US3756370A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Motion sensing apparatus for food handling or the like
Assignee: APV Baker FM Inc
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Filing: 1971-04-16
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Granted: 1973-09-04
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Expires: 1991-04-16
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for use in a bakery, for example, wherein a conveyor system for conveying products, such as panned dough moves in a forward path of travel. A control system is provided which includes a control having a plurality of operating positions or conditions for controlling or affecting the products or the system to produce a desired result, and there is a sensor for sensing the presence of a product on the conveyor, a sensor for indicating if the passage of the products on the conveyor is interrupted, and apparatus connected to the sensors for operating the control system when a product on the conveyor is not moving forwardly.
Inventors
- 👤 C Ingram
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:04
CPC Classifications
A; A21; A21C; A21C9/00; A21C9/08; B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G47/22; B65G47/26; B65G47/28; B65G47/29; B65G47/295; B65G2203/00; B65G2203/04; B65G2203/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
In a system wherein products are conveyed: a conveyor for transporting products, such as bakery product pans, successively in a forward path of travel; a control circuit, operative to effect a control function, having an output section which is energizable and deenergizable; sensing means associated with the conveyor for sensing whether a product is present on the conveyor and whether the product whose presence is sensed is moving; a first circuit element in the circuit, controlled by the sensing means and indicating the presence of a product on the conveyor at a predetermined location; and a second circuit element controlled by said sensing means, independently of said first circuit element, which is sensitive to whether the product whose presence is indicated is moving along the conveyor, connected in circuit with said first element and said output section; said first and second elements being connected in said circuit so that, only when both the presence of a product and the substantial absence of motion of that product are independently sensed, can the control function be effected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a system wherein products are conveyed: a conveyor for transporting products, such as bakery product pans, successively in a forward path of travel; a control circuit, operative to effect a control function, having an output section which is energizable and deenergizable; sensing means associated with the conveyor for sensing whether a product is present on the conveyor and whether the product whose presence is sensed is moving; a first circuit element in the circuit, controlled by the sensing means and indicating the presence of a product on the conveyor at a predetermined location; and a second circuit element controlled by said sensing means, independently of said first circuit element, which is sensitive to whether the product whose presence is indicated is moving along the conveyor, connected in circuit with said first element and said output section; said first and second elements being connected in said circuit so that, only when both the presence of a product and the substantial absence of motion of that product are independently sensed, can the control function be effected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second circuit element includes energizable, resettable, time delay means, connected in circuit with said first circuit element, for preventing energization of said output section if the products continue to move along said conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensing means comprises endless means adjacent said conveying means, movable in an endless path by successive products moving in said forward path of travel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensing means comprises a rotary drum mounted for swinging movement about a pivotal axis offset from its axis of rotation, and means biasing said drum to a pivoted position in which at least a portion of said drum is disposed in the path of said conveyed product so as to be rotated about its own axis by a product moving forwardly in said path of travel, but permitting said drum to be swingably displaced about said pivotal axis by the weight of said product moving forwardly on said conveyor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said second circuit element includes electrically energizable timer means connected in circuit with said first element and having a set of cOntacts, connnected in said output section, movable, a predetermined time after the presence of a product on said conveyor has been sensed, between open and closed positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
122 words
The system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensing means comprises endless means mounted for movement between raised and lowered positions, means biasing said endless means to a raised position in which at least a portion of said endless means is disposed in the path of said conveyed product so as to be moved thereby in an endless path of travel when said product is moving but permitting said endless means to be displaced to said lowered position by said product moving forwardly on said conveying means; said first circuit element being responsive to displacement of said endless means to said lowered position, said second element being responsive to movement of said endless means in said endless path of travel.
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) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |