Abstract: Noise reduction is effected by multiplying together electrical signals that include pulses embedded in noise, with the pulses being indicative of the same event, such as light scattered by particles, occurring at a viewing area, and with the signals being processed prior to multiplication so that the pulses and the variance of the noise in the electrical signals are multiplied by one another. A detector in each of a plurality of channels detects the events occurring at the common viewing area and provides pulses indicative thereof, and the output from each detector is amplified, passed through matched low-pass filters to enhance pulse detection, and then passed through a baseline restorer to remove DC components from the noise then present in the signal, prior to coupling of the signals to a multiplier.

Abstract: Method and structure are disclosed for forming a protective and/or reflectivity enhanced over coating layer, or layers, on a noble metal. A metallic binder layer, capable of forming a metallic bond with the noble metal and exhibiting good adhesion to the over coating layer, is deposited on the noble metal, utilizing physical vapor deposition, and the over coating layer is thereafter deposited on the metallic binder layer, again utilizing physical vapor deposition. The noble metal is preferably gold, but may be silver or an alloy of gold or silver, and may be deposited on a substrate. Each metallic binder layer is a thin layer, such as a layer of chromium, titanium, tantalum, nickel, cobalt, or an alloy thereof, and over coating is formed as a single dielectric layer of material or as a stack of alternating low and high indices of refraction dielectric layers.

Abstract: Article conveyor apparatus and method are disclosed having fluid containment, and particularly for conveying of articles such as cans having an oily liquid thereon when transported from a processing or forming station. The articles are mass transported along a predetermined path that is closed to the atmosphere except for infeed and discharge of articles, with the articles being transported by engagement with a moving belt having openings therein. The inlet of a chamber, otherwise closed to the atmosphere and having negative fluid pressure maintained therein during normal operation, is positioned adjacent to the belt so that the negative pressure maintains articles in contact with the belt during transport along the predetermined path regardless of path orientation and also draws fluid from the transported articles and belt into the chamber through the openings in the belt and the chamber inlet.

Abstract: This invention pertains to removing a row or layer of material from a supporting surface, with the row or layer advancing on a removal conveyor in a line abreast, and converting the row or layer into a line, advancing single file. Apparatus and methods are disclosed. Each unit of material is moved in turn, longitudinally out of its line abreast, and into sole occupation of a discrete length of the converting conveyor assembly. The units so moved longitudinally are moved, as necessary, transversely across the accelerating conveyor and into an alignment zone, and are then assembled into a line advancing single file.

Abstract: Interacvity particle detection is disclosed using optically pumped laser media. A laser medium, positioned within a laser cavity, is end-pumped by an optical pump source to excite the laser medium to provide laser light within the laser cavity, and a detecting region, also positioned within the laser cavity and capable of having particles, or particle-containing fluid, therein, is exposed to the laser light whereby light is effected, as by being scattered, by particles in the detecting region with the scattered light being indicative of particles, such as small particles having a size of between 0.05 and 10 microns, causing the light to be scattered so that the scattered light, when collected, can be used to provide an output indicative of particles at the detecting region.

Abstract: Palletizers and methods of palletizing are disclosed. The palletizers are adapted to receive and arrange units of material and to concurrently fabricate first and second layers therefrom; or to place them in layers at either of first and second delivery support areas; or both. A plurality of layer forming stations can be vertically spaced, horizontally spaced, or both. Plural load forming stations can be horizontally spaced, vertically spaced, or both. Pallets can be sequenced into the load forming stations when empty or partially empty; and can be sequenced out of the load forming stations when empty, partially empty, or full. A given layer may be a hybrid layer comprised of the sum of partial layers fabricated separately. In some embodiments, the transfer apparatus can transfer layers to more than one of more than one load forming stations.

Abstract: A tire monitoring system, device and method are disclosed for detecting and indicating the presence of one or more predetermined abnormal conditions of tires on a vehicle. The system includes a plurality of monitoring devices (each of which is inserted in a different one of the vehicle tires to be monitored with the monitoring devices being unattached, and thus freely movable, when within the tire) and a receiver unit (mounted to be readily accessible, such as within the cab of the vehicle). Each monitoring device includes a sensor unit and an associated transmitter unit both of which are enclosed within a housing unit that is cushioned, as needed.

Abstract: Device and method are disclosed for optically detecting particles in a free (i.e., unenclosed) stream of liquid. The free liquid stream is produced by ejecting liquid under pressure from a nozzle so that the stream has a smooth round surface. A laser beam intersects the free liquid stream and light scattered by particles in the free liquid stream is collected and processed to provide an output indicative of size and/or number of particles causing the light to be scattered. The free liquid stream is preferably directed vertically downward, and the laser beam and light collector are angularly positioned with respect to the free liquid stream and one another with the light collector collecting scattered light at the intersection of the light beam and the free liquid stream.

Abstract: A height adjustable conveyor system conveys articles between different heights as needed. The conveyor system includes guides that support the neck rings of articles to be conveyed, and the guides are mounted on an air conveyor having multiple sections so that the guides are caused to be flexed by different movements of the air conveyor sections. The air conveyor has pivotably coupled first, second, and third sections with the first section being vertically adjustable with respect to the third section and the second section being between and tiltable with respect to the first and third sections to thereby flex the guides as necessary to readily effect article height variations as needed between the input and the output of the system. Relative movement between the three sections of the air conveyor is effected by a lever pivotably connected with a fixed support and the first section of the air conveyor with the lever being actuated by a crank.

Abstract: A scan-type X-ray imaging system and method are disclosed. Image detection is effected by use of a fixed phosphor converter screen covering the entire field of view so that X-rays passed through an object, or a body portion, positioned at a scan area, are received at the converter screen and light signals, proportional to the received X-rays, are coupled through a movable coupler, having an input portion movably engaging the converter screen, to a movable sensor that converts received light signals to electrical output signals indicative of the object, or body portion, then at the scan area.

Abstract: A fluid conveyor effects movement of articles, such as cans, along a predetermined path adjacent to a thin deck plate. The thin deck plate has fluid distribution areas formed therein with each fluid distribution area having an aperture formed therein, after which a flat tab section is formed that is inclined with respect to the remainder of the plate. Each tab section therefore has an aperture therein through which fluid from a fluid supply unit is injected under pressure into the article path adjacent to the plate in a direction and angle determined by the orientation of the tab sections to effect movement of articles along the article path. Each tab section has a portion integral with the remainder of the plate and side and end edge portions unattached to the remainder of the plate but sufficiently contiguous thereto to prevent passage of air between the edge portions and the remainder of the plate.

Abstract: Device and method are disclosed for palletizing unstable articles such as containers. Articles, such as glass or plastic bottles, are conveyed in single file to an accumulating area, with the containers at the accumulating area being formed into a pattern, preferably in nested relationship. A conveyor system is provided to urge articles from the accumulating area to, and partially through, a sweep area, and a movable retainer unit having retractable plungers is provided to control the movement of articles from the accumulating area by groups to the sweep area with the sweep area having a positioner unit thereat that includes a plurality of movable sweep arms adjacent ones of which are utilized to engage the first and last rows of each group of articles to capture each group therebetween and thereafter conduct each group of articles through the sweep area to a pallet loading area where each group is successively deposited as a layer on a pallet.

Abstract: A conveying system is disclosed for conveying unstable articles having a neck ring. Unstable articles, such as plastic bottles having a neck ring, or flange, are conveyed in single file along plural paths each of which is established by dual guides vertically spaced from one another a distance just sufficient to receive the neck rings of the articles therebetween, with the articles being urged in the downstream direction along each path by air acting solely on the top portion of the articles above the neck rings.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that utilizes a fluid (normally air) to effect nested alignment of articles such as cans to be used to package beverages and the like. A conveying section provides articles in a mass flow to an aligning section having spaced guides therein forming guideways through which articles are fluid driven downstream toward a staging section. The guides have a first portion extending parallel to the direction of intended article flow through the device and all guides except center guides have a second portion that extends downstream from the first portion at an angle with respect to the first portion to effect alignment of the articles in nested relationship at the staging section. Different groups of guides of the first portion extend upstream different distances to facilitate passage of articles into the guideways, and an embodiment is disclosed that is particularly useful in aligning undecorated cans.

Abstract: System and method are disclosed for inspecting objects, such as sheets of flat panel glass, to detect flaws or contamination at a surface. The surface to be inspected is illuminated with 253.7 nm ultraviolet (UV) radiation to assure detection of defects only at the front surface subjected to the radiation. UV radiation reaching the front surface is scattered by defects at the front surface, and scattered UV radiation is collected by a UV dark field imaging system and directed by the imaging system to a detecting unit, preferably including a charge coupled device (CCD). The detecting unit senses UV radiation scattered at the surface due to defects within a selected size range and provides an output to a processing unit providing an output indicative of the defects sensed within the selected size range.

Abstract: A modular particle detecting device is disclosed for nonintrusive in-situ detection of particles passing through a sensing region. The device is particularly useful for microcontamination control in semiconductor processing environments, and includes, as separate components, a viewing unit and a sensing unit. The viewing unit has a detecting window and heated illuminating and discharge windows for condensation control. A fluid passage connectable to a flow line enables particle-carrying fluid to pass through a sensing region within the passage. The sensing unit has illuminating circuitry for providing light through the illuminating window to the sensing region, and has detecting circuitry to receive, through the detecting window, light scattered at the sensing region to thereby detect particles in fluid then at the sensing region without physical intrusion of the sensing unit into the sensing region.

Abstract: Article diverting and storage system and method utilizing a thru-flow palletizer/depalletizer. Articles on an article conveyor are diverted from the article conveyor at a first location and moved along a first path toward a discharge end where a sweep unit of a palletizer/depalletizer urges and leads the diverted articles onto a pallet by groups for storage. When the stored articles are later needed, the articles are urged and led from the pallet by groups by the sweep unit and a retainer unit of the palletizer/depalletizer and moved along a second path separate from the first path to a second location of the article conveyor downstream from the first location where the articles are inserted onto the article conveyor. The system and method are particularly useful for storing cans diverted from a high speed can production and/or handling line, and for later supplying stored cans, when needed, to the line.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that utilizes a fluid (normally air) to effect nested alignment of articles having a circular cross-section (such as cans used to package beverages and the like). A conveying section that includes a dead plate and a fluid conveyor provides articles in a mass flow to an aligning section having guides therein spaced a sufficient distance to form guideways through which articles are fluid driven in single file toward a discharge end having an adjacently positioned staging section that also includes a fluid conveyor. The guides, other than a center guide, have first and second portions that are angled with respect to one another, and fluid injected into the sections through apertures in a base plate providing section bottoms urges the articles into a plurality of adjacent rows of aligned articles at the staging section with the articles of each adjacent row offset from one another to effect nesting of the articles.

Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for moving articles, such as cans, by groups, or tiers, from a pallet to an adjoining surface, such as a belt conveyor. A pair of sweep arms of a sweep unit move about a closed loop path to alternately engage the trailing portion of groups of articles when at a pallet sweep area to urge each group from the pallet. A pivotable retainer arm of a retainer unit, mounted on a reciprocating carriage moved by a driver following a closed loop path, engages the leading portion of the group of articles to be then moved from the pallet and thereafter leads the group from the pallet.

Abstract: Submicron diameter particle detection utilizing a high density array is disclosed. The high density array, such as a charge coupled device, is utilized to detect light scattered at a sensing region by particles illuminated by a light source, such as a laser source. Charge storage is utilized to buffer each data frame transferred from the high density array and the multiple serial outputs are processed by parallel processing that includes threshold detection and analog-to-digital converting. A micro-computer and associated digital storage receives the digital outputs and provides outputs indicative of submicron particle sizing.