With Photo-electric Work-sensing Means Patents (Class 83/365)
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Patent number: 6295906Abstract: The present invention is a method for advancing and cutting tube blanks into desired lengths and ejecting the unusable piece of tubing remaining after all of the usable cuts have been made. The machine for cutting the tubes of the present invention is preferably a standard supported shear type cutting machine and the ejection of the tube is accomplished via a pusher that is mounted for reciprocation on a carriage such that when the last piece of usable tubing has been cut from the tube blank the pusher may be activated to eject the tubing from the cutting machine.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2000Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Production Tube Cutting, Inc.Inventor: Terry Kiger
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Patent number: 6293152Abstract: A method for determining twist potential of wood is described. One embodiment of the method comprises nondestructively obtaining a grain angle of wood, such as trees or lumber, and then determining twist potential of the wood based on the grain angle. Where the wood comprises lumber, grain angle determinations typically are made on at least one major surface of the lumber. The method typically comprises determining grain angle at at least two measuring locations separated by a predetermined distance, such as at substantially one-foot intervals along the board. The method also can further comprise obtaining at least one fiber dive angle. Particular embodiments of the present invention determine grain angle using infrared radiation, microwave radiation, light energy (such as by using a laser), electricity, ultrasound energy, and combinations thereof. Working embodiments of the method used light energy and ultrasound energy to determine grain angle.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1999Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Weyerhaeuser CompanyInventors: Mark A. Stanish, Stan L. Floyd, Steven M. Cramer
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Patent number: 6283001Abstract: An apparatus for cutting fabric includes at least one fabric wind-off device (1, 1′) for one fabric bolt (7), a conveyor belt (5) for conveying the unwound fabric, and a cutting device (3) which cuts a piece of fabric to a given shape from the length of fabric deposited on the conveyor belt (5). Said conveyor belt (5) extends without interruption from at least that point where the fabric is deposited by the wind-off device (1, 1′) to the working area of the said cutting device (3). The wind-off device (1, 1′) places the length of fabric directly onto the conveyor belt (5) or onto one of more lengths of fabric already deposited on the said conveyor belt. An apparatus control automatically feeds the unwound fabric to the cutting device and directs the cutting of the unwound fabric by the cutting device.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1999Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Gpv mbHInventor: Robert Schultes
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Patent number: 6199463Abstract: An apparatus and methodology are presented for automatically infeeding workpieces to a saw. A first workpiece is selected at an input station. A servo-driven friction belt system is connected to the input station, and advances the workpiece under a laser projection system. The laser projection system projects a laser pattern onto the workpiece, the laser pattern corresponding to one of a plurality of patterns corresponding to the blade configuration of a fixed arbor gang rip saw. Finally, there is a pinch roller system for removing the workpiece from the friction belt system and moving the workpiece into the saw, while maintaining the workpiece's orientation under the laser pattern. Also provided is a sensor for measuring the board width while moving on the servo-driven friction belt system, where the width is input to a computer controlling the friction belt system and which determines the optimum laser pattern.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1998Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: James L. Taylor ManufacturingInventor: Bradley S. Quick
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Patent number: 6196100Abstract: A device and a method for cutting a continuously travelling wire which emerges in the form of windings from a winding layer, wherein a cutting device arranged immediately following the winding layer. The cutting device includes a catching device for the targeted grasping of a winding arch and a device for cutting this winding arch. A device for controlling the sequence of movement of the catching and cutting devices are provided. The control takes place, for example, in dependence on the wire properties, such as, the wire diameter in the case of dimensional inaccuracies. In addition, the catching and cutting devices can be controlled in dependence on the position of operation of the winding layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1999Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag AktiengesellschaftInventors: Siegfried David, Karl Keller
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Patent number: 6182546Abstract: An apparatus for excising microelectronic packages assembled to a common substrate includes a mechanical element which travels over a path defined on the common substrate, a castor element pivotally mounted to the mechanical element for movement about a pivot axis, and a cutting wheel rotatably mounted to the castor element so as to provide a castoring action for the cutting wheel. The cutting wheel has an asymmetrical cutling edge which selectively engages the common substrate so that when the mechanical element guides the cutting wheel over the path, the cutting edge severs the common substrate to provide one or more of the microelectronic packages separate from one another.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1998Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Tessera, Inc.Inventor: Walter G. Hecker
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Patent number: 6164174Abstract: The invention involves a method and apparatus for automatic portioning of objects. More specifically, the invention utilizes both weighing and imaging data in order to calculate an estimated weight distribution of objects being processed. One or more weighing units, which weigh one or more parts of the objects, are installed before and/or after a cutting unit to obtain the weighing data. A computer system controls cutting based on the imaging data and the weighing data.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1998Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: H. F. Marel, Ltd.Inventors: Arni Sigurdsson, Arni G. Sigurdsson, Helgi Hjalmarsson, Hordur Arnarson
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Patent number: 6128989Abstract: A sawing apparatus comprises a base structure including bed rolls defining a horizontal bed plane for supporting a workpiece, a saw arbor carrying at least one saw for rotation about the central axis of the saw arbor, and a carriage supporting the saw arbor so that its central axis extends horizontally above the bed plane. A drive mechanism selectively raises and lowers the carriage relative to the base structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1996Date of Patent: October 10, 2000Assignee: Aaron U. JonesInventors: Aaron U. Jones, Edward Komori
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Patent number: 6089135Abstract: Previous methods of bucksawing logs slow the throughput of a sawmill in that the conveyor line is stopped while a given log is bucksawed to length. The present invention provides an apparatus for bucksawing a log which improves the throughput speed by a) advancing the log endwise along an infeed conveyor; b) raising the log above the level of said infeed conveyor while advancing the log; c) measuring the advance of the log while raised; d) stopping the log at the desired length; e) sawing the log to produce a forward log segment; and f) advancing the forward log segment onto an outfeed conveyor while advancing the remaining log segments.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1997Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Inventor: Robert J. Murray
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Patent number: 6056451Abstract: A photographic film processing apparatus for processing long developed film (10b) formed by joining photographic films with a splicing material (13). The apparatus includes a first transport device (40a) for transporting the long developed film. A region of the splicing material in the long developed film is detected in order to cut the long film. A main cutter (60) cuts the long developed film transported by the first transport device, in the region of the splicing material into short films (10a) prior to an exposing process. A second transport device (40b) is provided for transporting the short films to exposure processing units (20, 30). Further, an auxiliary cutter (70) is provided for cutting lateral portions of the region of the splicing material in the long developed film. The region of the splicing material is cut such that a width of an upstream short film is contained within a width at a forward end of a downstream short film.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 1996Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: Noritsu Koko Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kohji Seki, Yoshiyuki Yamaji
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Patent number: 6050166Abstract: A non-contact measurement and cutting device for cutting sheets of predetermined length from a roll of material comprises a frame having feed rollers journalled thereon and a feed roll drive for actuating the feed rollers. Cooperating cutting blades are carried on the frame for cutting the material. Also supported on the same frame or a separate adjacent frame is a conveyor and an optical sensor for sensing the lead edge of material to be cut. The optical sensor can be adjustably positioned between a minimum reference position to enable cutting of a relatively short length of material and a maximum reference position to enable cutting of a relatively long length of material.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1995Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: Strilich Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David A. Gauler, David Jeff Strilich
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Patent number: 5975745Abstract: A web cutting apparatus has a decurling unit for correcting curl of a web unwound from a reel while the web is being fed, a slitter for slitting the web, a cutter for cutting the web into successive sheets each having a predetermined length, a curl measuring unit disposed at an exit end of the runner cutter, and a conveyor for conveying the sheets to a stacker station. The curl measuring unit has a cut completion detecting mechanism for detecting when the web is cut by the cutter, a cutter distance measuring mechanism for detecting the position of the cutter, and a web displacement measuring mechanism for detecting a displacement due to a bend of a free distal end of the web.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hirohiko Oishi, Kazuo Horiuchi, Hisayoshi Kobayashi
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Patent number: 5865080Abstract: The board positioning device of the present invention selectively positions in a lateral direction in a generally horizontal plane a board translating in a longitudinal direction in the horizontal plane, wherein the board is aligned along its length in the lateral direction, and the device includes a flexible fence lying in the generally horizontal plane, a fence positioner for selectively positioning the flexible fence in the lateral direction in the generally horizontal plane along a transition path as determined by an optimizer whereby the board may be laterally selectively positioned optimally relative to trimmer saws located downstream from the flexible fence in the longitudinal direction when the board is urged laterally against the flexible fence by lateral ending rolls.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1996Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: Newnes Machine Ltd.Inventor: James G. Jackson
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Patent number: 5860344Abstract: A cutting apparatus for a photosensitive material processor. A cutting member cuts the photosensitive material fed out from a magazine to a main body of the processor by a transporting device. A detecting device detects a leading end portion of the photosensitive material fed out from the magazine by the transporting device, the detection being carried out at a position upstream of the cutting member in a traveling direction of the photosensitive material. A controlling device controls the operation of the cutting member on the basis of an amount of the photosensitive material fed out by the driving member until the photosensitive material is detected by the detecting device, so as to adjust the length of the photosensitive material to be cut by the cutting member.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1997Date of Patent: January 19, 1999Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Yamamoto, Takao Fukuda
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Patent number: 5819622Abstract: An apparatus and related method for automatically infeeding workpieces to a saw includes a first workpiece that is selected at an input station. A servo-driven friction belt system is connected to the input station, and advances the workpiece under a pattern projection system. The pattern projection system causes a pattern to be projected onto the first workpiece. The pattern is one of a plurality of patterns corresponding to the blade configuration of a fixed arbor gang rip saw. An operator may select alternate patterns, and/or may skew the board to select the desired cut. A pinch roller system is provided for removing the workpiece from the friction belt system and moving the workpiece into the saw, while maintaining the desired skew, if any. Also provided is a sensor for measuring the board width while moving on the friction belt system, where the width is input to a computer controlling the infeed system and which determines the optimum pattern.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1996Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Inventor: Bradley S. Quick
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Patent number: 5813304Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and desplicing a roll of spliced films, being transported through the apparatus, to form filmstrip leading and trailing ends and re-shaping each end to their desired configurations having, a splice cutter located along the film path for forming two filmstrip ends with residual splices thereon, punch and die assemblies located adjacent to the splice cutter for re-shaping the ends of the filmstrip and removing the residual splice, moveable alignment guides located adjacent to each punch and die assembly, for aligning the film prior to cutting and re-shaping operations, a plurality of flexible guides located along the film path for guiding the spliced and despliced films along the film path, and an aperture located below the splice cutter, underneath the film path, for disposing of the removed residual splices, is described. A method for cutting and re-shaping the ends of a filmstrip using the apparatus is also described.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1997Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: William Thomas Matthias, William James Greene, Dennis Francis Tianello
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Patent number: 5807222Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a bag making machine including feeding means for feeding two or more superposed layers of plastic film longitudinally thereof and intermittently for a length, the layers of plastic film having void area means such as notch hole means, and a cutter for cutting the layers of plastic film crossly thereof along a line predetermined with respect to the void area means whenever feeding the layers of plastic film are temporarily stopped, to thereby successively make plastic bags. A detector is disposed near the cutter for recognizing the contour of the void area means as an image data immediately before or when the layers of plastic film are temporarily stopped. A computer is connected to the detector for calculating the difference between the position of the predetermined line of the layers and the position of the cutting edge means of the cutter in accordance with the image data of the detector.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1995Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Assignee: Totani Giken Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventor: Mikio Totani
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Patent number: 5790402Abstract: A row of light emitting diodes approximately one inch apart are mounted along the edge of a spreading table. A small computer reads a cut file which specifies (among other items) the splice zone locations. The computer then controls the lighting of appropriate LEDs to define the beginning and ending of these splice zones. Locations between the LEDs may be identified by lighting LEDs on either side of the appropriate location.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1994Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: e-Z Max Apparel Systems, Inc.Inventors: Gabriel Liebermann, T. Clifton Penn, Vernon R. Porter, Don Crockett
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Patent number: 5590576Abstract: An apparatus for loading individual connectors into a wire-harness making machine includes a feed track which feeds a supply of connectors which have been separated from a connector supply chain. The lead connector is advanced into a feed channel whereupon a severing knife is advanced into the feed channel to separate the lead connector from an adjacent connector. The severing knife remains in place momentarily as a shuttle mechanism is actuated to move the severed lead connector along the feed channel, the severing knife blade forming a portion of the feed channel during the shuttling of the severed connector. Optical sensors may be mounted in proximity to the severing knife in order to verify the presence or absence of a connector prior to severing.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1994Date of Patent: January 7, 1997Assignee: Molex IncorporatedInventors: Peter Ingwersen, Lawrence M. Kurek, Douglas L. Heisner
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Patent number: 5568767Abstract: A scanner senses the position of the individual images on the web. A cutting cylinder position is monitored by a signal generator, and may be altered by mechanically changing the phase of the cutting cylinders in relation to the image on the web based on commands relating to the image registration error, the first derivative of the image registration error and/or the second derivative of the image registration error.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1995Date of Patent: October 29, 1996Assignees: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, Heidelberg Harris, Inc.Inventor: Dale H. Jackson
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Patent number: 5563796Abstract: An automatic method for controlling a curve cutting device used for cutting a textile web along a cutting line comprises different control strategies for critical and non-critical pattern segments. In non-critical pattern segments, the cutting head of the curve cutting device is controlled on the basis of the detected position of said cutting head relative to the light gap of the textile web. If, however, critical pattern segments are reached, the mode of operation will be changed over, whereupon the cutting head will be controlled on the basis of stored relative movement values from the moment the end of the preceding, non-critical pattern segment is reached.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1995Date of Patent: October 8, 1996Inventor: Roland Biegger
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Patent number: 5544558Abstract: A positioning device having a transmitter mounted on a carriage which is movable along a secondary axis. A linear detection array is provided to scan a profile of an object mounted on the carriage. The detection array has a plurality of sensors which are arrayed in a direction which is parallel to the secondary axis. A directing device serves to direct a signal emitted from the transmitter to a corresponding one of the sensors which is in opposition to the transmitter. Position of the carriage, along the secondary axis, can be determined based on the on/off status of the sensors.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1994Date of Patent: August 13, 1996Assignee: Silvatech CorporationInventor: Michael Hughes
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Patent number: 5497686Abstract: An arrangement for optimizing the unproductive motions of a holdfast-beam in a machine that cuts sheets of material that are stacked on a bench. A hydraulic beam descends onto the stack of sheets to hold them fast before they are cut, and rises again after the sheets have been cut. A definite distance between the holdfast-beam and the material that has been cut is determined while the beam rises off the sheets of material. The rise of the holdfast-beam is terminated when a definite distance is determined.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1993Date of Patent: March 12, 1996Inventor: Wolfgang Mohr
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Patent number: 5497685Abstract: An arrangement for cutting stacked sheets of material resting on a bench. A hydraulically actuated holdfast beam descends onto the material to be cut, and the cutter travels perpendicular to the surface of the bench adjacent to the holdfast beam. A sensor operates during the cutting in conjunction with a circuit that controls the holdfast beam, and emits a signal to reduce the beam's holdfast force. The sensor is mounted below the holdfast beam and outside its effective surface that comes into contact with the material being cut. The distance between the sensor and the effective surface of the holdfast beam equals the distance between a lower edge of the holdfast beam and an upper edge of the stacked material that is being cut.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1993Date of Patent: March 12, 1996Inventor: Wolfgang Mohr
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Patent number: 5477762Abstract: According to the invention, the cutting station also comprises, on the one hand, detection means capable of individually determining the length of the stem of each mushroom and, on the other hand, control means capable of adjusting the relative position of the cutting device and of the mushroom stem as a function of the length of stem determined by the said detection means.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1993Date of Patent: December 26, 1995Assignee: S.A. Royal ChampignonInventor: Alain Meulnart
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Patent number: 5470300Abstract: A system and method in the manufacture of plastic bags for accurately registering a web having graphic material printed repetitively thereon with respect to a transverse cutting and sealing device comprise detecting the passage of an eyemark printed on the web by a certain location at an initial part of a web index, calculating the initial length travelled by the web from the start of the web index to the detection of the eyemark, and then adjusting a predetermined draw length of the web based upon that calculated initial length.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1992Date of Patent: November 28, 1995Assignee: Ro-An Industries CorporationInventor: Peter Terranova
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Patent number: 5467676Abstract: Method and apparatus for cutting a wrapper on a cylindrical roll in which a blade has a pointed tip joined to an inclined edge extending outwardly and an opposite smooth surface, the blade being moved under the outer wrap of the wrapper but outward of the material of the roll and continuing to be moved along a predetermined path along the length of the roll, with the inclined edge cutting the outer wrapper. The blade is positioned perpendicular to the roll and circumferentially from the outer end of the wrapper. In a preferred embodiment a longitudinal bubble is formed in the outer wrap of the wrapper and the blade tears through the crown of this bubble. Also in the preferred embodiment, a gathering device is provided for removing and flattening the cut wrapper.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1993Date of Patent: November 21, 1995Assignee: Lamb-Grays Harbor Co.Inventors: Steven C. Hooper, Norman E. Dornblaser
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Patent number: 5461450Abstract: A web (14) of material such as photographic film is supplied continuously from a stock roll (16) into an infeed vacuum box (24) from which the web passes into an intermittently operated perforator apparatus (30) through which the web is drawn intermittently by a high performance vacuum drum (32) which feeds the web into an outfeed vacuum box (34) from which the web passes continuously to a rewind stock roll (44) or to other intermittently operated processing apparatus. Various patterns of widely spaced perforations and leader/trailer sections may be provided in the stationary web, which moves at high web speeds and accelerations between operations of the perforator apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1994Date of Patent: October 24, 1995Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Michael Long, Frank Castrignano, David H. Lancy, William C. Lebbon, Allen R. Lentz, David M. Orlicki, Thomas W. Palone, Robert C. Raduns, Joseph E. Stagnitto
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Patent number: 5448934Abstract: An automatic change-over method and device for strip material in which a new strip is timed in relation to the end portion of a run-out strip fed by traction rollers along an unwinding path, by feeding a portion of the new strip along the unwinding path and arresting it against a stop element; removing the stop element to permit the new strip to be fed along the unwinding path; and, at the same time, connecting the new strip and the run-out strip by friction, in response to a phase signal emitted by a run-out strip.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1993Date of Patent: September 12, 1995Assignee: G.D. Societa' per AzioniInventors: Fulvio Boldrini, Giuliano Corazza
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Patent number: 5379668Abstract: A signature booklet making apparatus for an electrophotographic printing machine, the booklet making machine having a trimmer blade blower and high capacity waste bin. Selectively operable air ducts are provided to distribute an airflow either across the trim blade to remove trim scraps or through a bypass duct to efficiently fill the waste bin with scrap. A valving mechanism responsive to the operation of the trimmer directs the airflow to the correct duct. By selectively causing the air to flow across the trim blade the chance of forcing thin booklets into the waste chute thereby causing jams is minimized.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1993Date of Patent: January 10, 1995Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventor: Robert C. Standing
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Patent number: 5368080Abstract: A board edging infeed optimization system is described. The infeed system is equipped with a conveyor which transversely advances the board, a conventional optical scanning station, and a computer which calculates a longitudinal reference datum line and a preferred edging path for the board and places movable positioning pegs at a predetermined distance away from the preferred edging path. A novel mechanism is used to seize and transport the board further along the path by the predetermined distance so that the board's longitudinal reference datum line is placed colinear with the preferred infeed line into the edging device. The novel mechanism is characterized by the use of rotatable eccentric arm which sequentially advance and retract movable clamping jaws. After the board is placed along its preferred infeed line, grip rollers can longitudinally feed it into the edging device.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1993Date of Patent: November 29, 1994Assignee: Industries P.H.L. Inc.Inventor: Gerald Hamel
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Patent number: 5352153Abstract: An imaging system includes a method and apparatus for use in processing fish body sections that have been transversely cut. The system uses a frame with a pair of shrouds, each having an interior space that contains an illumination system for illuminating the fish section. A pair of video cameras housed respectively within the shrouds scan opposed flat sides of the fish section to produce images of the respective sides. Screens move behind the fish section in sequential fashion as each camera scans the fish section.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1993Date of Patent: October 4, 1994Assignee: The Laitram CorporationInventors: Ronald H. Burch, Mark E. Sutton, Bernard Bretagnolle, Somsak S. Rodboon, Warren E. Cancienne, Soumitra Sengupta
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Patent number: 5334126Abstract: Apparatus for use with paper folding or other machines which applies a line of perforations on the paper sheets at selected locations and for controlled distances while the paper sheet is travelling through the machine.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1993Date of Patent: August 2, 1994Inventor: Richard J. Moll
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Patent number: 5279195Abstract: An apparatus for continuously transporting, separating, and changing the path of webs in machines for processing webs prior to further processing are disclosed. A web consisting of at least one ribbon of material is conveyed by a pair of nip rollers arranged in a first transport path. When it is desired to separate and convey the web, for example when the web is of insufficient quality, a separating flap pivotally mounted on a first rotary axis located above the first transport path pivots downward cutting and directing the web to a second transport path. A blade flap pivotally mounted on a second rotary axis located below the first transport path opens and closes the transport path to the web. When the blade flap is in the closed position it bridges a gap between a lower guide and a guide section to allow the conveyance of a web through the first transport path.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1992Date of Patent: January 18, 1994Assignee: Heidelberg Harris, Inc.Inventor: Richard E. Breton
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Patent number: 5267168Abstract: A slicing machines includes a control system having a camera (6) which views a cut face (5) of a product being sliced. Image data from the camera (6) is processed to determined a parameter characteristic of the cut face (5). The step of processing the image data includes classifying the image data by comparison with an intensity threshold which is varied automatically in accordance with the populations of data in the different classes. A control signal is generated to control the operation of the slicing machine in accordance with the determined parameter.In a preferred example, the determined parameter depends on the linear density of the cut face and the control signal varies the thickness of the slices in order to produce a slice having a desired weight.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1991Date of Patent: November 30, 1993Assignee: Thurne Engineering Ltd.Inventors: Peter Antonissen, Hugh M. Arthur
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Patent number: 5254859Abstract: A flitch or cant is successively transported by a pair of differentially operated clamps, first to a scanning station, and then to a sawing station where the wane is removed. A series of flitches are processed in this manner such that as the wane edge from a first flitch is sawn, a next flitch in succession is optically scanned. The sawing and scanning is accomplished by means of a combination saw and scanner which moves in a direction longitudinal of the flitch as respective flitches are held in stationary positions at the sawing station and at the scanning station. Between passes of the saw-scanner combination, the sawn flitch is conveyed away and the next flitch in line is conveyed forwardly to the sawing position while being skewed by the clamps in accordance with the characterization generated by the scanner.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1992Date of Patent: October 19, 1993Assignee: Aaron U. JonesInventors: George M. Carman, Mark L. Carter
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Patent number: 5249491Abstract: A flitch or cant is successively transported by a pair of differentially operated clamps, first to a scanning station, and then to a sawing station where the wane is removed. A series of flitches is processed in this manner such that as the wane edge from a first flitch is sawn, a next flitch in succession is optically scanned. The sawing and scanning is accomplished by means of a combination saw and scanner which moves in a direction longitudinal of the flitch as respective flitches are held in stationary positions at the sawing station and at the scanning station. Between passes of the saw-scanner combination, the sawn flitch is conveyed away and the next flitch in line is conveyed forwardly to the sawing position while being skewed by the clamps in accordance with the characterization generated by the scanner.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1992Date of Patent: October 5, 1993Assignee: Aaron U. JonesInventor: Mark L. Carter
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Patent number: 5235882Abstract: A device which trims off the perforated margin strips of printer paper and cuts the paper transversely to separate it into individual pages. The paper which discharges from the printer is drawn around a tension bar and is applied to a toothed belt driven by feed wheels. Cutter wheels act against a grooved roller to cut along the tear lines of the margin strips. A photocell based counting system counts the perforations which pass the photocell to indicate each time the paper is advanced to position one of the transverse fold lines at a cutting station. Then, the paper is stopped and a cutter wire is pulled through the fold line to separate the leading page from the rest of the paper sheet. Each time a new sheet of paper is loaded, a special control circuit assures that the initial advance of the sheet stops with the leading edge of the paper at the cutting station.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1992Date of Patent: August 17, 1993Inventor: William B. Rabourn
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Patent number: 5228490Abstract: A process for producing beams of square cross-section from tree boles or the like is characterized in that plano-convex slabs are severed in parallel to the hart zone of the boles. An apparatus for performing the process is characterized in that the boles (2) are supported by height-adjustable supports (9, 10) in such a way that the heart zone (8) is congruent with the preferably horizontal feeding direction of the bole (2). Thereby, the thus-produced square beam (7) is defined by planes parallel to the heart zone.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1992Date of Patent: July 20, 1993Inventor: Johann Wolf
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Patent number: 5226334Abstract: Articles of meat or fish are transported on three successively positioned conveyor belts wherein at least a part of the first conveyor belt forms a load-bearing platform of a weighing machine. A cutting device is positioned for cutting the transported articles into portions between the second and third successive conveyor belts. The cutting device is actuated by a computer which is preprogrammed with a predetermined cut portion weight.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1992Date of Patent: July 13, 1993Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventor: Giuliano Pegoraro
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Patent number: 5215393Abstract: A device for feeding documents, such as receipts (K) to a receiver from a printing apparatus which prints information on the documents. The device includes means (9-13) which prevents the documents from being fed out and made available to the receiver until all information has been printed on the document, means (2) for making a document, the feeding of which is prevented through an outlet opening (4), unavailable to the receiver, and means (9-12) for transportation of the document to a place where it does not prevent the feeding of further documents through the outlet opening.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1992Date of Patent: June 1, 1993Assignee: Swecoin ABInventor: Tommy Wincent
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Patent number: 5205197Abstract: A pallet-cutting machine for selectively removing individual components of a load-bearing pallet.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 1991Date of Patent: April 27, 1993Assignee: GKN Chep LimitedInventor: Cecil K. Wiltshire
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Patent number: 5201351Abstract: An edger for use with a conventional sawmill, including upper and lower chippers or cutters for forming the upper and lower edges of a board to be removed from a log, mechanical or optical sizers for automatically determining the location of the upper and lower edges of the board, and a control mechanism, responsive to the sizers, for positioning the cutters. The cutters have horizontal or vertical motors with associated blades, and the motors are mounted on carriages which ride up and down on a mast, positioned by a hydraulic cylinder. Mechanical sizing wheels are mounted on separate carriages, and the wheels are urged to contact the log's surface to determine extreme points of narrowness thereof. The extreme motion points of the sizing wheels are recorded by frictionally secured pistons which are sensed by metallic sensors which are input to the control mechanism. An electric eye causes the sizing wheels to move toward and away from the log.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1992Date of Patent: April 13, 1993Inventor: Ennis J. Hurdle, Jr.
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Patent number: 5200203Abstract: An apparatus is provided for quantitatively dividing bread dough. The apparatus includes a hopper having vertical side walls. The internal space surrounded by the walls has the same horizontal sectional area at any position along the vertical walls. The apparatus also includes a pair of vertical conveyors extending along the side walls. A dough outlet is formed in the bottom wall of the hopper. A dividing device is located in close proximity to the dough outlet. When the dough is continuously and quantitatively divided by the dividing device into small pieces, the vertical conveyors are driven at a speed of X m/min. in line with the speed of the dough flowing downward on its same level. Each of the dough pieces is then conveyed toward the shaping station. Thus the dough can be quantitatively divided so that a high quality dough is obtained without the gel structure of the gluten being destroyed.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1992Date of Patent: April 6, 1993Assignee: Rheon Automatic Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventor: Torahiko Hayashi
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Patent number: 5180329Abstract: A device for automatically shearing hooves from a carcass continuously moving along an overhead rail including a frame horizontally slidable on a base and a shearing assembly vertically slidable on the frame. Drivers are provided to move the shearing assembly to the proper position relative to the hooves on an approaching carcass and to move a blade on the shearing assembly from the open to the closed position. The positioning drivers are controlled by sensors that detect the horizontal and vertical location of the approaching hooves. A pass-through shearing region defined by the shearing assembly preferably accommodates two hooves simultaneously and guides are provided to sweep the shearing region and direct the hooves into the path of the blade. The blade driver is actuated responsive to a signal from a carcass position sensor indicating the presence of a hoof in the shearing region. Multiple safety interlocks are provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 1991Date of Patent: January 19, 1993Assignee: Jarvis Products CorporationInventor: Philip G. Meyer
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Patent number: 5172618Abstract: The invention is a cutting machine and its method of operation. The machine contains a vise, a feed mechanism for positioning a workpiece toward the cutting position, a mechanism for detecting the front end of the workpiece, a mechanism for detecting the transfer distance of the front end of the workpiece, a machanism acting in conjunction with the last two referenced mechanisms to reduce the feed speed of the workpiece, a mechanism to control the feed velocity of the workpiece, a mechanism to contact the first end of the workpiece, and a mechanism to halt the speed of the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1991Date of Patent: December 22, 1992Assignee: Amada Company, LimitedInventors: Kikuo Moriya, Isomi Washio
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Patent number: 5163865Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for cutting or marking fish fillets and other foodstuffs of varying cross-section into portions of predetermined size by conveying each product through a volume scanning unit, computing correct cut locations, and then cutting or marking at each location using a guillotine-type knife mechanism. The guillotine-type knife mechanism moves in a longitudinal direction while cutting perpendicular to the conveyor surface. Dislocation of the fillet is eliminated by synchronizing knife speed with the conveyor, and by overcoming resistance of blade retraction with a retraction mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1991Date of Patent: November 17, 1992Assignee: Innerspace Technologies of Alaska, Inc.Inventor: Larry J. Smith
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Patent number: 5136906Abstract: A slicing machine for cutting slices from a product includes a camera (6) which views a cut face (5) of the product. A boundary recognition processor (14) processes image signals from the camera (6) to determine a boundary of the cut face (5). A parameter characteristic of the cut face (5) is calculated from image data corresponding to regions of the cut face within the determined boundary. A control signal generating circuit generates a control signal to control the operation of the slicer in accordance with the determined parameter.In a preferred example, the boundary is analysed to determine the location of any secondary regions (10) of the cut face (5) and the characteristic parameter is calculated from image data corresponding to regions of the cut face other than the secondary regions.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1991Date of Patent: August 11, 1992Assignee: Thurne Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Peter Antonissen, Hugh M. Arthur
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Patent number: 5131884Abstract: A cutting assembly for severing a chain of linked articles joined together by joining segments, the linked articles and joining segments being comprised of a semi-rigid casing, for example, collagen, the cutting assembly having a pair of knives positioned perpendicular to the path of movement of the linked articles, the distance between the knives adjustable to accommodate joining segments of differing lengths, the knives being activated upon registration of the joining segments between the knives to sever the joining segments from adjacent linked articles.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1991Date of Patent: July 21, 1992Assignee: Bermel Industries, Inc.Inventors: Leslie B. Melanson, Gerald C. Berendt
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Patent number: 5131301Abstract: A sensing mechanism for use with a paper cutting machine having a table for supporting a pile of sheets to be cut. There is provided a knife for cutting the pile, a movable clamp for the pile, a back gauge for movement along the table against the pile to position it for cutting. A camera is provided for positioning over the table to observe a target area of the surface of the top sheet on the pile, containing marking indicating a desired cutting line. A visual display device is located remote from the camera and operatively connected thereto to display a visual image of the target area. The display is provided with reference marking for registry with said cutting marking on the top sheet when the pile is in a position a known distance from the cutting position.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1990Date of Patent: July 21, 1992Inventor: Franc Gergek