GB1375715A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1375715 Dispensing measured quantities of fluent solids WOODMAN CO Inc 22 Nov 1971 [17 Feb 1971] 54062/71 Heading B8N Apparatus for dispensing measured quantities of fluent solid material comprises a removable unit mounted for rotation in a stationary unit. The removable unit comprises a hopper 12 having a bottom wall 41 provided with openings therein through which material in the hopper can flow into chambers 16, the chambers each having an adjustable, slanting bottom wall 51 and its radially outer side open, and the stationary unit comprises a substantially cylindrical, stationary wall 13 which closes the chamber openings until the latter register with a discharge tube 20. The removable unit also comprises a depending hollow hub 38 which has slots into which extend keys 35, 36 secured to a rotatable toothed wheel 33 driven intermittently by a motor (not shown) via a toothed belt C. A collar 56 which is slidable axially of the hub, within limits imposed by slots 58, by means of rotation of crank W, includes radial arms each of which supports a respective chamber bottom 51. A sweeper arm 120 secured to wheel 33 sweeps any material falling from the chambers to a discharge conduit 123. A baffle 70 secured to the wall 13 is positioned within the hopper 12 so as to prevent material entering a chamber which is being discharged. Removal of the baffle which may include a brush (78) (Fig. 4, not shown), and pivoting of a vibratory feed shoot 21 to an inoperative position allows an operator to remove the removable unit by grasping and lifting the handle 114. The bearing 39 is removed with the removable unit. The feed of material to the hopper via the vibratory feed shoot 21 is controlled by a sensing arm 86 secured to a shaft 87 carrying two cams for actuating respective microswitches (91, 92) (Figs. 5 and 6, not shown). If insufficient material is in the hopper the shoot 21 will be vibrated at a fast rate. If too much material is present in the hopper the vibration of the shoot will cease, and if sufficient material is present in the hopper the shoot will be vibrated at a slower rate.