US3813522A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Counting system for articles in a streamlined stack
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-08-14
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Granted: 1974-05-28
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Expires: 1992-08-14
Abstract
Abstract A newspaper counting system wherein a streamlined stack of papers passes beneath a sensor, the sensor directing a jet of air toward the stack and senses disruption of the jet each time the leading edge of a paper passes the sensor. Each disruption is counted to provide an accurate count of newspapers passing below the sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 D Mccarthy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:56
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06M; G06M1/00; G06M1/08; G06M1/12; G06M1/123; G06M7/00; G06M7/08; G06M7/10; G06M2207/00; G06M2207/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
Apparatus for counting articles such as newspapers and the like passing through a counting station in a streamlined stack wherein each article presents a protruding edge adapted to be sensed, said apparatus comprising means positioned in proximity to the stack for directing a pressure jet of gaseous fluid into the path of travel of the articles such that the jet is perpendicular to each edge and is disrupted by each edge passing through the station to thereby create a corresponding signal disturbance without substantially disturbing the article edge, sensing means for sensing a characteristic of each signal disturbance thus created, and counting means operatively coupled with said sensing means for counting each disturbance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
Apparatus for counting articles such as newspapers and the like passing through a counting station in a streamlined stack wherein each article presents a protruding edge adapted to be sensed, said apparatus comprising means positioned in proximity to the stack for directing a pressure jet of gaseous fluid into the path of travel of the articles such that the jet is perpendicular to each edge and is disrupted by each edge passing through the station to thereby create a corresponding signal disturbance without substantially disturbing the article edge, sensing means for sensing a characteristic of each signal disturbance thus created, and counting means operatively coupled with said sensing means for counting each disturbance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said characteristic is a change in audio frequency caused by each disruption.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said characteristic is an increase in audio frequency caused by each disruption.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for directing a pressure jet of gaseous fluid into the path of travel of the stack comprises conduit means perpendicular to the stack and positioned between the stack and said audio sensing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said audio sensing means is aligned with said conduit means.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
76 words
The method of counting articles such as newspapers and the like passing through a counting station in a streamlined stack which comprises directing a pressure jet of gaseous fluid into the path of passing articles such that the jet is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the edge and is disrupted by each passing article to create a corresponding audio disturbance, detecting a characteristic of said disturbance caused by each disruption and counting said disturbances.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
76 words
The method of counting articles such as newspapers and the like passing through a counting station in a streamlined stack which comprises directing a pressure jet of gaseous fluid into the path of passing articles such that the jet is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the edge and is disrupted by each passing article to create a corresponding audio disturbance, detecting a characteristic of said disturbance caused by each disruption and counting said disturbances.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 6 wherein the step of detecting a characteristic of each signal comprises detecting a frequency change in audio frequency caused by each disruption.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein the step of detecting a change in audio frequency comprises detecting a frequency increase in audio frequency caused by each disruption.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3472374A
Cited
US3589599A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-05-27 | 1977-11-26 | 1978-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-27 | 1981-11-26 | 1982-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-27 | 1985-11-26 | 1986-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |