US1189748A - Centrifugal dividing mechanism. - Google Patents

Description

G. L. SOUTHARD.

CENTRIFUGAL mvmme MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3, l9l5. v

Patented July 4, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET I.

G. L. SOUTHARD.

CENTRIFUGAL QIVIDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3, I915.

Patented July 4, 1916i 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

G. L. SOUTHARD.

CENTRIFUGAL DIVIDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3. 1915.

Patented July 4, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Patented J uly 4, 1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4- e. L SOU'THARD. CENTRIFUGAL DIVIDING MECHANlSM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY3.1915- v nus mums rsrsns r0" swomumo msnmcmu. o. c

G. L. sounman. CENTRIFUGAL DIVIDING MECHANESM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3, 1915.

Patented July 4, 1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

EEG?

G. L. SOUTHARD.

CENTRIFUGAL mvmme MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3. I915.

1,1 89,748. Patented July 4, 1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

GEORGE LEE SOUTHARD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO THE UNITED STATES GYPSUM COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

CENTRIFUGAL DIVIDING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 4, 1916.

, Application filed May 3, 1915. Serial No. 25,438.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE LEE Soo'rrmnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Centrifugal Dividing Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates in general to a mechanism for automatically dividing a quantity of any granular material, which may be of known weight, into a plurality of equal parts and more specifically to a mechanism adapted to deposit the divided portions in suitable receptacles, such as bags.

The principle involved in my present invention is the utilization of centrifugal force to move the constituent particles of a mass of material supplied at the center of a circular revolving table gradually outward to the periphery where it is allowed to fall into a plurality of receptacles. Vhile the use of centrifugal force has heretofore been suggested for this purpose, the many defects of the machines of the prior art have prevented them from coming into general use, particularly where a large capacity is a prime requisite.

It is an object, therefore, of my invention to provide an improved centrifugal mechanism of relatively large capacity for dividing weighed quantities of granular material into a plurality of equal parts and depositing the material in separate containers.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a closed system whereby the air trapped in the mixing and dividing mechanism is circulated therebetween and the annoyance and loss of material consequent to the formation of dust clouds during the operation of the machine is eliminated.

Further objects of my invention are the provision of means whereby the material to be divided is fed gradually to the centrifugal mechanism so that uneven operation and choking is prevented; means for adjusting the feeding means with reference to the centrifugal mechanism; adjustable means for supporting the receptacles to receive the material, whereby these receptacles are held in distended position, and means whereby the receptacles may be removed from the machine, when full, atthe operators station so that unnecessary handling of the filled receptacles is eliminated.

Further objects and advantages of my in vention will be apparent as it is better understood by reference to the following specificat1on when read in connect-ion with the accompanying drawings in which Figure l is an elevation partially in sec t1on of a complete system for weighing, mixing and dividing the material with reference particularly to the air circulating and vent mg means; Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the dividing-mechanism; Fig. 3 is a plan View of the hopper from which the material is supplied to the dividing mechanism; Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 4:4: of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 55 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line 66 of Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a side elevation partially in section of a portion of the device, showing the receptacle supporting means; Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the receptacle distending means; Fig. 9 is a horizontal section of a portion of the device showing the receptacle supporting means; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the receptacle supporting means; Fig. 11 is a vertical section on the line 1111 of Fig. 9; Fig. 12 is a detail in elevation of the means for supporting and leveling the drum carrying the receptacle supporting means; and Fig. 13 is a vertical section on the line 1313 of Fig. 12.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, 1 indicates a suitable supporting framework, the horizontal members 2 of which may support the floors of a building in which themechanism is housed. A hopper 3 is provided and adapted to contain asupply of material to be divided. 4; indicates the hopper of a weighing machine, preferably capable of holding a ton of material and connected to the hopper 3 by means of a chute 5, a bellows connection 6 being provided so that the hopper 4 may move vertically during the weighing operation. A mixer 7 of any suitable type, of which the Broughton mixer is an example, is dis posed beneath the hopper 4., a loose connection being provided therebetween to allow vertical movement of the hopper 4. Beneath the mixer 7 the hopper 8 of the dividing mechanism, presently to be described,

is disposed to receive material from the mixer 7 at intervals, after the mixing operation has been completed,,through suitable gates (not shown) and deliver it to the dividing mechanism disposed within the hood 9. A vent pipe 10 connects the interior of the hood 9 with the interior of the mixer 7. A second pipe 11 connects the pipe 10 and the interior of the mixer 7 with a pipe 12, leading from the interior of the weighing hopper 4 to a stack 13which passes through the roof of the building. It will be readily understood that the hood 9, the mixer 7 and the weighing hopper 4 are thereby connected with each other and with the exterior of the building so that air, carrying dust, in the form of dust clouds, resulting from the operation of the machine, will either circulate between the respective units constituting the system or will pass from the building through the stack 13. For example, when material is being dumped from the weighing hopper 4 into the mixer 7, both of which are closed receptacles, the air within the mixer will be displaced while a corresponding space will be formed in theweighing hopper 4 which must be filled with air. The circulation of the air between the separate units results in a considerable saving since a large amount of fine material which would otherwise be lost as dust is retained in the system.

The particular construction of the weighing and mixing devices forms no part of, my present invention. The dividing mechanism, however, discloses features of novelty and will now be described (Figs. 2, 3). The hopper 8 comprises a pair of elongated troughs formed by a hog-back 14 disposed therein. A driving shaft 15 is j ournaled in suitable brackets 16 and 17 and passes into the hopper 8 beneath the hog-back 14 to a point midway thereof. The shaft 15 is adapted to be driven by means of a sprocket 18 loosely mounted thereon and preferably connected by a chain 19 to a sprocket 20 secured to the driving shaft of the mixer 7. A clutch member 21 is secured to the shaft 15 and adapted to engage a similar clutch member 22 secured to the sprocket 18, whereby the shaft 15 may either be driven from the mixer shaft or controlled irrespective thereof. A'gear 23, secured to the shaft 15, meshes with a gear 24 secured to the conveyer shaft 25 journaled in the brackets 16 at either end of the hopper 8 and passing through suitable glands 26 in the end walls thereof. A shaft 27 is similarly mounted in the hopper 8 upon the opposite side of the hog-back 14 and driven from the shaft 25 by means of gears 28 and idler-s 29. Each of the shafts 25 and 27 are provided with right and left hand screw conveyers, 30 adapted, when the shafts 25 and 27 are driven, to move the materialin the hopper 8 toward the middle and in toward the cen- The bolt holes in the collar 34 are slightly enlarged, as shown in Fig. 4, to allow lateral adjustment of the collar.

A bevel gear 38 is secured to the inner end of the shaft 15 and meshes with a bevel gear 39 on a vertical shaft 40, journaled in suitable bearings in the bracket 17. The

and is provided at its lower end with a circular table comprising three sheets 41 of steel or other suitable material of decreasing diameter from the upper to the lower sheet,

secured to the'end of the shaft 40 by a nut 42. The construction of the table insures that it will remain level when once adjusted and that the top surface of the circular plate 41 shall be equidistant during its rotation from the lower edge of the extension member 35, thereby insuring an equal annular discharge in all radial directions, so that the material discharged will move evenly outward to the periphery of the table as it is revolved. The hood 9, previously referred to, is secured in any suitable manner to the chute 32 and is provided at its lower edge with a 'dust curtain 43 of leather or other suitable material which cooperates with the structure presently to be described to prevent air laden with dust from passing from the machine except through the vent pipe 10, as previously described.

Mounted on one or more circular base plates 44, secured to the foundation is a ring 45 carrying a plurality of rollers 46. The ring 45 is adjusted with respect to the base plate 44 by means of threaded bolts 47. The ring 45 may thus be leveled when the machine is set up. A curtain 48 prevents the entrance of foreign material into the interior of the mechanism. A drum 49 is mounted to rotate on the rollers 46', the annular angle iron 50, secured to the drum 49, providing a track to engage the rollers 46.

Secured to the sides of the drum 49 are a plurality of vertical members 51 provided with notches 52 adapted to receive the bails vertical shaft 40 hangs from the bracket 17 53 of the chairs 54 which support the receptacles in position to receive the material from the rotating table. The chairs 54 comprise steel sheets bent in the form indicated in Fig. 10, the edges being turned back, as shown, to prevent tearing of the receptacles. The individual chairs 54 are secured together by rivets, as shown in Fig. 7, and together form an annular member extending entirely around the drum 49. This member may be adjusted vertically, by inserting the bails 53 in suitable notches 52 in the,

members 51, to support receptacles of different lengths.

Supported on an annular bracket 55, surrounding the drum 49, is an annular chute 56, one side of which abuts the drum 49 while the other side closely approaches the dust curtain 43. Within the chute 56 a plurality of hog-backs 57 are provided, spaced at equal intervals about and dividing the chute into a plurality of individual chutes leading to the outlets 58.

On opposite sides of the outlets 58 the members 59 and 60 are pivotally mounted, both members being provided with lips 61 adapted to engagethe receptacle and hold it in distended position during the filling operation. The member 59 is biased to receptacle-engaging position by a spring 62 disposed between the member 59 and a bracket 63 secured to the outlet 58. The member (30 is provided with a latch 64 having notches 65 therein adapted to engage a pin 66 secured to the outlet 58, whereby the member 60 may be adjustably disposed in receptacleengaging positiomas' is clearly indicated in Fig. 2. In arranging the receptacles for filling, their open ends are disposed about the members 59 and 60, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, with the bottoms of the receptacles slightly raised above the chairs 54. As soon as a small quantity of material has been delivered to the receptacles they settle, until the bottoms engage the chairs, and thereafter the only function of the members 59 and 60 is to retain the open ends in distended position to receive the material from the outlets 58. It will be seen, therefore, that the receptacles are not subjected to stress during the filling operation but are maintained in position to receive the material. evenly until the filling operation is com-- pleted.

Since the material divided in the present mechanism frequently contains hair and often foreign matter, which escapes the prior separating operations, I provideone or more sweepers 67 secured to the under side of the upper plate 41 of the rotatable table, the sweeper being adapted to remove any material which may accumulate onthe upper edgesof hog-backs 57 in the chute 56. This prevents any disturbance of the dividing operation by the accumulation of mate rial on the hog-backs.

The operation of my mechanism will, it is thought, be apparent without further description of the structure thereof. Thematerial is weighed in the weighing hopper 4; allowed to fall into the mixer 7 where it is thoroughly mixed by the mixing arms (not shown), and passes thence into the hopper 8 of the dividing mecha nism.- The screw conveyers 30 move the material gradually to the openings 31 where it falls into the conical chute 32 and passes through the outlet therefrom onto the upper plate 41 of the table. The outlet from the chute 32 is adjusted so that its lower edge is disposed in a plane parallel to the table and so that the outlet is centered with respect to the table by manipulating the bolts 36. The distance between the outlet and the table may be regulated by manipulating the extension member The table is constantly rotated through its connection with the driving shaft 15 and the material moves gradually outward to the periphery of the table where it falls into the annular chute 56 and isseparated into equal portions by the hog-backs 57. The portions fall through the outlets 58 into the receptacles and the operation continues until all of the material in the hopper 8 is disposed in the receptacles when it will be found that the weighed quantity of material has been evenly divided between the receptacles with an error of less than 1%. The operator may then rotate the drum 49 and remove the receptacles successively from the chairs 54, replacing empty receptacles in the chairs in preparation for the next operation. It will be seen that the filled receptacles are delivered at a single point,

thus reducing the necessary amount of handling of the filled receptacles. I

It will be readily understood that I have perfected a dividing-mechanism of large capacity, the mechanism being capable-of handling a ton or more of material at each ops eration and requiring no supervision other than to replace the filled receptacles at each operation;

It will be obvious that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing any-of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatable table, means for rotating said table. means for delivering material to said'table, means for adjusting the outlet of said delivery means to a plane parallel to the plane of said table, and means for separatmgthe material into equal portions as it flows from the periphery of said table.

In a centrifugal dividing mechanism,

the combination of a rotatable table. means for rotating said table, means for delivering material to said table. means for adjusting the outlet of said delivery means laterally to center said outlet with respect to said table. and means for separating the material into equal portions as it flows from the periphery of said table.

3. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism,

the combination of a rotatable table, means for rotating said table, a hopper adapted to hold a quantity of material, a chute for delivering material to said table, means in said hopper to constantly deliver material to said chute, and means for separating the material into equal portions as it flows from the periphery of said table.

4. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatable table, means forfrotating said table, a hopper adapted to hold a quantity of material, a chute for delivering material to said table, means in said hopper to divide it into a plurality of troughs, means in said troughs to move the material toward and deliver it to said chute, and means for separating the material into equal portions as it flows from the periphery of said table.

I 5. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatable table, means for rotating said table, an elongated hopper adapted to hold a quantity of material and having openings in the bottom thereof, a

-- chute communicating with said openings for delivering material to said table, means in said hopper to divide it into a plurality of troughs, conveyers in said troughs to move the material toward said openings, and means for separating the material into equal portions as it flows from the periphery of said table. a

I 6, In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatable table, means for rotating said table, a hopper adapted to hold a quantity of material, a chute for delivering material to said table, means for adjusting the outlet of said chute relatively to said table, means in said hopper to constantly deliver material to said chute, and means for separating the material into equal portions as it flows from the periphery of said table. e

7. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatable table, means for rotating said table, an elongated hopper adapted to hold a quantity of material and having openings'in the bottom thereof, a

[chute communicating with said openings for delivering material to said table, means for ad usting the outlet of sald chute rela- V tively to said table, means in said hopper to divide it into a plurality of troughs, a screw 'conveyer in each of said troughs to move the material toward said openings, and

' means for separating the material into equal portions as it flows from the periphery of said table. 7

8. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatable-table, a vertical shaft therefor, means for supporting said shaft above said table, means for driving said shaft, a hopper adapted to contain a quantity of material, means for constantly delivering material from said hopper to said table, a dust-hood disposed above said table and provided With a vent, and means for separating the material into equal portions as it flows from the periphery of said table. 1

9. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatable table, means for rotating said table, a hopper adapted to hold a quantity of material, a chute fordelivering material to said table, means in said hopper toconstantly deliver materialv to said chute, an annular chute surrounding said table, and means in said annular chute to separate the material into equal portions as it flows from the periphery of said table.

10. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, thecombination of a rotatable table, means for rotating said table, a hopper adapted to hold a quantity of material, a chute for de livering material to said table, means in said hopper to constantly deliver material to said chute, an annular chute surrounding said table, means in said annular chute to separate the material into equal portions as y it flows from the periphery of said table, and

a dust-hood disposedabove said table and annular chute.

11. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism,

the combination of a rotatable table, means for rotating said table, a hopper adapted to hold a quantity of material, means to constantly deliver material from said hopper to said table, an annular chute surrounding said table, means in said chute to separate the material into equal portions as it flows from the periphery of said table, and means for holding receptacles in distended position'to receive said portions.

12. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatable table, means for rotating said table, a hopper adaptedhold a quantity of material, means to constantlydeliver material from said hopper to i said table, an annular chute'surrounding said table, means in said chute to separate the material into equal portions as it flows from the periphery ofrsaid table, means for supporting a plurality of receptacles, and means for holding said receptacles in distended position toreceive' said portions.

. 14, In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatable table, means for rotating said table, a hopper adapted to hold a quantity of material, means to conneath said table, an annular chute secured to said drum, means in said chute to separate the material into equal portions as it flows from said table, and receptacle supporting means carried by said drum.

16. I11 a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatable table, means for rotating said table, means for delivering material to said table, a normally stationary, rotatable drum disposed beneath a said table, an annular chute secured to said drum, means in said chute to separate the material into equal portions as it flows from said table, and receptacle supporting means adjustably mounted on said drum.

17. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatable table, means for rotating said table, means for delivering material to said table, a drum disposed beneath said table, adjustable means for supporting said drum, an annular chute secured to said drum, means in said chute to separate the material into equal portions as it flows from said table, and receptacle supporting means carried by said drum.

18. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatable table, means for rotating said table, means for deliver- I ing material to said table, a drum disposed beneath said table, an annular chute secured to said drum, means in said chute to separate the material into equal portions as it flows from said table, means carried by said table to prevent accumulation of material on said separating means, and receptacle supporting means carried by said drum.

19. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatable table, means for rotating said table, means for supplying material to said table, an annular chute surrounding said table, means in said chute Copies of this patent may he obtained for to separate the material into equal parts as it flows from said table, and means for distending receptacles in position to receive said parts comprising a plurality of pivotally mounted members adapted to enter the mouth of the receptacle, one of said members being resiliently biased to engage said receptacle, and adjustable means for securing another of said members in engagement with said receptacle.

20. In acentrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatable drum, notched members secured thereto, and receptacle supporting means comprising a plurality of chairs secured together to form an annular member surrounding said drum and rotatable therewith, said chairs having bails adapted to engage said notched member.

21. In a centrifugal dividing mechanism, the combination of a rotatable table comprising a plurality of metal sheets secured together and of progressively decreasing diameter from the upper to the lower sheet, means for rotating said table, means for supplying material to said table, a drum beneath said table, an annular chute secured to said drum and surrounding said table, means in said chute to separate the-material into equal portions as it flows from the pe- "iphery of said table, a hood above said table and annular chute, and adjustable means to support receptacles in position to receive said portions.

22. In a centrifu al dividing mechanism, the combination or a rotatable table comprising a plurality of metal sheets secured together and of progressively decreasing diameter from the upper to the lower sheet, means for rotating said table, means for supplying'material to said table, a drum beneath said table, an annular chute secured to said drum and surrounding said table, means in said chute to separate the material into equal portions as it flows from the periphery of said table, a hood above said table and annular chute, a vent pipe leading from said hood, and adjustable means to support receptacles in position to receive said portions.

GEORGE LEE SOUTHARD.

Witnesses: V

WM. 0. BELT, HARRY E. SOUTHABD.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner oi. Patents, Washington, D. 0."

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