Continuous Material Having Indeterminate Length (e.g., Web, Strand, Strip, Or Sheet) Patents (Class 700/122)
  • Patent number: 8086538
    Abstract: A solution for metering usage of services—for example, in a SOA Framework—is proposed. For this purpose, the submission of any invocation of a provider service by a consumer service is intercepted by a license manager; a corresponding request is then submitted to a dedicated licensing service, which returns an entitlement code when the consumer service is entitled to submit the service invocation. The service invocation is decorated with this entitlement code and actually submitted to the provider service. The (decorated) service invocation addressed to the provider service is likewise intercepted by another license manager; a request is then submitted to the licensing service for verifying the received entitlement code. The running of the provider service is then enabled only if the entitlement code is correct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Salvatore D'Alo', Alessandro Donatelli, Giovanni Lanfranchi, Scot MacLellan, Antonio Perrone
  • Patent number: 8082056
    Abstract: A band is introduced into the pit entrance of a looping pit. This band is released from the looping pit at a pit exit. A segment of the band can thereby be buffered. The entrance-sided drag that exists in the band at the pit entrance is measured by an entrance-sided drag measuring device; the exit-sided drag that exists in the band at the pit exit is measured by an exit-sided drag measuring device. The values of the entrance-sided and exit-sided drags are passed to a control device. Depending on the entrance-sided and exit-sided drags, a control signal for at least one driven roller arranged between the pit entrance and exit is identified by the control device and is passed to the at least one driven roller. The band buffered in the looping pit is acted upon by the at least one driven roller according to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bertram Schulze
  • Patent number: 8078307
    Abstract: A defect testing apparatus for testing defects of optical film sheet-shaped product of an optical displaying apparatus, which includes a defect detecting means for detecting defects of a monolayer body and/or a laminate body constituting the sheet-shaped product in a state in which a protective layer on a surface of the sheet-shaped product is not disposed and defect information preparing means for preparing defect information which is information related to the defects detected by the defect detecting means, and the defect information is used for producing the sheet-shaped product provided in a roll form or in separate sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromichi Ohashi
  • Patent number: 8060234
    Abstract: There is described a method and apparatus for tracking the location of web features through a converting process, one application of which can involve tracking paper defects from a paper machine as detected by a camera system, to a winder where the sheet is wound to rolls so that the web defects can be repaired in the winder before making the rolls. The method to track web features is based on pattern identification of inherent sheet variability or defects. The apparatus involves two or more sheet property or defect monitoring web sensors arranged at the same cross directional location at different stages of the converting operation, augmented by tachometers and/or roll diameter sensors. A full automation system for drive control on the winder based on this information is preferably added to make maximum advantage of this information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignees: ABB Oy, ABB Ltd.
    Inventors: Ake Hellstrom, Tommi Huotilainen, Antti Saarela
  • Patent number: 8027747
    Abstract: A method for the register correction of a processing machine for processing a continuous material, in particular a shaftless printing press, with which the continuous material is processed by at least two processing units with at least one compensator for adjusting the length of the continuous material in the continuous material section being provided upstream of each of the at least two processing units. In order to adjust the register of a first processing unit, the length of the continuous material of the continuous material section upstream of the first processing unit is adjusted by the compensator provided in this first continuous material section. To adjust the register of the first processing unit, the length of the continuous material of the continuous material section upstream of a second processing unit is also adjusted by the compensator provided in this second continuous material section. A related processing machine carries out the inventive method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Schnabel, Stephan Schultze
  • Patent number: 8005564
    Abstract: A roll paper printing apparatus includes a transmission source identification unit to identify a transmission source of print data received from a host interface unit, a transmission source information storage unit to store the transmission source information identified by the transmission source identification unit, a transmission source information comparison unit to compare transmission source information of a preceding print job with transmission source information of a print job which is to be printed next, an uncut printed output identification unit to identify an uncut printed output, and an interrupt printing prohibition unit to prohibit printing of the print job which is to be printed next as interrupt printing if the transmission source information of the preceding print job and the transmission source information of the print job which is to be printed next are different when the uncut printed output is identified by the uncut printed output identification unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hajime Sato
  • Patent number: 8000501
    Abstract: A new method for processing image data in order to detect abnormalities in a web is provided. The web is monitored by at least one camera, whereby an image comprising of plurality of pixels is generated. The data of the image is stored in a memory. Image data is filtered by a processor by creating a filtered image data by weighting the image data and at least one of earlier image data and earlier filtered image data; and combining the weighted image data and at least one of the weighted earlier image data and the weighted earlier filtered image data; and controlling filtering by at least one nonlinear algorithm; and thresholding the created filtered image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Oy
    Inventor: Tommi Huotilainen
  • Patent number: 7974459
    Abstract: A system for the characterization of webs that permits the identification of anomalous regions on the web to be performed at a first time and place, and permits the localization and marking of actual defects to be performed at a second time and place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven P. Floeder, James A. Masterman, Carl J. Skeps
  • Patent number: 7945347
    Abstract: A printing apparatus, an associated method, and computer program of designing a floating roller in a tensioning system for a closed loop belt comprises inputting an external radius of the floating roller, a measure of elasticity of the belt, a thickness of the belt, a width of the belt, and angles over which the belt contacts the floating roller; and adjusting a mass of the floating roller and a rotational inertia of the floating roller such that the floating roller maintains a constant tension on the closed loop belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Ming Yang
  • Patent number: 7937233
    Abstract: A system for preferentially marking defects on a web is described. The system includes a web of material to be converted into individual sheets of a plurality of different grade levels, a database storing anomaly data of anomalies on the web, wherein an anomaly is a potential defect in at least one of the plurality of different grade levels, a marker that associates a unique mark with at least one of the grade levels, and a controller to retrieve the anomaly data from the database and to signal the marker as to where to make a mark, wherein the marker applies the mark associated with at least one of the grade levels for which the anomaly may cause a defect. The system may provide advantages, such as that a converter of various products from a single web roll may determine which regions of the web satisfy each grade level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven P. Floeder, James A. Masterman, Carl J. Skeps, Jason P. Smith
  • Patent number: 7930055
    Abstract: A roll paper printing apparatus includes a transmission source identification unit to identify a transmission source of print data received from a host interface unit, a transmission source information storage unit to store the transmission source information identified by the transmission source identification unit, a transmission source information comparison unit to compare transmission source information of a preceding print job with transmission source information of a print job which is to be printed next, an uncut printed output identification unit to identify an uncut printed output, and an interrupt printing prohibition unit to prohibit printing of the print job which is to be printed next as interrupt printing if the transmission source information of the preceding print job and the transmission source information of the print job which is to be printed next are different when the uncut printed output is identified by the uncut printed output identification unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hajime Sato
  • Patent number: 7908026
    Abstract: A defect testing apparatus for testing defects of optical film sheet-shaped product of an optical displaying apparatus, which includes a defect detecting means for detecting defects of a monolayer body and/or a laminate body constituting the sheet-shaped product in a state in which a protective layer on a surface of the sheet-shaped product is not disposed and defect information preparing means for preparing defect information which is information related to the defects detected by the defect detecting means, and the defect information is used for producing the sheet-shaped product provided in a roll form or in separate sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiromichi Ohashi
  • Patent number: 7875851
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates utilizing a resolution enhancement for a circuit feature. A scanning electron microscope component (104, 204, 304, 404) can provide at least one two-dimensional image of the circuit feature. An image analysis engine (106, 206, 306, 406) can analyze the two-dimensional image. An advanced process control (APC) engine (108, 208, 308, 408) can generate at least one instruction for at least one of a feed forward control and a feedback control and a process component (102, 202, 302, 402) can utilize the at least one instruction to minimize an error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Haidinyak, Jason P. Cain, Bhanwar Singh
  • Publication number: 20100280644
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining at least one controller parameter of a control element in a web tension control circuit for a processing machine for processing a web of material, in particular a shaftless printing press. The at least one controller parameter is determined as a function of at least one parameter characterizing the web of material, at least one parameter characterizing the processing machine, and at least one idle time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Holger Schnabel, Stephan Schultze, Mario Goeb
