Apparatus for high-speed accurate counting and handling of discrete objects such as tablets
First Claim
1. An ultra-accurate counting and handling system for use with high-speed press apparatus having a horizontally rotatable die table for making discrete, solid particular objects, comprising:
- a. sensing means including a directional sensor arrangement predeterminably arranged relative to each station of the apparatus at which the formation of the objects is virtually completed, each said sensor arrangement including a retro-reflective sensor arranged to have an operative face thereof proximate the said respective station of the apparatus at a pre-established optimum sensing angle α
of between 18° and
30°
relative to the horizontal and which is aimed at a point of the said respective station whereat the objects are substantially fully ejected from their dies;
b. control counter means responsive to said sensing means for providing a continuous count of the objects sensed by each said sensor arrangement, said counter means including first means enabling a presetting of the maximum desired count of sensed objects for each said station of the apparatus;
c. gating and handling means including a gated dispensing arrangement associated with each said station of the apparatus and having a first portion thereof situate proximate the said respective station, each said gated dispensing arrangement being adapted to predeterminably control the procession of the objects from said respective station of the apparatus to a pre-established destination under the supervision of said first means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
There is disclosed a highly accurate counting and handling arrangement particularly adaptable to large-volume, high-speed multiple-output apparatus producing discrete, solid particular objects, such as tablets. Sensing means, preferably retroreflective optical sensors, fluidic sensors or strain-gauge sensing arrangements, are employed in associated with existing apparatus to detect each object at the point where the objects are substantially completely formed. The signals generated by the individual sensors are received by a control counter arrangement which provides a continuous separate displayed counting for each sensor employed. The control counter arrangement has provision for separately presetting the maximum desired count of sensed objects for each sensor employed. A gated dispensing assembly is additionally provided in association with each sensor employed which is adapted to predeterminably control the procession of the objects from their point of virtual completion to a pre-established destination under the supervision of the respective separate maximum preset facility of the control counter arrangement.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An ultra-accurate counting and handling system for use with high-speed press apparatus having a horizontally rotatable die table for making discrete, solid particular objects, comprising:
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a. sensing means including a directional sensor arrangement predeterminably arranged relative to each station of the apparatus at which the formation of the objects is virtually completed, each said sensor arrangement including a retro-reflective sensor arranged to have an operative face thereof proximate the said respective station of the apparatus at a pre-established optimum sensing angle α
of between 18° and
30°
relative to the horizontal and which is aimed at a point of the said respective station whereat the objects are substantially fully ejected from their dies;b. control counter means responsive to said sensing means for providing a continuous count of the objects sensed by each said sensor arrangement, said counter means including first means enabling a presetting of the maximum desired count of sensed objects for each said station of the apparatus; c. gating and handling means including a gated dispensing arrangement associated with each said station of the apparatus and having a first portion thereof situate proximate the said respective station, each said gated dispensing arrangement being adapted to predeterminably control the procession of the objects from said respective station of the apparatus to a pre-established destination under the supervision of said first means. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An ultra-accurate counting and handling system for use with high-speed apparatus making discrete, solid particular objects comprising:
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a. sensing means including a directional sensor arrangement predeterminably arranged relative to each station of the apparatus at which the formation of the objects is virtually completed, each said sensor arrangement including a retroreflective sensor arranged to have an operative face thereof proximate the said respective station of the apparatus at a pre-established optimum sensing angle α
relative to the virtually completed objects;b. control counter means responsive to said sensing means for providing a continuous count of the objects sensed by each said sensor arrangement, said counter means including first means enabling a presetting of the maximum desired count of sensed objects for each said station of the apparatus; c. gating and handling means including a gated dispensing arrangement associated with each said station of the apparatus and having a first portion thereof situate proximate the said respective station, each said gated dispensing arrangement being adapted to predeterminably control the procession of the objects from said respective station of the apparatus to a pre-established destination under the supervision of said first means; d. said at least one sensor arrangement including purge means at least a portion of which is mounted to be in operative arrangement with the face of said retroreflective sensor for continuously purging said face of particle accumulations by way of a maintained pressure differential proximate said face. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An ultra-accurate counting and handling system for use with high-speed apparatus making discrete, solid particular objects comprising:
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a. sensing means including a directional sensor arrangement predeterminably arranged relative to each station of the apparatus at which the formation of the objects is virtually completed, each said sensor arrangement including a retroreflective sensor arranged to have an operative face thereof proximate the said respective station of the apparatus at a pre-established optimum sensing angle α
relative to the virtually completed objects;b. control counter means responsive to said sensing means for providing a continuous count of the objects sensed by each said sensor arrangement, said counter means including first means enabling a presetting of the maximum desired count of sensed objects for each said station of the apparatus; c. gating and handling means including a gated dispensing arrangement associated with each said station of the apparatus and having a first portion thereof situate proximate the said respective station, each said gated dispensing arrangement being adapted to predeterminably control the procession of the objects from said respective station of the apparatus to a pre-established destination under the supervision of said first means; d. said sensing means further including a spring-loaded mounting mechanism associated with each said sensing arrangement for housing the sensor and providing adjustable stationary mounting of the latter relative to said respective station of the apparatus; and e. purge means assembled on at least one said mounting mechanism in operative arrangement with the face of the sensor arrangement associated therewith for continuously purging said face of particle accumulations by way of a predeterminably maintained pressure differential across said face. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. An ultra-accurate counting and handling system for use with high-speed apparatus making discrete, solid particular objects, comprising:
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a. sensing means including a directional sensor arrangement predeterminably arranged relative to each station of the apparatus at which the formation of the objects is virtually completed, each said sensor arrangement having an optical face positioned proximate said station to which it is associated; b. control counter means responsive to said sensing means for providing a separate continuous count of the objects sensed by each said sensor arrangement, said counter means including first means enabling a separate presetting of the maximum desired count of sensed objects for each said station of the apparatus; and c. gating and handling means including a gated dispensing arrangement associated with each said station of the apparatus and having a first portion thereof situate proximate the said respective station, each said gated dispensing arrangement being adapted to predeterminably control the procession of the objects from said respective station of the apparatus to a pre-established destination under the supervision of said first means; d. said gated dispensing arrangement including a gate assembly adapted to receive the objects from the said respective station of the apparatus, said gate assembly being comprised of guide means positioned for directing said completed tablets away from said station, a chute arrangement a first portion of which is arranged proximate said guide means to receive the objects from the latter, and a gate mechanism arranged relative to said chute arrangement for controllably directing the movement of the objects through said chute arrangement, each said gate assembly chute arrangement having at least two defined paths of movement for the objects; e. said first means including gate actuation control means for causing, in response to an attainment of the preset count established in said first means for a station of the apparatus, each said gate mechanism to undergo a switching movement resulting in the objects being then diverted to an alternate one of said at least two paths of said chute arrangement; and f. said gating and handling means further including a deduster assembly coupled to said gate assembly for receiving the objects as they emerge from one of the said defined paths of said gate assembly, said deduster assembly having means for maintaining the objects in the path associated with the movement thereof through said gate assembly while separating the objects from loose particles heretofore moving along with the objects. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification