By Use Of Photocell Condition Sensor Patents (Class 493/10)
  • Patent number: 10576707
    Abstract: A jam-sensing method for a dunnage conversion machine includes the following steps: (a) converting a stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage material having characteristics that vary along the length of the dunnage material; (b) sensing the characteristics of the dunnage material; (c) generating a signal that varies as a function of the sensed characteristics; (d) monitoring the generated signal over time; and (e) generating a control signal when variation in the generated signal within a predetermined period is less than a predetermined amount, which would indicate a lack of movement of the material. This control signal can used to shut down the conversion process, thereby minimizing the extent of the jam condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Park, Roger G. Fischer
  • Patent number: 9884453
    Abstract: A dual roll fabric welding or seaming machine is configured to seam pieces of sheet material to one another as the pieces move downstream. The machine includes modular gantries and various actor devices which may be readily mounted on any of the gantries to interact with the moving sheet material to achieve various functions, such as seaming pieces of sheet material together, forming hems, applying grommets to the sheet material, printing on the sheet material, connecting reinforcement strips or ropes to the sheet material and cutting the sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Miller Weldmaster Corporation
    Inventor: Brent G. Nussbaum
  • Publication number: 20150133281
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus according to the embodiment has an inspection section to inspect a sheet, a cutting section to cut a sheet in accordance with a result of the inspection by the inspection section, a shape sensor arranged between the inspection section and the cutting section, to detect a shape of the sheet which has entered the cutting section, and a detecting section to detect the number of the sheets which have entered the cutting section, based on the shape of the sheet detected by the shape sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Kenichi Hirose
  • Patent number: 8998787
    Abstract: A bag machine, and method of making bags, has a sealing station a perforating station, and a downstream seal and perforation inspection station, or a perforation detection station and/or a seal inspection station is disclosed. Control of the perforating and sealing stations is preferably closed loop. The seal and perforation inspection station preferably includes a perforation detector that triggers a vision system and/or a camera, and the film is illuminated. Preferably, the inspection station is enclosed in an opaque housing, or the ambient light is otherwise blocked. The seal and perforation inspection station preferably provides an image output a display visible to a user. The vision system preferably includes a perforation location module and/or determines the distance between the seal and perforation. A downstream processing station can be provided, and can have a detected fault input, connected to a fault detect output from the seal and perforation inspection station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: CMD Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Selle, Gordon M. Breier, David G. Kuchenbecker, Gregory T. Prellwitz
  • Patent number: 8677721
    Abstract: An apparatus for marking plastic containers, comprising a marking device which applies a marking to the containers and a checking device in the form a temperature-sensitive sensor which checks for the presence of the marking on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Stefan Piana
  • Patent number: 8323162
    Abstract: An inclined position of a product, leaving a nip between two folding rollers of a longitudinal folding machine, is corrected. The product is pressed into the nip between the rollers by a folding blade that can be moved up and down relative to a folding table. The product thus leaves the nip between the rollers and is transported in a direction of transport. The time of passage of a leading or a trailing edge of a product is detected at two measurement points which are spaced apart from each other and which are arranged transversely to the direction of transport of the product to be folded. Based on the times of passage that are detected by the two measurement points, and on commutation and/or data processing techniques, a deviation between a time offset detected during the passage of the corresponding product edge at the two measurement points, and a nominal time offset, is determined and analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus Wilhelm Decker, Klaus Friederich, Christof Horst Höger, Holger Ratz, Gerd Weiler
  • Patent number: 8241195
    Abstract: A folder gluer for conveying a cardboard sheet and folding up the cardboard sheet from a deployed state thereof is disclosed. The folder gluer comprises two flat belts including a first belt and a second belt arranged in parallel for conveying a cardboard sheet, two pulleys provided at a starting part or a terminal part in a conveying direction of the folder gluer for respectively driving the first and second flat belts by friction forces, two motors for respectively driving the pulley for the first belt and the pulley for the second belt, a sensor device for respectively detecting the speeds of the first belt and the second belt, and a control device for controlling at least one of the two motors such that a difference in the speeds of the first belt and the second belt detected by the sensor device becomes zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Isowa
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamazaki, Hisashi Hayashi, Hidenori Kokubo
  • Patent number: 7866122
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for making a hard pack cigarette package composed of a transparent material that includes an inner frame that is also composed of a transparent material. The package is assembled using a hot-melt adhesive material to bind the package together as well as to bind the inner frame insert and a foil wrapped assemblage of smoking articles to the package. The hot-melt adhesive material is applied by an electronically controlled hot-melt adhesive applicator working in conjunction with a uniform contrast roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jerry Wayne Pipes, Wesley Steven Jones, Randy Lee McKnight
  • Patent number: 7645979
    Abstract: Apparatus for buffering of a web feed system using feedback based on the amount, or extent, of loop of the web within a buffering module. The extent of the loop is measured optically. An opaque extensor is inserted within the loop to mark the extent of the loop so as to enable the optical sensor to work accurately even if the web is transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ziv Rozenblum, Erez Segal, Haim Belinkov
  • Publication number: 20090291814
    Abstract: A creasing machine (1) for forming creases in sheets (11) of flexible material, said creasing machine (1) including a creasing mechanism (5), a transport mechanism (3) for transporting sheets (11) of material through the creasing mechanism, and a control system (7) for controlling operation of the creasing mechanism (5) and the transport mechanism (3), said creasing mechanism (3) including first and second creasing members (25,27) and a drive mechanism (28) for driving the creasing members (25,27), wherein the creasing members (25,27) are arranged to move in the direction of movement of the sheet (11) and at least one of said creasing members (25,27) is moveable towards the other creasing member (25,27) to produce a crease in a sheet (11) located between those members (25,27), and wherein the control system (7) is arranged to substantially match the speed of movement of the creasing members (25,27) with the speed of the sheet to enable the sheet to be creased while moving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Wilfred Macleod Garner, Richard John Kelley
  • Patent number: 7392631
    Abstract: A blistering machine for producing blister packs has a production line, which includes consecutively: at least one thermoforming station of a first continuous band of thermoformable material; a station for feeding the products and filling the blister band; a feeding station of a second band, feeding the second band over the blister band; a closing station, including two opposite rollers; and a cutting station, in which the blister pack band is cut into respective blister packs. A tension mechanism is situated upstream of the closing station, to cooperate with the rollers of the closing station, to perform a selected tension on at least the first band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatichie S.p.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Conti
  • Patent number: 7311647
    Abstract: A method of manufacture comprises the following steps: (a) advancing a fastener tape made of flexible thermoplastic material along a process pathway during an indexing portion of a work cycle, the fastener tape not advancing during a dwell time of the work cycle; (b) during each dwell time, deforming the fastener tape at a first fixed station situated along the process pathway; (c) transmitting light toward the fastener tape at a second fixed station while the fastener tape is advancing; and (d) photodetecting a portions of the transmitted light after some or all of the transmitted light has passed the fastener tape, the photodetected portions of the transmitted light being converted into electrical signals; wherein the distance of the fastener tape advanced in step (a) is determined in accordance with an algorithm that takes into account characteristics of electrical signals acquired in step (d) during earlier work cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Delisle, Clifton Ronald Howell, Kevin Owen
  • Patent number: 7309307
    Abstract: A device for folding flaps of box blanks having crease lines transverse to the travel direction of the blanks, for use in a folder-gluer. A rotary member is rotatable around a transverse axis and provided with at least one folding arm. A removable linking device linking to a support secured to a frame of the folder-gluer. An adjusting device adjusts the position of the folding arm with respect to the support. A motor drives the rotary member. A synchronization device of the motor comprises an encoder in desmodromic connection with a drive mechanism for driving the box blanks in the drive direction and a detector of the passage past a reference position of the box blanks on the folder-gluer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Bobst S.A.
