Rotary desiccant feeder method and apparatus
AssigneeOmega Design Corporation
InventorDevendra Shendege
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for efficient dispensing of desiccant canisters into containers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a microprocessor that monitors a plurality of sensors, and applies control signals to a servomotor that controls a rotary disc that transports desiccant canisters from a drop chute to containers. The containers pass through the apparatus via a conveyor system. Control signals determine the position and presence of desiccant canisters and containers to ensure proper operation. Error detection and recovery features are provided to handle the case of a missing desiccant canister, and halt the apparatus upon detection of an unrecoverable error.
Claims10
A method of dispensing a desiccant canister into a container, comprising the steps of:
- a. positioning a disc such that a vacant area within said disc is located at a transfer station;
- b. inserting a desiccant canister into said vacant area of said disc at said transfer station;
- c. verifying the presence of said desiccant canister in said vacant area of said disc;
- d. activating a conveyor signal to move a container into a dispensing station;
- e. verifying presence of said container at said dispensing station;
- f. rotating said disc, whereby said desiccant canister is located at said dispensing station directly above said container;
- and
- g. stopping said disc, whereby said desiccant canister drops into said container.
An apparatus for dispensing a desiccant canister into a container, comprising:
- a. a drop chute for inputting a desiccant canister into the apparatus;
- b. a disc with a plurality of vacant areas for transporting said desiccant canister to a sensing station;
- c. sensing means at said sensing station for indicating the presence of said desiccant canister within a vacant area of said disc;
- d. a motor for moving said disc to transport said desiccant canister;
- e. sensing means at a dispensing station to verify presence of a container at a dispensing station;
- and
- f. sensing means at a dispensing station to verify the dispensing of said desiccant canister into said container at said dispensing station.
A method for verifying successful dispensing of a desiccant canister into a container, comprising the steps of:
- a. sensing a desiccant canister at a sensing station;
- b. sensing a container at a discharge station;
- c. sensing a desiccant canister dropping into said container at said discharge station;
- whereby an error signal is generated if at least one of said steps fails.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.