GB1301735A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1301735 Packaging METAL BOX CO Ltd 25 May 1971 [28 May 1970] 25651/70 Heading B8C [Also in Division G1] Apparatus for indicating the weight of a case 5 filled with solid material comprises a device 27 for applying a controlled force to the can 5 in a direction transverse to the gravitational effect on the can whereby any resultant deflection of the can is indicative of the weight thereof and can be employed to operate a reject device if the weight is below a predetermined value. As shown, cans 5 are fed successively by a conveyer 6 to a fixed horizontal table 8 where the cans 5 are each pushed by a driving arm 12 below a hopper 15, the hopper 15 being arranged to supply solid material to the cans through holes 14A in a disc 14 drivingly attached to the arms 12. After being filled with solid material, each can 5 is subjected to a horizontal force by an electromagnet 27 whose coil 30 may be supplied with alternating or direct current and any consequent tilting of the can 5 about a guide rail 10 on the table may result in immediate rejection of the can 5 from the path of the succession of cans or the actuation of a proximity sensor 32 to supply a memory device which will cause rejection of the can, if less than a predetermined weight, at a subsequent point in the path of movement of the can through the apparatus. This subsequent point may occur at a position between can seaming apparatus and a station where the cans are filled with liquid after being supplied with the solid material, this station including a further fixed table 18. The memory device may comprise a shift register (36) (Fig. 3, not shown), having a plurality of stages whereby in synchronism with the advancement of the cans through the apparatus as sensed by a device (40), any one signal derived from the proximity sensor 32 to indicate an underweight can progresses from one stage to the next so as to operate a reject mechanism 26 only when the can to be rejected has arrived at the reject point.