Having A Reference Mark Or Pattern Patents (Class 700/125)
  • Patent number: 11275914
    Abstract: A method for reading machine-readable labels on a plurality of sample receptacles held by a sample rack. The sample rack is moved between first and second positions within a housing and a label reader is activated at each of a plurality of predetermined position between the first and second positions to read the machine-readable label of each of the plurality of sample receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: GEN-PROBE INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Norbert D. Hagen, David Opalsky, Rolf Silbert
  • Patent number: 11079746
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for detecting and rejecting defective absorbent articles from a converting line. In particular, the systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate inspection results and measurements from an absorbent article converting process. As such, the systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control a reject system on converters of absorbent articles. In some embodiments, the controller will reject only defective absorbent articles without the need to reject non-defective absorbent articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Kent, Louis J. Cedrone
  • Patent number: 11048992
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a radio-frequency identification system for a container, such as a cryogenic container, comprising: a large number of radio-frequency identification tags for cryogenic straws, preferably at least 100 radio-frequency identification tags, each radio-frequency identification tag attachable to or embeddable in a cryogenic straw; an interrogation unit adapted to be placed or integrated inside the cryogenic container; wherein the interrogation unit and radio-frequency identification tags are configured to operate with a frequency of at least 30 MHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Viking Genetics FMBA
    Inventors: Gert Frølund Pedersen, Jan Hvolgaard Mikkelsen, Ming Shen, Shuai Zhang, Dong Min Kim, Ondrej Franek
  • Patent number: 10966877
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for controlling the relative positions or phasing of advancing substrates and/or components in absorbent article converting lines. The systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate component placement detections and placement control on an absorbent article converting process. The systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control the substrate position. As such, the controller may be programmed to the relative positions of substrates and components along the converting line without having to account for undeterminable delays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jason Lee DeBruler, Andrew Price Palmer, Louis J. Cedrone
  • Patent number: 10435840
    Abstract: A method of controlling a converting line that produces a paper product. The method includes unwinding a paper web from a parent roll on a converting line having a plurality of operational parameters. The paper web includes a plurality of sections and a plurality of marks, with at least one mark assigned to each of the plurality of sections and each mark associated with a paper rating. At least one of the plurality of marks is read with a mark reading unit. The paper rating associated with the at least one mark read by the reading unit is obtained. At least one operational parameter of the converting line based upon the obtained paper rating is changed. The paper web is converted into a paper product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Andrew G. Bomstad, Thomas J. Petersen, Joseph A. Schulz, Gregory T. Johnson, Mark F. Gerrits
  • Patent number: 10119225
    Abstract: A system for producing a paper product. The system includes a paper machine, an analysis tool, and a converting line. The paper machine forms a paper web having a plurality of sections, inspects the paper web to identify web properties, and marks the paper web with a plurality of marks. The analysis tool assigns action scores to each section of the paper web based upon the identified properties that section of the paper web. The converting line reads at least one of the plurality of marks on the paper web, obtains the action score associated with a second one of the plurality of marks, calculates a distance between the at least one mark read by the reading unit and the second one of the plurality of marks, and changes at least one operational parameter of the converting line when the calculated distance is less than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Andrew G. Bomstad, Thomas J. Petersen, Joseph A. Schulz, Gregory T. Johnson, Mark F. Gerrits
  • Patent number: 9963827
    Abstract: A converting line for producing a paper product. The converting line includes a paper web being unwound from a parent roll. The paper web has a plurality of sections with at least one mark, associated with an action score, assigned to each of the plurality of sections. The converting line also includes a mark reading unit, which reads one of the plurality of marks on the paper web. The converting line further includes a controller configured to obtain the action score associated with a second one of the plurality of marks; to calculate a distance between the one mark read by the reading unit and the second one of the plurality of marks; and to change at least one operational parameter of the converting line based upon the action score of the second one of the plurality of marks when the calculated distance is less than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Andrew G. Bomstad, Thomas J. Petersen, Joseph A. Schulz, Gregory T. Johnson, Mark F. Gerrits
  • Patent number: 9951472
    Abstract: A converting line for producing a paper product. The converting line includes a paper web being unwound from a parent roll. The paper web has a plurality of sections with at least one mark having a paper rating assigned to each of the plurality of sections. The converting line also includes a mark reading unit that reads at least one of the plurality of marks on the paper web and produces a corresponding output. The converting line includes a controller that receives the output from the mark reading unit, and is configured: (i) to obtain the paper rating associated with the at least one mark read by the reading unit, and (ii) to change at least one operational parameter of the converting line based upon the paper rating. The converting line also includes a finisher. The paper web is fed to the finisher and converted into a paper product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Andrew G. Bomstad, Thomas J. Petersen, Joseph A. Schulz, Gregory T. Johnson, Mark F. Gerrits
  • Patent number: 9695550
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a process for adjusting a papermaking process for producing parent rolls of convolutely wound web material having a machine direction (MD) and a cross-machine direction (CD) coplanar and orthogonal thereto that improves the characteristics of the parent rolls of wound web material to improve downstream convertability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Bryan J. Lindsey, David Alan Ross, Brent William Broehm
  • Patent number: 9221288
    Abstract: Printing material printing processes generate a raster bit map manipulated by matrix manipulation to compensate for geometrical distortions of the printed image on the printing material. First of all, the same correction functions are used for following raster bit maps, if the intention is to dispense with the imaging of test printing forms. Measuring marks are also printed, while printing is underway, at fixed positions on a sheet to establish any present register defects. Different repeat configurations for follow-up printing means that it is no longer possible for the measuring marks to be provided at the same positions. The ascertained deviations are used to interpolate adjusted deviations at the first positions for the first measuring marks to make it possible to use the second measuring marks at the shifted positions. Further technical measures are then implemented on this basis. A printing system for printing a printing material is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: HEIDELBERGER DRUCKMASCHINEN AG
    Inventors: Eberhard Redmer, Günter Streitmatter
  • Patent number: 9134647
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus that reduces density irregularity caused by SD gap variation. A developing bias voltage for forming a developing electric field between a photosensitive drum and a developing sleeve is applied to the developing sleeve. A rotational period of the photosensitive drum is divided into a plurality of blocks, and current values are acquired for each block. An average value of the acquired current values for each block is stored until the photosensitive drum is rotated a predetermined number of times, for each of the predetermined number of times of rotation. A moving average value of the average values in each block is calculated, and a correction table for correcting the developing bias voltage to be applied in each block is created using the calculated moving average values, and the developing bias voltage is controlled based on the created correction table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuro Fukusaka, Hiroshi Saito, Shigemi Kumagai, Yoshitaka Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8981910
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an RFID tag issuing apparatus includes a communication instructing unit, a search unit, and a misalignment amount detecting unit. The communication instructing unit instructs a reader-writer unit to communicate with the RFID tag at a reference position that is reached when the label is carried by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction after the specific position on the label is detected by a label position detecting unit. The search unit repeats a carrying of the label and a communication instruction to the reader-writer unit when communication cannot be established with the RFID tag, and thus searches for a communication-available range with the RFID tag. The misalignment amount detecting unit detects an amount of carrying of the label to reach the communication-available range from the reference position, as a misalignment amount of the RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kouichi Sano
  • Patent number: 8924002
    Abstract: A method and programmed apparatus for cutting graphics from substantially-identical sheets with graphics and registration marks printed thereon using a plotter and controlled cutter and sensor movable over the sheets, including: (1) sensing work-surface positions of the marks of a sheet and calculating an expected work-surface position for each such mark based on the work-surface positions of other marks of the sheet; (2) classifying each mark as active or inactive based on a first error criterion and applying the classification to corresponding marks of a subsequent sheet, the active marks being fewer than the total number of printed marks; (3) sensing the work-surface positions of the active marks of the subsequent sheet; and (4) cutting the graphics from the subsequent sheet based on the sensed positions of the active marks, thereby reducing the time for accurate cut-processing of the subsequent sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: i-cut, Inc.
    Inventors: Geo Andersen, Steen Mikkelsen
  • Publication number: 20140200705
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for controlling the relative positions or phasing of advancing substrates and/or components in absorbent article converting lines. The systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate component placement detections and placement control on an absorbent article converting process. The systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control the substrate position. As such, the controller may be programmed to the relative positions of substrates and components along the converting line without having to account for undeterminable delays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jason Lee DeBruler, Andrew Price Palmer, Louis J. Cedrone
  • Publication number: 20140188268
    Abstract: A cutting data generator includes a control device configured to obtain provisional hole arrangement data usable to arrange a plurality of provisional holes, the provisional hole arrangement data including data of center positions and diameters of the provisional holes, the provisional holes being usable to form in a sheet holes in which a plurality of decorative pieces is to be arranged respectively, to arrange the provisional holes based on the obtained provisional hole arrangement data and to extract an outermost outline of a group of the provisional holes arranged and to generate cutting data usable to cut the sheet along the outline extracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Noriharu Tashiro
  • Patent number: 8757358
    Abstract: A labeling machine for labeling containers such as bottles, cans, and similar containers. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Krämer, Winfried Schlüter
  • Patent number: 8712574
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for controlling the relative positions or phasing of advancing substrates and/or components in absorbent article converting lines. The systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate component placement detections and placement control on an absorbent article converting process. The systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control the substrate position. As such, the controller may be programmed to the relative positions of substrates and components along the converting line without having to account for undeterminable delays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jason L. DeBruler, Andrew P. Palmer, Louis J. Cedrone
  • Patent number: 8712570
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for detecting and rejecting defective absorbent articles from a converting line. In particular, the systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate inspection results and measurements from an absorbent article converting process. As such, the systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control a reject system on converters of absorbent articles. In some embodiments, the controller will reject only defective absorbent articles without the need to reject non-defective absorbent articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Kent, Louis J. Cedrone
  • Patent number: 8712573
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for controlling the registration of advancing substrates in absorbent article converting lines. The systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate registration feature detections and substrate speed control on an absorbent article converting process. The systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control the substrate speed. As such, the controller may be programmed to track registration features on substrates and components along the converting line without having to account for undeterminable delays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jason L. DeBruler, Andrew P. Palmer, Louis J. Cedrone
  • Patent number: 8639379
    Abstract: A detecting device for preventing a substrate from being scratched by an apparatus and a detecting method using the same is provided. The device comprises a detecting substrate, a controlling module, a transmitting module and a monitoring module. The controlling module detects a position information of a contact point between the apparatus and the detecting substrate and transmits the position information to the transmitting module. The transmitting module transmits the position information received from the controlling module to the monitoring module. The monitoring module determines the coordinates of the contact point between the apparatus and the detecting substrate according to the position information. The detecting substrate can be employed to simulate the substrate used in the real manufacture process of the TFT-LCD so that the apparatus in each step can be detected before the real manufacture process is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Beijing Boe Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu Lu
  • Patent number: 8355816
    Abstract: To make it possible to teach a grasping action for a work object whose shape and 3D position are unknown to a robot by an intuitive and simple input operation by an operator. a captured image of the working space is displayed on a display device; (b) an operation in which a recognition area including a part of a work object to be grasped by a hand is specified in two dimensions on an image of the work object displayed on the display device is received; (c) an operation in which a primitive shape model to be applied to the part to be grasped is specified from among a plurality of primitive shape models; (d) a parameter group to specify the shape, position, and posture of the primitive shape model is determined by fitting the specified primitive shape model onto 3D position data of a space corresponding to the recognition area; (e) a grasping pattern applicable to grasping of the work object is selected by searching a database in which grasping patterns applicable by a hand to primitive shape models are stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fuminori Saito
  • Patent number: 8346382
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a cold storage system for biological samples has one or more freezers, each freezer having one or racks, each rack receiving one or more boxes, each box receiving one or more sample containers. In addition to the biological sample, each sample container has a unique passive RFID tag. Control electronics in each box energize reader coils to query individual RFID tags. Control electronics in each rack communicate with and provide power to the control electronics of each corresponding box, and control electronics in each freezer communicate with and provide power to the control electronics of each corresponding rack, and a host computer communicates with the control electronics in each freezer. In each instance, communication and power provisioning is implemented using magnetic inductive coupling. The system is able to determine the identity of each sample container in the system and maintain that information in a database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: ColdTrack, LLC
    Inventors: Hananel Davidowitz, Thomas Coradetti, Yair Talmi
  • Patent number: 8238646
    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: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven P. Floeder, James A. Masterman, Carl J. Skeps
  • Patent number: 8219236
    Abstract: A method for creating a cutting plan for a strip-like material for maximizing a quality yield of the process is invented. In the method a cutting plan for a strip-like material is made based on end-product data, and the strip-like material is driven at a production speed in a manufacturing machine or in a finishing machine, and strip length data is recorded. A chart of the strip-like material characteristics is generated and stored in a memory. The recorded strip length data and the chart of the strip-like material characteristics is calibrated with calibration data in a winding process, and during a set change in the winding process the cutting plan for the strip-like material is optimized for maximizing a quality yield of the process based on the end-product data and the calibrated chart of the strip-like material characteristics, and a revised cutting plan is created from the optimization result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: ABB OY
    Inventors: Juha Moisio, Robert Reinius, Simo Säynevirta, Ilkka Erkkilä
  • Patent number: 8209047
    Abstract: The purpose of the invention is a control device for handling mobility elements of a cutting tool (1) and/or a carrier device of a flat printing medium (2) whereon an inscription has been previously printed. The device includes teaching elements (9) for reading information (10) transmitted via reading means (5) which are associated with elements (14, 18) for comparing between the reading information (10) and the instruction information (15, d, D, C) previously stored in memory relating to the definition of the inscription (3, 4) from a density of pixels and/or the framing of the inscription (3, 4) from a relative position between two (3, 4) at least.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventors: Didier Dubesset, Eric Vilain, Bart Vanhauwaert
  • Patent number: 8194948
    Abstract: A reference point-designating section 18b designates two reference points on a measurement object. A reference curve-calculating section 18c calculates a reference curve calculated by approximating an outline of the measurement object based on the reference points. A loss-composing point-calculating section 18d calculates loss-composing points constituting a loss outline formed on the measurement object based on the reference points and the reference curve. A loss size-calculating section 18f measures loss size based on the loss-composing points. Designating two reference points enables loss size measurement, thereby reducing complex operation and improving operability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Fumio Hori
  • Patent number: 8195323
    Abstract: Described herein is a system for controlling advance of a web material having characteristics of extensibility and comprising successive stretches of web for the production of respective articles, such as sanitary articles. In the passage from a delivery assembly to a treatment station functioning cyclically, the web material is subjected to extension. In order to ensure proper alignment of the individual articles with patterns or decorations provided thereon, the web must be fed to the treatment station in phase with the position reached by the treatment station within its operating cycle. A position sensor enables detection, for each stretch of web, of a real position of operation of the treatment station used for feeding the stretch of web itself to the treatment station with the aforesaid given phase relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Fameccanica. Data S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giambattista Simone
  • Patent number: 8145338
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for detecting and rejecting defective absorbent articles from a converting line. In particular, the systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate inspection results and measurements from an absorbent article converting process. As such, the systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control a reject system on converters of absorbent articles. In some embodiments, the controller will reject only defective absorbent articles without the need to reject non-defective absorbent articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Kent, Louis J. Cedrone
  • Patent number: 8145344
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for controlling the relative positions or phasing of advancing substrates and/or components in absorbent article converting lines. The systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate component placement detections and placement control on an absorbent article converting process. The systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control the substrate position. As such, the controller may be programmed to the relative positions of substrates and components along the converting line without having to account for undeterminable delays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jason L. DeBruler, Andrew P. Palmer, Louis J. Cedrone
  • Patent number: 8145343
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for controlling the registration of advancing substrates in absorbent article converting lines. The systems and methods may utilize feedback from technologies, such as vision systems, sensors, remote input and output stations, and controllers with synchronized embedded clocks to accurately correlate registration feature detections and substrate speed control on an absorbent article converting process. The systems and methods may accurately apply the use of precision clock synchronization for both instrumentation and control system devices on a non-deterministic communications network. In turn, the clock synchronized control and instrumentation network may be used to control the substrate speed. As such, the controller may be programmed to track registration features on substrates and components along the converting line without having to account for undeterminable delays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jason L. DeBruler, Andrew P. Palmer, Louis J. Cedrone
  • 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: 7947139
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved and economical system and method for viewing proposed texture designs for textured decorative laminates without having to make a press plate and a sample laminate. Embodiments of the present invention further provide systems and methods for making sample laminates and for registering a sample press plate with the laminate's decorative design when manufacturing a sample laminate. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention utilize transparent sheets, such as acetate films, in novel ways during the design of textured laminate press plates and during the registration of the press plate and the laminate's decorative layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Kings Mountain International, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Endert
  • Patent number: 7937180
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises storing information in a database that describes cutting locations on a web upon which multiple images are printed; embedding, in an area on the web, a key into the database; and using the key to ascertain, from the database, the cutting locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Jonathan Newman
  • 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: 7702414
    Abstract: To prevent incorrect recognition of marks on a web, and to lighten a load to memory and arithmetic systems associated with mark recognition, a control apparatus for a printing machine includes a positional relationship acquisition means for previously obtaining a positional relationship between a position in a web traveling direction of each of the marks and a target cutting-off position of the web, and a detection timing control means for controlling mark detection timing so that the detection of each of the marks by a mark detector is performed during a specified period based on the positional relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Okura, Shinichiro Senoo, Masayasu Ogawa
  • 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: 7596420
    Abstract: A method is provided wherein a lithographic projection apparatus is used to print a series of test patterns on a test substrate to measure printed critical dimension as function of exposure dose setting and focus setting. A full-substrate analysis of measured critical dimension data is modeled by a response model of critical dimension. The response model includes an additive term which expresses a spatial variability of the response with respect to the surface of the test substrate. The method further includes fitting the model by fitting model parameters using measured critical dimension data, and controlling critical dimension using the fitted model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Antoine Gaston Marie Kiers, Johannes Anna Quaedackers
  • Patent number: 7565219
    Abstract: A method according to one embodiment of the invention relates to determining at least one parameter of a model that provides information about a position of an object. The object has a plurality of alignment marks of which desired positions are known. The method includes measuring a plurality of positional parameters for each alignment mark. Based on the measured plurality of positional parameters, which are weighted with weighing coefficients, at least one parameter of the model of the object is determined. The numerical value of each weighing coefficient is determined together with the at least one parameter of the model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Maurits Van Der Schaar, Jeroen Huijbregstse, Sicco Ian Schets, Bart Luc Swinnen
  • 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: 20090082747
    Abstract: A method for detection of a synchronizing mark (6) being used in synchronized positioning of at least one essentially continuous material web (2), for manufacturing products (20) that have printed motifs (5; 5?) or similar processed elements, which material web (2) is intended to be divided into a nominal division length (LN) and has synchronizing marks (6) with a periodicity (LS), which method includes: detection of the respective synchronizing mark (6) for positioning the respective motif (5; 5?) in a predetermined position on the respective product (20), which detection is carried out along a predetermined in the machine direction longitudinal section (24) of the material web (2), and detection of the synchronizing mark (6) by distinguishing its colour or colour combination from colours or colour combinations in the rest of said section (24). An arrangement for such detection, and an absorbent product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Henrik Carlen, Ralph Dovertie, Anders Norder
  • Patent number: 7496426
    Abstract: A method for controlling the cut register in a web-fed rotary press, includes registering an actual value measurement of a position of cut register marks on a printed material web by measuring positions of printing cut register marks on the printed material web, using the measured positions in control loops as actual values of positions of cuts for cut register control, and correcting a first set value of a cut register setting element assigned to the printing material web based on a mathematical model for an error contribution of a proportion of the path of the printing material web that is not registered by the actual value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Klaus Theilacker
  • Patent number: 7437207
    Abstract: An apparatus and method performing a sequence of processing steps on a load supported by a processing plate. The load can include a single sheet on which a plurality of applications are performed or can include a plurality of panels on which respective applications are performed. For each application, at least one coarse target and at least one panel target are used to adjust the programmed coordinates for that application. After the first application of the load is processed using the coarse and panel targets, coarse and panel targets are located for the second application. Using the alignment provided by these targets, the second application is processed. Each subsequent application is similarly aligned and processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Howerton, Mehmet Alpay, Ling Wen
  • Publication number: 20080236352
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a series of medicine packets discharged from an automatic medicine packaging machine into individual doses to automatically load the cut medicine packets on a loading device is disclosed. The apparatus includes a feeding device for feeding the series of medicine packets from the upper side of a main body to a stepped part at the other side of the main body, a cutting device for cutting the series of medicine packets by one medicine packet at the stepped part, a loading device for loading the medicine packets, cut by the cutting device and dropped to the stepped part, by a predetermined number, and a controller including a position sensor for detecting a position of the hole in the medicine packet and controlling the feeding device and the cutting device based on the position information of the hole of the medicine packets inputted from the position sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: JVM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun-ho KIM
  • Patent number: 7408316
    Abstract: A controller for motor activation providing accurate and repeatable position changes by pressing and releasing a push button switch. Repeatable position changes are made in an advance direction by triggering a digital counter for a predetermined number of cycles of a reference clock signal. Backlash in retard motion of the motor is reduced by similarly asserting a retard motor input for an amount of time determined by another digital counter with a following advance correction made automatically after the retard signal is applied, by applying a predetermined retard-advance movement amount, as again counted by a digital counter. The advance binary amount, the retard binary amount and the retard-advance binary amount of set through binary switch inputs to respective counters to count the respective time periods (TG3, TG1, and TG2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Innovative Motor Controls Inc.
    Inventors: Dina M. Lewis, legal representative, Clarence A. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7388968
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and a device for absolute measurement of a print repeat length and/or at least one package length of a moving packaging web (1) in line with a printing machine. Normally the print repeat length and one package length are measured and analysed simultaneously. The measurements are made by means of a number of CCD-cameras (2, 3, 4) connected to a computer (6) by means of a frame grabber (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Lars Rodman
  • Patent number: 7337035
    Abstract: A method for carrying out a printing correction and a device for this. A method for carrying out a printing correction is provided, a product being printed on during a processing procedure by a plurality of processing devices, positions of two printing marks A,B,C,D being recorded. The positions of the printing marks A,B,C,D are evaluated and an automated correction of the print is carried out in the light of the positions of the printing marks A,B,C,D, the correcting including a correcting of a printing length. Furthermore, an apparatus is provided for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Bosch Rexroth AG
    Inventors: Christoph Müller, Stephan Schultze
  • Patent number: 7130710
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, tracking and exploiting per station information from a multiple repeat manufacturing device used 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, Henry L. Carbone, II, Scott G. Chapple, Clinton David Clark, Tim G. Dollevoet, John G. Hein, Erica C. Tremble
  • Patent number: 7106444
    Abstract: This position measuring device comprising a calculation unit 19 calculates mark position information relating to the position of the mark by using a mark signal obtained by irradiating a detection beam onto the mark formed on an object W, and a correction device 19 for correcting the calculation results from the calculation unit 19 based on the asymmetry of the mark signal. As a result, positional deviation resulting from asymmetry can be detected, and by correcting for this deviation the effect that the image asymmetry has on the measurement can be reduced. Therefore, a more accurate high precision alignment can be performed, and there is no requirement to increase the NA of the detection optical system, nor to prepare a special short wavelength light source, meaning increases in the size and cost of the apparatus can also be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 7082347
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing registration control 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: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Popp, Kyle S. Allen, Henry L. Carbone, II, Scott G. Chapple, Tim G. Dollevoet, John G. Hein, Archie Dodds Morgan, Shawn A. Quereshi, Erica C. Tremble
  • Patent number: 7040231
    Abstract: Tension of a web in a rotary printing press is regulated. The web passes through at least two printing groups in the printing press. A change in the extension of the web during the print run is determined based on a phase shift between a first phase position of a printing group and a second phase positioned measured after a last printing group. The change in phase position is compensated for by a change in the web tension prior to the first printing group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Johannes Georg Schaede