Patent US3589714A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3589714A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multi-item detector
Assignee: Recognition Equipment Inc
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Filing: 1969-01-23
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Granted: 1971-06-29
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Expires: 1989-01-23
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for detecting the occurrence of a simultaneous multiple feed of documents when a vacuum source operates on documents being carried away from a document feeder so as to attract the documents toward a sensing station having an exhaust port for positive air pressure. A multiple feed of documents increases the pressure at the exhaust port. A pressure sensing device is coupled to the exhaust port for detecting such increase in pressure, thereby detecting a multiple feed of documents.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest L Staples Jr
- 👤 Albert R Clark
- 👤 Victor M Moreland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:45
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15C; F15C1/00; F15C1/001; G; G06; G06K; G06K13/00; G06K13/02; G06K13/06; G06K13/067
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A MULTI-ITEM DETECTOR FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH A DOCUMENT FEEDER WHEREIN DOCUMENTS ARE FED PAST A SENSING STATION COMPRISING: A. A PAIR OF LIKE SENSING BLOCKS FORMING A DOCUMENT PATHWAY, EACH BLOCK HAVING APERTURES IN JUXTAPOSED FACES THROUGH WHICH A VACUUM IS APPLIED, B. A FIRST PORT THROUGH WHICH A FLUID FLOWS UNDER A POSITIVE PRESSURE INTO THE DOCUMENT PATHWAY IN THE FACE OF ONE OF SAID SENSING BLOCKS COUPLED BY A CHANNEL TO A PRESSURE SOURCE, C. A SECOND PORT THROUGH WHICH A FLUID FLOWS UNDER A POSITIVE PRESSURE INTO THE DOCUMENT PATHWAY IN THE FACE OF THE SECOND OF SAID SENSING BLOCKS COUPLED BY A CHANNEL TO THE PRESSURE SOURCE, AND D. A FLUID-PRESSURE-DETECTING DEVICE COUPLED TO THE CHANNEL LEADING TO EACH SAID PORTS FOR SENSING AN INCREASE IN THE FLUID PRESSURE IN SAID CHANNEL WHEN THE VACUUM DRAWS DOCUMENTS INTO CONTACT WITH BOTH OF SAID BLOCKS.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A MULTI-ITEM DETECTOR FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH A DOCUMENT FEEDER WHEREIN DOCUMENTS ARE FED PAST A SENSING STATION COMPRISING: A. A PAIR OF LIKE SENSING BLOCKS FORMING A DOCUMENT PATHWAY, EACH BLOCK HAVING APERTURES IN JUXTAPOSED FACES THROUGH WHICH A VACUUM IS APPLIED, B. A FIRST PORT THROUGH WHICH A FLUID FLOWS UNDER A POSITIVE PRESSURE INTO THE DOCUMENT PATHWAY IN THE FACE OF ONE OF SAID SENSING BLOCKS COUPLED BY A CHANNEL TO A PRESSURE SOURCE, C. A SECOND PORT THROUGH WHICH A FLUID FLOWS UNDER A POSITIVE PRESSURE INTO THE DOCUMENT PATHWAY IN THE FACE OF THE SECOND OF SAID SENSING BLOCKS COUPLED BY A CHANNEL TO THE PRESSURE SOURCE, AND D. A FLUID-PRESSURE-DETECTING DEVICE COUPLED TO THE CHANNEL LEADING TO EACH SAID PORTS FOR SENSING AN INCREASE IN THE FLUID PRESSURE IN SAID CHANNEL WHEN THE VACUUM DRAWS DOCUMENTS INTO CONTACT WITH BOTH OF SAID BLOCKS.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination set forth in claim 1, in which said detecting device is a monostable fluid amplifier with means for sensing a change of state of said amplifier to indicate the presence of a multiple feed of documents.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
81 words
The method of sensing a multiple feed of documents passing along a document pathway which comprises: a. establishing fluid suction fields on opposite sides of said pathway, b. establishing primary fluid flow under a positive pressure on opposite sides of said pathway within the zones occupied by said suction field, and c. sensing an increase in pressure in said fluid flow produced by two documents in said pathway responding to each of said suction fields simultaneously to impede both said flows.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
81 words
The method of sensing a multiple feed of documents passing along a document pathway which comprises: a. establishing fluid suction fields on opposite sides of said pathway, b. establishing primary fluid flow under a positive pressure on opposite sides of said pathway within the zones occupied by said suction field, and c. sensing an increase in pressure in said fluid flow produced by two documents in said pathway responding to each of said suction fields simultaneously to impede both said flows.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 3, in which said primary fluid flows are coupled to a pair of secondary fluid flows remote from said pathway and switched between said pair when said primary flows are both impeded.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 4, in which an electrical signal is produced when pressure due to flow restriction in one of said secondary flows exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
210 words
A system for determining the occurrence of a multiple feed of documents by a document feeder which comprises: a. dual block members spaced apart on opposite sides of the document pathway having multiple inner cavities with each such cavity opening at the sides of the blocks facing the document pathway, b. a vacuum supply means for supplying a vacuum to a portion of said inner cavities in both block members simultaneously to draw documents passing between the dual block members toward the cavity openings, c. a positive pressure air supply means for supplying air under pressure, d. a first port through which a fluid flows under a positive pressure into the document pathway in the face of one of said block members coupled by a channel to said positive pressure air supply means, e. a second port through which a fluid flows under a positive pressure into the document pathway in the face of the second of said block members coupled by a channel to said positive pressure air supply means, and f. a fluid-pressure-detecting device coupled to the channel leading to each of said ports for sensing an increase in fluid pressure in said channel when said vacuum draws documents into contact with both of said dual block members.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
210 words
A system for determining the occurrence of a multiple feed of documents by a document feeder which comprises: a. dual block members spaced apart on opposite sides of the document pathway having multiple inner cavities with each such cavity opening at the sides of the blocks facing the document pathway, b. a vacuum supply means for supplying a vacuum to a portion of said inner cavities in both block members simultaneously to draw documents passing between the dual block members toward the cavity openings, c. a positive pressure air supply means for supplying air under pressure, d. a first port through which a fluid flows under a positive pressure into the document pathway in the face of one of said block members coupled by a channel to said positive pressure air supply means, e. a second port through which a fluid flows under a positive pressure into the document pathway in the face of the second of said block members coupled by a channel to said positive pressure air supply means, and f. a fluid-pressure-detecting device coupled to the channel leading to each of said ports for sensing an increase in fluid pressure in said channel when said vacuum draws documents into contact with both of said dual block members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination set forth in claim 6, in which a document sorting means is responsive to the output of the detecting device for rejecting multiple fed documents.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The combination set forth in claim 6, in which said pressure detecting channel includes structure forming a forked flow path with airflow normally limited to one branch of said forked flow path and means for switching flow to the other branch when pressure therein increases and wherein a fluid pressure sensor is positioned in said other branch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-28 | 1974-12-28 | 1975-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-28 | 1978-12-28 | 1979-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-28 | 1982-12-28 | 1983-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |