US3583128A — Speed control system for packaging machines

Claim 1

Independent Claim 442 words

In a packaging machine of the type where a web of pliable film is utilized in packaging a product, the improvement comprising a control system for regulating the speed of a web feeding means to maintain the movement of said web in synchronization with the operation of a package end forming assembly, said control system comprising: first and second electronic switch means, each switch means having an input terminal connected through a voltage dropping means to the positive terminal of a voltage source, and each switch means being adapted to alternately conduct current from said Positive terminal of said source to a negative terminal of said source, said first and second electronic switch means being interconnected in such a way that the turning on of one of said switch means will turn off the other of said switch means, a two position switch means operable through a cycle dependent upon the time period for producing one package, said two position switch means being adapted, in a first position to apply a single, turn on signal for a completed package exiting from said machine to said second electronic switch means and to enable a speed decrease means to operate for a portion of said time period between packages, and in a second position to enable a speed increase means to operate for the remainder of the time period between packages, said input terminal of said first electronic switch means being connected to a control switching element in said speed increase means and said input terminal of said second electronic switch means being connected to a control switching element in said speed decrease means, means for sensing a register mark on said web of film, and means associated with said sensing means for applying a turn on signal to said first electronic switch mean when a register mark is sensed by said sensing means whereby, when said two position switch means is in said first position and said first electronic switch means is turned on, said second electronic switch means is turned off and the potential at said input terminal of said second electronic switch means is applied to said control switching element in said enabled speed decrease means to operate said speed decrease means to decrease the speed of said web feeding means, and when said two position switch is moved to said second position before said first electronic switch means is turned on, the potential at said input terminal of said first electronic switch is applied to said control switching element in said enabled speed increase means to operate sad speed increase means to increase the speed of said web feeding means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 442 words

In a packaging machine of the type where a web of pliable film is utilized in packaging a product, the improvement comprising a control system for regulating the speed of a web feeding means to maintain the movement of said web in synchronization with the operation of a package end forming assembly, said control system comprising: first and second electronic switch means, each switch means having an input terminal connected through a voltage dropping means to the positive terminal of a voltage source, and each switch means being adapted to alternately conduct current from said Positive terminal of said source to a negative terminal of said source, said first and second electronic switch means being interconnected in such a way that the turning on of one of said switch means will turn off the other of said switch means, a two position switch means operable through a cycle dependent upon the time period for producing one package, said two position switch means being adapted, in a first position to apply a single, turn on signal for a completed package exiting from said machine to said second electronic switch means and to enable a speed decrease means to operate for a portion of said time period between packages, and in a second position to enable a speed increase means to operate for the remainder of the time period between packages, said input terminal of said first electronic switch means being connected to a control switching element in said speed increase means and said input terminal of said second electronic switch means being connected to a control switching element in said speed decrease means, means for sensing a register mark on said web of film, and means associated with said sensing means for applying a turn on signal to said first electronic switch mean when a register mark is sensed by said sensing means whereby, when said two position switch means is in said first position and said first electronic switch means is turned on, said second electronic switch means is turned off and the potential at said input terminal of said second electronic switch means is applied to said control switching element in said enabled speed decrease means to operate said speed decrease means to decrease the speed of said web feeding means, and when said two position switch is moved to said second position before said first electronic switch means is turned on, the potential at said input terminal of said first electronic switch is applied to said control switching element in said enabled speed increase means to operate sad speed increase means to increase the speed of said web feeding means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 406 words

A control system for a packaging machine, in which a web of film with markings thereon at spaced intervals is fed by a web feeding means to a package end forming assembly which is driven independently of said web feeding means to cut said film at a predetermined frequency and at predetermined intervals, for regulating the speed of said web feeding means relative to the frequency of operation of said package end forming assembly, said system comprising first and second alternately conducting electronic switch means which are adapted to conduct current from a positive terminal of a voltage source to a negative terminal of a said source and which are interconnected in such a way that conduction of one of said electronic switch means will turn off the other of said electronic switch means, each of said electronic switch means being adapted, when not conducting, to apply a control signal to respective first and second speed control circuits for varying the speed of said web feeding means, each speed control circuit including first and second switching elements, the first of which is turned on by the control signal from one of said electronic switch means, a first signal producing means producing a first signal at a frequency related to the speed of said web feeding means, and a second signal producing means associated with said package end forming assembly and adapted to produce a second signal at a frequency related to the frequency of operation of said package end forming assembly, said first signal producing means being adapted to turn on said first electronic switch means, and said second signal producing means being adapted to apply said second signal to said second electronic switch means to turn on said second electronic switch means and being adapted, during part of one cycle of operation of said package end forming assembly, to turn on said second switching element of said second control circuit enabling said second control circuit to operate when the control signal from one of said electronic switch means is applied to said first switching element of said second control circuit, and, during the remainder of said one cycle of operation of said package end forming assembly, to turn on the second switching element of said first control circuit to enable it to operate when the control signal from the other electronic switch means is applied to said first switching element of said first control circuit.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 406 words

A control system for a packaging machine, in which a web of film with markings thereon at spaced intervals is fed by a web feeding means to a package end forming assembly which is driven independently of said web feeding means to cut said film at a predetermined frequency and at predetermined intervals, for regulating the speed of said web feeding means relative to the frequency of operation of said package end forming assembly, said system comprising first and second alternately conducting electronic switch means which are adapted to conduct current from a positive terminal of a voltage source to a negative terminal of a said source and which are interconnected in such a way that conduction of one of said electronic switch means will turn off the other of said electronic switch means, each of said electronic switch means being adapted, when not conducting, to apply a control signal to respective first and second speed control circuits for varying the speed of said web feeding means, each speed control circuit including first and second switching elements, the first of which is turned on by the control signal from one of said electronic switch means, a first signal producing means producing a first signal at a frequency related to the speed of said web feeding means, and a second signal producing means associated with said package end forming assembly and adapted to produce a second signal at a frequency related to the frequency of operation of said package end forming assembly, said first signal producing means being adapted to turn on said first electronic switch means, and said second signal producing means being adapted to apply said second signal to said second electronic switch means to turn on said second electronic switch means and being adapted, during part of one cycle of operation of said package end forming assembly, to turn on said second switching element of said second control circuit enabling said second control circuit to operate when the control signal from one of said electronic switch means is applied to said first switching element of said second control circuit, and, during the remainder of said one cycle of operation of said package end forming assembly, to turn on the second switching element of said first control circuit to enable it to operate when the control signal from the other electronic switch means is applied to said first switching element of said first control circuit.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 113 words

The control system of claim 2 in which said first electronic switch means includes a control electrode which is connected to said first signal producing means and to a voltage dividing network associated with said second electronic switch means, said voltage dividing network being adapted to apply a small potential to said control electrode of said first electronic means when said second electronic switch means is conducting and said first electronic switch means is not conducting, said small potential being of a value slightly below the threshold potential for turning on said first electronic switch means whereby said first electronic switch means is very sensitive to signals from said first signal producing means.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 32 words

The control system of claim 2 in which said first signal producing means includes a resistor and a capacitor connected in series with a control electrode of said first electronic switch means.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 32 words

The control system of claim 2 in which said second signal producing means includes a resistor and a capacitor connected in series with a control electrode of said second electronic switch means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 68 words

The control system of claim 5 in which an impedance means is connected between one side of said capacitor an the negative terminal of said source, said impedance means being adapted to permit said second signal to be applied to said control electrode of said second electronic switch means and thereafter to provide a path for the flow of discharge current from said capacitor when said capacitor discharges.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 73 words

The control system of claim 6 in which a unidirectional circuit element is connected between said control electrode of said second electronic switch means and said negative terminal of said source and provides a current path for said discharge current from said capacitor and also, by reason of a low voltage drop across said unidirectional circuit element, limits the negative potential which can be applied to said control electrode when said capacitor discharges.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 78 words

The control system of claim 5 in which a unidirectional circuit element is connected between said control electrode of said second electronic switch means and said series connected resistor and capacitor, said first electronic switch means being adapted to apply a positive, turn on voltage to the control electrode of said second electronic switch means and said unidirectional circuit element prevents this voltage from said first electronic switch means from being applied to said resistor and said capacitor.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 29 words

The control circuit of claim 2 in which said second control circuit includes a normally nonconducting circuit element which is rendered conducting when said second control circuit is operated.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 62 words

The control circuit of claim 9 in which said web feeding means includes a DC motor having shunt field winding, said circuit element is connected in parallel with a resistor in series with said field winding, and, when said second control circuit is operated, said circuit element is rendered conducting to short circuit said resistor to decrease the speed of said motor.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 18 words

The control systems of claim 2 in which said first control circuit includes a normally conducting circuit element.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 79 words

The control system of claim 11 in which said web feeding mean includes a DC motor having a shunt field winding, said circuit element is connected in parallel with a resistor in series with said field winding, said resistor being normally short circuited by said normally conducting circuit element, and, when said first control circuit is operAted, said circuit element is rendered nonconducting to open circuit the short circuit across said resistor to increase the speed of said motor.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 80 words

The control system of claim 2 in which at least one of said first and second control circuits includes an indicating lamp and an indicating lamp switch means, said indicating lamp switch means being adapted to conduct current to energize said indicating lamp when the respective control circuit is operated to vary the speed of said web feeding means and said indicating lamp serves to indicate one direction in which the speed of said web feeding means is being varied.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 55 words

The control system of claim 2 in which said second signal producing means includes means for adjusting the point in time when said second signal is produced so that said system can be used to regulate the position at which aid web is periodically cut relative to the position of said markings on said web.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 113 words

The control system of claim 2 in which said second signal producing means comprises a limit switch which is in a first position during part of the time period for producing one package and is in a second position for the remainder of said time period, said second signal producing means produces said second signal when said limit switch is moved from said second position to said first position, and means are provided for adjusting the point in time when said limit switch is moved to said first position to produce said second signal relative to the time when said first signal is produced and through a complete cycle of said first signal.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 88 words

The control system of claim 15 in which said limit switch is actuated by an eccentric cam which makes one revolution for each package produced by said machine, and said adjustment means includes a limit switch mounting plate which is rotatable about the axis of rotation of said eccentric cam and through an angle of at least 370*, and means for rotating said mounting plate to change the point in time at which said limit switch is moved by said cam from second position to said first position.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 50 words

The control system of claim 14 in which means are provided for indicating the adjustment position of said adjustment means for one package length, whereby, after said adjustment means has been adjusted for a second package length, said adjustment means can be easily readjusted to said first mentioned adjustment position.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 383 words

A speed control system for maintaining the movement of a web of film in a packaging machine in synchronization with the operation of a package end forming assembly, said system comprising means for sensing the speed of said web, said sensing means being situated at a point adjacent the path of movement of said web and upstream of said package end forming assembly and being adapted to sense eyespots positioned on said web at predetermined intervals as each eyespot passes said sensing means, a web feeding mechanism for feeding said web to said package end forming assembly, said package end forming assembly being operated at a predetermined frequency and independently of the speed of said web feeding mechanism, a control circuit, a first signal producing means associated with said sensing means and adapted to produce a signal and apply said signal to said control circuit when an eyespot on said web passes said sensing means, a second signal producing means associated with said package end forming assembly and adapted to send a signal to said control circuit upon each cycle of operation of said package end forming assembly, said control circuit including a signal comparing circuit, a speed increase circuit and a speed decrease circuit, said first signal producing means being connected to said signal comparing circuit, said second signal producing means being connected to, and applying a signal to, said speed decrease circuit during part of the cycle of operation of said end forming assembly and, being connected to, and applying a signal to, said speed increase circuit during the remainder of the cyclE of operation of said package end forming assembly, and said comparing circuit being adapted to cause operation of said speed decrease circuit to decrease the speed of said web feeding mechanism if a signal from said first signal producing means is received by said comparing circuit before said signal applied by said second signal producing means to said speed decrease circuit is terminated and applied to said speed increase circuit, and being adapted to cause operation of said speed increase circuit to increase the speed of said web feeding mechanism when said second signal producing means applies a signal to said speed increase circuit before said signal comparing circuit receives a signal from said first signal producing means.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 383 words

A speed control system for maintaining the movement of a web of film in a packaging machine in synchronization with the operation of a package end forming assembly, said system comprising means for sensing the speed of said web, said sensing means being situated at a point adjacent the path of movement of said web and upstream of said package end forming assembly and being adapted to sense eyespots positioned on said web at predetermined intervals as each eyespot passes said sensing means, a web feeding mechanism for feeding said web to said package end forming assembly, said package end forming assembly being operated at a predetermined frequency and independently of the speed of said web feeding mechanism, a control circuit, a first signal producing means associated with said sensing means and adapted to produce a signal and apply said signal to said control circuit when an eyespot on said web passes said sensing means, a second signal producing means associated with said package end forming assembly and adapted to send a signal to said control circuit upon each cycle of operation of said package end forming assembly, said control circuit including a signal comparing circuit, a speed increase circuit and a speed decrease circuit, said first signal producing means being connected to said signal comparing circuit, said second signal producing means being connected to, and applying a signal to, said speed decrease circuit during part of the cycle of operation of said end forming assembly and, being connected to, and applying a signal to, said speed increase circuit during the remainder of the cyclE of operation of said package end forming assembly, and said comparing circuit being adapted to cause operation of said speed decrease circuit to decrease the speed of said web feeding mechanism if a signal from said first signal producing means is received by said comparing circuit before said signal applied by said second signal producing means to said speed decrease circuit is terminated and applied to said speed increase circuit, and being adapted to cause operation of said speed increase circuit to increase the speed of said web feeding mechanism when said second signal producing means applies a signal to said speed increase circuit before said signal comparing circuit receives a signal from said first signal producing means.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 212 words

The speed control system of claim 18 in which said speed increase circuit and said speed decrease circuit both include an enabling switching element and a control switching element, said second signal producing means being connected to said enabling switching element of said speed decrease circuit during part of the cycle of operation of said package end forming assembly and being connected to said enabling switching element of said speed increase circuit during the remaining portion of the cycle of operation of said package end forming assembly, said signal comparing circuit having a first connection to said control switching element of said speed increase circuit and a second connection to said control switching element of said speed decrease circuit and being adapted to turn on said control switching element in said speed decrease circuit when a signal is received by said signal comparing circuit from said first signal producing means, and said second signal producing means, when initially connected to said speed decrease circuit also being connected to, and applying a signal pulse to, said signal comparing circuit to cause said signal comparing circuit to turn on said control switching element in said speed increase circuit until a signal is received by said signal comparing circuit from said first signal producing means.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 17 words

The speed control system of claim 18 in which said signal comparing circuit is a flip-flop circuit.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 292 words

An electronic control system for controlling the speed of a web feeding mechanism of a packaging machine relative to the frequency of operation of a web processing mechanism of paid packaging machine, said web processing mechanism being operated at a predetermined frequency and independently of the speed of said web feeding mechanism, said system comprising means for sensing the speed of said web at a point adjacent the path of movement of said web and upstream of said web processing mechanism, a trigger control circuit, first signal producing means associated with said sensing means and adapted to produce a signal and apply said signal to said trigger control circuit when a marking on said web passes said sensing means, a second signal producing means associated with said web processing mechanism and adapted to send signal to said trigger control circuit upon each cycle of operation of said web processing mechanism, a speed increase circuit connected to said trigger control circuit, and a speed decrease circuit connected to said trigger control circuit, said trigger control circuit being adapted to trigger said speed decrease circuit to decrease the speed of said web feeding mechanism when a signal from said first signal producing means is received by said trigger control circuit within a predetermined time period after a signal is received by said trigger control circuit from said second signal producing means, and, if no signal is received by said trigger control circuit from said first signal producing means during said predetermined time period, said trigger control circuit being adapted to trigger said speed increase circuit to increase the speed of said web feeding mechanism after said predetermined time period and until said trigger control circuit receives a signal from said first signal producing Means.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 292 words

An electronic control system for controlling the speed of a web feeding mechanism of a packaging machine relative to the frequency of operation of a web processing mechanism of paid packaging machine, said web processing mechanism being operated at a predetermined frequency and independently of the speed of said web feeding mechanism, said system comprising means for sensing the speed of said web at a point adjacent the path of movement of said web and upstream of said web processing mechanism, a trigger control circuit, first signal producing means associated with said sensing means and adapted to produce a signal and apply said signal to said trigger control circuit when a marking on said web passes said sensing means, a second signal producing means associated with said web processing mechanism and adapted to send signal to said trigger control circuit upon each cycle of operation of said web processing mechanism, a speed increase circuit connected to said trigger control circuit, and a speed decrease circuit connected to said trigger control circuit, said trigger control circuit being adapted to trigger said speed decrease circuit to decrease the speed of said web feeding mechanism when a signal from said first signal producing means is received by said trigger control circuit within a predetermined time period after a signal is received by said trigger control circuit from said second signal producing means, and, if no signal is received by said trigger control circuit from said first signal producing means during said predetermined time period, said trigger control circuit being adapted to trigger said speed increase circuit to increase the speed of said web feeding mechanism after said predetermined time period and until said trigger control circuit receives a signal from said first signal producing Means.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 54 words

The electronic control system of claim 21 in which said second signal producing means is connected to said speed decrease circuit during part of the cycle of operation of said web processing means and is connected to said speed increase circuit during the remainder of the cycle of operation of said web processing means.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 17 words

The electronic control system of claim 21 in which said trigger control circuit is a flip-flop circuit.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 33 words

The electronic control system of claim 21 in which said trigger control circuit includes means for controlling the sensitivity of said trigger control circuit to signals received from said first signal producing means.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1974-06-07	1974-12-07	1975-06-08	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1978-06-07	1978-12-07	1979-06-08	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1982-06-07	1982-12-07	1983-06-08	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Speed control system for packaging machines

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