    Inventors: Michel Baenninger, Pierre Regazzoni
  • Patent number: 7108648
    Abstract: A bundled sheet processing apparatus has a chute unit tilting between the first and second positions. A downstream side in the chute unit conveying direction, there is provided a stopper that has the contact surface narrower than the thickness of a bundle and stops the bundle by contacting the end of the bundle in the conveying direction with the contact surface. At this time, sheets protruding beyond the contact surface are detected by a detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masakazu Itoya, Hiroyuki Kamiyama
  • Patent number: 7100345
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for positioning webs of film of a packaging device, according to which goods are introduced into a first web of film in troughs, a second web of film is withdrawn from a supply of web against the resistance of a brake and is placed on the first web of film and interlinked with the same, the advance of the second web downstream of the supply of web being detected by a first optical recognition means. In order to exactly position the two films one on the other, a second recognition means is provided that detects any dimensional errors, thereby changing the position of the first recognition means relative to the direction of conveyance of the second web of film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: CFS Germany GmbH
    Inventor: Dietmar Send
  • Patent number: 7033310
    Abstract: A unit (1) for processing a web (2) of packaging material, and having at least a first station (3) for forming a number of through holes (4) in the web (2); a second station (6) for sealing the holes by applying respective opening devices (7, 8); a feed device (10) for step feeding the web (2) along a path (P) through the first and second station (3, 6); a position sensor (21) generating a presence signal (S) indicating the passage, past the sensor (21), of reference elements (C; 4) carried by the web (2) and bearing a predetermined relationship with the holes (4); a control device (20) for controlling the feed device (10) in response to the presence signal (S); and actuating means (22) cooperating with the second station (6) to move the second station in a direction parallel to said path (P), and activated by the control device (20) to adjust the position of the second station (6) as a function of the presence signal (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Omar Succi, Sebastian Heinonen, Remo Amadei
  • Patent number: 6935998
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for analyzing the accuracy of a fold (3) which is produced via a folding apparatus for printed products. In the process, with the printed products (1) being shingled, sensors (4) detect the position of the fold with respect to markings (5) which are printed onto the printed product, the folding accuracy and other quantities connected therewith being determined therefrom with the aid of computers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Goss International Americas, Inc.
    Inventor: Alain Silvestre
  • Patent number: 6905449
    Abstract: A bundled sheet processing apparatus has a chute unit tilting between the first and second positions. A downstream side in the chute unit conveying direction, there is provided a stopper that has the contact surface narrower than the thickness of a bundle and stops the bundle by contacting the end of the bundle in the conveying direction with the contact surface. At this time, sheets protruding beyond the contact surface are detected by a detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masakazu Itoya, Hiroyuki Kamiyama
  • Patent number: 6820399
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for positioning webs of film of a packaging device, according to which goods are introduced into a first web of film in troughs, a second web of film is withdrawn from a supply of web against the resistance of a brake and is placed on the first web of film and interlinked with the same, the advance of the second web downstream of the supply of web being detected by a first optical recognition means. In order to exactly position the two films one on the other, a second recognition means is provided that detects any dimensional errors, thereby changing the position of the first recognition means relative to the direction of conveyance of the second web of film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: CFS Germany GmbH
    Inventor: Dietmar Send
  • Patent number: 6813867
    Abstract: Method of and apparatus for threading of a wrapper end (31) from a wrapper roll (3) to a nip between wrapper proportioning drawing rolls (11, 15) in a wrapping station for wrapping paper rolls, board rolls and pulp rolls, in which the prepared wrapped roll (3) is rotated in a use station in the direction opposite to the wrapper feeding direction in such way that the wrapper end (31) falls on a wrapper feeding table (10). The wrapper end (31) that has fallen on the wrapper feeding table (10) is indicated and the rotating motion or the wrapper roll is stopped when the wrapper end (31) has been detected. Now the roll (3) is rotated in the wrapper feeding direction, until the wrapper end (31) passes an indicator placed after the drawings rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Risto Forsström, Eero Mielonen
  • Patent number: 6773384
    Abstract: A machine for treating sheets, said machine comprising drive means (14, 16, 18) for driving the sheets, treatment tooling (52, 62) for forming cutouts or folds in said sheets that extend transversely to the drive direction (F) in which the sheets are driven. The treatment tooling is carried by at least one carrier shaft (52, 62) driven by a shaft motor (M52, M62). The sheets are driven at a substantially constant drive speed through the machine, and said machine further comprises a control unit (UC) which, as a function of said drive speed, and of information relating to the position of a sheet in the machine, control the shaft motor (M52, M62) such that, for treating said sheet, the tooling is in contact with a predetermined region of the sheet and is driven at a treatment speed whose tangential component is equal to the drive speed at which the sheet is driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Rapidex S.M.
