Abstract: A method for verifying any of a plurality of predetermined compositions of multilayered units composed of stacked sheetlike parts passed in spaced succession by a checkpoint, including the steps of determining a first value according to a thickness of a first unit of a first predetermined composition; storing the first value as a reference value for the first predetermined composition; determining a second value according to a thickness of a successive unit intended to have the first predetermined composition; comparing the reference value with the second value; and rejecting the successive unit when the second value is outside a tolerance range around the reference value; wherein the first and second values are calculated from a plurality of measurements taken during at least one predetermined measuring interval along each of the first unit and the successive unit, respectively, at least one limit of the at least one measuring interval being related to the passage of a transverse edge of the respective unit

Abstract: An apparatus for processing wood chips for use in the preparation of pulp in a papermaking operation including a conduit for accommodating a flow stream of wood chips, a rotary valve in the conduit, shunt branch conduits with a first shunt leading to a chip dumping bin and a second shunt leading to a chip processing device; dampers in the branches with the damper for the first shunt branch being in normally closed position and a damper in the other shunt branch being in a normally open position; and a metal detection device upstream of the branches operative to move the first damper to open position and the second damper to closed position for a predetermined time and to stop the rotary valve and to reactivate the dampers and rotary valve after a predetermined time.

Abstract: To identify the orientation of specified documents, such as checks bearing magnetic ink markings, steps are taken to magnetize ink markings associated with the document, and to then detect magnetized ink markings on the document to develop electrical signals which can then be subjected to processing for identifying the orientation of the document based upon certain preestablished criteria. The result is a stand-alone device adapted to operate upon documents which are contained within envelopes to be subjected to an extraction procedure, prior to extraction from the envelopes, achieving a pre-processing of envelopes to identify those which contain the specified documents, and the orientation of the identified documents. The device is similarly adapted to operate upon the extracted documents, to identify those requiring special handling, and their orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting defects in discrete articles, such as fasteners having an indexable article carrier with a plurality of article holders on the article carrier for supporting articles in a holding position so that each article in the holding position moves in a prescribed path as the article carrier is operated; structure for incrementally indexing the article carrier to position each article holder alternatively in (a) a first position in which an article can be inserted therein from a supply, and (b) a second position spaced from said first position; structure for shifting an article in a holder in the second position out of the holding position therefor into an inspecting position and for rotating an article in a holder in an inspecting position so that the complete periphery of an article to be inspected is exposed for examination is included; and eddy current scanning structure for examining the exposed part of an article while being rotated in the inspection position therefor.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing metal detecting apparatus employs a test piece of representative metal which is passed through a section of the electromagnetic field of the metal detecting apparatus to record a response signal as if metal has been detected. The testing apparatus comprises the test piece and a housing for the test piece which extends through said section of the electromagnetic field and acts to guide the test piece along its path, said movement of the test piece causing distortion of the electromagnetic field and actuation of the detecting mechanism to give the required signal. Metal detecting apparatus may have the testing apparatus attached thereto or moulded integrally therewith.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting surface flaws in cylindrical articles having central longitudinal axes, including a guide assembly for guiding the cylindrical articles along a displacement path having a central longitudinal axis extending coaxially of the central longitudinal axes of the articles and a detection coil assembly positioned in annular relationship with the displacement path for producing a signal representative of the surface geometry of a cylindrical article which traverses the displacement path.

Abstract: An apparatus for orienting a plurality of documents received in differing orientations relative to the apparatus, for delivery from the apparatus in a uniform orientation, generally comprises a device for determining the orientation of a document according to characteristic features of that document, and devices for orienting the document in accordance with signals received from the orientation determining device. The orientation determining device can operate upon the magnetic ink markings on a check to determine its orientation according to prescribed criteria representative of the anticipated locations for such markings. The orienting devices can then operate to invert the checks from end to end and/or from top to bottom and bottom to top, responsive to signals received from the orientation determining device.

Abstract: Manipulating and selecting unit for recycling pressed or unpressed bodies obtained from plastic material containers as well as others, having a hopper for receiving containers to be processed and for conveying the containers to a cleanser for cleaning the containers and separating pressed from unpressed containers and conveying the pressed containers to a receiver and the unpressed containers to a squeezer or flattener for pressing the unpressed containers and applying to the receiver; a separation is coupled with the hopper for receiving pressed containers and separating them according to color and type of material; and then selecting and determining the type of recovered pressed containers, and forwarding the pressed containers to a processor in accordance with the type of material, whether plastic or not, and the color.

Abstract: Methods of discriminating between contaminated and uncontaminated containers prior to washing is disclosed characterized by the testing of the residue of the container to determine if the residue is residue of the original product packed in the container. If the residue is not sufficiently similar to the original product, the container is rejected as contaminated.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus for flanged or curled part of can having a cylindrical body and an open end comprising a feeding means, a holding means, an inspecting means, a locating means, a discriminating means and a discharging means, wherein the inspection is carried out continuously. According to the present invention, visual inspection falls into disuse, and inspection efficiency is improved.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for handling a flexible disk for testing. The apparatus includes guide rails for initially positioning a disk for test. The apparatus also includes a variable speed motor for rotating the disk at a preselected rotation speed. The disk is rotated by clamping the disk betwen a motor driven rotating spindle and a retractable collet. The collet passes through an aperture in the disk to center and position the disk. Testing is accomplished by a test head assembly which is moved by a voice coil actuator. Positioning of the test head assembly is controlled by a light detector and ground glass scale coupled to the actuator and to the test head assembly.

Abstract: A method for discriminating between contaminated and uncontaminated containers prior to washing is disclosed characterized by the testing of the residue of the container to determine if the residue is residue of the original product packed in the container. If the residue is not sufficiently similar to the original product, the container is rejected as contaminated.

Abstract: An automatic disk testing apparatus and method for testing flexible disks is disclosed. The apparatus includes a gravity feed disk hopper and vacuum disk plate which sequentially present a series of disks for test. Each disk drops by gravity from the vacuum disk plate to a test position including a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism rotates the disk, in its disk jacket, at a predetermined rotational speed for testing. Each disk is tested and the test results are stored in memory. After testing, the disk is automatically sorted and moved to an output location based on the test results. The sorting is accomplished by dropping the tested disk into a motor driven shuttle which conveys the disk to the proper output location and drops the disk at that location.

Abstract: An automatic disk positioning apparatus and method for its use in handling of flexible disks in an automatic testing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a gravity feed disk hopper and vacuum disk plate which sequentially present a series of disks for test. Each disk drops by gravity from the vacuum disk plate to a test position including a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism rotates the disk, in its disk jacket, at a predetermined rotational speed for testing. Each disk is tested and the test results are stored in memory. After testing the disk is automatically sorted and stored in an output container based on the test results. The sorting is accomplished by dropping the tested disk into a motor driven shuttle which conveys the disk to the proper output container and drops the disk into that container.

Abstract: Counterfeit detection apparatus in which the coils of the magnetic head are utilized to produce a saturating current for the paper currency being examined which is sufficient to bring the magnetic ink printed upon the paper currency close to the saturation point to greatly facilitate the detection operation.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a test sheet, such as a banknote, is a genuine reproduction of a reference sheet having a magnetic characteristic such as being printed with a ferromagnetic ink. The method comprises sensing for a magnetic effect, such as a magnetic field, with a suitable detector (14) from a plurality of areas (A-D) of the test sheet. The sensed magnetic effects are compared from two different groups (B, D) of one or more of the areas; and the test sheet is classified as unacceptable if the relationship between the magnetic effects of the compared groups is not within limits previously determined as acceptable for the relationship between the magnetic effects of the same pair of groups of areas of the reference sheet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of magnetic ink within a package without opening the package or altering its contents. The method and apparatus detects items marked with magnetic ink, such as bank checks, in an unopened package independently of the item's location within the package and despite the presence of such magnetic clutter as staples and paper clips. The apparatus and method is designed to eliminate magnetic noise from the equipment itself and from the environment.

Abstract: In a metal detector, such as may be used in a bakery, an adjustable phase shifter is provided to adjust the detectors for different products. The adjustable phase shifter is controlled electronically from the output signal so that the arrangement is self-adjusting.

Abstract: There is disclosed a paper money discriminating method comprising the steps of scanning and detecting magnetism contained in a print portion in a predetermined area of paper money, and checking number of pulses in a pulse signal converted from a magnetism detection signal. An apparatus for carrying out this method is also disclosed, which comprises a magnetic head, a pulse output means, and counters.

Abstract: A multi-gap magnetic character reader is provided with the ability to automatically detect double documents. Where only weak signals are sensed, all signals are combined and compared to a reference. Where the weak signals are due to a piggyback document, the combined signals will be large with respect to the reference. Multiple documents thus detected are directed to a special reject bin.

Abstract: A bill-handling device provides relative movement between a sensor and a U.S. bill or other object to permit that sensor to sense longitudinally-spaced areas on that U.S. bill or other object which correspond to areas, on authentic U.S. bills or counterfeits thereof, where significant data is found. Data which is obtained during the sensing of those areas is stored, and subsequently is analyzed to determine the authenticity and denomination of the U.S. bill--if it is one of a plurality of bills of specifically-different denominations.

Abstract: This invention pertains to two forms of verifier of the grade of oil field tubular goods. The first form can be thought of as a sorter in that it will indicate when a particular length of tubular goods is of a different grade than its companions in a lot. The second form will identify the grade of a length. Both forms depend upon magnetizing or inducing magnetic eddy currents in the pipe which are detected and handled by the invention circuitry to sort or to identify.

Abstract: An apparatus for crushing cans uses a pair of guide rods having an anvil attached at each end, and a pair of sliding rams sliding on the guide rods. Can support wire members are positioned between each ram and anvil to support a can during crushing. A ram drive cam alternately drives each ram to crush a can against its associated anvil. The single drive cam is connected through reduction gearing to a flywheel which is driven by an electric motor. Each ram has a cam follower and the rams are connected together with springs to maintain the cam followers in continuous contact with the cam. A second embodiment has four rams driven by a single motor and flywheel driving a pair of cams and a can feed mechanism feeds cans in synchronization with the movement of rams.

Abstract: Containers and an apparatus for sensing containers such as beverage cans, which cans include means for identifying the beverage cans on which a return payment is to be made. The containers on which a deposit is made will be identified in a particular way to indicate that upon return a return payment is to be made. The present device provides an automatic, individual container sensing unit used as shown in combination with a crushing device for sensing whether the can is proper for repayment, and crushing the container subsequent to proper identification.