Patent ID: 8213014
Filing Date: 2012-07-03
Classification: A61J

Abstract:
1. A small object counting device for counting and inspecting a plurality of small objects, comprising: A. a funnel shaped hopper for receiving said plurality of small objects, wherein said hopper comprises a wide top and a narrow bottom and wherein said hopper further comprises a hopper opening at said narrow bottom, B. a cone comprising a pointed cone top and a wide cone bottom, wherein said pointed cone top is positioned below said hopper opening, wherein said plurality of small objects are separated and dispersed along the top surface of said cone and wherein said plurality of small objects fall off the edge at said wide cone bottom, C. a counting plane positioned below said wide cone bottom wherein said plurality of small objects are counted as they fall through said counting plane, said counting plane comprising: D. a signal processor connected to said optical sensor, wherein when one of said plurality of small objects blocks the optical signal from reaching said optical sensor, said signal processor adds one more to the total count of said plurality of small objects, and E. a collection area for collecting said plurality of small objects after they fall through said counting plane and are counted by said signal processor.