GB2266878A

GB2266878A - "Delivering measured quantities of granular materials"

Info

Publication number: GB2266878A
Application number: GB9213994A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Cashman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-05-11
Filing date: 1992-07-01
Publication date: 1993-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 2012-07-01
Also published as: IE73474B1; GB2266878B; GB9213994D0; ZA932997B; IE921501A1

Abstract

Apparatus 1 for dispensing a pro-set quantity of granular material comprises a hopper with a top inlet 6, a bottom discharge outlet 7 and a substantially cylindrical motoring device 15 in the hopper. The device 15 has an opening 16 and is movable within the hopper from a dispensing position with the opening 16 in line with the discharge outlet 7 from the hopper to a discharge position with the opening 16 in line with an opening 9 in an inlet trough. First and second partition walls 20, 25, one 20 of which is movable, define together a motoring chamber 26, the volume of which may be readily adjusted by moving the partition wall 20. The partition wall 20 is movable by an adjustment mechanism including a lever 30 and disk 32. <IMAGE>

Description

"Apparatus for Dispensing Material, especially Granular Material" The invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing a preset quantity of material especially granular material.

In this specification the term "granular material" includes grain, animal feed-stuffs such as dairy nuts or pulp nuts, rice, sugar, crushed stone and the like relatively freeflowing materials. The term "hopper" includes all forms of containers and bulk storage devices suitable for materials, especially for granular materials.

There are already on the market a number of relatively inexpensive and easily operated apparatus for dispensing granular material such as the apparatus described in my Irish Patent No. 43812.

There is, howovor, a need for a relatively inexpensive and easily operated apparatus of this type in which it is possible to vary the volume of materi.al dispensed.

According to the invention there is provided an apparatus for dispensing a preset quantity of material, especially granular material, comprising a hopper and a metering device mounted within the hopper, the hopper having an inlet and a discharge outlet for material, and the metering device comprising a body member having an opening for material and being movable within the hopper from a filling position with the opening receiving material from the hopper inlet, to a dispensing position for discharge of material from the hopper through the discharge outlet, the metering device having a first partition wall which is movable relative to the opening to vary the capacity of the metering device.

In one embodiment of the invention the body member is mounted for pivotal movement within the hopper between the filling and dispensing positions.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the body member is a substantially cylindrical body member having a substantially cylindrical wall, the partition wall extending radially from the axis of the cylindrical body member to substantially abut the cylindrical wall, and in which the body member includes a second partition wall which defines, together with the front partition wall a metering chamber. Usually the second partition wall is fixed relative the first partition wall however, if required, it also may be movable to vary the capacity of the metering chamber. Typically the cylindrical wall terminates in a pair of end plates.

Usually the first partition wall is carried on a central axle extending between the end plates. Typically the partition wall is carried by a sleeve extending around the axle, the sleeve being movable around the axle on movement of the first partition wall to change the capacity of the metering device.

Typically the axle extends through and is rotatably mounted in the hopper.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention adjustment means are provided for changing the position of the first partition wall. The adjustment means may, for example, comprise an adjustment lever mounted to the first partition wall and locking means for locking the adjustment lever and hence the first partition wall in a desired position. Typically the adjustment means includes guide means for controlling the operation of the lever.

Typically the guide means comprises a disc member extending from the first partition wall, the adjustment lever being locked to the guide disc to lock the first partition wall in a desired position.

Usually the adjustment lever is formed with a guide channel embracing the guide disc member, the channel being slidable over the disc member on movement of the adjustment lever.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the locking means comprises a locking screw extending through one side wall of the channel to engage the disc member.

Preferably the cylindrical wall includes an arcuate cut-out slot between the first and second partition walls to provide access to the adjustment means.

In one embodiment of the invention the hopper is of rectangular cross section and has a pair of end walls, and a pair of side walls and includes a pair of inclined walls forming a V-shaped trough having a top opening defining the hopper inlet and a bottom opening through which material is delivered into the metering device.

Usually the axle extends through and is journalled in the side wall of the hopper.

Preferably an external operating lever is provided for the axle or pivotal movement of the metering device between the filling and dispensing positions. The operating lever may be connected to the piston of a ram for operating the lever. The adjustment lever may also be operated by a ram. In either case the ram may either be a hydraulic or pneumatic ram. Each ram may be controlled by a valve feed from a main fluid supply, operation of each valve being controlled from one main switch or an individual switch.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Fig. 1 is a perspective, partially cut-away view of an apparatus for dispensing a preset quantity of material according to the invention in a filling position, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 in a dispensing position, Fig. 3 is a typical transverse cross sectional view of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2 illustrating the operation of the apparatus, Fig. 4 is a perspective, partially cut-away view of a metering device forming part of the apparatus of Figs. 1 to 3, Fig. 5 is a partial perspective view, on an enlarged scale of portion of the metering device of Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another portion of the metering device of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated an apparatus indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for dispensing a preset quantity of material, in this case granular material.

The apparatus 1 comprises a hopper and a metering device mounted within the hopper. The hopper is of a substantially rectangular construction having a pair of end walls 2, side walls 3, a top 4 and a bottom wall 5. The bottom 5 and one end wall are omitted from Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings for clarity. A top inlet 6 and a bottom discharge outlet 7 are provided. A pair of inclined walls 8 are mounted between the side walls 3 and form a V-shape trough having a bottom opening 9 for delivery of material into the metering device. An arcuate plate 10 is mounted on each side wall 3 to prevent the passage of material between the side walls and the metering device.

Referring particularly to Fig. 4 the metering device comprises a body member, in this case a substantially cylindrical metering device 15 having an opening 16 in a cylindrical wall for delivery and discharge of material. The cylindrical metering device 15 is movable within the hopper from a filling position with the opening 16 in line with the opening 9 in the bottom of the trough as illustrated in Fig. 1 to a dispensing position with the opening 16 in line with the discharge outlet 7 from the hopper as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The cylindrical metering device 15 also comprises a pair of end plates 17 and is mounted for pivotal movement between the filling and dispensing positions on a central axle 18 which extends between the end plates 17 and is journalled in the hopper side walls 3. A first partition wall 20 is mounted between the end plates 17 and extends radially from the axle 18 to substantially abut the cylindrical wall. As will be particularly apparent from Figs. 4 to 6, the partition wall 20 is in this case fixed to a sleeve 22 which extends around and is movable around the axle 18 so that the partition wall 20 is movable towards and away from the opening 16 in the cylindrical side wall as illustrated by interrupted lines in Fig. 3.A second partition wall 25 which in this case is fixed in position relative the axle 18 extends from the axle to substantially abut the cylindrical wall of the body member 5 and to define together with the first partition wall 20, a metering chamber 26, the volume of which may be readily changed by adjusting the position of the first partition wall 20.

Adjustment means for changing the position of the first partition wall 20 is in this case provided by an adjustment lever 30 extending from the wall 20. The lever 30 is formed with a guide channel 31 adjacent its free end which engages in a guide means provided by a semi-circular disc member 32 extending rearwardly from the fixed partition wall 25.

Locking means for locking the adjustment lever 30 relative to the disc 32 is provided by a locking screw 35 which extends through one of the channel side walls to engage the disc 32.

The cylindrical metering device 15 and end plates 17 are cutaway to provide access for operating the adjustment means through an access hole in one side wall 2 covered by a removable access plate 36 as illustrated in Fig. 3.

An arcuate extension plate 40 extends circumferentially rearwardly from the trailing edge of the first partition wall 20 to increase the capacity range of the metering chamber 26.

When the partition wall 20 is moved into the opening 16 in the cylindrical body member the extension plate 40 closes off that portion of the opening 16 behind the partition wall. The length of the extension plate 40 depends on the capacity range required.

A stop 45 is mounted on the interior of the hopper to engage the fixed partition wall 25 in the dispensing position and the free edge of the cylindrical body member 15 in the filling position as illustrated in Fig. 3.

The axle 18 extends through at least one side wall 3 of the hopper and has rigidly mounted thereon an operating lever 50.

The lever 50 may form a counterweight for biasing the metering device 15 into the filling position illustrated in Fig. 1, or one end of the lever 50 may be connected to the piston of a pneumatic or hydraulic ram (not shown). The adjustment lever 30 may also be operated by a ram and each ram may be controlled by a valve fed from a main fluid supply, operation of each valve being controlled from one main switch or an individual switch. Further, the lever 50 may be manually operated against the action of a return spring (not shown).

In use, the capacity of the metering chamber 26 and hence the volume of material dispensed is set by moving the first partition wall 20 into a desired position as already described. Indicators 55 are provided on the disc 32 to indicate to an operator through the access door 36 the setting of the amount of material to be dispensed. The lever 50 operated by a pneumatic ram maintains the metering device in the filling or loading position illustrated in Fig. 1 where material passes in the direction of the arrow A from the trough into the opening 16 in the cylindrical body member.

Movement of the lever 50 anticlockwise in the direction of the arrow X causes the metering device to rotate in the same direction into the dispensing position illustrated in Fig. 2 where material is delivered out of the dispenser in the direction of the arrow B.

One advantage of the invention is in providing a relatively inexpensive and easily operated dispensing apparatus which will dispense a range of preset volumes of such material. It is particularly important, for example, when feeding animals such as cattle as it may be desired to give more feed to one or more of the cattle depending on a number of different factors.

Many variations on the specific embodiment of the invention described above will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and accordingly the invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail.

Claims

1. An apparatus for dispensing a preset quantity of material, especially granular material, comprising a hopper and a metering device mounted within the hopper, the hopper having an inlet and a discharge outlet for material, and the metering device comprising a body member having an opening for material and being movable within the hopper from a filling position with the opening receiving material from the hopper inlet, to a dispensing position for discharge of material from the hopper through the discharge outlet, the metering device having a first partition wall which is movable relative to the opening to vary the capacity of the metering device.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body member is mounted for pivotal movement within the hopper between the filling and dispensing positions

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the body member comprises a substantially cylindrical body member having a substantially cylindrical wall, the partition wall extending radially from the axis of the cylindrical body member to substantially abut the cylindrical wall, and in which the body member includes a second partition wall which defines, together with the front partition wall a metering chamber.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the second partition wall is fixed relative the first partition wall.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the second partition wall is movable to vary the capacity of the metering chamber.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5 wherein the cylindrical wall terminates in a pair of end plates.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 3 to 6 wherein the first partition wall is carried on a central axle extending between the end plates.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the partition wall is carried by a sleeve extending around the axle, the sleeve being movable around the axle on movement of the first partition wall to change the capacity of the metering device.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the axle extends through and is rotatably mounted in the hopper.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 wherein adjustment means are provided for changing the position of the first partition wall.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the adjustment means comprises an adjustment lever mounted to the first partition wall and locking means for locking the adjustment lever and hence the first partition wall in a desired position.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the adjustment means includes guide means for controlling the operation of the lever.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the guide means comprises a disc member extending from the first partition wall, the adjustment lever being locked to the guide disc to lock the first partition wall in a desired position.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the adjustment lever is formed with a guide channel embracing the guide disc member, the channel being slidable over the disc member on movement of the adjustment lever.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the locking means comprises a locking screw extending through one side wall of the channel to engage the disc member.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 3 to 15 wherein the cylindrical wall includes an arcuate cut-out slot between the first and second partition walls to provide access to the adjustment means.

17. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the hopper is of rectangular cross section and has a pair of end walls, a pair of side walls and includes a pair of inclined walls forming a V-shaped trough having a top opening defining the hopper inlet and a bottom opening through which material is delivered into the metering device.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the axle extends through and is journalled in the side wall of the hopper.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18 wherein an external operating lever is provided for the axle for pivotal movement of the metering device between the filling and dispensing positions.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein the operating lever is connected to the piston of a ram for operating the lever.

21. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 11 to 20 wherein the adjustment lever is operated by a ram.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 20 or 21 wherein each ram is controlled by a valve feed from a main fluid supply, operation of each valve being controlled from one main switch or an individual switch.

23. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.