Device for counting a number of flat objects, such as letters, forming a stack.

摘要

Device for counting essentially flat objects, such as letters, in the stacked state. The object edges in a side plane of the stack form, when illuminated, a pattern of light and dark bars which can be detected with the aid of bar code reader 30 known per se. The device comprises a stack bed 20 formed by two mutually perpendicular support plates 23 and 24 which are open upwards for receiving a stack 21 of letters 22. The letters 22 are all placed in the base with one letter edge against the supporting face 23, so that said bar pattern is visible in a strip-type opening 27. The bar code reader 30, mounted in a holder 29 can be moved with its scanning head 31 along the letter edges visible in the strip-type opening 27 over the entire length of the stack by means of a guide rod 28. A signal corresponding to the bar code is presented via a connection line 32 to analysis means and the number of letters in the stack derived therefrom is displayed on a number display 34. Reset means, which can be operated by means of a reset button 35, offer the possibility of counting stacks separately or cumulatively.