Patent US3685020A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3724569A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for controlling product charge weights
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-10-29
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1990-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A method of controlling the weights of product charges and reducing product giveaway is provided wherein a predetermined percentage of charges are deliberately held underweight so that a high percentage of the charges are delivered at a weight near the minimum acceptable level. The underweight charges are then brought up to weight by adding additional product so that all charges are delivered at weights above the minimum. A method for maintaining the predetermined percentage of underweight charges is also provided wherein the total number of charges and the number of underweight charges are compared to determine whether the predetermined percentage is being maintained and a resultant control signal produced to increase or decrease the amount fed where the percentage is not maintained.
Inventors
- 👤 S Blodgett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:40
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G13/00; G01G15/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A method for controlling the weights of product charges wherein the weights are normally distributed along a curve about a mean weight and wherein normally the weights of all product charges are above a minimum allowable weight with half the product charges on each side of the mean weight comprising the steps of selecting a minimum allowable weight level below the mean weight, maintaining a predetermined ratio between total product charges and product charges falling below said minimum allowable weight level whereby a number of product charges below the minimum allowable weight are deliberately produced and a greater number of product charges are produced on the underweight side of said mean weight than on the overweight side of said mean weight, adding product to the product charges below the minimum allowable weight to bring the product charges over the minimum allowable weight whereby product giveaway is substantially reduced.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
148 words
A method for controlling the weights of product charges wherein the weights are normally distributed along a curve about a mean weight and wherein normally the weights of all product charges are above a minimum allowable weight with half the product charges on each side of the mean weight comprising the steps of selecting a minimum allowable weight level below the mean weight, maintaining a predetermined ratio between total product charges and product charges falling below said minimum allowable weight level whereby a number of product charges below the minimum allowable weight are deliberately produced and a greater number of product charges are produced on the underweight side of said mean weight than on the overweight side of said mean weight, adding product to the product charges below the minimum allowable weight to bring the product charges over the minimum allowable weight whereby product giveaway is substantially reduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method for controlling the weights of product charges as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of maintaining said predetermined ratio comprises counting the total number of charges produced, counting the number of underweight charges produced, and comparing the total number of charges with the number of underweight charges to determine whether said ratio is being maintained.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
92 words
A method for controlling the weights of product charges as claimed in claim 1 further comprising converting the number of charges counted into a control signal corresponding to said predetermined ratio such that the percentage of said control signals produced relative to the total number of charges counted approximates the predetermined ratio between the number of underweight charges and the total number of charges produced and comparing the number of occurrences of the control signal with the number of occurrences of a signal corresponding to the actual number of underweight charges counted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for controlling the weights of product charges as claimed in claim 3 further comprising controlling the production of the charges in accordance with the results of the comparison step.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
121 words
A method for controlling the weights of product charges as claimed in claim 4 comprising feeding product from a first feeder to weigh bucket, each operation of said feeder providing a count of the total number of charges produced; weighing the charge in said weigh bucket; dumping the weighed charge into a checkweigh bucket; checkweighing the charge in said checkweigh bucket; feeding product into said checkweigh bucket when the weight falls below said predetermined level; and providing a count of the number of charges in said checkweigh bucket whose weights fall below said predetermined level by providing a control signal each time said second feeder is energized; said controlling step comprising adjusting setting of the feeder in accordance with said comparison.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |