IES79084B2 - A weigh-checker device - Google Patents

A weigh-checker device

Info

Publication number
IES79084B2
IES79084B2 IES960144A IES79084B2 IE S79084 B2 IES79084 B2 IE S79084B2 IE S960144 A IES960144 A IE S960144A IE S79084 B2 IES79084 B2 IE S79084B2
Authority
IE
Ireland
Prior art keywords
container
weight
contents
destination
conveyor means
Prior art date
Application number
Inventor
Laurence Walsh
Michael Enright
Timothy Cummins
Richard Murphy
Mary Meehen
Original Assignee
Fordview Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fordview Limited filed Critical Fordview Limited
Priority to IES960144 priority Critical patent/IES79084B2/en
Priority to IE970088A priority patent/IE970088A1/en
Priority to GB9703056A priority patent/GB2310292A/en
Publication of IES960144A2 publication Critical patent/IES960144A2/en
Publication of IES79084B2 publication Critical patent/IES79084B2/en

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01GWEIGHING
    • G01G15/00Arrangements for check-weighing of materials dispensed into removable containers
    • G01G15/006Arrangements for check-weighing of materials dispensed into removable containers using electrical, electromechanical, or electronic means not covered by G01G15/001, G01G15/02, G01G15/04

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)

Abstract

An apparatus for verifying the contents of a container or carton comprising a first conveyor means and an in-line weighing device operatively associated with the first conveyor means for checking the weight of the container and contents thereof. In addition means for comparing the weight of the container and contents with that of a predetermined known weight and means for generating a signal derived from, or generated by, the comparing means are also provided. If the weight of the container and contents is within a specified limit when compared with the predetermined weight, means is provided to direct the container to a first destination; if the weight of the container and contents is outside the specified limits, means is provided to direct the container to a second destination.

Description

APPLICATOR PPA 959 This invention relates to a weigh-checker device.
On a production/packing line, it is important that, for example, the carton which leaves the production line comprises all of the product intended for it. For example, if the carton is required to contain computer disks, CD's, Manuals etc., it can be a tedious operation to manually check each carton at the end of the production line. To do so for each carton where thousands of cartons per day are being produced would be very time consuming, labour intensive and relatively expensive. On the other hand, a mere statistical check of a predetermined number of cartons will inevitably, fail to catch cartons with incorrect product number thereby leading to customer dissatisfaction.
The problem is further exacerbated by the fact that a single production line might change its requirements a number of times per day or per week and there is a danger that manual checking would not keep pace with these changes.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome these problems.
The invention, therefore, provides a method of verifying the contents of a container or carton which method comprises (a) providing a production line for the placement into the container of the required objects; (b) providing a first conveyor means; S 79 Ο 8 4 - 2 (b) providing an in-line weighing device operatively associated with the first conveyor means for checking the weight of the container and contents thereof; (c) providing means for comparing the weight of the container and contents with that of a predetermined known weight; (d) providing means for generating a signal derived or generated from or by the comparing means so that (i) if the weight of the container and contents is within a specified limit when compared with the predetermined weight, means is provided to direct the container to a first destination; (ii) if the weight of the container and contents is outside the specified limits, means is provided to direct the container to a second destination Preferably, the directing means is an arm operatively associated with the conveyor means which passively or actively directs the container to the first destination or the second destination.
The invention will be understood in greater detail from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic view of an apparatus for use with the method according to the invention.
Referring now to the drawing, there is shown an apparatus 10 which comprises a conveyor means 11 having an in-line weighing apparatus 12; pneumatically operable arm 13; and a second conveyor means 14.
Product moves in the direction of the arrows 15.
The in-line weighing apparatus 12 can be of a well-known type which has the ability to check weight of an object placed on a conveyor belt.
Initially, the container together with the desired contents are weighed and the apparatus 12 is calibrated for this weight together with a tolerance value. For example, a container weighing several kgs would have an associated tolerance value of the order of ±10g. Any tolerance less than this is found to be not practical due to the variation in paper and cardboard weights.
Following calibration, the conveyor means 11 is placed in operation thereby enabling containers together with the (supposed) desired product therein to be conveyed to the apparatus 12. Any container having a weight within the preset tolerance value is allowed to continue on the conveyor means 11 past the arm 13.
The second conveyor means 14 is located substantially transversely relative to the conveyor means 11. The upstern end of the conveyor means 14 is located relative to the conveyor means 11 so that upon actuation of the arm 13, a container is directed from the first conveyor means 11 to the second conveyor means 14. The arm 13 is automatically actuated in response to a signal generated by the apparatus 12 in response to a container weight which falls outside the present tolerance value.
The apparatus 12 may be capable of storing information in relation to a plurality of containers having different weights. This allows for batch processing of containers of one type followed by another type with just a single input of desired weight and tolerance level for each type of container and contents.
The method provides for a considerable reduction in the number of people required to check container content integrity thereby leading to substantial savings in costs. In addition, containers having incorrect product are easily identified, checked manually and allowed to re-enter the apparatus quickly and easily rather than at a (substantially) later time perhaps after distribution and subsequent return by the end user.
The invention is not limited by or to the specific embodiment described which can undergo considerable variation without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. A method of verifying the contents of a container or carton which method comprises (a) providing a first conveyor means having, in use, a container thereon; (b) providing an in-line weighing device operatively 10 associated with the first conveyor means for checking the weight of the container and contents thereof; (d) providing means for comparing the weight of the 15 container and contents with that of a predetermined known weight; (e) providing means for generating a signal derived from or generated by, the comparing means so 20 that (i) if the weight of the container and contents is within a specified limit when compared with the predetermined weight, means is 25 provided for directing the container to a first destination; (ii) if the weight of the container and contents is outside the specified limits, means is provided for directing the container to a second destination
2. A method as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the directing means is an arm operatively associated with the conveyor means which passively or actively directs the container to the first destination or the second , destination. *
3. An apparatus for verifying the contents of a container or carton which apparatus comprises a first conveyor means having, in use, a container thereon; an in-line weighing device operatively associated with the first conveyor means for checking the weight of the container and contents thereof; means for comparing the weight of the container and contents with that of a predetermined known weight; means for generating a signal derived from or generated by, the comparing means so that (i) if the weight of the container and contents is within a specified limit when compared with the predetermined weight, means is provided to direct the container to a first destination; (ii) if the weight of the container and contents is outside the specified limits, means is provided to direct the container to a second destination
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the directing means is an arm operatively associated with the conveyor means which passively or actively directs the container to the first destination or the second destination.
5. An apparatus or method substantially as * hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
IES960144 1996-02-16 1996-02-16 A weigh-checker device IES79084B2 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IES960144 IES79084B2 (en) 1996-02-16 1996-02-16 A weigh-checker device
IE970088A IE970088A1 (en) 1996-02-16 1997-02-11 A weigh-checker device
GB9703056A GB2310292A (en) 1996-02-16 1997-02-14 Check weighing device for loaded containers

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IES960144 IES79084B2 (en) 1996-02-16 1996-02-16 A weigh-checker device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
IES960144A2 IES960144A2 (en) 1998-04-08
IES79084B2 true IES79084B2 (en) 1998-04-08

Family

ID=11041076

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
IES960144 IES79084B2 (en) 1996-02-16 1996-02-16 A weigh-checker device

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2310292A (en)
IE (1) IES79084B2 (en)

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1246725A (en) * 1969-02-03 1971-09-15 Telomex Group Ltd Weighing of articles
GB1316422A (en) * 1969-05-10 1973-05-09 Masson Scott Thrissell Eng Ltd Packing machines
US3731782A (en) * 1971-06-09 1973-05-08 Hi Speed Checkweigher Co Magnetic flow director
US3877531A (en) * 1974-06-05 1975-04-15 Pitney Bowes Inc Automatic continuous mail handling system
EP0055309A1 (en) * 1980-12-29 1982-07-07 Danepak Limited Method of producing packages of a predetermined weight
GB2234357A (en) * 1989-07-28 1991-01-30 Hitech Electrocontrols Ltd Weighing machine
US5119306A (en) * 1990-01-02 1992-06-02 Pitney Bowes Inc. Mail piece weight quality control system and method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2310292A (en) 1997-08-20
GB9703056D0 (en) 1997-04-02
IES960144A2 (en) 1998-04-08

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
MM4A Patent lapsed