US4081044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Feed control system for multiple packaging machines
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-05-10
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Granted: 1978-03-28
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Expires: 1997-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A feed control system for a plurality of packaging machines is provided wherein the overall supply to the machines is controlled in accordance with total demand. A pulse is produced by each machine after a filling and sealing operation is completed and a weight constant multiplier is employed to multiply this pulse by a weight constant associated with the package (the number of grams or ounces contained in the package). The outputs of all of the weight constant multipliers are connected to a parallel to series converter which produces a signal in the form of a pulse train representative of the total weight requirements of all packaging machines per unit time. This signal is converted into a corresponding voltage level which is utilized by a storage conveyor motor controller to control the overall feed rate to the machines.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Martin Allen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:30
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G13/00; G01G13/24; G01G13/28; G01G13/29; G01G13/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A feed control system for multiple packaging machines located at different stations along a distribution line and fed from a common supply, said control system comprising: means, individual to the packaging machines, for producing an output signal in response to the associated packaging machine completing a packaging cycle; means, connected to the outputs of said output signal producing means, for individually weighting the output signals produced by said output signal producing means so as to produce weighted signals corresponding to the weight constants of the packages produced by the individual packaging machines; means for converting said weighted signals into a total demand signal representative of the overall demand of all of the packaging machines; and means for controlling the overall rate of feed from said common supply to the distribution line and hence to the packaging machines in accordance with said total demand signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A feed control system for multiple packaging machines located at different stations along a distribution line and fed from a common supply, said control system comprising: means, individual to the packaging machines, for producing an output signal in response to the associated packaging machine completing a packaging cycle; means, connected to the outputs of said output signal producing means, for individually weighting the output signals produced by said output signal producing means so as to produce weighted signals corresponding to the weight constants of the packages produced by the individual packaging machines; means for converting said weighted signals into a total demand signal representative of the overall demand of all of the packaging machines; and means for controlling the overall rate of feed from said common supply to the distribution line and hence to the packaging machines in accordance with said total demand signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said weighting means comprises multiplier means individual to said signal producing means for multiplying said output signals produced by said signal producing means by a factor corresponding to the weight constant of the packages produced by the associated packaging machine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said common supply includes a storage conveyor for feeding product to the packaging means and wherein said feed rate controlling means comprises means for controlling said feed conveyor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said converting means includes means for receiving said weighted signals and generating an output signal in accordance therewith whose frequency is representative of the overall demand of all of the packaging machines.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
119 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said weighting means comprises a plurality of multipliers, individual to said signal producing means, for producing a plurality of parallel output signals whose frequencies are each weighted in accordance with the weight constant of the packages produced by the associated machines, and wherein said converting means comprises a parallel to serial converter for receiving said parallel outputs and converting the same into an output signal whose frequency is representative of the total demand, and frequency to voltage converter means for converting the output signal produced by said parallel to serial converter into a total demand signal whose voltage level is representative of the overall demand of all of the packaging machines.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as claimed in claim 5 further comprising display means for displaying the output of said parallel to serial converter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said common supply includes a storage conveyor for feeding product to each of the packaging means and wherein said feed rate controlling means comprises means for controlling said feed conveyor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as claimed in claim 7 further comprising means for manually overriding said means for controlling said feed conveyor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein feed conveyor controlling means includes a feed conveyor drive motor and a feed conveyor motor controller for controlling said motor, said system further comprising display means for indicating said overall demand and means, including transducer means, for detecting the operational speed of said motor, for indicating the overall supply being fed to said packaging machines.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system as claimed in claim 9 further comprising switch means for said motor controller having a first, automatic position wherein said motor controller is controlled automatically in accordance with the output of said converting means and a second, manual position wherein said motor controller can be operated manually.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-03-27 | 1981-09-26 | 1982-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-27 | 1985-09-26 | 1986-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-27 | 1989-09-26 | 1990-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |