Control method and apparatus to detect the presence of a first object and monitor a relative position of the first or subsequent objects such as container identification and product fill control
US6394153B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 28, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/04
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An automatic container detection and fill control device includes a number of transmitter and receiver pairs arranged generally in parallel such that a transmission from a given transmitter is directed downwardly toward an interior of a container when present in a dispensing station. At least a portion of the transmission is capable of reflection toward a given receiver. A control circuit is connected to the transmitter and receiver pairs to periodically activate a given transmitter and monitor a corresponding receiver. Preferably, the control circuit includes a microprocessor programmed and capable of determining both container presence and a product Fill level by detecting and differentiating signal strengths of reflected transmissions, and activating and deactivating a dispenser in response thereto. The control is capable of detecting the size of a container and dispensing product until the container is considered full. The control includes the ability to detect the presence of foam in a dispensed product, allow the foam to subside, and top off the product in the container. The device provides consistent container detection and fill level control regardless of ice content, preve…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.