Patents by Inventor Stephen P. Stephanos

Stephen P. Stephanos has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4120403
    Abstract: A photoelectric apparatus for sorting articles according to size includes a vertical column of photoelectric pickups disposed adjacent to the conveyor on which the articles pass by. The apparatus includes a clock pulse generator synchronized with the conveyor, the clock pulses driving a plurality of sizing logic circuits. The signals from the photoelectric pickups are fed through a multiplexer to each sizing circuit, which counts the clock pulses while the appropriate pickups are being interrupted by an article passing by. If a given sizing circuit counts to within a predetermined number of pulses while the article passes the column, it locks out the other sizing circuits and actuates a time delay relay. The relay actuates a solenoid downstream of the column to knock the article off the conveyor and into an appropriate collection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1978
    Assignee: George E. Lauer
    Inventor: Stephen P. Stephanos