GB791058A - Container filling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

791,058. Filling containers. PNEUMATIC SCALE CORPORATION, Ltd. March 2, 1955 No. 6216/55. Class 94(1). [Also in Groups XXXV and XL(b)] A container filling machine deposits formed loads of granular material in containers and has means for agitating the containers to settle the load, the degree of agitation being dependent on the density of the load. The loads are formed in measuring chamber, the volume of which is adjustable according to load density as determined by a check weighing. The machine comprises a continuously rotating disc 18 having a side wall 20 and a series of measuring chambers 14, the disc rotating beneath a non-rotating hopper 10 so that chambers 14 are filled as they pass through the hopper and their loads are levelled off as they leave it. Each chamber 14 comprises and telescopes into a sleeve 28 carried on a rotating disc 30, the base of each sleeve being closed by a shutter 36. The shutters 36 are swung aside by cam means 44 to discharge the loads into containers 60, continuously moving with the chambers and carried on a conveyer 76, and in the case of one load, into the receptacle 68 of weighing apparatus 70 (see Group XVIII). The weighing apparatus controls means varying the volume of the chambers 14 by raising or lowering the disc 18 and parts 16 of the chambers 14 relative to the sleeves 28. The weigh beam comprises means 142, Fig. 11 (not shown), which obstructs a jet of air in proportion to its deflection, the consequent pressure variations operating switches controlling a motor which varies or lowers the disc 18. The motor rotates one of a series of screws 200, linked by a chain 204 and passing through a ring 26 to raise or lower it, the ring carrying rollers 24 engaging the wall 20. If the check weigh reveals a light load, the disc 18 is raised to increase the volume of the chambers 14, and vice-versa. The unweighed loads pass through funnels 62, rotating with the chambers, into the cartons 60 while the weighed load, after being discharged to a receptacle 72, is released by a cam 416 opening a hopper door 412. The filled cartons pass along a rail 501 which is reciprocated vertically to settle the loads, the reciprocation being controlled by the load density. In one mode of control, the rail is operated by a beam 506 raised and lowered by a rotating cam 508, the beam being raised to a greater or lesser extent clear of the cam 508 by a further cam 514. The cam 514 is automatically adjusted through a gear train by rotation of the screws 200 to vary the volume of the containers 14. In another embodiment, Fig. 27 (not shown), the screws 200 cause a contact to traverse a variable voltage transformer controlling a magnetic device agitating the rail. In another, Fig. 28 (not shown), the screws 200 control a valve admitting air to a pneumatic motor operating the rail. In a still further variation, the settling is independent of the adjustment of the measuring chambers and is controlled by photo-electric means (see Group XL(b)) responsive to variations in level of the material in the containers.