US3837486A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article inspection system
Assignee: GLASS MACHINERY Inc A Corp OF
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Filing: 1973-07-09
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Granted: 1974-09-24
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Expires: 1993-07-09
Abstract
Abstract At least one light beam is directed across a continuously moving conveyor toward a light sensitive device arranged on the opposite side of the conveyor, and circuitry is provided in association with the light sensitive device to provide a ''''diameter'''' pulse proportional in real time to the width or diameter of the article passing along the conveyor. A pulse generator provides a train of pulses proportional in frequency to the speed of the conveyor and hence to the speed of the articles moving thereon. NAND gate means clips the train of pulses providing a series of pulses with a total time span corresponding to the real time duration of the ''''diameter'''' pulse. A counter receives these pulses, and has preset minimum and maximum values, which values when exceeded will generate ''''yes'''' and ''''no'''' pulses to logic circuitry for operation of a reject device downstream of the light beam for removing an article from the line when it does not meet predetermined standards.
Inventors
- 👤 E Gardner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:45
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/04; B07C5/10; B07C5/36; B07C5/363; B07C5/365
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
An in-line inspection device comprising a moving conveyor for advancing articles in randomly spaced relation, pulse generating means driven directly by the moving conveyor to provide a train of pulses proportional in number to the displacement of the conveyor, stationary transducer means for generating a signal in response to the passage of an article on said conveyor, said signal from said transducer means having a duration dictated by the actual displacement of the conveyor necessary to advance an article past said stationary transducer means, counter means for counting the number of pulses produced during the duration of said signal, logic means including preset switch means for providing a reject signal when the pulse count does not fall within a predetermined range of numbers, and reject means downstream of said transducer means and operable in response to said reject signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
An in-line inspection device comprising a moving conveyor for advancing articles in randomly spaced relation, pulse generating means driven directly by the moving conveyor to provide a train of pulses proportional in number to the displacement of the conveyor, stationary transducer means for generating a signal in response to the passage of an article on said conveyor, said signal from said transducer means having a duration dictated by the actual displacement of the conveyor necessary to advance an article past said stationary transducer means, counter means for counting the number of pulses produced during the duration of said signal, logic means including preset switch means for providing a reject signal when the pulse count does not fall within a predetermined range of numbers, and reject means downstream of said transducer means and operable in response to said reject signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said switch means includes means for presetting a minimum predetermined number, and said logic means providing a first output signal generated when said preset minimum number of pulses is exceeded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said switch means includes means for presetting a maximum predetermined number, and said logic means providing a second output signal generated when said preset maximum number of pulses is exceeded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said switch means further includes means for presetting a maximum predetermined number, and said logic means generating a second output signal when said preset maximum number of pulses is exceeded.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein said logic means includes circuitry for operating said reject means every time an artiCle passes said reject means except when the aforementioned first output signal was generated and no second output signal was generated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein said logic means includes NAND gate means for gating the pulses produced by said pulse generator in response to the duration of said transducer signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination set forth in claim 5 further characterized by said counter means including a ''''ones'''' and a ''''tens'''' segment, and said logic means including a NAND gate circuit to provide said first and second output signals.
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) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-03-25 | 1978-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-23 | 1982-03-25 | 1982-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-23 | 1986-03-25 | 1986-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |