Article transfer and inspection apparatus
First Claim
1. An article inspection apparatus capable of continuous operation for at least part of the operating time thereof, comprising:
- a. chamber defining means substantially impermeable to x-rays;
b. entry and exit portions connected with said chamber which is located between said entry and exit portions;
c. flexible x-ray shielding means disposed at said entry and exit portions;
d. an x-ray source for directing x-rays to a first portion of said chamber;
e. first conveyor means for introducing an article into said chamber;
f. means for driving said first conveyor means at a fist speed;
g. an inspection conveyor system having at least a portion thereof disposed at said chamber first portion and serving to carry said article through said chamber first portion;
h. means for driving said inspection conveyor system at a second speed exceeding said first speed;
i. second conveyor means for removing said article from said chamber; and
j. means for converting said x-rays passing through said first portion and said article into a visual image.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An article transfer and inspection apparatus comprising chamber-defining means, substantially impermeable to x-rays; and x-ray source for directing x-rays to a first portion of said chamber; feed and extraction conveyor systems individually having at least a portion thereof outside the chamber and respectively serving to introduce and remove an article into and from the chamber, the feed conveyor system being operable at a first speed; an inspection conveyor system located between the feed and extraction conveyor systems and at least partly disposed at the chamber first portion, the inspection conveyor system being operable at a second speed at least equal to the first speed and serving to carry the article through the chamber first portion; and means for converting x-rays passing through the first portion and the article into a visual image.
The apparatus can also include means for achieving a pre-determined spacing between various articles. Also, transfer apparatus for achieving pre-determined spacing between various articles. Also, the circuit for the spacing means.
70 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An article inspection apparatus capable of continuous operation for at least part of the operating time thereof, comprising:
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a. chamber defining means substantially impermeable to x-rays; b. entry and exit portions connected with said chamber which is located between said entry and exit portions; c. flexible x-ray shielding means disposed at said entry and exit portions; d. an x-ray source for directing x-rays to a first portion of said chamber; e. first conveyor means for introducing an article into said chamber; f. means for driving said first conveyor means at a fist speed; g. an inspection conveyor system having at least a portion thereof disposed at said chamber first portion and serving to carry said article through said chamber first portion; h. means for driving said inspection conveyor system at a second speed exceeding said first speed; i. second conveyor means for removing said article from said chamber; and j. means for converting said x-rays passing through said first portion and said article into a visual image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An article inspection apparatus capable of continuous operation for at least part of the operating time thereof, comprising:
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a. chamber defining means substantially impermeable to x-rays, said chamber defining means comprising entry and exit portions for ingress and egress and flexible x-ray shielding means disposed at said entry and exit portions; b. an x-ray source for directing x-rays to a first portion of said chamber; c. means for introducing an article into said chamber at a first rate of speed; d. an inspection conveyor system having at least a portion thereof disposed at said chamber first portion and serving to carry said article through said chamber first portion; e. means for driving said inspection conveyor system at a second speed exceeding said first speed; f. means for removing said article from said chamber; and g. means for converting said x-rays passing through said first portion and said article into a visual image.
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16. An article inspection apparatus capable of continuous operation for at least part of the operating time thereof, comprising:
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a. chamber defining means substantially impermeable to x-rays, said chamber defining means comprising entry and exit portions for ingress and egress and flexible x-ray shielding means disposed at said entry and exit portions; b. an x-ray source for directing x-rays to a first portion of said chamber; c. means for introducing an article into said chamber; d. an inspection conveyor system having at least a portion thereof disposed at said chamber first portion and serving to carry said article through said chamber first portion; e. means for removing said article from said chamber; f. means for converting said x-rays passing through said first portion and said article into a visual image; and g. means for sensing the relative positions of a number of the articles.
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17. An article inspection apparatus capable of continuous operation for at least part of the operating time thereof, comprising adjacent feed and transfer conveyor systems, said feed conveyor system comprising a first conveyor belt and means for driving said first belt at a first speed and said transfer conveyor system comprising a second conveyor belt and means for driving said second belt at a second speed significantly exceeding said first speed, whereby articles are carried to said second belt by said first belt, a third conveyor system comprising a third conveyor belt and means for driving said third belt at a third speed at least equal to said second speed, said second belt being disposed between and in proximity with said first and third belts, and being substantially aligned therewith, chamber defining means substantially impermeable to x-rays, said chamber defining means being associated with said transfer conveyor system and comprising entry and exit portions for ingress and egress of said article, flexible x-ray shielding means disposed at said entry and exit portions, an x-ray source for directing x-rays to a first portion of said chamber so as to impinge on an article located thereat, means for converting said x-rays passing through said first portion and said article into a visual image, and article sensing means comprising first and second article sensing elements adjacent at least one of said first and second conveyor belts and adapted to co-act to control said first belt.
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18. An article inspection apparatus capable of continuous operation for at least part of the operating time thereof, comprising:
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a. chamber defining means substantially impermeable to x-rays, said chamber defining means comprising entry and exit portions with a first portion of said chamber located therebetween; b. an x-ray source for directing x-rays to said first portion of said chamber; c. flexible x-ray shielding means disposed at said entry and exit portions; d. an article transport system having at least a portion thereof disposed at said chamber first portion and serving to carry said article through said chamber first portion; and e. means for converting said x-rays passing through said first portion and said article into a visual image. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification