The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 21, 1995
Filed:
Jul. 12, 1994
Harry J Keen, St. Johnsbury, VT (US);
Mike Dunne, Peacham, VT (US);
Fairbanks Inc., Kansas City, MO (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for measuring the dimensions or volume of an object on a conveyor is disclosed. A light source on one side of the conveyor is focused onto a spinning scanning drum having a pattern of holes therethrough. The holes are arrayed in a spiral pattern. The rotating drum is positioned parallel to the dimension to be measured between the source of light and a light detector on the other side of the conveyor from the light source. The pattern of holes is arranged so that when the scanning drum rotates a scanning pattern is generated across the conveyor. The light detector on the other side of the conveyor generates an output signal each time a beam of light passes through the rotating scanning drum and across the conveyor. A controller receives the output signal and correlates the output signal with the scanning pattern using a look-up table. Using this information, the controller determines from the scanning pattern and the detected output signals, the dimension of the object. If more than one dimension is to be measured, a height measuring unit and a width measuring unit may be positioned around the conveyor. From the measured height, width and length, the controller determines the volume of the object. A method and apparatus are provided for determining the volume of boxes passing on the conveyor with are positioned at an angle relative to the conveyor.