GB654056A - An improved method of and apparatus for the automatic weighing of loose or like material in portions of equal weight - Google Patents

Abstract

654,056. Weighing apparatus. POPOVA, S. April 29, 1947, No. 11422. Convention date, Dec. 12, 1940. [Class 143] In an automatic feed weigher of the kind in which material is delivered in a stream to weight a pan through a hopper having a normally open discharge gate which, after a predetermined weight of material has passed to the weigh pan, is closed so that the hopper temporarily collects the stream of material therein while the pan is being emptied; an additional material supplying means is provided to increase the rate of accumulation of material in the hopper during its closed periods. A motor 4 continuously drives a conveyer 7 which delivers material from a hopper 8 onto a scale pan 2 until the weigh beam 1 touches a contact 11 so closing an electrical circuit which energizes a solenoid 12 which, by attracting a member 13, releases catches 15, 16 and allows the gate 17 to shut under the action of a spring 18. Upward movement of the member 13 also releases a spring loaded plunger 19 which allows a member 21 to pivot and couple a constantly rotating annulus 22b to a freely rotatable pulley 22a which is operatively connected, by a crank 23 and rod 24, to a plate 14 carrying a pan emptying brush 3 and the member 13. This member, on the return stroke of the plate 14, engages catches 15, 16, opens the discharge gate and allows the material collected thereon to be dumped onto the scale pan, and also replaces the plunger 19 which re-engages the member 21 so disengaging the annulus 22b and pulley 22a. The pulley 22a drives an additional conveyer 37 which discharges a hopper 38 into the hopper 9 when the gate is closed so increasing the quantity of material available for dumping when the gate is re-opened. In a modification the additional supply of material is effected by either increasing the speed of the conveyer 7, or dumping measured volumes of material into the hopper 9, during the periods when the gate is closed.