Thomas William Wiley

US Patent:

44614314, Jul 24, 1984

Filed:

May 18, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/264974

Inventors:

Thomas W. Wiley - Asheville NC
William R. Joyce - Gerton NC

Assignee:

Tex-Fab, Inc. - Gerton NC

International Classification:

B65H 2526

US Classification:

242 571

Abstract:

An apparatus for monitoring and correcting deviations in the transverse position of a longitudinally traveling web of material as it unwinds from a supply roll of material includes a cradle unwinder for supporting the supply roll and unwinding the web from the supply roll. The cradle unwinder is mounted for movement in the transverse direction of the moving web and includes a reversible motor for causing the cradle unwinder to move transversely. A web edge detector device is located downstream of the cradle unwinder to monitor the transverse position of the moving web. As deviations in the transverse position of the web occur, the edge detector sends a signal energizing the motor causing it to turn in one direction or the other to in turn cause the cradle unwinder to move transversely in a direction to correct the transverse deviation in the position of the moving web. The cradle unwinder also includes a movable device for adapting the cradle unwinder to support supply rolls of material of different widths.

US Patent:

47265019, Feb 23, 1988

Filed:

Dec 12, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/808005

Inventors:

Thomas W. Wiley - Asheville NC

Assignee:

Tex-nology Systems, Inc. - Fairview NC

International Classification:

B65G 4724
B65H 702
B65H 918
D06C 306

US Classification:

226 15

Abstract:

An edge steerage apparatus for steering an edge of a moving web to correct for misalignment of the edge in the direction of travel. The apparatus includes one or more edge steerage units, each unit having a pair of pivotally supported, spaced-apart wheels adjacent to the edge of the web for contacting the moving web. For each of the wheels of the steerage unit, a spherical ball is provided which rotates freely omni-directionally so that the web is engaged between the wheels and the spherical ball. The two wheels of a steerage unit have a slight toe-out so that the web between the wheels is maintained in a taut condition. The position of the edge is monitored in relation to a fixed position and a steerage drive orients the wheels to introduce lateral movement in the cloth between the wheels and at the edge to steer the edge toward the fixed position.

US Patent:

47369426, Apr 12, 1988

Filed:

Sep 17, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/908262

Inventors:

Thomas W. Wiley - Asheville NC

Assignee:

Tex-nology Systems, Inc. - Arden NC

International Classification:

B65H 2932

US Classification:

271284

Abstract:

Apparatus for separating moving superposed fabric layers includes structure defining upper and lower spaced-apart, opposed surfaces between which the superposed fabric layers are conveyed. Provision is made for directing jets of gaseous fluid along the surfaces generally in the direction of movement of the superposed fabric layers. Portions of the surfaces diverge away from the layers and from the direction in which the jets are moving, and are located downstream of the locations from which the jets issue. As a result, a vacuum is created between the superposed fabric layers and the upper and lower surfaces adjacent the diverging portions thereof causing the layers to separate. Because of their direction, the jets also impart a forward force on the separated fabric layers generally in the direction of movement of the fabric preventing the fabric from flapping, curling or bunching up between the plates during separation. A guide is provided adjacent the point of separation to maintain the layers in a separated condition.

US Patent:

55401660, Jul 30, 1996

Filed:

Mar 16, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/214794

Inventors:

Thomas W. Wiley - Greer SC

Assignee:

Diversified Systems, Inc. - Greenville SC

International Classification:

D05B 3510
B23Q 1600

US Classification:

11247503

Abstract:

A fabric conveying, aligning and fabricating system comprising a table having a support surface having a length over which fabric blanks are conveyed with continuous and uninterrupted movement. Conveyors are associated with the table which are adapted to convey successive fabric blanks over the support surface. Fabric blank aligning apparatus is arranged intermediate the support surface length and includes steering apparatus operable to steer a longitudinal edge of the fabric blank. Edge sensing apparatus is operative to sense the location of the longitudinal edge of the fabric blank relative to a fixed reference during its movement over the support surface. The edge sensing apparatus is operative to actuate the edge steering apparatus which acts continuously to positively steer the longitudinal edge along the fixed reference during the movement of the fabric blank through the aligning apparatus. The aligning apparatus also includes fabric blank end control apparatus. The end control apparatus comprises a rotating press belt arranged above the support surface, an idler roll carrying the forward section of the press belt, and apparatus mounting the idler roll for movement between a first position elevated above the support surface and a second position in contact with the support surface.

US Patent:

43846866, May 24, 1983

Filed:

May 18, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/266372

Inventors:

Thomas W. Wiley - Asheville NC
William R. Joyce - Gerton NC

Assignee:

Tex-Fab, Inc. - Gerton NC

International Classification:

B65H 2526

US Classification:

242 571

Abstract:

A centerline web guide apparatus for detecting the transverse position of the centerline of a longitudinally moving web of material unwinding from a supply roll and transversely shifting the supply roll to maintain the position of the web centerline along a desired path has two photoelectric detectors located at the opposite longitudinal edges of the web. The photoelectric detectors continuously move back and forth generally transversely of the web continuously monitoring the position of the longitudinal edges of the web. The supply roll of material is supported on a frame which is movable transversely of the web by, for example, an electric motor. As the moving photoelectric detectors detect the longitudinal edges of the web, they send an appropriate signal to the motor controlling the movement of the support frame to transversely move the support frame in an appropriate direction transversely of the web to maintain the centerline of the web in a constant position along the desired path.

US Patent:

43031897, Dec 1, 1981

Filed:

Dec 27, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/107533

Inventors:

Thomas W. Wiley - Asheville NC
William R. Joyce - Gerton NC

Assignee:

Tex-Fab, Inc. - Gerton NC

International Classification:

B65H 2510
B65H 2526

US Classification:

226 15

Abstract:

A system for aligning a moving run of fabric which has longitudinal and transverse threads along a path determined by a selected one of the longitudinal threads. The system includes optics for projecting an image of the longitudinal threads while suppressing the image of transverse threads, means for determining the direction of any deviation and the amount of deviation from the selected thread position, and guidance means for returning the run to a position in which the selected thread is in its desired position. An improved guidance means which effects transverse movement of the fabric run without introducing wrinkles or bias into the run is also disclosed.