GB698072A - Improvements in and relating to apparatus for automatically weighing articles, for instance, bottles and like glass containers - Google Patents

Abstract

698,072. Weighing apparatus. ROCKWARE GLASS SYNDICATE, Ltd., EDGINGTON, J. H. and THOMPSON, D. R. Jan. 24, 1950 [Dec. 24, 1948], No. 33260/48. Class 143 [Also in Group XXX] Glass bottles 2 in transit from a forming machine 1 to an annealing bar 4 on a conveyer belt 3 are periodically transferred from the stream onto a dead plate 16 by a swinging arm 10 cooperating with a second swinging arm 17, are then moved on to a weighing plate 23 by a reciprocating pusher 24 and finally, after a weight indication or record has been made, are moved back onto the conveyer by a pusher 20; the invention being characterized in that the frequency of operation of the mechanism is adjustable and that the means for initiating the displacement of a selected bottle from the conveyer onto the plate 16, and the replacement of the previously selected weighed bottle onto the conveyer, does not obstruct the passage of articles along the conveyer and is ineffective during a weighing operation. The cycle of operations is triggered by the engagement of a bottle with an arm 6 which, when so engaged, trips a mercury switch 7 which in turn releases a single revolution clutch (not shown) and so rotates a series of cams (also not shown) which effects the testing cycle; the frequency of operation being controlled by varying the speed of rotation of the cam driving shaft and/or by providing a commutator which is adjustable to cause the clutch circuit to be energized after a predetermined number ot actuations ot the arm to permit the transfer of a weighed bottle onto the conveyer in the space vacated by the next article to be weighed. The weight of the bottle under test is transmitted by an electronic repeater, similar to that described in Specification 589,423, [Group XXXVIII], to an indicating or registering mechanism, a cam being provided to isolate the transmitter during movement of bottles on and off the plate 23. During the testing cycle the arm 6 is tripped by succeeding bottles but this does not effect the cycle. The whole of the testing mechanism is supported by a wheeled truck 5 and the height of the operative parts is adjustable to adapt the apparatus for use with different conveyers. In a modification the arm 6 may be replaced by a photo-cell and light beam or by a series of rotary arms. Specification 368,335 also is referred to.