Method for maintaining zero calibration values in article sorting machine
US4649494A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 1984 |
| Grant date | Mar 10, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 29, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01G23/16
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for maintaining zero calibration values representative of average tare, or average empty cup weight, in an article sorting machine of the type employing cups to sort articles by weight comprises the steps of measuring the weight of each cup, and if the cup is carrying an article, the weight of the cup and the article, passing over an electronic scale, and determining whether the cup is carrying an article based upon the value of a weight signal provided by the electronic scale. A running sum of the values of the weight signals for the cups determined not to be carrying articles is maintained. A count of the number of cups determined not to be carrying articles is also maintained. After a selected interval, the running sum is divided by the count to arrive at an updated average tare, or updated average empty cup weight. The updated average empty cup weight is subtracted from the value of the weight signal for cups determined to be carrying articles to arrive at an article weight value which is indicative of the weight of the article alone. The article weight value is used to classify the article into one of a plurality of weight breaks for sorting the article according to i…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.