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Counting machine for discrete items

  • US 8,417,375 B2
  • Filed: 05/13/2010
  • Issued: 04/09/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for dispensing a set number of items as a batch, the method comprising the steps of:

  • (a) setting the set number of items in the batch;

    (b) calibrating by(b1) forwarding items along a conveyor for a time interval;

    (b2) counting the number of items to fall off an end of the conveyor in the time interval;

    (b3) calculating throughput per unit time;

    (c) setting the conveyor to operate for a discrete time period calculated so that a number of items dispensed reaches but does not exceed the set number, without adjusting one or more of a conveyor amplitude setting and a conveyor frequency setting;

    (d) counting the number of items dispensed in the discrete time period of step c;

    (e) adding the number of items to fall off the conveyor in the discrete time period of step c to the number of items dispensed; and

    (f) repeating steps c, d and e until the number of items dispensed is greater than or equal to the set number,wherein each iteration of step f uses the number of particles per unit time in the preceding discrete time period as a basis for determining a new item throughput rate for calculating a subsequent discrete time period for operating the conveyor.

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