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Edge-responsive apparatus for counting conveyor-transported articles

  • US 4,384,195 A
  • Filed: 06/09/1980
  • Issued: 05/17/1983
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1980
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for enabling the exclusive discriminatory counting, in a counting zone, of successive known-shape articles, as distinguished from other objects with other shapes, which articles are transported through the zone along a defined path, where such articles are characterized each by a leading-edge portion having a first surface expanse which extends at an oblique angle relative to said path, which first surface expanse joins with a second surface expanse that extends for at least a preselected length no less than a certain distance from said path, and where the stream of articles is characterized by an effective thickness in the zone, said apparatus comprisingelectro-optical monitoring means constructed and disposed to monitor, in said counting zone, successive passing objects, said monitoring means being operable to produce a train of successive data signals each indicative of a related position, vis-a-vis the position of said path, of a surface-expanse area on a passing object, anddata-processing circuit means operatively connected to said monitoring means to receive said data signals therefrom, operable, on receiving each such signal, to determine, first, and in light of previously received data signals, whether the signal indicates the presence in the zone of an object surface expanse which extends at an oblique angle relative to said path, and if so, to determine, thereafter, from succeeding data signals, whether they collectively indicate the presence of an object surface expanse which extends no less than said certain distance from said path over said preselected length.

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