Pleat counter

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12147871-B2
Application number	US-202217688720-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 7, 2022
Priority date	Oct 26, 2018
Publication date	Nov 19, 2024
Grant date	Nov 19, 2024

Abstract

A pleat counter and methods are provided to accurately count the number of pleats in a corrugated sheet of material to be used for the production of air filters. The pleat counter comprises a pleat detector mounted underneath a mounting board for counting the pleats. The mounting board is configured to position the pleat detector adjacent to the corrugated sheet of filter material. The pleat detector includes one or more sensors configured to detect the presence of individual pleats comprising the corrugated sheet. The pleat counter includes an interface configured to enable coupling the pleat counter with a data processing system. The data processing system may comprise any of a desktop, a tablet, a server, a mobile phone, a media player, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a personal communicator, a network router or hub, a wireless access point (AP) or repeater, a set-top box, or a combination thereof.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for counting pleats, comprising:
providing a continuous roll of pleated material;
specifying a pleat interval;
identifying a beginning corrugation comprising the pleated material;
translating the pleated material;
counting a number of pleats along the pleated material; and
marking an end corrugation comprising the pleated material.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein specifying the pleat interval includes using graphical controls displayed by way of a data processing system to select a number of pleats to include in the pleat interval.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein using includes turning a graphical dial to select the number of pleats.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein using includes clicking on a interval button to select the number of pleats.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein using includes using controls to calibrate the pleat counter and its connection to the data processing system.

6. A method for manufacturing air filters, comprising:
providing a continuous roll of pleated material;
specifying a pleat interval;
identifying a beginning corrugation comprising the pleated material;
translating the pleated material;
counting a number of pleats along the pleated material;
marking an end corrugation comprising the pleat interval;
cutting the pleated material into portions each comprising the pleat interval; and
forming the portions into air filters.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein specifying the pleat interval includes using graphical controls displayed by way of a data processing system to select a number of pleats to include in the pleat interval.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein using includes turning a graphical dial to select the number of pleats.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein using includes clicking on a interval button to select the number of pleats.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein using includes using controls to calibrate the pleat counter and its connection to the data processing system.

11. The method of claim 6 , wherein counting the number of pleats comprises using a pleat counter to identify a series of pleats intervals along the pleated material.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein using the pleat counter includes positioning a pleat detector near the pleated material.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein positioning includes positioning one or more sensors of the pleat detector so as to detect the presence of individual pleats comprising the pleated material.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein counting includes using an interface to couple the pleat counter with a data processing system.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein counting includes using the data processing system to observe the series of pleats detected along the pleated material.

Assignees

• K&N Eng Inc

Inventors

• Williams Steve

Classifications

• G06M1/27

  for representing the result of count in the form of electric signals, e.g. by sensing markings on the counter drum · CPC title

• G06M2207/02

  Counting of generally flat and overlapped articles, e.g. cards, newspapers · CPC title

• G06M1/00

  Design features of general application · CPC title

• G01D5/00

  Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable (G01D3/00 takes precedence; specially adapted for apparatus giving results other than momentary value of variable G01D1/00) · CPC title

• H03K21/00

  Details of pulse counters or frequency dividers · CPC title