John H Sorebo

US Patent:

20030116725, Jun 26, 2003

Filed:

Dec 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/027266

Inventors:

John Sorebo - Appleton WI, US
Robert Lorenz - Madison WI, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

International Classification:

G01V008/00
G01N021/86

US Classification:

250/559360

Abstract:

A device for detecting a web, the device including a light source adapted to emit light generally in the direction of the web; a lens spaced apart from the light source and adapted to receive light originating from the light source, the lens having a radial index of refraction gradient; and an image sensor aligned with the lens, the image sensor adapted to receive light from the lens and to convert the light to a signal. Also, a method for detecting a web, the method including emitting light from a light source; capturing light reflected by the web with a lens having a radial index of refraction gradient; focusing the captured light on an image sensor; and converting the focused light to a signal. Also, a method for aligning two webs, wherein each web has a position, and a method for detecting an object.

US Patent:

20040074942, Apr 22, 2004

Filed:

Oct 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/273398

Inventors:

John Sorebo - Appleton WI, US
Gregory Rajala - Neenah WI, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

International Classification:

B65H020/30
B23Q016/00

US Classification:

226/118200, 226/024000, 226/045000

Abstract:

A system and method for controlling the width of a web material supplied to a machine by adjusting the tension of the web material. An operator defines a target web width via an input device. The input device generates a reference signal representative of the target web width. A sensing device senses the width of the web material supplied to the machine and generates a feedback signal representative of the sensed width. A control circuit compares the feedback and reference signals and generates a tensioning signal as a function of the comparison. A tensioning device is responsive to tensioning signal for adjusting web tension.

US Patent:

20060145100, Jul 6, 2006

Filed:

Jan 3, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/028085

Inventors:

John Sorebo - Appleton WI, US

International Classification:

G01N 21/86
G01V 8/00

US Classification:

250559010

Abstract:

The system includes a light source that emits light onto a web and objects that are on the web. The system further includes a lens that has a radial index of refraction gradient. The lens is positioned such that the lens only captures light above a nominal level when light from the light source is reflected by the objects and not the web. A sensor receives light from the lens and converts the light to a signal. The method includes directing light onto the objects and the web using a light source. The method further includes positioning a lens that has a radial index of refraction gradient relative to the web and the light source such that the lens only captures light above a nominal level when the light from the light source is reflected by the objects. The method further includes focusing the captured light on a sensor.