AU6137800A

AU6137800A - Metering dispenser

Info

Publication number: AU6137800A
Application number: AU61378/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Francis Xavier Frawley
Original assignee: T A C A Int Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Taca International Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1999-10-01
Filing date: 2000-09-28
Publication date: 2001-04-12
Anticipated expiration: 2020-09-28
Also published as: AU753910B2

Description

FRANCIS XAVIER FRAWLEY

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

COMPLETE-AFTER-PROVISIONAL

SPECIFICATION FOR THE INVENTION ENTITLED "METERING DISPENSER" This invention is described in the following statE ll! Australia Dment:Documents received on: SEP 2E Batch No:E 28/09/00gcl 1407.spc.3 -2- The present invention relates, in general terms, to a method and apparatus for the dispensing of a metered or measured amount of material from a hopper or the like container housing a supply of such material or constituting a reservoir therefor. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for the dispensing of granular or particulate material, in measured or metered amounts.

Throughout the ensuing description reference will be made in more detail to particular and preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention, intended for usage in the dispensing or supply of measured or metered amounts of material for and/or to a weld pool. It must be realised, however, that such are given by way of example only and that under no circumstances is the method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention to be considered to be limited to any preferred embodiment or embodiments described hereinafter. In actual fact the method and apparatus in 15 accordance with the present invention lends itself equally to the dispensing of any type of material and for any mode or context of use for such material. By way of further example only, the method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention could be employed for the mixing of ingredients for any given compound and for any given use, as for example in the field of foodstuffs and mixtures for use in the creation thereof, in the field of medicine etc.

In the field of welding, there is traditionally employed a weld pool, which constitutes a matrix of base material for use in welding, together any number of other components or additives. More often than not it is considered desirable to add other component(s) or additives, preferably in particulate or granular form and in metered or measured amounts, to the weld pool, such other component(s) or additives being intended to impart special or desired properties to the overall material, as for example might be considered necessary for the material to be used in a particular context or to fulfil a particular task. By way of example only, tungsten carbide chips are often added, to assist in the creation of hard, wearresistant surfaces.

Prior art procedures for the addition of such other component(s) or additives have generally suffered in a variety of ways, either being too complicated to justifying the expense associated therewith or, in the alternative, being incapable 28/09/00.gcl 1407.spe.,2 -3of providing the operator with sufficient control over the amount of the component(s) or additives being added.

The present invention seeks to overcome the problems and disadvantages associated with the prior art by providing a method and apparatus which, in an extremely simple and yet effective manner, allow for the controlled addition of one or more substances, preferably in particulate or granular form, to an existing matrix of material(s).

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method and apparatus for the separation of a flow of any given material, be it particulate (granular) or liquid in form, into at least two discrete flows of measured or metered amounts of said material.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for extracting, from a supply of material, a measured or metered amount of said material, said method including: inducing a flow of said 15 material from a receptacle or reservoir therefor; extracting or separating from said flow said metered or measured amount thereof, said metered or measured amount then being directed to a locale for subsequent use; and returning the remainder of said flow of material to said receptacle or reservoir therefor, for recycling In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for the inter-mixing of materials in predetermined, metered amounts, said method including extracting, from a given flow of a first material, a predetermined or metered amount thereof, said metered amount then being delivered to a supply of said second material for deposition thereon and/or mixing therewith, the remainder of said flow of said first material being captured and returned to a receptacle or reservoir therefor, for recycling.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for the mixing at least two materials, said apparatus including: a reservoir or receptacle for a first of said materials, including means allowing for flow of said first material therefrom; means for controlling the amount of said first material flowing from said reservoir or receptacle; means for capturing a measured or metered amount of said first material exiting said reservoir or receptacle therefor and for delivering such captured material to a supply of a second material for deposition thereinto/mixing therewith; and means for returning the remainder of said flow of said first material to said reservoir or receptacle therefor for recycling.

28/09/100,gcI 1407.spe.3 -4- In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and put into practical effect reference will now be made to preferred embodiments of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The ensuing description is given by way of non-limitative example only and is with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a side elevational and schematic view of a first embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded view, similar to FIG. 1, of a further embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and FIGS. 3 and 4 are views, similar to FIG. 2, of yet further embodiments of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention; With particular regard firstly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated therein a first feed o hopper or the like receptacle 1 for housing a replenishable supply of a material to be dispensed (which could be in granular or particulate form, or in liquid form, or 15 perhaps even a combination thereof). Preferably the hopper 1 is substantially funnel-shaped, having a conical discharge chute 2 at the lowermost end thereof, that chute 2 including a substantially centrally disposed aperture 3 at the lowermost end thereof. Preferably material may be dispensed from the hopper 1 under gravity but, in a further alternative, such material may be force-fed from the hopper 1 for subsequent use, employing any known and presently available means therefor, as for example an auger or the like (not shown). In actual fact, however, the method and mode of dispensation of material from the hopper 1 does not constitute an essential feature of the present invention.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated means may be provided for controlling the amount of material exiting the hopper 1 for deposition into a second container or hopper 10 which is in flow connection with hopper 1. Such can take the form of any means which functions to restrict the size of the bottom opening 3 of the conical chute section 2 of the hopper 1, thereby in due course to interrupt partially, in full or to any desirable extent between such limits egress of material from the hopper 1 itself into the hopper 10. In one preferred embodiment such control may be achieved by the utilisation of a suitable gate means, generally designated 4, which is selectively and progressively movable in a sideways direction into and out of engagement with the aperture 3 of the lowermost funnelshaped conical discharge chute 2 of the hopper 1, thereby to control or stop the 28/09/00,gc I 407.spe.4 flow of material therefrom. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, suitable valving means may be employed at or in the vicinity of the lowermost portion of the hopper 1 whereby to give rise to the same result. In actual fact, however, any suitable means may be employed to restrict or control the actual rate of flow of material from the hopper 1. Such control means may be mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical or electronic.

As shown in more detail in FIG. 2, the gate means 4 includes a closure means 5 which is selectively and progressively movable into and out of engagement with the lowermost end of the discharge chute 2, thereby to allow for variation of the cross sectional dimension of the substantially centrally disposed aperture 3 thereof, in turn to allow for control and/or variation of the amount/volume of material exiting the hopper 1. Any suitable means, be it manual, mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, electronic or otherwise, may be employed to allow for movement of the closure means 5 into and out of S 15 engagement with the aperture 3 of the hopper-1. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 the closure means 5 has associated therewith a piston or shaft 6 extending into the second hopper 10 through a suitable aperture or opening provided in the side wall 11 thereof. The shaft or piston 6 is selectively and progressively reciprocably movable laterally of the second hopper 10, whereby to allow for control of flow of material through the aperture 3 and into hopper 10. Such reciprocating movement of the shaft or piston 6 may be achieved in any suitable manner as for example manually and using any suitable means.

Disposed immediately below the hopper 1, and in substantial flow connection therewith, is the further hopper or like container 10 which is adapted to

*.T

itself receive and temporarily retain material exiting the first hopper 1. Such further or second hopper or the like container 10 has means associated therewith for extracting, from the flow of material entering thereinto, a desired or metered amount thereof, in effect separating the flow of material entering the hopper 3 into at least two discrete positions In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, such means or metering device may take the form of an elongate, hollow member 12 which is adapted, in use, to be selectively and progressively movable into and out of flow contact or connection with the flow of material actually exiting from the bottom of the first hopper 1. Such elongate member 12 is slidably and controllably movable within a sleeve 13 extending substantially downwardly and at an angle 28/09/00,gcI I 1407.sp5 -6from the outside surface 113 of the second hopper 10. The elongate member 12, of a cross sectional dimension less than that of the sleeve 13, is adapted to be received within the sleeve 13 in a telescoping manner. The arrangement is such that the elongate member 12 is selectively and progressively movable into and out of contact with the flow of material exiting the first hopper 1, whereby to allow for capture therein of a given or desired amount of such material. The remainder of such material then passes through the second hopper 10, again preferably under gravity, and is allowed to exit from the bottom substantially conical funnel-shaped chute portion 14 thereof, via central aperture Relative movement between the elongate member 12 and the sleeve 13 may be achieved in a variety of ways. In the preferred embodiment show in FIGS.

1 and 2 both the elongate member 12 and sleeve 13 have arm members, respectively 16 and 17, projecting outwardly therefrom. Both arms are releasably S attached to a further elongate member 18, preferably threaded. The arrangement is such that the relative locations of arm members 16 and 17 on the threaded Smember 18 may be adjusted by an operator as and when desired, whereby to control/vary the extent of projection of the elongate member 12 into the sleeve 13, thereby in turn to allow for control/variation of the amount of material being extracted from the flow of material entering the hopper 20 In one preferred embodiment, that material exiting from the bottom of the o second hopper 10 may then be employed for its desired task, whilst that material oooo extracted by the metering device 12, 13 may be returned to the first hopper 1 for recycling. Alternatively the converse situation can apply, with the material exiting the second hopper 10 being returned to the first hopper 1 for recycling, and the controlled or metered amount of material extracted from that second hopper 10 via the metering device 12, 13 being employed elsewhere. The metering device 12,13 may have suction means of any given type associated therewith, intended to extract material therefrom and to redirect such material for recycling. In the preferred embodiment illustrated such material being recycled may be returned to a further hopper or container 20 or, in the alternative, may be fed directly back into hopper 1.

The main aim of the hopper 20, and associated equipment, is to utilise a vacuum recycle unit to, firstly, actually extract material from the hopper 10 and, secondly, then allow for cleaning thereof as and if necessary.

28/)9/00,gc I 1407.spe.6 -7- With regard to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, material extracted from hopper 10 via inter-reacting members 12 and 13 is returned to hopper preferably located above hopper 1, via suitable ducting or tubing, generally designated 19. To assist in such extraction and return/recycling, suction/vacuum means of any suitable type (not shown) may be employed. In an especially preferred embodiment, when such material is being recycled it is subjected, within hopper 20, to a cleaning procedure which is responsible for extraction of dust and other foreign, unwanted material therefrom.

When in the vacuum mode, the ball or the like means 21 is drawn up unto the section 22 and acts to seal the aperture provided in the chute 23 of hopper thereby preventing flow of material from that hopper 20. Material is drawn through ducting 19 into hopper 20, entering the chamber of that hopper 20 under 'substantial vacuum. Upon entering the hopper 20 such material impinges on a deflector plate or the like appropriately located therewithin, giving rise to a cyclone effect within the hopper 20. As a result thereof, heavier particles entrapped within the flow of material entering the hopper 20 fall to the bottom of the hopper, whilst lighter particles may be directed to a suitable collection point. With the unit placed in "no-vacuum" mode, the ball 21 will drop out of section 22, to expose the central aperture of chute 23, thereby allowing for resumption of flow of material (suitably 20 cleaned) from hopper 20 into hopper 1. In the instance of vacuum being resumed S or re-established, the ball 21 will be sucked up into section 22 to once and again close the aperture of chute 23. As can be seen, therefore, the operator may control the operation of the overall machine, whereby to allow for the desired extraction of a metered or measured amount of material. Alternatively, the operation of the overall apparatus may be automated, to allow for intermittent or regular extraction and recycling of material as and when desired.

Turning now to FIG. 3, there is shown therein a further embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention, being a variation of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. In this variant the second hopper 10 includes means for directing a metered or measured amount of the material exiting hopper 1 into a chamber, generally designated 30, of hopper 10. The chamber 30 is formed by a shaped element 31, extending inwardly of the wall 11 of the hopper 10. At or in the vicinity of the lowermost end of the chamber 30 there is provided an aperture or outlet 32, which is in flow connection with ducting or tubing 19 which allows for extraction of 28,' 9 /00,gcl 1407.spe,7 -8material collected in said chamber 30 from said chamber 30, such extracted material to be either returned to said hopper 1 for recycling or directed elsewhere for use. The remaining material from the flow of such material entering hopper drops or is directed to the bottom of said hopper 10, to be discharged therefrom via aperture 15 for subsequent use (as desired) and/or recycling. The recycling is achieved in like manner to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

With regard again to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus therein includes means which allows for inducing a controlled change in the direction of flow of material entering the hopper 10. In the especially preferred embodiment illustrated, an elongate member 33 is adapted to protrude through the side wall of the hopper 10. That member 33, preferably including a conically shaped end portion 34, is adapted to be movable laterally of the hopper 10 into and/or out of engagement with the flow of material. That material then impacts or impinges on the member 32, such that at least some thereof undergoes a change 15 of direction and drops into chamber 30. In an alternative arrangement, not shown, such result may be achieved by directing a flow of air or the like into the path of that material, whereby to direct at least some of that material towards the wall 11 0*.0 of the hopper 10, to eventually drop into the chamber 30. By way of example only, in an alternative embodiment the member 33 may be in the form of a nozzle or the 20 like, in flow connection with an air source. It should be realised that similar *arrangements may equally well be employed in any of the other embodiments illustrated.

FIG. 4 illustrates a further variation of the arrangement of FIG. 3 wherein, in the hopper 10, rather than the fixed volume chamber of FIG. 3 there is included means for the creation of a variable volume chamber or the like 40. A gate or the like member 41 is pivotably attached, as at 42, to the inside of the wall 11 of hopper 10. At or in the vicinity of the uppermost, free end of the gate member 41 there is attached, in any known manner and using any known means, a means which allows for selective and controlled pivotal movement of the gate member 41.

Preferably such can take the form of a member 43, fixedly or releasably attached to the gate member 41, extending substantially laterally of the hopper 10 and projecting outwardly therefrom. A handle or the like 44 may be provided at the outer, free end of the member 43 to allow for gripping thereof by an operator, who can thus manually control the disposition of the gate member with the hopper 28/09/00,.gcl 1407.sp,8 -9in turn allowing for capture of a metered amount of the flow of material entering that hopper 10. Here again recycling may be actuated in like manner to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

An apparatus in accordance with the present invention lends itself to use in a variety of different contexts. By way of example only, and in accordance with the especially preferred embodiment or desired usage being referred to herein, the apparatus may be employed for purposes of disposing/adding a given, metered amount of tungsten carbide in chip or granular form to a weld pool. In that regard it should be understood that materials such as tungsten carbide, by their very nature being extremely hard and tough, are often added to a weld pool or matrix for purposes of imparting to the weld matrix the capacity to form a hard, tough, wear-resistant surface.

*.In real terms, however, the method and apparatus in accordance with the 1 present invention are especially suited for use in any situation wherein materials are to be in any way inter-mixed. By way of further example only, in the foodstuffs industry it is often desired to create a blend/mix of at least two different types of material particulate and/or liquid. The present applicant's apparatus provides an effective, simple and yet extremely efficient means of achieving such a mix or blend of materials.

In the preferred embodiments illustrated the actual amount of material captured by the metering device is dependent upon the positioning and control of actuation of such device. This may be manually controlled by the operator. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, suitable means of any given and known type may be employed whereby to allow for automatic, accurate control of the location/disposition of the metering device.

Finally it is to be understood that the aforegoing description refers merely to preferred embodiments of the present invention, and that variations and modifications will be possible thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the ambit of which is to be determined from the following claims.

28/i)9/0(Xgc 1407 sp.,9

Claims

1. A method for the inter-mixing of at least two materials in predetermined, metered amounts, said method including extracting, from a given flow of a first material, a predetermined or metered amount thereof, said metered amount then being delivered to a supply of said second material for deposition thereon and/or mixing therewith, the remainder of said flow of said first material being captured and returned to a receptacle or reservoir therefor, for recycling.

2. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said materials are in particulate or granular form.

3. The method as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said material being recycled is subject to a cleaning procedure, whereby to extract therefrom dust or other foreign material resident therein or captured thereby.

4. A method for extracting, from a supply of material, a measured or metered amount of said material, said method including: inducing a flow of said 15 material from a receptacle or reservoir therefor; extracting or separating from said flow said metered or measured amount thereof, said metered or measured amount then being directed to a locale for subsequent use; and returning the remainder of said flow of material to said receptacle or reservoir therefor, for recycling.

The method as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said material is in particulate or granular form.

6. The method as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein said material *..*being recycled is subjected to a cleaning procedure, whereby to extract therefrom dust or other foreign material resident therein or captured thereby.

7. An apparatus for the mixing at least two materials, said apparatus S 25 including: a reservoir or receptacle for a first of said materials, including means allowing for inducing a flow of said first material therefrom; means for controlling the amount of said first material flowing from said reservoir or receptacle; means for capturing a measured or metered amount of said flow of said first material and for delivering said captured material to a supply of said second material for deposition thereinto/mixing therewith; and means for returning the remainder of said flow of said first material to said reservoir or receptacle for recycling.

8. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, said apparatus including, in flow connection, respective first and second hoppers or receptacles for said materials, each being substantially funnel-shaped and each have at least one 28/09/00,gcl 1407 spe. -11 discharge means associated therewith allowing for selective and controlled discharge of material housed or contained therein.

9. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said first hopper includes a discharge chute, extending into said second hopper, said discharge chute including a discharge aperture at or in the vicinity of the lowermost end thereof, whereby to direct a flow of said first material into said second hopper.

The apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 9, wherein said means allowing for control of the flow of said first material includes gate means for selectively and progressively opening or closing a discharge means of said first hopper.

11. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said gate means is movable laterally of said second hopper, selectively into and out of engagement with said discharge aperture of said first hopper, whereby to allow for selective variance in the dimensions of said discharge aperture of said first hopper, thus to 15 allow for variation/control of the amount of said first material exiting said first hopper.

12. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein said gate means is adapted for operation manually, or by mechanical, electrical, electronic or pneumatic means.

13. The apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 12, wherein said means for capture includes a hollow tubular member, adapted to be selectively and controllably movable into and/or out of contact with the flow of said first material entering said second hopper, said hollow tubular member being adapted to capture a desired amount of said first material dependent upon the extent of S 25 penetration thereof into said flow of material.

14. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said hollow tubular member is adapted to extend into said second hopper through a port in the side wall thereof, and to be engaged in a telescoping manner within a sleeve or the like element projecting outwardly from said side wall of said second hopper.

15. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 14, wherein said hollow tubular member is adapted to be reciprocably movable relative to said sleeve or the like member.

16. The apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 12, wherein said means for capture includes a fixed chamber formed internally of said second 28/09/00,gcl 140 7 .spe,I -12- hopper and at one side thereof, said apparatus further including means adapted to divert or deflect at least part of the flow of said first material entering said second hopper, said at least part of said flow being captured within said fixed chamber.

17. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 16, wherein said fixed chamber includes, preferably at or in the vicinity of the lowermost portion thereof, an outlet port or discharge means extending through the side wall of said second hopper, thereby to allow for extraction of said captured material for use or for return to said first hopper for recycling.

18. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 16 or Claim 17, wherein said means for diverting said flow of material includes an elongate member, preferably having a substantially conical-shaped extremity, which is adapted to be laterally and controllably movable within said second hopper into and out of engagement with said flow of material.

19. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 16 or Claim 17, wherein said 15 means for diverting said flow of material includes a nozzle or the like member, projecting into said second hopper and selectively and controllably movable laterally thereof, said nozzle or the like member being adapted to direct a flow of air or the like gas at said flow of material.

The apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 12, wherein said means for capture includes a gate means, pivotably attached to the side wall of said second hopper, the extent of pivotal movement of said gate means being selectively adjustable whereby to form a chamber of variable volume towards one side of said second hopper, said chamber being adapted to receive and retain for discharge and/or recycling at least part of said flow of material entering said second hopper.

21. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 20, wherein said chamber includes, preferably at or in the vicinity of the lowermost portion thereof, an outlet port or discharge means entering through the side wall of said second hopper, thereby to allow for extraction of said captured material for use or for return to said first hopper for recycling.

22. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 20 or Claim 22, wherein said means for diverting said flow of material includes an elongate member, preferably having a substantially conical-shaped extremity, which is adapted to be laterally 28/09/1 0 0.gcl 1407.speI 2 -13- and controllably movable within said second hopper into and out of engagement with said flow of material.

23. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 20 or Claim 21, wherein said means for diverting said flow of material includes a nozzle or the like member, projecting into the second hopper and selectively and controllably movable laterally thereof, said nozzle or the like member being adapted to direct a flow of air or the like gas at said flow of material.

24. The apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 20 to 23, including means extending through the side wall of said second hopper and releasably attachable to the free end of said gate means, such allowing for operator control of the angular disposition of said gate means within said second hopper, in turn to allow for control of the amount of material captured by said chamber.

The apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 24, including a further reservoir or receptacle, located, upstream of said first hopper, for receiving 15 said material to be recycled, said further reservoir or receptacle including a *:**(discharge chute, at or in the vicinity of the lowermost end thereof and adapted to extend into said first hopper, said discharge chute including a discharge aperture.

26. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 25, wherein said further reservoir or receptacle includes means for selectively opening and closing the discharge aperture of said discharge chute thereof.

•27. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 26, wherein said closure mean is in the form of a pressure actuated ball or the like means which is movable into and out of engagement with said discharge aperture of said further reservoir or receptacle.

28. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 27, wherein said ball or the like means is vacuum controlled.

29. The apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 25 to 28, wherein said further reservoir or receptacle includes means allowing for cleaning of material entering thereinto as by being recycled.

30. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 29, wherein said cleaning means includes a deflector plate disposed within said further reservoir or receptacle, wherein said flow of material entering into said further reservoir or receptacle impinges upon said deflector plate and has a cyclone effect induced therein, allowing for separation of particles therein by weight. 28/09/00.gc 1407 spe,l 3 -14-

31. A method for the inter-mixing of at least two materials, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

32. An apparatus for the mixing of at least two materials, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

33. A method and apparatus for the separation of a flow of any given material into at least two discrete flows or paths, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

34. A method for extracting, from a supply of material, a measured or metered amount thereof, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 28 th day of September, 2000. 15 FRANCIS XAVIER FRAWLEY By his Patent Attorneys: CALLINAN LAWRIE o• 28/09/00,gcl 140 7 .spc.l 4