Robotic filter weighing system

US5606153A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Robert J. Fix, Sr. · Kernersville, US
• Bain C. McConnell · Winston-Salem, US
• James T. Atkins · Lewisville, US
• Philip A. Deal · Winston-Salem, US
• Timothy A. Hobbs · Greensboro, US
• John Larkin Nelson · Lewisville, US
• John W. Thompson · Oklahoma City, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 7, 1994
• Grant date: Feb 25, 1997
• Expiry date: Apr 7, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G05B2219/45092
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method of, and apparatus for, a robotic filter weighing system for weighing filters stored in sample holders which includes a sample cabinet which holds a carousel having a plurality of filter samples contained in a like plurality of sample holders and in which a robotic system is used for removing in turn each of the sample holders and sequentially placing each of the sample holders in a filter extraction station for removing the filter from its respective holder. The robot system then moves the extracted filter to a weighing system which calculates the weight of the particulate matter contained on the filter and then replaces the filter in its sample holder and replaces the sample holder back in the sample cabinet.