Sheet, Woven Fabric Or Fiber Patents (Class 73/159)
  • Patent number: 8082791
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for determining the softness of a hygienic paper or textile with at least one ply, wherein an element (106) is arranged relative to a positionally fixed sample (P), with at least one ply, of the hygienic paper or textile such that it can move and is designed such that it can be adjusted with respect to the sample (P) with a penetration force (F) acting on the sample (P) being specified, wherein in the region of the oscillations being produced between sample (P) and the element (106), an oscillation sensor (116) is arranged which registers the noises produced during the relative movement of the element (106) acting on the sample (P).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Giselher Gruener
  • Patent number: 8079130
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assembling sheets by riveting, comprising a step for piercing a hole through the sheets, followed by a step for placing a rivet in the pierced hole, the step for piercing a hole being executed by supplying an advance speed instruction of a piercing tool as well as a rotation speed instruction of this tool. According to the invention, a previous step for determining information on the local stiffness of the sheets (Info_stiffness) is also carried out at the level of the hole to be pierced, the advance speed instruction and rotation speed instruction of the tool being a function of this information on the local stiffness of the sheets. Application most suited to the field of aircraft construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sonaca S.A.
    Inventor: Maxime Hardouin-Finez
  • Patent number: 8079255
    Abstract: The device is used for the automatic determination of characteristics on textile test material such as yarns, rovings, and slivers. A path is provided for the test material, through which path the test material is moved in its longitudinal direction. At least one measuring element for measuring a parameter of the test material is arranged along the path. In order to reduce the depositing of loose fibers, dust, or dirt particles, a plurality of suction elements, which are arranged along the path and spaced apart from one another, are provided and generate a vacuum, by means of which the undesired particles are sucked from the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Uster Technologies AG
    Inventor: Jürg Schulthess
  • Publication number: 20110301003
    Abstract: An industrial roll includes: a substantially cylindrical core having an outer surface; a polymeric cover circumferentially overlying the core outer surface; and a sensing system. The sensing system includes: a first signal carrying member serially connecting a first set of sensors; a second signal carrying member serially connecting a second set of sensors; and a signal processing unit operatively associated with the first and second signal carrying members and configured to selectively monitor the signals provided by the first and second set of sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Eric J. Gustafson, Sam Reaves, Kisang Pak
  • Patent number: 8047069
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of using the apparatus for measuring the cut resistance of polymeric and elastomeric materials having specimen holding and tensioning devices arranged on a common axis; a blade cutting device located orthogonally to the axis of the first and second specimen tensioning devices and a cutting block assembly located on the same axis as the cutting device and on the opposite side of the specimen tensioning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: William Herbert Coulter, Mark Allan Lamontia
  • Publication number: 20110247410
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring and/or testing a geometric design parameter, particularly waviness, of a planar textile (10), comprising the steps: disposing the planar textile (10) in an intermediate space (26) between a support (20) and a flexible film (22), applying a differential pressure (?p) between the intermediate space (26) and the environment, so that the film (22) adapts to the planar textile (10), and capturing a surface profile (32) of the film (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: SQI Diagnostics Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Julian Kuntz, Jan Wessels, Frederik Lehners
  • Publication number: 20110240789
    Abstract: Registration and inspection systems and methods for use on a winder are disclosed. The systems and methods include scanning a region proximate a winding module with one or more sensors to determine a product defect. The product defect is then associated with a winding process parameter, such as percent roll build information or the identity of the particular sensor to first detect the defect. The winding process parameter is used to classify the defect into one or more defect profiles. The defect profiles can be based at least in part on segmenting the roll build of a web onto a winding module into a plurality of inspection windows and segmenting a plurality of sensors into a plurality of inspection sensor segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Schoenberg, Mark Gary Dollevoet, Jeffrey George Skarda, Matthew Robert Wilson, Kevin B. Sartain, Gregory Michael Bixler, Daniel Mark Heinz, Vivek Moreshwar Karandikar
  • Patent number: 7959763
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for correcting an areal weight measurement of a stretchable web using surface topology measurement data is disclosed. Areal weight may comprise a basis weight or a water weight. The apparatus measures a surface of the stretchable web with a basis weight measuring device to obtain a rough basis weight measurement. The apparatus then measures the surface of the stretchable web with a surface topology measuring device to obtain surface topology measurement data. The apparatus comprises a controller that corrects the rough basis weight measurement of the stretchable web using surface topology measurement data. The corrected basis weight measurement may be used as a feedback value in a real time manufacturing process of the stretchable web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ross K. MacHattie, Anders Hallgren
  • Publication number: 20110137828
    Abstract: A method for assessment of force properties generated by the fiber tip of one or more fibers, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a fiber sample of one or more fibers, the fiber sample having a free portion and an end; (b) suspending the fiber sample over a tactile sensor at least 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Masato Higaki, Naohiro Morita, Yoko Osada
  • Patent number: 7946247
    Abstract: In a measurement mechanism for continuously measuring a thickness of a coating layer, provided in an apparatus for forming the coating layer on a conductive elongate base material in a coating treatment base station while the base material is fed, a sensing portion for measuring a capacitance value of the coating layer is arranged before and after the base station, and tension applied to the base material at the sensing portion is set to be greater than tension applied to the base material at the base station. Thus, in forming the coating layer on the elongate base material while the base material is continuously fed, variation in a feeding speed is suppressed, influence of sway of a measurement surface in a direction of thickness at the thickness sensing portion during feeding is minimized, and a thickness of the coating layer can be measured with higher accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Awata, Katsuji Emura, Kentaro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7941919
    Abstract: Ribbons containing e.g. inorganic NMOS devices are assembled in electrical contact with ribbons containing e.g. PMOS devices (preferably organic) to enable flexible electronic textile circuits, e.g. displays, to be inexpensive and practical for a wide for a variety of functions. The use of ribbons provides flexibility, reduces costs, and allows testing during assembly and different processes to be efficiently used for different components. This is apparently the first time that ribbons (especially inorganic-device-containing ribbons) have been interconnected to form a flexible CMOS electronic textile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventor: Bruce Gnade
  • Patent number: 7938935
    Abstract: Infrared spectroscopy techniques are employed to measure (i) the moisture level in both the sheet of wet stock and the papermaking machine clothing on which the sheet is supported and (ii) the moisture level in the clothing alone as a separate layer of material. Differential measurement thus yields the moisture content of the sheet of wet stock alone. Changes in the moisture level in the clothing at the press section can be correlated with corresponding changes in the quality or physical property of the paper produced. Both fixed point and scanning IR sensors are strategically positioned in the press section to generate machine direction and/or cross machine direction water profiles for process control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell ASCa Inc.
    Inventors: Ross K MacHattie, Frank M Haran
  • Publication number: 20110094306
    Abstract: A sensor fabric has a plurality of flakes of a flexoelectric material and electrodes as threads for connecting the flakes together. Each flake has at least one pair of opposite edges connected by two separate electrodes. When the sensor fabric is placed in contact with the surface of an object, the flake is bent along the contour of the object surface. The bending of the flexoelectric flake generates a polarization voltage between its opposite edges, which can be measured via the electrodes to determine the local surface contour of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Alexandre Bratkovski, Ivan Naumov
  • Publication number: 20110061141
    Abstract: The invention relates to a slash and gash resistant protective composite fabric comprising at least one layer of base fabric, wherein the base fabric is a densely woven, ballistic fabric. At least one layer of rigid fabric, each having a base layer and a hard polymer layer having a special matrix, is bonded onto the base layer, and the rigid fabric is cut into strips of material having a scale-like pattern or shape. Each of the strips of material are connected to the layer of base fabric in overlapping layers whereby the base fabric is covered. The protective composite fabric further includes a resilient elastically deformable material having at least one sensor therein for monitoring of vital signs of a wearer, the resilient elastically deformable material being connected with the at least one layer of a base fabric and the rigid fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: Linda M. Lazarowich
  • Publication number: 20110048123
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for characterizing an impact in a fabric. The system may include a sensing element woven in the fabric wherein a parameter of the sensing element depends on a strain in the sensing element; a transducer coupled to the sensing element wherein the transducer is configured to generate an output based on the parameter of the sensing element; and a controller coupled to the transducer, the controller configured to receive the output of the transducer, to determine a strain in the sensing element based, at least in part, on a change in the output of the transducer, and to characterize the impact in the fabric based on the strain in the sensing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Isaias S. CHOCRON, Arthur E. NICHOLLS, Charles E. ANDERSON, James D. WALKER
  • Patent number: 7895907
    Abstract: In a method for measuring the tensile stress of a running web, force sensors (7) are connected in the form of a Wheatstone bridge (11). An amplifier (18) amplifies a diagonal voltage (17) of the Wheatstone bridge (11). In order to be able to detect whether at least one of the force sensors (7) is defective, the Wheatstone bridge (11) can be loaded using at least one resistor (26) by means of at least one switch (24, 25). Comparing the measured values, with loading, with the measured values, without loading, determines whether the force sensors (7) of the Wheatstone bridge (11) are functional. Otherwise, an active error signal (28) is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Texmag GmbH Vertriebsgesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Thumer, Hans-Richard Seibold, Rudolf Werber, Tobias Hain
  • Publication number: 20110011175
    Abstract: A touch roller is pressed to the surface of a sheet being conveyed in a space and the amount of displacement of the touch roller is measured to evaluate the sag of the sheet at the position at which the touch roller is pressed against the sheet. The method enables the sag of a sheet to be accurately evaluated with the use of a device having a relatively simple structure and easily maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicants: MAYSUN CORPORATION, YUPO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeru Ichikawa, Masahiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7862689
    Abstract: Information (particularly, water content) of a sheet material which changes during progression of processing is estimated with higher accuracy and information output or (image formation) processing is performed. The water content estimation method of the present invention includes: detecting a first information regarding moisture contained in a sheet material; detecting a second information regarding a factor affecting information regarding the moisture contained in the sheet material; predicatively computing an estimation of a water content of the sheet material based on the first information and the second information; and adjusting processing conditions for image formation based on the estimation of the water content which is computed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiko Kawasaki, Norio Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20100329759
    Abstract: A sheet length measuring apparatus that includes: a rotating body that rotates in contact with a sheet delivered through a delivery path; detecting units that are located upstream and downstream of the rotating body respectively, and detect a position of the sheet delivered through the delivery path; a delivery unit that is located in at least one of positions between the detecting unit located upstream and the rotating body, and between the detecting unit located downstream and the rotating body, and delivers the sheet on the delivery path; and a rotation amount detecting unit that detects a rotation amount of the rotating body with using a period when the sheet is detected by the detecting units respectively located upstream and downstream of the rotating body as a measurement period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takao FURUYA, Yoshinari IWAKI, Kazuyuki TSUKAMOTO, Minoru OHSHIMA
  • Patent number: 7856873
    Abstract: The apparatus is suited to reduce the friction between two bodies (1, 2) moving relative to each other. The two bodies (1, 2), which move relative to each other, can contact each other constantly or occasionally or have a small distance from one another of, for example, up to one millimeter. The distance can vary. With the relative movement of both bodies (1, 2), for example, the one body can be a sensor (1) which is firmly installed, and the second body can be a foil (2), which moves with considerably constant speed. The device has a vibration device (3, 4, 5, 6) for vibrating at least one of the bodies (1, 2). The vibration movements of the vibrated bodies can have any pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Hch. Kuendig & Cie. AG
    Inventor: Philipp Weber
  • Patent number: 7856340
    Abstract: A multi-functional sensor for deriving information on a recording sheet material comprising an impact-applying unit for applying an external mechanical force onto the recording sheet material, a signal-detecting unit for detecting a signal of response of the recording sheet material to the external mechanical force, a signal-processing unit for processing the signal, and a signal-judging unit for deriving a property of the recording sheet material by comparison of a signal from the signal-detecting unit or the signal processing unit with information memorized preliminarily, wherein the signal-processing unit comprises a separation section for separating the signal from the signal-detecting unit into output signals on the properties of the recording sheet material, and a processing section for deriving, by statistical treatment, a correlation equation showing a correlation between the separated output signal and the properties of the recording sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norio Kaneko, Takehiko Kawasaki
  • Publication number: 20100313649
    Abstract: A method for testing the break-through strength of a tissue product is disclosed. The method entails the steps of: a) observing a first condition of the tissue product; b) disposing the tissue product between a lower platen and an upper platen; c) disposing at least a portion of the tissue product within an aperture disposed within the lower platen and an aperture disposed within the upper platen; d) providing a simulated mucous composition; e) directing the simulated mucous composition toward the tissue product disposed within the aperture disposed within the lower platen and the aperture disposed within the upper platen; f) after step d), observing a second condition of the tissue product; and, g) comparing the first and the second conditions of the tissue product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin Mitchell Wiwi, Gregg Thomas Weaver, Michael Scott Prodoehl, LaTisha Evette Salaam
  • Publication number: 20100313648
    Abstract: A method for demonstrating the comparative break-though strengths of at least two tissue products is disclosed. The steps include: a) providing a break-through test apparatus b) providing the tissue products; c) observing a first condition of each tissue product; d) disposing a first of the tissue products between a lower platen and an upper platen in a face-to-face-to-face relationship between coextensive apertures disposed within the lower and upper platen; e) providing a simulated mucous composition; f) directing a first portion of the simulated mucous composition toward the first tissue product; g) observing a second condition of the first tissue product; h) disposing a second tissue product between the coextensive apertures; i) directing a second portion of the simulated mucous composition toward the second tissue product; j) observing a second condition of the second tissue product; and, k) comparing the second condition of the first tissue product and the second condition of the second tissue product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Gregg Thomas Weaver, Michael Scott Prodoehl, LaTisha Evette Salaam, Joseph Jay Bullock, Elizabeth Ann Kreider
  • Publication number: 20100300196
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a media sensor which a sheet carrying device has at a halfway part in a sheet carrying path, a damper table which stores a frequency band of vibration to be absorbed for each type of vibration isolator, and a controller which samples an output from the media sensor, performs Fourier transform on a waveform acquired as a result of the sampling, thus calculates a frequency, then searches the damper table on the basis of the resulting frequency, reads an optimum vibration isolator, and outputs the optimum vibration isolator to a control panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tokihiko ISE
  • Publication number: 20100300195
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of using the apparatus for measuring the cut resistance of polymeric and elastomeric materials having specimen holding and tensioning devices arranged on a common axis; a blade cutting device located orthogonally to the axis of the first and second specimen tensioning devices and a cutting block assembly located on the same axis as the cutting device and on the opposite side of the specimen tensioning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: William Herbert Coulter, Mark Allan Lamontia
  • Patent number: 7836778
    Abstract: The inventions relates to an apparatus, in particular for a screen-printing machine, for measuring tension in a printing screen in a frame, characterized in that a holder for the frame (1) has holder bars (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) each formed of a plurality of sections (3a1, 3a2, . . . , or 3b1, 3b.2, . . . , or 3c1, 3c2, . . . , 3d1, 3d2, . . . , ) each provided with a respective sensor (6) for measuring tension. The invention furthermore relates to a method, in particular for a screen-printing machine, for measuring tension in a screen in a screen frame, characterized in that a screen (2a) mounted in a frame (1) is mounted in a holder (3) having holder bars (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) each formed by a plurality of sections (3a1, 3a2, . . . , or 3b1, 3b.2, . . . , or 3c1, 3c2, . . . , 3d1, 3d2, . . . ) each provided with a respective sensor (6) that measure forces between the respective section (3a1, 3a2, . . . , or 3b1, 3b.2, . . . , or 3c1, 3c2, . . . , 3d1, 3d2, . . . ) and the frame (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: KBA-Metronic AG
    Inventors: Josef Kleinschnitz, Peter Schmitt
  • Patent number: 7827872
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for guiding a strip, in particular a metal strip. Known apparatuses of this type have a carrier device (110) on which bearing blocks (120) arm fastened. Rollers (130) are rotatably mounted in the bearing blocks in order to guide the strip. So that the roller force acting on the roller in the loading case, i.e. during the guidance of the strip, can be measured in a lasting and reliable manner, it is proposed according to the invention to detect the deformation of the bearing block, in particular in the loading case, by means of a sensor device and ten to calculate the roller force required from the deformation of the bearing block by means of an evaluating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: SMS Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Albrecht Girgensohn, Andreas Runge
  • Patent number: 7819034
    Abstract: The performance of scanning systems can be significantly enhanced by replacing the traditional power track with preferably just two wires or transmission channels for effecting communication between (i) the sensors on the mobile carriage of the scanning system and (ii) the controls, power sources, and related devices that are typically located in a compartment or module which is a significant distance away. This can be implemented by employing selected multiplexer and complementary de-multiplexer combinations in the scanner head and in the module. This technique reduces EMI noise, power loss, drag on the moving scanner heads carrying the sensors, and cost of construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell ASCa Inc.
    Inventor: Wojtek T. Jasinski
  • Patent number: 7799172
    Abstract: Apparatus for measuring tension or a tension alteration in a paper web. At least one measurement device includes a number of measurement bodies and a number of fluid supply devices, which are intended to apply a fluid pressure to the web. The fluid supply devices are so arranged as to subject the web to an essentially constant fluid pressure in order to provide a fluid cushion between the web and the measurement bodies. The measurement bodies are so arranged as to apply pressure to the web without making contact and are so arranged to be capable of displacement. The position of the measurement bodies in the normal direction of the web is altered depending upon variations in the constitution of the web. A method for measuring web tension and a machine including apparatus for measuring web tension are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Webline Teknik AB
    Inventor: Hans Högberg
  • Patent number: 7779685
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for transporting fluid to a sheet of material. Typically, the sheet is immobilized on an upper surface of a support structure. A container holding a fluid is provided along with a conduit having a fluid-conveying lumen that extends from the container to one or more terminal opening facing the lower surface of the sheet. Optionally, a porous medium is placed in fluid communication with the fluid-conveying lumen and in contact with the lower surface of the sheet. The apparatuses and methods provide a variety of interfaces that facilitate controlled fluid transportation from the lumen against gravity for absorption by the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: Andrew Kallmes
  • Patent number: 7780817
    Abstract: A method for measuring both caliper and tension of a web such as paper wound into a roll. The method may include a standard caliper sensor whose air supply is selectively modified to allow for both the measurement of caliper and tension of the web. In another embodiment two similar or identical measurement devices are installed in tandem where one device measures tension without pinching the sheet and the other device measures caliper. The sensor may include two sheet guides for providing support for tension measurement or one or both sheet guides can be eliminated by support from machinery rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Ltd.
    Inventor: Ake Hellstrom
  • Patent number: 7743655
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for testing the tendency of a paper to curl. The paper is cut from a paper making machine and rapidly humidified to standard TAPPI conditions, and is thereafter run through an apparatus having a substantially vertically oriented nip. The paper is measured for curl, all data are tabulated and fed back into a data acquisition or paper machine control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: Kapil M Singh, Williams Shields, Frederick Karsa
  • Patent number: 7730775
    Abstract: A transplanar liquid transport tester for fabrics, comprising a liquid reservoir; a liquid-permeable support member having a first surface for supporting a fabric test sample, and a second surface for interfacing with liquid in the liquid reservoir; and means for maintaining a constant hydrostatic pressure in the liquid reservoir at the second surface of the support member for replenishing liquid through the support member to the first surface during testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Inventors: Jintu Fan, Xiaoming Qian
  • Patent number: 7712351
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device 100 for the testing of a packaging material comprising a housing 101 with an opening 104, a holder 105, whereby the holder 105 is positioned in a inner chamber 106 with an in- and outlet and means 103 for applying a vacuum in the inner chamber 106. The vacuum means apply a vacuum on a material to be tested, which when having defects (like undesired pores) will not withstand the vacuum and generating to a signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Everhard Vissers
  • Patent number: 7703332
    Abstract: The invention provides a tensile tester, for characterising the extension properties of a fabric, comprising: a plurality of dual-mode fabric-engaging units located at a plurality of points. The fabric-engaging units are operable in a first fabric-gripping mode to releasably grip a fabric to be tested, and in a second fabric-tensioning mode to impart tension to a fabric to be tested, between gripped points, by displacing the fabric. The tester also has force measurement means to measure the tension so imparted and displacement measuring means to measure the displacement of the fabric. The fabric-engaging units are arranged and controlled so as to measure displacement-force characteristics along two or more axes of the fabric to be tested. Embodiments of the invention allow for determination of stretch characteristics in the Course, Wale, and two Bias directions of a fabric, as well as the characterisation of tension decay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventors: Penelope Ann Watkins, Glyn Watkins
  • Patent number: 7690248
