Mold counter

• US 6,377,649 B1
• Filed: 12/13/1999
• Issued: 04/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PCS Company (Misumi Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: PCS Company (Misumi Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Stuart, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): RUBIN, MARGARET R
• Application Number:
  US09/459,699
• Time in Patent Office: 862 Days
• Field of Search: 377/16, 377/15
• US Class Current: 377/15
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2045/1796 Moulds carrying mould related information or codes, e.g. bar codes, counters
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/17 Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/76 Measuring, controlling or regulating measuring in general G01; controlling or regulating in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 1/00 Design features of general application
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 3/10 using counting means

Abstract

A counting apparatus is disclosed, having a resettable counter, for counting the number of times a mold closes. The counting apparatus includes a body that is mountable to a mold block section, an electronic counting mechanism connected to the body, and a reset mechanism connected to the body that resets the counting mechanism to zero or some other settable number. Additionally, the counting mechanism includes a sensor, a triggering mechanism, and a counter display. The sensor detects when the mold has been closed and then communicates such with the triggering mechanism. The triggering mechanism then triggers the counter display to increase or decrease by the number of units associated with the closing of the mold.

Claims

1. An apparatus for counting the number of times a mold closes, said apparatus comprising:

a body, wherein said body is mountable to a mold block;

an electronic counting mechanism connected to said body wherein said counting mechanism comprises;

a sensor that detects when the mold has been closed;

a reset mechanism connected to said body to reset said counting mechanism to zero;

a triggering mechanism wherein said sensor communicates with said triggering mechanism when the mold has been closed; and

a counter display connected to said triggering mechanism, wherein said counter display increases by one when triggered by said triggering mechanism.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body has a first end and a second end and said body is generally rounded at said first end and generally squared at said second end.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said body has at least one hole for receipt of at least one bolt for bolting said body to the mold block.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises a microprocessor.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises a movable arm operatively connected to said body, said movable arm being movable from a first position to a second position, wherein said arm is completely extended away from said body in said first position and said arm is completely retracted into said body to trigger said counter display in said second position.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said triggering mechanism is an internal electrical device.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said triggering mechanism is an internal mechanical device.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said triggering mechanism is an internal pneumatic device.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said triggering mechanism is an internal hydraulic device.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said triggering mechanism is an internal timed device.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said triggering mechanism is an internal programmable, electronic device.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said triggering mechanism is an external electrical device.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said triggering mechanism is an external mechanical device.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said triggering mechanism is an external pneumatic device.

15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1,wherein said triggering mechanism is an external hydraulic device.

16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said triggering mechanism is an external timed device.

17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said triggering mechanism is an extenal programmable, electronic device.

18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said triggering mechanism is a remote electrical device.

19. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said triggering mechanism is a remote mechanical device.

20. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said triggering mechanism is a remote pneumatic device.

21. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said triggering mechanism is a remote hydraulic device.

22. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said triggering mechanism is a remote timed device.

23. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said triggering mechanism is a remote programmable, electronic device.

24. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reset mechanism is located on said body.

25. An apparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein said reset mechanism is external and has a set resistance.

26. An apparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein said reset mechanism is recessed into said body and has a set resistance.

27. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reset mechanism is remotely located from said body.

28. A method of counting the number of times a mold closes, comprising the steps of:

(A) detecting contact between two sections of a mold;

(B) triggering a counter display to increase by one;

(C) determining when to reset the counter to zero; and

(D) resetting the counter to zero.

29. A method of counting the number of times a mold closes, comprising the steps of:

(A) detecting contact between two sections of a mold;

(B) electronically triggering a counter to increase by the number of units associated with the closing of the mold; and

(C) determining when to reset the counter to zero.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of:

(D) resetting the counter.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of:

(E) resetting the counter to zero.

32. A method of counting the number of times a mold closes, comprising the steps of:

(A) setting a counter to a desired number;

(B) detecting contact between two sections of a mold;

(C) electronically triggering the counter to decrease by the number of units associated with the closing of the mold; and

(D) determining when to reset the counter.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of:

(E) resetting the counter.