Patent ID: 8180015

Claim:
A counting device for counting rimmed articles arranged in a nested configuration to define a series of stacked rims defining a stacked direction, said device comprising: a gear having a plurality of teeth adapted to engage the article rims such that advancement of the articles along the stacked direction adjacent said gear rotates said gear; an indicator wheel configured to rotate with rotation of said gear, said indicator wheel having a plurality of indicia, said indicia for monitoring rotation of said gear, at least one set of said indicia being disposed about said indicator wheel in an annular path, said annular path intersecting a detection axis; at least one sensor positioned to detect said indicia and to generate an output signal as said indicia are carried into alignment with said detection axis; and a counter in communication with said sensor, said counter producing a usable output in response to said output signal of said sensor, said usable output representing a quantity of articles having engaged said gear.