Abstract: An improved sample conveyer for articulating a sample across the flat platen of a spectrum analyzer relative to a scan window in the platen. The conveyor includes a sample truck configured for movement across the surface of the platen, the sample truck having a scan aperture. A spur gear is rotatably mounted about the aperture, and a drive gear is engaged to the spur gear. The drive gear has a plurality of magnets embedded therein, and a second plurality of magnets is affixed to the sample truck. A translation mechanism resides beneath the platen which includes a sled mounted on parallel rails for linear translation there along, and a motor mounted on the sled. Magnets on both the sled and drive gear index and engage corresponding magnets on the sample truck to implement complex orbital, hypotrochoid or epitrochoid scan patterns for more accurate particulate analysis.

Abstract: A feeding system (2) for feeding disc-shaped objects such as sample cups (4) to an analyzer. The system (2) includes as infeed trade (22) angled downward from horizontal and the outfeed track (24) angled downward, plus a reject chute. The disc feeding system (2) uses two RFID readers/writers, one (32) a standalone desktop and a second (190) proximate the sample bay of the analyzer for more comprehensive track-and-trace capability. The information read from the cup (4) tag as it is scanned is also stored with the resultant spectra so that predictive processing is applied properly and without error. For post scan (after the sample scan is completed) the scan information itself may be written directly to the sample cup RFID tag including, reflection/transmission, characteristics, constituent results etc.

Abstract: An improved sample conveyer for articulating a sample across the flat platen of a spectrum analyzer relative to a scan window in the platen. The conveyor includes a sample truck configured for movement across the surface of the platen, the sample truck having a scan aperture. A spur gear is rotatably mounted about the aperture, and a drive gear is engaged to the spur gear. The drive gear has a plurality of magnets embedded therein, and a second plurality of magnets is affixed to the sample truck. A translation mechanism resides beneath the platen which includes a sled mounted on parallel rails for linear translation there along, and a motor mounted on the sled. Magnets on both the sled and drive gear index and engage corresponding magnets on the sample truck to implement complex orbital, hypotrochoid or epitrochoid scan patterns for more accurate particulate analysis.

Abstract: An improved disc feeder/conveyor (2) with optical sensor (200) and return chute (10) for multiple industrial, commercial or agricultural applications. The conveyor (2) comprises a pair of co-rotating (or counter-rotating) roller shafts (11A, 11B) driven by a belt (104) drive. The rollers (11A, 11B) are non-parallel, slightly angled, and the rotation of the shafts frictionally engages, the sample caps or other elements being advanced away from the production line causing the items seated thereon advance. Sensors (200, 202) detect the presence/absence of items on the rollers for gating. Another pair of co- or counter-rotating roller shafts (15A, 15B) may act as a return chute (10).

Abstract: A feeding system (2) for feeding disc-shaped objects such as sample cups (4) to an analyzer. The system (2) includes as infeed trade (22) angled downward from horizontal and the outfeed track (24) angled downward, plus a reject chute. The disc feeding system (2) uses two RFID readers/writers, one (32) a standalone desktop and a second (190) proximate the sample bay of the analyzer for more comprehensive track-and-trace capability. The information read from the cup (4) tag as it is scanned is also stored with the resultant spectra so that predictive processing is applied properly and without error. For post scan (after the sample scan is completed) the scan information itself may be written directly to the sample cup RFID tag including, reflection/transmission, characteristics, constituent results etc.

Abstract: An improved disc feeder/conveyor (2) with optical sensor (200) and return chute (10) for multiple industrial, commercial or agricultural applications. The conveyor (2) comprises a pair of co-rotating (or counter-rotating) roller shafts (11A, 11B) driven by a belt (104) drive. The rollers (11A, 11B) are non-parallel, slightly angled, and the rotation of the shafts frictionally engages, the sample caps or other elements being advanced away from the production line causing the items seated thereon advance. Sensors (200, 202) detect the presence/absence of items on the rollers for gating. Another pair of co- or counter-rotating roller shafts (15A, 15B) may act as a return chute (10).