US4591271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for coating detection and surface evaluation
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-03-21
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Granted: 1986-05-27
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Expires: 2003-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A primary beam of light is directed against the surface of a piece of material under conditions predetermined to generate a secondary beam by either transmission through the piece or reflection from the surface thereof. The secondary beam is directed against means for measuring the intensity of the transmitted or reflected light and the light intensity measured. The procedure is repeated on a different surface of the piece and the results compared. This gives an evaluation of the surface and a determination of the presence, absence, or condition of any coating which may be present on the surface. The apparatus of the invention comprises means for achieving the foregoing functions. The method and apparatus are of particular application in the determination of which is the coated side of an object, such as a photographic film, or a coated lens.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald W. Byers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M11/00; G01M11/005; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/8422; G03; G03C; G03C1/00; G03C1/74; G01N21/17; G01N21/47; G01N21/4738; G01N21/59
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
The method of determining the characteristics of a surface of a piece of material which comprises: (a) establishing the temperature of the piece at a temperature level below the condensation temperature of a selected condensable vapor, (b) impinging a puff of the vapor against said surface for a time duration sufficient to cause a predetermined condensation of the vapor thereon, (c) directing a primary beam of light against a surface of the piece under conditions predetermined to generate a secondary beam of light, the secondary beam being either transmitted or reflected, depending upon whether the piece is transparent, translucent or opaque to the primary beam, (d) receiving the secondary beam by light-measuring means, (e) measuring the intensity of the secondary beam, (f) repeating the foregoing sequence with reference to a second surface of the piece, and (g) by comparing the intensities of the two secondary beams determining the characteristics of the respective piece surfaces.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
The method of determining the characteristics of a surface of a piece of material which comprises: (a) establishing the temperature of the piece at a temperature level below the condensation temperature of a selected condensable vapor, (b) impinging a puff of the vapor against said surface for a time duration sufficient to cause a predetermined condensation of the vapor thereon, (c) directing a primary beam of light against a surface of the piece under conditions predetermined to generate a secondary beam of light, the secondary beam being either transmitted or reflected, depending upon whether the piece is transparent, translucent or opaque to the primary beam, (d) receiving the secondary beam by light-measuring means, (e) measuring the intensity of the secondary beam, (f) repeating the foregoing sequence with reference to a second surface of the piece, and (g) by comparing the intensities of the two secondary beams determining the characteristics of the respective piece surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the vapor comprises water vapor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the piece is a piece of photographic material comprising a base sheet having a photographic emulsion on one surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the piece is a piece of photographic material comprising a base sheet having a photographic emulsion on one surface, and including the step of measuring the intensity of the secondary beam on both surfaces of the sheet, and thereafter comparing the relative intensities of the beams, thereby determining the coating condition of the piece surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for determining the coating condition of a surface of a piece of material which comprises: (a) a primary beam of light positioned for directing the beam against the surface of a piece under conditions predetermined to generate a secondary beam of light, the secondary beam being either transmitted or reflected depending upon whether the piece is transparent, translucent or opaque to the primary beam, (b) light-intensity converting means positioned for receiving the secondary beam and converting it to an electric signal, (c) electric signal measuring means connected to the converting means for measuring the intensity of the secondary beam, thereby determining the coating condition of the surface of the piece, and (d) condensable vapor generating means positioned for impinging a puff of condensable vapor against the surface for a time duration sufficient to cause a predetermined condensation of the vapor thereon preliminary to directing the primary beam against the surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for determining the coating condition of a surface of a piece of material which comprises: (a) a primary beam of light positioned for directing the beam against the surface of a piece under conditions predetermined to generate a secondary beam of light, the secondary beam being either transmitted or reflected depending upon whether the piece is transparent, translucent or opaque to the primary beam, (b) light-intensity converting means positioned for receiving the secondary beam and converting it to an electric signal, (c) electric signal measuring means connected to the converting means for measuring the intensity of the secondary beam, thereby determining the coating condition of the surface of the piece, and (d) condensable vapor generating means positioned for impinging a puff of condensable vapor against the surface for a time duration sufficient to cause a predetermined condensation of the vapor thereon preliminary to directing the primary beam against the surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
155 words
Apparatus for differentiating between the base side and the emulsion-coated side of transparent or translucent photographic film, which comprises: (a) an electric circuit including light-generating means for generating a primary light beam, (b) positioning means for positioning film in the path of the primary light beam, one side at a time, thereby generating a secondary light beam transmitted through the film, (c) in the electric circuit, photoelectric cell means in the path of the secondary beam, and (d) in the electric circuit, ammeter means for measuring the magnitude of the current generated by the photoelectric cell means, thereby measuring the intensity of the secondary beam for each side of the film and determining the coating conditions of the surface of the film against which the primary beam is directed, (e) condensable vapor generating means, and (f) means for impinging a puff of the vapor on the film surface preliminary to directing the primary beam thereagainst.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
155 words
Apparatus for differentiating between the base side and the emulsion-coated side of transparent or translucent photographic film, which comprises: (a) an electric circuit including light-generating means for generating a primary light beam, (b) positioning means for positioning film in the path of the primary light beam, one side at a time, thereby generating a secondary light beam transmitted through the film, (c) in the electric circuit, photoelectric cell means in the path of the secondary beam, and (d) in the electric circuit, ammeter means for measuring the magnitude of the current generated by the photoelectric cell means, thereby measuring the intensity of the secondary beam for each side of the film and determining the coating conditions of the surface of the film against which the primary beam is directed, (e) condensable vapor generating means, and (f) means for impinging a puff of the vapor on the film surface preliminary to directing the primary beam thereagainst.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the vapor-generating means comprises a source of air under pressure, a thermostatically controlled heater for heating the air, a vapor discharge tube communicating with the heater and directed against the film surface, in the tube a wick saturated with water and valve means positioned for controlling the flow of air through the chamber as required to impinge a puff of vapor-saturated air against the film surface.
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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) | 1989-05-26 | 1989-11-25 | 1990-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-26 | 1993-11-25 | 1994-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-26 | 1997-11-25 | 1998-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |