US4391774A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic device for making samples for analysis
Assignee: Ciments Francais SAS
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Filing: 1981-06-15
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Granted: 1983-07-05
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Expires: 2001-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A device is disclosed for continuously making samples to be analyzed by known instruments such as an X-ray spectrometer. The device consists of means for depositing a crude composition and associated vitrifying agent together in a crucible in accordance with a predetermined ratio by weight. The crucible is heated to melt its contents into an homogenous liquid mixture which is cooled to form a solid beadlet to be analyzed. The beadlet is conveyed to the analyzing instrument. A computer measures the respective weights of the components of the crucible contained composition and non-conforming weight measurements result in the crucible being discarded and replaced by another.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean Dupain
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/38; G01N33/383; G01N1/00; G01N1/28; G01N1/286; G01N23/00; G01N23/22; G01N23/2202; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A device for making samples for analysis, comprising: a furnace, a weighing station, a plurality of crucibles, a pair of carriers movable between first and second positions, each of said carriers having means for successively charging one of said crucibles at said station with one of two components of the sample when the carrier is in one of said positions, means for discarding said one crucible when the weight of one of the components therein differs from a predetermined amount, means for moving successive ones of a plurality of said crucibles to said station to be charged and to said furnace to melt the contents of the crucible, a mold adapted to receive the melted contents of the crucible to form the sample, means for transferring said melted contents to said mold and thereafter discarding the empty crucible, and control means for activating the means for charging, weighing, emptying and discarding of said crucibles.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
A device for making samples for analysis, comprising: a furnace, a weighing station, a plurality of crucibles, a pair of carriers movable between first and second positions, each of said carriers having means for successively charging one of said crucibles at said station with one of two components of the sample when the carrier is in one of said positions, means for discarding said one crucible when the weight of one of the components therein differs from a predetermined amount, means for moving successive ones of a plurality of said crucibles to said station to be charged and to said furnace to melt the contents of the crucible, a mold adapted to receive the melted contents of the crucible to form the sample, means for transferring said melted contents to said mold and thereafter discarding the empty crucible, and control means for activating the means for charging, weighing, emptying and discarding of said crucibles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 in which one of said two components is a vitrifying agent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 in which said means for charging one of said crucibles comprises a hopper and at least one discharge spout.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device according to claim 3, comprising means defining a discharge opening and wherein the discharge spout of one of said carriers is in vertical alignment with said discharge opening when said one carrier is in its first position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein the end of each of said discharge spouts is in vertical alignment with said weighing station when one or the other of said carriers is in its second position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 5, comprising a bell cover removably supported by said weighing station and having a plurality of windows for letting through the spouts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device according to claim 6 comprising an anti-vibration stand supporting said weighing station and said moving means comprising a transfer arm provided with pliers for gripping the crucible, said arm being mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and for moving up or down to move the crucible to and from the scale.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 7 comprising means for selectively vibrating each of said carriers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device according to claim 8, wherein said vibrating means vibrates said one carrier when said one carrier is in its first position during a predetermined period corresponding to the outflow through the discharge opening of substantially half the content of its hopper.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein said vibrating means vibrates said one carrier when said one carrier is in its second position to cause the hopper to discharge one of said components into the crucible until a first predetermined weight is reached.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device of claim 10 comprising means for moving the other of said carriers to its second position when said first weight is reached, said vibrating means being actuatable to cause the hopper of the other of said carriers to discharge the other of said components into the crucible until a second predetermined weight is reached.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 11 comprising means for actuating said transfer arm to remove the crucible from the weighing station if said first predetermined weight is exceeded.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 12 in which said actuating means actuates said transfer arm to remove the crucible from the weighing station if said second predetermined weight is exceeded.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 11, wherein the second predetermined weight is a predetermined multiple of the value of the first weight.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
76 words
The device of claim 7 in which said pliers comprise a pair of clutches slidably mounted between two spaced apart plates, one of said plates being rigidly mounted on said transfer arm and having a pair of guiding slots, the other of said plates being movable and having a pair of converging slots, said clutches engaging said converging slots so as to be moved toward and away from each other during sliding movement between said plates.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 15 comprising means for causing sliding movement of said clutches between said plates.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 16 in which said causing means comprises a jack.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
83 words
A device according to claim 7, comprising means for holding said plurality of said crucibles and wherein the arm can occupy four positions: a starting position in which the pliers are in vertical alignment with said holding means; a loading position in which the pliers are in vertical alignment with the weighing station; an unloading position in which the pliers are in vertical alignment with the furnace; and a discharge position in which the pliers are at 180° relative to their starting position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 7 comprising means for moving said transfer arm longitudinally in the direction of said crucibles.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
56 words
A device according to claim 1 comprising an inclined plane connected to one end of a chute forming a reverse loop, a conveyor-belt below the other end of said chute, and means for removing said sample from said mold and placing said sample on the inclined plane from which it is deposited on the conveyor belt.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
65 words
The device of claim 20 comprising: a plane surface to receive the sample from the conveyor belt; a jack to move the sample; a rounded abutment on said plane surface to position the sample on the jack; a sample holder having a cylindrical bore to receive the sample from said jack; and clip means connected to the holder to secure the sample within the holder.
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) | 1986-07-04 | 1987-01-03 | 1987-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-07-04 | 1991-01-03 | 1991-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-07-04 | 1995-01-03 | 1995-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |