Inflatable Bladder Patents (Class 242/571.1)
  • Patent number: 12214981
    Abstract: Method for producing logs (B1, B2) of continuous thin products, or web products, in optimized manner by tracking defects in the surface and/or in the thickness detected on the products, comprising •—a step of continuously winding a thin product (T) into logs (B1, B2) on a winding machine, in order to produce at least one primary log, •—a step of identifying any defects in the surface and/or the thickness of said continuous thin product, •—a step of storing in a database system (31), outside the primary log, information related to said defects comprising at least the position of said defects with respect to a reference system associated with the primary log, •—a step of assigning a primary ID code to said primary log, •—a step of marking said primary log with said primary code, •—a step of associating, in said database system (31), information on said defects with the primary ID code of the primary log, so that, in said database, to a given primary ID code information are associated related to defects in the s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: ITALIA TECHNOLOGY ALLIANCE S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giovanni Puccioni, Francesco Vergentini
  • Patent number: 11407193
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a web inflation and sealing apparatus. The device may include a support member for holding a supply of web material and sealing apparatus may include an inflation and a sealing assembly operable to inflate the web material with a fluid by directing the fluid between superimposed plies of the web material and to seal the plies together to seal the fluid therein. The apparatus may include a guide member positioned between the support member and the inflation and sealing assembly such that when the web material is routed from the supply toward the inflation and sealing assembly via the guide member the web material follows a curved longitudinal path. The guide member may define a web-supporting surface extending transversely to the longitudinal path with an elevated profile portion defining at least a portion of the web-supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Wetsch, Stephen J. Milchuck
  • Patent number: 10745229
    Abstract: A method of converting a plurality of coreless roll products includes providing a first support structure and winding a paper product around the first support structure. The method also includes cutting through the paper product and the first support structure to form a plurality of cut portions of the paper product each wound around a cut portion of the first support structure. The method further includes removing the cut portion of the first support structure from each of the cut portions of the paper product to form a plurality of coreless roll products each comprising a center aperture. A method of preparing a coreless roll product for storage or shipment includes providing a coreless roll product comprising a center aperture and inserting a temporary support device into the center aperture of the coreless roll product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Trainer, Jr., Thomas I. Stafford, III, Richard J. Bigari
  • Patent number: 10633220
    Abstract: A monitoring system for pneumatic shafts and pneumatic shaft adapters. A sensor assembly is physically joined in operative engagement with the bladders of pneumatic shafts and adapters. Sensed data is wirelessly transmitted to a remote receiver for processing and display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Van Deurse, Greg Sandford
  • Patent number: 10400803
    Abstract: A friction connecting means includes a receiving element and engagement elements. The receiving element has a pressure pocket provided with a carbon fiber composite material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: COREBON AB
    Inventors: Tobias Björnhov, Rasmus Olsson, Adam Nilsson
  • Patent number: 10376467
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for reconstitution of a solid form of a pharmaceutical composition, comprising the following successive steps: (i) providing the solid form of the pharmaceutical composition in a sealed container, the pressure within the container being an initial pressure (pi,) comprised between 0.5 Pa and 1.2×105 Pa; (ii) at a first time point (t0) introducing the solvent into said sealed container and maintaining the resulting pressure (pr) within the container during a controlled time ?t1; and (iii) at a second time point (t2) increasing the pressure within the container to a controlled pressure (p2) higher than said resulting pressure (pr) until complete reconstitution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Inventor: Xavier Payet-Burin
  • Patent number: 9873144
    Abstract: A reel for winding metal strip, in particular rolled hot strip, having a mandrel shaft (2), which has a first shaft end piece (18), which is rotably mounted by means of at least one bearing (4) provided in the machine frame (3) of the reel, a clamping device (5) arranged between the at least one bearing (4) and the mandrel shaft (2), such that, in a clamped operating state, a frictional connection can be produced between the at least one bearing (4) and the mandrel shaft (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: PRIMETALS TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA GMBH
    Inventors: Pascal Ostheimer, Juergen Schiefer
  • Patent number: 9694928
    Abstract: A labelling machine comprising a supply spool support (12) adapted to receive a supply spool (28), a takeup spool support (14) adapted to form a takeup spool (32) of web (30) from which at least some labels (74) have been removed, a motor (40) arranged to turn the takeup spool, and a controller to control operation of the motor. A web path (16) is defined between the supply spool and the take-up spool, and the controller is arranged to control the motor to turn the take-up spool so as to cause controlled predetermined linear movement of a web along the web path and onto the take-up spool, furthermore comprising a sensor (50) operable to sense linear displacement of the web and/or displacement of the web in a direction other than the direction of the web, a printer (34) movable between a first position and a second position, and a separator surface (24) comprising a first portion inclined relative to the web path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Videojet Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Martin McNestry
  • Patent number: 9551368
    Abstract: Spooling machine including two side frames spaced at a horizontal distance by a telescopic spacer beam, each frame having a pintle on supports for bearing a drum for cable pipe or hose, the telescopic spacer beam including at least one outer tube and at least one inner tube, which are slidably and telescopically one inside the other, and a locking device positioned between the outer tube and the inner tube for locking the outer and inner tube in adjustable position. The locking device includes a split part of the inner tube extending over a part of the length of the inner tube and dividing the inner tube into sections, and a force element for creating a swelling force on the split part of the inner tube to press the sections against the inner surface of the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: MAILLEFER S.A.
    Inventor: Kari Mäkelä
  • Patent number: 9085057
    Abstract: A fixture for securing a cylindrical or shell thin-walled component includes a support having one or more securing devices for securing the component to the support. The fixture also includes an inflatable pressure element which, in use, is positioned within the secured component and is adapted to press outwardly, when inflated, against a liner inserted between the pressure element and the inner thin wall of the component. The liner has one or more elastic members, which bias it against the outward expansion of the inflated pressure element. The inflated pressure element and the liner damp vibrations in the component during machining of the outer side of the thin wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Matthew Marshall, Zunmin Geng
  • Patent number: 8523099
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a coiler mandrel for coiling metal strip (110), wherein the coiler mandrel (100) comprises a mandrel body (120), a plurality of radially expandable segments (115) arranged around the mandrel body (120), and a plurality of hydraulic cylinders (116) by which the segments (115) can be moved in the radial direction. To be able to coil the metal strip with a circular coil eye even when the friction varies in the individual cylinders, the invention proposes that each cylinder (116) of the plurality of cylinders be individually controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: SMS Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Kipping, Rolf Franz
  • Patent number: 8191340
    Abstract: A mandrel for supporting a roll of flexible web material has a brake mounted thereto that can be selectively activated to apply a braking force to rotation of the roll of flexible material about the mandrel. The brake includes an inflatable bladder and a shoe, such that when the bladder is inflated the shoe is pushed into engagement with the core of the roll of flexible material. The mandrel is particularly well suited for use with a packaging machine in which a sheet of flexible material is indexed form the supply roll. Before the completion of an indexing cycle, the bladder may be inflated such that further advancement of the sheet of flexible material or rotation of the supply roll is countered and inhibited. This braking of the supply roll advantageously introduces tension to the sheet of flexible material without the use of a dancer roll arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: CP Packaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond G. Buchko
  • Patent number: 7891076
    Abstract: The process provides an expandable chuck with a variable diameter bulb having a variable wall thickness, the chuck being operatively designed to stretch the bulb to reduce its diameter for insertion into a photoreceptor pipe and upon relaxation to the compress the bulb so as to increase its diameter. The design provides a universal chuck to reduce the cost of changing to different diameter chucks in accommodating different size photoreceptors during the coating and drying process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Peter J. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 7560140
    Abstract: An apparatus for enabling the uniform application of a layer of a coating composition to a tubular substrate includes a shaft, and upper and lower circular rim members of equal diameter that are concentrically attached to the shaft. A pneumatically inflatable tube disposed on each circular rim member has an outer diameter that is variable with changes in its internal pressure. A first flexible cylindrical sheet in contact with the inflatable tubes has parallel edges that form a first slit sufficiently wide to permit movement of the first sheet in response to pressure variation in the tubes. A second flexible cylindrical sheet surrounding the first cylindrical sheet has parallel edges that form a second slit sufficiently wide to permit movement of the second sheet also in response to pressure variation. The second slit is laterally displaced from the first slit, and the second cylindrical sheet has a diameter nearly equal to the specified diameter of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jiann-Hsing Chen, Robert A. Lancaster, Nataly Boulatnikov
  • Patent number: 7523946
    Abstract: The process provides an expandable chuck with a variable diameter bulb having a variable wall thickness, the chuck being operatively designed to stretch the bulb to reduce its diameter for insertion into a photoreceptor pipe and upon relaxation to compress the bulb so as to increased diameter. The design solves provides a universal chuck to reduce the cost of changing to different diameter chucks in accommodating different size photoreceptors during the coating and drying process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Peter J. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 7481391
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide an air shaft comprising a hollow cylinder and a plurality of curved members provided on an outer surface of the hollow cylinder and between both ends thereof, wherein the curved members are adapted to move radially relative to the hollow cylinder and are spaced each other with a gap formed between any two adjacent ones of the curved members. As such, no continuous straight gaps are formed on an outer surface of the hollow cylinder while pushing the curved members. By utilizing the present invention, a web material can be wound on the air shaft directly without the need of mounting a roll on an outer surface of the air shaft, thereby eliminating the drawbacks of the prior art air shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventor: Ming-Hsiang Kuo
  • Publication number: 20080237388
    Abstract: A pressurize air differential core winding apparatus comprises core mounting outer rings rotationally slidably mounted on a corresponding inner camming ring having outer camming surfaces. A rotating drive shaft has radial displaceable buttons which are displaced radially outwardly by an inner inflatable bladder to selectively rotate the inner ring forming a clutch mechanism. Each outer ring has an annular array of slots in which are elongated rotatable gripping cylindrical rollers having arcuate edges. Each roller is resiliently urged radially inwardly by an O-ring against the camming surfaces. The camming surfaces selectively urge the rollers outwardly to grip a core about which filaments are to be wound. An array of recesses in the outer ring receive a corresponding pad of fibrous members such as the hook type fasteners available as Velcro and Velcoin brands for initially frictionally engaging and gripping a received core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: CONVERTECH, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Klinke
  • Publication number: 20080042005
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide an air shaft comprising a hollow cylinder and a plurality of curved members provided on an outer surface of the hollow cylinder and between both ends thereof, wherein the curved members are adapted to move radially relative to the hollow cylinder and are spaced each other with a gap formed between any two adjacent ones of the curved members. As such, no continuous straight gaps are formed on an outer surface of the hollow cylinder while pushing the curved members. By utilizing the present invention, a web material can be wound on the air shaft directly without the need of mounting a roll on an outer surface of the air shaft, thereby eliminating the drawbacks of the prior art air shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventor: Ming-Hsiang Kuo
  • Patent number: 7252261
    Abstract: A generally cylindrical expansible shaft includes an outer profile, and a generally cylindrical inner body having a longitudinal axis and at least one first coupling element. At least two semi-circular leaf elements may be movably coupled to the first coupling element of the inner body by means of at least one second coupling element. The leaf elements may together substantially form the outer profile of the generally cylindrical expansible shaft. At least one thrusting element may be operatively disposed between the leaf elements and the inner body to move the leaf elements radially outwards relative to the longitudinal axis to increase an outer diameter of the shaft when in a first configuration, and allow the leaf elements to move radially inwards relative to the longitudinal axis to decrease the outer diameter of the shaft when in a second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Goldenrod Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Rollins, Robert C. Smith
  • Patent number: 7147232
    Abstract: A workholding apparatus including a body and a drive member carried by the body, so that the drive member and body partially define a fluid chamber therebetween for containing a fluid. A driven member is also carried by the body and includes multiple displacement reliefs therein. An intermediate member with a displacement relief is received between the drive and driven members. The intermediate member prevents the drive member from extruding through the displacement reliefs in the driven member under fluid pressures of the fluid, thereby enabling use of the apparatus under higher performance applications that would not be possible without the intermediate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Hydra-Lock Corporation
    Inventor: Eugene R. Andre, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6883746
    Abstract: A winding device, comprising a ring-shaped holder disposed concentrically with a winding shaft, a ring-shaped slider fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the holder, and a plurality of chips disposed at angular intervals on a tapered inclined surface formed on the outer peripheral surface of the slider, wherein a fluid pressure passes through a first flow path in the winding shaft, the slider is moved in the axial direction of the winding shaft by a first piston, each chip is moved in the radial direction of the winding shaft by the inclination surface of the slider and pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the winding core so as to hold the winding core, a second piston is pressed against the end face of the holder by a second flow path independent of the first flow path, and the torque of the winding shaft is transmitted to the holder, slider, chips, and winding core by the friction between the second piston and the holder so as to rotate the winding core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Nishimura Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsumi Murachi, Hideo Miura, Takashi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6761329
    Abstract: In an apparatus and a method of producing a roll of bags, a bag feeding device is arranged to feed bags one by one to a winding device. The winding device includes a rotating spindle which is arranged to engage with each bag separately to wind the bag on it, so as to build a roll of bags in which the bags are unconnected to one another yet firmly held together. The winding device comprises at least two separate winding stations, each winding station being connected to one or more bag feeding devices; and a switch that is arranged upstream of a bag feeding device to direct the bags from one winding station to the other when a roll of bags has been completed in one of the winding stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: FAS Converting Machinery AB
    Inventors: Willy Bartels, Gert-Arne Magnusson, Thomas Holm, Thomas Leijon, Per Anders Hallin, Zoltan Darvas
  • Publication number: 20030080233
    Abstract: A roll product consists of a band-shaped web of material having a first end, a second end and a hollow cylindrical core onto which the band-shaped web of material is wound. The hollow cylindrical core has a longitudinal direction and a radial direction. The hollow cylindrical core comprises an inner surface, an outer surface, and at least one protuberance protruding outwardly from the outer surface, principally in the radial direction of the hollow cylindrical core, for mechanically and releasably engaging and holding the first end of the band-shaped web of material. The protuberance is an integral part of the hollow cylindrical core and comprises the inner surface and the outer surface of the hollow cylindrical core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Von Paleske
  • Patent number: 6513751
    Abstract: A plurality of core mounting outer ring members are each rotationally slidably mounted on a corresponding inner ring member having cam surfaces in the outer surface. A rotating drive shaft has radial pistons and rotates the inner ring member by frictional engagement of the pistons displaced by an inflatable bladder. A plurality of strips in one embodiment are between the bladder and the pistons for providing increased torque on the inner ring member. The outer ring member has a first annular array of bores with core gripping balls resiliently urged radially outwardly to grip a core receiving a winding strip thereabout. A second array of bores in the outer member receive larger core gripping balls which freely displace in the bores. Ramp camming grooves are in the outer surface of the inner ring member, the larger gripping balls are engaged with the grooves and are forced into gripping engagement with the received core when the inner ring member is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Convertech, Inc.
    Inventor: John Michel
  • Patent number: 6419183
    Abstract: An air chuck includes a deformable air bladder sleeved on and secured on a core member, and two end caps mounted respectively on two end portions of the core member. Multiple connecting rods and biasing members are disposed to surround the air bladder in a staggered arrangement, and are confined in leaf members that are disposed circumferentially around the air bladder. Inflation of an air chamber in the air bladder enables the air bladder to urge the leaf members in radial outward directions relative to a core axis such that inner wall segments of the leaf members abut against the biasing members and such that radial outward movements of the leaf members are limited by the connecting rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventor: Hsi-Tsai Chen
  • Patent number: 6402084
    Abstract: A plurality of core mounting outer ring members are each rotationally slidably mounted on a corresponding inner ring member having cam surfaces in the outer surface. A rotating drive shaft has radial pistons and rotates the inner ring member by frictional engagement of the pistons displaced by an inflatable bladder. The outer ring member has a first annular array of bores with core gripping balls resiliently urged radially outwardly to grip a core receiving a winding strip thereabout. A second array of bores in the outer member receive larger core gripping balls which freely displace in the bores. Ramp camming grooves are in the outer surface of the inner ring members, the larger gripping balls engaged with the grooves and forced into gripping engagement with the received core when the inner ring member is rotated. The spring loaded balls provide initial friction load between the core and outer ring members so that the ramp balls can operate to grip the core upon rotation of the inner ring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Convertech, Inc.
    Inventor: John Michel
  • Publication number: 20020047067
    Abstract: A plurality of core mounting outer ring members are each rotationally slidably mounted on a corresponding inner ring member having cam surfaces in the outer surface. A rotating drive shaft has radial pistons and rotates the inner ring member by frictional engagement of the pistons displaced by an inflatable bladder. A pluraltiy of strips in one embodiment are between the bladder and teh pistons for providing increased torque on the inner ring member. The outer ring member has a first annular array of bores with core gripping balls resiliently urged radially outwardly to grip a core receiving a winding strip thereabout. A second array of bores in the outer member receive larger core gripping balls which freely displace in the bores. Ramp camming grooves are in the outer surface of the inner ring member, the larger gripping balls are engaged with the grooves and are forced into gripping engagement with the received core when the inner ring member is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: Convertech, Inc.
    Inventor: John Michel
  • Patent number: 6364241
    Abstract: In an apparatus and a method of producing a roll of bags, a feeding means is arranged to feed bags one by one to a winding station. The winding station includes a rotating spindle which is arranged to engage with each bag separately to wind the bag thereon, thereby building a roll of bags in which the bags are unconnected to one another yet firmly hold together. The apparatus can be of simple construction, which provides for low costs and little wear and tear. Further, there is little risk of inflicting damage to the bags. Additionally, the flow of separate bags can be directed between several sequentially operated winding stations, thereby allowing for high production rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: FAS Converting Machinery, AB
    Inventor: Willy Bartels
  • Publication number: 20020030135
    Abstract: In an apparatus and a method of producing a roll of bags, a bag feeding device is arranged to feed bags one by one to a winding device. The winding device includes a rotating spindle which is arranged to engage with each bag separately to wind the bag on it, so as to build a roll of bags in which the bags are unconnected to one another yet firmly held together. The winding device comprises at least two separate winding stations, each winding station being connected to one or more bag feeding devices; and a switch that is arranged upstream of a bag feeding device to direct the bags from one winding station to the other when a roll of bags has been completed in one of the winding stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Willy Bartels, Gert-Arne Magnusson, Thomas Holm, Thomas Leijon, Per Anders Hallin, Zoltan Darvas
  • Patent number: 6202955
    Abstract: A method of differential rewinding includes mounting a plurality of cores on a shaft (20) formed with a plurality of apertures (21) containing ceramic balls (23) urged outwardly into engagement with the cores by means of an inflatable sleeve (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Timothy Self
  • Patent number: 6182977
    Abstract: The clamping apparatus (10) has a clamping ring (13) of an elastomer, which has a U-shaped cross section. The clamping ring (13) is seated in a recess (15) in a holding device (12) having parallel side walls. The recess (50) can be connected via a connecting line (18) to a hydraulic or pneumatic pressure source. The outside of the web part (21) of the U-profile acts as a clamping surface (24). Embedded in the area of this clamping surface is a number of clamping elements (27) made of a material of higher strength, in which at least that envelope line which faces away from the clamping surface (24) is exposed. The clamping elements (27) have the same axial extent as the clamping ring (13). One of the side walls of the recess (15) is formed by a clamping part (31), which is part of a clamping device (36) and is guided axially displaceably on the holding device (12) and is sealed off with respect to the latter by means of a circumferential seal element (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hainbuch GmbH Spannende Technik
    Inventor: Hans-Michael Weller