US3856097A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic scale control system and methods
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-12-28
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1993-12-28
Abstract
Abstract An automatic scale control system for weighing continuous batches of a fluent product. A product weight-measuring scale includes means for receiving the fluent product for weighing and means for subsequently discharging a batch of the weighed product. A bulk feed delivers the product from a supply to the scale at a bulk rate and a dribble feed delivers the product from the supply to the scale at a dribble rate lower than the bulk rate. Circuitry is provided for initiating delivery of the product by the bulk and dribble feeds and an arrangement is operable by the scale for terminating delivery by the bulk feed when the product delivered to the scale reaches a total first weight. Means operable by the scale terminates delivery by the dribble feed when the product delivered to the scale reaches a total weight bringing the batch on the scale up to predetermined finish weight whereupon it is discharged. A timer establishes a time interval during which the product delivered to the scale is to reach said second weight and provision is included for changing the bulk rate if the product delivered within the time interval does not reach said second weight so as to cause the second weight to be reached within the time interval.
Inventors
- 👤 C Hart
- 👤 D Wieseckel
- 👤 J Bartlo
- 👤 R Safranski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 16:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G13/00; G01G13/24; G01G13/28; G01G13/285; G01G13/2851; G01G13/2852
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
A method of weighing repetitive batches of a fluent product, each batch being of predetermined finish weight, comprising the steps of: 1. initiating the delivery of the fluent product to a scale via first feed means at a first delivery rate; 2. initiating delivery of the product to the scale via second feed means at a second delivery rate which is substantially lower than said first rate; 3. terminating delivery of the product to the scale at said first rate when a predetermined total first weight of product delivered to the scale is weighed by the scale; 4. terminating delivery of the product at said second rate when a predetermined toTal second weight of product delivered to the scale is weighed by the scale whereby a batch of said predetermined finish weight is accumulated on the scale; 5. establishing a predetermined time interval during which the predetermined total second weight of product weighed by the scale is to be reached; 6. automatically changing at least one of said first and second delivery rates if the predetermined total second weight weighed by the scale is not reached within said time interval so as to cause said predetermined second weight weighed by the scale to be reached within said time interval; 7. discharging from the scale the product batch of said predetermined finish weight; and 8. repeating steps (1) through (7).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
229 words
A method of weighing repetitive batches of a fluent product, each batch being of predetermined finish weight, comprising the steps of: 1. initiating the delivery of the fluent product to a scale via first feed means at a first delivery rate; 2. initiating delivery of the product to the scale via second feed means at a second delivery rate which is substantially lower than said first rate; 3. terminating delivery of the product to the scale at said first rate when a predetermined total first weight of product delivered to the scale is weighed by the scale; 4. terminating delivery of the product at said second rate when a predetermined toTal second weight of product delivered to the scale is weighed by the scale whereby a batch of said predetermined finish weight is accumulated on the scale; 5. establishing a predetermined time interval during which the predetermined total second weight of product weighed by the scale is to be reached; 6. automatically changing at least one of said first and second delivery rates if the predetermined total second weight weighed by the scale is not reached within said time interval so as to cause said predetermined second weight weighed by the scale to be reached within said time interval; 7. discharging from the scale the product batch of said predetermined finish weight; and 8. repeating steps (1) through (7).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
initiating delivery of the product to the scale via second feed means at a second delivery rate which is substantially lower than said first rate;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
initiating delivery of the product to the scale via second feed means at a second delivery rate which is substantially lower than said first rate;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method of weighing repetitive batches of a fluent product as set forth in claim 1, wherein said automatically changing at least one of said rates comprises decreasing said first delivery rate if said second weight is reached before said interval and for increasing said first delivery rate if said second weight is reached after said interval.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method of weighing repetitive batches of a fluent product as set forth in claim 2, further comprising establishing another predetermined time interval during which the predetermined total first weight of product weighed by the scale is to be reached and signalling if said first weight is not reached during the last said interval.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
terminating delivery of the product to the scale at said first rate when a predetermined total first weight of product delivered to the scale is weighed by the scale;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
terminating delivery of the product to the scale at said first rate when a predetermined total first weight of product delivered to the scale is weighed by the scale;
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
248 words
An automatic scale control system for weighing of repetitive batches of a fluent product, each batch being of predetermined finish weight, comprising: a product weight-measuring scale including means for receiving the fluent product for weighing it and means for subsequently discharging a batch of the weighed product; first feed means for delivering the product from a supply thereof to the scale at a preselected first delivery rate; second feed means for delivering the product from the supply thereof to the scale at a preselected second delivery rate which is lower than the first delivery rate; means for initiating delivery of the product by the first and second feed means; means operable by the scale for terminating delivery by the first feed means when the product delivered to the scale reaches a predetermined total first weight; means operable by the scale for terminating delivery by the second feed means when the product delivered to the scale reaches a predetermined total second weight; means for establishing a predetermined time interval during which the product delivered to the scale is to reach one of said predetermined total first or second weights; and means for automatically changing at least one of said delivery rates if said one of the predetermined total first and second weights of product is not delivered within said predetermined time interval so as to cause said one of the predetermined total first or second weights of product to be delivered to the scale within said predetermined time interval.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
248 words
An automatic scale control system for weighing of repetitive batches of a fluent product, each batch being of predetermined finish weight, comprising: a product weight-measuring scale including means for receiving the fluent product for weighing it and means for subsequently discharging a batch of the weighed product; first feed means for delivering the product from a supply thereof to the scale at a preselected first delivery rate; second feed means for delivering the product from the supply thereof to the scale at a preselected second delivery rate which is lower than the first delivery rate; means for initiating delivery of the product by the first and second feed means; means operable by the scale for terminating delivery by the first feed means when the product delivered to the scale reaches a predetermined total first weight; means operable by the scale for terminating delivery by the second feed means when the product delivered to the scale reaches a predetermined total second weight; means for establishing a predetermined time interval during which the product delivered to the scale is to reach one of said predetermined total first or second weights; and means for automatically changing at least one of said delivery rates if said one of the predetermined total first and second weights of product is not delivered within said predetermined time interval so as to cause said one of the predetermined total first or second weights of product to be delivered to the scale within said predetermined time interval.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
terminating delivery of the product at said second rate when a predetermined toTal second weight of product delivered to the scale is weighed by the scale whereby a batch of said predetermined finish weight is accumulated on the scale;
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
terminating delivery of the product at said second rate when a predetermined toTal second weight of product delivered to the scale is weighed by the scale whereby a batch of said predetermined finish weight is accumulated on the scale;
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
establishing a predetermined time interval during which the predetermined total second weight of product weighed by the scale is to be reached;
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
establishing a predetermined time interval during which the predetermined total second weight of product weighed by the scale is to be reached;
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
An automatic scale control system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said first and second feed means each comprise vibrator conveyors including respective vibrators, the amplitude of vibration of said vibrators determining the respective conveyor delivery rate, and further comprising means for controlling the level of energization of said vibrators from a source of a.c. power and thereby the amplitude of vibration of said vibrators.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
An automatic scale control system as set forth in claim 5, wherein the means for controlling vibrator energization comprises at least one voltage-adjustable transformer supplying its output voltage to at least one of the vibrators and a motor for controlling the output voltage of the transformer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
automatically changing at least one of said first and second delivery rates if the predetermined total second weight weighed by the scale is not reached within said time interval so as to cause said predetermined second weight weighed by the scale to be reached within said time interval;
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
automatically changing at least one of said first and second delivery rates if the predetermined total second weight weighed by the scale is not reached within said time interval so as to cause said predetermined second weight weighed by the scale to be reached within said time interval;
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
An automatic scale control system as set forth in claim 6, further comprising a timer for operating said motor for a time interval.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
discharging from the scale the product batch of said predetermined finish weight; and
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
discharging from the scale the product batch of said predetermined finish weight; and
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
5 words
repeating steps (1) through (7).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
5 words
repeating steps (1) through (7).
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
46 words
An automatic scale control system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said means for autOmatically changing one of said delivery rates is operative to change said first delivery rate if said predetermined total second weight of product is not delivered within said predetermined time interval.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
53 words
An automatic scale control system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said means for automatically changing delivery rates is operative to decrease said first delivery rate if said second weight is delivered before said predetermined interval and to increase said first rate if said second weight is delivered after said predetermined interval.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
An automatic scale control system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said means for establishing a predetermined time interval comprises a timer for controlling cyclic operation of said system, each batch being weighed during a cycle of operation, said predetermined time interval occurring within each cycle.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
57 words
An automatic scale control system as set forth in claim 10, wherein said means for initiating delivery of the product by the first and second feed means is controlled by said timer, and further comprising means controlled by said timer for causing the discharging means of said scale to discharge the weighed product batch in each cycle.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
56 words
An automatic scale control system as set forth in claim 10, said timer establishing another predetermined time interval within each cycle during which the product delivered to the scale is to reach said predetermined total first weight and further comprising means for signalling if said predetermined total first weight is not delivered within the last-said interval.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
44 words
An automatic scale control system as set forth in claim 12, wherein said means for signalling provides a first signal if said first weight is delivered before the last-said interval and a second signal if said first weight is delivered after the last-said interval.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
265 words
An automatic scale control system for weighing of repetitive batches of a fluent product, each batch being of predetermined finish weight, comprising: a product weight-measuring scale including means for receiving the fluent product for weighing and means for subsequently discharging a batch of the weighed product; bulk feed means for delivering the product from a supply thereof to the scale at a preselected bulk delivery rate; dribble feed means for delivering the product from the supply thereof to the scale at a preselected dribble delivery rate which is lower than the bulk delivery rate; means for initiating delivery of the product by the bulk feed means and dribble feed means; means operable by the scale for terminating delivery by the bulk feed means when the product delivered to the scale reaches a predetermined total first weight; means operable by the scale for terminating delivery by the dribble feed means when the product delivered to the scale reaches a predetermined total second weight whereby a batch of said predetermined finish weight is delivered to the scale; means for establishing a predetermined time interval during which the product delivered to the scale is to reach said predetermined total second weight; means for automatically changing said preselected bulk delivery rate if the product delivered within said predetermined time interval does not reach said predetermined second weight so as to cause said predetermined total second weight of product to be delivered to the scale within said predetermined time intervals; and means for causing the discharging means of said scale to discharge the product batch of said predetermined finish weight.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
265 words
An automatic scale control system for weighing of repetitive batches of a fluent product, each batch being of predetermined finish weight, comprising: a product weight-measuring scale including means for receiving the fluent product for weighing and means for subsequently discharging a batch of the weighed product; bulk feed means for delivering the product from a supply thereof to the scale at a preselected bulk delivery rate; dribble feed means for delivering the product from the supply thereof to the scale at a preselected dribble delivery rate which is lower than the bulk delivery rate; means for initiating delivery of the product by the bulk feed means and dribble feed means; means operable by the scale for terminating delivery by the bulk feed means when the product delivered to the scale reaches a predetermined total first weight; means operable by the scale for terminating delivery by the dribble feed means when the product delivered to the scale reaches a predetermined total second weight whereby a batch of said predetermined finish weight is delivered to the scale; means for establishing a predetermined time interval during which the product delivered to the scale is to reach said predetermined total second weight; means for automatically changing said preselected bulk delivery rate if the product delivered within said predetermined time interval does not reach said predetermined second weight so as to cause said predetermined total second weight of product to be delivered to the scale within said predetermined time intervals; and means for causing the discharging means of said scale to discharge the product batch of said predetermined finish weight.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
73 words
An automatic scale control system as set forth in claim 14, wherein said means for establishing a predetermined time interval comprises a timer for controlling cyclic operation of said system, each batch being weighed during a cycle of operation, said predetermined time interval occurring within each cycle, and said timer controlling also said means for initiating delivery of the product and said means for causing the diScharging means to discharge the product batch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |