Counting articles
US5199517A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 1990 |
| Grant date | Apr 6, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01G19/42
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for counting articles having a nominal weight and a statistical distribution of weights by predetermining a minimum batch weight of a batch of the articles in relation to the statistical distribution of weights such that a maximum rounding-off error of the dividend of the batch weight by the nominal weight is less than 0.5 so that on rounding-off, the dividend is equal to the number of the articles in the batch. Articles are added successively on a continuing basis to a weighting apparatus, and the batch weight is noted each time the minimum batch weight is added. An article count is maintained as articles are added to the weight apparatus and the article count is incremented by the batch number each time the minimum batch weight is added. The weighing apparatus is re-zeroed every time a batch weight is attained to eliminate a fractional weight giving rise to the rounding-off error.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.