GB690324A - A volumetric filling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

690,324. Automatic feed-weighing systems. ARNOLD, J. C. (Pneumatic Scale Corporation, Ltd.). Nov. 1, 1951, No. 25609/51. Class 38 (iv). [Also in Groups XVIII and XXX] In a rotary machine such as that described in Specification 222,166, [Class 106 (v)], for filling containers 60 carried on a continuously driven conveyer 76, with material delivered from a non-rotary hopper 10, the hopper cooperates with a series of measuring chambers 14 mounted on a plate 18 to revolve beneath the hopper and arranged to be telescopically adjustable in accordance with the weight of a measured load as tested at one point in the revolution by a weighing apparatus 100. Delivery.-As shown in Fig. 2 the stationary hopper is an irregular shape having one wall 11 of radius sufficient to embrace a number of chambers 14 to cause filling as they pass beneath the hopper, whilst the wall 13 is of smaller radius so that after filling the chambers pass outside the hopper to allow release of the material into their corresponding containers. Each chamber has a valve 36 which is operated by cam surfaces on the machine frame so that the chambers may be filled and emptied at the appropriate points of revolution. All of the measured loads are released into successive containers through the funnels 62, except one which is delivered by cam operation into the container 68 of the weighing apparatus 100, the load after test being released into a second container 72 for delivery into a carton 60 during the subsequent revolution of the filling units. The conveyer and measuring chambers are rotated by a motor 90 which drives the central shaft 34. Correcting volumes.-When correction is necessary in consequence of the deviation of the test weighing from normal value, the upper portions 16 of the measuring chambers are automatically adjusted to vary the volume of the chambers. The weighing apparatus is supported on disc 66 and comprises a pair of cantilever springs which support the container 68 and control the position of a valve, Fig. 8 (not shown), relatively to an air jet 141 supplied through a pipe 160 and a bore 154 in the central shaft 34. The jet builds up a pressure in the jet chamber which is connected to a cylinder having a plunger adapted to co-operate with two fixed contacts in circuit with " overweight " and " under-weight " solenoids controlling the adjusting mechanism. If the measured weight is correct the plunger head in its rotation passes between the contacts but if incorrect one or other contact is operated to cause the appropriate adjustment of the measuring chambers. The adjusting mechanism, Fig. 5 (not shown), comprises a reversible ratchet mechanism the pawls of which are continuously reciprocated, the appropriate pawl however only being engaged to effect a drive when its corresponding control solenoid is operated by the weighing apparatus. The ratchet mechanism is adapted to drive a plurality of screws which raise or lower the supporting ring 26 carrying the track rollers 24 of the plate 18 so as to adjust the position of the parts 16 of the measuring chambers. During vertical adjustment of the chambers the hopper 10 supported on the disc 18 is moved along therewith the upper end 9 being slidably mounted on the end of the supply pipe 12. The weighing receptacle 68 is provided with a pair of shutters 254, 256 which after weighing, are opened at the appropriate point by cam operation to release the weighed load into the receptable 72 shutters on which are operated in a similar manner to release the load into a carton. Modifications.-(1) The receptacle 72 may be replaced by a funnel which feeds the material into a carton the valve member 36 of the appropriate chamber 14 being operated by cam action at a later stage in the cycle ; (2) An intermediate receptacle with shutters may be interposed between the measuring chamber and the weighing receptacle 68; (3) The hopper 10 may be modified so as to effect filling of the chambers 14 in a different portion of the revolution relative to the path of the cartons and all the funnels 62 and the weighing receptacle 68 are provided with cam-operated shutters.