1. A weighing station for an in-line scale comprising:
(a) a capstan motor comprising a first precision servo motor;
(b) a capstan roller operative coupled to the capstan motor;
(c) a pinch roller linked to the capstan motor for rotation in synchrony with the capstan roller;
(d) a tension arm motor comprising a second precision servo motor coupled to the pinch roller for controllably repositioning the pinch roller relative to the capstan roller so as to provide a gripping force for controllably gripping an article between the pinch roller and the capstan roller;
(e) a rigid tension arm coupled to the tension arm motor and supporting the pinch roller so as to allow free rotation of the pinch roller responsive to the capstan motor, the tension arm arranged for translating rotational force of the tension arm motor into forcing the pinch roller toward the capstan roller to provide said gripping force; and
(f) a motion damper coupled to the tension arm to suppress vibration of the tension arm when it closes on an article at high speed;
and further comprising:
a first servo amplifier electronically coupled to the capstan motor and arranged to drive the capstan motor to a selected speed of rotation while an article is gripped between the capstan roller and the pinch roller, and to acquire torque data from the capstan motor; and
a second servo amplifier electronically coupled to the tension arm motor and arranged to drive the tension arm motor to apply a selected constant force to the pinch roller while an article is gripped between the capstan roller and the pinch roller, thereby minimizing slippage of the article during weighing and avoiding weighing inaccuracy resulting from variations in thickness of the article.
2. A weighing station according to claim 1 and further comprising:
a controller coupled to the first servo amplifier and arranged to detect when an article enters the weighing station, and to acquire motor torque data from the first servo amplifier representing torque applied to the capstan motor during a period when the article is gripped between the capstan roller and the pinch roller; and wherein
the controller is programmable for processing the acquired motor torque data to determine a weight of the article.
3. A weighing station according to claim 2 and further wherein the controller is programmed to determine the weight of the article by applying a Fourier analysis of the acquired motor torque data and comparing the results of the analysis to previously stored Fourier calibration data.
4. A weighing station for an in-line scale according to claim 2 wherein the controller coupled to the first servo amplifier is configured to acquire two streams of motor torque sample data from the servo amplifier, the sample streams overlapping but offset in time.
5. A method comprising:
receiving a moving article between a pinch roller and a capstan roller, the article moving at an initial speed;
linking the pinch roller to the capstan roller for rotation in synchrony with the capstan roller so that the moving article continues to move while gripped between the pinch roller and the capstan roller substantially without slippage;
providing a first precision servo motor arranged for controllably driving the capstan roller so as to accelerate or decelerate the moving article to a commanded speed different from the initial speed;
acquiring torque data associated with the first precision servo motor while driving the capstan motor;
repositioning the pinch roller relative to the capstan roller so as to provide a gripping force for gripping the article between the pinch roller and the capstan roller while the article continues to move; and
processing the acquired torque data to determine a weight of the moving article without stopping the article;
and further comprising providing a second precision servo motor arranged for repositioning the pinch roller and maintaining the gripping force independent of changes in thickness of the moving article.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method for playing a game not having a loser comprising the steps of:
a. a player spinning an arrow on a spin board to select a story from one of a number of stories on said spin board;
b. selecting a packet corresponding to the selected story from the spin board, the packet containing a card for each character in the selected story and a script sheet for each character;
c. withdrawing the character cards from the selected packet and placing each character card in a separate card holder wherein the character is hidden from view;
d. scrambling the separate card holders;
e. each player selecting a card holder and withdrawing the character card therein for determining the character to be acted out by each player;
f. each player withdrawing a script sheet from said selected packet for the character to be acted out by each player; and
g. each player acting out the character assigned using the script sheet for the assigned character, thereby fostering family interactions that combines fun with reading and learning.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein a blank spin board is initially selected and filled in prior to use.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of selecting the blank spin board further includes the step of inserting story indicators into a plurality of slots provided on the blank spin board.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of acting said selected story further comprises reviewing, by each player, the play text corresponding to the character listed on the selected character card.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein each card holder is in the shape of a fortune cookie with an opening to receive a character card.