  • Patent number: 7819143
    Abstract: A reinforcing bar binder capable of certainly identifying the type of a wire reel and automatically adjusting the amount of feeding of the wire wound around the wire reel or the twisting torque on the wire is provided. The reinforcing bar binder feeds a wire while rotating a wire reel mounted in a storing chamber and binds a reinforcing bar. The storing chamber is provided with a first detecting means for detecting the amount of rotation of the wire reel and a second detecting means for detecting the number of second to-be detecting portions on the wire reel during the amount of rotation detected by the first detecting means. The binder main body is provided with controlling means for controlling the amount of feeding of the wire or the twisting torque on the wire based on the basis of the number of the second to-be-detected portions detected by the second detecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Max Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Nagaoka, Ichiro Kusakari
  • Publication number: 20100268372
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for connecting material webs disposed with overlapping edges, wherein an automatic welding machine having a driven chassis and a drive unit disposed thereon and a welding unit is guided along the overlap zone of the material webs to be connected, such that the carried welding unit connects the edges to be connected to one another. The invention further relates to an automatic welding machine for performing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Reto Zurbuchen, Ulrich Gubler
  • Publication number: 20100262273
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of pouches (30) from foil (44) or the like for bulk goods or fibrous material, preferably for tobacco (31), wherein a continuous foil web (44) and/or at least one further continuous material web (41) are guided along at least one welding station (45, 46, 47, 104), at which portions of the foil (33a) (and/or of the at least one further material (41) are welded, preferably to other portions of the foil (34a) and/or to the further material (41), in particular to parts of a multiaction sealing means (41). In this method, the foil web (44) and/or the at least one further material web (41) are guided, in particular cyclically, at least approximately in a vertical direction along the at least one welding station (45, 46, 47, 104), and/or the continuous foil web (44) and/or the at least one further material web (41) are welded, in particular cyclically, by ultrasonic welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co. KG)
    Inventors: Thomas Dose, Andreas Storcks, Hagen Geske
  • Publication number: 20100256797
    Abstract: A machine for making pods (2) containing products for infusion comprises means (3) for feeding a first web (4) of filtering paper material along a predetermined path (P), means (5) for feeding a second web (6) of filtering paper material along a predetermined path (P?), a station (7) for dispensing and successively placing individual charges (8) of product on the first web (4), and means (11) for superposing and joining the first web (4) and the second web (6) in such a way as to form a continuous succession (12) of pods (2); the machine also comprises, upstream of the dispensing station (7), relative to the path (P), means (13) for successively feeding a series of elements (14) for containing the infusion product and means (21) for forming impressions in the first web (4) and positioning the elements (14) thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: IMA FLAVOUR S.R.L.
    Inventor: Roberto Conti
  • Patent number: 7805280
    Abstract: A method for analyzing technical processes is disclosed, which is characterized in that measuring data of the technical process is generated by at least one decentralized measuring unit, image data associated with a mechanical course of the technical process is produced by at least one decentralized image detection unit, the measuring data stored in the at least one decentralized measuring unit and the image data stored in the at least one image detection unit is provided with a time stamp available to all systems, the measuring and image data are transmitted to a central detection unit where said data is displayed and/or processed in a time-synchronous manner using the time stamp function. Since time stamping is carried out directly in situ, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rupert Maier, Ralf Sykosch
  • Patent number: 7787980
    Abstract: The tension of a web in a multi-web system is regulated. At least two webs initially run through a first processing step independently of each other and are subsequently combined with each other to form one resultant web strand. The web tensions of these two initially independent webs are adjusted to each other through a first regulation process. Each of these webs has its web tension regulated on the separate web path by a dedicated second regulation process which is different from the first regulation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Harald Karl Gretsch, Reinhard Georg Groβ
  • Patent number: 7774085
    Abstract: A printing apparatus, method, and computer program of designing a floating roller in a tensioning system adapted to one of supply and receive a web of material to or from one of a web supply and a processing machine, comprising inputting external radius of said floating roller, measure of elasticity of the material, a thickness of the material, width of the material, and angles at which the material contacts the floating roller; and adjusting mass of the floating roller and rotational inertia of the floating roller based on external radius of the floating roller, measure of elasticity of the material, thickness of the material, width of the material, and angles at which the material contacts the floating roller such that the floating roller maintains a constant tension on the web of material as the material is passing through the tensioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Ming Yang
  • Patent number: 7751931
    Abstract: A design support apparatus that can easily verify the conveyance design for a flexible medium based on input design information. A transit time is calculated when a flexible medium passes a characteristic point on a conveying path based a conveying conditions that are set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Kano
  • Patent number: 7747065
    Abstract: A manufacturing process for sheet or shaped work products includes advancing the work product in a direction along a processing path; establishing a reference line with respect to the processing path; capturing visual data related to the work product; converting the visual data into a pixel array; and setting a predetermined line of pixels to correspond with the reference line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventor: Major K. Howe
  • Patent number: 7720561
    Abstract: The non-productive motion of an automatic composite tape laydown machine is optimized to increase the overall rate of the laydown. Ordering of tape courses is analyzed to determine the time required to move between courses using a time function that reflects operating characteristics and limitations of the tape laydown machine. The ordering is optimized by re-ordering, grouping and/or partitioning the tape courses so as to reduce the non-productive motion of the machine. The optimized ordering is used by a NC program that controls the operation of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Wei-Pai Tang, Brice Johnson, Daniel Edward Gonsor
  • Patent number: 7711651
    Abstract: Media and apparatus for managing usage of utilities are disclosed. Generally, each involves receiving representation of utility service usage at a load, receiving and storing in a storage device a usage range representation comprising at least one expected value of utility input to the load and/or at least one expected value of output from the load, and producing a control signal for use by a utility service controller when usage is outside of usage range representation. Control signal is operable to cause the utility service controller to regulate or interrupt the supply of the utility service to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Smart Disaster Response Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mohammad Reza Baraty
  • Patent number: 7695592
    Abstract: An image-based measurement technique that directly measures the orientation of fibers in a moving web that comprises nonwoven material measures the orientation angles of the individual fibers so that a more robust estimate of the statistical distribution of fibers is obtained. The technique includes the steps of: (a) illuminating an area on at least one side of the web with radiation; (b) obtaining at least one digital image of the illuminated area; and (c) calculating the fiber orientation of the web by processing the at least one digital image with a gradient operator thereby analyzing the distribution of observed fiber orientation angles within the image. The gradient operator is preferably of a non-integer order between ? and ? and particularly between ¼ and ¾. The use of fractional-gradient operators yields more reliable results than when integer order gradients are employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Shakespeare, Markku M. Kellomäki
  • Publication number: 20100040278
    Abstract: A system for the characterization of webs that permits the identification of anomalous regions on the web to be performed at a first time and place, and permits the localization and marking of actual defects to be performed at a second time and place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Steven P. FLOEDER, James A. Masterman, Carl J. Skeps
  • Patent number: 7623699
    Abstract: A system for the characterization of webs that permits the identification of anomalous regions on the web to be performed at a first time and place, and permits the localization and marking of actual defects to be performed at a second time and place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven P. Floeder, James A. Masterman, Carl J. Skeps
  • Patent number: 7610114
    Abstract: Raw rolls and/or sheets of flat sheet stock are charted by a processing system that generates charting patterns using constraint logic programming, that matches the charting patterns and available raw rolls and/or sheets of flat sheet stock, and that selects the optimal patterns from those matching charting patterns and available raw rolls and/or sheets using mixed integer linear programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mangesh D Kapadi, Lingathurai Palanisamy, Pragathieswaran Shanmugavelu
  • Patent number: 7610113
    Abstract: A system and method for providing operational control and/or remote monitoring of a manufacturing device as in a foam dispenser device such as a foam-in-bag dispensing device. In architecture, the remote monitoring system includes a server device containing a remote monitoring system. The remote monitoring system further includes a transceiver to receive an indication of a help condition, connect to the manufacturing device; and receive data from the manufacturing device. The present invention can also be viewed as a method for providing remote monitoring of a manufacturing device. The method operates by (1) receiving an indication of a help condition; (2) connecting to the manufacturing device; and (3) receiving data from the manufacturing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Intellipack, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Cocciadiferro, Todd Hanna, Noelle Dye
  • Patent number: 7606629
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for determining the causes of failures in industrial processes, in particular continuous processes with continuous webs, e.g. paper, textiles, plastic or metal films. Equipment and machines for industrial processes, in particular processes with continuous webs are frequently very complex combinations of drive components and automation components. As a result process failures are very difficult to detect and evaluate, among other reasons because they generally manifest themselves at different points in the equipment or machine. The present invention provides a monitoring system the monitors and measures output signals throughout the industrial process to determine if any failures will or may occur and provide data analysis to determine what caused the failure be means of the online monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Haaks, Gerd Michaelis, Christian-Marius Wegner
  • Patent number: 7542818
    Abstract: A process for achieving décor on surface elements (1) which comprises a decorative upper layer (2) and a supporting core (5). A selected main décor is entered via a terminal, the selected décor emanating from the group consisting of; an archetype digitized via digital camera or scanner and a digitized décor from a database. The dimensions of the surface to be covered by surface elements (1) and the desired dimension of the décor is entered into the terminal. Support programs is then used for calculating the segmentation of the main décor to cover more than one surface element. The result of the selections and calculations is visualised via the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Pergo (Europe) AB
    Inventors: Krister Hansson, Johan Lundgren, Hakan Wernersson
  • Patent number: 7542821
    Abstract: A conversion control system is described that includes a database to store data defining a set of rules and an interface to receive local anomaly information from a plurality of different analysis machines associated with a plurality of manufacturing process lines that perform a plurality of operations on a web of material, and each of the manufacturing process lines includes position data for a set of regions on the web containing anomalies. The system also includes a computer that registers the position data of the local anomaly information for the plurality of manufacturing process lines to produce aggregate anomaly information. The system further includes a conversion control engine that applies the rules to the aggregate anomaly information to determine which anomalies represent actual defects in the web for a plurality of different products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven P. Floeder, Kenneth G. Brittain, James A. Masterman, Carl J. Skeps
  • Publication number: 20090030544
    Abstract: A conversion control system is described that includes a database to store data defining a set of rules and an interface to receive local anomaly information from a plurality of different analysis machines associated with a plurality of manufacturing process lines that perform a plurality of operations on a web of material, and each of the manufacturing process lines includes position data for a set of regions on the web containing anomalies. The system also includes a computer that registers the position data of the local anomaly information for the plurality of manufacturing process lines to produce aggregate anomaly information. The system further includes a conversion control engine that applies the rules to the aggregate anomaly information to determine which anomalies represent actual defects in the web for a plurality of different products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Steven P. Floeder, Kenneth G. Brittain, James A. Masterman, Carl J. Skeps
  • Publication number: 20090020641
    Abstract: The present invention describes a device for measuring and setting the web tension on a printing press (8) comprising several inking units (Dn), in which device measuring means (Mm,n) for measuring the web tension and setting means (Fn) for setting the web tension are provided, using which the web tension can be set actively in the case of unsteady web tension conditions. The invention is characterized in that at least one measuring means (Mm,n) and at least one setting means (Fn) are disposed in such a manner that the web tension can be measured and set between the print areas of two inking units. A control device is provided, which controls the at least one setting means based on the measured values of the at least one measuring means (Mm,n).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: WINDMOLLER & HOLSCHER KG
    Inventor: Manfred Loddenkoetter
  • Patent number: 7475581
    Abstract: A method of increasing control precision of a path of a product in a leveling machine including: a fixed support cage; two leveling assemblies with parallel rollers, which are placed above and below the strip respectively; devices necessary to adjust the interlocking of the rollers; a mechanism for measuring leveling forces at least of two sides of the machine; and a theoretical pre-setting model. The method directly measures at least one value for the spacing of the leveling rollers, which is compared to reference values, and uses the members for adjusting the position of the leveling rollers to maintain the measured values equal to the reference values. The method is particularly suitable for machines used to level flat metal products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens VAI Metals Technologies SAS
    Inventor: Andrzej Farnik
  • Patent number: 7463943
    Abstract: A processing machine, such as a printing press, is supplied with materials, such as rolls of paper, under the control of a control system. The control system is of a higher order than either of the material supply system and the processing machine. It is connected to both the supply system and the processing machine for transmitting data using signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Harald Karl Gretsch
  • Patent number: 7454263
    Abstract: A method for operating a machine (10) in the graphics industry using a computer (4), at least one job, which is processed on the machine (10), being storable in the computer (4). The method is distinguished in that the computer (4) includes a control device which determines the properties of the stored job; the control device sets up the machine (10) in accordance with the ascertained properties; and, to process the job, the control device computes necessary further data from the existing data and subsequently processes the job. Also a device for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Dieter Hauck
  • Publication number: 20080058979
    Abstract: Web is in the form of two web rolls, each of which is obtained by winding the web in a roll. The web of a selected one of the two web rolls is configured to be threaded into a transport route of a printing press by causing a holder to hold a forward edge portion of the web, and by thus moving the holder by drive of a motor while causing the web to be rotated and unwound by a corresponding one of motors. Before threading the web into the transport route, the diameter of the selected one of the web rolls is measured in order to calculate the transport speed of the web or the speed at which the web is unwound from the corresponding one of the web rolls so that the speed at which the web is threaded should be adequate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Takeaki NAKANO
  • Publication number: 20080058980
    Abstract: Web is in the form of two web rolls, and each of which is obtained by wounding the web in a roll. The web of a selected one of the two web rolls is configured to be threaded into a transport route of a printing press by causing a holder to hold a forward edge portion of the web, and by thus moving the holder by drive of a motor while causing the web to be rotated and unwound by a corresponding one of motors. While threading the web into the transport route, a speed at which the selected one of the web rolls is rotated or a speed at which the web is towed is configured to be controlled depending on a value representing tension applied to the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Takeaki NAKANO
  • Patent number: 7286892
    Abstract: A cutting device having cutting means for cutting a cigarette rod transversely along a cutting plane; a carriage for accompanying the rod through the cutting plane; an operating unit for moving the carriage back and forth in a travelling direction crosswise to the cutting plane; and a control unit, in turn having two proximity sensors, and which determines at least one fault on the operating unit as a function of recording signals emitted by the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: G.D Societa' per Azioni
    Inventors: Francesco Nicastro, Maurizio Cotti, Giorgio Mylonopoulos
  • Patent number: 7280887
    Abstract: An outsourcing service center (7) discloses information obtained through outsourcing services for a first sheet metal processing factory (3) to promote sales. A first ordering customer (5) requests a first sheet metal processing factory (3) to make an estimate for manufacturing a product. The first sheet metal processing factory (3) requests an outsourcing center (7) to perform the work of making the estimate. The outsourcing center (7) logs in to a computer (9) of the first sheet metal processing factory via a computer (15) of the outsourcing center, and, by remote control, works together with the first sheet metal processing factory to perform outsourcing services such as making an estimate and creating NC process data. The processes of these remotely performed services are stored in memory constituting know-how and are then disclosed on a Web page. In this way, examples of previous work successes are introduced and thereby used for promoting CAD/CAM software used in the work processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Koichi Tsuchida, Yoshiyuki Matsui
  • Patent number: 7221987
    Abstract: Analyzing an event chronology record to permit identification of periods of a production sequence that correspond to a high probability of failure. Systems and methods include receiving an event chronology for a particular machine in the production sequence and for a particular time interval. A reliability analysis system accesses process flow information to determine whether a particular event in the event chronology is related to a subsequent adverse event within a predefined event window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Arthur Bett, Tanakon Ungpiyakul, Walter Caswell Reade, Michelle Reneé Irwin, Jeremy Brian Cannady, Babe Bedenbaugh
  • Patent number: 7203567
    Abstract: An apparatus for electronically controlling a fiber processing machine includes at least one plug-in module group and at least one memory for receiving and storing data. A non-volatile memory is disposed physically apart from the plug-in module group whereby the data inputted in the memory are not lost upon switching off a power supply to the apparatus or upon replacing at least one plug-in module group and whereby upon resuming operation of the apparatus the data may be read and further processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Fritz Hösel, Dieter Wirtz
  • Patent number: 7187995
    Abstract: Techniques are described for inspecting a web and controlling subsequent conversion of the web into one or more products. A system, for example, comprises an imaging device, an analysis computer and a conversion control system. The imaging device images the web to provide digital information. The analysis computer processes the digital information to identify regions on the web containing anomalies. The conversion control system subsequently analyzes the digital information to determine which anomalies represent actual defects for a plurality of different products. The conversion control system determines a value for at least one product selection parameter for each of the products, and selects one of the products for conversion of the web based on the respective determined value. Exemplary product selection parameters include web utilization, unit product produced, estimated revenue or profit, process time, machine capacity and demand for the different products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven P. Floeder, Brandon T. Berg, Carl J. Skeps, James A. Masterman
  • Patent number: 7177717
    Abstract: Core data required to manufacture rolls in a film processing and cutting machine are obtained, and core data of cores supplied by a core supply apparatus are also obtained. These core data are compared with each other, and cores having the conforming core data are selected and supplied to the film processing and cutting machine. When supplied with the cores, the film processing and cutting machine winds films cut to a given length and width around respective cores, and then supplies obtained products to a main feed unit according to the sequence of address information established on a film roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nakata, Takayuki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7167770
    Abstract: A transfer correcting method for a thin material transfer apparatus includes detecting a front end of a thin material by the sensor, and transferring the thin material from a position of the sensor, to a processing unit, and further a reference transfer range from the processing unit to produce a first processed thin material portion, and transferring the thin material the reference transfer range to produce a second processed thin material portion, calculating a first correction value based on the reference transfer range and a measured length of the second processed thin material portion and a second correction value based on measured lengths of the first and second processed thin material portions, and correcting the transfer from the sensor position to the processing unit position, and the transfer from the processing unit position based on based on the first and second correction values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiro Akira
  • Patent number: 7162319
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing alarming indications and troubleshooting indications and actions in connection with a web converting manufacturing process such as that used for manufacturing disposable absorbent garments. Some of the disclosed embodiments include relating inspection data, such as product (or process) attribute data, to data from other manufacturing-related systems. Also disclosed are systems and methods for linking product (or process) attribute data obtained during the manufacturing process with one or more data sources including raw material data, process setting data, product quality data, and/or productivity data. Also disclosed are systems and methods for identifying manufacturing set point changes and automatically implementing such changes and automated web steering changes based on data from one or more inspection systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Popp, Kyle S. Allen, Jamie L. Bell, Henry L. Carbone, II, Scott G. Chapple, Clinton David Clark, Tim G. Dollevoet, John G. Hein, Archie Dodds Morgan, Nicholas A. Popp, Shawn A. Quereshi, Erica C. Tremble
  • Patent number: 7130709
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing alarming indications and troubleshooting indications and actions in connection with a web converting manufacturing process such as that used for manufacturing disposable absorbent garments. Some of the disclosed embodiments include relating inspection data, such as product (or process) attribute data, to data from other manufacturing-related systems. Also disclosed are systems and methods for linking product (or process) attribute data obtained during the manufacturing process with one or more data sources including raw material data, process setting data, product quality data, and/or productivity data. Also disclosed are systems and methods for identifying manufacturing set point changes and automatically implementing such changes and automated web steering changes based on data from one or more inspection systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Popp, Kyle S. Allen, Jamie L. Bell, Henry L. Carbone, II., Scott G. Chapple, Clinton David Clark, Tim G. Dollevoet, John G. Hein, Archie Dodds Morgan, Nicholas A. Popp, Shawn A. Quereshi, Erica C. Tremble
  • Patent number: 7118062
    Abstract: A system of detecting and adjusting the normal force exerted by a web material around the circumferential surface of a cylinder is provided. Sensors associated with the cylinder surface are wired to a processor that compares detected normal web forces with a set value. An actuation device is activated by the processor to adjust the normal force exerted by the web by, e.g., adjusting the tension in the web material. A positioning device that preferably translates a web-wound spool is also provided as an option for the actuation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Presstek, Inc.
    Inventors: Nandakumar Vaidyanathan, Steven Degon, Robert Bruce Lowd, Brian Roland Lamoureux, Keith Vaillancourt, James Hand