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:
Feb. 18, 2014
Filed:
Oct. 14, 2003
Jasper Pollard, Durham, NC (US);
Richard D. Michelli, Raleigh, NC (US);
Charles A. Pell, Durham, NC (US);
Ryan Moody, Raleigh, NC (US);
Jeff Williams, Hillsborough, NC (US);
Jasper Pollard, Durham, NC (US);
Richard D. Michelli, Raleigh, NC (US);
Charles A. Pell, Durham, NC (US);
Ryan Moody, Raleigh, NC (US);
Jeff Williams, Hillsborough, NC (US);
Parata Systems, LLC, Durham, NC (US);
Abstract
A singulating and counting device includes a bulk housing for storing a plurality of substantially identical articles, an exit channel, and in the exit channel, forwardly- and rearwardly-directed jet apertures, each of which is fluidly connected to a positive pressure source. A forwardly-directed jet generated by the positive pressure source through the forward jet aperture can accelerate singulated articles in the exit channel, thereby increasing the interval between individual articles and rendering them more easily and accurately counted. A rearwardly-directed jet generated by the positive pressure source through the rearwardly-directed jet aperture can cause articles in the exit channel to return to the housing. A controller operatively connected with the pressure source(s) selectively controls the application of positive pressure to the aforementioned apertures to induce or halt singulation of the articles; the controller may be operatively associated with a sensor that detects and counts articles passing through the exit channel.