US3789194A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Relating to counting machines
Assignee: SILVER POINT FINANCE AS AGENT LLC
•
Filing: 1971-09-08
•
Granted: 1974-01-29
•
Expires: 1991-09-08
Abstract
Abstract A machine for counting articles, comprising means for dispersing a flow of articles to be counted into separate streams, means for providing a substantially even flow of articles to the dispersing means, a detector associated with each stream for detecting each article in that stream and counting means fed by the outputs from all detectors for counting the total number of articles in all the stream.
Inventors
- 👤 J Kirby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06M; G06M1/00; G06M1/08; G06M1/10; G06M1/101; G06M7/00; G06M7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A machine for counting small, discrete articles, comprising a cone having a vertical axis with its apex upwardly directed for dispersing a flow of articles to be counted into separate falling streams, said streams being divided by vertical partitions radially arranged in an annular space around the base of the cone, means for feeding a substantially even flow of articles to the dispersing means comprising a plurality of spaced annuli having upper surfaces which taper downwardly and inwardly, the annuli being arranged one above another and all above the cone on an axis substantially coinciding with the axis of the cone, a plurality of detectors individually associated with each stream for detecting each article in each falling stream, and counting means fed by the outputs from all of the detectors for counting the total number of articles in all of the streams.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A machine for counting small, discrete articles, comprising a cone having a vertical axis with its apex upwardly directed for dispersing a flow of articles to be counted into separate falling streams, said streams being divided by vertical partitions radially arranged in an annular space around the base of the cone, means for feeding a substantially even flow of articles to the dispersing means comprising a plurality of spaced annuli having upper surfaces which taper downwardly and inwardly, the annuli being arranged one above another and all above the cone on an axis substantially coinciding with the axis of the cone, a plurality of detectors individually associated with each stream for detecting each article in each falling stream, and counting means fed by the outputs from all of the detectors for counting the total number of articles in all of the streams.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detecting means for each stream includes a photocell, the photocells being arranged on a circle about a central illuminating lamp so that articles passing down each stream interrupt the path of light from the lamp to the respective photocell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
121 words
A machine for counting small, discrete articles, comprising a cone having a vertical axis with its apex upwardly directed for dispersing a flow of articles to be counted into separate falling streams, means for feeding a substantialy even flow of articles to the dispersing means, a plurality of detectors individually associated with each stream for detecting each article in each falling stream, counting means fed by the outputs from all of the detectors for counting the totAl number of articles in all of the streams, means responsive to said counting for determining the article counting rate, and a warning system responsive to said means for determining for issuing a warning when a predetermined article counting rate of the machine is exceeded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
121 words
A machine for counting small, discrete articles, comprising a cone having a vertical axis with its apex upwardly directed for dispersing a flow of articles to be counted into separate falling streams, means for feeding a substantialy even flow of articles to the dispersing means, a plurality of detectors individually associated with each stream for detecting each article in each falling stream, counting means fed by the outputs from all of the detectors for counting the totAl number of articles in all of the streams, means responsive to said counting for determining the article counting rate, and a warning system responsive to said means for determining for issuing a warning when a predetermined article counting rate of the machine is exceeded.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the warning system also inhibits the continued counting of the machine when the predetermined throughput is exceeded and until the machine is reset.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein a signal is produced at predetermined counts of equal intervals, timer means being provided to establish predetermined intervals of time, and means for providing a warning signal when an interval of count takes place within an interval of time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A machine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the timer means comprises a pulse generator and a counter which counts the pulses to a predetermined number to establish the predetermined interval of time.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the satisfactory operation of all the article detectors is obtained by simulating the passing of an article at each detector and recording that the total count of the counting means corresponds with the number of detectors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
A machine as claimed in claim 7 wherein the detecting means for each stream includes a photocell, the photocells being arranged on a circle about a central illuminating lamp so that articles passing down each stream interrupt the path of light from the lamp to the respective photocell, and wherein the simulation is provided by dimming the lamp once.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
A machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein the counter is set to zero after each simulation and count and if an unsatisfactory count is obtained re-simulation takes place until a satisfactory count is obtained, thereby preventing the machine from being used if failure of one or more of the detectors has occurred.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1047316A
Cited
US2632588A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |