With Means To Orient Or Position Work Carrier Relative To Tool Station Patents (Class 83/412)
  • Patent number: 11837765
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus of membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell may include a cutting press including a cutting die disposed on a lower side of the feeding path and a driving cutter configured to be upwardly and downwardly movable on the cutting die at an upper side of the feeding path, and the cutting press disposed to a facility frame, a plurality of gripper modules disposed on the facility frame through a base member along a feeding direction of the membrane-electrode assembly sheet, and gripping both side edges of the membrane-electrode assembly sheet and a gripper driving unit disposed in the facility frame and moving the base member in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the membrane-electrode assembly sheet and along the feeding direction of the membrane-electrode assembly sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kai Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yoosuk Hong, Sung Hoon Jeong
  • Patent number: 9933339
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to embodiments of microtome devices and methods of their use. In some embodiments, a microtome can be mounted on the built-in stage of a scanning electron microscope and used to perform serial block-face scanning electron microscopy. In some cases, a microtome installed in a scanning electron microscope can cut the sample at a location off the electron beam axis of the scanning electron microscope. In some cases, a microtome can include a capacitive sensor which can measure the location of a blade of the microtome, and the microtome can be computer-controlled by program implemented in MATLAB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventor: Kevin L. Briggman
  • Patent number: 9032854
    Abstract: An apparatus having a sample sectioning device including a cutting mechanism that is operable to cut sections from a sample and a sample holder that is operable to hold the sample. The apparatus further includes a drive system coupled with the sample holder to drive movement of the sample holder and a reciprocating member coupled to the drive system to drive vertical movement of the drive system. The reciprocating member to move in a reciprocating manner within an angle of rotation of less than 180 degrees. A surface orientation sensor may further be provided that is operable to sense an orientation of a surface of the sample held by the sample holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Sakura Finetek U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Hwai-Jyh Michael Yang, Xuan S. Bui
  • Patent number: 9015917
    Abstract: A tool is provided for moving a first clamping or gripping member toward or away from a second facing clamping or gripping member, the tool having a double threaded drive shaft coupled to opposed threaded linkage driving members for causing the threaded linkage driving members to be driven toward or away from each other. As the threaded linkage driving members move closer, the resulting angle of the links becomes steeper, thus increasing the mechanical advantage of the clamping tool, enhancing clamping forces. A beneficial result is a clamping apparatus that requires less manual energy than a traditional clamp. Another beneficial result is provided if the same amount of energy is applied to the driveshaft as in a traditional clamp, the resulting clamping force is significantly higher. If the second clamping member is adjustable, it accommodates wide variations in thickness of an object positioned between the first and second clamping members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventor: Daniel A. Norton
  • Publication number: 20140102145
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for replacement of damages display shield (typically glass) covering a display screen on a device, typically a mobile phone. Mobile phones have an electronic display protected by a glass shield. Between the glass and the display is often a plastic polarizing or other intermediary sheet. Removal of a damage glass can be accomplished by cutting thru the polarizer with a moving wire or blade. This separates the glass from the sensitive display and allows replacement of the glass without damaging the more expensive display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Saxum LLC
    Inventor: Teo Chong Teck
  • Publication number: 20140020542
    Abstract: A cell cutting device that cuts a mother substrate for display devices includes a fixing unit configured to move in a state where the mother substrate for display devices is fixed on the fixing unit, a cutter configured to perform a cutting process on the mother substrate for display devices and the cutter faces a surface of the mother substrate during the cutting process, a cutter driving unit driving the cutter in a state where the cutter is fixed thereon, and a buffer member arranged on another surface of the mother substrate to correspond to the cutter. The other surface is opposite the surface facing the cutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Kyung-Hoe HEO, Seung-Jun LEE
  • Publication number: 20130160620
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cutting a food strand into slices including the steps inserting the food strand in a conveying device, conveying the food strand into a transfer position in a feed device, transferring the food strand through the feed device into a feed position where the food strand is more inclined relative to horizontal than in the transfer position, gripping the food strand at a rear end, feeding the food strand towards a cutting device, cutting the food strand into slices through the cutting device, and fixating the food strand at least during transfer from the transfer position into the feed position at least at one of its free longitudinal sides through at least one fixation element providing a form locking and/or friction locking engagement with the food strand. The invention also relates to a device for performing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventor: Uwe Reifenhaeuser
  • Patent number: 8336434
    Abstract: A food article end location detecting system for a food article slicing machine. The system includes a sensor located so that each food article passes a sensing range of the sensor as the food articles are loaded onto a food article feed apparatus. The system has instructions for calculating the length of each food article based on a location value provided by the sensor. The system also comprises a food article end disposal mechanism. The disposal mechanism has a transport for receiving said food article ends and for removing said food article ends from said food article path. The disposal mechanism also has a paddle for displacing food article ends from the transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Formax, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Sandberg, James E. Pasek, David Hancock, Salvatore Lamartino, Thomas C. Wolcott
  • Patent number: 8276491
    Abstract: An automated sequenced food article tray loading method and apparatus for a high speed slicing machine where food articles can be loaded sequentially into designated and separated lanes of a lift tray and automatically sequentially assume a preload condition. Food article separation is maintained on the lift tray after the food articles are loaded by a plurality of support plates and one or more dividers. A food article sweep mechanism receives the food articles on the lift tray in their separated positions and transfers the food articles into the food article feed mechanism while maintaining the separated positions. The food article sweep mechanism is a substantially open structure without enclosing walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Formax, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Sandberg, David Hansen
  • Patent number: 8250955
    Abstract: An automated sequenced food article tray loading method and apparatus for a slicing machine where food articles can be loaded sequentially into designated and separated lanes of a lift tray and automatically sequentially assume a preload condition. Food article separation is maintained on the lift tray after the food articles are loaded. A food article sweep mechanism receives the food articles on the lift tray in their separated positions and transfers the food articles into the food article feed mechanism while maintaining the separated positions. The food article sweep mechanism is a substantially open structure without enclosing walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Formax, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Sandberg, Scott A. Lindee, David Hansen, Salvatore Lamartino
  • Patent number: 8151677
    Abstract: A panel sawing machine comprises a horizontal table (5) on which a movable device (6) pushes a stack of panels (3a) in a forward direction (F) or reverse direction (F1) to feed a sawing device (or to a device for rotating the stack) which divides the panel up into two or more smaller boards. The pusher (6) is equipped with two or more pickup elements (16) that hold the rear edge of the stack in position during positioning and/or sawing operations. The pickup elements (16) are mounted on the movable device (6) in such a way that they can run in guides (15, 15a, 15b) in the following three directions, respectively: horizontal at right angles to, and horizontal parallel to, the forward direction (F) or the reverse direction (F1), and vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Giben International S.p.A.
    Inventor: Piergiorgio Benuzzi
  • Publication number: 20120060658
    Abstract: An apparatus for slicing food products includes a product feed which supplies a product to be sliced along a product supply direction to a cutting plane in which a cutting blade moves, in particular in a rotating and/or revolving manner, with the product feed including at least one product conveyor designed for the continuous conveying of the product and product holder which can be brought into engagement with the product, in particular with a rear product end. The product holder is designed to be adjusted after the start of the slicing process from a waiting position releasing the path for the product into a working position behind the product and/or in the path for the product and back into the waiting position after the end of the slicing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Weber Maschinenbau GmbH Breidenbach
    Inventor: Günther Weber
  • Patent number: 7971511
    Abstract: A panel saw machine comprises: a horizontal work table movable in a forward and backward direction; a clamping unit equipped with one or more gripping elements for retaining panels while they are being machined; a cutting unit that divides the panels into sub-panels along an axis transversal to the feed axis; a horizontal tray positioned above the horizontal work table for transporting the panels; means for holding the tray in conjunction with means for driving the tray and enabling the tray to perform a first movement along the feed axis in both directions and a rotational movement on the horizontal work table so as to vary the position of the tray and of the panels with respect to the cutting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Giben International S.p.A.
    Inventor: Piergiorgio Benuzzi
  • Patent number: 7900545
    Abstract: A crank drive system (10) of a shaft (11) of a microtome (1) encompasses a first and a second shaft (11, 12). The first shaft (11) is rotatable with a crank (13) and comprises a first transfer gear (14). The second shaft (12) comprises a second transfer gear (15). A rotation of the first shaft (11) is transferable from the first transfer gear (14) to the second transfer gear (15) to cause the second shaft (12) to rotate. To make possible, with a microtome (1), an advance or a lowering of the specimen (2) in two respective oppositely directed rotation directions with the same crank drive system (10), the crank drive system (10) is characterized in that a third transfer gear (16) is provided. The first transfer gear (14) is selectably engageable with the second transfer gear (15) or with the third transfer gear (16) so that as a result, while the rotation direction of the second shaft (12) is maintained, the rotation direction of the first shaft (11) is reversible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH
    Inventor: Volker Schneider
  • Patent number: 7827894
    Abstract: A microtome blade having a safety portion. The safety portion may include a protective portion spaced from a knife edge and a gripping portion extending outwardly from the protective portion. The protective portion and the gripping portion help reduce unintended knife edge cuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Feather Safety Razor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mathew T. Mincer
  • Patent number: 7730914
    Abstract: A feeding mechanism is adapted for use with a woodworking machine. The feeding mechanism includes a rail unit adapted to be disposed on two sides of a worktable, a feeding unit, and a press roller unit. The feeding unit includes a slidable body adapted to extend across the worktable and disposed slidably on the rail unit, two spaced apart rollers disposed on the slidable body, a belt component trained on the rollers, and a driving component for driving the rollers to rotate along with the belt component. The press roller unit is adapted to extend slidably across the worktable and includes a slidable seat disposed slidably on the rail unit, a press roller connected pivotally to the slidable seat, and a resilient component adapted for biasing the press roller to press the workpiece against the feeding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Chin-Chi Lin
  • Patent number: 7637191
    Abstract: A food slicer has a support member including a base portion and an upstanding portion. The upstanding portion includes a rotating cutting blade for slicing food product and at least one motor for rotating the cutting blade. The base portion includes a food product table movable across the cutting blade for holding product while it is being sliced. An adjustable gage plate as well as a gage plate adjustment mechanism are provided for slice thickness adjustment. A table interlock mechanism includes at least one cable member in operable communication with the gage plate adjustment mechanism where a distal end of the cable member is lockable within a portion of the gage plate adjustment mechanism upon longitudinal movement of the cable member substantially parallel to the axis of the gage plate adjustment mechanism when both the food product table and the gage plate are positioned in particular positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Scott M. Zeeb, Scott J. Rote, Aaron B. Eiger, Todd L. Clem
  • Publication number: 20090188362
    Abstract: An automated sequenced food article tray loading method and apparatus for a slicing machine where food articles can be loaded sequentially into designated and separated lanes of a lift tray and automatically sequentially assume a preload condition. Food article separation is maintained on the lift tray after the food articles are loaded. A food article sweep mechanism receives the food articles on the lift tray in their separated positions and transfers the food articles into the food article feed mechanism while maintaining the separated positions. The food article sweep mechanism is a substantially open structure without enclosing walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Glenn Sandberg, Scott A. Lindee, David Hansen, Salvatore Lamartino
  • Publication number: 20090188358
    Abstract: An output conveyor for a high speed slicing apparatus having four deceleration conveyors that receive slices from a jump conveyor. Each deceleration conveyor laterally position slices in an output lane. The deceleration conveyors have a pivotal axis for matching an elevation of an end of said deceleration conveyor with an elevation of an upstream conveyor. The output conveyor also comprises four weighing conveyors for weighing slices received from upstream components. The weighing conveyors each comprise a removable carrying unit for turning a conveyor belt and a drive unit for driving the carrying unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: David Hansen, James E. Pasek
  • Publication number: 20090151527
    Abstract: A knife blade retraction mechanism for a food article slicing machine. The mechanism retracts the slicing blade from the slicing plane during the dwell between sliced groups to prevent scrap generation. The mechanism also has a knife blade brake to quickly top the slicing blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, James E. Pasek
  • Publication number: 20090133779
    Abstract: A feeding mechanism is adapted for use with a woodworking machine. The feeding mechanism includes a rail unit adapted to be disposed on two sides of a worktable, a feeding unit, and a press roller unit. The feeding unit includes a slidable body adapted to extend across the worktable and disposed slidably on the rail unit, two spaced apart rollers disposed on the slidable body, a belt component trained on the rollers, and a driving component for driving the rollers to rotate along with the belt component. The press roller unit is adapted to extend slidably across the worktable and includes a slidable seat disposed slidably on the rail unit, a press roller connected pivotally to the slidable seat, and a resilient component adapted for biasing the press roller to press the workpiece against the feeding unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: Chin-Chi Lin
  • Publication number: 20090133552
    Abstract: A food product slicer includes a base and a knife mounted for rotation relative to the base. A carriage assembly is mounted to the base for reciprocal movement back and forth past a cutting edge of the knife. An adjustable gauge plate (70) is mounted for movement between a closed position that prevents slicing and multiple open positions that permit slicing at respective thicknesses. A handle (74) is mounted to the base for changing the gauge plate position. The handle is connected to move a cam member (128) internal of the base. The cam member is operatively connected to move the gauge plate through a cam follower (132, 134). A gauge plate adjustment system for setting an orientation of the gauge plate relative to the knife when the gauge plate is in the closed position includes structure for holding the handle, cam member and cam follower in respective, set positions while the orientation of the gauge plate relative to the knife is set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: PREMARK FEG L.L.C.
    Inventor: Douglas J. McGuffin-Noll
  • Publication number: 20090017115
    Abstract: A system and method of removing material from pharmaceutical tablets, utilizing mechanical or laser energy and a conveyance, to produce a score or other defect in said tablet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Allan S. Kaplan, Lawrence Solomon
  • Publication number: 20080173148
    Abstract: A worktable assembly for a cutting machine includes a worktable with two first rods connected to an underside thereof. A frame is located beneath the worktable and rested on a tank with water filled in the tank. Two second rods are connected to the frame and parallel to the first rods. A movable member has two first passages and two second passages, wherein the first rods movably extend through the two first passages and the two second rods movably extend through the two second passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Yuehting Chen
  • Patent number: 7143676
    Abstract: A roller table with a vise carriage and movable roller supports for moving, positioning, and supporting material. In the preferred embodiment, a hydraulic cylinder and piston rod are used in conjunction with a rack and pinion system such that there is a doubling effect on the piston rod stroke for effectuating differential positioning of two movable roller supports and the vise carriage. One movable roller support is disposed at approximately the midpoint between the vise carriage and a fixed vise. For a given displacement of the vise carriage, the movable roller support travels half as far so as to remain essentially at the midpoint of the span. The second movable roller support is disposed on the other side of the vise carriage, more or less at the midpoint between the vise carriage and a fixed roller support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Marvel Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James K. Jourdan
  • Patent number: 7131362
    Abstract: A punching machine includes a body frame having a table to support a workpiece. First and second work movement positioning apparatuses are mounted at both sides to move and position the workpiece in a direction of axis X. A work head is mounted on the body frame and has a ram and a tool. The work head moves on the body frame in a direction of axis Y, which is perpendicular to axis X. The first and second work movement positioning apparatuses are arranged in series in the direction of axis X. The workpiece is clamped by the first positioning apparatus, moved in the direction of axis X, punched, clamped by the second positioning apparatus, unclamped by the first positioning apparatus, and moved further in the direction of axis X.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignees: Amada Company Limited, Amada Engineering Center Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Morikatsu Matsuda, Eiji Matsuno
  • Patent number: 7076986
    Abstract: In a process for forming a linking element for a push belt for a continuously variable transmission, material is displaced from a central portion of the linking element during a blanking process, which central portion is substantially centrally located in the horizontal transverse direction. A blanking member which is applied during the blanking process, comprises a shaping surface which abuts against a front surface or a back surface of the linking element under the influence of pressure during the blanking process. The blanking member is provided with a relatively elevated central portion, which serves to displace material from the central portion of the linking element during the blanking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Van Doorne's Transmissie B.V.
    Inventors: Robert Arnoldus Andreas Mutsaers, Lambertus Cornelis Hendrikus Buysen, Jeroen Herman van Liempd, Marc André Mussaeus
  • Patent number: 7077043
    Abstract: A carrier adapted to securely hold a workpiece for manual movement through cutting engagement such as with the saw blade of a band saw in a manner that allows for precise and predictable cutting of the workpiece into boards of desired thickness. The carrier is slidably positioned in the miter guide slot that extends in the saw work table parallel to the cut of the saw blade, and is adapted for manual positioning of the workpiece transversely with respect to the guide slot to adjust the depth of cut of the blade into the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Norton Koerble, John Michael Haegler Koerble
  • Patent number: 6971296
    Abstract: A Venetian blind cutting machine is constructed to include a machine base, two blind locating modules mounted on the machine base at different elevations, each of which having a set of through holes for supporting component parts of a Venetian blind to be cut, a blind carriage adapted to carry the Venetian blind to be cut, a carriage for moving the blind carriage to the elevation of one of the blind locating modules for enabling the Venetian blind to be cut to be put in the selected blind locating module for cut, a cutter provided at the other side of the blind locating modules, and a cutter drive adapted to move the cutter across the imaginary axis passing through each of the through holes of the blind locating modules to cut the component parts of the loaded Venetian blind and then to return the cutter after cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignees: Industrial Technology Research Institute, Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jung-Kuei Lin, Kuei-Lu Liu
  • Patent number: 6935215
    Abstract: The invention provides a slicing and conveying system that includes a slicing blade that cuts slices from a loaf, and an output conveyor located below the slicing blade for receiving the slices in a draft. A control system automatically adjusts a lateral movement of the output conveyor to form a laterally shingled draft of a consistent width in response to a sensed lateral dimension of the loaf being sliced. The control system includes a displacement sensor carried by a laterally adjustable guide assembly adjacent to the slicing blade. The displacement sensor is signal-connected to a control. The control is signal-connected to the output conveyor to control the lateral movement of the output conveyor according to the lateral dimension of the loaf sensed by the displacement sensor. As an additional aspect, the slices can be shingled in the longitudinal direction to form a two dimensional footprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Formax, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, Glenn Sandberg
  • Patent number: 6912940
    Abstract: A clamp is provided that is capable of restraining an item during cutting and rotating the item between cutting a first end of the item and cutting a second end of the item. The clamp includes an upper jaw, a lower jaw, and a backplate that pivotally connects the lower jaw and the upper jaw. The clamp includes a latch that restrains the lower and upper jaws against movement relative to one another. Also provided is an apparatus for cutting an item. The apparatus includes a table and the clamp described above. Optionally, the apparatus can also include a cutter for cutting the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Universal Presentation Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan C. Atwood
  • Patent number: 6880438
    Abstract: A method for cutting belt material to accurate dimensions and for forming the mating edges of a puzzle cut joint for joining the ends of the belt material to form a continuous belt for use in a document processing application. The belt material is maintained in accurate registration a punch press by optical sensors at each station. A vacuum pickup is constructed to move the belt material from a precision cutter to a punch press and maintains the material in tensioned condition to facilitate accurate operation of the punch press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Karl V. Thomsen, Charles J. Urso, III, James F. Dildine, Jr., Boris W. Haritonoff, David C. Gruber, Steven C. Brown
  • Patent number: 6729215
    Abstract: In the dicing machine, a parallel adjustment process between a cut-line of a blade and cut-line images displayed on a monitor can be easily performed. In the dicing machine, at least one of the first and second cut-line images displayed on the monitor is electronically moved by an image moving device so as to arrange the first and second cut-line images in the same straight line on the monitor. Thus, in the dicing machine of the present invention, the parallel adjustment can be easily performed as compared with the conventional dicing machine in which the parallel adjustment is mechanically performed by moving an imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Nishina, Masami Takatori, Yasuyuki Sakaya
  • Patent number: 6708593
    Abstract: A folding, straight-line, workpiece guide for a saw having a base, a saw blade extending vertically through the base, and a feed path relative to the saw blade. The workpiece guide comprises an elongated table which can be collapsed into a folded configuration or set up and locked into a working configuration. A carriage is constructed and arranged to support multiple elongated workpieces and to slide along the foldable table. The foldable table has multiple chassis sections pivotally connected to one another, adjustable legs, connectors for connecting the table to the base of the saw parallel to the feed path of the saw, and a guide track for guiding the carriage along the table when the table is in the working configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: William Weselyk
  • Patent number: 6681671
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting belt material to accurate dimensions and for forming the mating edges of a puzzle cut joint for joining the ends of the belt material to form a continuous belt for use in a document processing application. The workpiece is maintained in accurate registration a punch press by optical sensors at each station. A vacuum pickup is constructed to move the belt material from a precision cutter to a punch press and maintains the material in tensioned condition to facilitate accurate operation of the punch press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Karl V. Thomsen, Charles J. Urso, III, James F. Dildine, Jr., Boris W. Haritonoff, David C. Gruber, Steven C. Brown
  • Publication number: 20030221528
    Abstract: An improved orifice plate assembly for a loaf slicing machine, the orifice plate assembly located adjacent to a moving slicing blade includes a frame defining an opening and a first orifice-defining member and a second orifice-defining member slidably mounted together slidably on the frame. The first orifice-defining member and the second orifice-defining member, together define an orifice. An adjustment mechanism is operatively connected to the frame and to each of the first and second orifice-defining members, the adjustment mechanism when adjusted changes the orifice dimension between the first and second orifice-defining members without substantially changing a centerline location of the orifice. The adjustment mechanism includes a stud fixed to the first orifice-defining member, and two links pivotally mounted to the frame and engaged to two rods fixed to the second orifice-defining member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Glenn Sandberg, Glen F. Pryor, Scott A. Lindee
  • Patent number: 6655250
    Abstract: A punching apparatus is provided capable of punching a non-circular hole at a predetermined position on a work even when the rotatable range of the work setting is restricted. In the punching apparatus for punching a non-circular hole at a predetermined position of the work, said punch and said die are constituted such that said punch supported by the punch supporting portion is relatively rotatable and stoppable for said punch supporting portion about the central axis line of the punching direction; and, similar to said punch, said die is rotatable and stoppable about the central axis line of the punching direction in the identical rotational phase with said punch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Ishii, Shinobu Kawase
  • Publication number: 20030066403
    Abstract: A multi-module Venetian blind cutting machine is disclosed to include a machine base, and a cutting-off unit and a saw unit respectively mounted in the machine base, the cutting-off unit including a carriage having multiple workpiece positioning tools, the carriage being moved to shift the selected workpiece positioning tool to a working position to hold the Venetian blind to be cut for cutting, and a cutting-off tool driving mechanism adapted to move a cutting-off tool to cut the loaded Venetian blind, the saw unit having a circular saw, and a saw drive adapted to move and rotate the circular saw to cut the loaded Venetian blind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jung-Kuei Lin, Ya-Wei Hsu, Kuei-Lu Liu
  • Patent number: 6427512
    Abstract: A metal sheet having a pair of thin portions on respective marginal edges thereof which are joined to a remaining portion of the metal sheet via respective corners is centered by positioning the center between the corners as the center of the metal sheet. Then, elements are blanked out of the metal sheet. The elements remain joined to the metal sheet by respective connectors which are formed in the respective thin portions of the metal sheet, the bodies having respective lower edges formed in the respective thin portions of the metal sheet. The elements are separated from the metal sheet by cutting off the connectors along the lower edges of the bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Suzuki, Makoto Kobayashi, Takumitsu Tachibana
  • Patent number: 6397713
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: James L. Taylor Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Bradley S. Quick
  • Patent number: 6325119
    Abstract: To produce square beams from tree trunks (13), a device is proposed in which a tree trunk (13) is first positioned by a centering device (4) such that the lengthwise axis (14) of the tree trunk (13) assumes essentially always the same stipulated position. The tree trunk (13) is then grasped by holders (11, 12) of a carriage (8) concentrically to the lengthwise axis (14), whereupon the centering device (4) is opened. Then the tree trunk (13) is guided through a band saw (5) and trimmed on the opposite sides, whereupon it is turned by 90° and the two other sides of the tree trunk (13) are trimmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventors: Johann Wolf, Dale Sanborn
  • Patent number: 6295906
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Production Tube Cutting, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Kiger
  • Patent number: 6199463
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: James L. Taylor Manufacturing
    Inventor: Bradley S. Quick
  • Patent number: 6196101
    Abstract: A workpiece moving machine comprising: an elongate frame with an endless belt mounted on the frame and extending between the ends of the frame. A plurality of trolleys are slidably mounted on the frame for movement along the frame. Each trolley has a clamp for selectively holding a workpiece to the trolley. A first clutch on each trolley selectively connects the trolley to one run of the belt to move the trolley along the frame in one direction and a second clutch on each trolley selectively connects the trolley to the other run of the belt to move the trolley along the frame in the opposite direction. A brake on each trolley selectively brakes the trolley to the frame to prevent its movement along the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Marc Van Den Bulcke
  • Patent number: 6164176
    Abstract: A fixture for use with a saw table or router table for supporting an elongated workpiece used in conjunction with the rip fence mounted on the table. The fixture has a first rail pivotally connected at one end to one end of a second rail. The first rail is adapted to be guided along the rip fence, while the second rail can be pivoted to an angular positions relative to the first rail. The second rail has a longitudinal guide surface that can assume a plurality of angular positions relative to the rip fence. A head end retaining mechanism is connected to one of the rails for holding one end of a workpiece at a fixed point relative to the longitudinal guide surface. A tail end retaining mechanism is connected to one of the rails for maintaining the opposite end of a workpiece at a fixed point relative to the longitudinal guide surface. The tail end retaining mechanism is adjustable vertically and horizontally toward and away from the longitudinal guide surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: Bruce O. Larsson
  • Patent number: 6145424
    Abstract: A punching machine includes a body frame having a table to support a workpiece. First and second work movement positioning apparatuses are mounted at both sides to move and position the workpiece in a direction of axis X. A work head is mounted on the body frame and has a ram and a tool. The work head moves on the body frame in a direction of axis Y, which is perpendicular to axis X. The first and second work movement positioning apparatuses are arranged in series in the direction of axis X. The workpiece is clamped by the first positioning apparatus, moved in the direction of axis X, punched, clamped by the second positioning apparatus, unclamped by the first positioning apparatus, and moved further in the direction of axis X.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignees: Amada Company, Limited, Amada Engineering Center Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Morikatsu Matsuda, Eiji Matsuno
  • Patent number: 6029554
    Abstract: An apparatus for trimming the edges of a fabric panel. The apparatus includes a holding fixture for holding the panel such that the edges to be trimmed hang freely in the holding fixture. A trimming apparatus is insertable into the holding fixture for trimming the edges of the panels together while the panels are held in the holding fixture. The trimming apparatus includes a frame having a movable slide and at least one trimming assembly attached to the slide. A fixture drive engages the holding fixture holding the edges of the panels to be trimmed and repositions the holding fixture prior to trimming the edges of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Design Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Boot, Matthew D. Bouche, James R. Mazur
  • Patent number: 5974925
    Abstract: A high speed slicing machine feeds two or more food loaves continuously along parallel loaf paths through an orifice member into a slicing station for slicing by one cyclically driven knife blade; the slices are stacked or shingled in groups on a receiving conveyor below the slicing station. There are two independent loaf feed drives; slices from one loaf may be thicker than slices from the others. Each loaf feed drive advances at least one loaf into the slicing station, partly by gravity and partly by a positive loaf feed drive. Each positive loaf feed drive comprises a pair of angularly converging "short" conveyors; adjustments and bias are provided for each set of "short" conveyors. In the slicing station, an arcuate blade is rotated along a closed cutting path that intersects the ends of food loaves fed into the slicing station. A conveyor system discharges groups of food loaf slices after they are weighed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Formax, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, David M. Hansen
  • Patent number: 5924345
    Abstract: A method for precisely perforating an opening in footwear by positioning the footwear on a foot form with the outsole facing upward, supporting the vamp area of the footwear by a V-shaped support, clamping the rear section of the footwear to stabilize the footwear and moving the footwear upwardly against the die under pressure so that an opening is perforated in the heel area of the footwear. The apparatus includes a shuttle member on which the foot form, the V-shaped support and the clamp are carried. The clamp is activated when the shuttle is moved to contact a limit switch. The footwear is caused to be moved upwardly against the die under pressure upon the operator activating a switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Georgia Boot Inc.
    Inventors: Howard A. Hoffman, Ronald E. Pottorff, Lavert F. Sneed, William G. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5850774
    Abstract: A machine including a loading station for loading a pack of panels; a cutting station in which a cutting line is defined; a fixed structure located between the loading and cutting stations presenting a work surface; and a device for 90.degree. rotation of the pack of panels loaded onto the work surface. The 90.degree. rotation device includes: a frame for supporting the pack; a mechanism for moving the frame from a level below to a level above the work surface and vice versa; and a mechanism for rotating the frame 90.degree. clockwise and vice versa. The work surface presents first and second openings with longitudinal axes respectively parallel and perpendicular to the cutting line, for enabling movement of the frame from a level below to a level above the work surface and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: SELCO S.r.l.
    Inventor: Valter Naldi