Abstract: An apparatus for counting recyclable, returnable items is provided. The apparatus includes a housing with an opening through which recyclable, returnable items ("returnables") are received for deposit into a receptacle located below the housing. As returnables are received through the opening in the housing, the returnables must strike a trap door lever before passing to the receptacle. The lever trap door is pivotally mounted to the housing and moves between an obstructing position and a non-obstructing position. The obstructing position is such that the trap door lever at obstructs and forms an air-tight seal with the opening in the housing so that returnables destined for the receptacle must strike and displace it into its non-obstructing position to allow the trap door returnable to pass. The lever is biased into its obstructing position by a lever biasing means so that after returnables have passed by the trap door lever, the trap door lever returns to its obstructing position.

Abstract: A device for counting doses of substance issued by a dispenser for fluids or powders, the device being characterized in that it comprises a first count wheel (10, 110) and a second count wheel (20, 120), both count wheels being mounted to rotate about a fixed axis of rotation (3, 103), the first count wheel (10, 110) comprising a set of teeth (11, 111) extending circumferentially about the fixed axis of rotation (3, 103) and co-operating with a drive member (30, 130) for rotating the first count wheel about the fixed axis of rotation on each use of the dispenser, the first count wheel (10, 110) further including a drive tongue (14, 114) that is movable between a rest position in which it does not co-operate with the second count wheel (20, 120), and a drive position in which it does co-operate with the second count wheel (20, 120) to cause it to rotate about the fixed axis of rotation, said drive tongue (14, 114) being forced into its drive position by cam (8, 108).

Abstract: A display device is described which indicates the number of heatings performed, especially for the purpose of autoclave sterilization. The display device comprises a temperature-sensitive mechanical element which essentially reversibly transforms from a first spatial state to a second spatial state when the temperature-sensitive mechanical element is heated in excess of a predetermined temperature. The temperature-sensitive mechanical element is coupled to the actuating element of a counter mechanism and upon the transformation to the second spatial state effects movement of the actuating element into an actuation position.

Abstract: A rotary type sheet counter disc gradually counts corner portions of stacked-up sheets from the top sheet to the bottom sheet. The sheet counter disc includes an upper disc and a lower disc on which the upper disc is placed, the lower disc having a plurality of sheet suction fins equally spacedly arranged on a peripheral edge portion thereof. The sheet suction fins each have a sheet suction port which is open at a lower surface thereof, and the lower disc has a plurality of sheet loosening claws projecting in a rotating direction of the sheet counter disc from leading ends of the sheet suction fins. A plurality of sheet introduction slits are formed between upper surfaces of the sheet loosening claws and a lower surface of a portion of the upper disc which covers the sheet loosening claws.

Abstract: A totalizer assembly is enclosed in a housing having a base and a cover which cooperate to support and position a register assembly in the housing. The base and cover also cooperate to support and position a gear train in the housing. The gear train drives the register assembly. When units are to be totaled at a relatively fast rate, one gear train is used. When units are to be totaled at a relatively slow rate, a second gear train is used. The cover and base have surfaces for positioning the gears of either one of the two gear trains.

Abstract: A table top two-digit game display counter is disclosed, in which a manually changeable player's score is displayed on two sets of wheels having numeric indicia inverted from each other for easy reading by the player and the other players. The counter is capable of displaying a score between 0 and 99, with each start and reset capabilities. By rotating a centrally located exposed thumb wheel, the player can incrementally change his score display either up or down by one, with each detented increment. When the ones display dial is rotated from nine to zero, or from zero to nine, a counter mechanism automatically rotates the tens wheel to the next digit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically and accurately monitoring the wear of a continuous conveyor chain without having to stop the chain. The present invention provides first and sensors means fixedly spaced along the conveyor chain at a predetermined distance. The first and second sensors generate signals corresponding to the presence and absence of successive links provided in the conveyor chain. The generated signals are received and processed and the necessary time intervals are calculated for providing an output indicative of chain wear of any portion of the chain several parameters of chain wear may be calculated, including chain stretch and instantaneous chain speed. The calculated chain wear values may be compared to predetermined values previously input and stored, and if the calculated values exceed the predetermined values, an indicator means indicates that the conveyor chain should be serviced.

Abstract: In a paper sheet conveying and arranging apparatus, a low-friction paper sheet guide member (18) is located in a parallel relationship to a paper sheet advancing direction, and a rotating spiral contact (19) having an axis inclined with respect to a horizontal plane toward an upstream side from the line perpendicular to the paper sheet advancing direction and passing on the upstream side of the paper sheet guide member (18), is rotated with a distal end (19a) frictionally contacting the surface of the paper sheet guide member (18) so as to move the paper sheet downwardly away from the one end of a conveyer. The paper sheet is thereby turned from a horizontal posture to a vertical posture by a minimal turning operation.

Abstract: A sequential seal for use with a roll-up door positioned in a truck or van body and which indicates the number of times that the door has been moved from its closed position towards its open position. A sequential counter is mounted in the door and is actuated each time the door is moved from its closed position towards its open position.

Abstract: Trip devices are disclosed for attachment to existing utility meters to detect revolutions of a dial arm of the meter. Two embodiments are disclosed, each including a spring-biased shaft extending through a base and a shoe on the end of the shaft. As the dial arm rotates, it catches and deflects the shoe, thus rotating the shaft. The shoe then slips off of the dial arm and returns to its original position under the urging of the spring. In one embodiment, shaft rotation is detected using a magnet and reed switch arrangement. In the other a mercury switch is instead used.

Abstract: A preselection counter having a switch-off counter which is adapted to actuate a desired function when a quantity of this function determined by a preset value has been reached includes presettable indicating means having number rollers adapted to have the preset value set therein and to retain this setting through repeated cycles of operation of the switch-off counter. The presettable indicating means enable continuous display of the preset value during operation of the counter with the preset value being transferred from the number rollers of the switch-off counter by a sensing wheel mechanism which is operatively interposed therebetween and which may be repeatedly reset to the preset value on the preset counter after each cycle of operation of the switch-off counter without requiring changes in the preset value in the presettable indicating means.

Abstract: A mechanical counting device for use in office machines such as copying machines in which almost all of the operative structure has been integrated into a single component. The surface works in conjunction with a ratchet pawl to count down from a preselected number, the number of completed cycles performed by the office machine. The counter energizes and de-energizes the office machine's operation at the start and finish respectively of this preselected number of cycles. In addition the counter includes a position for the continuous operation of the office machine without counting, and the capability to stop the operation of the office machine without disrupting the counting sequence.

Abstract: A countdown and start mechanism for a cyclically operable machine wherein an escapement mechanism is adapted for the countdown control. An escape wheel is provided to concentrically carry a cycle counter knob for indicating the number of cycles to be performed. An anchor is actuated once during each cycle of the machine to incrementally step the escape wheel down toward a null position whereupon the machine is stopped. A start mechanism is provided to actuate the machine after the counter knob is set for a given number of operations or for a single cycle when no setting is made.

Abstract: A presetting counter device comprising a ratchet wheel coupled to a cycle number setting dial and being stepwise rotatable for reducing the setting of the dial, an indexer engageable with the ratchet wheel in operative relation to the movement of a cyclically movable device to rotate the ratchet wheel stepwise by one pitch thereof at a time, a cycle repeating signal generator, a member movable with the ratchet wheel for actuating the signal generator and having a signal generator actuating portion with the same pitch angle as the ratchet wheel, and the ratchet wheel being adapted to be temporarily halted in the course of its stepwise rotation at a position where the signal generator is held actuated by the actuating member.

Abstract: A unidirectional drive assembly for a mechanically driven meter register includes a gear shift operated gear ratio mechanism which allows a dial on the meter register to be driven up-scale at a normal rate with the forward direction of rotation of the meter input drive and driven up-scale at a compensated or faster rate with the reverse direction of rotation of the meter input drive. The ratio of the gears of the gear ratio mechanism can easily be changed to provide ratios which compensate for meter drag when the meter is run in the inverted position so that the meter registers correctly when operated in either the upright or inverted position, or to provide ratios which make the meter dial run up-scale at a faster than normal rate when the meter is tampered with to make its input drive operate in the reverse direction of rotation.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing operations of agitating a material to be treated in a rotary kiln and scraping away substances adhering to the inner wall of the rotary kiln effectively at a high efficiency so as to operate the rotary kiln continuously for a long time and perform the heat treatment in the rotary kiln very smoothly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for actuating a counting device for recording and stng data. The invention comprises an activator for a counter device and includes a mass or weight having an eccentric center of mass which is freely pivotable in one plane in response to an externally applied impulse force of a predetermined magnitude to apply a torque force to a shaft which, on rotation thereof under the influence of said torque force, activates the counter mechanism to record a count. Means are also provided to apply counter torque force of a constant predetermined magnitude or value to the shaft so that the counting device is actuated only in response to a resultant torque force of a predetermined magnitude or value generated by the impulse.

Abstract: This invention comprises an actuator for a mechanical counting device for cording and storing data. This actuator includes a weight having an eccentric center of mass which is freely pivotable in one plane within pre-set limits in response to an externally applied impulse force of a predetermined magnitude to apply a torque force within prescribed limits to a shaft which, upon rotation thereof under the influence of such torque force, actuates the counter mechanism to record a count. Means are provided to apply counter torque force of a constant predetermined magnitude to the shaft, so that the counter is actuated only in response to a resultant torque force of a predetermined magnitude generated by the impulse. Torque limiting means are also provided to permit operation of the counter within an impulse band or range greater than the band or range achievable without use of such torque limiting means.

Abstract: A counting device including a click wheel operative integrally with a dial for setting the number of repetitive operations, the click wheel having teeth therearound, the number of which corresponds to the number of the repetitive operations; a ratchet wheel having a projection, the ratchet wheel being rotated to a starting position thereof by rotation of the click wheel; a feeding pawl for feeding the ratchet wheel in response to an external signal for every operation; a preventing structure for preventing the ratchet wheel from returning by pressure contact or engagement; and a start button integrally formed with a center shaft and a rotation preventing member of the center shaft, the start button being locked by the preventing structure for said ratchet wheel, and the rotation preventing member being engageable with the preventing structure; the engagement between the rotation preventing member and the preventing structure changing to open a switch as soon as the projection of the ratchet wheel releases the

Abstract: A unidirectional drive assembly that is operable to rotate an indicating pointer in an up-scale direction responsive to rotation of an input drive gear wheel in either a forward or a reverse direction. The assembly is characterized by having an idler gear shift assembly coaxially mounted in nesting relationship with a ratio gear assembly in a compact arrangement between supporting members of a frame assembly, in combination with a register indicator gear assembly and an idler gear rotatably mounted in continuous meshing engagement with a gear in the register indicator gear assembly. The idler gear shift assembly is operable to selectively move either a first or a second idler gear into meshing engagement respectively with either the gear on the register indicator gear assembly or with the idler gear continuously meshed therewith.

Abstract: A counter device includes an outer annular dial which may be set to a desired detent position to indicate, for example, the number of copies required from a copying machine. A push button positioned at a null position within the annular dial may then be depressed to operate a control circuit initiating operation of the copying machine and simultaneously engage the counter mechanism of the counter device. The push button then moves incrementally to register with the setting on the annular dial, whereupon the counter device automatically terminates operation of the copying machine by opening the control circuit and simultaneously resets the push button to the null position.The internal mechanism of the counter device includes a ratchet and pawl operated by an external drive from the copying machine. The ratchet and pawl are advanced in incremental steps to register with the preset detent position of the annular dial. The ratchet is then released and returned to its initial or the null position.