GB381458A - Improvements relating to machines for grading articles by weight - Google Patents

Abstract

381,458. Grading eggs &c. by weighing. THOMAS, L. H., The Gables, Hurstbourne Gardens, Barking, and GARDINER, E. G., 179, Leytonstone Road, Stratford, both in Essex. March 5, 1932, No. 6687. [Class 143.] An egg &c. grading machine of the type in which a series of counterbalanced hinged sections are provided in a track upon which the eggs &c. roll is provided with impulse starting means for passing the eggs to the track at a predetermined speed comprising an inclined runway, and an abutment for determining the starting position of the eggs on the runway. As shown in Fig. 1, an extension 5 comprising an abutment 6 and a short runway 7 is provided at the starting end of the grading track 4. By starting the eggs A from the abutment 6 a uniform speed is imparted to the eggs rolling down the track. The length or inclination of the runway 7 may be adjustable. In a modification, Fig. 2, the runway 7 is provided with a number of abutments constituted by pockets 11. in a rotatable drum 9. The operator places the eggs successively in the pockets 11<1>, presented uppermost, and the pressure of the eggs against a weighted pawl 14 temporarily liberates the drum, which then rotates and delivers the eggs successively to the runway 7 and thence to the track. Instead of a single runway 7, a runway may be provided on the drum for each pocket. In a further modification, Fig. 3, an inclined feeding disc 9a provided with pockets 11a is provided, and the operator places the eggs in the pockets as they are presented at the position A. The pressure of the egg tilts a lever 17a, 19a so as to eject an egg from a lower pocket 11b on to the runway 7. The inclined feeding disc turns by gravity to bring the newly-placed egg into the position A<1> and the disc is then retained by the end 17a of the lever entering the next pocket arriving at the position A.