    Abstract: This is a probe that can be used to measure any curl on a stack of sheets in a sheet stacking tray. In printing systems including electrophotographic systems, sheets tend to curl on edge portions. This curl can adversely affect the final copy and copies fed to finishing stations. This probe lightly contacts the upper stack surface and detects sheet curl especially on the edge portions of the stack. The probe measures deviations of the surface as compared to a starting point defined on the terminal edge of the stack. The information provided by the probe is then fed to a user or controlled for transmission to a correcting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Steven R. Moore
  • Patent number: 7681306
    Abstract: Formation of a structure with through-holes includes attaching two sub-structures to one another. The resulting structure may be used in a sub-assembly for various types of micro components and may serve as a lid or base of a housing that encapsulates one or more micro components. The techniques may provide greater flexibility in the shape of the through-holes and may reduce costs compared with other known techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Hymite A/S
    Inventors: Matthias Heschel, Arnd Kilian
  • Patent number: 7678233
    Abstract: Disclosed is a machine direction measurement system having an increased cross direction sampling area (significantly larger than the natural sensor measurement window) to generate a more representative and stable machine direction reading of the process. In effect, the sensor should have as wide a coverage area as possible without having to resort to the expense of measuring the entire width of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell ASCA, Inc.
    Inventor: Ron E. Beselt
  • Publication number: 20100050763
    Abstract: A method of determining a testing volume for a micronaire measurement by containing a fiber sample within a micronaire chamber having a length and at least one movable end wall. A flow is initiated along the length of the micronaire chamber. The fiber sample is compressed within the micronaire chamber by advancing the movable end wall, and the advancement of the movable end wall is stopped when at least one property of the flow attains a set point. The position of the movable end wall defines the testing volume. In this manner, there is provided a convenient method of setting a testing volume and acquiring the information needed to take a micronaire measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: USTER TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: James T. Wender, Preston S. Baxter, Hossein M. Ghorashi
  • Patent number: 7669470
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the stiffness of mail pieces includes a bar or similar deflector for contacting a mail piece conveyed past the bar by a conveyor system, and vibrates when in contact with a passing mail piece, either due to the impact of the mail piece or by the action of a device which causes the deflector to vibrate before the mail piece hits it. A sensor measures a parameter indicative of change in the vibrations of the deflector and generates a signal indicative of the measured parameter. A processor, e.g. programmable controller or circuit, receives the signal from the sensor and determines a stiffness value for the mail piece based on decay in vibrations of the deflector caused by contact with the mail piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Sanford
  • Publication number: 20100000312
    Abstract: In bank note processing machines bank notes are conveyed by a transport system and thereby pass through a sensor path. With some sensors the bank notes guided past touch the front side of the sensor housing. Thus, the front sides wear out which may impair the transport of the bank notes. In the case of wear of the sensor fronts, no longer complete sensor components but only individual front elements of the sensor component are replaced. To the side of the sensor housing facing the bank notes there are fixed one or a plurality of front elements which are detachable and thus replaceable with low effort. The front elements do not contact the inner area of the housing and the sensitive measuring elements arranged therein. When the front elements are detached from the housing for maintenance, the measuring elements remain dustproof encapsulated in the housing of the sensor component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Franz Nömmer, Michael Fiedler, Robert Klus, August Häusler
  • Publication number: 20100000554
    Abstract: A device (4) for detecting the density and/or humidity of tobacco and/or the presence of foreign substances; the device (4) having a microwave resonator (5), which includes a substantially cylindrical metal body (10) with an axial through hole (13), and an L-shaped chamber (11) inside the body (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: G.D.SOCIETA'PER AZIONI
    Inventor: Marco Dionigi
  • Patent number: 7634943
    Abstract: A sheet member information acquiring device has a load-applying member configured to come into contact with the sheet member and to apply a load to the sheet member, a rotation bearing configured to hold the load-applying member rotatably around at least a rotation axis, a protrusion provided at the end portion of the load-applying member that contacts the sheet member, the protrusion being located at a position offset by a predetermined distance from the rotation axis, a changing portion configured to change relative positions of the sheet member and load-applying member while in a contact state, and a detecting portion configured to detect a displacement of the load-applying member. The device acquires the information of the sheet member on the basis of information provided by the detecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takehiko Kawasaki, Norio Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7621187
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing shear stiffness in board is disclosed. The board sample (6) is placed into stationary jaw (2) and jaw (3) which is rigidly connected to inertial mass (7). The mass (7) is twisted around the sample axis with an initial twist chosen to ensure the sample is within the elastic region, and then allowed to freely oscillate. The oscillation frequency is then measured to evaluate the torsional stiffness of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Korutest Limited
    Inventor: Ian Chalmers
  • Publication number: 20090282908
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an electrifiable fabric made up of conductive fibers and non-conductive fibers. Garments may be created with the electrifiable fabric. Electricity may be applied to the electrifiable fabric, where the ratio of non-conductive fibers to conductive fibers provides an electrical resistance to thereby generate heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: Thermogear, Inc.
    Inventors: Habib Homayoun, Jack Coy, Shahid Bhatti, Melvin Campf
  • Publication number: 20090261526
    Abstract: A feeding device comprises at least two feeding units. At least one feeding unit may send a sample towards the measurement device so that the sample passes at least one feeding unit next in the feed direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: METSO AUTOMATION OY
    Inventor: Jouko TUOMIKUMPU
  • Patent number: 7584674
    Abstract: A method for measuring a nip pressure and/or a pressure profile is provided, wherein a nip-forming roll is fitted with a pressure sensor under a coating layer which is protective and functions as a spring on top of the sensor, and the nip pressure delivers to the bottom surface of the coating a deformation proportional to the nip pressure and the deformation compresses the sensor, which responds to the deformation by generating an electric signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Matti Innala, Tatu Pitkänen, Petteri Lannes, Topi Tynkkynen, Petri Päivä, Marko Tiilikainen
  • Patent number: 7583413
    Abstract: A signal output apparatus comprises an impact applying unit applying an impact to a sheet from the outside thereof, and a detection unit outputting a signal by the impact. An apparatus for determining the type of sheet comprises an impact applying unit applying an impact to a sheet from the outside thereof, and a detection unit outputting a signal by the impact, wherein the type of the sheet is determined based on the signal from the detection unit. An image forming apparatus comprises an impact applying unit applying an impact to a sheet from the outside thereof, and a detection unit outputting a signal by the impact. A method for determining the type of sheet comprises the steps of applying an impact to a sheet from the outside thereof, outputting a signal from a detection unit by the applying step, and determining the type of sheet based on the signal. An apparatus carries out the method for determining the type of sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Nojiri, Masatake Akaike, Norio Kaneko, Takehiko Kawasaki, Koichiro Nakanishi, Naoyo Gemma, Toshitsugu Morimoto
  • Patent number: 7581456
    Abstract: An industrial roll includes: a substantially cylindrical shell having an outer surface; a polymeric cover circumferentially overlying the shell outer surface; and a sensing system. The sensing system includes: a plurality of sensors embedded in the cover, each sensor configured to sense a data parameter; and a plurality of wireless transceivers, each transceiver connected to a respective sensor and embedded in the cover adjacent thereto. Each wireless transceiver is configured to transmit data signals from the respective sensor. Related methods and systems are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Stowe Woodward AG
    Inventors: Robert Hunter Moore, Eric J. Gustafson, Franz Danzler, Andreas Lutz
  • Patent number: 7578200
    Abstract: A method for measuring the rigidity of paper or other products made from cellulose fibers wherein the paper is torn and a digitized sound recording is made during the tearing process which is then analyzed to determine the percentage of time during which characteristic frequencies are present during the tearing process. It has been found that this percentage correlates well with rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific France
    Inventors: Denys Leveugle, Patrick Legrand