US1512764A

US1512764A - Can-filling machine

Info

Publication number: US1512764A
Application number: US256523A
Authority: US
Inventors: Sr August Holmquist
Original assignee: SPRAGUE CANNING MACHINERY COMP
Current assignee: SPRAGUE CANNING MACHINERY Co; SPRAGUE CANNING MACHINERY COMP
Priority date: 1918-10-02
Filing date: 1918-10-02
Publication date: 1924-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 1941-10-21

Description

' A. HOLMQUIST, SR

01m FILLING mcmm Filed Oct. 2. 191a s Sheets-Sheet 1 I fzq'ai r @st. 2% 1924. I i,5i2,?%

A. HQLMQUIST, SR

- CAN FILLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 2, 191a 5-Sheets-$heet2 1; guuii A.HOLMQU$T.SR cm ILLING'MAQHINE Filed Oct. 1918 5 Sheets-Sheet a m, W J w 4 III I inn m. 251 1924. mm 'HOLMQUIST, 5R

.CAN FILLING MACHINE Filed 06 2 1 918 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented ea. 21, 1924.

siren STATES mam Parent @FFECE.

AUGUST HOLMQ'UIST, SR., 0F HOOPES'ION, ILLINOIS, .ASSIGNOR TO SPBAGUE CAN- INING MACHINERY COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION OF ILLI- NOIS.

- CAN-FILLING ltLAI}HI'NIE.

Application flied October 2, 1918. Serial No. 256,523.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUST HOLMQUIST, Sn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hoopeston, in the county of Vermilion and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Can-Filling Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, refer- .ence being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this spedfication.

This invention relates to improvements in can-filling machines, and particularly to improvements in such machines as are used in packing peas, beans, berries and the l'ke, with which it is customary to include as a part of the contents of the can a quantity of'liquid material.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a can-filling machine wh ch is of simple and economical construction and which is not likely to get out of order. Another object is to provide a machine which is easily cleaned and kept in sanitary condition, and which, while in use, will not become clogged with the materials which are being filled into the cans. Another object is to provide means whereby, in the event thatone of the can-pockets of the can-conveyor is without a can to receive the liquid the latter will not be discharged from the liquid measuring device and thus spilled. Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, in which I have illustrated a machine embodying my invention Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the machine; I

Fig. 2 is an axial, vertical sectional view of the machine, the section being takenon the line 22 of Fig.- 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, the section being taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, looking downward;

- Fig. 1 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, the section being taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1, looking downward; I

Fig. 5 is a broken elevational view of the means for adjusting the capacity of the brine-cups;

Fig. 6 is a broken sectional view of one of the brine-cups and a portion of the corresponding receiver, illustrating the valve mechanism which is employed for controlling the filling and emptying of the brinecups, the section being taken on the line 66 of Fig. 7

Fig. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the parts shown in Fi 6, the sectionbeing taken on the line 7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the upper portion of the machine, showing the means for adjusting the capacity of the brine-cups.

F' gs. 9 and 10 are detail views of a bracket and lever carried thereby, this lever forming a part of the mechanism for controlling the values of the brine-cups.

In the several figures of the drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate the same parts throughout, 10 is a standard or base which supports the machine. A central vertical shaft or column 11 is supported in the base 10 and extends upwardly from the center thereof, the revolving elements of the machine being arranged to turn about this column. Suitable means are provided for raising and lowering the column or shaft 11, this means comprising a gear wheel 12, the teeth of which mesh with gear-rack teeth onthe column. The gear 12 is fast on a shaft 13, which is supported n bearing provided in the base 10, and carries on its opposite end a worm-wheel 14.. The wormwheel 14 is revolved by a worm 15, the latter being carried on the inner end of a shaft 16, on the outer end of which is a bevel-gear 17 The shaft 16 is supported in

bearings

18 and 19, which may be cast ntegral with the base, or, in the case of the bearing 18, carried by a bearing-bracket which may be formed integral with the base if desired.

Meshing with the bevel-gear 17 is a bevelgear 20, which is journaled in a suitable bearing on the bracket 18 and has a spline connection with a vertical shaft 21, the latter carrying on its upper end a hand-wheel 22, by which it may be turned. The shaft 21 is supported at its upper end in a suitable bearing 23 on a bracket 23, and is connected to the gear 20 in this way in order to allow the shaft to. move up and down in the hub of the gear 20 when the supporting bracket 23 is adjusted vertically to vary the height of the hopper 24:. This hopper is supported 25, which rides in a suitable socket 26 in the bracket 18, the post being held in adjusted position by means of a set-screw 27.

The can-carrying table 28 revolves about the shaft 11 and has a gear 29 secured on its hub'28, this gear being driven by a pinion conveying table 28 is a can-sweep 33 having a series of pocketsfor receiving the cans. The cans come to the sweep through a canfeeding chute '34, which may be, of any suitable type and forms no part of the present invention; the chute being arranged,

however, to, deliver the cans in a vertical position, one at a time, to the pockets of the sweep, as they pass in succession the end of the can-chute. I

After the cans are filled they are sweptofi the revolving can-table onto a revolving can-discharged disk 35, by means which are well known in this art and will not be described herein. Suitable means (not shown) are employed for revolving the disk. 35. In the use of the machine suitable mechanism, such as a-belt-carrier, will take the cans from the can-discharging disk and conduct them to a part ofthe establishment where further operations are to be performed on the cans. v

.Arranged above the revolving camcarrying table and turning therewith, is the peameasuring element; of the machine. This element comprises a series of receivers each consisting of a pair of

telescoping members

36 and 37 The lower members 37 are carried by aplate .38 which forms the lower deck of the pea-measuring element, this plate being supported from the can-carryingtable 28 and provided with suitable means by which its elevation may be adjusted to accommodatecans of different heights. This adjusting means. comprises a pair of

screws

39 and 40 which are secured at'their upper endsto the under side of the plate 38 and have threaded engagement with a pair of internally-threaded spindles 41 and 42.

'These spindles 41 and 42iextend upwardly .from the can-carrying table and are arranged torevolve inv suitable bearings there- 1 n.s On the underside of the can-carrying tablev'thereis provided a pair of worm-gears V 43'and 44, these worm-gears being fast on thellower endwof the spindles 41 and '42.

To revolve these members simultaneously so as" to'-.ra1se or lower the plate 38, therejis provided a sh'aftr45, which carries a pair of worrns=46 "and-47 for engagement with the worm-gears43 an'd 44. This shaft 45 has an-end 48 which is squared torcceive a wrench and pro ects beyond the edge of the duct the materia'lfrom the receivers into the cans.

The upper deck of the pearmeasuring elements comprises a plate 50, which-is supported upon the upper end of the shaft 11 and revolves about the latter but is notedjustable lengthwise-"thereof, as is the case with the plate 38. To raise and lower the upper deck of the pea-measuring" element, the shaft 11 is adjusted .up or down by means of the hand-wheel 22, and the gearing which extends from this wheel to'the shaft 11, as already explained' The upper telescoping members ,36 of the pea-measuring receivers are carried by and project from the under side of the plate 50. On the upper side of this plate there is arranged a brine tank 51. A series of brinemeasuring cups, pockets, or chambers 52 are arranged in the tank 51, and are provided with inlet ports 53 communicating with the tank. In the lower part of each 1 of the brinemeasuring cups 52 there is located an oscillating. valve member ,54 provided with ports 55. The valve-ports 55 may be brought into register with theports 53 so as to admit brine to the cups by turning the valves to the proper position. Each of the valves 54 is provided with a central stem 56 which extends downwardly through an opening in'the bottomiwa'll of the brinemeasuring cup 52, and through an opening in the plate 50, and is provided with suitable means by which it may be oscillated to carry the ports of the valve into orout of registration with the ports in the sides of the brine-cups. r I

From the lower end of each of the brinecups extends a neck57, through which ex-' nication is cut off'between th'efbrine-meas-f uring cup and the receiver'36l v The locations and sizes of the various ports is such that-f-communication between the brine-tank and the brine-cup will always be closed before communication is established between the-brinej-cup and the r g ceiver. There is, thus, ne'verany time when there is direct communication-from the'tank to the receiver. t

On each of the valve-stems 56 there is arranged a lever 61,-by' means of which the and close the ports.

stem and valve may be oscillated to open On the base is secured a bracket 62 which forms a support for a can-actuated lever 63, which carries on its lower end a can-engaging finger 6 As the cans, pass this finger in succession they push the latter aside and cause the lever 63 to oscillate on its pivot 63". On the upper end 'of this lever 63 is provided an adjustable dog 65, which, when thrown in toward the center of the machine will engage the outer ends of the levers 61 as they pass in succession. After the can passes the finger 64 the lever 63 is permitted to return to normal position, being moved to this position by a spring 66, which is carried in a spring barrel 67 on the supporting bracket 62 and is backed byan adjusting screw 68, by means of which its tension may be adjusted,

Referring to Fig. 4, it will be seen that if the plate 38 and the parts carried thereby are revolving in a counterclockwise direction, each of the levers 61 as it is brought into engagement wit the dog 65 will be swung back and 11 oscillate the valvestem 56 to which it is secured, thus opening the lower or outlet ports of the valve and permitting the brine to flow from the corresponding brine-measuring cup 52 into the receiver and thence into the can below. Each of the brine-cups, after discharging its contents, must have its outlet ports closed and its inlet ports open before this cup is called upon to again deliver a measured quantity of brine to a can. "This shifting of the valves is accomplished by a cam 69, which is fast on the shaft 11. This camis circular for the greater part of the distance around it, but has a lift with which the inner end of each. of the levers 61 engages as the turning of the parts brings the end of each lever into position for such engagement. The lever 61 and valve 54 is thus moved back to the position in which the valve will cut 05 the flow of liquid from the brinemeasuring cup 52 to the receiver 36, and will establish communication bet-ween the tank and brine-measuring cup. 4

As the can-carryingelement and the premeasuring element revolve together around the central shaft 11, the cans carried by the table engage, one after another, the finger 64 and oscillate the lever 63 on its pivot 63, thrusting the latter back against the resistance of the spring 66. This carries the dog 65 into engagement with the outer end of the lever 61 and causes the valve 54 toshift, so that the ports in the bottom wall thereof are brought into register withthe outlet ports in the bottom of the brine-measuring cup. This arrangement insures that in case no can is present the brine will not be allowed to discharge into the receiver and thus be spilled.

As the plate 38 and the levers carried thereby move in a'circular path around the axis of the machine, the inner end of each lever is brought into engagement with the projection 70 on the cam 69 and restored to the position in which communication is etfected between the brine-tank and the brinemeasuring cup corresponding to that particular lever andat the same time communication between the brine-measuring cup and the receiver is cut off.

Means are provided for preventing crushing of the peas as they move downward from the hopper into the receivers as the latter pass successively under the hopper. Means are also provided for preventing the peas from falling directly from the hopper through thereeeivers into the cans. Supported on the bracket 18 is a cut off plate 71. this plate passing between the lower edge of the pea-measuring receiver and the upper edge of the funnel 49 as the receivers are successively brought over the plate 71, which forms a temporary bottom for the receivers. As the cans and receivers pass on the peas are swept ofi this plate into the cans. This plate 71 is not secured directly to the bracket 18, but is provided with an adjustable support 7 2 to which it is secured and which may be raised or lowered with respect to the stem 25 to suit the vertical position to which the lower deck of the pea-receiving element is adjusted. Any suitable means may be provided for holding this adjustable support in adjusted position, such as a screw 72*. The cam 69, for the same reason, is arranged so that it may be vertically adjusted along the shaft 11. f

To guard against the crushing of the peas as the receiver passes out from under the mouth of the hopper. this mouth is extended around in the direction of travel of the receiver, as plainly seen in Fig. 3. This elongated mouth or outlet, indicated at 73, insures that a thin layer of peas will be left on the upper side of the plate 50. which layer of peas is dropped into the receiver after the latter has passed out from-under the mouth of the hopper 24 and just after it has passed the plate 71. Means are provided for governing the amount of brinewhich each cap will receive. Extending through the upper wall 74 of each brinecup is a tube 75, open at its lower end and having a restricted passage therethrough. These tubes provide vents for the air which must escape as the brine flows into the cups. The height to which the brine will rise in the cups depends upon the height of the lower end of the tube, as the liquid cannot enter that part of the cup which is in the tank. This amount is small and may be disregarded or, if desired, the passage of liquid into the tube may be prevented by the provision .of a float-valve 76 in each of the tubes 75. Means are provided whereby the tubes 7 5 may all be raised or lowered at the same time, so as to adjust the capacity of all of the brine-cups simultaneously. A spider or frame 77 is secured to the upper ends of some or all of the brine-cups 52 and has a central socket 7 8 into which fits the lower end of an adjusting screw 79. This adjusting screw carries at its upper end a hand-wheel 80, by which it may be turned to raise or lower another spider 81, to the arms 82 of which are secured the upper ends of all of of the tubes 7 5.

During the operation of this machine, each can will receive its charge of peas or other granular material from the receivers and will thereafter receive its charge of brine, after which the can is moved off the table onto the revolving can-carrying disk 35. Assuming that a quantity of the peas be placed in the hopper 24 and that the machine be started, the receivers, as they pass in succession under the hopper and in register with the mouth thereof, will be filled with peas. At this time the lower end of the receiver is closed by the plate 71. but shortly thereafter the receiver passes off the plate and discharges its contents into the can. As the cans move on, they engage in succession the can-engaging finger 64 and thereby throw the dog 65 inward into the path of the levers 61. This, as hereinabove explained, causes the discharge-port of the valve of the correspond ing brine-measuring cup to be opened and permits the brine to pass through the receiver into the can below.

While I have shown a machine embodying my invention, 1 do not wish to be limited to the exact disclosure made herein, as I am aware that variations and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In this specification I have employed the terms peas and brine for the materials which are placed in the cans, but I wish it to be understood that these terms are used as a matter of convenience only, and that the machine is well adapted to be used in the filling of cans with other mixtures-in which granular material is combined with a liquid. Claims generic to this application are placed in mvcopending application Serial Number 241,921, filed June 26, 1918, can-filling machine.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine for filling cans, the combination of a rotatably-mounted can-conveyor; a pea-measuring element comprising receivers arranged to revolve with said canconveyor; means for filling the receivers while they are moving; and a brine-measurconducting the brine from the chambers to v the receivers arranged to turn with said canconveying element and to discharge into the cans through the. receivers while the parts are moving.

2. In a machine for filling cans, the combination of a rotary can-carrier; a rotary element comprising a series of measuring receivers; a rotary element comprising a series of individual brine-measuring cups; means for filling said receivers while the latter are moving; each cup being provided with a passage permanent with respect to said cup and the corresponding receiver for conducting the brine from said cup to said receiver; means for establishing and interrupting communication between said brine-measuring cups and said receivers while the parts are moving; and means for adjusting the capacity of each brine-measuring cup while the parts are moving.

3. In a machine for filling cans, the combination of a rotary can-conveying element; a rotary measuring element comprising a sev ries of receivers; a rotary measuring element comprising a series of liquid-cups; a duct for conducting the brine from each of said cups to one of said receivers said duct being permanent with respect to said cup and receiver; a valve controlling said duct and means for opening and closing said valve while the parts are moving.

4. In a machine for filling cans, the combination of a rotary can-conveyor; a rotary measuring element comprising a series of receivers; a brining element comprising a rotary tank and a series of rotary brine-measuring cups, each of said cups having a passage for conducting brine therefrom to one of said receivers; said passage being permanent with respect to said cup and receiver; an oscillating valve for each of said cups arranged to establish or interrupt communication between the cup and the tank, and canoperaterl means for establishing communication between one of said cups and a can through the corresponding receiver.

5. A machine comprising a series of measuring pockets for granular material revoluble about a common axis, and a series of liquid measuring pockets also revoluble about a common axis, a series of channels for conducting liquid from said'liquid-measuring pockets to said granular material measuring pockets, said channels being permanent'with respect to both series of pockets and valve means for controlling said channels.

'6. A machine comprising a series of pockets for measuring granular material, movable in a horizontal plane, a series of pockets channels for conducting liquid from said liquid-measuring pockets to said granular material measuring pockets, said channels being permanent with respect to both series of pockets and cam-controlled valve means for controlling said channels.

8. A pea filler comprising a circular series of telescoping pockets for measuring peas rotatable about an upwardly extending axis, a circular series of pockets for measuring brine rotatable about the same axis as said pea measuring pockets, means whereby the capacity of one of said series of measuring pockets may be adjusted collectively, a discharge outlet under each pea measuring pocket, each of said brine measuring pockets being in communication with one of said discharge outlets, a common brine reservoir for all of said brine measuring pockets, a valve for each brine measuring pocket, oscillatable about an upwardly extending axis, said valve being provided with means for controlling the flow from the reservoir to the brine measuring chamber, and from the brine measuring chamber to the 1 dis charge outlet, a vertical shaft on which said valve is mounted, an arm secured to said vertical "shaft, a fixed cam against which said arm moves to open the brine pocket to the reservoir and close it to the discharge outlet, and a can-controlled stop for controlling the movement of said arm to close the brine pocket to the reservoir and open it to the discharge outlet.

9. A pea filler comprising a circular series of pockets for measuring peas, rotatable about an upwardl extending axis, a circular series of poo ets for measuring brine, rotatable about the same axis as said pea measuring pockets, means whereby the capacity of said brine measuring pockets may be adjusted collectively, a discharge outlet under each pea measuring pocket, each of said brine measuringpockets being in communication with one of said discharge outlets, a common brine reservoir for all of I said brine measuring pockets, a valve for each brine measuring pocket, oscillatable about an upwardly extending axis, said valve being provided with means for controlling'the flow from the reservoir to the brine measuring chamber and from the brine measuring chamber to the discharge outlet, a vertical shaft on which said valve is mounted, an arm secured to said vertical shaft, a fixed cam against which said arm moves, to open the brine pocket to the reservoir and close it to the discharge outlet, and a can-controlled stop for controlling the movement of said arm to close the brine pocket to the reservoir and Open it to the discharge outlet.

10. A pea filler comprising a circular series of pockets for measuring peas, rotatable about an upwardly extending axis, a rotatable circular series of pockets for measuringbrine, means whereby the capacity of the brine measuring pockets may be adjusted collectively, a discharge outlet under each pea measuring pocket, each of said brine measuring pockets being in communication with one of said discharge outlets, a common brine reservoir for all of said brine measuring pockets, a valve for each brine measuring pocket, oscillatable about an upwardly extending axis, said valve being provided with means for controlling the flow from the reservoir to the f brine measuring chamber and from the brine measuring chamber to the discharge outlet, a vertical shaft on which said valve is mounted, an arm secured to said vertical shaft, a fixed cam against which said arm moves, to open the brine pocket to the reservoir and close it to the discharge outlet, and a can-controlled stop for controlling the movement of said armto close the brine pocket to the reservoir and open it to the each pea measuring pocket, each of said brine measuring pockets being in communication with one of said discharge outlets, a common brine reservoir for all of said brine measuring pockets, a valve for each brine measuring pocket, oscillatable about an upwardly extending axis, said valve being provided with means for controlling the flow from the reservoir to the brine measuring chamber and from the brine measuring chamber to the discharge outlet, a vertical shaft on which said valve is mounted, an arm secured to said vertical shaft, a fixed cam against which said arm moves, to open the brine pocket to the reservoir and close it to the discharge outlet, and a can-controlled stop for controlling the movement of said arm to close the brine pocket to the reservoir and open it to the discharge outlet.

12. A pea filler comprising a circular series of pockets for measuring peas, rotatable about an upwardly extending axis, a rotatable circular series c of pockets for measuring brine, a discharge outlet under each pea measuring pocket, each of said brine measuring pockets being in communication with one of said discharge outlets, a valve for each brine measuring pocket oscillatable about an upwardly extending axis, said valve being provided with means for controlling the flow from the reservoir to the brine measuring chamber and from the brine measuring chamber to the discharge outlet, a vertical shaft on which said valve is mounted, an arm secured to said vertical shaft, a fixed cam against which said arm moves, to open the brine pocket to the reservoir and close it to the discharge outlet, and a can-controlled stop for controlling the movement of said arm to close the brine pocket to the reservoir and open it to the discharge outlet. 1

' 13. A pea filler comprising a circular series of pockets for measuring peas, rotatable about an upwardly extending axis, a rotatable circular series of pockets for measuring brine, a discharge outlet under each pea measuring pocket, each of said brine measuring pockets being in communication with one of said discharge outlets by passages permanent with respect to said pockets and outlets, a valve for each brine measuring pocket, oscillatable about an upwardly extending .axis, said valve being provided with means for controlling the flow from the reservoir to the brine measuring chamber, and from the brine measuring chamber to the discharge outlet.

14. A pea filler comprising a circular series of pea receivers, rotatable about an upwardly extending axis, a circular series of brine receivers, one for each pea receiver, rotatable about the same axis as said pea receivers, each pair of pea and brine receivers having an outlet, means for moving a series of cans in a circular path underneath said outlet, each brine receiver being provided with a passage connecting it with one of the pea receivers, said passage being permanent with respect to said brine receiver and pea receiver and a valve for controlling the flow through said passage.

15. A machine for filling cans comprising means formoving the cans horizontally about a vertical axis, horizontally moving receivers arranged to measure granular material for the cans as they move about said axis, a stationary holder for supplying material to said receivers as they move, horizontally moving receivers arranged to discharge another material into the cans as they move about said axis, means for supplying cans in position to receive said material, each of said second set of receivers being provided with a passage connecting it with one of the receivers of the first set said passage being permanent with respect to the receivers of both sets.

16. A pea filler comprising a circular series of pea receivers, rotatable about an upwardly extending axis, a circular series of brine receivers, one for each pea receiver, rotatable about the same axis as said pea receivers, each pair of pea and brine receivers having a common outlet, means for moving a series of cans in a circular path under-- neath said outlets, each brine receiver being provided with a passage connecting it with one of the pea receivers said passages being permanent with respect to the pea receivers and the brine receivers.

17 In a machine for filling cans, the combination of a circular series of movable pockets for receiving brine, a circular series of movable pockets for receiving peas, a duct for conducting brine from each of said liquid pockets to one of said pea receiving pockets, said duct being permanent with respect to both said series of pockets, a valve controlling said duct, and means for opening and closing said valve while the parts are moving.

18. A pea filler comprising a circular series of pockets for measuring peas, rotatable about an upwardly extending axis, means for moving a series of cans along with and underneath said pea measuring pockets, each of said pea measuring pockets being provided with a discharge outlet for delivering the peas into the cans, a series of brine passages, one for each pea measuring,

pocket, located laterally with respect to said pockets and fixed with respect thereto, and a series of brine measuring pockets for delivering brine to said laterally located passages.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

AUGUST HoLMou s'r, sR.