Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for detecting and dispensing articles of preselected weights suspended from shackles

US4024053A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
5References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 26, 1975
Grant dateMay 17, 1977
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 26, 1995

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S177/03
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed for detecting and dispensing articles of preselected weights suspended from shackles movable along a path by conveyor means. The apparatus comprises scale means for successively weighing the shackles and articles at a weighing station along the path, mechanical to electrical transducer means coupled with the scale means for generating analog electrical signals indicative of the sensed weights, and means for digitizing the analog electrical signals. The apparatus further comprises digital computer means for comparing the digitized electrical signals with sets of digital word bits indicative of a preselected set of weight ranges, and for generating article release command signals indicative of weight ranges in which the sensed article weights are computed to lie. The apparatus further includes electrical to mechanical transducer means for releasing articles from the shackles at a plurality of dispensing stations along the path in response to release command signals received from the computer means. A method is also disclosed for detecting and dispensing articles of preselected weights suspended from shackles which may be practiced through use of the disclosed a…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.