Patent US3708025A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3708025A
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Method and apparatus for selecting objects to be formed into groups
Assignee: Mateo Grau e Hijos SA
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Filing: 1971-09-21
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Granted: 1973-01-02
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Expires: 1991-09-21
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for classifying a supply of objects having a common characteristic, such as size or weight, which is randomly distributed throughout the individual objects into groups in which the total value of all of the objects in each group will be the same, in which the random supply is divided into types having narrow ranges of said values, and the final groups are selected from the subdivided groups according to prearranged programs which are designed to utilize more of the objects which predominate in the random supply at the time the groups are selected.
Inventors
- 👤 F Soler
- 👤 J Gomez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:06
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B57/00; B65B57/20; G; G06; G06M; G06M1/00; G06M1/08; G06M1/083; G06M1/086; G06M3/00; G06M3/02; G06M7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
Method of classifying a supply of randomly distributed similar objects, each having a common characteristic which ranges between a predictable maximal value and a predictable minimal value for each object, and arranging selected pluralities of said objects into groups in which the sum of the values of said common characteristic of all of the objects in each group is approximately the same, comprising the steps of subdividing the range of said predictable maximal and minimal values into a plurality of fractional increments to define a plurality of classes of said objects, each said class of objects having individual values of said common characteristic which falls within the range of a particular increment defining the class, providing a plurality of different programs for selecting objects to comprise one of said groups of objects, each said program containing a different proportion of objects from different classes, subdividing said randomly distributed objects into said classes prior to arrival at a selection point, accumulating said subdivided objects at said selection point, selecting one of said programs in accordance with the proportionate number of objects of different classes accumulated, and selecting the number of objects of each class designated by the selected program from the accumulated objects.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
Method of classifying a supply of randomly distributed similar objects, each having a common characteristic which ranges between a predictable maximal value and a predictable minimal value for each object, and arranging selected pluralities of said objects into groups in which the sum of the values of said common characteristic of all of the objects in each group is approximately the same, comprising the steps of subdividing the range of said predictable maximal and minimal values into a plurality of fractional increments to define a plurality of classes of said objects, each said class of objects having individual values of said common characteristic which falls within the range of a particular increment defining the class, providing a plurality of different programs for selecting objects to comprise one of said groups of objects, each said program containing a different proportion of objects from different classes, subdividing said randomly distributed objects into said classes prior to arrival at a selection point, accumulating said subdivided objects at said selection point, selecting one of said programs in accordance with the proportionate number of objects of different classes accumulated, and selecting the number of objects of each class designated by the selected program from the accumulated objects.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the common characteristic of said objects is their weight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1, which includes the steps of feeding said objects to said selection point in sequence, and a predetermined number of each class of said objects is accumulated prior to the selection of one of said programs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 3, which includes the steps accumulating a predetermined minimal number of objects of all classes and a predetermined maximal number of objects of one class prior to the selection of one of said programs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 4, which includes the steps of providing at least one program which designates a preponderance of articles of one class to be selected to form a group, and selecting said program when the maximal number of objects of that class has been accumulated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 5, which includes the steps of providing a plurality of said programs each designating a preponderance of articles of a different class, and selecting the program iN which the preponderance of objects designated corresponds to the class of which the maximal number of objects has been accumulated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the common characteristic of said objects is their weight.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
134 words
In apparatus for classifying a supply of randomly distributed similar objects, each having a common characteristic which ranges between a predictable maximal value and a predictable minimal value for each object, and arranging selected pluralities of said objects into groups, said range of predictable values being subdivided into a plurality of fractional increments to define a plurality of classes of said objects, the improvement which includes a plurality of channels for independently sequentially conveying objects of each of said respective classes, means to accumulate pluralites of said objects at a selection point, sensing means to detect the presence of a preponderance of objects of any one class thus accumulated, and means to selectively release a plurality of different combinations of classes of objects from said selection point to form successive ones of said groups.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
134 words
In apparatus for classifying a supply of randomly distributed similar objects, each having a common characteristic which ranges between a predictable maximal value and a predictable minimal value for each object, and arranging selected pluralities of said objects into groups, said range of predictable values being subdivided into a plurality of fractional increments to define a plurality of classes of said objects, the improvement which includes a plurality of channels for independently sequentially conveying objects of each of said respective classes, means to accumulate pluralites of said objects at a selection point, sensing means to detect the presence of a preponderance of objects of any one class thus accumulated, and means to selectively release a plurality of different combinations of classes of objects from said selection point to form successive ones of said groups.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus defined in claim 8, wherein said means to selectively release said combinations of objects includes electronic circuit means responsive to said sensing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus defined in claim 9, wherein said electronic circuit means includes a plurality of predetermined programs, each of said programs being respectively actuated in response to detection of a preponderance of objects of a particular class.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
147 words
Apparatus defined in claim 10, wherein said sensing means includes means cooperating with each of said channels to detect a predetermined minimal number of objects and a maximal number of objects accumulated in said channel, and said electronic circuit means includes first circuit means connected with all of said means to detect objects in said channels to provide a signal when all of said channels have accumulated the minimal number of objects and one channel has accumulated a maximal number of objects, and second circuit connected with said first circuit means, all of said maximal object detecting means and said releasing means, said second circuit including means to select a plurality of predetermined programs corresponding to the number of classes of objects, and to select the corresponding program to release a group of objects in response to a signal from one of said maximal object detecting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus defined in claim 8, wherein said sensing means includes first and second electrical switching means for each of said channels, each of said first switching means being actuated by the presence of an accumulation of a predetermined minimal number of objects in the channel, each of said second switching means being actuated by the presence of an accumulation of a predetermined maximal number of objects in the channel, and circuit means connecting all of said first and second switching means to provide an electrical signal when all of said first switching means and at least one of said second switching means have been actuated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus defined in claim 12, wherein said means to selectively release objects includes a plurality of electrically operable restraining means for each of said channels, each of said restraining means being movable between a first position to immobilize an object accumulated in the channel at the selection point and a second position to release said object, said restraining means being arranged to immobilize objects successively positioned in the channel, whereby the number of objects released from each channel is controlled by the number of restraining means actuated to said second position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus defined in claim 13, wherein said restraining means are normally positioned in said first position, and are connected in said circuit means connecting said switching means to provide said electrical signal, said circuit means also including means to actuate at least one of said restraining means to said Second position when said signal has been provided.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus defined in claim 14, wherein said circuit means includes means selectively responsive to the signal provided by each of said second switching means to actuate selectively predetermined arrangements of pluralities of said restraining means to their respective second positions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus defined in claim 13, wherein said channel for accumulating objects are inclined to induce movement of said articles in one direction by gravity, and said means to accumulate objects includes mounting means for said restraining means movable between a first position and a second position, said restraining means including an arm supported by said mounting means for contact with an object in a channel when said mounting means and said restraining means are both in their first positions, said arm being out of possible contact with an object when said mounting means is in said second position, whereby when said mounting means is in said second position objects can freely accumulate in said channels.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus defined in claim 16, wherein said restraining means include electromagnetic devices mounted on a framework, said framework being pivotally mounted at one end, and electric motor means connected with said one end to raise and lower said framework.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus defined in claim 16, wherein said means to accumulate objects includes means disposed at the lowermost end of each of said channels movable between a first position to block the movement of an object in the channel and a second position for unobstructed movement of an article.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus defined in claim 18, wherein said means to block movement of an object includes an element pivotally mounted at the extremity of a channel, and a second element mounted at said extremity and coacting with said pivotally mounted element in said second position to block said movement.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus defined in claim 19, wherein said means to block movement of an object includes electrical actuating means to move said pivotally mounted element between said two positions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus defined in claim 20, wherein said electrical actuating means includes circuit means controlling the actuating means to release objects from the channels when said restraining means are positioned to release objects in accordance with a predetermined program.
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) | 1976-01-02 | 1976-07-03 | 1977-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-02 | 1980-07-03 | 1981-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-02 | 1984-07-03 | 1985-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |