High speed batch counting apparatus

Abstract

A continuously moving stream of pieces taken from a storage bin is separated into precisely counted batches, for bagging, or the like. The flow speed of the pieces is optimized and substantially constant at a highest possible speed of flow higher than the batcher operating speeds will handle. Thereby this invention provides an alternative to eliminate the need for reducing flow speed because batchers require relatively long operating times and to avoid the disadvantage that reduction of the flow line speed when handling many successive batch pieces which is a slow process because of the high inherent inertia to changes of speed. In order to increase the flow speeds to higher effective batch handling rates, some of the pieces are removed from a high speed stream flow to create gaps in the flow stream between batches, thereby permitting optimized time interfacing with the necessary batching operations which thereby may proceed at a slower rate than the average piece by piece flow rate. Also, this technique assures that there is always an exact count since the batcher, which is time limited at the critical system point, has adequate time to perform its function in the gap period without losing or gaining a piece from the stream. Also, handling and storage of pieces removed from the stream is expedited by removing the pieces from the stream directly back into the storage bin feeding the stream, and simplified control systems responsive to gap detection techniques can be used.