US3737666A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Counter for a stream of overlapped articles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-04-15
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Granted: 1973-06-05
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Expires: 1991-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A mechanism for counting the number of articles in a stream of overlapped articles which move past a datum point. Each article has a leading edge that presents a step as it passes the datum point and, except for the first article, there is an adjacent surface of an adjacent article just upstream from it. A base carries drive means for driving the stream past the datum point. A sensor is mounted at the datum point which is responsive to the change in a physical condition, such as light intensity, fluid pressure, or the like. A change of condition is derived by observing with the sensor the said physical condition in the region between the step and its adjacent surface, and impeding the said observation, such as by blocking off the sensor from said region. The device includes a deflector surface to flex the article and thereby open such region for each step. In one embodiment, a parallelogram movement is mounted to the base with a mobile portion adapted to move toward and away from the base. A wheel is mounted to the mobile portion and is adapted to roll along the stream of articles so as to establish the elevation of the mobile portion relative to the said articles. The sensor is carried by the mobile portion at the datum point, and the number of articles is counted as a function of the number of steps (i.e., of the leading edges of the approaching articles) which pass the datum point. A counter is actuated by the sensor to count the number of steps.
Inventors
- 👤 L Dutro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 01:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06M; G06M7/00; G06M7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
A mechanism for counting the number of articles in a stream of overlapped articles moving past a datum point, each article having a leading edge presenting a step as it passes the datum point, said mechanism comprising: a base; drive means based on said base, and driving the stream past the datum point; a sensor at the datum point responsive to change of light level; a deflector surface so disposed and arranged as to be contacted by an article and to hold the article away from the sensor to form a region within which the light level can be observed by the sensor while the article is in one position, the article being free to approach the sensor in another position, whereby the sequence of steps is counted as a function of the number of steps which pass the datum point in order to count the number of articles passed by the datum point; a sensor passage having an opening facing into said region, said sensor being disposed in said passage and being responsive to illumination and to the absence thereof; said opening being so disposed and arranged as to be occluded by a respective article when in the last-named position; and illumination means illuminating the region, but only diffusely illuminating the sensor passage when it is not occluded.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
A mechanism for counting the number of articles in a stream of overlapped articles moving past a datum point, each article having a leading edge presenting a step as it passes the datum point, said mechanism comprising: a base; drive means based on said base, and driving the stream past the datum point; a sensor at the datum point responsive to change of light level; a deflector surface so disposed and arranged as to be contacted by an article and to hold the article away from the sensor to form a region within which the light level can be observed by the sensor while the article is in one position, the article being free to approach the sensor in another position, whereby the sequence of steps is counted as a function of the number of steps which pass the datum point in order to count the number of articles passed by the datum point; a sensor passage having an opening facing into said region, said sensor being disposed in said passage and being responsive to illumination and to the absence thereof; said opening being so disposed and arranged as to be occluded by a respective article when in the last-named position; and illumination means illuminating the region, but only diffusely illuminating the sensor passage when it is not occluded.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A mechanism according to claim 1 in which the deflector surface is upstream of the sensor and beneath the stream.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A mechanism according to claim 1 in which the deflector surface is downstream of the sensor and above the stream.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A mechanism according to claim 1 in which a counting mechanism is responsive to the sensor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
283 words
A mechanism for counting the number of articles in a stream of overlapped articles moving past a datum point, each article having a leading edge presenting a step as it passes the datum point, said mechanism comprising: a base; drive means based on said base, and driving the stream past the datum point; a parallelogram movement mounted to the base and including a mobile portion adapted to move toward and away from said base; a wheel mounted to said mobile portion and adapted to roll along the stream of articles so as to determine the elevation of the mobile portion relative to the said articles; a sensor responsive to change of light level mounted to the mobile portion at the datum point; a deflector surface carriage on said mobile portion which is so disposed and arranged as to be contacted by an article and to hold the article away from the sensor to form a region within which the light level can be observed by the sensor while the article is in one position, the article being free to approach the sensor in another position, whereby the sequence of steps is counted as a function of the number of steps which pass the datum point in order to count the number of articles passed by the datum point; a sensor passage having an opening facing into said region, said sensor being disposed in said passage and being responsive to illumination and to the absence thereof, said opening being so disposed and arranged as to be occluded by a respective article when in the last-named position; and illumination means illuminating the region, but only diffusely illuminating the sensor passage when it is not occluded.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
283 words
A mechanism for counting the number of articles in a stream of overlapped articles moving past a datum point, each article having a leading edge presenting a step as it passes the datum point, said mechanism comprising: a base; drive means based on said base, and driving the stream past the datum point; a parallelogram movement mounted to the base and including a mobile portion adapted to move toward and away from said base; a wheel mounted to said mobile portion and adapted to roll along the stream of articles so as to determine the elevation of the mobile portion relative to the said articles; a sensor responsive to change of light level mounted to the mobile portion at the datum point; a deflector surface carriage on said mobile portion which is so disposed and arranged as to be contacted by an article and to hold the article away from the sensor to form a region within which the light level can be observed by the sensor while the article is in one position, the article being free to approach the sensor in another position, whereby the sequence of steps is counted as a function of the number of steps which pass the datum point in order to count the number of articles passed by the datum point; a sensor passage having an opening facing into said region, said sensor being disposed in said passage and being responsive to illumination and to the absence thereof, said opening being so disposed and arranged as to be occluded by a respective article when in the last-named position; and illumination means illuminating the region, but only diffusely illuminating the sensor passage when it is not occluded.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
A mechanism according to claim 5 in which the parallelogram movement is mounted to the base at a first and a second point, and in which a pair of parallel arms respectively are pivotally attached to the base at said first and second points, and further including third and fourth points which form the corners of a parallelogram with said first and second points, the mobile portion joining said third and fourth points.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A mechanism according to claim 6 in which the baSe includes a pivoted lever which bears the first and second points, said lever being pivotally mounted and rotationally adjustable, whereby rotation of the lever rotationally adjusts the angle of incidence of the sensor relative to the stream.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
A mechanism according to claim 6 in which the arms project toward the oncoming stream, and the mobile portion projects in the direction of said stream away from said third and fourth points in cantilever relationship and in which the sensor is disposed upstream from said deflector surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A mechanism according to claim 5 in which the illumination means is directed toward the said adjacent surface, and the sensor is sensitive to reflected light which originated at the illumination means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A mechanism according to claim 5 in which a counter is connected to and responsive to the sensor to count the number of said changes of physical condition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A mechanism according to claim 10 in which a counter is connected to and responsive to the sensor to count the number of said changes of physical condition.
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) | 1976-06-04 | 1976-12-04 | 1977-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-04 | 1980-12-04 | 1981-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-04 | 1984-12-04 | 1985-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |