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:
Sep. 10, 2013
Filed:
Sep. 17, 2010
Bryan J. Turner, Redmond, WA (US);
Bryan J. Turner, Redmond, WA (US);
RAF Technology, Inc., Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
A flatbed weigh system and methods for weighing substantially flat articles such as mail flats while they are moving. A weigh system has an intake plate () and an accelerator assembly () that receives an article () and accelerates it to a selected velocity. Acceleration is controlled by a servo motor () which in turn is driven by a precision closed-loop servo system (FIG.) that accumulates motor torque data to determine the article weight. The accelerator assembly uses vacuum pressure () to hold the moving article in engagement with a cylindrical capstan roller () while it is being weighed. This vacuum-driven concept eliminates the need for a pinch roller to hold the moving article against a capstan roller as in other designs. Because the pinch roller is eliminated, there is essentially no 'bouncing' to address, so dampen is obviated. Further, the vacuum design is not adversely affected by variations in thickness of the article under test as in the pinch roller designs.