US3674140A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article sensing apparatus
Assignee: Aspro Nicholas Ltd
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Filing: 1970-12-21
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1990-12-21
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus adapted to react to the presence or absence of articles at a location in a feed path, for example tablets in a tablet-packaging machine, comprises a senser for sensing selectively the presence and absence of an article at the location, a responder adapted to respond to signals originated by the senser, and coupling means connecting the senser to the responder. The coupling means has repeatable first and second periods of operation separated in time, and is adapted to assume a state in which it can pass signals from the senser to the responder, said first and second periods being separated by mute periods during which the coupling means is incapable of passing a signal from the senser to the responder.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold Thomas File
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:05
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B57/00; B65B57/10; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2278
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
Apparatus adapted to react to the presence and absence of articles at a location in a feed path comprising a sensor for sensing selectively the presence and absence of an article at the location, a responder adapted to respond to signals originated by said sensor and coupling means connecting said sensor and said responder, said coupling means having repeatable first and second periods of operation separated in time, said coupling means being adapted to assume a state in which it can pass signals from the sensor to the responder, said first and second periods being separated by mute periods during which the coupling means is incapable of passing a signal from the sensor to the responder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus adapted to react to the presence and absence of articles at a location in a feed path comprising a sensor for sensing selectively the presence and absence of an article at the location, a responder adapted to respond to signals originated by said sensor and coupling means connecting said sensor and said responder, said coupling means having repeatable first and second periods of operation separated in time, said coupling means being adapted to assume a state in which it can pass signals from the sensor to the responder, said first and second periods being separated by mute periods during which the coupling means is incapable of passing a signal from the sensor to the responder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, having packaging means disposed in the feed path downstream of the sensing location.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, having a package rejecting means disposed in the feed path downstream of the packaging means, and a memory device connected to the responder and to the package rejecting means, said memory device being adapted to actuate the package rejecting means to reject a package in respect of which the sensor has failed to give selectively an ''''article present'''' signal and and ''''obstruction absent'''' signal during the appropriate periods.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, having means for periodically passing articles along the feed path, and an encoder and memory unit operable in synchronism with the article-passing means, said encoder being adapted to supply sequential controlling signals to the coupling means for creating periods in which the coupling means is (a) rendered capable of passing an ''''article present'''' signal to the responder, (b) is muted, (c) is rendered capable of passing an ''''obstruction absent'''' signal to the responder, (d) is muted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 4, having packaging means disposed in the feed path downstream of the sensing location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, having a package rejecting means disposed in the feed path downstream of the packaging means, and a memory device connected to the responder and to the package rejecting means, said memory device being adapted to actuate the package rejecting means to reject a package in respect of which the sensor has failed to give selectively an ''''article present'''' signal and an ''''obstruction absent'''' signal during the appropriate periods.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises means defining a temporary location for an article to be sensed, means for projecting a stream of fluid to be interrupted by an article present at said location, and means for detecting the interruption and non-interruption of said fluid stream.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling means is a circuit comprising a number of fluidic elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1 wherein the coupling means is a circuit comprising electronic devices.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling means is a circuit comprising electro-mechanical devices.
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) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |