US1543437A - Bag-filling machine - Google Patents

Description

C. H. HOWARD June 23, 1925.

BAG FILLING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. .26, 1918 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 Num unm mud n June 23, 1 925.

C. H. HOWARD BAG FILLING MACHINE inal Filed Oct. 26, 1918 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 23,- 1925 C. H. HOWARD BAG FILLING MACHINE 1o Sheets-Sheet s Uri-{ inal Filed Oct. 26

1 I 12 Ven/or 105 04% NOW? F lad W June 23,- 1925. V

C. H. HOWARD BAG FILLING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 26, 1918 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 w Wm 7 4 4 a 3 5 u 6 8.\ 1 g//// ////A// ///////A 3 E E w U Q A 5 1 e a w 7 mm s y m a w we 2% a 1 a F m 3 3 2 I 3 F 8 7 Q a e s I f //A////////// June 23, 1925.

C. H. HOWARD BAG FILLING MACHINE Original Filed Oct. 26, 1918 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 mmm Ammm wvm. hm m WON v a n v rd I mQ mom vmn M June 23, 1925.

C. H. HOWARD BAG FILLING MACHINE Originai Filed Oct. 26, 1918 10 Sheets-Sheet l0 Fwy M 2 E/ /////Z 2 7 I a 7 Patented June 23, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. HOWARD, OF SAUGUS, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO PAIPER PRODUCTS MACHINE COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSA- cnoss'r'rs.

BAG-FILLING MACHINE Original application tiled October 26, 1 918, Serial No. 259,852. Divided and this application filed December 3, 1920.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Cuannns H. Howano, a citizen of the United States, residing at Saugus, in the county of Essex and-State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Bag-Filling Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

The invention to be hereinafter described relates to machines for filling bags and other containers, and is a division from my copending application Serial No. 259,882, filed -October 26, 1918. i

In carrying the invention into practical effect, in the present instance, the paper bags are conducted by a conveyor to a filling station where a charge of material, such, for example, as cement, is fed into a weighing receptacle, and after a predetermined weight has entered said receptacle, the supply of material is automatically cut oil". In

the courseof the weighing of the material in the receptacle, the latter is automatically moved down into the bag or container toward the bottom thereof, and when nearly to the bottom, the lower end of the recep-' tacle is opened to discharge the material into the bag. Then the weighing receptacle is elevated out of the bag. The construction and operation are such that the charge of material is introduced into the bagwith a minimum amount of dust, thereby effecting an accurate delivery of. the weighing charge with economy of material and with comfort to the operator of the machine.

After the ba has received a predeter-- mined charge of material, it is conveyed by the bag carrier to a second station where a cap of paper or other suitable material may be introduced into the bag and superposed on the charge of material therein. The upper portions of the bag are folded over onto an adhesive coating on the cap, and into adhesive engagement. therewith. Then the bag is conveyed by the carrier to a third station. Then portions of the bag are folded ovcr into adhesive engagement with an adhesive coating on the cap. Then the bag is conveyed by the carrier to a third station Serial No. 427,986.

the portions of the bag which have been folded over at the previous station. Thereupon, other portions of the bag are folded down onto the waterproof adhesive and secured thereto. After the bag has been closed and sealed, it is advanced by the carrier to a third station and is discharged from the carrier.

Since the mechanism for applying the caps and closing the upper end of' the bag is shown, described and claimed in said 00- pending application, itis unnecessary to show and describe this-mechanism in detail herein.

The character of the invention will be best Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the hopper;

Fig. 5 is an end elevation'of the machine looking toward the right of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an end elevation looking toward the left of Fig. l, a portion of the hopper being broken away to disclose feed screws therein:

Fig. 7 on an enlarged scale is a vertical section through the bag conveyor;

Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 7, certain parts being shown in section:

Fig. 9 on an enlarged scale is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section of the feeding tubes, the conveyors therein, the weighing receptacle, and the counterbalancing weights for the receptacle;

Fig. 10 on 'an enlarged scale is a horizontal section taken on line 1010 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section of the feeding tubes and weighing receptacle showing the valves or gates for controlling the discharge therefrom;

Fig. 12 on an enlarged scale is an elevation showing portions of the hopper, one of the feed tubes, the clutch and gear box, the electrically controlled toggle box and where a waterproofadhesive'is applied'to a system afglipks and levers co-operating therewith for controlling various devices of the machine;

Fig. 13 on an enlarged scale is afhgrizontal 4 section taken on line 13-13 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 14: on an enlarged scale is a. horizontal section taken on line l t-14 of Fig. 1;

Fig. -011 a'n enlargedscale is a vertical section taken through the toggle box;-

Fig. 16 is a vertical section taken online 1616 of Fig. 15:

Fig. 17 is avertical section taken on line 17-17 of Fig. 3

.in the clutch and gear box;

- Fig. 19 is a vertical section taken on line l.)19 of Fig. 17;

Fig. 20 is a vertical scction'taken on line F 20-20 of Fig. 17-

Fig. 21 is a plan oi the bag holder showing its cover closed;

Fig. is a view. partly in elevation of the cover open;

Fig. 23 1s a view partly in section and partly in elevation of a stop device for the bag carrier; I

Fig. S4 is a sectional detail of the stop device shown in Fig. 23;

Referring to the drawings,- the machine shown therein as one good form of the invention may he provided with any-suitable frame for supporting the various instrumentalities of the machine. In the present instance of the invention, this frame comprises bases 1. (Figs. 1 and 3) supporting elongated front and rear frames 3 for sup porting the hag carrier. Rising from isaid side frames is a tower 5 for supporting the mechanism at the hag filling station. and also rising from said side frames are posts 7 supporting an upper carrying parts of the mechanism at the station for applying the caps to the bags and atthe station for folding over and sealingthe upper portions of the bag.

Any suitable mechanism may be provided for receiving the bags and conveying the same to the successive stations. For this purpose; in the present'instance of the invention, a. carrier is provided comprising sprocket. chains 11 (Figs. 7 and '8) on sprocket. wheels 13 mounted on shafts 15 journalled in hearings in the front and rear frames 3, referred to. These sprocket chains comprise links 1!) connected. by shafts 17 provided with flanged rollers 1.9 guided by tracks 21 carried by the front and rear frames 3, and serving ell'ecti'r'ely to guide the sprocket chains in anclliptic-like orbit.

partly in section and the bag holder showing and secured showing clutches and gears secured to and will he closed in traversing t e -aontal run of the-sprocket chains,

horizontal frame 9 mesa? The sprocket chain's mey be equipped with suitable means for properly receiving, holding and discharging the bags. Thi means, in the present instance, comprises a series of holders 23 (Figs. 7 and 8) mo'untcrlon to certain links of the sprocket chains at suitable intervals. Each .of these holders may have'a' bottom 25' which may conveniently be the link carrying the holder, and end walls 27 To facilitate rec'eption and discharge of the bag, the opposite side wall 31 may be movablymounted with respect to the holder. In the present'form of the invention, this movable side is provided with arms 3 con; nected to a 35 adapted to rock on one of the shafts 17 connecting the links of the sprocket chains. To automatically open and close the side 31 at the times required,-

the boss 35 may have an arm- 37 fast thereon projecting inward from the sprocket chain, and provided with rollers 39 adapted to' travel'in opposed cam guides 41 carried by a web 43 secured to membeis 45 receiving the sprocket wheel shafts 15, and secured to X-shapcd frames '47 (Fig. 8) serving to'brace the front and. rear frames 3 of the machine.

The shape'of the cam guides 41 is such that the sides 31 of the bag holders will be open when at the receiving end of the machine, as shown iilt the ri ht of Fig. 1,

upper horiwill be automatically opened when at the delivery end of the machine, as shown at the left of Fig. 1, and will be closed when traversing the lowenhorizontal run of the sprocket chains.

conveyed frgm the folding station to the.

discharge on of the machine, each holder may he provided with a cover comprising sections 49 (Figs. 21 and 22) having their outer edges provided with bosses 51 fulcrumed on shafts 53 secured to hoss brackets 55 at the upper ends of the sides 29 and 31 of the holder. To normally hold the. cover sections in open positions, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 81, coil springs provided encircling the shafts 53. and having ends secured to spurs 59 on the bosses. 51, and portions intermediate ,said ends secured to certain of the bosses 5:1. The construction is such that the springs will tend to open the cover sections, but. will allow closing thereof at the times required.

To secure the cover sections in closed position during their transit from the folding station to the discharge end of the machine they may means, in the present instance, consisting of spring-pressed latches 61 on one of-the connected by a side wall 29.

referred to,

57 may be Hill sections adapted to enter'slots 63 in cars 64 on the other section. The construction is such that when the bag holder reaches the discharge end of the machine, the hinged side 31 thereof will swing outwardly and,

withdraw the latches from the slots and allow the springs toopen the cover sections.

The bags may be introduced in the bag holders of the bagcarrier'manually or automatically as desired, so that as each holder passes'from the receiving end of the machine, it will convey a bag to the filling station. Suit-able detector means may be prpvided to automatically arrest the machine. m case for any reason a bag should fail to be introduced into one of the bag holders. This detector means, in the present instance of the invention, comprises a. detector finger 65 '(Figs. 23 and 24) pivotally inounted on the wall 27' of each bag holder, and adapted to project through a. slot 67 into the holden" This finger carries a bridge contact 69 at one end thereof adapted to engage a pair of fixed contacts 71 carried by a bracket 73 (Fig. 1) mounted on one of the frames 3 adjacent the receiving;- end of the machine. These contacts may be connected by wires 75 with an lectrical cut out in the driving mechanism for the machine, but since this electrical cut out is of usual construction, it is deemed unnecessary to thow the same herein. The construction, is such that when a bag is in the holder, the bridge contact 69 is'retracted so that it will not engage thefixed contacts 71 as the bag holder passes the bracket 73. If, however, there is no' bag in the holder the detector finger 65 will gravitate to a position such that the bridge contact 69 will engage the fixed contacts 71 and complete the circuit to the electrical cutout. thereby opening the same and arresting the machine.

Having described the bag holders and the carrier therefor, next will be described the means for filling the bags. This means, in the present instance,.comprises a. hopper.77 (Figs. 14) mounted on the top of the tower 5, referred to. and provided with a tapered bottom 79. Suitable means may be. provided for feeding the material from the hopper. To accomplish this. in the present instance. a pair of tubes 81 (Figs. 9 and 11) are provided depending from and communicating with the hopper and in closely assembled relation. It is desirable that the materials shall be positively fed from the hopper downward through these tubes. For this purpose. the tubes are provided with a pair of feed screws 83 on shafts having lowerends jourualled in bearings 85 suitably supported adjacent the lower ends of said tubes. and j urnalled in hearings in a member 87 (Fig. 6) carried by a horizontal support. 89 at the top of the hopper.

To rotate said feed screws, their upper ends may have beveled gears 91 fast thereon meshing with beveled gears 93 on ahorizontal shaft 95 journalledin bearings at the top of said hopper. One end of said horizontal shaft has a bevel gear 97 fast thereon meshing with a bevel gear 99 fast on the upper end .of a vertical shaft 101 projecting downavard along the hopper through a bearing 103 in a bracket secured to the tower 5, and thence along the tower into the clutch and gear box 105 carried by a frame 107 on brackets 109 (Figs. 3 and 6) secured to one of the frames 3. referred to. On the lower end of the vertical shaft- 101 in the clutch and gear box is a bevel gear 111 (Fig. 19)

meshing with a bevel gear 113 fast on a sleeve shaft 115 journalled in a bearing 1.17 in saidbox. The main driving shaft 119 fof the machine projects through the sleeve shaft 115 and through a bearing 121 outsvard beyond said box, where itmceives a pulley 123 adapted to be driven by a belt from an electric motor or other suitable source of power;

To drive the feed screws'at the times required, a. clutch member 125 (Fig. 19) is mounted'onv the main driving shaft 119 and is adapted to rotate therewith. but slide' longitudinally thereof. The clutch member has teeth 127 for engagement with opposed teeth 129 on one end of the sleeve shaft 115. To shift the clutch. a yoke 131 is connected to the clutch member 125. and has arms 133 adapted to receive a rod 135 slidably mounted in upper extensions of the bearings 11? and 121. A block 137 (Fig. 17) fast on the rod 135. has studs 139 projecting therefrom received by forks .141 fast on a rock shaft 143 mounted in a hearing at the top of the box 105. A toothed sector 145 fast on the shaft 143 meshes with a toothed sector 147 fast on a shaft 149 mounted in bearings at the top of the box 105. One end of the shaft 1-19 projects beyond said box aud re.- ceives a crank 151 (Figs. 12 and 17) adapted to be operated. as more fully hereinafter described,

Suitable means may be provided to receive the materialf-fed ositively by the feed screws fromthe. tu es 81, and to deliver a redetermined charge from the feed 'tube into the bag to be filled at the station beneath the feed tubes. This means, in the present instance of the invention. comprises a weighing receptacle 153 (Figs. 9 and 11) conveniently of general elliptic form sufficiently large to receive the feed tubes with a substantial space between said receptacle and tubes. The lower end of the weighing receptacle may be provided with valve,

receptacle.

tacle, and preferably converging downward and having their lower edges meeting when closed, as shown in Fig. 11. Suitable means may he provided for opening and closing these gates at the times required. This means, in the present instance, comprises fingers 157 at the lower ends of rods.159 projecting upward through spaces between the feed tubes and the receptacle, and adapted to rock in bearings 161 secured to the lower end of the receptacle and in bearings 163 secured to the upper end of the These rods maybe rocked to turn the fingers inward to close the gates 155, and may be rocked outward to allow the gates to swing open from the weight of the material thereon; It is desirable that the gates should be, closed when the receptacle approaches its upward limit of mo 'ement, and should be opened as thereceptacle approaches the bottom of'the bag. To'accomplish. this, in the present form of the invention, the rods 159 are provided at their upper ends with arms 165fcarrying rollers 167 adapted to engage upper cams 169 mounted on cross bars 171; (Fig. 12) carried by the tower, and adapted to en-- gage lower cams 173(Figs. 1, 12 and 13) mounted on cross bars 17.) carried by the tower. The construct-ion is such that as the receptacle approaches its upper limit of movement, the arm rollers 167 will wipe along the cams 169 and close the gates "155, and when the receptacle approaches its lower limit of movement, the arm rollers will wipe along the cam 173 and allow opening of said gates.

Suitable means may beprovided to counterbalance the weight of the receptacle. To accomplish this, in the present instance. the

. receptacle is provided with lugs 177 (Fig.

- 201 on cross 9) adjacent the upper end thereof, and connected to links of sprocket chains 179. These chains pass around upper sprocket wheels 181 on shafts 183 mounted in brackets 185 projecting laterally from a neck 187. adjacent the juncture of the hopper with the feed tubes. The sprocket chains also pass around lower sprocket wheels 189 on shafts 191 mounted in brackets 193 and 195 respectively carried by the frame of the machine.

Secured to the sprocket chains are tare weights 197 in tubes 199 carried by sleeves bars 203 (Fig. 13) on the tower. These tare weights will serve to counterbalance the weighing receptacle when empty. As the material is fed into the receptacle, the latter will lower and cause the tare weights to move upward in their tubes.

Suitable means may be provided for accuratelyweighing the charge fed into the receptacle and insuring the delivery from the receptacle into the bags of charges of equal predetermined weights. This means, in the present instance of the invention, comprises series of weights 205, 207, 209 and 211 which may be. progressively brought into play to gradually 'check the lowering movementoflhe weighing receptacle until the final weights 211 come into play. Then the feed of material to the receptacle is auto-.

the lowest weights 205 from their seats and then as the tare weights continue to move upward, the weights 205 will lift the weights 207 from their seats, and the weights 207' will lift the weights 209 fromtheir seats, and finally the weights 209 will "lift the weights 211 from their seats. On the oc'- currence of this event. further feed of material into the weighing receptacle is arrested.

Next -\vill be described. the means for automatically cutting off the feed of material from the feed tubes to the weighing receptacle when the upper weights 211 are lifted from their seats. This means. in the present instance, comprises a dog 215 (Figs. 1, 9 and 10) pirotally mounted in a box 217 secured to one of the weightsupporting and guiding tubes 199. This dog is adapted to project through an opening in said tube and engage the bottom of one of the upper weights 211 when the latter is resting on its seat, said dog being held against said weight by a coil spring 218 having one end attached to the dog and the other end attached to the box 217. Theupper end of this dog carries tors 225 with the coils of'a magnet 227 (Fig.

15), a battery 229 or other suitable source of electricity being connected into one of said conductors. The magnet 227 may be mounted in a box 231 secured to the toggle box 233 (Figs. 1' and 15) mounted on one of the frames 3. referred to. Co-operating with the magnet 227 is an armature 235 connected to a pin 237 proje ting into the toggle box 233.

The feed tubes may be provided with suitable valve means which may be automatically closed by an instrumentality to be described which is set in operation on energization of the magnet and thrusting of the armature pin 237 in to the toggle box. This valve means, in the present instance, comprises a pair of gates 239 (Figs. 9 and 11) common to the two feed tubes 81 and hinged thereto at the lower ends thereof. These gates are adapted to converge downward and have their free'edges meet when in closed position. and are swung outward to permit feed of material from the feed tubes to the weighing receptacle. To operate these gates, they may have arms 241 at opposed ends thereof connected by links 243 with heads 245 on the lower ends of rods 247 projecting vertically upward in spaces between the feed tubes and weighing receptacle, as will be noted in Fig. 9. The upper ends of said rods carry rollers 249 entered into elongated openings in rock levers 251 (Figs. 1, 3 and 12) fast on a shaft 252 on brackets 253 secured to and depending from the neck 187, referred to. An arm 254 fast on shaft 252 is-connected by a rod 255 with one end of a rock lever 257 fast on a rock shaft 259 journalled in bearings mounted on the tower, an arm 260 fast on the rock shaft 259 bein connected by a rod 261 with the upper end of a plunger 263 which projects through boss bearings 265 and 267 on the toggle box 233. The plunger is normally urged upward by a coil spring 269 confined between the upper end of the boss bearing 265 and a collar 271 secured to the plunger.

Suitable means may be provided for energizing said spring-pressed plunger and releasing the same. To accomplish this, in the present instance, a toggle may be provided comprising pails of links 273 and 275, the former having their outer ends pivotally connected to the boss bearing 265, and the latter having their outer ends pivotally connected to a block 277 fast on the plunger. The inner ends of the toggle links 273 and 275 may be connected by a pin 279. When this toggle is straightened, it will draw the plunger down and compress the spring 269,

and when buckled, it will allow the spring to shift the plunger upward. To lock the toggle in its straightened position, a link 281 may have one end connected thereto and its opposite end connected to an arm 283 secured to a shaft 285 mounted in a boss bearing 287 at the top. of the toggle x. The arm 283 has a toe 289 at the lower nd thereof adapted to be engaged by a bell-crank latch 291 pivotally mounted in the toggle box and normally held against said toe by a coil spring 293. Said latch has an arm 295 which projects upward in the path of the armature pin 237, referred to. The coil spring 297 having one end connected to the arm 283 and its opposite-end connected to the boss hearing 265, tends to rock the arm 283 to the 2ft of Fig. 15 andbuckle the toggle links from their position shown in full lines to their position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 15.

The construction described is such that when the weighing receptacle moves downward sutliciently far to lift the upper weights 211 from their seats, the spring 218 will rock the dog 215 to the left (Figs. 9 and 10) and cause the bridge contact219 toengage the spring contacts 221. This will complete the circuit to the electric magnet- 227, and the latter will attract the armature 235, ush the pin 237 to the left of Fig. 15, an release the latch 291 from the toe 289 of the arm 283. This will allow the spring 297 to rock the arm 283 and link 281 to the left of Fig. 15 and buckle the toggle. This will release the spring 269 which will shift the plunger 263 upward and through the rod 261, rock levers 260 and 257, rod 255, rock levers 254 and 251 and rods 247, will close the feed tube gates 239, thereby interrupting the feed of material from said tubes to the weighing receptacle. 4

The shifting of the spring-pressed plunger. as described may also be utilized toshift the clutch member 125, referred to, for interrupting the rotation of the feed screws in the fed tubes simultaneously with the closin' of the gates for the latter. To aocompli this. the rock shaft 259, referred to, may have an arm 298 fast thereon connected by a rod 299 with the crank 151 on the shaft 149 in the clutch and gear box 105. The upward movement of the spring-pressed plunger 263 will operate throu h the rod 261, rock lever 298, rod 299, cran 151, shaft 149, toothed sectors 147 and 145 and am 141 to shift the block 137 to the left of Fig. 19. This will energize a coil spring 301 confined between said block and one of the arms 133 of the yoke 131, referred to, until a cam incline 303 of said block engages and trips a trigger 305 having a shoulder engaging the arm 133. This will allow the coil spring 301 to shift the yoke sharply to the left of- Fig. 19 and disconnect the teeth 127 of the clutch member from the teeth 129 of the sleeve shaft 115 in the transmission to the feed screws, thereby automatically arresting the latter.

Having described the means for automatically closing the feed tube gates and arresting the feed screws after a charge of predetermined weight has entered the weighing receptacle, next will be described suitable means co-operatiug with the roller arms 165 and rods 159, referred to, for rocking the same to allow opening of the gates 155 of the weighing receptacle from the weight of the material thereon. When the weighing receptacle has come to rest after a predetermined eharge has enteied therein, it is in a position such that the roller arms 165 are somewhat above the lower fixed cams 173, referred to.

Next will be described means for automatically moving the weighing receptacle downward so that the rollers of the arms 165 may wipe along the lower fixed cams 173 and rock the rods 159 and arms 157 to effect the opening of the weighing receptacle boss 313 on the clutch andgear box 105.

- on a sleeve shaft 331 journalled in the bear-- A bevel gear 315 fast on the shaft. 311 meshes with a bevel'pinion 317 and a bevel pinion 319 (Fig. 20) loose on asha-ft- 321 parallel to the shaft 119, referred to, and journalled in bearings 323 and 325 in the clutch and gear box To drive the shaft 321, a r- 327 is mounted fast thereon and mes es with a gear 329, as will be noted in Fig. 17, fast ing 121 referred to, and receiving the main driving shaft 119. I To connect the sleeve 331 with'the main driving shaft 119 at the times required the clutch member 125, referred to, may ave teeth 333 thereon adapted toenga construction is such that vhen the clutch member 125 is given its shifting movement to interrupt the rotation of the feed screws, it causes the teeth 333 to engage the teeth 335, and thus the rs 329 and 327 and the shaft 321 is rotate but since the pinions 317 and 319 are loose on the shaft 321, neither of them will be rotated until connected therewith. To .accom lish this the clutch'memher 337 (Fig. 20 may be provided on the shaft 321 and rotate therewith, but be susceptible of a slight sliding movement longi tudinally thereof. This clutch member has teeth 339 adapted to engage teeth 341 on the bevel pinion 317. I

The clutch member is shifted to connect the bevel pinion 317 with the shaft 321 at the time the clutch member 125 is shifted to connect the main driving shaft with the sleeve shaft 331. As a consequence, on such shifting of the clutch member 125, the bevel pinion 317 will'be rotated, and the latter will rotate the bevel gear' 315, the shaft 311, the spiral geais 307 and 309, and thus impart rotation to one of the lower sprocket wheels 189, thereby causing one of the sprocket chains 179 to travel and move the weighing receptacle downward. To insure equal movements of both'of the sprocket chains 179, the shafts 183 for the upper sprocketwhecls 189 may be'connectcd. by suitable transmission means, in the present instance, compr sing bevel gears 343 (Figs, 1 and 14) fast on the shafts 183 meshing with bevel gears 345 fast on the cross shaft 347 journallcd in bearings 319carried by the neck 187 at the juncture of the hopper with the feed tubes.

The downward movement thus imparted to the weighing receptacle will cause the rollers 167 on the arms 165 to rock the rods 159 and arms 157 and allow opening of the aring in a teeth. 335 on'one end of said sleeve sha The elevate said receptacle.

gates 155, thereb v allowing the charge of material in the weighing receptacle to pass intothebag. \Vhen the weighing receptacle is in its-lowest position, the gates 155 are closely adjacent to the bottom of the bag.

This means, in't-he present instance, cornpriscs clutch teeth 351 (Fig. 20) on the clutch member 337 referred to, adapted to engage clutch teeth. 353 .on the bevel pinion 319. When the clutch member. is shifted to the right of Fig. 20, it will disconnect the bevel pinion 317 from the shaft 321 and connect the bevel pinion 319 with said shaft, and thereby cause the bevel gear 315, shaft 311 and spiral gears 307 and 309 to rotate in adirection to elevate the weighing receptacle.

Suitable means may be provided for automatically shifting the clutch member 337 to To m-complish this, in the present instance, the. weighing receptacle is provided with a tappet 355 (Fig. 9) adjacent the upper end thereof and conveniently forming aicontinuation of one of the lugs 1'77. -This tappct when travelling downward is adapted to engage a rock lever 357 (F i s.- 1, 3 and 12) fast on a shaft 358. carried by a bracket 359 sccuredto one of the cross bars 175, referred to, on the tower. A rock lever 390 fast on the shaft 358 is connected by a rod 361 with a crank 363.011 an end of the shaft 36% projecting outward from the clutch and gear box 105.

"lhe-shaft-364 has a pair of arms 335 Figs.

17 and 2(l) tliercon having forked ends rccciviug rollers 3137 on pins on a block 369 fast on a rod 371 adapted to slide longitudinally in upper extensions of the bearings 323 and .325, referred to. The cluich member 337 is connected to a yoke 373 having arms 375 receiving the rod 371. A coil spring 377 is confined between the block 399 and one of the arms 375, and a coil spring 379 is confined between said blot-l: and the other arm 375.

The construction is such that as the weigh-- ing receptacle is moved downward h the mechanism described, the tappct 355 will engage the rock lever 357. and the latter operating through the shaft 358, arm 390, rod 361, crank 363, and fork arms 365, will shift the block 369 to the right of Fig. 20, thereby compressing the spring 377. Continued movement of said block in this direction will cause a cam incline 381 on said block to engage a trigger having a shoulder engaging one. of the arms 375, and

of the weighing receptacle, so that the latter ferred to.

will be in readiness to receive the next chargeof material to be fed thereto.

Next will be described suitable means for automatically arresting the upward feed of the weighing receptacle. This means, in the present instance, comprises a rock lever 385 (Fig. 12)-fast on a shaft 386 journalled in brackets 387 carried by one of the cross-bars 171 on the tower, said shaft having an arm 388 thereon connected by a rod 389 with an arm 390 fast on the rock shaft 358, re-

- the weighing receptacle approaches its upward limit of movement,-the'tappet 355 will engage the rock lever 385, and the latter through the shaft 386, arm 388,- rod 389, arms 390. shaft 358, lever 357' and rod 361,

will rock the crank 363, shaft 364 and forked arm 365 in a direction to shift the block 369 to the left of Fig. 20 sulliciently to disconnect the bevel pinion. 319 from the shaft 321, but not connect the bevel pinion 317 with said shaft.

As stated the bevel pinion 317 is connected to the shaft 321 by shifting the clutch memher 337 to the left at the same time the clutch member 125 is shifted to the left.

To accomplish this the trigger 305 (Fig. 19) and the corresponding trigger 373 (Fig. 20) may be fast ona cross rock shaft 394 (Fig. 17). The construction is such that the spring 37 9 is energized when the clutch member 337 is shifted to arrest the up movementof the weighing receptacle, but does not become effective to shift the clutch member 337 to connect the bevel gear 317 with the shaft 321 until the trigger 393 is tripped with the trigger 305.

Having described the feed of a predetermined charge of material from the feed tubes into the weighing receptacle, and the discharge of the same into a bag at the filling station, next will be described means for automatically causing the bag carrier to travel to convey the bag thus filled to the capping station. To accomplish this,'one of the shafts 15, referred to, for the sprocket wheels of the bag carrier is provided with a gear 395 (Figs. 3 and 6) fast thereon mesh ing with a small gear 397 above the same on a stud shaft 399 mounted on one of the frames 3, referred to. said shaft having a bevel gear 401 fast thereon meshing with a The construction is such that as bevel gear 403 fast on a vertical stub shaft which also has a bevel gea 405 thereon meshing with a bevel gear 7 on oneend of a horizontal shaft 409 projecting into and journalled' in a'bearing in the clutch and gear box 105, so that said shaft is in alignment with the shaft 321 in said box.

To rotate the shaft 409 to feed the bag carrier at the times'required, suitable clutch means maybeprovided, in the. present mstance,- comprising a toothed member 411 fast on the shaft 321 and a companion member 413 fast on the shaft 409, and carrying a. pin 415 urged'by a. spring 417 to the left of Fig. 20 to engage'one of the spaces between teeth of the toothed member 411. The

spring-pressed pin 41 5 isnormally held in retracted position so that it does not connect the members 411 and 413, by a latch 419 (Figs. 18 and 20) slidable in a boss 421 in .the box 105, and urged upward by a coil spring 423 in said boss. The latch 419 is connected by a yoke 425 with one arm of a bell-crank 427 fulcrumed on a in 429 in the box 105. (Jo-operating with is bell-crank is a dog 431 mounted in a slot in the rod 371, referred to, and fulcrumed on a in 433. This dogis yieldingly. sustained in t e path of the bell-crank 427 by a leaf spring 435 secured to said rod.

The construction is such that when the rod 371 is shifted to the right of Fig. 20, the

but when the rod 371 is shifted to the left of Fig. 20, the dog 431 will engage the bellcrank and rock the latter and cause the yoke 425 to depress the latch 419 and allow the spring-pressed pin 415 to connect the members 411 and 413 (Fig, 18), thereby causin the shaft 321 to drive the shaft 409 and fee the bag carrier.

It is desirable that the bag carrier should travel a predetermined-distance sufiicient to convey a bag from the filling'station to the cappin station, this travel in the present instance eing obtained on one complete rotation of the gear 397. To automatically arrest the carrier after it has been fed thisher 413, so that when the pi 415 is brought around again to the latch its cam face 415'' will wipe against a cam face 415 (Fig. 18) on the latch and thereby retract the pm and disconnect the clutch members.

When the weighing receptacle has reached its upper limit of travel, the clutch member 337 is shifted to the left of Fig. 20 to inter- Then othe ,portipng tif the bag may be folded down ontcqtE -jwaterproof adhesive on the portions offing bag folded over at the previous stations.

This completes the clqsuregm the bag, and

rd feed. and in performing the rod 371 is slnfted to the left of Fig. 20. As a consequence, the clutch connecting the shafts 421 and 409 for feed ing the bag carrier will be closed eoncurrently with the arrest of the upward movement of the weighing receptacle.

Suitable means may be provided for automatically opening the gates 239-fr the feed tubes as the bag just filled at the filling station approaches the capping station and an empty bag approaches the filling station. For this purpose, in the resent instance, each bag holder is provide with 9. lug 437 (Figs. 1 and having an end 439 ada ted to engage an arm 441 fast on the rock s 285, referred to, operatively connected with the toggle in the toggle box 233. The construction is such that as a bag holder containing an empty bag approaches the filling station, the lug end 439 on the holder will engage the arm 441 and rock the same to the leftof Fig. 15, thereby rocking the arm 283 and the link 281 to the right and straightening the toggle links-273 and 275. This will force down the block 27 7 connected to the plunger 263, compress the coil sprin 269 and through the connections'from said plunger to the gates for the feed tubes, will' open the said gates.

Since the crank 151 on the clutch and gear box 105 is operatively connected with the connections for controllin the gates of the feed tubes, this crank wil be rocked in a direction to cause the clutch member 125 to connect the sleeve shaft 115 with the main shaft 119, thereby starting the rotation of the feed screws concurrently: 'with the opening of the gates for the feed tubes. This movement of the clutch member 125 will automatically disconnect the-sleeve shaft 331 from the main shaft, thereby arresting the shaft, 321. The weighing receptacle will move downward from the weight of the material fed therein until a charge of prede termincd weight has entered said receptacle, when it is automatically arrested as escribed.

After: a char rupt the upwa this operation,

moisture into the materi l-JU e bag is prevented. Then the bags mayaae conveyed by the carrier from the thirdzsiation and discharged from ,the carrierl ,Since the mechanism foii' iipplying .ca'ps,'for moistening j the a 'sive on the caps, for folding portions of the bag and renderin" the bag watertight is shown'and described inmy said copending application,

the

. same in detail herein. The present application is more particularly concerned with the mechanism for .weighing the charges and introducing the same into t e bags at the bag filling station.

Thereare important advantages in this bag filling mechanism. The materials are positively fed-from the source of supply into the bags, and the charges are solowered 'therein that pull of materials up from the bag is substantially prevented. As a consequence, a predetermined charge may be accurately weighed and introduced 'into the bag with economy of material, and the operative attending the machine is relieved from thenecessity of experiencing the discomfort of working in dusty atmosphere.

The operation of the machine will be readily'understood from the foregoing descriptlon without further elucidation thereis not limited to the specific embodiment shown, but that various deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is 1. machine of the character described, comprising, a weighing receptacle supported by the weighing means for movement into and out of a bag or container, means to feed material into said receptacle, means for effecting movement of the receptacle into a bag or container and nearly to the bottom thereof to deposit the material therein, and valve means for controlling the .ischarge of material from .'said receptacle into said bag or container.

2. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, a. receptacle ft receivin 'a charge of material and having agate or closing its lower end, means for delivering material to the receptacle until'the-alnount in the receptacle reaches a e of material has been introduced into t 1e bag at the bag filling station, the carrier is advanced to the cappingstation where a cap of paper or other suitable material is taken from a supply of ca 3 and introduced into'the bag on top o the "f charge of material therein. The upper face of the cap may have an adhesive coating thereon which may be moistened by a moistening device. Then portions of the hag" maybe. folded down into adhesive engagement with the cap. Then the bag may be conveyed by the carrier to c third station where a waterproof adhesive may be appredetermined wcight means for supporting olied to the portions of the bag w ich have a' bag or containcrheperiththe receptacle,

I been"folded over at the previous station. mean's elatively to nioi'athe receptacle and efiectively seals the saintlgwstat ingress of ft it-is unnecemary to show and describe the It will be understood that the invention in combination, weighing means,

3. A machine-of the character described,"

- comprising, in combination, a receptacle for deliver the. charge receiving a charge of material and having adischarge opening at its lowercnd and means for closing said opening, means for delivering material to the receptacle until the amount in the receptacle reaches a. predetermined weight, a support for a bag or container, meansrelat-irely to move said rc ceptacle and support to introduce the receptacle into a bag or container to deliver a charge bodily into the bag or container, and means for opening the lower end of the receptacle ,while in the bag or container to thereto from the receptacle. i

4. A machine of the character described,-

comprising, in combination, a weighing receptacle for receiving a charge of material,

weighing means for the receptacle means to support a bag or container, means by which the receptacle is adapted to move automatically into the bag or container in the courseof its weighing movement to introduce the charge into the bag or container, and automatic means operated independently of the weighing movement of said receptaclefor efl'ecting delivery of the charge from said receptacle to the bag or container.

5. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, a receptacle for receiving a charge of material and supported for movement into a bag or-container to deliver its charge into the same. means for controlling the movement of the receptacle into the bag or container to cause it to move grad: ually into the sameuntil a. charge of predetermined weight has entered the receptacle, means for delivering the charge from the re ceptacle into the bag or container, and means for placing another bag or container in the charge receiving position.

6. A machine of the character described,

comprising. in combination, a receptacle for receiving e'charge of material. means for delivering a'charge of predetermined weight into the receptacle, weighing means for determining the weight of the charge, means for moving the receptacle. and its charge into a bag or container nearly to the bottom thereof, means for opening the lower end of the receptacle .within the bag or container to leave the charge in the bag or container when the receptacle is removed.

'7. A machine of the character described,-

comprising, in combination, a weighing receptacle. for receiving a charge of material, supporting means for a' plurality of coun-, terbala nce: weights, means actuated by movementof the receptacle for removing said weights progressively'from said supporting 'means tocounterbalance material flowing into said rece tacle, means cooperating with said weig ts for lowering the weighing receptacle. with its charge into a bag or cbntainer and nearly to the bottom of the bag or container, and means to deliver a. charge of material determined by said weights from the receptacle into-a bag or container. r u

8. A machine of the character described,

comprising, incombination, a' weighing..re-

ceptacle for receiving a. charge of material,

tare weight means to counterbalaneethe. weight of-sa-id receptacle, a-plurality' of counterbalance weights, supiport-ing means for the latter, means actuate by-downward movement of the weighing reoepacle to! progressively removing said counterbalance weights from said supporting means-torel tard the downward movement of said recep-' tacle, means. for lowering the weighing rcceptacle with its charge into a'bag or oontamer and nearly to the. bottom of the bag or container, an means to deliver a charge ofmaterial of a weight determined by said counterbalancelweights from the receptacle into a bag or container.

9. A machine of -the character described, comprising, in combination, a weighing re- 'eeptacle for receiving a. charge of material, counterbalance weights disposed upon opposite sides of the receptacle, a support having steps .for supporting said counterbalance weights at intervals, flexible connections between the receptacle and weights for progressively lifting the counterbalance wei'ghts'fromsaid stepsas the receptacle moves downward, and means to deliver a charge of predetermined weight determined by said counterbalance weights from the receptacle into a. bag or container.

10. A machine of the character described,

comprising, in combination, a, weighing receptacle for receiving acharge of material, a series of counterbalance weights, means to support said weights, :1. flexible member connected tosaid receptacle for progressively lifting said weights from their supporting means to retard the lowering movement of the receptacle as the material flows therein and to determine the weight of the charge,

and means for lowering the weighing receptacles into a bag or container to deliver the charge of material from the receptacle into a bag or container. i

-11-. 'A machine of the character described,

comprising, in combination, a weighing re-' ceptacle for receiving a charge of material, a a tube extending a substantial distance lnto the weighing receptacle and in which the material is confined until it approaches the lower ortion of the receptacle, setsof counter alance weights, meansto support comprising, in combination, a weighing receptacle for receiving a charge of material, sets of weights, tubes having-provision for supporting the weights'of said sets at intervals, guide wheels, flexible members connected to said receptacle and passing over said guide wheels into said tubes, and means cooperating with said flexible members for progressively lifting said'weights from their supports in the course of the lowering movement of said receptacle. 13. A machine of the character described,

comprising, in combination, a weighin receptacle, upper and lower guide whee at opposite sides of said receptacle, chains or uivalent means arranged to pass about said upper and lower wheels, means connecting said weighing receptacle to said chains, sets of counterbalance weights, means to upport said weights at intervals, and

means cooperating with said chains for progressively lifting said weights from their supports in the course of downward movement of the weighing receptacle.

14-. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, a receptacle, a pair of feed tubes projecting into said receptacles, a hopper communicating with said feed tubes, a pair of feed screws for feed ing material through said tubes to said receptacle, a support for said receptacle having provision for allowing lowering movement thereof as the material is fed therein,

.mechanism adapted to be operated upon the delivery of a predetermined quantity of material to saidreceptacle, andmeans actuated by said mechanism for interrupting the flow f materials from said tubes into said receptacle after a predetermined charge has entered the latter.

15. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combinatioma receptacle for rcccii'ing a charge of material, projecting into said receptacle for feeding material thereto, valve means for said feeding means, supporting means for said receptaclc having provision to allow downward movement thereof along said feeding means as the material enters the receptacle; mechanism adapted to be operated upon the delivery of a predetermined quantity of material to said receptacle, and means actuated by said mechanism automatically to close said valve means to interrupt flow of mathe feeding means terial into the receptacle after a predetermined charge has entered therein.

16. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, a receptacle, means for feeding material projecting into said receptacle, means to allow said receptacle-to move downward along said feeding means as the material is fed from said feeding means' into said receptacle, mechanism adapted to be operated upon the delivery (predetermined quantity of material ofa tosai receptacle, means actuated by said '-mcchanism to cut oil flow of material from said feeding means into said receptacle after a predetermined charge has' entered the latter, and means to deliver the charge of material from the receptacle into a bag or container, I r 17. i l machineof the character described, comprising, inicombination, means for feedmg material, a bag or container, a movably mounted weighing receptacle, means for variably resisting movement of the receptacle whereby its lower end will be adjacent the;

delivery endof the feeding means when a charge commences to enter said receptacle from said feeding means and adjacent'the' bottom of the bag or container when the complete charge has entered said receptacle, and means to deliver the charge from said receptacle to the bag or contamer.

18. -A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feedin material, means to support a bag or conta ner beneath s'aid feeding means, a weighing receptacle rcceivin said feeding meansand movable downwa along the same into the bag or container to convey a charge of predetermined weight into the bag or container, weighing means for the receptacle, valve means to control the deliver of ma ,terial from the feeding means to t e receptacle, and valve means to control the deliver of the charge from the receptacle to ag or container. 19. machine of the character described, comprisin'g', in combination, tubular means for feeding material, a weighing receptacle telescoping with said tubular means and movable downward along the same as material is fed therein, weighing means for the receptacle, feed screw means for forcing material through said feeding means into said receptacle, means automaticallv to arrest said feed screw means when a charge of material of predetermined weight has entered said receptacle, and a closure for the lower end .of the receptacle and adapted to be opeined to discharge material from the receptac e.

20. A machine of the character described,

comprising, in combination, means for -fecding materials, a receptacle for receivingthe materials from said feeding means, gate

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