    Inventors: Bernard Guiot, Philippe Vallee
  • Publication number: 20040005974
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing discrete articles from a material web using a cyclic master reference signal to synchronize the servo actuation of multiple operational units in a manufacturing apparatus to perform periodic operations on successive product segments of the material web and thereby form the articles, without the need for ongoing external phasing or registration to maintain synchronization of the operational units relative to the articles being made. The method is particularly suited for application in the manufacture of disposable absorbent articles and other products formed from web materials. Because of the coordination by a common reference signal, the execution by each of the individual servo systems of its programmed actuation instructions results in its actuation being synchronous with that of the other servo systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Lamping, Mark Wayne Morrow
  • Patent number: 6547707
    Abstract: In some process contexts it is desirable to maintain a constant strain on the web instead of constant tension. The novel system measures the caliper of the web material and adjusts the tension to achieve the desired constant strain. The caliper may be measured by monitoring the radius of the expiring web reel in connection with the angular position of the reel. The web caliper is input into a control scheme that includes an algorithm determining the appropriate tension to applied to the web in accordance with its caliper. The control scheme outputs a variable force command to a dynamic dancer which adjusts the web tension and thus sets the constant web strain. The variable force may be injected via an air cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, a spring with a dynamic ground, or an electromagnetically driven actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Kevin Lauren Cote
  • Patent number: 6419616
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for making a looped label and accumulating labels in a stack. An intermediate portion of the label is inserted into the nip of a pair of rotating rolls which fold or loop the label into two side-by-side or face-to-face label portions. The looped label is transported between the nip of a pair of pressing rolls which press or iron the label at the fold line while the label is stationary between the rolls to maintain the label in the folded condition. From there the label is passed into a stacker in which successively looped labels are stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Paxar Corporation
    Inventor: Donald A. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6352497
    Abstract: This invention pertains to methods of checking for successful removal of trim material from trim areas disposed at periodic intervals along a web in a processing line. Marking material is marked, optionally as reference marks or reference images on the trim material pieces. Trim material is severed and removed to develop cut-outs at the trim areas. After removing the trim material, the method senses for the marking material at and adjacent the trim areas. The method thus detects marking material on trim material pieces which are not successfully removed from the web. In preferred embodiments, the web, outside the trim areas, is free from the specific marking material used for the reference marks or reference images. The marking material is preferably detectable, using a suitable sensor, independently of visible light emanating from, or reflected from, the marking material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Leo Hensley, Tanakon Ungpiyakul
  • Patent number: 6340343
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing foil bags, wherein two foils are supplied for forming the side walls of the foil bag, wherein furthermore a bottom foil is supplied to have holes punched thereinto, said holes being spaced apart in the supply direction of the bottom foil at a distance corresponding to the width of a foil bag, wherein a measurement is carried out during the supply process for determining whether punched holes have been produced, and wherein subsequently the side foils and the bottom foil are placed one upon the other and connected to each other, and the foil layer sequence is then cut to form individual foil bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Indag GmbH & Co. Betriebs-KG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Wild, Eberhard Kraft
  • Patent number: 6319182
    Abstract: Devices used in making bags or otherwise carrying out operations on a web of material, such as a plastic web are repositioned based upon a measure of the repeat length of the intermittent advance of the web and comparison of the actual value of that advance with a setpoint value and in accordance with the product of the resulting error and the position of the device along the path of the web. The repositioning can use a positive coupling between a motor on the device and the path either via a rack and pinion for a spindle and nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Lemo Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Jakob Schneider
  • Patent number: 6203481
    Abstract: A cushioning conversion network includes a supervisory controller linked to a plurality of cushioning conversion machines which convert sheet-like stock material into a dunnage product, each machine including a controller for controlling the operation of the machine in accordance with instructions received from the supervisory controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp.
    Inventors: James Harding, Richard O. Ratzel
  • Patent number: 6080094
    Abstract: A printed advertising device is formed by folding a sheet to form a wrapper. The wrapper may enclose a variety of enclosures such as product samples or order forms. The enclosures are retained within the advertising device by a novel arrangement that is required to be opened in steps requiring involvement and participation by a user and building anticipation. The advertising device is created by several manipulations of a web, such as folding and applying adhesive using web printing equipment. The advertising device may be a mailing device, a magazine insert or a stand-alone circular. insert or a stand-along circular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Sleepeck Printing Company
    Inventor: Ake L. Dahlquist
  • Patent number: 6059705
    Abstract: A paperboard blank processing apparatus including a rotatably mounted processing head for operating upon successive paperboard blanks is disclosed. A paperboard blank registration sensor is provided upstream from the processing head for detecting a preprinted registration mark on a surface of an approaching paperboard blank. A controller is responsive to the registration sensor for determining whether the approaching paperboard blank is in proper registration with the rotary processing head. A registration correction window is defined by the controller and includes upper and lower limits defining upper and lower maximum correction values for bringing the angular position of the processing head into proper register with the linear position of the approaching paperboard blank. The controller further defines an averaging window containing the registration correction window wherein the registration correction window may be shifted within the averaging window in response to consistent registration errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: United Container Machinery, Inc.
    Inventors: Meyer L. Ruthenberg, Douglas H. Silate, Barry E. Larkin
  • Patent number: 6038836
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for producing packs and for transporting blanks (10), for producing the packs, along a conveying path (11). For the purpose of monitoring and/or for the optoelectronic sensing of the blanks (10), monitoring elements (15) with sensors (16, 17) are arranged in the region of the conveying path (11). The blanks (10) are guided in the region of the monitoring element (15) such that the blanks (10) are moved beyond at least one of the sensors (16, 17) with sliding abutment, in order for the sensor to be cleaned constantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Martin Stiller
  • Patent number: 5816990
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for producing discrete packages which can be individually varied in length so that they can be used for packaging articles such as cuts of meat which vary in length. The apparatus comprises drive rolls for feeding a flat tube of plastics packaging material through a cut off device. The apparatus may also comprise a heat sealing device (to form the tube into a bag) and a blower head combined with a suction device which opens the leading portion of the bag to facilitate the placing of an article in the bag. A proximity sensor is provided adjacent the cut off device and immobilises the drive rolls when it detects the arrival of a leading portion. In one form of the apparatus the sensor is mounted on a movable carriage which can be quickly moved by hand or by a ram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Machinery Developments Limited
    Inventor: Richard Archer Melville
  • Patent number: 5816994
    Abstract: A box blank forming apparatus includes at least one printing assembly, a slotting assembly, and a feeding and conveying mechanism for feeding blanks through the apparatus. The printing assembly includes a rotatable printing cylinder, and the slotting assembly includes a rotatable blade. The feeding and conveying mechanism brings the blanks into contact with the printing cylinder and the slotter blade to complete printing and slotting operations on the blanks in the formation of boxes. An interrupter is provided in association with the printing assembly for removing the blanks from contact with the printing cylinder, and similar structure can also be provided with the slotting assembly for removing the blanks from contact with the slotter blade. A controller is provided for controlling operation of the interrupter of the printing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Lawrence Paper Company
    Inventors: Alan M. Hill, William R. Meeks
  • Patent number: 5807222
    Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a bag making machine including feeding means for feeding two or more superposed layers of plastic film longitudinally thereof and intermittently for a length, the layers of plastic film having void area means such as notch hole means, and a cutter for cutting the layers of plastic film crossly thereof along a line predetermined with respect to the void area means whenever feeding the layers of plastic film are temporarily stopped, to thereby successively make plastic bags. A detector is disposed near the cutter for recognizing the contour of the void area means as an image data immediately before or when the layers of plastic film are temporarily stopped. A computer is connected to the detector for calculating the difference between the position of the predetermined line of the layers and the position of the cutting edge means of the cutter in accordance with the image data of the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Totani Giken Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mikio Totani
  • Patent number: 5772565
    Abstract: A seal assembly for packaging machines facilitates the heat sealing of layers of material at the mouth of loaded bags. An operator may insert the layers of material between a pressure pad and a seal member positioned in a spaced position. Upon activation of a switch by the operator, an oscillating signal is applied to a solenoid to actuate movement of the pressure pad toward the seal member with a relatively soft force. An optical sensor senses when the pressure pad moves within a predetermined distance from the seal member and generates a sensor signal. In response to the sensor signal, a relatively constant voltage signal is applied to the solenoid to actuate movement of the pressure pad with a relatively high seal or clamping force to secure the layers of material against the seal member. The sensor signal also triggers energization of a heating element carried by the seal member to effectuate the heat seal between the layers of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald R. Weyandt
  • Patent number: 5618252
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for producing discrete packages which can be individually varied in length so that they can be used for packaging articles such as cuts of meat which vary in length. The apparatus comprises drive rolls for feeding a flat tube of plastics packaging material through a cut off device. The apparatus may also comprise a heat sealing device (to form the tube into a bag) and a blower head combined with a suction device which opens the leading portion of the bag to facilitate the placing of an article in the bag. A proximity sensor is provided adjacent the cut off device and immobilizes the drive rolls when it detects the arrival of a loading portion. In one form of the apparatus the sensor is mounted on a movable carriage which can be quickly moved by hand or by a ram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Machinery Developments Limited
    Inventor: Richard A. Melville
  • Patent number: 5540802
    Abstract: An apparatus for heat sealing two superposed layers of plastic film, in which movable sealing bar means are disposed opposite to fixed sealing bar means so that the layers of the plastic film are intermittently passed between the movable and fixed sealing bar means. The movable sealing bar means is reciprocatingly moved whenever the plastic film layers are intermittently fed. The layers of plastic film are sandwiched between and heat sealed by the movable and fixed sealing bar means when temporarily stopped. The feeding speed for the layers of plastic film, the feeding time for the layers of plastic film, the driving speeds of the movable sealing bar drive means and the heat sealing time for the layers of plastic film are computer controlled. The computer is programmed so that a waiting time can be inserted between the plastic film feeding time and the plastic film heat sealing time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Totani Giken Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mikio Totani
  • Patent number: 5372569
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately positioning a plurality of slotted boxes which are in a flat collapsed state, in a magazine of a box erector. The box erector handles and sets up the boxes into a position having an open top for subsequently receiving items therein while moving bottom closure flaps into a generally closed position. A laser unit is mounted adjacent a box supply loading magazine of the box erector and projects a beam of light against a box placed in the magazine. The magazine then is adjusted until the fixed light beam strikes a predetermined location on the box, preferably the end of a slot formed between adjacent major and minor flaps of the box. This light beam strike location correlates with a location at an unfold station of the erector which receives a bottom corner of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: IMBX Corporation
    Inventor: Pete Ballos, III
  • Patent number: 5369938
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for manufacturing a single piece multi-purpose box from a board blank and a wrap. The process includes using an in-line scanner to align a board blank with a printed wrap along pre-cut notches so that the board blank and wrap may be wrapped together and folded once aligned, without additional cutting and without leaving any rough edges along the spine. This improved process is faster, by removing the cutting step, and is cleaner, by leaving no rough edges, than the processes previously known in the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: AGI Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Panveno, Dean Henkel
  • Patent number: 5335570
    Abstract: An automatic pipe cutting device chiefly cuts a metal pipe of small thickness. This pipe cutting device has a pipe fixing element for clamping and releasing the pipe and a pipe cutter incorporating cutting bits. A pipe cutting length adjuster means with a limit switch and an optical sensor and a pipe discharger are also provided. The pipe cutting device can automatically adjust the cutting length of the pipe, the fixing, the cutting and the discharging of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Hankook Metal Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-Ho Ro
  • Patent number: 5290385
    Abstract: Pressure sealing of business forms is effected utilizing first and second sets of (preferably narrow-width) rollers forming first and second nips which provide a sealing force to business forms passing between them. The first set of rollers are rotatable about first and second axes, typically horizontal, while the second set of rollers are rotatable about third and fourth axes. The third and fourth axes are substantially perpendicular to the first and second axes, and may be horizontal or vertical. The first set is typically provided above the second set, and a conveyor may be provided for conveying forms which drop from the first set into operative association with the second set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Moore Business Forms, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Downing, Daniel F. Pustelnik
  • Patent number: 5152734
    Abstract: Apparatus for a paper box folding machine for folding the trailing panels of carton blanks about fold lines as the blanks travel individually and successively along a paper line. A servomotor running continuously at a relatively constant nominal angular velocity drives the input shaft to an indexer that controls, for each position of its input shaft, the angular position of its output shaft. The indexer converts continuous input from the servomotor to discontinuous motion of its output shaft. The output shaft lies below and transverse to a paper line. Radially extending fingers mounted on the output shaft are positioned below a trailing panel as the carton blank passes. The indexing means output shaft and fingers rotate rapidly so the fingers engage and fold the trailing panel and then dwell to allow the blank to exit the apparatus. Then the shaft and fingers move below the paper line to allow another blank to enter and rotate to engage a next blank in sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: International Paper Box Machine Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh A. McAdam, III, Jeffrey C. Lindberg, Paul Burnside
  • Patent number: 4943270
    Abstract: A print cutter suitable for use in an order finishing station or as a stand-alone unit includes a reel mount for accepting a reel of photographic prints formed in a continuous web. An automatic threader threads the leading end of the web through a loop guide into the first set of drive rollers. A leading end sensor senses the leading end of the web as it is automatically threaded through the loop guide to stop the threading process when the leading end of the web reaches the feed rollers. The same sensor is utilized to monitor the size of the loop of the print web present in the loop guide and to feed additional prints from the reel into the loop guide as required to maintain predetermined loop size. An accurate measure of print length is maintained by feeding the prints to the cutter using a roller pair including a nondeformable roller engaged with the undersurface of the prints and a deformable roller engaging the upper surface of the prints. The nondeformable roller is driven by a stepper motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: CX Corporation
    Inventor: Allen E. Fleckenstein
  • Patent number: 4826475
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine for sealing material in sheets, which have been pre-coated with beads of glue affected by heat, preferably electronically printed toner beads, the beads coming into engagement with each other after folding the sheet into such as the configuration of an envelope or the like, the sheet then being advanced into the machine for adhering the beads to each other. In accordance with the invention, the machine includes a first sealing zone (12) and a second sealing zone (13), which are arranged at 90.degree. to each other with advancing means (36,38, 34,47) for conveying the respective sheet through the sealing zones, each sealing zone having one or more pairs of rotationally driven sealing discs (14,15,18,19,23,26). Each pair of sealing discs includes a first disc (14,15,23) heated by heating means, and a second, preferably freely rotating, disc (18,19,26) engaging against the first disc with a pre-settable pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Inventor: Knut K. H. Eweryd
  • Patent number: 4810239
    Abstract: A forms jam detector for a high-speed line printer having control electronics, a forms guide and a pair of paddlewheel assemblies for fan-folding continuous paper forms fed from the forms guide in a stack within a forms stacker assembly of the printer includes an emitter for projecting a beam of electromagnetic radiation, a receiver coupled to the control electronics and adapted to receive the projected beam, and a member for interposing between the emitter and the receiver. When a jam causes a portion of the paper forms to be forced upwardly from the stack, that portion urges the interposing member upward also to block the projected beam and disable the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Moss
  • Patent number: 4747813
    Abstract: A device for folding a rear flap on a box blank characterized by the rotating members and their shaft being mounted in a cradle which is shifted in the frame relative to the path of the blank having the flap being folded. The shifting of the cradle is controlled by a stepping motor. The rotation of the folding members, as well as the position of the drive shaft for the folding members is controlled in accordance to the position of a hitting point of contact for the ends of the hook members with the flap relative to the creasing line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Bobst SA
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Genoud, Ivan Vaclavik
  • Patent number: 4731047
    Abstract: An apparatus for the production of frames for filters from a continuing reel of framestock, each frame having a given length and width determined by a preset cutting and corner notching function and each frame having a prefolded cross section or a pinched cross section, said frames made to accommodate filter material of the type normally used to filter air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: A. G. Custom Machine Co. Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Lobb
  • Patent number: 4723488
    Abstract: An impression cylinder (11) and a blanket cylinder (2) are made in contact with/separated from each other at prescribed timing. Continuous paper (12) inserted between the impression cylinder (11) and the blanket cylinder (2) is intermittently fed in association with the said timing for printing. A pin feed tractor (13) arranged on an inlet side of a printing position forward/reversely feeds and stops the continuous paper (12) at timing previously set in relation to the said timing for contact/separation. A suction conveyer (14) arranged on an outlet side of the printing position sucks and conveys the printed continuous paper (12) while switching its suction force in plural of stages in relation to the said paper feeding timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Inouye, Kouzou Tameno, Kosuke Yotsuzuka, Hiroshi Yamada, Yuzo Imabori
  • Patent number: 4715846
    Abstract: A trailing panel folding system for use in a blank folding machine. The system includes a rotatable shaft mounted below the pass path of the blanks and transverse thereto. A motor is connected to drive this shaft and an arm assembly is mounted on the shaft and includes an arm extending away from the shaft and a folding head for folding a trailing panel of a blank. An encoder is interconnected with the drive means to provide a pulsed output related to the velocity at which the blanks are moving along the path, and a blank sensor provides a trailing edge signal when the trailing edge of the sensed blank leaves the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Post Machinery, Inc.
    Inventor: Chet Zak
  • Patent number: 4680023
    Abstract: Apparatus for making paper receptacles includes a magazine fed rotary turret receptacle forming machine having a magazine defined by a plurality of spaced apart and upwardly extending magazine rods. An independently operable blanking machine continuously supplies receptacle blanks to the forming machine and includes a die set and a plurality of spaced apart guide rods which depend from the die set and form an upward extension of the magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: Sherwood Tool, Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard F. Varano