Method of and apparatus for counting flat objects in a stream of partially overlapping objects
AssigneeGrapha-Holding AG
InventorHanspeter Duss
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The sheets of a stream of partially overlapping sheets are counted during transport past a generator of ultrasonic waves which is operated by a control unit at a frequency such that each sheet reflects a series of successive waves. The resulting echoes are directed toward two discrete signal generators which transmit signals to an evaluating circuit by way of the control unit. The signals denote the length of intervals of propagation of waves from the source to the respective signal generators, and the circuit processes such signals to furnish information denoting the number of sheets which are conveyed past the locus of impingement of waves upon the sheets.
Claims16
A method of monitoring flat objects of a stream of successive partially overlapping objects, particularly printed sheets, brochures, signatures, newspapers and sections of newspapers, comprising the steps of conveying the stream along a predetermined path;
- generating a series of ultrasonic waves;
- directing the ultrasonic waves of said series against successive objects of said stream in a predetermined portion of said path to thus produce ultrasonic echoes having characteristics indicative of the respective objects, including transmitting ultrasonic waves from a first location at a first distance from said portion of said path;
- detecting said echoes at a second location at a second distance from said portion of said path;
- ascertaining the length of intervals of transmission of waves at said first location to arrival of the respective echoes at said second location;
- comparing the intervals for each of said waves;
- and utilizing the results of said comparing step to count the number of those objects which are conveyed along said portion of said path.
Apparatus for monitoring flat objects of a stream of successive partially overlapping objects, particularly printed sheets, brochures, signatures, newspapers and newspaper sections, comprising means for conveying the stream along a predetermined path;
- a source of ultrasonic waves operable to transmit a series of waves from a first location at a first distance from a predetermined portion of said path in a predetermined direction against objects in said predetermined portion of said path with attendant generation of echoes;
- means for operating said source at predetermined frequency;
- means for generating signals from said echoes at a second location at a second distance from said portion of said path;
- and evaluating means including means for ascertaining the length of intervals of transmission of waves from said first location to arrival of the respective echoes at said second location, means for comparing the intervals for each of said waves, and means for utilizing the results of comparison of said intervals to count the number of objects which are conveyed along said portion of said path.
Apparatus for monitoring flat objects of a stream of successive partially overlapping objects, particularly printed sheets, brochures, signatures, newspapers and newspaper sections, comprising means for conveying the stream along a predetermined path;
- a source of ultrasonic waves operable to transmit a series of waves in a predetermined direction against objects in a predetermined portion of said path with attendant generation of echoes, said conveying means defining a window in said portion of said path so that a wave which reaches said portion of said path while such path portion is not occupied by an object is free to penetrate through said window;
- means for operating said source at a predetermined frequency;
- means for generating signals from said echoes;
- means for reflecting waves which penetrate through said window toward said signal generating means;
- and means for evaluating said signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.