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: Apparatus and method apparatus for detecting marginal gradation changes of a controlled product on a conveyor. The apparatus comprises a transducer (4) for converting swinging motion to a number of pulses; a member (24) operably secured to the transducer, the member for being in contact with the controlled product to cause the member to swing back and forth, thereby causing the transducer to generate the number of pulses; and a programmable device (28) operably connected to the transducer, the device being adapted to count the number of pulses generated by the transducer over several blocks of time periods, compare the number in each block of time to a group of reference numbers for the product, sum the number of occurrences that the number is above or below the group of reference numbers and provide an indication when the sum exceeds a target value.

Abstract: A load alternation counting device for an actuation device that is periodically hydraulically loaded has a cylinder and a piston sealingly positioned within the cylinder and axially displaceable therein. A pressure connector is provided for connecting the cylinder to a hydraulic loading device of the actuation device such that the piston is axially loaded when hydraulic loading of the actuation device occurs. A counter is switchable by an axial displacement of the piston within the cylinder. A spring for biasing the piston in a direction away from the counter is provided. The spring has a spring force such that switching of the counter by the axial displacement of the piston occurs only when a preset hydraulic pressure is surpassed.

Abstract: A system and a method for counting the number of people passing a entry point in a predetermined direction. The system includes a foot-activated, pressure sensitive platform deployed at the entry point for providing a time-dependent pressure profile vector indicative of the manner in which a person arches one of his feet prior to at least partially stepping off the platform. The pressure profile vector is processed for determining whether the person completely passed through the entry point in the predetermined direction. In the affirmative case, a counter for recording the number of people completely passing through the entry point in the predetermined direction is incremented. The system can be adapted for providing a net count of the instantaneous number of people in a given area during the entering and leaving of people through an entry point into and from the given area.

Abstract: A sheet counter system includes a feeding section, a carrying section, a counting section, a stacking section and a control section. When the length of a sheet or the like is less than a length reference value, the control section starts braking of the feeding section when the front end of an n-th sheet (n is a predetermined set value) which has been fed out is detected by the counting section. When the length of the sheet is greater than the length reference value, the control section starts braking of the feeding section when a carrying distance after the front end of the n-th sheet which has been fed out is detected by the counting section reaches a predetermined distance to thereby stop feeding by the feeding section when the counted result of the counting section reaches a predetermined number of sheets. Control can be performed by taking feeding speed into consideration.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing and counting objects on a moving conveyor. Objects are moved on the conveyor past a sensor having first and second legs pivotally mounted about a fixed axis above the conveyor. The second leg is offset from the first leg in the direction of conveyor movement. As an object encounters the first leg, it causes the first leg to rotate toward the second leg. A proximity detector includes a target mounted on the first leg and a sensing element mounted on the second leg. The proximity detector detects movement of the first leg relative to the second leg and generates a pulse, thereby counting the object, when the first leg assumes a predetermined position relative to the second leg.

Abstract: A contact sensor apparatus counts associated sheet products as they pass over a generally planar surface. a vacuum source draws a bottom surface of a sheet product onto the planar surface. A contact member is selectively deflected through engagement with the sheet product and deflects upwardly at the passage of the trailing edge of the sheet product. The contact member is connected to a sheet of piezoelectric material that is distorted upon deflection of the contact member. This produces an electrical charge representative of passage of paper over the sensor apparatus.

Abstract: A toy race track and lap counter comprising a track with adjacent lanes each forming a complete circuit and racing objects which are propelled around the track by pressurized air controllably discharging from separate nozzles in a propulsion tower. Separate air impulse devices are provided for each player for controlling the timing and intensity of each burst of pressurized air against that player's racing object as it passes by the propulsion tower and beneath the nozzles. A plurality of propulsion towers may also be provided which are operably interconnectable whereby simultaneous air bursts are applied at more than one location around the track by each player by manually timing the activation of that player's air impulse device.

Abstract: A counting device for counting the number of objects such as folded box blanks in a flow of folded box blanks characterized by a sensor having a portion engaging a leading edge of a blank in the flow and being moved to activate a pulse generating device. The device also includes an arrangement to lift the portion of the sensor out of engagement after the pulse has been generated to enable resetting the pulse generator and engaging the next following object of the flow.

Abstract: A sensor assembly having senser fingers swingably mounted upon a rotatable support and resiliently biased to extend radially outward. In the three-finger embodiment, a detent assembly rotatable with the support detents the support through a 120 degree rotation when the nose of a signature engages the finger lying in the path of signature movement. A one-way clutch cooperates with the detent assembly to dampen movement of the fingers and cooperating rotatable support to prevent oscillation of the rotating members. The finger advanced to the detent position slides upon the adjacent surface of the last counted signature and is freely yieldable to prevent irregularities in the signature from causing an erroneous count.

Abstract: A product counter apparatus is disclosed comprising a support element which bears against the products, typically printed products, which are to be counted. A holder device is mounted at the support element. Secured to such holder device is a substantially L-shaped spring or resilient element containing two leg members. The one leg member of such resilient or spring element extends substantially transversely with respect to a predetermined conveying direction of the printed products and protrudes by means of its free end past the holder device. The other leg member of the resilient or spring element is clamped at its end, and thus, can be elastically deflected transversely to a plane containing the printed products. Retained in the holder device is an inductive proximity switch. The printed products moving past the counter apparatus impact at their leading edge at the end of the one leg member which serves as a feeler or sensor and deflect the latter in their product conveying direction.

Abstract: In a highly compact odometer an electric motor which drives a mechanical display thereof, is disposed within the set of annular figure wheels used in the display and drivingly connected to said wheels through a worm and worm wheel drive train. In the case of integrated "total" and "trip" odometers a multipole rotor having a torque capacity adequate for driving both odometers is disposed within the set of figure wheels used for the "total" odometer display while the coil is disposed within the "trip" odometer set. Yokes extend between the sets of wheels to provide a magnetic connection between the coil and rotor. To prevent reversing of the odometer and gear chatter in the drive train a one-way clutch type bearing is used to support the output shaft of the electric motor.

Abstract: A counting apparatus is provided for producing a countable signal in response to each object moving past a predetermined point in a predetermined path of travel. This counting apparatus comprises a lever interposed in the path of travel substantially adjacent to the predetermined point and movable in a first direction in response to passage of at least a portion of an object past the predetermined point, where the portion of the object is of a size which is within a predetermined range of sizes. A switch having a first signal state and a second signal state, is operatively coupled to a further coupling arrangement with the switch for actuating the switch means to its first state in response to movement of the lever in the first direction.

Abstract: A sensing device for sensing individual articles such as newspapers, magazines and the like in a stream of such articles flowing along a predetermined work path. The device and method utilize a rotatably mounted polygonal sensing member having an outer peripheral surface comprised of a plurality of distinct alternating sides and corners. The sensing member is disposed at a sensing station and mounted so that the leading edge of each consecutive article in the stream engages consecutive corner and side areas of the sensing member thereby causing incremental rotation thereof. An activating vane is disposed in operative engagement with the sensing member so that during such incremental rotation, the vane is moved between non-activating and activating positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for counting printed products arriving at a conveyor path or track in an imbricated product stream, comprising a feeler bearing under the action of a contact force upon the product stream and secured against entrainment in the conveying direction of the product stream; this feeler cooperating with an electrical signal transmitter. The feeler comprises an overhang arm of a sound pick-up like transducer cell mounted in a support. The support possesses a support element which serves to bear upon the imbricated product stream. The free end of the overhang arm is structured such that it scans or feels the surface of the imbricated product stream at the region of bearing contact of the support element.The method of operating such apparatus for counting folded printed products is manifested by the features that the overhang arm of the transducer cell is directed to that side of the imbricated product stream at which there is accessible the edges of the printed products located opposite the fold.

Abstract: A device for counting the number of persons entering or exiting a given area including a mat switch having a plurality of normally open independent switches arranged in the form of a ladder and a plurality of resistors each connected to one of the plurality of switches, the switches and the resistors configured such that the output resistance of the mat switch undergoes a monotonic reduction as the switches are successively closed by the pressure of a person's foot as the person to be counted moves in a predetermined direction across the mat switch and a means for converting the change in the output resistance of the mat switch into a signal which is counted.

Abstract: Aquatic animals (e.g., fish) are counted in the same operation in which the fish are sorted as to size. This minimizes the labor required for counting because it is the same labor as that used for sorting the animals. A grading or sorting barrier is provided with a plurality of parallel holes or passageways, and the fish are urged towards the barrier. Mounted so as to extend across each of the holes is a flexible electrode which normally forms a closed electrical switch. When the animal passes through the hole, it hits the electrode and thus opens the switch. This creates a signal which is stored in an electrical memory. The information stored in the memory is read out sequentially and counted by an electronic counter. The size of the holes in the grading barrier is such that only animals smaller than a pre-determined size will pass through.

Abstract: A counting mechanism for a motor vehicle washing plant. A vertically movable switching member is located in the track in the washing plant and in the path of the vehicle wheel located in the track. The switching member is movable vertically upon engagement by a vehicle wheel and is urged downwardly into engagement with the bottom of the track. After the wheel has passed over the switching member, structure is provided for returning the switching member to its initial position. The second vehicle wheel will then engage the switching member a second time and urge it downwardly into engagement with the bottom of the track. This second engagement will produce an indexing of a stroke counter to register a counting unit thereon. As a result, it will not be possible to control or thwart, in an unauthorized manner, the counting mechanism for counting cars actually washed in the washing plant.

Abstract: In a counting arrangement for articles such as single or multilayer paper sheets having greatly varying thicknesses, a sensing device is arranged between the loading rollers bearing on the surface of the article stream delivered in overlapping fashion and operable to be carried along by the edge presented by each article for a predetermined distance and to become gradually retrieved from the edge and returned to its initial position in engagement with a contact of a counter thereby delivering a pulse to the counter.