(under the class definition) Device including means for: (1) detecting any of the following characteristics: a state or property, a change in a state or property, or the occurrence of a predetermined event, in any of the following: the work, the product of a machine, the machine itself, any part of the machine, or the environment of the machine affecting the operation thereof; and (2) initiating (as a direct result of such detection) a force or energy impulse other than that generated or transmitted by the detecting means; and (3) regulating or modifying (as a direct result of such initiation) the operation of said machine.
(1) Note. This definition requires a patent to claim at least four instrumentalities for original placement herein. One of these must be a fusion-bonding machine or a device (e.g., work feeder, work-heater, product-handler) necessary to the proximate function of fusion-bonding. The other three are: (a) a senser (e.g., photo-cell system, trip-lever, pressure diaphragm) to detect a condition as stated in (a) of the definition. (b) an activator (e.g., an element to make or break an electric circuit, a clutch, a valve) to cause a release of energy more than, or different from, that accounted for by mere change in condition (e.g., position or movement) of the senser while it is functioning; and (c) a controller (e.g., a motor or driver for said machine or device) to change or cause the operation of said machine or device. Therefore, a cam follower (or senser) directly linked to a controller, whereby follower movement directly effects controller movement, is not proper subject matter for this subclass due to lack of an activator as defined. On the other hand, disclosure of a cam follower that makes and breaks an electrical circuit that energizes a motor, may be placed herein.
(2) Note. A voluntary act of the person operating the machine is not proper subject matter for this subclass. For example, disclosure of an on-off switch manipulated by an operative to start and/or stop the machine (even though the switch initiates a release of energy) is not included herein, but is placed on the basis of claimed features of the machines.
(3) Note. The machine that is regulated by the control means is not limited to a fusion-bonding machine of this
class. It can be another machine associated with the fusion-bonding machine if the claim reciting the combination of the other machine and fusion-bonding machine is acceptable for placement into this class (228).
(4) Note. The control systems disclosed in the patents of this and indented subclasses are similar in concept to control systems of other classes (see the search notes below). The total operations and the claimed combinations are, of course, different, but the control systems, per se, found in the classes referenced in the search notes below are usually analogous to those herein, and may be applicable to the machines of this class (228).
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS 72, Metal Deforming,
6+, and see (4) Note, above.
83, Cutting, appropriate subclasses and see (4) Note, above. The notes to Class 83,
399, summarize all the subclasses in Class 83 pertaining to "control" subclasses therein.
226, Advancing Material of Indeterminate Length,
10+, and see (4) Note above.
227, Elongated-Member-Driving Apparatus,
2+, for elongated member driving means provided with control apparatus.
