US3796873A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Container fill weight control using nuclear radiation
Assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
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Filing: 1971-05-03
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Granted: 1974-03-12
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Expires: 1991-05-03
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for maintaining a desired weight for individual containers including radiation means spaced from a conveyor unit for irradiating filled containers. Suitable detection means are used to actuate a filler corresponding to a signal from an irradiated package and based upon a predetermined standard of absorption, the filling of later packages is controlled.
Inventors
- 👤 L Ledgett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G9/00; G21; G21K; G21K5/00; G21K5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 words
An apparatus for maintaining the weight of material filled into individual containers within a predetermined range, comprising adjustable means to fill material into said containers, means including a conveyor unit to convey filled containers away from said filling means, radiation means above and spaced from said conveyor unit for subjecting said filled containers to a field of nuclear radiation, said radiation means comprising an elongated strip source of nuclear radiation, said strip source extending transversely of said conveyor and including a radioactive isotope and an elongated opening for passage of nuclear radiation from said radioactive isotope, means for detecting the amount of radiation passing through said filled containers and for creating a signal representative of the difference between the radiation absorbed by said filled container and a predetermined standard, said means for detecting the amount of radiation absorbed by a filled container including an elongated sensor means beneath said conveyor unit and parallel to said radiation means whereby radiation passes through the entire mass of fill material during the movement of each filled container across its path so that the signal generated by the detection means is representative of the total weight of material in each filled container, means for forming a signal representative of a moving average of the weights of a predetermined number of filled containers and means for actuating said adjustable filling means in accordance with changes in the signal representative of said moving average to alter the weights of fill material so that they conform to a predetermined standard fill weight.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
255 words
An apparatus for maintaining the weight of material filled into individual containers within a predetermined range, comprising adjustable means to fill material into said containers, means including a conveyor unit to convey filled containers away from said filling means, radiation means above and spaced from said conveyor unit for subjecting said filled containers to a field of nuclear radiation, said radiation means comprising an elongated strip source of nuclear radiation, said strip source extending transversely of said conveyor and including a radioactive isotope and an elongated opening for passage of nuclear radiation from said radioactive isotope, means for detecting the amount of radiation passing through said filled containers and for creating a signal representative of the difference between the radiation absorbed by said filled container and a predetermined standard, said means for detecting the amount of radiation absorbed by a filled container including an elongated sensor means beneath said conveyor unit and parallel to said radiation means whereby radiation passes through the entire mass of fill material during the movement of each filled container across its path so that the signal generated by the detection means is representative of the total weight of material in each filled container, means for forming a signal representative of a moving average of the weights of a predetermined number of filled containers and means for actuating said adjustable filling means in accordance with changes in the signal representative of said moving average to alter the weights of fill material so that they conform to a predetermined standard fill weight.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the midpoint of said elongated opening is disposed at the centerline of said strip source, said centerline is located in a vertical plane passing through said conveyor unit perpendicular to said direction of movement of said containers, and said radioactive isotope is evenly distributed along said elongated opening for a lengTh at least as long as the width of the top surface of said container.
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) | 1977-03-11 | 1977-09-10 | 1978-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-11 | 1981-09-10 | 1982-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-11 | 1985-09-10 | 1986-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |