Thomas A Bett

US Patent:

6404910, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Dec 31, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/224951

Inventors:

Tanakon Ungpiyakul - Neenah WI
Shawn Timothy Lemery - South Ogden UT
Thomas Arthur Bett - Oshkosh WI
Wayne Allen Bernhardt - Oshkosh WI

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

G06K 900

US Classification:

382141, 700124

Abstract:

Apparatus and method using vision imaging for combined short-term and long-term monitoring and control of a manufacturing operation which produces absorbent articles for absorbing body fluids. The system collects discrete real-time visual images at a rate of at least 50-400 images per minute, up to at least 1200 images per minute, provides an ongoing display of a pattern of such images, and upon occurrence of a triggering event, continues the visual display of the images while sending information representing a limited number set of real-time images to a memory storage system which receives and permanently stores the information, for future retrieval. The data is preferably received in a temporary memory device, and written from there to a second permanent memory device. While the visual images are being sent to the memory storage system, process control logic preferably analyzes the visual images in real time, and sends results signals to manufacturing control, which modifies the manufacturing operation, for example, modifying timing of a process step, shutting the process down, or culling work pieces. A second set of a second limited number of such visual images can be sent to the memory system in response to a second, optionally subsequent, triggering event and/or from a second location.

US Patent:

6408917, Jun 25, 2002

Filed:

Apr 26, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/558926

Inventors:

Thomas Arthur Bett - Oshkosh WI
Tanakon Ungpiyakul - Neenah WI

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

B32B 3116

US Classification:

156378, 156 64, 156522, 1565801

Abstract:

This invention pertains to fabricating composite personal care article products on a fabrication line, and sensing assembly quality characteristics of such personal care article products so fabricated, using infrared image sensing apparatus, and signal processing apparatus for processing the infrared energy so sensed, to fabricate visual displays of the composite images sensed by the infrared sensing apparatus. By using infrared imagery, and sensing the various temperatures of elements being placed and worked on the fabrication line, elements of the personal care articles which are hidden from visual observation can be sensed by sensing the infrared radiation emitted from such articles. Elements which are available for visual observation can likewise be sensed where temperature of such elements is suitable for detection, by infrared-sensitive receptors. Typically, a suitable infrared signature can be obtained without adding, to the elements whose quality is being assessed, any increment of heat for purposes of enhancing detection of such element or elements.

US Patent:

6565686, May 20, 2003

Filed:

Jun 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/163317

Inventors:

Thomas Arthur Bett - Oshkosh WI
Tanakon Ungpiyakul - Neenah WI

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

B32B 3116

US Classification:

156 64, 156 731

Abstract:

This invention pertains to fabricating composite personal care article products on a fabrication line, and sensing assembly quality characteristics of such personal care article products so fabricated, using infrared image sensing apparatus, and signal processing apparatus for processing the infrared energy so sensed, to fabricate visual displays of the composite images sensed by the infrared sensing apparatus. By using infrared imagery, and sensing the various temperatures of elements being placed and worked on the fabrication line, elements of the personal care articles which are hidden from visual observation can be sensed by sensing the infrared radiation emitted from such articles. Elements which are available for visual observation can likewise be sensed where temperature of such elements is suitable for detection, by infrared-sensitive receptors. Typically, a suitable infrared signature can be obtained without adding, to the elements whose quality is being assessed, any increment of heat for purposes of enhancing detection of such element or elements.

US Patent:

6851593, Feb 8, 2005

Filed:

Dec 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/328759

Inventors:

Paul A. Weber - Appleton WI, US
Thomas Arthur Bett - Oshkosh WI, US
Tanakon Ungpiyakul - Neenah WI, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

B65H020/00

US Classification:

226188, 2261181, 226 45, 226108, 2424181

Abstract:

A system and method for controlling the strain of a web material supplied to a machine by adjusting a tension force applied to the web material. An operator defines a target web strain via an input device. A speed sensor senses the speed of the web material supplied to the machine at a first position and a second position and generates a speed signal representative of the difference. A tension sensor senses a tension force applied to the web prior to the first position and after the first position and generates a tension signal representative of the difference. A control system calculates web strain as a function of the tension signal and speed signal, and compares the calculated strain with the target web strain and generates a speed control signal as a function of the comparison. The feed device is responsive to the speed control signal for adjusting a speed differential of the web to adjust tension force applied to the web.

US Patent:

6856859, Feb 15, 2005

Filed:

Jun 22, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/338238

Inventors:

Thomas Arthur Bett - Oshkosh WI, US
Tanakon Ungpiyakul - Neenah WI, US
Shawn Timothy Lemery - South Ogden UT, US
Russell Joseph Brumm - Menasha WI, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

G06F007/00

US Classification:

700222, 700 59

Abstract:

Control processes control cross direction alignment of elements being assembled as work pieces on a manufacturing line fabricating preferably absorbent article products on a continuous substrate web. The method defines a manufacturing line path traversed by the work pieces, defines a reference path along the manufacturing path, and establishes the elements on the work pieces. A camera is mounted along the manufacturing line. An image window of the camera is referenced to the reference path. The camera captures full digitized visual images of work pieces. The camera is part of a vision imaging inspection and control system which inspects and evaluates images of the work pieces, including the cross-direction positions of the elements on the work pieces, against established acceptable positions relative to the reference path. When an element is out of alignment, the control system can display visual cues identifying the elements that are inconsistent with acceptable ranges. The full digitized images can be selectively stored in permanent memory, retrieved from permanent memory, and analyzed off-line.

US Patent:

6909106, Jun 21, 2005

Filed:

Sep 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/245526

Inventors:

Tanakon Ungpiyakul - Neenah WI, US
Thomas A. Bett - Oshkosh WI, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

G01N021/86

US Classification:

2505594, 25055932

Abstract:

The present invention provides a method and apparatus () for controlling a registration between a target point () on a moving web (), and a production outcome provided by a production operation. A method aspect can include a transporting of the web () along a movement direction () past a reference detector (), and a detecting of at least a first reference point () on the web (). The target point () can be designated by employing at least the first reference point (). The web is transported past a speed-sensor (), and the speed-sensor can measure a web speed of the moving web () to provide an output of web speed data. The web speed data is integrated over time to determine a web-length which has been transported past the speed-sensor (). The production outcome is actuated at a production-device (), and the actuating of the production outcome can be adjusted to occur after a reference-length of the web () has been transported past the speed-sensor ().

US Patent:

7103445, Sep 5, 2006

Filed:

Nov 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/305704

Inventors:

Michael Athman - Appleton WI, US
Thomas A. Bett - Oshkosh WI, US
Tanakon Ungpiyakul - Neenah WI, US
Steven T. Moore - Appleton WI, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

G07F 17/00

US Classification:

700240, 700239

Abstract:

A system and method for dispensing super absorbent material (SAM) to a machine manufacturing absorbent articles as part of a manufacturing processing operation. A first controller stores process control data relating to the manufacturing processing operation and provides a first control signal that corresponds to the stored process control data. A second controller is responsive to the first control signal provided by the first controller for providing a dispensing signal. A SAM dispenser is responsive to the dispensing signal for dispensing the SAM to the machine at a start-up dispense rate when the machine is in a start-up mode and at an operating dispense rate when the machine is in a operating mode.

US Patent:

7221987, May 22, 2007

Filed:

Jun 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/868137

Inventors:

Thomas Arthur Bett - Oshkosh WI, US
Tanakon Ungpiyakul - Neenah WI, US
Walter Caswell Reade - Appleton WI, US
Michelle Reneé Irwin - Neenah WI, US
Jeremy Brian Cannady - North Augusta SC, US
Babe Bedenbaugh - Leesville SC, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

700108, 700109, 700110, 700122, 700174

Abstract:

Analyzing an event chronology record to permit identification of periods of a production sequence that correspond to a high probability of failure. Systems and methods include receiving an event chronology for a particular machine in the production sequence and for a particular time interval. A reliability analysis system accesses process flow information to determine whether a particular event in the event chronology is related to a subsequent adverse event within a predefined event window.