Patent US3744582A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3744582A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Weighing apparatus
Assignee: Novartis Corp
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Filing: 1971-03-19
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1991-03-19
Abstract
Abstract An arrangement for determining the weight of an object relative to a predetermined reference weight. A compliant system is vibrated along a predetermined axis substantially at the mechanical resonance frequency, said system having means for supporting the object. The system oscillation amplitude is proportional to the inertia of the system and is independent of gravity. The oscillation amplitude of the system is converted into an electrical signal which is compared with a reference signal representative of the reference weight and an error signal is utilized to provide a measurement and/or control function in correspondence with the difference between the weight of the object and the reference weight.
Inventors
- 👤 R Withnell
- 👤 L Lachman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G3/00; G01G3/12; G01G3/16; B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/16; B07C5/32; B07C5/36; B07C5/363; B07C5/365
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A tablet weighing arrangement comprising, a. a compliant support system mounted for vibration along a predetermined axis, b. a tablet-receiving member carried by said system, c. drive means for vibrating said system subtantially at its resonance frequency, d. transducer means providing an electrical output voltage which varies in amplitude with the vibration amplitude of said system, e. a conveyor receiving tablets from a tablet press driven by a motor, f. a first endless belt having a drive means, g. sampling means transferring sample tablets at random from said conveyor to said first belt, h. a second endless belt driven at a constant speed, i. transfer means transferring some of the sample tablets from the first belt to the second belt at a predetermined constant rate, and j. means positioning the said tablet-receiving member for receiving a succession of sample tablets discharged by the said second belt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A tablet weighing arrangement comprising, a. a compliant support system mounted for vibration along a predetermined axis, b. a tablet-receiving member carried by said system, c. drive means for vibrating said system subtantially at its resonance frequency, d. transducer means providing an electrical output voltage which varies in amplitude with the vibration amplitude of said system, e. a conveyor receiving tablets from a tablet press driven by a motor, f. a first endless belt having a drive means, g. sampling means transferring sample tablets at random from said conveyor to said first belt, h. a second endless belt driven at a constant speed, i. transfer means transferring some of the sample tablets from the first belt to the second belt at a predetermined constant rate, and j. means positioning the said tablet-receiving member for receiving a succession of sample tablets discharged by the said second belt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein the said conveyor is a vibratable chute, and wherein the said sampling means comprises an aperture formed in the bottom of the chute; means directing an airstream upwardly through the said aperture; and guide means directing a sample tablet blown from the chute by the airstream onto the said first belt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention as recited in claim 2, wherein the said first belt extends over the chute, and wherein said guide means is an arcuate tube having one end spaced from and aligned with the said aperture and the other end spaced from and overlying said first belt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as recited in claim 1, including means removing excess sample tablets from the said first belt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein the said transfer means comprises a pivot arm having a bi-furcated end normally presented to sample tablets carried by said first belt; an inclined chute positioned between the two belts; and means periodically actuating said pivot arm in the direction of the said inclined chute.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein the said transfer means comprises a disc positioned adjacent to the said first belt, said disc having a notch formed in the peripheral surface thereof; means rotating said disc at a constant speed; first guide means directing the flow of sample tablets against the peripheral surface of said disc; and second guide means directing a sample tablet disposed in said notch onto the said second belt upon rotation of said disc.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention as recited in claim 1, including means providing an electrical reference voltage having an amplitude corresponding to a predetermined tablet weight; and means providing an error voltage corresponding to the difference in the amplitudes of the said output and reference voltage when a sample tablet is disposed in said tablet-carrying member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention as recited in claim 7, including means averaging a predetermined number of the error voltages to provide a control voltage; and means changing the voltage applied to the motOr of the tablet press in correspondence with said control voltage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
155 words
The invention as recited in claim 7, including an electrical counter means actuated by the output voltage peaks of the transducer generated as a sample tablet strikes said tablet-receiving member; a voltage comparator having two input circuits and an output circuit; means applying the said reference voltage to one input circuit of the comparator; a delay circuit connected between the said transducer and the other input circuit of the comparator, said delay circuit applying the transducer output voltage to the comparator after termination of the said output voltage peaks, thereby resulting in an error voltage appearing in the output circuit of the comparator when the two input voltages are unequal; means averaging the error voltages; voltage-actuated control means controlling the magnitude of the voltage applied to the motor of the tablet press; and means applying the average of the error voltages to said control means after a predetermined number of actuations of said counter means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |