Patent US3767044A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3767044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photoelectric sizing apparatus and method
Assignee: Gainesville Machine Co Inc
•
Filing: 1971-05-10
•
Granted: 1973-10-23
•
Expires: 1991-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A poultry sizing apparatus and method wherein the apparatus includes a weighted scale beam pivotally mounted onto which the weight of poultry is successively subjected while being conveyed thereby to pivot the beam. A photoelectric sensing device is positioned adjacent the extending end of the beam and a slotted scan plate is mounted on the beam to selectively time the movement of the beam between two predetermined points. If the time required for the beam to travel between the points is greater than a preselected amount, the photoelectric sensing device causes an ejector mechanism to eject the poultry from the conveying means.
Inventors
- 👤 L Sloan
- 👤 W Lawson
- 👤 G Harben
- 👤 E Lewis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:11
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/16; B07C5/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of sizing poultry on a sizing device having a conveyor means for successively conveying poultry along a prescribed path, a weighted member pivotally mounted adjacent the path, and a platform member carried by the weighted member to which the weight of the poultry is subjected to pivot the weighted member in response to the weight of the poultry including the steps of: subjecting the weight of each bird on the platform member to pivot the weighted member; timing the movement of the weighted member between two points a prescribed distance apart; and, ejecting the bird from the conveyor means if the time of movement of the weighted member between said points is greater than a prescribed amount.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of sizing poultry on a sizing device having a conveyor means for successively conveying poultry along a prescribed path, a weighted member pivotally mounted adjacent the path, and a platform member carried by the weighted member to which the weight of the poultry is subjected to pivot the weighted member in response to the weight of the poultry including the steps of: subjecting the weight of each bird on the platform member to pivot the weighted member; timing the movement of the weighted member between two points a prescribed distance apart; and, ejecting the bird from the conveyor means if the time of movement of the weighted member between said points is greater than a prescribed amount.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of adjusting the effective moment of force on the weighted member by its weights such that birds weighing less than a predetermined amount will not pivot the weighted member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for sizing poultry comprising: a support frame; a weighted beam pivotally mounted on said frame; a weighing platform carried by said beam and movable therewith to pivot said beam; conveying means for successively moving poultry over said weighing platform so that the weight of the poultry is subjected to said platform to selectively pivot said weighted beam; ejector means for selectively ejecting the poultry from the conveying means; and control means for causing said ejector means to selectively eject poultry from said conveying means in response to a prescribed movement of said weighted beam, said control means including actuating means for timing the movement of said beam between first and second predetermined positions to cause said ejector means to eject said poultry only when said beam requires longer than a predetermined time interval to move from said first to said second positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for sizing poultry comprising: a support frame; a weighted beam pivotally mounted on said frame; a weighing platform carried by said beam and movable therewith to pivot said beam; conveying means for successively moving poultry over said weighing platform so that the weight of the poultry is subjected to said platform to selectively pivot said weighted beam; ejector means for selectively ejecting the poultry from the conveying means; and control means for causing said ejector means to selectively eject poultry from said conveying means in response to a prescribed movement of said weighted beam, said control means including actuating means for timing the movement of said beam between first and second predetermined positions to cause said ejector means to eject said poultry only when said beam requires longer than a predetermined time interval to move from said first to said second positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further including a weight adjustably positionable along said beam to require a predetermined minimum weight of the poultry to pivot said beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
118 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said control means includes a light source and a photoelectric sensing device carried by said support frame in a spaced apart relationship so that light from said light source will actuate said photoelectric sensing device, and a scan plate carried by said beam to extend into the space between said light source and said photoelectric sensing device to selectively block the light from exposing said sensing device, said scan plate defining a narrow slot therein oriented substantially perpendicular to the path of movement of said scan plate to selectively admit light to said photoelectric sensing device to actuate same as said slot moves across said sensing device during movement of said beam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said control means further includes delay means connecting said photoelectric sensing device to said ejector means for selectively delaying the time between the initial admission of light through said slot to actuate said sensing device And the actuation of said ejector means to eject poultry from said conveying means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said delay means is selectively adjustable to substantially equate the delay time between the initial admission of light to said sensing device and the actuation of said ejector means to that required for said scan plate to move with said scale beam to block the light after said slot has crossed said sensing device when the weight of said poultry is the maximum allowable weight for the desired weight range.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
132 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said control means includes a power supply connected in series with a silicon control rectifier which conducts in response to light exposure of said photoelectric sensing device, wherein said delay means includes a variable RC circuit connected in parallel across said series circuit so that a voltage is imposed across said RC circuit when said rectifier is conducting and having a voltage output therefrom, said control means further including a unijunction transistor connected to said series circuit and having its gate connected to the voltage output of said RC circuit to cause said transistor to conduct when the voltage output from said RC circuit reaches a predetermined level, and the output from said transistor connected to said ejector means to actuate same when said transistor conducts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said RC circuit includes potentiometer means for selectively varying the time for said output from said RC circuit to reach said predetermined voltage level to cause said transistor to conduct.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further including a weight adjustably positionable along said beam to require a predetermined minimum weight of the poultry to pivot said beam.
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) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |