing unit, and a breakage detecting unit that detects breakage of the wire electrode by comparing the differential speed with a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuo Onodera, Takayuki Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8575921
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the movement of a piston disposed within a housing comprises a pin which is responsive to the axial movements of a piston in the housing, the pin having an end which is magnetically coupled to a first ring magnet slidably disposed on a magnet carrier of an indicator body, a second ring magnet disposed on the magnet carrier having its poles oriented so as to repel the first ring magnet, and a retainer for holding the first and second ring magnets on the magnet carrier is described. Additionally, a method for operating the cycle indicator apparatus is also provided. The housing is comprised of one or a plurality of ports through which lubricants are delivered to one or a plurality of corresponding points within a machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventor: Christopher John Sloan
  • Patent number: 8544785
    Abstract: An automatic product dispenser determines if the roll loaded into the dispenser is approved for use with the dispenser. The core of a roll contains a feature that alters an electromagnetic field created proximate the core. The alteration of the electromagnetic field may then be used to determine if the core, and thus the roll, is usable with the dispenser. The feature is designed such that it is damaged once product is completely dispensed from the roll thereby preventing replenishment and reuse of a spent roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: San Jamar, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Pelland, Steve Reckamp
  • Patent number: 8534593
    Abstract: A paperboard handling machine includes an alignment mechanism for aligning rolls of paperboard supported by the machine whereby the rolls are aligned with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Greif Packaging LLC
    Inventors: David W. Casey, Gregg A. Bryan, Karl U. Wuerminghausen
  • Patent number: 8528851
    Abstract: A hybrid towel dispenser is provided that is operable in an automatic dispensing mode and a manual dispensing mode. The dispenser comprises a rotatable drum; a motor; a one-way bearing coupling the motor to the drum such that the motor rotates the drum in the automatic dispensing mode and a user can rotate the drum in the manual dispensing mode separately from the motor. The sensor controlling the motor has a sensing path through the user engagement surface of the manual advance assembly. The dispenser can additionally have a manual advance assembly with a lever rotationally coupled to the cutting drum and operable by the user to rotate the drum in the manual dispensing mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Dispensing Dynamics International
    Inventors: Matthew Friesen, Bradley Friesen, John Friesen, Andrew Jackman, Lockland Corley, Richard Lalau, Michael Severyn, Alex Tramploski, Joel Keily
  • Publication number: 20130221151
    Abstract: The invention is a system and method for dispensing T-shirt type plastic bags singly by means of an automated dispenser. At the push of a button or other control means, a single bag is partially ejected from the machine, whereupon the user can take the bag and use it. The device has detectors for detecting fault conditions (such as bag depletion, wrinkled bags, and the like) as well as display means such as an LCD for displaying ads or other information to users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: HEMED OFAKIM LTD.
    Inventor: Avi Agayev
  • Patent number: 8511599
    Abstract: Paper towel dispenser apparatus and method wherein one or more targets are connected to a rotatable toweling support roller. A sensor senses capacitance changes caused by the rotating roller and the one or more targets and sends signals to a controller to control rotation of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventors: Richard Lalau, Damir Wallener, Lockland Corley, Andrew Jackman, Alex Trampolski, Matthew Friesen
  • Patent number: 8511598
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system of dispensing a product rolled around an element such as a tube (50), such product defining a structure such as a cylinder, and such system comprising in particular: a frame, a means of support and connection of the roll in the frame. It is claimed for the invention that the tube (50) includes an electrically conductive element (50c) designed to operate in conjunction with an element of the frame so as together to form an electric circuit element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific France
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Neveu, Gilles Cattacin
  • Publication number: 20130160627
    Abstract: Systems and methods for introducing hook fastening elements into a mold traveling along a mold assembly line are disclosed. The system can be configured to cut hook fastening tape into strips having a predetermined length based on information received from the mold assembly line, and to drop the cut strips directly into the mold at the appropriate intervals as the mold travels along the mold assembly line. Also disclosed is a system for facilitating the continuous feeding of hook fastening tape through the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Sho, Yoshifumi Nakata, Hisashi Yoneshima, Tomonari Yoshida, Takanori Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20130146702
    Abstract: An article and processes and products are related to a paper roll and core including signaling device. The process may, but need not, include positioning a paper roll core comprising a body which is generally cylindrical in shape and having an outer wall spaced from an inner wall with a signaling device between the outer wall and the inner wall, within a circumferentially located paper roll having a width of paper corresponding to the length of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventor: Peter Morello
  • Publication number: 20130119183
    Abstract: A system including a roll formed from a web having at least one characteristic mark of the roll, and a dispenser which has an element for identifying this mark in order to determine whether a new roll installed in the dispenser is a compatible roll. The mark is present on a free end section of the new roll. This marked free end section is followed by at least one section that does not have a characteristic mark of the roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: SCA TISSUE FRANCE
    Inventors: Gilles Cattacin, Nicolas Pommier
  • Publication number: 20130112801
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing sheet material pertains to a housing (82) arranged for receiving a supply of sheet material (1), a feed mechanism (2) for advancing said sheet material through a discharge opening (100) of said housing (82), a motor (3) for driving said feed mechanism (2) and a controller (4) for powering the motor (3) to drive the feed mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventor: SCA Hygiene Products AB
  • Patent number: 8434709
    Abstract: A towel dispenser includes a housing, a sensor, and a motor assembly that causes in response to a hand: a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from the housing a multiple of a predetermined unit length (PUL), optionally plus a further extent that is less than PUL; and then to be retracted. The motor assembly ceases retracting based on sensing the leading edge of the toweling. PUL is set in a length learn sequence by: retracting the toweling until a leading edge of the toweling is sensed; advancing the toweling a preset extended length greater than at least a distance between immediately adjacent lines of perforations in the toweling; retracting the toweling until a leading edge of the toweling is sensed while measuring a length by which the toweling is retracted; and determining the difference between the preset extended length and the measured retracted length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Innovia Intellectual Properties, LLC
    Inventors: William B. Troutman, William B. Troutman, II, Ian D. Kovacevich, Thomas James Philpott, Christopher Hoy, Lawrence Ober
  • Patent number: 8408487
    Abstract: An automatic dispenser for a rolled material has a sensor that detects the presence of a user in front of the dispenser. When that occurs, a motor is driven by energy stored in a battery or a capacitor and a short length of the material is dispensed from the roll. The user then grasps that short length and pulls more of the material off the roll, thereby causing the roll to rotate. Rotation of the roll drives the motor as a generator producing electrical energy that recharges the battery or capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Rodrian, James A. Rodrian
  • Patent number: 8403251
    Abstract: A filament winding apparatus detects that a fiber bundle is likely to break and prevents generation of defective products. The filament winding apparatus applies a prescribed winding tension to the fiber bundle unwound from a fiber bundle feeding package and winds the tension-applied fiber bundle around a mandrel. A tension applying portion applies the winding tension to the fiber bundle at a position that is immediately before a side of the mandrel between the fiber bundle package and the mandrel. A tension sensor detects the tension of the fiber bundle between the fiber bundle feeding package and the tension applying portion. A determination means determines a tension abnormality of the fiber bundle by comparing pre-set reference information with the tension measured value measured by the tension sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd
    Inventors: Tadashi Uozumi, Motohiro Tanigawa
  • Patent number: 8382026
    Abstract: A paper toweling dispenser selectively operable to dispense paper toweling from a roll of paper toweling employing a plurality of alternative operational modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Dispensing Dynamics International
    Inventors: Joel P. Keily, Niko Anthony Cvjetkovic, Michel Morand
  • Patent number: 8371519
    Abstract: A cord material dispenser comprising a container including a surrounding sidewall having first and second openings and first and second cord materials disposed in the container. The first and second cord materials are dispensable through their respective first and second openings. The first cord material is preferably wound around a first spool and the second cord material is preferably wound around a second spool. The dispenser may include a first quantity of the first cord material and a second quantity of the second cord material, wherein the first quantity is less than the second quantity. For example, the first quantity may be one fourth of the second quantity. Preferably, the container includes indicia indicative of the ratio of the first quantity to the second quantity. The indicia may be in the form of a graphic representative of the intended use of the spooled materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Garlock Sealing Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. McManus, Marc E. Semmler, Mari Foley, Matt Tones, Christian Lauzier, Chris Boss, Janet C. Jessen, Timothy James Hurley, David W. Reeves
  • Patent number: 8366035
    Abstract: Supply package and apparatus for dispensing sheet material comprising a housing (82) arranged for receiving a supply of sheet material (1), a feed mechanism (2) for advancing said sheet material through a discharge opening (100) of said housing (82), a motor (3) for driving said feed mechanism (2) and a controller (4) for powering the motor (3) to drive the feed mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Robert Kling, Anders Olsson
  • Publication number: 20130026283
    Abstract: A conveyance apparatus includes: a supply unit rotatably supporting a roll member around which a sheet is wound in form of a roll and configured to supply the sheet from the roll member; a motor for rotating the roll member; a roller pair configured to convey the sheet supplied from the supply unit while pinching the sheet; and a control unit configured to set the torque of the motor according to sheet information related to the sheet when taking up the sheet on the roll member by driving the motor while the sheet is pinched by the roller pair being stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuo Kikuchi, Ryoya Shinjo, Yuki Igarashi, Haruhiko Tanami, Ryohei Maruyama, Shin Genta, Naoki Wakayama
  • Publication number: 20130016168
    Abstract: A conveyance device has a roll rotating unit that rotates a roll of sheet medium forward and in reverse, and a conveyance path along which is an upstream roller and a downstream roller for conveying the medium and cooperate in a reverse and rewind operation. A control unit controls driving of the upstream roller, the downstream roller, and the roll rotating unit, such that, during the reverse and rewind operation, the control unit (i) drives the upstream roller and the roll rotating unit, (ii) stops driving the upstream roller while continuing to drive the roll rotating unit, first slack being created as a result of (i) or (ii), (iii) causes the medium to be nipped at the downstream roller, and (iv) drives the upstream roller while the medium is nipped at the downstream roller to create second slack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiko Noguchi, Hiroshi Hamakawa, Tetsugo Ishida
  • Patent number: 8355835
    Abstract: A system for demarcating an area comprises a first vehicle, an attachment point, a demarcating element, a motor and a vehicle control unit. The demarcating element extends from the first vehicle to the attachment point. The system furthermore comprises a camera, which camera is operatively connected to the vehicle control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Maasland N.V.
    Inventors: Iwan Yves Vlaar, Karel Van Den Berg, Jan Martinus Van Kuilenburg
  • Publication number: 20130008996
    Abstract: A reel changer of a printing press has a securing assembly for a safety area. The safety area extends on a receiving end or on a dispensing side of the reel changer at least over the entire width to the end-face side frames. These side frames comprise vertically supported frame parts and optionally also include switch boxes end or side boxes that are arranged directly on the side frames. The safety area is substantially completely enclosed by the reel changer and by one or more connected units and or mechanical blocking devices and by one or more sensor-monitored access assemblies in such a way that operators can enter during operation only by the use of the one or more monitored access assemblies. A control element for controlling functions of the reel changer is physically separate from the reel changer and is arranged at a distance from the side frames at a location that can be reached by an operator positioned outside the safety area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: KOENIG & BAUER AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Erwin Paul Josef Lehrieder, Klaus Karl Muller, Josef Herbert Olbort
  • Publication number: 20120312853
    Abstract: An electronic dispenser for dispensing flexible sheet material. A control circuit in the housing receives a plurality of signals and controls dispensing of the sheet material from the housing. A tear bar is mounted within the housing for severance of sheet material by the user. A pivotally mounted pawl member is located proximate to the tear bar such that movement of sheet material into the tear bar for severance pivots the pawl member from a first position to a second position. A signal means associated with the pawl member is located such that movement of the pawl member to the second position causes the signal means to send a signal to notify the control circuit that the sheet material has been removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: CHARLES A. OSBORNE, Tsu-Ling Chang
  • Publication number: 20120292422
    Abstract: Methods and systems for supplying a web of packaging material to an indexing-motion packaging machine include rotating a roll of a web of packaging material, sensing changes in position of a dancer caused by rotation of the roll, rotating the roll at a starting speed of rotation that is based upon sensed changes in position of the dancer, and then maintain substantially constant tension in the web of flexible packaging material during indexing motion of the packaging machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: Alkar-RapidPak-MP Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig R. Bonneville, Ian Thornley Eisele
  • Patent number: 8270152
    Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for storage of cable, comprising: a cable reel, said cable reel being rotatable about an axis and having a surface spaced from said axis, said surface being arranged to store wound cable thereon, the cable reel further comprising: a first receiving portion for receiving a first part of the cable; a second receiving portion for receiving a second part of the cable; and a guide for guiding the cable between the first and second receiving portions, wherein the guide is arranged to guide the cable along a path extending in three dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventor: David C. Haigh
  • Publication number: 20120224905
    Abstract: A paper roll remaining amount detecting device includes a paper roll receiving unit including first and second recesses to receive a paper roll with a cylindrical core dropping by its weight, depending on a printer mounting posture, when the paper roll is consumed to have a predetermined diameter. An attachment frame is pivotably supported on a sidewall of the paper roll receiving unit having an arc-shaped hole portion extending along a pivot movement trajectory of a pivoting end portion of the attachment frame. An arm is pivotably supported on the attachment frame, with a projection formed in a pivoting end portion thereof and inserted into the arc-shaped hole portion. When the paper roll becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined size, the projection of the arm is moved toward the cylindrical core of the paper roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Nihashi
  • Publication number: 20120217337
    Abstract: A modular element of creel including a structure having at least one support suitable to support a reel or yarn spool; the structure is in the form of a solid polygon and includes a feeder device suitable to allow the feeding of the thread developed by such spool with at least one characteristic, selected from the characteristics of tension and speed, maintained constant and equal to a preset fixed value or function of the operational phase of the machine. The structure is able to be modularly coupled to other similar structures to allow the feeding of more yarn to a textile machine. Every yarn fed by every modular element having its own selected characteristic defined by the feeder device associated with such modular element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: B.T.S.R. International S.P.A.
    Inventor: Tiziano Barea
  • Patent number: 8248776
    Abstract: There is provided a storage reel for storage of cable. The storage reel comprises a first cable reel having a first reeling surface arranged to store wound communication cable thereon, a second cable reel having a second reeling surface arranged to store wound communication cable thereon and a connecting member arranged to connect said first and second cable reels. The storage reel is rotatable about an axis such that, in use, the storage reel is operable to wind cable across both the first and second reeling surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventor: David C. Haigh
  • Patent number: 8240593
    Abstract: A paper feeding device that feeds a sheet of a paper roll to a printing device includes two spaced-apart side plates having opposed first notches for rotatably bearing-supporting a first paper roll and opposed second notches for rotatably bearing-supporting a second paper roll that may have a different diameter in an unused state from that of the first paper roll. A near end sensor for detecting the remaining amount of the paper rolls is slidably positioned in a linear groove formed in one of the side plates. The linear groove having a longitudinal axis that passes through a midpoint of a straight line connecting a rotation center of a first paper roll bearing-supported in the first notches and a rotation center of a second paper roll bearing-supported in the second notches. When first and second paper rolls of different sizes are used, if both paper rolls are wound on paper tubes of the same size, the position of the near end sensor need not be changed, which is a great convenience for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Akihiko Ito
  • Publication number: 20120193467
    Abstract: Methods are provided for operating a web medium supply for a printer and or operating a printer having a web medium supply to which any of a plurality of different cores can be mounted, each core having a web. In one aspect, a core data condition is detected indicating that an automatic core data acquisition process is to be executed and conditions are sensed from which a difference in the rotational positions of a first engaged surface at a first end of the core and a second engaged surface at a second end of the core can be determined. Data regarding the web on the core is determined based upon the sensed conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Gary P. Lawniczak
  • Patent number: 8220141
    Abstract: It is intended to allow for efficiently performing a feeder replacement operation. A feeder 50 is formed in a shape elongated in one direction to allow a replacement operation therefor to be performed in such a manner that it is inserted and pulled out relative to a feeder installation section 150, along a longitudinal direction thereof. A rear end 111 which is a trailing one of longitudinally opposite ends of each of a plurality of feeders 50A, 50B, - - - , in an insertion direction, is provided with a guide portion for guiding one 50C of the feeders to be installed in adjacent relation to ones of the remaining feeders. For example, the guide portion can be formed by rounding corners of the rear end 111 of the feeder 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanori Yonemitsu, Tomokazu Ohnuki
  • Publication number: 20120175454
    Abstract: A tape cassette is provided with a cassette case, a tape, a tape discharge portion, a first indicator portion, a first indicator member and a first attachment portion. The cassette case includes a bottom case and a top case. The tape is a print medium. The tape discharge portion discharges the tape from the cassette case. The first indicator portion includes at least one indicator hole and indicates a type of the tape. The first indicator member is provided with the first indicator portion. The first attachment portion is provided on an upstream side of the tape discharge portion and to which the first indicator member is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kengo NODA
  • Publication number: 20120104141
    Abstract: A towel dispenser includes a housing for receiving toweling. The housing includes a main body; a loading door that is configured to rotate relative to the main body between a closed position and an open position; and a guide system that includes a first roller attached to the main body and a second roller attached to the loading door. The towel dispenser may include a motor for driving dispensing of the toweling from the housing and an associated sensor. The towel dispenser can be mounted to an underside of a cabinet. In an aspect, the front wall of the main body and a lip of the loading door collectively define a gap to which the guiding system guides the toweling and through which towels are dispensed when the loading door is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: William Bryant Troutman, William Bryant Troutman, II
  • Publication number: 20120109366
    Abstract: An automatic product dispenser determines if the roll loaded into the dispenser is approved for use with the dispenser. The core of a roll receives a plug that engages a hub within the dispenser. The plug has a feature that alters an electromagnetic field created proximate the hub. The alteration of the electromagnetic field may then be used to determine if the plug, and thus the roll, is usable with the dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Morgan J. Lowery, Gregory J. Hallingstad, Michael J. Pelland, Steven R. Reckamp
  • Publication number: 20120097785
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing feed rate variations when unwinding a web material to transport the web material away from the parent roll at a web takeoff point where the feed rate variations are induced by parent roll geometry variations. The method utilizes both calculated and measured data to make suitable adjustments in the driving speed for an out-of-round parent roll to maintain a relative constant feed rate. By dividing the parent roll into 1, 2, . . . n sectors, the data can be refined to a relatively high degree taking into account high speed data processing capabilities as well as operating system response times to make appropriate driving speed adjustments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: Paul Alan Binner, SR.
  • Publication number: 20120097788
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for reducing feed rate variations when unwinding a web material. The apparatus includes a rotational position and speed determining device for determining the rotational position and speed of the parent roll, a drive system for imparting rotational movement to the parent roll, a device for measuring the radius of the parent roll, and a logic device. The logic device generates an ideal speed reference signal and utilizes calculated and measured data to establish a corrected speed reference signal to make adjustments in the driving speed based upon the corrected speed reference signal to maintain a relatively constant feed rate. By dividing the parent roll into 1, 2, . . . n sectors, the data can be refined to a relatively high degree taking into account high speed data processing capabilities as well as operating system response times to make appropriate driving speed adjustments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: Paul Alan Binner, SR.
  • Publication number: 20120097787
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for reducing feed rate variations when unwinding a web material. The apparatus includes a rotational position and speed determining device for determining the rotational position and speed of the parent roll, a drive system for imparting rotational movement to the parent roll, a device for measuring the radius of the parent roll, and a logic device. The logic device generates an ideal speed reference signal and utilizes calculated and measured data to establish a corrected speed reference signal to make adjustments in the driving speed based upon the corrected speed reference signal to maintain a relatively constant feed rate. By dividing the parent roll into 1, 2, . . . n sectors, the data can be refined to a relatively high degree taking into account high speed data processing capabilities as well as operating system response times to make appropriate driving speed adjustments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: Paul Alan Binner, SR.
  • Publication number: 20120097786
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for reducing feed rate variations when unwinding a web material. The apparatus includes a rotational position and speed determining device for determining the rotational position and speed of the parent roll, a drive system for imparting rotational movement to the parent roll, a device for measuring the radius of the parent roll, and a logic device. The logic device generates an ideal speed reference signal and utilizes calculated and measured data to establish a corrected speed reference signal to make adjustments in the driving speed based upon the corrected speed reference signal to maintain a relatively constant feed rate. By dividing the parent roll into 1, 2, . . . n sectors, the data can be refined to a relatively high degree taking into account high speed data processing capabilities as well as operating system response times to make appropriate driving speed adjustments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: Paul Alan Binner, SR.
  • Publication number: 20120037746
    Abstract: Dispensers and dispensing systems and methods having communication abilities are provided. Various embodiments include the ability to communicate reminders and other messages to users and maintenance personnel. An embodiment of the present invention has two sensors, one for detecting when to dispense a product and the other for detecting when to communicate pre-recorded messages. Another embodiment also includes the ability to record multiple messages into the dispenser for later playback upon triggering events. Still yet other embodiments provide messages upon dispensing of product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: GEORGIA-PACIFIC CONSUMER PRODUCTS LP
    Inventors: Antonio M. Cittadino, J. Daniel Silk
  • Publication number: 20120001012
    Abstract: A TIP drive unit that calculates a cable drive torque stably is provided. In accordance with the invention, Traversing In-core Probe (TIP) drive unit includes a housing, a storage reel configured to storage the probe cable, a drive mechanism including a motor, and configured to feed the probe cable form the storage reel and spool the probe cable onto the storage reel, a motor controller configured to drive the motor at a predefined rotating speed, a processor configured to calculate a cable drive torque that is a torque necessary for moving the TIP and the probe cable by using a value of supply power necessary for driving the motor, a value of the predefined rotating speed of the motor, and a loss torque that is a torque necessary for driving the drive mechanism, and a noise filter configured to remove noise included in a signal indicating the value of the supply power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Hidehiko YASUTA, Hiromi Kato
  • Patent number: 8082828
    Abstract: A hands-free dispenser has a body and a cover connected to the body. A sensor element is attached to the body. The cover has an opening that enables the sensor to protrude through the cover and extend beyond a plane of the cover when the cover is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: SCA Tissue North America LLC
    Inventors: John S. Formon, Russell G. Wieser
  • Patent number: 8066217
    Abstract: Dispensers and dispensing systems and methods having communication abilities are provided. Various embodiments include the ability to communicate reminders and other messages to users and maintenance personnel. An embodiment of the present invention has two sensors, one for detecting when to dispense a product and the other for detecting when to communicate pre-recorded messages. Another embodiment also includes the ability to record multiple messages into the dispenser for later playback upon triggering events. Still yet other embodiments provide messages upon dispensing of product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Antonio M. Cittadino, J. Daniel Silk
  • Patent number: 8025251
    Abstract: A wire reel containing portion 3 of a reinforcing bar binding machine 1 is provided with a rotation detecting lever 8 and a photosensor 7. When a wire reel is rotated in starting to bind a wire, rotation thereof is detected by the rotation detecting lever switched ON/OFF by a projected portion formed at a side face of the wire reel, the photosensor detects a reflection mark of the wire reel to determine a kind of the wire from a number of the marks, and a twist torque or the like is controlled. Wire information is detected not in an initializing operation (in setting wire) of rotating the wire reel at low speed but in a binding operation of rotating at high speed and therefore, an amount of swinging the rotation detecting lever is large and wire information can firmly be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Nagaoka, Ichiro Kusakari
  • Patent number: 8011844
    Abstract: A printer is disclosed. The printer includes a main body which contains a paper roll container where a paper roll is loaded, a lid for closing an opening section of the main body through which opening section the paper roll is loaded in the paper roll container, a letter printing mechanism which is formed when the lid is closed, and a detecting arm disposed on a rear surface of the lid for detecting a near-end state of the paper roll. When the paper roll is loaded in the paper roll container and the lid is closed, an arm main body of the detecting arm contacts an outer circumferential surface of the paper roll. When the paper roll reaches the near-end state, the detecting arm does not contact the outer circumferential surface of the paper roll and is moved, and a switch disposed at the main body becomes OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Component Limited
    Inventors: Yuji Yada, Tetsuhiro Ishikawa, Masaru Kihara, Fumio Sakurai, Yukihiro Mori
  • Publication number: 20110205278
    Abstract: A conveying apparatus includes a holding part that holds a recording medium in the form of a roll and rotates, a clamping unit that clamps the recording medium downstream from the holding part along a conveying route, a regulating member that regulates a position of a side end of the recording medium in a width direction intersecting the conveying direction between the holding part and the clamping unit in the conveying route, a drive unit that rotatably drives the holding part in a forward direction to unwind the recording medium and a reverse direction to rewind the recording medium, and a controller that controls a drive state of the drive unit. The controller controls the drive unit so that, after the holding part is driven forward, the holding part is driven in reverse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinji HABA
  • Publication number: 20110133010
    Abstract: An automatic product dispenser determines if the roll loaded into the dispenser is approved for use with the dispenser. The core of a roll contains a feature that alters an electromagnetic field created proximate the core. The alteration of the electromagnetic field may then be used to determine if the core, and thus the roll, is usable with the dispenser. The feature is designed such that it is damaged once product is completely dispensed from the roll thereby preventing replenishment and reuse of a spent roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Mike J. Pelland, Steve Reckamp
  • Patent number: 7946522
    Abstract: An electronic dispenser for dispensing a measured sheet from a roll of web material includes a passive, self-discharging static charge dissipating material configured with at least one component of the dispenser that stores static charge generated by operation of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Lewis, Paul Tramontina