Sara Lee Corporation

Glenn Robert Pierce

John R Everhart

James Moore Schenck

Edmund L Pace

George S Noonkester

Jimmy Franklin Plyler

David L Kamp

Dennis Starnes

Michael Thomas Fox

Larry Thomas Clodfeller

John J Frye

Donald Frank Austin

Jimmy L Plyler

A system for controlling the width and stitch density of a moving fabric web compacted by a fabric compaction system. The width control subsystem comprises a first camera which captures an image of a moving fabric web, and a first controller, wherein the first controller receives the captured image, calculates the width of the fabric web, and compares the calculated width to a first width set point. The stitch count control subsystem comprises a second camera that captures an image of a moving fabric web, and a second controller, wherein the second controller receives the captured image, calculates the stitch count of the fabric web, and compares the calculated stitch count to a first stitch count set point.

System and method for controlling width and stitch density of a fabric web

A moving fabric web vision inspection system. The apparatus includes at least two electronic cameras on one side of the moving fabric web for measuring the light intensity of a predetermined area of the moving fabric web. A high frequency, backlight, contrast panel on the other side of the moving fabric web provides reference point for the cameras to detect a defect. A controller connected to each of the electronic cameras generates a stop signal if the light intensity of the predetermined area of the moving fabric web deviates from a predetermined value. The predetermined value corresponds to a detected defect in the moving fabric web. Finally, a repair station downstream from the cameras allows an operator to repair a defect detected by the vision inspection system.

Operator-free fabric web inspection system

A fabric roll letoff for unrolling and inspecting a fabric roll. The apparatus includes: a continuous belt for supporting the fabric roll. A drive system for rotates the belt to letoff the fabric web. The drive system includes a drive roller; a idle roller; and a tension roller. The continuous belt rotates the fabric roll to unroll the fabric web at a constant velocity for subsequent processing. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of unloader arms is connected to the belt drive for receiving the fabric roll and for positioning the fabric roll onto the belt drive. Also, in the preferred embodiment, a guide frame is positioned downstream from the belt drive for directing the fabric web through an inspection area.

Large fabric roll letoff

Growing community of inventors

Winston-Salem, NC, United States of America

Glenn Robert Pierce