US1953928A

US1953928A - Feeding mechanism for carton filling machines

Info

Publication number: US1953928A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles C Colver
Original assignee: Triangle Package Machinery Co
Current assignee: Triangle Package Machinery Co
Priority date: 1930-04-23
Filing date: 1930-04-23
Publication date: 1934-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 1951-04-10

Description

April 10, 1934. c. a: WWW 1,953,928

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINES Filed April 23, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 i i InJenTgr Liar/e5 L Q/Mi' April 10, 1934. c. c. COLVER 1,953,928

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINES Filed April 23, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 50 Q pc:

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FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINES Filed April 25, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Il'nfnTZT [Ear/as [ZZZ/er April 0, 1934. c. c. COLVER 1,953,928

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINES Filed April 23, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 5;; finfera [Zak/es 0/1/67 W7Mm April 10, 1934. c. c. COLVER FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINES Filed April 23, 1930 BSheets-Sheet 5 a a 0/ a H n. w J 2 Q r H mm 1 |l 7 W J \II W U w ||||1 \WM H 0 HUN.

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FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINES v Filed April 25, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 [Zaifis [ilk/er m, w m A m HHM NW0 1 w hm fi M SNw E 1 H O 7 m J/ Y K T Hm Q NQ April 10, 1934, c. c. COLVER 1,953,923

FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINES Filed April 25, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 iglrenm Patented Apr. 10, 1934 FEEDING MECHANISM FOR CARTON FILLING MACHINES Charles C. Culver, Oak Park, 111., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Triangle Package Machinery 00., Chicago, 111., a. corporation of Illinois Application April 23, 1930, Serial No. 446,440

21 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in feeding mechanism for carton filling machines and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The primary object of the invention is to provides. mechanism for feeding measured quantities of articles to the discharge spout of a carton filling machine, which mechanism is especially adapted for handling without breakage, crackers, cookies and similar articles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of this kind, which does not choke or jam and which is so constructed that the articles measured out may be readily changed in a short period of time from one quantity to another.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of this kind which includes in one of the hoppers thereof, an agitator which gently produces a stirring action that loosens the articles against packing together so that jamming and breakage of said articles is reduced to a minimum.

These objects of the invention as Well as others, together with the many advantages thereof, will more fully appear as I proceed with my specification.

In, the drawings:-

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a carton filling machine having a feeding mechanism embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view thru the same on an enlarged scale as taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is another vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale as taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through my improved feeding mechanism as taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is another vertical sectional view through the mechanism of Fig. 4 as taken on the line 5-5 thereof.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view as taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. '7 is another horizontal sectional view as taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal detail sectional view on an enlarged scale, of a certain clutch later to be described.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view through the ply of the articles such as crackers, cookies and other commodities to be fed in measured quan tities to a carton filling mechanism. This hopper which includes an agitator to prevent packing, discharges axially into a secondary feed hopper the discharge being of such a character that CO said, secondary hopper cannot be overloaded. The bottom of this secondary hopper is in the form of a substantially flat cone to direct the articles outwardly, to enter, oppositely disposed feed tubes.

Associated with the bottom end of the feed tube is a revolving plate which carries a pair of measuring cups. This plate bottoms the feed tubes and when the measuring cups register therewith, a portion of the contents of each tube discharges into each cup. The discharge from the tubes to the cups includes a dwell; that is, a part. of the contents are discharged into the cups to partially fill them and thereafter another movement completely fills them.-

The feed tubes are made in two telescopic parts to provide for adjustment in the amounts or quantities to be measured out and said cups are bottomed by a nonrotative plate having discharge openings therein in line with coacting carton filling spouts and as said cups sweep around said plate and register with said openings, the measured quantities in said cups are discharged through said openings into certain spouts to be delivered thereby into the cartons. 2.

As my improved feeding mechanism includes actuating parts which are incorporated more or less directly in a carton filling machine fully shown and described in my copending application filed April 23, 1930 under Serial Number so 446,441, only those parts which are essential to a clear and comprehensive understanding of my invention will be described in detail herein, the remainder being referred to only in a general way.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, 1 indicates as a whole the frame of a carton filling machine with which my improved filling machine is directly associated. Said frame includes laterally spaced, perpendicular right and

left hand posts

2 and 3 respectively, each of a channel bar cross section. Each post is secured at its bottom end to the mid portion of an associated forwardly and rearwardly extending foot piece 4 of angle bar cross section and said posts are connected together by top, bottom and intermediate, vertically spaced

cross bars

5, 6 and 6 respectively as well as by a circular plate 7 disposed in a plane a short distance below that of 11 the top cross bar 5. The plate 7 is secured to said posts by angle brackets '7 which have a bolt and slot adjustable connection 7* with said posts, whereby said plate is capable of a limited vertical adjustment with respect to said posts.

Secured to the

posts

2 and 3 respectively, near the foot pieces are pairs of forwardly and rearwardly extending

brackets

8 and 9 respectively and journalled in said brackets are transversely extending,

horizontal shafts

10 and 11 respectively. The shaft 10 is the continuously rotating drive shaft of the carton filling machine and is driven through suitable speed reducing mechanism 12 (see Fig. 6) from a motor 13 mounted on a bracket 14 on the rear side of the left hand post 3. On the right hand end of the shaft 11 is a clutch mechanism 15 driven by pulley and belt 16 from the shaft 10. A shifter mechanism 16 is associated with the clutch whereby the shaft 11 may be operatively connected to and disconnected from the shaft 10 so far as driving relation is concerned in a manner well known.

1'7 indicates an upright shaft disposed midway between and in the plane of the

posts

2 and 3. Fixed to the bottom end of said shaft is a collar 18 and loose on said shaft above the collar is a horizontally disposed yoke 19. Between said yoke and the left hand post 3 is a horizontal shaft 21 to which is fixed a bevelled pinion 23 which meshes with a similar pinion 24 fixed to said upright shaft 17. On the shaft 17 a short distance above the bevelled pinion 24 is fixed a sprocket 26.

In line with but spaced rearwardly of the upright shaft 17 is a second upright shaft 27 arranged in the vertical plane of the shaft 11. The shaft 27 is journalled near its bottom end in the sleeve 28 of an inverted U shaped yoke 29 engaged on the shaft 11 and is journalled at its top end in a rearwardly extending bracket 30 made integral with the intermediate cross bar 6 before mentioned as best shown in Fig. 2. Fixed t0 the bottom extremity of the shaft 2'7 within the yoke 29 is a bevelled pinion 31 which meshes with a similar pinion 32 on the shaft 11 also within said yoke. The shaft 27 is also journalled at a point above the pinion 31 in a rearwardly extending bracket 33 made integral with the bottom cross bar 6 before mentioned. Fixed to said shaft 2'7 between the pinion 31 and bracket 33 is a sprocket 34 which is operative through a chain 35 to drive the sprocket 26 on the shaft 17. Thus when the clutch 15 is in both

shafts

17 and 27 are being continuously driven in the same direction.

Surrounding the major bottom end portic'... of theshaft 17, is an intermittently rotated tube 36 having bearing at its bottom end and at its mid portion in hubs integral with the bottom and intermediate cross bars 6 and 6 respectively before mentioned. The top end of said tube bears in the hub of a plate 5 fixed centrally to the cross bar 5 and a spacing bushing 5 (see Fig. 5)

,is provided between the top end of said tube and the shaft 1'7. vThe plate 7 up through which said tube 36 extends, is provided with a suitable hearing sleeve '7 therefor.

The bearing sleeve 7 has end thrust bearing upon a substantially long split spacing sleeve 37 surrounding an exteriorly threaded part 36 of the tube 36 and below said sleeve is a split clamping nut 38 having a screw threaded engagement on said tube. When the bolt and slot connection 7 of the plate brackets '7 are loosened and the nut 38 is manipulated, it is apparent that the plate 7 may be adjusted upwardly or downward ly with respect to the tube 36. After adjustment the several parts are again tightened up to secure the plate '7 in the adjusted position.

Intermittent rotative movement is imparted to the tube 36 by the following means:0n the shaft 27 just above the bracket 33 is located a suitable clutch mechanism 41, see Figs. 3, 8 and 9. Said clutch includes a collar 42 fixed to the shaft 2'7 and this collar has 9. depending annular flange 43 in the interior surface of which are formed recesses 44. Associated with and below said collar and loose on the shaft 27 is an annular pawl carrying plate 45 having a hub 46 to which is keyed a spur pinion 4'7 that has a thrust bearing upon the bracket 33. This pinion meshes with a spur gear 48 keyed to the tube 36 and engaging on the hub of the cross bar 6 to form part of the thrust bearing for said tube.

The annular plate 45 of the clutch 41 closes the bottom end of the collar 42 and journalled in said plate within the collaris a pin 49 carrying a pawl 50 at its top end to engage in any one of the notches or recesses 44 in the flange of the collar. On the bottom end of said pin 49 is a dog 51 adapted to be engaged by trip fingers or stops hereinafter mentioned to disengage the pawl 50 from the recess 44 in which it is engaged and thus disconnect the plate 45 from the collar 42. A spring 52 connecting the dog and plate, normally swings the pawl into engagement with the recess. The clutch mechanism 41 together with directly associated parts is enclosed by a cover 53, best shown in Fig. 3.

To the front of the

posts

2 and 3 in substantially the horizontal plane of the clutch collar 42 l On the cam shaft 54 near the left hand post 3 is fixed a cam 57 adapted to engage a roller 58 on the slotted front end 59 of a rearwardly extending rod 60. This rear end of said rod is connected to the free end of an arm or lever 61, fixed at its other end to the top end of an upright rock shaft 62. Said shaft is journalled in an L-shaped arm 63 fixed to and extending rearwardly from the cross bar 6 near the post 3. On the bottom end of this rock shaft is an arm 64 diametrically opposed to the lever and the free end of this arm is bent back upon itself as at 65 to form an abutment which when the arm is swung into one limit of its movement, forms a stop that is engaged by the dog 51 of the clutch 41. When this dog so engages the abutment, the pawl 50 is released from that recess 44 in which it was engaged to momentarily break the driving connection between the collar 42 and plate 45. So soon as the arm 64 swings in the other direction, it releases the dog 51 and the pawl 50 again enters one of the recesses 44 under the action of the spring 52 to again operatively connect the collar 42 and plate 45. A spring 56 fixed at its ends to the arm 64 and to the cross bar 6 respectively, acts to normally throw the arm 64 so that its bent over end 65 will stand in the path of the dog 51.

Near the other post 2 there is fixed to the shaft 54 a cam 57 adapted to engage a roller 58 on the slotted front end 59 of a rearwardly extending rod 60. The rear end of said rod is connected to e If the short arm 61 of a bell crank lever fixed to an upright rock shaft 62. This rock shaft is Journalled in abracket 63 fixed to and extending rearwardly from the cross bar 6 near the cover 53. The long arm 64 of said bell crank lever has its free end 65 normally disposed in the path of the dog 51 at a point spaced about 60 in a clockwise direction away from the abutment as provided by the bent over end 65 of the arm 64. A spring 66* connected at one end to an arm 61 and at its other end to the cross bar 6 respectively, normally acts to throw the lever arm 64 into a position wherein the end 65 thereof will stand in the path of the dog 51.

In each instance a spring acts to throw the stop levers or arms in one direction and cams act to throw said levers or arms in the opposite direction. Thus for each rotation of the shaft 27 the pinion 47' is twice arrested and of course the tube 36 will likewise'be arrested.

67 indicates the main supply hopper of the feeding mechanism and 68 indicates the secondary hopper associated therewith. The secondary hopper has a tapering side wall 68 the latter being fixed to posts 59 rising from the plate 5 on the top cross bar 5.- In the secondary hopper 68 to provide the rotatable bottom therefor, is a conical member 70 which is keyed to the shaft 17 and coacting with the member 70 but disposed at a greater angle with respect thereto is a second conical member 71. The member '71 which is radially corrugated is also keyed. to the shaft and preferably has an angle of inclination of less than 45.

The main supply hopper 67 is substantially funnel shaped and is provided at its bottom end with a tubular neck 72 to which is fixed a ring 73. Secured to this ring are the top ends of a plurality of radial arms lithe bottom ends of which are secured to the rim 68 of the secondary hopper whereby the main supply hopper is supported in position. On the top end portion of the shaft 17 within the supply hopper 67 is fixed an agitator member 75 in the form of a helically bent rod or wire which increases in diameter toward its top end. This agitator member in the rotation of the shaft 17 imparts a loosening lifting action of the material in the hopper in a manner preventing packing at the inlet end of the hopper neck '72 which would not only choke the same but would break the articles operated upon and especially so when such articles are breakable ones as crackers and cookies are so known to'be. By means of this agitator a gentle upward movement is imparted to the articles passing into the neck '72 which cannot be choked up and breakage of the articles which reduces their salability is reduced to a minimum. On the neck '72 of the hopper is provided a telescopically adjustable sleeve 76 which controls the amount of articles that may pass into the secondary hopper so that the same cannot become overloaded. When bulky articles are to be discharged into the secondary hopper, the sleeve 76 is moved upwardly on the neck 72 toward the arms '74. Thus is the rate of discharge or flow of articles from the supply hopper to the secondary hopper accurately controlled, according to the character of the articles being operated upon.

Opening through the tapered side of the wall 68 of the secondary hopper 68, at the front and rear thereof, are elbows '77 from each of which depends a feed tube 78 and both tubes are held in position by means of an associated arm '79 secured to the plate 5 before mentioned.

Between the top cross bar 5 and the fixed plate '7, is located a circular table or plate 80 that is fixed to the tube 36 by means of a hub 81 so as to rotate with said tube. In said table or plate are oppositely arranged depending neck tubes 82-82 so disposed as to come alternately into registry with the bottom ends of the feed tubes 78 in the rotation of the plate 80, those circular portions of the plate between said neck tubes normally closing off the bottom ends of the feed tubes in said rotation of said plate. On the top surface of the plate 80 is a pair of inner and outer annular ribs 83 and 84 respectively which define the circular path presented to the bottom end of both feed tubes 78, the openings for the neck tubes 82 being disposed, of course, in said path.

In that side of the bottom end of each feed tube 78 facing in the direction of rotation of the plate 80 is an opening 85 the size of which may be controlled by a vertically adjustable gate like plate 86 on said tube end. This opening permits the spilling out or escape of the overflow or excess of articles in the feed tube. This opening in each feed tube is advantageous in that when bulky articles are being handled and as the neck tube 82 moves away from the bottom ends of the feed tubes, the articles in said bottom end of the feed tube can work or escape out of the feed tube as said tube end is closing and thus the tendency to cut. and break the articles is avoided. The articles escaping out of the neck tube openings 85 spill onto the circular paths as defined by the annular ribs 83 and 84 and are carried around therewith until .they engage a pair of diametrically opposite obstructing members 87 disposed in said path. These members 8'7 are in the form of upright plates of a width approximating the distance between the ribs 83-84 and the bottom edges of said members approximately engage the top surface of the rotating plate 80. Each member is supported by an arm 88 fixed to the cross bar 5 and in the rotation of the plate 80 said members act as stops for the excess articles spilled out on the plate from the tubes 78 and against which said articles pile up. So soon as a neck tube approaches one of said members 87, the articles piled up in front of the same fall into said neck tube.

Associated with the neck tubes 82 are tube extensions 89 which have a telescopic connection on the out side of said neck tubes to provide in connection therewith adjustable measuring cups. Both tube extensions are carried by an arm 90 fixed to the tube 36 and the bottom ends of the said cups normally slide or sweep over a circular part of the plate 7 as defined by inner and outer

annular ribs

91 and 92 thereon. In said plate 7 and spaced midway between the feed tubes 78 are discharge tubes 93 so that when the plate or table 80 has rotated through an arc of 90 from the feed tubes 78 the measuring cups as provided by the

parts

82 and 89 will register with the discharge tubes 93 so as to release the measured quantity of materials thereinto.

Means is provided to stop the rotation of the plate 80, each time the measuring cups as defined by the telescopic tube parts 82-89 comes into registry first with the feed tubes '78 and then with the discharge tubes 93 and such means is as follows:-On the periphery of the plate or table 80 are opposed pairs of notched stop members 94 which members are spaced 90 apart when considered collectively. Each member 94 includes oppositely inclined surfaces 95-95 with a notch 96 therebetween. Associated with said members are rocker arms 97-97 one mounted on a bracket 98 secured to each

post

2 and 3 respectively. Each rocker arm is connected at one end to-the associated bracket by a spring 99 and the other end of each rocker t-arm carries arolle'r 100 that has rolling engagement with the peripheral edge of the table or plate. Thus each time the pawl 51 engages the end of the member 64 to actuate the clutch 41 to disconnect the tube 36 with respect to the shaft 27, the roller 100 of each rocker arm, rides up the advancing inclined surface 95 of the approaching member 94 and drops into the notch 96 thereof to positively stop the plates in the registering positions before mentioned. So soon as the cam 5'7 actuates the arm 64 to release the pawl 51 which actuates the clutch 41 to again connect the tube 36 in driven relation with the shaft 2'7, the arms 97 yield to permit the rollers 100 to roll out of the notches 96 and down the trailing inclined surface of the members 94 to again rollingly engage the periphery of the plate between said members 94.

It is here pointed out that the member 64 acts to but only momentarily throw out the clutch 41 and then permits it to be thrown in again until thrown out by the arm 64". This first stopping is as before mentioned but momentary and occurs just after the measuring cups as formed by the tubular parts 82--89 begin to line up with the feed tubes 78. This momentary throwing out of the clutch permits a short dwell to occur as said measuring cups start to line up with the feed tubes so that only a portion of the articles in the feed tube are discharged into the cups and as the plate is again rotated to bring said cup and tube into complete registry, a final discharge of articles takes place into said cups.

Thus there is a preliminary and a final discharge or dumping from the feed tubes into the feed cups and the purpose thereof is to prevent interlocking of the articles while entering the feed cups in such a way as to jamb and choke up the cups which of course will produce undue breakage of the articles. When the articles being operated upon are of such character as cannot interlock and pack with each other and do not easily break, then the arm 64 may be rendered inoperative for its intended purpose in several different ways so that the operation of the machine is speeded up to that extent. On the outer flange 84 of the rotating plate 80, at diametrically opposite sides thereof I provide upright guard plates 101 which prevent the material which has flowed from the openings of the feed tubes 78 onto the plate 80 from spilling over said outer flange 84.

The tubes 93 discharge into the top or inlet ends of associated spouts 102 forming a part of the carton filling machine shown and described in my copending application before referred to. In general each spout is slidably mounted with respect to rails 103 supported at the front of the

posts

2 and 3, for a reciprocating movement in timed relation with respect to other parts of the filling machine, which relation is governed by cams on the shaft 54.

The discharge ends 104 of said spouts are offset forwardly from the plane of the inlet ends and overhang a support 105 for the cartons 106 being filled. Said support as shown herein is in the form of a conveyor mechanism and includes an endless belt 107 upon which the cartons engage to be carried into the plane of the discharge ends of the spouts. A suitable stop arm 108, arrests the carton in the filling position beneath the discharge ends of the spouts and this arm is actuated in timed relation from the cam shaft 54.

The bottom discharge end of each spout is normally closed by coacting, triangular plates 109 which form an inverted pyramidal or pointed end for the spout. In the downward movement of the spout said plates enter the open top ends of the cartons at which time they swing outwardly to spread the flaps of the carton and permit a passage of the articles through the spouts into the cartons. Thereafter the spouts move upwardly, withdrawing said plates from the carton, when they have cleared the fiaps of the carton.

The construction described accurately feeds, measured amounts of materials from the hopper to the filling machine spouts and this in such a gentle easy way that breakage of the articles is reduced to such an extent as to be substantally eliminated. Again the mechanism may be adjusted, not only as to the quantities to be measured but also may be adjusted to accommodate the character of the articles operated upon.

By means of the neck '76 for the main supply hopper, the rate of flow or discharge from said hopper into the secondary hopper may be adjusted to a nicety and the

members

70 and 71 forming the rotative bottom for said secondary hopper imparts a gentle wave like action to the articles to distribute them outwardly so that they will readily enter the feed tubes.

While in describing my invention I have referred in detail to the form, arrangement and construction of the parts thereof, the same is to be considered merely as illustrative so that I do not wish to be limited thereto except as may be specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A feeding mechanism of the kind described embodying therein a plurality of arcuately spaced feed tubes, means providing a plurality of discharge openings arcuately spaced on the same circle as said feed tubes but out of registry with respect thereto, a plurality of measuring cups rotative in said circle to alternately partially and then fully register with said feed tubes and discharge openings respectively and means for momentarily arresting the movement of said feed cups when in said partial and full register with said feed tubes and discharge openings respectively.

2. A feeding mechanism of the kind described embodying therein a feed tube, means providing a discharge opening spaced from said feed tube, a measuring cup alternately movable into and out of registry with said feed tube and opening respectively and means for initially arresting the movement of said cup in partial registry with said feed tube and for finally arresting the movement of said cup when in complete registry with said feed tube.

3. A feeding mechanism of the kind described embodying therein a plurality of feed tubes each having a relief opening in one side thereof, a plurality of discharge openings arcuately spaced therefrom, a rotative plate normally bottoming the feed tubes, measuring cups carried by said plate and alternately registering with said feed tubes and discharge openings in the movement of said plate, said relief opening permitting an escape of material from said tubes onto said plate as the measuring cups move out of registry with said feed tubes, and means for directing said escaped material into the next approaching measuring cup.

4. A feeding mechanism of the kind described embodying therein a plurality of feed tubes, each having a relief opening in one side thereof, a rotative plate, means providing a circular path on said plate which normally bottoms said tubes in the rotation of said plates, means providing a plurality of discharge openings arcuately spaced with. respect to said tubes, measuring cups carried by said plate in said path and adapted to alternately register with said feed tubes and discharge openings respectively, said relief opening permitting an escape of material from said tube onto said path as the measuring cupsmove out of registry with said feed tubes and means disposed in said path for gathering said escaped articles to permit their discharge into the next measuring cup as it approaches said means inthe rotation of said plate.

5. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a hopper having a discharge opening in one side thereof, means for discharging material into said hopper and means for distributing said material discharged into said hopper toward the opening in the side thereof comprising radially corrugated conical members of different angularities.

6. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a hopper having a discharge opening in one side thereof, means for discharging material centrally into said hopper and means providing .a radially corrugated conical bottom for said hopper having portions arranged in different angular positions and rotative to move the centrally discharged material outwardly toward the opening in said side.

'7. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a hopper having a discharge opening in one side thereof, means for discharging material centrally into said hopper and rotative means in the bottom of said hopper having circular portions of different conical cross sections and one of which is formed with radial corrugations that act with a wave-like movementto distribute the centrally discharged material outward toward the opening in said side. i

8. In a feeding mechanism of the kind de scribed, a hopper having a discharge opening in one side thereof, means for discharging material centrally into said hopper and means providing a rotative bottom for said hopper having inner and outer portions of different angular conical cross sections, one of which portions is radially corrugated in part, to distribute the centrally discharged material with a wave like action outwardly toward said discharge opening in said side.

9. In 'a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a hopper having a discharge neck, a shaft extending axially of the hopper and neck, and means in said hopper adjacent the neck fixed at its top and bottom ends to said shaft for moving material upwardly away from said neck.

10. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a hopper having a discharge neck, a shaft rotative axially of said hopper and neck and a helical member of an increasing diameter toward the top end disposed centrally with respect to but above said neck and secured at both of its ends to said shaft for imparting an upwardly lifting stirring action to the material in the hopper adjacent the neck.

11. A feeding mechanism of the kind described embodying therein a feed tube, means providing a discharge opening spaced from said tube, a measuring cup movable from a position registering with said feed tube to an initial position partially registering with said discharge tube and embodyingtherein a feed tube, means providing a discharge opening arcuately spaced therefrom, a measuring cup movable in an are from a position registering with the tube to an initial position partially. registering with said discharge opening and then to a final position fully registering with said discharge opening and means for momentarily arresting the movement of said cup when in said partial and full register with said feed tube and discharge opening respectively.

13. A feeding mechanism of the kind described embodying therein a plurality of feed tubes, means providing discharge openings ,arcuately spacedtherefrom, measuring cups movable in an are from positions registering with said feed tubes to an initial position partially registering with said discharge openings and then to a final position fully registering with said discharge openings, and means for momentarily arresting the movement of said cups when in said partial and full register with said feed tubes and discharge openings respectively.

14. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a hopper having a discharge opening in one side thereof, means for discharging material centrally into said hopper and means providing a rotatable bottom for said hopper having inner and outer circular portions of different angular conical cross sections and which outer portion terminates at its periphery near said opening one of said portions having an inclination of less than 45.

15. In. a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a downwardly tapering hopper, means for discharging material centrally into said hopper, and means providing a rotatable bottom for said hopper having inner and outer circular portions of different angular conical cross sections and both portions having an inclination of less than 45, the hopper having a discharge opening in one side thereof near the periphery of said outer portion.

16. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a downwardly tapering hopper, means for discharging. material centrally into said hopper, and means providing a rotatable bottom for said hopper having circular portions of different angular conical cross sections, and one of which portions is radially corrugated, the hopper having a discharge opening in one side thereof near the periphery of said bottom.

17. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a downwardly tapering hopper, means for discharging material centrally into said hopper and means providing a rotatable bottom for said hopper having inner and outer circular portions of different angular conical cross sections with the inner portion having a greater inclination but being less than 45, the hopper having a discharge opening in one side near the periphery of said outer circular portion of said bottom.

18. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a downwardly tapering hopper, means for discharging material centrally into said hopper and means providing a rotatable bottom for said hopper having inner and outer circular portions of different angular conical cross sections with the inner portion having a greater angularity, and one of said portions of said bottom being radially corrugated, the, hopper having a discharge opening in one side near the periphery of said outer circular portion of said bottom.

9. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a secondary supply hopper having a discharge opening in one side thereof, a main supply hopper arranged above said first mentioned hopper and having a neck adapted to discharge centrally thereinto, means providing a bottom in said secondary hopper having portions of different angular conical cross sections, a rotatable shaft to which said bottom is secured and which shaft extends up into said main supply hopper and means secured to said shaft in said main supply hopper for moving material therein upwardly away from said neck.

20. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a secondary supply hopper having a discharge opening in one side thereof, a main supply hopper arranged above said first mentioned hopper and having a neck adapted to discharge centrally thereinto, means providing a bottom in said secondary hopper having portions of differ-- ent angular conical cross sections, a rotatable shaft to which said bottom is secured and which shaft extends up into said main supply hopper and a helical member of increasing diameter toward its top end fixed to said shaft above the neck to impart an upward lifting stirring action to the material in said main supply hopper near said neck.

21. In a feeding mechanism of the kind described, a secondary supply hopper having a discharge opening in one side thereof, means providing a rotatable bottom in said secondary supply hopper and which bottom has inner and outer circular portions of different angular conical cross sections having inclinations of less than 45, a main supply hopper arranged above said secondary supply hopper, and having a neck adapted to discharge centrally into said secondary supply hopper above said bottom, said neck being of a diameter less than that of said bottom.

CHARLES C. COLVER.