Tadeusz F Kemnitz

US Patent:

6393338, May 21, 2002

Filed:

Mar 17, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/528044

Inventors:

Tadeusz Kemnitz - Durham NC 27713

International Classification:

G06F 1700

US Classification:

700231, 417 22, 417 45

Abstract:

A filling machine with a rotary peristaltic dispenser that compensates for the nonlinear flow rate characteristic of the dispenser to increase product fill accuracy is disclosed. A computer processor including associated electronic circuitry and programs is provided for defining, digitizing and storing the real pulsating flow rate characteristic of the dispenser. In order to ensure a precise delivery of the filled product, the computer calculates the angular rotation of the rotor needed to deliver the desired fill weight for each filling cycle. The angular rotation needed to maintain a uniform fill weight is generally different for each filling cycle. The current position of the rotor is first established prior to each filling cycle and then located on a stored look-up table containing the flow rate characteristic as a starting point for digital integration of the characteristic over the angular distance of the driver. The computer then integrates the digitized flow characteristic based on the look-up table in the computer memory, starting from the current rotor position one step at a time. Each step represents a small regular angular increment of the dispense rotor.

US Patent:

6804929, Oct 19, 2004

Filed:

Jun 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/879623

Inventors:

Tadeusz Kemnitz - Durham NC 27713

International Classification:

B67B 326

US Classification:

53 75, 53317, 533315, 53361

Abstract:

A rotary capping apparatus and feedback control apparatus for regulating torque applied to screw-on type caps for containers is disclosed. The present system is integrated into a machine suitable for a clean-room environment. The apparatus includes a supporting frame whereon a computer-controlled driving mechanism including a servomotor for transmitting a predetermined torque to an inflatable gripping device actuated by compressed air for gripping and torquing such caps is provided. The inflatable gripper is imparted with automatic vertical height adjustment to accommodate containers of various sizes. The present rotary capping apparatus provides an integrated closed loop feedback control system utilizing a computer for setting parameters for regulating the application of such torque and a servocontroller interfaced for bidirectional communication with the computer. The servocontroller generates an output signal to the servomotor based upon the position of the rotary capping apparatus for precise torquing of the caps onto containers. The rotary capping apparatus also incorporates automated cap and container delivery mechanisms, which provide for synchronous advancement of the caps and containers to different stations within the machine for continuous processing.

US Patent:

46306960, Dec 23, 1986

Filed:

Oct 25, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/791322

Inventors:

Tadeusz F. Kemnitz - Chapel Hill NC

Assignee:

Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche - Bologna

International Classification:

G01G 1314
G01G 1922

US Classification:

177165

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for calibrating an automatic weighing machine is provided, having means for maintaining the value of an electronic signal indicative of tare weight within a predetermined range of an ideal value in order to ensure adequate signal range is available for high resolution of net weight. In addition, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter having an adjustable gain is provided which interfaces the analog signal indicative of total gross weight (tare plus net) to a processor means. Means are provided within the processor means for adjusting the gain of the A/D converter in response to changes in the selected target weight for a package of product. Since the range of analog signals indicative of total weight depend on the selected target weight, the gain is adjusted in response to a change in target weight so the full range of digital values remain responsive to the range of analog signals.

US Patent:

46811761, Jul 21, 1987

Filed:

Aug 1, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/892669

Inventors:

Michael J. Moran - Raleigh NC
Tadeusz Kemnitz - Durham NC

Assignee:

501 USM Corporation - Farmington CT

International Classification:

G01G 1324
G01G 1900

US Classification:

177114

Abstract:

A product handling and weighing apparatus having a rotary paddle wheel with vanes forming product pockets therebetween to hold the product and transfer the product through a weighing bucket.