Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for detecting breakage of a drive band in a packaging machine

US5488308A · kind A · utility

2Cited by
3References
45Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 20, 1994
Grant dateJan 30, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 20, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N27/041
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus and method for detecting the breakage of an electrically conductive drive band are disclosed. The apparatus includes an electrically conductive probe that is disposed proximate of the electrically conductive band. The probe is spaced from the electrically conductive drive band to allow the probe to contact the band upon its breakage. The band is connected to electrical ground potential. The apparatus also includes a continuity checking circuit that is connected to the electrically conductive drive band and the probe. The continuity checking circuit is designed so that the electrically conductive probe does not have a voltage potential thereon during normal operation of the apparatus. When the band breaks, it contacts the probe and thereby establishes an electrical continuity between the band and the probe. This electrical continuity is detected by the continuity checking circuit to provide a signal output indicative of the breakage of the band.

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