US4484066A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Garment-counting apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-09-13
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Granted: 1984-11-20
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Expires: 2002-09-13
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for counting articles. The apparatus comprises a sensor which is adapted to generate a signal characteristic of a tag attached to each article; and means for counting the number of signals, thereby providing a numerical count of the number of articles. The invention is especially adapted to counting articles of cloth such as garments or bedlinens which are routinely and repeatedly laundered or dry-cleaned at the same cleaning establishment.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul L. DeBlieux
- 👤 Raymond J. Lepine, Jr.
- 👤 Reginald F. Roberts, Jr.
- 👤 Arthur J. Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:42
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06M; G06M1/00; G06M1/08; G06M1/10; G06M1/108; G06M7/00; G06M7/02; G06M7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for counting articles, comprising: a piece of metal attached to each article; a plurality of detectors, each of which generates a magnetic field, and measures a change in the magnetic field when the piece of unmagnetized metal attached to each article passes through the field, thereby generating a signal characteristic of the piece of unmagnetized metal, the detectors spatially arranged and disposed to generate a signal that is substantially independent of the spatial orientation and disposition of unmagnetized the piece of metal attached to each article; and means for counting the number of signals, thereby providing a numerical count of the number of articles.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for counting articles, comprising: a piece of metal attached to each article; a plurality of detectors, each of which generates a magnetic field, and measures a change in the magnetic field when the piece of unmagnetized metal attached to each article passes through the field, thereby generating a signal characteristic of the piece of unmagnetized metal, the detectors spatially arranged and disposed to generate a signal that is substantially independent of the spatial orientation and disposition of unmagnetized the piece of metal attached to each article; and means for counting the number of signals, thereby providing a numerical count of the number of articles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the metal is incapable of permanent magnetization.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the metal is copper, tin, or aluminum.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for counting articles, comprising the steps of: (a) attaching a piece of unmagnetized metal to each article; (b) passing the tagged article through a magnetic field, thereby causing a change in the magnetic field; (c) detecting the change in the magnetic field by means of a plurality of detectors responsive to the change in the magnetic field, the detectors spatially arranged and disposed to generate a signal that is substantially independent of the spatial orientation and disposition of the piece of metal attached to each article; and (d) counting the number of signals, thereby obtaining a numerical count of the number of articles.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for counting articles, comprising the steps of: (a) attaching a piece of unmagnetized metal to each article; (b) passing the tagged article through a magnetic field, thereby causing a change in the magnetic field; (c) detecting the change in the magnetic field by means of a plurality of detectors responsive to the change in the magnetic field, the detectors spatially arranged and disposed to generate a signal that is substantially independent of the spatial orientation and disposition of the piece of metal attached to each article; and (d) counting the number of signals, thereby obtaining a numerical count of the number of articles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the metal is incapable of acquiring permanent magnetization.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the metal is copper, tin, or aluminum.
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) | 1987-11-20 | 1988-05-21 | 1988-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-11-20 | 1992-05-21 | 1992-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-11-20 | 1996-05-21 | 1996-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |