US3584199A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Processor for recording symbols provided on curved surface elements
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-05-06
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Granted: 1971-06-08
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Expires: 1989-05-06
Abstract
Abstract A device for automatically recording data pertinent to the contents of substantially cylindrical articles such as, for instance, test tubes, or bottles, includes an endless revolving conveyor for transporting such articles, fixed rotary drive means for sequentially imparting a rotary motion to each of a plurality of such articles about the axis of curvature of one curved surface element thereof and a fixed, preferably magnetic, readout head. If the readout head is magnetic its sensing gap is arranged in a common plane with the aforementioned axis of curvature.
Inventors
- 👤 John F Taplin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N35/00; G01N35/00584; G01N35/00722; G01N35/00732; B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/34; B07C5/3412; G01N35/02; G01N35/021; G01N2035/00742; G01N2035/00762
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
A processor for recording symbols provided on surface elements having equal and invariant radii of curvature including a. an endless conveyor means having a plurality of equidistantly spaced identical carrier means each for transporting one of a plurality of articles having curved surface elements whose radii of curvature are invariant and equal, each of said plurality of carrier means being adapted by virtue of its identity with all others of said plurality of carrier means to engage each of said plurality of articles in the same way so that the spatial relation between each of said plurality of carrier means and each of said plurality of articles is invariant; b. conveyor drive means for intermittently operating said conveyor means establishing periods during which said conveyor means revolves alternating with periods during which said conveyor means stands still; c. additional drive means operative during said periods when said conveyor means stand still for imparting a rotary motion relative to said conveyor means to articles supported by said carrier means about the axis of curvature of said curved surface elements of said articles, said additional drive means including stationary motor means and stationary articleengaging roller means driven by said motor means; and d. a readout head having sensing means arranged to successively read increments of said curved surface elements of said plurality of articles during said periods when said conveyor means stand still and said additional drive means impart a rotary motion to said articles relative to said conveyor means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
248 words
A processor for recording symbols provided on surface elements having equal and invariant radii of curvature including a. an endless conveyor means having a plurality of equidistantly spaced identical carrier means each for transporting one of a plurality of articles having curved surface elements whose radii of curvature are invariant and equal, each of said plurality of carrier means being adapted by virtue of its identity with all others of said plurality of carrier means to engage each of said plurality of articles in the same way so that the spatial relation between each of said plurality of carrier means and each of said plurality of articles is invariant; b. conveyor drive means for intermittently operating said conveyor means establishing periods during which said conveyor means revolves alternating with periods during which said conveyor means stands still; c. additional drive means operative during said periods when said conveyor means stand still for imparting a rotary motion relative to said conveyor means to articles supported by said carrier means about the axis of curvature of said curved surface elements of said articles, said additional drive means including stationary motor means and stationary articleengaging roller means driven by said motor means; and d. a readout head having sensing means arranged to successively read increments of said curved surface elements of said plurality of articles during said periods when said conveyor means stand still and said additional drive means impart a rotary motion to said articles relative to said conveyor means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A processor as specified in claim 1 wherein said endless conveyor means is a chain formed of links and transverse pins and mounted on a pair of sprocket wheels, and wherein said plurality of carriers are substantially annular each having a lateral extension secured to said chain.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
A processor as specified in claim 1 wherein said additional drive means include three roller-supporting shafts arranged to form a circular pattern around one of said plurality of articles, said three shafts including one shaft driven by said fixed motor means, and another shaft arranged to move radially inwardly under the bias of spring means acting upon said another shaft and to be moved radially outwardly against the bias of said spring means by a shaft-retracting motor means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A processor as specified in claim 1 wherein said readout head is provided with motor means for moving said readout head selectively away from said conveyor means and toward said conveyor means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A processor as specified in claim 1 wherein said fixed readout head is a magnetic readout head having a sensing gap arranged in a common plane with said axis of curvature of said curved surface elements as determined by said invariant spatial relation between each of said plurality of carriers and each of said plurality of articles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
232 words
A processor for recording symbols provided on surface elements havIng invariant radii of curvature including a. an endless conveyor means having a plurality of equidistantly spaced carrier means; b. a motor drive for operating said conveyor means to cause said conveyor means to revolve; c. an automatic timer intermittently energizing and deenergizing said motor drive to establish alternating periods of movement and standstill of said motor drive and of said conveyor means; d. a character recognition readout head arranged at a predetermined point along the path of said conveyor means; and e. additional drive means for rotating articles supported by said endless conveyor means relative to said conveyor means during said periods of standstill of said motor drive, said additional drive means including a stationary motor, roller means for engaging said articles operated by said stationary motor, and additional roller means for engaging said articles, said additional roller means including at least one roller under the control of roller moving means for selectively moving said one roller to two limit positions thereof, said roller moving means being under the control of said automatic timer to cause moving of said one roller to one of said limit positions thereof during said periods of movement of said motor drive and to cause moving of said one roller to the other of said limit positions thereof during said periods of standstill of said motor drive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
232 words
A processor for recording symbols provided on surface elements havIng invariant radii of curvature including a. an endless conveyor means having a plurality of equidistantly spaced carrier means; b. a motor drive for operating said conveyor means to cause said conveyor means to revolve; c. an automatic timer intermittently energizing and deenergizing said motor drive to establish alternating periods of movement and standstill of said motor drive and of said conveyor means; d. a character recognition readout head arranged at a predetermined point along the path of said conveyor means; and e. additional drive means for rotating articles supported by said endless conveyor means relative to said conveyor means during said periods of standstill of said motor drive, said additional drive means including a stationary motor, roller means for engaging said articles operated by said stationary motor, and additional roller means for engaging said articles, said additional roller means including at least one roller under the control of roller moving means for selectively moving said one roller to two limit positions thereof, said roller moving means being under the control of said automatic timer to cause moving of said one roller to one of said limit positions thereof during said periods of movement of said motor drive and to cause moving of said one roller to the other of said limit positions thereof during said periods of standstill of said motor drive.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
108 words
A processor as specified in claim 6 wherein said readout head and said additional drive means are arranged at substantially the same location along said path of said conveyor means, and wherein said readout head is supported by readout-head-moving-means for selectively moving said readout head to two limit positions thereof, said readout-head-moving-means being under the control of said automatic timer to cause moving of said readout head to one of said limit positions thereof during said periods of movement of said motor drive and to cause moving of said readout head to the other of said limit positions thereof during said periods of standstill of said motor drive.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
253 words
A processor for recording symbols provided on surface elements having invariant radii of curvature including a. a horizontal endless conveyor means having a plurality of equidistantly spaced carriers each defining a circular test-tube-receiving aperture; b. a plurality of normally substantially vertical test tubes each loosely fitted into said circular aperture of, and supported by, and tiltable relative to, one of said plurality of carriers; c. a motor drive for operating said conveyor means to cause said conveyor means to revolve; d. a vertical roller means arranged in the path of said plurality of test tubes when jointly revolving with said conveyor means; e. an automatic timer intermittently energizing and deenergizing said motor drive to establish alternating periods of movement and standstill of said motor drive and said conveyor means; f. a stationary motor energized during said periods of standstill to operate said vertical roller means and to cause said vertical roller means to impart a rotary motion to one of said plurality of test tubes during said periods of standstill; g. idler roller means for engaging the lateral walls of said plurality of test tubes, said idler roller means including at least an idler roller biased against the lateral wall of one of said plurality of test tubes during said periods of standstill; h. automatic means for retracting said idler roller during said periods of movement; and i. a magnetic readout head arranged in close proximity to the lateral wall of each of said plurality of test tubes during said periods of standstill.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
253 words
A processor for recording symbols provided on surface elements having invariant radii of curvature including a. a horizontal endless conveyor means having a plurality of equidistantly spaced carriers each defining a circular test-tube-receiving aperture; b. a plurality of normally substantially vertical test tubes each loosely fitted into said circular aperture of, and supported by, and tiltable relative to, one of said plurality of carriers; c. a motor drive for operating said conveyor means to cause said conveyor means to revolve; d. a vertical roller means arranged in the path of said plurality of test tubes when jointly revolving with said conveyor means; e. an automatic timer intermittently energizing and deenergizing said motor drive to establish alternating periods of movement and standstill of said motor drive and said conveyor means; f. a stationary motor energized during said periods of standstill to operate said vertical roller means and to cause said vertical roller means to impart a rotary motion to one of said plurality of test tubes during said periods of standstill; g. idler roller means for engaging the lateral walls of said plurality of test tubes, said idler roller means including at least an idler roller biased against the lateral wall of one of said plurality of test tubes during said periods of standstill; h. automatic means for retracting said idler roller during said periods of movement; and i. a magnetic readout head arranged in close proximity to the lateral wall of each of said plurality of test tubes during said periods of standstill.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A processor as specified in claim 8 including automatic means for retracting said magnetic readout head during said periods of motion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3503265A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-07 | 1974-12-07 | 1975-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-07 | 1978-12-07 | 1979-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-07 | 1982-12-07 | 1983-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |