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:
Jan. 01, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 04, 2001
Wayne I. Knigge, Maple Grove, MN (US);
Brian A. Piotrowski, Aurora, IL (US);
General Mills, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
Detection of components ( ) missing from sealed packages ( ) is accomplished by combining a multiplicity of electrical outputs representing the mass in volumes of the package ( ) and comparing the combined value with a standard value for packages ( ) including all components ( ). In the preferred form, the mass is represented by the absorption of x-rays, with the packages ( ) being conveyed on a conveyor ( ) between an x-ray radiator ( ) generating a fan-shaped x-ray beam ( ) and a line array ( ) of individual detectors ( , etc.). The detectors ( , etc.) detect radiation after passing through the package ( ) and provide a numerical electrical signal equal to the amount of radiation detected. If the sum of the multiplicity of numerical electrical signals is less than the standard value, the package ( ) is rejected from the conveyor ( ) by a rejection device ( ).