Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A method for detecting laterally, longitudinally and randomly distributed discontinuities in a longitudinally moving web of material by means of probes sensitive to such discontinuities, said method comprising moving a plurality of said probes in circular paths of substantially equal radii across the moving web in planes disposed substantially parallel to the plane of the web, said plurality of probes including at least first and second probes which each define a path of travel across at least a portion of said web, said first and second probes being rotated while mutually displaced longitudinally with reference to the direction of web travel, and while mutually displaced laterally with reference to the direction of web travel by a distance of one radius such that one-half of the circular path of said first probe laterally overlaps one-half of the circular path of the second probe to an extent sufficient to cover at least a portion of the width of said web, the number of said probes being such that the entire width of said web travels past laterally overlapped half-circular paths, the direction of travel of said first probe being different from that of said second probe with respect to a given discontinuity on said web so that such discontinuity is detected in both of said two directions of travel of said probes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
220 words
A method for detecting laterally, longitudinally and randomly distributed discontinuities in a longitudinally moving web of material by means of probes sensitive to such discontinuities, said method comprising moving a plurality of said probes in circular paths of substantially equal radii across the moving web in planes disposed substantially parallel to the plane of the web, said plurality of probes including at least first and second probes which each define a path of travel across at least a portion of said web, said first and second probes being rotated while mutually displaced longitudinally with reference to the direction of web travel, and while mutually displaced laterally with reference to the direction of web travel by a distance of one radius such that one-half of the circular path of said first probe laterally overlaps one-half of the circular path of the second probe to an extent sufficient to cover at least a portion of the width of said web, the number of said probes being such that the entire width of said web travels past laterally overlapped half-circular paths, the direction of travel of said first probe being different from that of said second probe with respect to a given discontinuity on said web so that such discontinuity is detected in both of said two directions of travel of said probes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the center of the circular path of the first probe is centered over said web with a diameter of said circular path of said first probe being substantially equal to the width of said web, the center of the circular path of said second probe lies over one edge of said web, and the center of the circular path of a third probe lies over the other edge of said web.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of probes are arranged in each circular path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the travelling speed of said web and the rotational speed of said probes are related such that for each complete revolution of a probe, the material web has advanced longitudinally no further than the diameter of the circular path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein one of said probes is moved in such direction that the center of its circular path oscillates perpendicularly to the direction of web travel.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
222 words
An apparatus for detecting laterally, longitudinally and randomly distributed discontinuities in a longitudinally moving web of material by means of probes sensitive to such discontinuities, said apparatus comprising a plurality of probes arranged for movement in circular paths of substantially equal radii across the moving web in planes disposed substantially parallel to the plane of the web, said plurality of probes including at least first and second probes which each define a path of travel across at least a portion of said web, said first and second probes being rotated while mutually displaced longitudinally with reference to the direction of web travel, and while being mutually displaced laterally with reference to the direction of web travel by a distance of one radius such that one-half of the circular path of said first probe laterally overlaps one-half of the circular path of the second probe to an extent sufficient to cover at least a portion of the width of said web, the number of said probes being such that the entire width of said web travels past laterally overlapping half-circular paths, the direction of travel of said first probe being different from that of said second probe with respect to a given discontinuity on said web so that such discontinuity is detected in both of said two directions of travel of said probes.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
222 words
An apparatus for detecting laterally, longitudinally and randomly distributed discontinuities in a longitudinally moving web of material by means of probes sensitive to such discontinuities, said apparatus comprising a plurality of probes arranged for movement in circular paths of substantially equal radii across the moving web in planes disposed substantially parallel to the plane of the web, said plurality of probes including at least first and second probes which each define a path of travel across at least a portion of said web, said first and second probes being rotated while mutually displaced longitudinally with reference to the direction of web travel, and while being mutually displaced laterally with reference to the direction of web travel by a distance of one radius such that one-half of the circular path of said first probe laterally overlaps one-half of the circular path of the second probe to an extent sufficient to cover at least a portion of the width of said web, the number of said probes being such that the entire width of said web travels past laterally overlapping half-circular paths, the direction of travel of said first probe being different from that of said second probe with respect to a given discontinuity on said web so that such discontinuity is detected in both of said two directions of travel of said probes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the center of the circular path of the first probe is centered over said web with a diameter of said circular path of said first probe being substantially equal to the width of said web, the center of the circular path of said second probe lies over one edge of said web, and the center of the circular path of a third probe lies over the other edge of said web.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of probes are arranged in each circular path.