US3633742A — Method and apparatus for classifying and sorting …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 136 words

In a method of classifying a closure cap having a flexible top panel, according to flexural characteristics thereof, there being norms for flexural positions of the panel corresponding to pressure differentials imposed thereon, the steps of, a. successively imposing two different pressure differentials on the panel, thereby inducing flexure of the pane toward corresponding positions; b. comparing each position induced to the corresponding norm therefor, thereby determining in respect of each position whether the panel exhibits deviance; c. pursuant to finding deviance in respect to either induced position, generating a signal and transmitting the signal to a memory device adapted to store the signal in one signalizing mode; and thereafter, d. investigating the memory device in respect of the one mode, thereby at once signalizing whether the panel exhibits deviance in respect of either induced position.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 136 words

In a method of classifying a closure cap having a flexible top panel, according to flexural characteristics thereof, there being norms for flexural positions of the panel corresponding to pressure differentials imposed thereon, the steps of, a. successively imposing two different pressure differentials on the panel, thereby inducing flexure of the pane toward corresponding positions; b. comparing each position induced to the corresponding norm therefor, thereby determining in respect of each position whether the panel exhibits deviance; c. pursuant to finding deviance in respect to either induced position, generating a signal and transmitting the signal to a memory device adapted to store the signal in one signalizing mode; and thereafter, d. investigating the memory device in respect of the one mode, thereby at once signalizing whether the panel exhibits deviance in respect of either induced position.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 33 words

The invention defined in claim 1, including imposing pressure differentials having the same algebraic sign, in high-low sequence, thereby inducing flexural recovery of the panel from its first position toward its second position.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method defined in claim 2, including imposing the higher pressure differential by drawing vacuum interiorly of the cap, then decreasing the vacuum to impose the lower pressure differential.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 73 words

The invention defined in claim 1, wherein the memory device is adapted for conditioning in a second signalizing mode alternative to the one mode and for separate investigation in respect of each mode, including preconditioning the retrieval element in the second mode; and separately investigating the memory device in respect of each mode, thereby positively signalizing exhibition of deviance or freedom therefrom in respect of both positions, according to which ever mode prevails.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 67 words

The invention defined in claim 4, including feeding a series of the caps along a course, performing in turn the like steps in respect of each cap while in course, and diverting each cap from the course at one or another location according to the mode signalized, thereby sorting the caps in course into two classes according to deviance or freedom therefrom in respect of both positions.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 124 words

In a method of classifying a closure cap having a resiliently flexible top panel, according to flexural characteristics thereof, there being norms for acceptable different flexural positions of the panel corresponding to different pressure differentials imposed thereon, the steps of, a. imposing a pressure differential on the panel, thereby inducing flexure of the panel toward a first position; b. comparing the first position induced to the corresponding norm; c. decreasing the pressure differential, thereby inducing flexural recovery of the panel from the first position toward a second position; d. comparing the second position induced to the corresponding norm; and e. classifying the cap as to acceptability with regard to both comparisons, thereby accounting for flexural recovery characteristics of the panel in classifying the cap.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 124 words

In a method of classifying a closure cap having a resiliently flexible top panel, according to flexural characteristics thereof, there being norms for acceptable different flexural positions of the panel corresponding to different pressure differentials imposed thereon, the steps of, a. imposing a pressure differential on the panel, thereby inducing flexure of the panel toward a first position; b. comparing the first position induced to the corresponding norm; c. decreasing the pressure differential, thereby inducing flexural recovery of the panel from the first position toward a second position; d. comparing the second position induced to the corresponding norm; and e. classifying the cap as to acceptability with regard to both comparisons, thereby accounting for flexural recovery characteristics of the panel in classifying the cap.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 183 words

Apparatus for classifying a closure cap having a flexible top panel, according to flexural characteristics thereof relative to norms for positions of said panel induced by pressure differentials thereon, said apparatus comprising: means for successively imposing two different pressure differentials on said panel, so as to correspondingly induce flexure of said panel toward first and second positions thereof; means for sensing deviance in respect of each said induced position in turn; memory means having a storage system iNcluding an information retrieval element adapted for conditioning thereof in a predetermined mode and for signalizing said mode upon investigation of said storage system; signalling means responsive to said sensing means upon sensing thereby of either said deviance for sending a signal to said memory means so as to store said signal and thereby condition said element in said mode; means for investigating said storage system so as to signalize said mode when said mode prevails, thereby signalizing whether said panel exhibits deviance in respect of either said induced position; and means adapted to control others of said means for cyclic operation thereof in predetermined sequence.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 183 words

Apparatus for classifying a closure cap having a flexible top panel, according to flexural characteristics thereof relative to norms for positions of said panel induced by pressure differentials thereon, said apparatus comprising: means for successively imposing two different pressure differentials on said panel, so as to correspondingly induce flexure of said panel toward first and second positions thereof; means for sensing deviance in respect of each said induced position in turn; memory means having a storage system iNcluding an information retrieval element adapted for conditioning thereof in a predetermined mode and for signalizing said mode upon investigation of said storage system; signalling means responsive to said sensing means upon sensing thereby of either said deviance for sending a signal to said memory means so as to store said signal and thereby condition said element in said mode; means for investigating said storage system so as to signalize said mode when said mode prevails, thereby signalizing whether said panel exhibits deviance in respect of either said induced position; and means adapted to control others of said means for cyclic operation thereof in predetermined sequence.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 46 words

The invention defined in claim 7, including movable carrier means having a member carrying a holder for said cap, said member being arranged for movement with said cap along a path, said control means being arranged for effecting said operations in timed relation to said movement.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 41 words

The invention defined in claim 8, including regulating means for first effecting imposition of the higher of said pressure differentials having the same algebraic sign, whereby to account for flexural recovery characteristics of said panel upon sensing of said second position.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 75 words

The invention defined in claim 8, including ejector means responsive to said element when conditioned in said mode for ejecting said cap from said carrier means; and means arranged and timed for coupling said ejector means to said memory means so as to investigate said element in respect of said mode during said movement subsequent to said sensing, whereby to automatically eject said cap from said carrier means pursuant to said panel exhibiting said deviance.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 99 words

The invention defined in claim 10, said memory means being arranged for presetting of said element in a normal mode alternative to said first-named mode and for distinguishably signalizing the prevailing one of said modes upon investigation of said element; said ejector means being responsive to said element in either of said modes, said coupling means being arranged so as to effect investigation in respect of first one then the other of said modes, whereby to eject said cap at one or another stage of said movement, according to whether or not said panel exhibits either of said deviances.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 58 words

The invention defined in claim 8, said holder including means for sealing said cap so as to define a chamber with said panel constituting a wall thereof; conduit means arranged for communication between said chamber and means for drawing vacuum therein; and means for controllably regulating said vacuum so as to establish said pressure differentials in predetermined sequence.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 69 words

The invention defined in claim 8, including a table, said carrier including a member arranged for traversing said table in course of said movement, said traverse member carrying elements of said sequencing control means arranged in series and having actuation means opposing said table, cam means being arranged on said table for controlling said actuation means so as to effect said predetermined operation sequence in course of said movement.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 52 words

The invention defined in claim 13, wherein said carrier means is revolvable, said control elements being generally arranged in radial series, said cam means comprising cam elements arranged on said table in radial and circumferential series so as to effect one cycle of said operations within one revolution of said carrier means.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 49 words

The invention defined in claim 12, including timing control means for said regulating means arranged to effect relief of said vacuum subsequent to said sensing operations, said holder having means thereon for restraining said cap with predetermined force independent of vacuum against ejection of said cap from said holder.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 67 words

The invention defined in claim 8, said sensing means including a probe head movable between retracted and sensing positions relative to said cap in said holder, there being head actuation means operable to move said head between said positions thereof, and control means associated with said head actuation means for moving said head in timed relation to sensing operations of said sensing means relative to said cap.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1975-01-10	1975-07-12	1976-01-11	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1979-01-10	1979-07-12	1980-01-11	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1983-01-10	1983-07-12	1984-01-11	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for classifying and sorting closure caps

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