Device and method for detecting and counting articles, released by a feeder device, in particular sheet articles released by a sheet feeder

Abstract

A method and device for detecting and counting articles released by a feeder device, in particular sheet articles released by a sheet feeder are described. The device comprises: an electromagnetic resonator ( 11 ) fed by a signal generator ( 12 ), to generate an electromagnetic field in a passage region ( 9 ) of said sheet articles ( 3 ); a sensor ( 13 ) connected to the electromagnetic resonator ( 11 ) for detecting the induced disturbances in the electromagnetic field following the passage of one or more superimposed sheet articles ( 3 ); and a control unit ( 14 ) connected to the sensor ( 13 ) for calculating the number of sheet articles ( 3 ), which pass from time to time across the passage region ( 9 ). In particular, the electromagnetic resonator ( 11 ) is of recess type and in it an aperture ( 7 ) is made which makes said recess ( 8 ) communicating with the outside; whereby the resonator ( 11 ) is arranged so that the aperture ( 7 ) is disposed at the passage region ( 9 ). The method comprises the steps of: intermittently releasing sheet articles by the feeder ( 10 ); conveying the sheet articles ( 3 ) across the passage region ( 9 ); detecting the disturbances induced in the electromagnetic field after the passage of one or more superimposed sheet articles ( 3 ); calculating the number of sheet articles ( 3 ) which pass from time to time across the passage region ( 9 ) according to the measurements carried out in the preceding step.

1 . Device for detecting and counting articles released by a feeder device, in particular sheet articles released by a sheet feeder, characterized in that it comprises: an electromagnetic resonator ( 11 ), fed by a signal (S 1 )supplied by a signal generator ( 12 ) to generate an electromagnetic field in a passage region ( 9 ) of said sheet articles ( 3 ); a sensor ( 13 ) connected to the output of said electromagnetic resonator ( 11 )for detecting a signal (S 2 ) which identifies the induced disturbances in said electromagnetic field following the passage of said one sheet article( 3 )or of a plurality of said superimposed sheet articles ( 3 );and a control unit( 14 )connected to said sensor ( 13 ) for calculating the number of said sheet articles ( 3 ) passing from time to time across said passage region ( 9 ). 
   
   
       2 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said electromagnetic resonator ( 11 ) is a resonator of recess type, in which an aperture ( 7 )is made, which makes said recess ( 8 ) communicating with the outside and in that said electromagnetic resonator ( 11 ) is arranged such that said aperture ( 7 ) is disposed at said passage region ( 9 ) of said sheet articles ( 3 ). 
   
   
       3 . Device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that said aperture ( 7 ) divides said recess resonator ( 11 ) in two distinct and counter-faced portions ( 16 ,  17 ). 
   
   
       4 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said sensor ( 13 ) is a detector for detecting the amplitude or power of said signal (S 2 ) provided at the output of said electromagnetic resonator ( 11 ). 
   
   
       5 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said sensor ( 13 ) is a detector for detecting the phase of said signal (S 2 ) provided at the output of said electromagnetic resonator ( 11 ). 
   
   
       6 . Device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said signal generator supplies said one signal (S 1 ), having a frequency between 1 MHz and 100 GHz at the input of said electromagnetic resonator ( 11 ). 
   
   
       7 . Method for detecting and counting articles released by a feeder device, in particular sheet articles released by a sheet feeder, characterized in that it comprises the following operating steps:
 a. releasing said sheet articles ( 3 ) by said feeder device ( 10 );   b. conveying said sheet articles ( 3 ),thus released, across a passage region ( 9 ) in which a predetermined electromagnetic fieldacts;   c. detecting the disturbances induced in said electromagnetic field after the passage of said one sheet article( 3 ) or the passage of a plurality of said superimposed sheet articles ( 3 );   d. calculating the number of said sheet articles ( 3 ), which pass from time to time across said passage region ( 9 ) according to the measurements carried out in the preceding step.   
   
   
       8 . Device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that said sensor ( 13 ) is a detector for detecting the amplitude or power of said signal (S 2 ) provided at the output of said electromagnetic resonator ( 11 ). 
   
   
       9 . Device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that said sensor ( 13 ) is a detector for detecting the phase of said signal (S 2 ) provided at the output of said electromagnetic resonator ( 11 ).