Method and apparatus for applying a programmable pattern to a succession of moving objects

Claim 3

The method of claim 1, wherein said steps of applying said programmable pattern further comprises applying a glue bead to said subsequent ones of said succession of objects.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1, wherein said step of applying said programmable pattern further comprises applying an inkjet to said subsequent ones of said succession of objects.

Claim 5

Apparatus of applying a programmable pattern to a succession of moving objects, comprising: a) means for storing a user defined length value representing the length of each of said objects; means for storing further user defined pattern values representing said programmable pattern to be applied along said length; c) means for generating a series of clock pulses; d) set-up mode circuitry for detecting a leading and trailing edge of one of said succession of objects passing a fixed reference location and in response counting a number of said clock pulses between detection of said leading and trailing edges of said object; e) means for dividing said number by said user defined length value and in response generating and storing a first count value; f) run mode circuitry for detecting leading and trailing edges of subsequent ones of said succession of objects passing said fixed reference location and in response disabling said set-up mode circuitry and successively counting further numbers of said clock pulses between detection of said leading and trailing edges of said succession of objects; g) means for successively dividing said further numbers of said clock pulses by said first count value and in response generating successive further count values; and h) means for comparing successive ones of said further count values to said user defined length value and in the event said successive further count values are equal to said user defined length value applying said programmable pattern to said subsequent ones of said succession of objects at said fixed reference location, and in the event a predetermined number of said successive further count values are not equal to said user defined length value disabling said run mode circuitry and enabling said set-up mode circuitry such that said first count value is recalculated.

Claim 6

Apparatus of applying a programmable pattern to a succession of moving objects, comprising: a) means for storing a user defined length value representing the length of each of said objects; means for storing further user defined pattern values representing said programmable pattern to be applied along said length; c) means for generating a series of clock pulses; d) set-up mode circuitry for detecting a leading and trailing edge of one of said succession of objects passing a fixed reference location and in response counting a number of said clock pulses between detection of said leading and trailing edges of said object; e) means for dividing said number by said user defined length value and in response generating and storing a first count value; f) run mode circuitry for detecting leading and trailing edges of subsequent ones of said succession of objects passing said fixed reference location and in response disabling said set-up mode circuitry and successively counting further numbers of said clock pulses between detection of said leading and trailing edges of said succession of objects; g) means for successively dividing said further numbers of said clock pulses by said first count value and in response generating successive further count values; and h) means for comparing successive ones of said further count values to said user defined length value and in the event said successive further count values are equal to said user defined length value applying said programmable pattern to said subsequent ones of said succession of objects at said fixed reference location, and in the event a predetermined number of said successive further count values are not equal to said user defined length value disabling said run mode circuitry and enabling said set-up mode circuitry such that said first count value is recalculated.

Claim 7

Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said means for storing said user defined length value comprises a user input keyboard for receiving said user defined length value, and a microprocessor for storing said received user defined length value in a predetermined memory location of said microprocessor.

Claim 8

Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said means for storing further user defined pattern values comprises a user input keyboard for receiving said further user defined pattern values, and a microprocessor for storing said received further user defined pattern values in predetermined successive memory locations of said microprocessor.

Claim 9

Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said means for generating comprises a clock circuit.

Claim 10

Apparatus as defined in claim 7, further comprising: a) a photo eye disposed at said fixed reference location for detecting said succession of moving objects and in response generating a succession of enable signals; b) a set-up mode gate for receiving a first one of said enable signals and in response transmitting said clock pulses while said first one of said objects is moving past said photo eye; and c) a run mode gate for receiving successive further enable signals and in response further transmitting said clock pulses while said subsequent objects move past said photo eye.

Claim 11

Apparatus of claim 8, wherein said means for dividing further comprises: a) a first divider circuit for receiving said clock pulses from said set-up mode gate and said user defined length value from said means for storing said user defined length value, and in response generating said first count value; and b) a store counter for receiving and storing said first count value.

Claim 12

Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said means for successively dividing further comprises a second divider circuit for receiving said clock pulses from said run mode gate and receiving said first count value from said store counter, and in response generating said successive further count values.

Claim 13

Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said means for comparing further comprises a microprocessor executing a predetermined program.

Claim 14

Apparatus as defined in claim 4, further comprising an output device positioned at said first reference location for applying said programmable pattern to said subsequent ones of said succession of objects.

Claim 15

Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said output device further comprises a glue applicator.

Claim 16

Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said output device further comprises an inkjet.

Claim 17

Apparatus as defined in claim 4, further comprising means for displaying said user defined length value representing the length of said pattern and said further user defined pattern values representing said programmable pattern.

Claim 18

Apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said means for displaying comprises a display screen.

Claim 19

The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined number of said successive further count values is two.

Claim 20

Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said predetermined number of said successive further count values is two.