US4067760A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gate control for printed web scanner
Assignee: General Foods Corp
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Filing: 1976-03-24
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Granted: 1978-01-10
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Expires: 1996-03-24
Abstract
Abstract A continuous clear surfaced web adapted to be fed from a supply roll thereof for a converting operation thereon is preprinted with a succession of identical repeat patterns extending over the entire width of the web. Each pattern consists of areas which contain printed matter and at least one longitudinable discontinuous area or segment which, except for the presence of a printed register mark therein, is clear and unprinted. A photo sensitive scanner is directed at the register mark track of the feeding web for detecting the register marks and controlling in accordance therewith the timing of an associated machine operation, such as web splicing, so as to be performed in register with the web pattern. The operation of the scanner is controlled by a digital reset counter of pulses fed from a pulse generator driven by the web feeding mechanism. The counter is reset to zero upon the detection of each register mark. It is initially preset to a number during the count of which the scanner is deactivated and after the count of which the scanner is activated. The number preset in the counter corresponds to the length of the register mark track starting from one register mark and continuing up to the segment of clear track containing the next register mark. The counter thus gates the operation of the scanner so as to detect only register marks and not to misread other printed matter lying in the scanned track as a register mark.
Inventors
- 👤 Fredolf O. Nelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:46
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H23/00; B65H23/04; B65H23/18; B65H23/188; B65H23/1882; B65H23/1886; B65H19/00; B65H19/10; B65H19/18; B65H19/1805; B65H19/1826; B65H19/1836; B65H21/00; B65H21/02; A; A61; A61K; A61K38/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for detecting register marks in clear portions of a track running through clear and unclear portions of repeat patterns on a moving web comprising: a. a scanner positioned adjacent said web and operable for emitting a scanning pulse upon detection of a register mark in the track of the moving web; b. an encoder driven in synchronism with the movement of said web for emitting pulses representing increments of web feed length; and c. a reset digital counter connected to said encoder and said scanner and responsive to receipt of a predetermined number of pulses from said encoder to gate the operation of said scanner to inhibit scanning of unclear track portions while counting up to said predetermined number and to enable scanning of clear track portions upon reaching said predetermined number, said counter being reset and said scanner being deactivated upon receipt of a scanning pulse.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus for detecting register marks in clear portions of a track running through clear and unclear portions of repeat patterns on a moving web comprising: a. a scanner positioned adjacent said web and operable for emitting a scanning pulse upon detection of a register mark in the track of the moving web; b. an encoder driven in synchronism with the movement of said web for emitting pulses representing increments of web feed length; and c. a reset digital counter connected to said encoder and said scanner and responsive to receipt of a predetermined number of pulses from said encoder to gate the operation of said scanner to inhibit scanning of unclear track portions while counting up to said predetermined number and to enable scanning of clear track portions upon reaching said predetermined number, said counter being reset and said scanner being deactivated upon receipt of a scanning pulse.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined number is a number less than the number of pulses representing the distance between successive register marks and greater than the number of pulses representing the distance from a register mark to the clear track portion containing the next register mark.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein said scanner is a photo electric cell and said register mark is a printed designation within a clear track portion, and wherein the unclear track portions contain printing of subject matter other than a register mark.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The invention according to claim 3 including; d. a strobe light positioned adjacent to said moving web and directed to recognizable printed matter on the surface of said web at pattern repeat length distances along the web said light being energized in response to detection of a register mark by said scanner for monitoring the phase relationship between said repeat patterns and said scanner.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
209 words
Apparatus for splicing web material feeding to web handling mechanism and having register marks located in clear portions of a track running through clear and unclear portions of repeat patterns thereon, said apparatus including a splicing head operable during a splicing cycle to join an expiring web at said splicing head with the leading edge of a new web located at said splicing head comprising: a. a scanner positioned adjacent said expiring web a fixed distance from said splicing head for emitting a scanning pulse upon detection of a register mark in the track of said expiring web; b. an encoder driven in synchronism with the feed of said expiring web for emitting pulses representing increments of web feed length; and c. a reset digital counter connected to said encoder and said scanner and responsive to receipt of a predetermined number of pulses from said encoder for gating the operation of said scanner to inhibit scanning of unclear track portions while counting up to said predetermined number and to enable scanning of clear track portions upon reaching said predetermined number, said counter being reset by receipt of a scanning pulse to deactivate said scanner and conditionable to initiate a splicing cycle when reset by receipt of a scanning pulse.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
209 words
Apparatus for splicing web material feeding to web handling mechanism and having register marks located in clear portions of a track running through clear and unclear portions of repeat patterns thereon, said apparatus including a splicing head operable during a splicing cycle to join an expiring web at said splicing head with the leading edge of a new web located at said splicing head comprising: a. a scanner positioned adjacent said expiring web a fixed distance from said splicing head for emitting a scanning pulse upon detection of a register mark in the track of said expiring web; b. an encoder driven in synchronism with the feed of said expiring web for emitting pulses representing increments of web feed length; and c. a reset digital counter connected to said encoder and said scanner and responsive to receipt of a predetermined number of pulses from said encoder for gating the operation of said scanner to inhibit scanning of unclear track portions while counting up to said predetermined number and to enable scanning of clear track portions upon reaching said predetermined number, said counter being reset by receipt of a scanning pulse to deactivate said scanner and conditionable to initiate a splicing cycle when reset by receipt of a scanning pulse.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention according to claim 5 wherein said predetermined number is a number less than the number of pulses representing the distance between successive register marks and greater than the number of pulses representing the distance from a register mark to the clear track portion containing the next register mark.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention according to claim 6 wherein said scanner is a photo electric cell and said register mark is a printed designation within a clear track portion, and wherein the unclear track portions contain printing of subject matter other than a register mark.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
284 words
Apparatus for splicing web material feeding to web handling mechanism and having register marks located in clear portions of a track running through clear and unclear portions of repeat patterns thereon, said apparatus including a splicing head operable during a splicing cycle to join an expiring web at said splicing head with the leading edge of a new web located at said splicing head comprising: a. a scanner positioned adjacent said expiring web a fixed distance from said splicing head for emitting a scanning pulse upon detection of a register mark in the track of said expiring web; b. an encoder driven in synchronism with the feed of said expiring web for emitting pulses representing increments of web feed length; c. a reset digital counter connected to said encoder and said scanner and responsive to receipt of a predetermined number of pulses from said encoder for gating the operation of said scanner, said predetermined number being a number less than the number of pulses representing the distance between successive register marks to inhibit the scanning of unclear track portions while counting up to said predetermined number and to enable scanning of clear track portons upon reaching said predetermined number, said counter being reset by receipt of a scanning pulse to deactivate said scanner and conditionable to initiate a splicing cycle when reset by receipt of a scanning pulse; and d. a second digital counter activated at the start of a splicing cycle to measure the expiring web feeding to said splicing head and effective to activate said splicing head after the feed of a measured length of expiring web calculated to bring the reset patterns on the respective webs in register with one another.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
284 words
Apparatus for splicing web material feeding to web handling mechanism and having register marks located in clear portions of a track running through clear and unclear portions of repeat patterns thereon, said apparatus including a splicing head operable during a splicing cycle to join an expiring web at said splicing head with the leading edge of a new web located at said splicing head comprising: a. a scanner positioned adjacent said expiring web a fixed distance from said splicing head for emitting a scanning pulse upon detection of a register mark in the track of said expiring web; b. an encoder driven in synchronism with the feed of said expiring web for emitting pulses representing increments of web feed length; c. a reset digital counter connected to said encoder and said scanner and responsive to receipt of a predetermined number of pulses from said encoder for gating the operation of said scanner, said predetermined number being a number less than the number of pulses representing the distance between successive register marks to inhibit the scanning of unclear track portions while counting up to said predetermined number and to enable scanning of clear track portons upon reaching said predetermined number, said counter being reset by receipt of a scanning pulse to deactivate said scanner and conditionable to initiate a splicing cycle when reset by receipt of a scanning pulse; and d. a second digital counter activated at the start of a splicing cycle to measure the expiring web feeding to said splicing head and effective to activate said splicing head after the feed of a measured length of expiring web calculated to bring the reset patterns on the respective webs in register with one another.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention according to claim 8 wherein said second counter is activated to start a splicing cycle by said reset digital counter upon being reset by receipt of a scanning pulse.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention according to claim 8 wherein the feed of said expiring web is halted after being fed said measured length and prior to activation of said splicing head.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention according to claim 8 wherein the feed of said expiring web is continuous and uninterrupted by the activation of said splicing head.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for detecting register marks in clear portions of a track running through clear and unclear portions of repeat patterns on a moving web comprising the steps of: a. directing said web past a scanner aligned with said track and adapted to emit a scanning pulse upon detecting a register mark therein; b. generating pulses synchronized with web movement whereby each pulse represents an increment of web feed length; c. using a reset digital counter for counting said pulses up to a predetermined number which is less than the number of pulses representing the distance between successive register marks and greater than the number of pulses representing the distance from a register mark to the clear track portion containing the next register mark; d. inhibiting said scanner during said counting; e. enabling said scanner to scan clear portions after completing said counting; and f. resetting said counter and deactivating said scanner upon receipt of a scanning pulse.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for detecting register marks in clear portions of a track running through clear and unclear portions of repeat patterns on a moving web comprising the steps of: a. directing said web past a scanner aligned with said track and adapted to emit a scanning pulse upon detecting a register mark therein; b. generating pulses synchronized with web movement whereby each pulse represents an increment of web feed length; c. using a reset digital counter for counting said pulses up to a predetermined number which is less than the number of pulses representing the distance between successive register marks and greater than the number of pulses representing the distance from a register mark to the clear track portion containing the next register mark; d. inhibiting said scanner during said counting; e. enabling said scanner to scan clear portions after completing said counting; and f. resetting said counter and deactivating said scanner upon receipt of a scanning pulse.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention according to claim 12 wherein said counting is repeated upon detection of a register mark by said scanner.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention according to claim 12 including the step of: f. momentarily illuminating a recognizable portion of a said web upon detection of a register mark to enable the phase relationship between said repeat patterns and said scanner to be monitored.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
223 words
A method for controlling apparatus adapted to splice feeding web material having register marks located in clear portions of a track running through clear and unclear portions of repeat patterns thereon, said apparatus including a splicing head operable during a splicing cycle to join an expiring web at said splicing head with the leading edge of a new web located at said splicing head comprising the steps of: a. directing said expiring web past a scanner aligned with said track and adapted to emit a scanning pulse upon detecting a register mark therein; b. generating pulses synchronized with web movement whereby each pulse represents an increment of web feed length; c. using a reset digital counter for counting said pulses up to a predetermined number which is less than the number of pulses representing the distance between successive register marks and greater than the number of pulses representing the distance from a register mark to the clear track portion containing the next register mark; d. inhibiting said scanner during said counting; e. enabling said scanner to scan clear portions upon completion of said counting; f. resetting said counter to deactivate said scanner and repeat said counting upon detection of a register mark by said scanner; and g. initiating a splicing cycle at the moment a selected register mark is detected by said scanner.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
223 words
A method for controlling apparatus adapted to splice feeding web material having register marks located in clear portions of a track running through clear and unclear portions of repeat patterns thereon, said apparatus including a splicing head operable during a splicing cycle to join an expiring web at said splicing head with the leading edge of a new web located at said splicing head comprising the steps of: a. directing said expiring web past a scanner aligned with said track and adapted to emit a scanning pulse upon detecting a register mark therein; b. generating pulses synchronized with web movement whereby each pulse represents an increment of web feed length; c. using a reset digital counter for counting said pulses up to a predetermined number which is less than the number of pulses representing the distance between successive register marks and greater than the number of pulses representing the distance from a register mark to the clear track portion containing the next register mark; d. inhibiting said scanner during said counting; e. enabling said scanner to scan clear portions upon completion of said counting; f. resetting said counter to deactivate said scanner and repeat said counting upon detection of a register mark by said scanner; and g. initiating a splicing cycle at the moment a selected register mark is detected by said scanner.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention according to claim 15 wherein said splicing head is activated after a predetermined length of the expiring web has been fed to said splicing head following the initiation of the splicing cycle.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
265 words
A method for controlling apparatus adapted to splice feeding web material having register marks located in clear portions of a track running through clear and unclear portions of repeat patterns thereon, said apparatus including a splicing head operable during a splicing cycle to join an expiring web at said splicing head with the leading edge of a new web at said splicing head comprising the steps of: a. directing said expiring web past a scanner aligned with said track and adapted to emit a scanning pulse upon detecting a register mark therein; b. generating pulses synchronized with web feed whereby each pulse represents an increment of web feed length; c. using a reset digital counter for counting said pulses up to a predetermined number which is less than the number of pulses representing the distance between successive register marks and greater than the number of pulses representing the distance from a register mark to the clear track portion containing the next register mark; d. inhibiting said scanner during said counting; e. enabling said scanner to scan clear portions after completing said counting; f. resetting said counter to deactivate said scanner and repeat said counting upon detection of a register mark by said scanner; g. measuring the feed of the expiring web to the splicing head from the moment a selected register mark is detected by said scanner; and h. activating said splicing head after feed of a measured length of said expiring web calculated to bring a pattern on the expiring web in register with a pattern of the new web at the splicing head.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
265 words
A method for controlling apparatus adapted to splice feeding web material having register marks located in clear portions of a track running through clear and unclear portions of repeat patterns thereon, said apparatus including a splicing head operable during a splicing cycle to join an expiring web at said splicing head with the leading edge of a new web at said splicing head comprising the steps of: a. directing said expiring web past a scanner aligned with said track and adapted to emit a scanning pulse upon detecting a register mark therein; b. generating pulses synchronized with web feed whereby each pulse represents an increment of web feed length; c. using a reset digital counter for counting said pulses up to a predetermined number which is less than the number of pulses representing the distance between successive register marks and greater than the number of pulses representing the distance from a register mark to the clear track portion containing the next register mark; d. inhibiting said scanner during said counting; e. enabling said scanner to scan clear portions after completing said counting; f. resetting said counter to deactivate said scanner and repeat said counting upon detection of a register mark by said scanner; g. measuring the feed of the expiring web to the splicing head from the moment a selected register mark is detected by said scanner; and h. activating said splicing head after feed of a measured length of said expiring web calculated to bring a pattern on the expiring web in register with a pattern of the new web at the splicing head.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention according to claim 17 wherein the feeding of said expiring web is stopped after the feeding of said measured length and before activation of said splicing head.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention according to claim 17 wherein the feed of the expiring web is continuous and uninterrupted during the activation of the splicing head.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-09 | 1981-07-11 | 1982-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-09 | 1985-07-11 | 1986-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-09 | 1989-07-11 | 1990-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |