Sort-by-weight and labelling method and apparatus
First Claim
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1. In a method of determining the weight of a plurality of objects combined in a parcel, the steps of:
- moving the parcel into engagement with a stop member to position the objects relative to each other in the parcel;
moving the parcel containing the positioned objects at a known velocity to impact against an elastic probe surface to reduce the velocity of the parcel to zero; and
generating a signal upon impact of a magnitude which is related to the magnitude of the momentum of the parcel before impact.
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Abstract
Device to determine the weight of an object by moving the object at a predetermined velocity into a probe, a sensor associated with the probe to indicate the change in momentum to determine the weight.
36 Citations
18 Claims
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1. In a method of determining the weight of a plurality of objects combined in a parcel, the steps of:
- moving the parcel into engagement with a stop member to position the objects relative to each other in the parcel;
moving the parcel containing the positioned objects at a known velocity to impact against an elastic probe surface to reduce the velocity of the parcel to zero; and
generating a signal upon impact of a magnitude which is related to the magnitude of the momentum of the parcel before impact. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
- moving the parcel into engagement with a stop member to position the objects relative to each other in the parcel;
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4. A meter to print indicia related to weight on parcels containing a plurality of objects moved along a path comprising:
- means to impact the parcels against a stop to position each object in the parcel adjacent to front end of the parcel;
a probe;
means to move the parcel at a known velocity such that the front end of the parcel impacts against the probe;
means to generate a signal related to the displacement of the probe; and
means to print indicia related to the weight of said parcel on said parcel in response to said signal.
- means to impact the parcels against a stop to position each object in the parcel adjacent to front end of the parcel;
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5. In a device to determine weight of an object, the combination of:
- a probe;
means to position said probe in a path;
means to move the object at a pre-determined velocity along said path such that the object will directly impact against said probe; and
sensor means associated with said probe to indicate the magnitude of the change in momentum of the object as a result of impacting said probe. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
- a probe;
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8. In a method of determining the weight of a plurality of objects combined in a parcel, the steps of:
- moving the parcel into engagement with a stop member to position the objects relative to each other in the parcel;
moving the parcel containing the positioned objects at a known velocity to impact against a probe surface;
causing the parcel to impact against a probe surface on a cantilever beam extending parallel to a member supporting the cantilever beam; and
generating a signal related to the magnitude of the force applied to the member supporting the cantilever beam, said signal being independent of the moment of the force acting on the member supporting the cantilever beam as a result of force applied to the cantilever beam upon the impact of the parcel. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
- moving the parcel into engagement with a stop member to position the objects relative to each other in the parcel;
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11. In a method of determining the weight of a plurality of objects combined in a parcel, the steps of:
- moving the parcel into engagement with a stop member to position the objects relative to each other in the parcel;
moving the parcel containing the positioned objects at a known velocity to impact against a probe surface;
generating a signal upon impact of a magnitude which is related to the magnitude of the momentum of the parcel before impact; and
printing indicia related to the weight of the parcel on the parcel in response to said signal.
- moving the parcel into engagement with a stop member to position the objects relative to each other in the parcel;
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12. In a device to determine the weight of an object, the combination of:
- a probe;
means to position said probe in a path;
spaced drive members engaging opposite sides of the object;
means to move said spaced drive members at a pre-determined velocity;
support means spaced from said drive members and positioned below said path and adjacent opposite sides of said path to maintain a thin flat object in a substantially vertical plane to minimize aerodynamic effects on the moving object, said guide means being adaped to receive the object from the drive members adjacent said probe and to direct the object along the path toward the probe without changing the speed or direction of the object to assure unrestrained motion when the object impinges against said probe; and
sensor means associated with said probe to indicate the magnitude of displacement of said probe as a result of being impacted by said object.
- a probe;
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13. In a device to determine the weight of an object, the combination of:
- a cantilever beam;
means to position said beam in a path;
means to move the object at a pre-determined velocity along said path such that the object will impact against said beam; and
sensor means associated with said beam to indicate the magnitude of displacement of said beam as a result of being impacted by said object, said sensor means including strain gages in a Wheatstone bridge circuit calibrated to deliver a signal related to the magntiude of force acting on the cantilever beam as a result of impact of the object. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
- a cantilever beam;
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14. In a device to determine weight of an object, the combination of:
- a probe;
means to position said probe in a path;
means to move the object at a pre-determined velocity along said path such that the object will impact against said probe; and
sensor means associated with said probe to indicate the magnitude of displacement of said probe as a result of being impacted by said object, said sensor means comprising;
a beam having a neutral axis;
a pair of compression strain gages secured to the surface on one side of said neutral axis; and
a pair of tension strain gages secured to the surface of the beam on the opposite side of the neutral axis, said strain gages being connected to a Wheatstone bridge circuit calibrated to deliver a signal related to the magnitude of force acting on said probe and independent of the location at which the force is applied. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
- a probe;
Specification