US4538908A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Particulate sample analyzing instrument employing vibration to compact the sample
Assignee: NIR INSTRUMENTS COMPANY A CORP OF
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Filing: 1982-09-23
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Granted: 1985-09-03
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Expires: 2002-09-23
Abstract
Abstract In an instrument for optically analyzing particulate samples such as grain samples, the sample is introduced into a chute which is received in a vibrating apparatus to vibrate the grain in the chute and compact it. The chute is then dropped to a carriage which transports the chute and the grain through a beam of narrow band infrared light. A photocell is positioned to detect the amount of light passing through the grain sample.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald R. Webster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/02; G01N33/10; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/47; G01N21/4738; G01N2021/4764; G01N2021/4769
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of analyzing a particulate sample comprising introducing the sample into a container, vibrating the sample within said container to compact the particulate sample during a first interval, then during a second interval after said first interval, directing a beam of light onto the sample compacted in said container while said sample is not being vibrated, detecting the intensity of the light from said beam after the light has come in optical contact with said sample.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of analyzing a particulate sample comprising introducing the sample into a container, vibrating the sample within said container to compact the particulate sample during a first interval, then during a second interval after said first interval, directing a beam of light onto the sample compacted in said container while said sample is not being vibrated, detecting the intensity of the light from said beam after the light has come in optical contact with said sample.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said sample comprises grain and said beam of light is infrared light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of vibrating the particulate sample is carried out by vibrating the container into which the particulate sample is introduced.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising moving said sample contained in said container through said beam of light while the step of detecting the intensity of the light is being carried out.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of vibrating said sample is performed at a first staion and the step of directing a beam of light onto the sample is performed at a second station, said method including the step of transporting said container from said first station to said second station between the step of vibrating the sample and the step of directing a beam of light onto the sample.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
107 words
An optical instrument for analyzing particulate sample material comprising a chute having walls defining an enclosure adapted to receive a particulate sample, at least a portion of one of said walls being transparent, means to vibrate said chute including all of said walls of said enclosure to compact the particulate sample within said chute against the transparent portion of said wall, means to irradiate said sample compacted in said chute with a beam of light through the transparent portion of said wall and a photodetector positioned to receive light from said beam after the light has come into optical contact with the sample compacted in said chute.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
107 words
An optical instrument for analyzing particulate sample material comprising a chute having walls defining an enclosure adapted to receive a particulate sample, at least a portion of one of said walls being transparent, means to vibrate said chute including all of said walls of said enclosure to compact the particulate sample within said chute against the transparent portion of said wall, means to irradiate said sample compacted in said chute with a beam of light through the transparent portion of said wall and a photodetector positioned to receive light from said beam after the light has come into optical contact with the sample compacted in said chute.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
An instrument as recited in claim 6, wherein said means to vibrate said sample comprises a holder to receive said chute and an electric vibrator connected to said holder to vibrate said holder and the chute when received by said holder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical instrument as recited in claim 6, wherein said beam of light comprises an infrared beam of light.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of analyzing a particulate sample comprising introducing the sample into a container having a plurality of walls defining an enclosure, at least a portion of one of said walls being transparent, vibrating said container including all of said walls to compact the particulate sample against the transparent portion of said wall, directing a beam of light through the transparent portion of said wall onto the sample compacted against the transparent portion of said wall, and detecting the intensity of the light from said beam after the light has come into optical contact with said sample.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of analyzing a particulate sample comprising introducing the sample into a container having a plurality of walls defining an enclosure, at least a portion of one of said walls being transparent, vibrating said container including all of said walls to compact the particulate sample against the transparent portion of said wall, directing a beam of light through the transparent portion of said wall onto the sample compacted against the transparent portion of said wall, and detecting the intensity of the light from said beam after the light has come into optical contact with said sample.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method, as recited in claim 9, comprising moving said container through said beam of light while the step of detecting the intensity of light is being carried out.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
117 words
An optical instrument for analyzing particulate sample material comprising a chute adapted to receive a particulate sample, means to vibrate said sample within said chute to compact the particular sample within said chute, a source of light, said chute having a wall transparent to light from source, said source of light comprising means to irradiate said sample through said transparent wall, carriage means to support said chute with said beam of light irradiating said sample through said transparent wall and to move said chute with said sample through said beam of light, and a photodetector positioned to receive light from said beam after the light has come into optical contact with the sample compacted in said chute.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
117 words
An optical instrument for analyzing particulate sample material comprising a chute adapted to receive a particulate sample, means to vibrate said sample within said chute to compact the particular sample within said chute, a source of light, said chute having a wall transparent to light from source, said source of light comprising means to irradiate said sample through said transparent wall, carriage means to support said chute with said beam of light irradiating said sample through said transparent wall and to move said chute with said sample through said beam of light, and a photodetector positioned to receive light from said beam after the light has come into optical contact with the sample compacted in said chute.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
An optical instrument as recited in claim 11, further comprising means to automatically move said chute from said means to vibrate said sample into said carriage means after the completion of the vibration of said sample by said vibration means.
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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) | 1988-09-02 | 1989-03-04 | 1989-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-02 | 1993-03-04 | 1993-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-02 | 1997-03-04 | 1997-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |