AU668577B2 - Method and apparatus for the provision of prepackaged components - Google Patents

Description

I

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: PRECISION PREWEIGHS PTY. LTD. 006 942 472) Actual Inventor: Frank Dungan Address for Service: CALLINAN LAWRIE, 278 High Street, Kew, 3101, Victoria, Australia 'Invention Title: "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE PROVISION OF PRE- PACKAGED COMPONENTS" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- V f The present invention relates, in general terms, to a method and apparatus for the provision of pre-packaged components, such as for example chemicals and the like, for use in a variety of different contexts. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for the provision of accurately weighed and pre-packaged combinations of chemicals, compounds, components, etc., the method and apparatus in accordance with the 'invention being capable of delivering such pre-packaged combinations in a continuous and yet cost-effective manner.

Throughout the ensuing description reference will be made to an especially preferred embodiment of or use for the method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention, namely for the pre-packaging of additives or the like for use in a Lhemical process. It should be realised, however, that the invention is not to be considered limited to such a use. Indeed, the method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention ould equally well be employed for the "creation" of a basic mixture of any number of components, chemicals, etc. for any purpose whatsoever, but especially for use in any given manufacturing process.

In that regard it should be understood that the method and apparatus of the present invention is equally suited for use with solid-meaning particulate or powdered or liquid materials.

Nowadays in many manufacturing contexts, such as for example in the manufacture of rubber, plastics material and many other types of finished and/or unfinished products, there can be expected to be involved at least one, and more often than not more than one, additive or the like which is to be included in the overall mixture at some stage during the relevant manufacturing process. Such additive(s) may be in the form of anti-oxidant(s), accelerator(s), emulsifier(s), stabiliser(s), etc. and will more often than not make up less than 5% (by volume -2an/rwih)o h fnse runse prdut In th patrblm hav benecutrdi h culpoeueo diino uhadtv the ovrl maufcurn prces More partculrly such prblm wer assoiatd wth te cpablityof elierin suh aditie~s ondemad ad i th rscrbe amun (by weight an/o voum) and/rgight o thregr finiseduter uan hiis as prouct.nte pas prbemst mhavnben. encunesered t ata prodcedre faditione ofd scaintivdes to b tthed ealxe mauaring prewaoss. e Mo parwhticaly sauctprbes wverel asspocesiateqithmten capabiliy o deliver suhpscd additive ndean adtinesthe h presred amount, byreigt andor vue).pet nohr od ocle deine acrdne ithongkownt andrau inee tchiqes, sutrch, addiive andte thelen adtieril wre frseqet weihed, uoteoesinga mens, for subsequent.

inclusoniant veros-alle anuf actuinipoes anre ee t timaes oeert witre-pcagdn amons deeopmten of ecompudte teholog andseetroddnit eih dviesor meanseso-aled compunterotching aecoiment an aratvcoanuait wr eighing. int reapropterecbacing mahesasrnly in usefrmo abstc descatribedbas bein ofe twoe distnta tpeskaely enithe dfeicaed oritve remoe macinafe.Mce referred to as deicte"-rwdsineiadinenedtob atace, fixd rinsmewy onete o r ih h mnfatues'oerl i -~tgu-i ~i li Il-_,iYtrV-:; -i:'lII ~I C I? CIr CO: cl~I~ /I II ~~III. 4 4i v' 4~i' id CIi~ The present invention concerns itself particularly with so-called remote batching machines, being machines wherein any and all additives required for a subsequent manufacturing process are first weighed into plastics material bags or other receptacles (hence becoming pre-weighs) at a location remote from the actual scene of manufacture of the relevant products, for consequent delivery to the manufacturing site for inclusion as desired in an overall mix.

In accordance with an especially preferred arrangement a remote batching machine in accordance with the present invention allows for the sequential addition, to a plastics material bag or other container for subsequent transfer to a plastics material bag, of a predetermined and prescribed amount of any number of different additives for any given manufacturing process.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, therefore, there is provided an apparatus for the provision of accurately pre-weighed and packaged combinations or mixtures of chemicals, compounds, components or the like, said apparatus including: a plurality of storage means each for receiving and retaining for dispensing a supply of one of the individual chemicals, compounds, components or the like; means for transporting receptacles for said combinations or mixtures of chemicals, compounds, components or the like in sequence past and below said storage means whereby to receive content therefrom; means associated with each said storage means for extracting a metered amount (quantity) of content therefrom for deposition into a receptacle disposed S therebelow; and means for locating a receptacle relative to the or each, or selected ones, of said storage means and for ensuring accurate dispensing from the or each said storage means of said metered amount of content, said locating means serving to temporarily isolate a receptacle from said transport means whereby to allow for receipt thereby of content metered from said storage means.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for the provision of an accurately pre-weighed and packaged combination or mixture of chemicals, compounds, components or the like, using 3C' an apparatus of the type defined in the preceding paragraph.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for the provision of an accurately pre-weighed and packaged .combination or mixture of chemicals, compounds, components or the like, wherein (*r7 -4- 23/11/95GV6679.SPE,4 L beneat eac sorc of supl for a finite perio 'of time, tepoarl isoate fromsaid ranspot meas, wheeby t allowfor apredetrmine amout f theidiXI ii 1 ;L2 4, i i conent themreo reetes taed heuetiall and depsidinal moved recetracle.r prveans pas anpre-eihe and pauckage ofsppyobintion or mhindividual chemicals, compounds, components or the like, when odcead byeceapratus aend/sosted netso theo toe eexrredi therecedi ng pargps.i h eetce A~4aone or more receptacles are sequentially and cyclically moved, by transport means, past an array of sources of supply of the or each individual chemical, compound, component or the like, the or each said receptacle being disposed beneath eachl source of supply for a finite period of time, temporarily isolated from said transport means, whereby to allow for a predetermined amount of the contents thereof to be extracted therefrom7 and deposited in the receptacle.

In accordance with yet a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a pre-weighed and packaged combination or mixture of chemicals, compounds, components or the lik~e, when produced by the apparatus and/or the method of the type referred to in the preceding paragraphs.

4a 16- -beneath ch surc of pply forriodof time to -apredetermined amount of the cono -tbe extracted therefrom and AeSff in the receptacle.-- In order that the invention may be more clearly understc',-l and put into practical effect there shall now be described in detail preferred embodiments of a remote batching apparatus, and method for the operation thereof, in accordance with the 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 view of a remote batching apparatus in accordance with the invention, being an apparatus specifically designed for the addition of prescribed amounts of five different additives to a plastics material bag or the like container; FIG. 2 is a view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing a feed station in its inoperative condition; FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a feed station of the hopper of FIG. 2, in its operative condition whereby to aE.Dw for passage of material from the hopper itself; FIGS. 4 to 6 are exploded views of a bag-carrier of the overall apparatus in accordance with the invention, illustrating therein the various stages of operation of a means or device employed to isolate the bag-carrier and associated bag from the conveyor means for purposes of filling of the bag; FIG. 7 is a view taken along the line for 7-7 of FIG. 1; FIG. 8 is a view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a hopper suspension system in accordance 14 e%; with the present invention, which allows for the hopper itself FIG. 10 is a view taken along the line 10-10 in FIG. 9; and FIG. 11 is a plan view of a suspension storage rack for hoppers which are not in use.

with an alternate embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention, which allows for the hopper itself to be relocatable in a manner to be described; FIG. 10 is a view taken along the line 10-10 in FIG. 9; and 5 FIG. 11 is a plan view of a suspension storage rack for hoppers which are not in use.

Referring firstly to FIG. 1, there is shown therein a preferred embodiment of an apparathoppers in accordance with the present invention consisting of an array of feed stations for different components of a final mix, whether such components be in the form of additives for an overall process or alternatively of an actual mixture for subsequent treatment. In the preferred embodiment illustrated means are available for the creation of a mixture of five different substances. It should be realised, however, that any number of different substances, in any given amounts, can equally well be utilised.

Again with reference to FIG. 1, there is illustrated therein a plurality (in this case five) of feed hoppers 1 of any given type. In a practical sense the nature of the or each hopper 1 is not of the essence of the invention. Again in a practical sense the hoppers 1 employed may allow for continuous loading, or sporadic loading, or sporadic reloading as the amount of substance stored there wthin reaches a predetermined minimum.

The array of hoppers 1 is disposed so as to allow for location therebelow, in a sequential manner, of a series of bag carriers 2 and associated bags 3, with the bags 3 when filled making up the aforementioned pre-weighs. In the preferred embodiment illustrated each bag-carrier 2 and associated bag 3 is adapted to be appropriately disposed, either by manual means or automatically, as illustrated on a structure which is in itself adapted to be movable from one hopper 1 to the next -6- II r I -Jr 4al 9i i~tA~ in sequence and to be located below a feed outlet 4 of each hopper 1 for a sufficient period of time to allow for deposition into the bag 3 of the prescribed amount of substance from the or each hopper 1. In that regard, in an especially preferred embodiment an electric or electronic weighing means of any known type may be associated with the or each hopper 1, thereby allwing for removal from the hopper 1, for deposition into the bag 3, of a predetermined amount of content.

Once the predetermined amount or quantity is deposited within the bag 3, such bag 3 is then moved along to the next feed station and associated hopper 1 whereby to allow for receipt therefrom of the prescribed amount of the contents thereof. In such a way in a sequential series of steps the prescribed combination of elements, components, chemicals or the like will be deposited within a bag 2.

A suitable conveyor means 5, preferably in the form of a chain-or beltconveyor, may be employed for purposes of moving the bags 3 and bag-carriers 2 in sequence past (under) the array of hoppers 1. Once the bag-carrier 2 and associated bag 3 exits from the final hopper, then the resulting so-called pre-weigh can be removed, sealed and stored for subsequent transfer to a manufacturing site.

A fresh bag 3 can then be suitably disposed on the then empty bag-carrier 2, which is then returned via the conveyor means 5 to the first hopper 1 for further movement through the various feed stations as desired.

'0 In an especially preferred embodiment the conveyor and filling line consists of a row, of any given number, of material storage hoppers 1 disposed adjacent to a row of weighing means, perhaps of a mechanical type but more preferably of an electric or electronic type. A separate weighing means may be provided for each hopper 1 intended to measure the amount of material being extracted from that hopper 1 for deposition into a bag 3 disposed therebelow. In an alternative embodiment, a so-called loss-of-weight-feeder can be fitted to each hopper 1. It -7g~~1 'I i~ must be realised, however, that the actual means for achieving weighing of the material being removed from the hopper 1 is not of the essence of the invention.

The weight of material in fact fed into each bag 3 is preferably controlled automatically. Preferably the feeding of material from a given hopper 1 into a bag 3 disposed therebelow will be achieved in a two stage process, involving a first stage wherein the bulk in terms of quantity of the prescribed amount of material is fed rapidly, and a second, slower stage wherein additional material is fed in more slowly to "top up" the bag 3 to the desired overall weight. In the case of solid materials, each hopper 1 will include two screw-type (See FIG. 2) feeders and 11 at the outlet 4 thereof, a first of such feeders 10 being of substantially large diameter, of the :rder of from 30 to 100 millimetres, for purposes of rapid material feeding to what might be termed coarse tolerance, with the second of such feeders 11 being of smaller diameter, typically of the order of from 5 to millimetres, for purposes of topping-up on fine tolerance. In an alternative arrangement, not shown, feeders of the vibratory type may be employed. In the situation wherein liquids are being dispensed from the or each hopptr 1, or in fact one or more selected hoppers 1, then a variable speed pump may preferably be employed.

With reference now to Figs. 4 to 7 of the drawings in particular, there is illustrated therein a preferred means employed in accordance with the present invention for locating the or each bag-carrier 2 in position for loading of the bag 3 associated therewith. As shown in Fig. 4, when the conveyor means 5 is in operation a push-tab, pin or the like projecting member 20 thereof is in engagement with the base section of the bag-carrier 2. At or in the vicinity of each feed station there is provided a series of spaced-apart, substantially conical-shaped ramps 21 having a land 22 therebetween. The conveyor means 5 is electronically -8- OIL..c II 1 r I I I I I I. I I I 11 i I am l (or in fact in any known manner) controlled or regulated so as to be in operation until such time as the leading wheel or the like member 6 of the bag-carrier 2 is located at the top of the first ramp 21 (See Fig.4). The conveyor means 5 is then stopped. The bag-carrier 2 then, under the influence of gravity, runs down that ramp 21 to assume the posi ion as shown, for example, in Fig. 5. When in such a position the bag-carrier 2 is momentarily, or for a finite time, actually isolated from the conveyor means 5, with the push-tab 20 not being in contact therewith (See Fig. It is when the bag-carrier 2, and associated b.ag 3, is in that isolated position or condition that feeding of material into the bag 3 is programmed to take place. Once the loading cycle is completed, then the conveyor means 5 is again actuated, with the push-tab or pin-member 20 again coming into contact with the bag-carrier 2, thereby forcing the wheels thereof up the other side or slope of the ramps 21. The bag-carrier 2 is then no longer isolated from the conveyor means and in fact is now free to move to the next feed station as desired.

The weighing cycle will then be repeated for each hopper station. As the bag carrier 2 leaves the last hopper station, it can preferably be passed through a bag 3 sealing device and, in ai specially preferred embodiment, each such sealed bag 3 (now a so-called pre-weigh) will be re-weighed whereby to ensure compliance with the given specification therefor.

Each feed hopper 1 preferably consists of a flexible sleeve 30 attached at the top thereof to a so-called hopper-cone 31. A pneumatic clamp 32 will be situated above the feeder 33 to drop materials into the feeder 33, thus overcoming the problem of "bridging" of the material.

The bag carrier 2 employed in accordance with the invention serves to hold the bag or resulting pre-weigh 3 open at the top whereby to have such bag or preweigh 3 in a condition suitable to accept materials once weighed from the -9iI -r' (Snature) (Date) respective hoppers 1. Once the last material from the final hopper is weighed in and deposited in the bag 3, the movable supports for the bLg 3 allow the bag 3 itself to be closed. In an especially preferred embodiment excess air can be removed from the bag 3 in any given manner and the bag 3 then sealed.

The aforegoing description refers to one embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention, wherein the hoppers 1 are, to all intents and purposes, substantially fixed relative to the conveyor means 5. In this regard reference will be made hereinafter to FIGS. 9 to 11, the hoppers 1 are so constructed and arranged as to be selectively and continuously movable into and out of position relative to the conveyor means 5. In other words the hoppers are selectively movable between two distinct positions, namely a first or storage position when not in use and a second or operating position when the contents are to be metered therefrom. Such an embodiment improves the operation of the method and apparatus in accordance with the invention, in terms of flexibility.

With such an arrangement a given conveyor system for bag-carriers 2 and bags 3 can be used with any given number of separate hoppers 1, and more importantly can be readily adapted for a variety of different tasks. Hoppers containing substances not to be pre-weighed may simply be withdrawn from the operating cycle or system for storage at a remote site, or more correctly at a site removed from the conveyor means 5, until needed. Such an embodiment serves to optimise available floor space.

With the embodiments of FIGS. 9 to 11, in order to carry out a hopper change-over a front panel 34 of each hopper 1 hinges to one side, thereby giving access to a reiocatable part of the associated feed station, in other words the sleeve 30 and feeder 33 which are preferably each suspended from overhead conveyor means 35, as for example tracks, via suspension rods 36. In operation,

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when a hopper 1 is disconnected from the hopper cone 31, then such hopper 1 can be conveyed to a hopper storage facility, as for example storage racks as shown in FIG. 11.

In an especially preferred embodiment the formation of each pre-weigh will be controlled electronically, as for example by a computer or the like means. The actual formulation required within each pre-weigh will be stored on files within the computer program and the filling cycle controlled at each stage by the computer itself. The weighing means will be interfaced to the computer to allow continuous monitoring of the fill cycle. The computer will access when to phase the so-called coarse fill cycle into the top-up cycle whereby to allow for precise weighing at the maximum possible cycle speed.

In closing it should be realised 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.

11 hs -i-

Claims (14)

1. An apparatus for the provision of accurately pre-weighed and packaged combinations or mixtures of chemicals, compounds, components or the like, said apparatus including: a plurality of storage means each for receiving and retaining for dispensing a supply of one of the individual chemicals, compounds, components or the like; means for transporting receptacles for said combinations or mixtures of chemicals, compounds, components or the like in sequence past and below said storage means whereby to receive content therefrom; means associated with each said storage means for extracting a metered amount (quantity) of content therefrom for deposition into a receptacle disposed therebelow; and means for locating a receptacle relative to the or each, or selected ones, of said storage means and for ensuring accuratn dispensing from the or each said storage means of said metered amount of content, said locating means serving to temporarily isolate a receptacle from said transport means whereby to allow for receipt thereby of content metered from said storage means.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including means associated with the or each said storage means for determining the quantity (by weight or volume) exiting therefrom for deposition into a receptacle disposed therebelow.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said quantity determining means includes electric or electronic weighing means associated with each said storage means, whereby to determine the amount (quantity) of content dispensed from said storage means and to be disposed within said receptacle located thereunder.

4. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said quantity determining means is a loss-of-weight feeder associated with each said storage means and adapted to measure the reduction in content thereof such that said metered amount is extracted therefrom. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said storage means takes the form of a hopper or the like, said hopper including a flexible sleeve member attached at the top thereof to a substantially conically shaped member, and having means associated therewith for directing content to a feeder means, at the bottom of said hopper, for met -ed passage of the contents of said hopper to a receptacle, and wherein e .n hopper includes a

12- 23/11/95GV6679.SPE,9 V il I ImI II I I I v pneumatic or hydraulic clamp means associated with said flexible sleeve member to assist in passage of the content of said hopper from the top to the bottom thereof for metered feeding to said receptacle. 6. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein feeding of content from each said storage means is in a two-stage process, including a first stage wherein the bulk of said metered amount is fed rapidly to said receptacle when located below said storage means, and a second stage wherein the remainder of said metered amount is fed at a reduced rate from said storage means to said receptacle. 7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein each storage means includes two screw-type feeders at or in the vicinity of the discharge end thereof, a first of saia feeders being of relatively large diameter, thereby to allow for said rapid feeding of content therethrough, with the second of slid feeders being of relatively small diameter when compared with said first feeder, allowing for said reduced flow of content therethrough. 8. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and wherein said transporting means include a plurality of carriers adapted to be disposed on a conveyor means, wherein said receptacle is a plastics material bag or the like container adapted to be removably attached to or disposed on said transporting means and adapted, in use, to travel between said hoppers, with at least one bag or the like container adapted to be disposed on each carrier. 9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said conveyor means is a chair- or belt-type conveyor. i 10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein said carriers are releasably attached to said conveyor means for movement, in a sequential, controlled and cyclic manner, past and under said plurality of storage means, wherein said storage means are adapted to be selectively movable between respective operative and storage positions, said operative position corresponding to a position allowing for dispensing of content as desired, and wherein each hopper or the like storage means inclules means adapted to control the flow of contents therefrom. 1 1. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said flow control means is .in the form of one or more augers associated with each said hopper. 1 3 23/11/950V6679.SPE, r 12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, including a vibration type feeder means for controlling or regulating the flow of content from the or each hopper.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, including a variable speed pump for regulating the flow of content from the or each hopper.

14. The apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said locating means includes, at or in the vicinity of each said storage means, means for temporary isolation of a said receptacle from said transport means, the arrangement being such that feeding of said metered amount of content is controlled to occur during such temporary isolation of said receptacle. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said locating means includes, at or in the vicinity of each said storage means, a series of spaced apart ramps or the like to be engaged by the or each said receptacle, said ramps allowing for said temporary isolation of said receptacle from said transport means.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, including two pairs of spaced-apart ramps or the like, with a land therebetween, at or in the vicinity of each said storage means, and wherein said conveyor means includes a plurality of upwardly projecting members adapted, in use, to come selectively into engagement with a carrier when in the vicinity of a said storage means.

17. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 16, wherein each said carrier includes respective leading and trailing wheels or the like members adapted, in use, to be in engagement with said conveyor means. 12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, the arrangement being such that said conveyor means is controlled or regulated to be in operation until such time as a leading wheel or the like member of a carrier is located at the top of a first of said ramps, movement of said conveyor means then being interrupted, said upwardly projecting members not being in engagement with said carrier, such that said carrier is temporarily isolated, for a finite time, from said conveyor means to allow for feeding thereto of said metered amount of content of said storage means.

19. A method for the provision of an accurately pre-weighed and packaged ccmbination or mixture of chemicals, compounds, components or the like, wherein 6/ An2"S O' eneo'rx% one or more receptacles are sequentially and cyclically moved,past an array of sources of supply of the or each individual chemical, compound, component or the -14- 23/11/95GV6679.SPE,11 I- I like, the or each said receptacle being disposed beneath each source of supply for a finite priod of time, temporarily isolated from said transport means, whereby to allow for a predetermined amount of the contents thereof to be extracted therefrom and deposited in the receptacle.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. A method for the provision of an accurately pre-weighed and packaged combination or mixture of chemicals, compounds, components or the like using apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 or

22. A method as claimed in claim 19 or claim 21, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

23. A pre-weighed and packaged combination or mixture of chemicals, compounds, components or the like, when produced by the apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 or 20 and/or the method as claimed in claim 19 or claim 21. DATED this 29th day of February, 1996. PRECISION PREWEIGHS PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys: CALLINAN LAWRIE Y /t -3- p. t ABSTRACT A method and apparatus are described for accurately weighing, in package form for subsequent use, mixtures or combinations of a number of separate components. The apparatus consists of a plurality of containers for storage of the individual, separate components prior to weighing and packaging, and means for transporting suitable packaging 3) in sequence past and under said storage means so as to allow the required content to be delivered from each separate storage means as to make up the required mixture or combination. j V. I -I I I