US2054290A - Automatic weighing machine - Google Patents

Description

w. D. JORDAN 2,054,290

AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MACHINE Sept 15, 1936,

Filed July 9, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 warrewflc ofrda m,

Sept-l5, 1936. w 1 JORDAN I 2,054,29@

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five/711271 warren/fld'aniani 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ljarnmfl (J5 Wei/a p 1935- W. D. JORDAN AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MACHINE Filed July 9, 1934 Patented Sept. 15, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Warren D. Jordan, Joliet, Il1., assignor to Franklin Steel Works, Joliet, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application July 9, 1934, Serial No. 734,302

11 Claims.

The invention relates to automatic filling and weighing machines and has reference more particularly to machines for filling containers with material in a powder or granular form.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel machine of the type described having a vertically movable platform for supporting the container and which is forced downwardly as the material is delivered to the container to cause actuation of mechanism which will stop operation of the feeding means.

A further object of the invention is to provide feeding augers of improved construction having simultaneous operation to deliver material to the container and which will otherwise operate in unison.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved mechanism for delivering material to the container comprising main feeding augers for delivering the bulk of the material, and secondary feeding means for feeding a small stream or dribble, and which will operate after the bulk feeder has stopped to gradually bring the material in the container to the desired weight.

A further object is to provide trip mechanism directly responsive to the movements of the platform supporting the container for opening and closing an electric circuit to control operation of the feeding augers and which will be sensitive and accurate in operation and of generally novel construction.

A further object is to provide mechanically actuated trip mechanism for opening and closing an electric switch which will be protected against arcing to insure long life.

A further object resides in the. provision of duplicate trip mechanism for controlling the operation of the secondary feeding augers independently of the main augers and which can be adjusted to cause both feeding means to simultaneously deliver material at the start of the operation while. permitting the secondary means to continue after the main feed has stopped to gradually bring the container to the proper weight.

A further object is to provide a weighing machine of the type described with novel structure for supporting the platform for vertical movement and which will have substantially frictionless joints making a sensitive weighing scale and one that will also stand up under severe conditions.

A further object is to provide supporting means for securely mounting the augers for operation and which will make their removal a relatively easy task to facilitate cleaning and the like.

With these and various other objects in view, the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims ap- 5 pended hereto.

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts- Figure 1 is an elevational view of a weighing 10 machine constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the hopper and showing the drive for the feeding auger;

Figure 3 is an end view looking toward the left of Figure 1; v

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view showing the trip mechanism for causing actuation of the mercury switch; 20

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the trip mechanism of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view of the holder for the augers;

Figure 7 is an elevational view of the trip mech- 25 anism showing the modified tripping and resetting means;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view showing the arrangement for driving the main feeding angers and auxiliary auger; 30

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 99 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on line Ill-l0 of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is an elevational view of 'the trip 5 mechanism and tripping means for the structure of Figure 8;

Figure 12 is an elevational view showing a modified design of scale beam and associated structure; and

Figure 13 is a transverse sectional view taken on line l3--I3 of Figure 1 and showing the frictionless bearings for mounting the beam members.

In Figure 1 of the drawings the machine selected for illustration is shown as comprising a suitable support 10 fixedly secured to base ll having the uprights l2 supporting the table [3 which forms a cross member connecting with the uprights.

The platform l4 carrying the container or receptacle I5 is supported by the rod l6 mounted for vertical movement by the spaced scale beams ll which are in turn rotatably carried from an upright l2. Members l8 suitably secured to the 55 upright are provided with ball bearing races 20, Figure 13, having associated therewith the projecting stud 2! which is rotatably mounted and to which the beam members I? are secured by the nuts 22. The rod I6 is suitably secured to the yokes 23 which carry at their respective ends 24 and 25 the ball bearing races 26, the inner race member being secured in each instance to a transverse shaft 21 joining and fastened by nuts 28 with the ends of the beam members l'l.

Vertical rods 39 also pivotally connect as at 3| with the scale beams and carry at their upper end the stud 32 associated with the trip mechanism which will be presently described. Projecting from the rear of each beam member I? is a rod 33 suitably secured to the member by a securing nut 34', Figure 13, and which carries weight 35 adjustable along the length of the rod to vary the effectiveness of the weight in counter-balancing the structure at the opposite end of the beam members including the vertical rod l6, platform l4 and container supported thereon. Movement of the weights outwardly will offer greater resistance to the downward movement of the platform and will pack the material into the container under a greater pressure. Also adjustment of the weights will adapt the scale beam to a variety of materials having different weights.

The ball bearing mounting of the beam members and the bearings rotatably connecting the vertical rod IS with the members makes a substantially frictionless support for the platform and which is therefore very sensitive, giving accurate performance during the weighing .operation. Also the use of bearings provides strong, durable joints having long life and'which do'not' collect dust and dirt as the design of mounting'for the bearing race in all instances, as shown in Figure 13, protects the moving parts.

The container or receptacle is supplied with material from the hopper 36 having a discharge spout 37 and communicating at its upper end with a conduit 38 which delivers the material to thehopper. As clearly shown in Figure 2 the fastening means 40 are formed integral with the hopper and serve to securely fasten the hopper to the upper end of the support II]. The discharge spout has a diameter considerably smaller than that of the container so that the same will enter the container when empty, as shown in Figure 1. a

The material in the hopper is fed from the discharge spout 31 by means of a feeding auger 4! in the form :of an elongatedscrew detachably secured to the chuck 42 formed on the end of the drive shaft 42. The upper end of the auger is recessed at Ml, Figure 6, and the chuck is providedwith spring pressed balls 45 retained within openings 46 and forced inwardly into engagement with the recesses by the coil springs 51. The threaded nuts 48 hold the springs in the openings and serve to adjust their tension. This provides a firm and secure connection for the auger and which permits ready and easy attachment and removal. Revolving around the feeding auger is'an agitating member 50 which keeps the material within the hopper agitated and in a loose'fand free flowing condition for the feeding auger. Member is provided with a central boss'5l which is'apertured for securing the memher to the depending end of the tubular shaft 52 surrounding the drive shaft 43 and having rotation independently thereof. The elongated bearing 53 depending within the hopper and integral with the gear housing 54 provides the journalling means for the tubular shaft 52 and drive 43. An oil seal 55 seals the end of the bearing against the entrance of material and retains a lubricating medium within the bearing to insure efficient operation of the rotating members.

The electric motor 56 supported on bracket 51 supplies the source of power for rotating the feeding auger and agitating member. The pulley 58 secured to the operating shaft 65 of the motor is connected through belt 6! with pulley 62 on shaft 63 journalled in bearing 65 of the gear housing 54. Shaft 63' through the medium of the clutch 65 and clutch collar 66 drivesthe shaft 61 mounted for rotation in bearing 68 of the gear housing and which shaft has secured at its end the bevel gear "Ill. The drive shaft 43 for the feeding auger extends vertically through the gearhousing 54- having its upper end journalled in bearing H thereof. Suitably secured to the drive shaft is a bevel gear 12 having meshing engagement with gear ii] and which is accordingly driven by the electric motor 56. Pinion 13 having rotation with the bevel gear '12 meshes with gear i i mounted Within the gear housing by the stud 15. Also mounted on stud 15 and rotated by gear 14 is a pinion 76 which in turn meshes with gear 11 secured to the tubular drive shaft 52. With the clutch operatively positioned to connect the electric motor with shaft 67 to cause rotation of gear 15] it will be understood that bevel gear 12 is accordingly; driven and causes rotation of the feeding screw 4| to deliver the material from the hopper. The drive is transmitted from pinion l3, gear 74, pinion l6 and gear W to the tubular drive shaft 52, causing rotation of themember 5i! and agitation of the material surrounding the feeding auger.

The collar 66 of the clutch is, actuated by yoke 18 secured to shaft 80 journalled in the gear housing 54 and which shaft has secured to the ends projecting outside of the housing, Figures 1 and 3, levers BI and 82, respectively; Lever 82 connects with coil spring 83 secured at its opposite end to support 86 and which serves to yieldingly force the clutch collar intoreleased position to thus maintain the constantly rotating shaft 63 disconnected from shaft 61. Lever 8i connects through the turnbuclne 85 with the pivoted arm 85 connecting with the plunger 87 of the electromagnet 88 which is' securely fastened to the platform 84. Energization of the electro-magnet functions to cause upward movementv of the plunger 8,7! and thus actuation of the connecting links to cause rotation of shaft 80 in a direction to operatively connect the clutch collar and clutch.

A drive is therefore established from the electric motor to the pinion 70 which will rotate the feeding screw and agitating member as described.

Means'in the form of tripmechanism isprovided for actuating the electric switch to energize the electro-magnet and throw the clutch into engagement when the platform is raised and for holding the parts in operative position during descending movement of theplatform until the same reaches a predetermined point in its descent when the clutch elements are automatically disengaged; This mechanism shown in- Figures 4 and 5 consists of a frame 96 secured to the support it and providing spaced members forming a yoke from which depends the diagonal members 9!. The frame pivotally supports a pair of spaced fingers 92 for location over the container or receptacle l5 and which are adapted to contact the container when the same is empty and the platform is raised to cause resetting of the trip mechanism. The spaced fingers are suitably secured to the spaced transverse rods 93, one of which is provided with a plurality of nuts 94having a knurled periphery to provide means which can be grasped by the operator in lifting or lowering the fingers as may be desired. Carried by the spaced rods 93 centrally thereof between the finger 92 is a metal block 95 which can be adjustably secured to the vertical supporting rod 96 pivotally carried by the arms .91 and 98. The lower arm 91 pivotally secured at its outer end to the supporting rod 96 has its end pivoted to the frame as at I00. The upper arm 98 is also pivoted to the frame by the stud IM and extends a considerable distance to the side of said pivot opposite the fingers. The same includes a curved portion 99 terminating over a toggle joint to be presently described. This terminating end carries a resetting screw H32 held to the arm 98 in proper adjusted position by the lock nut I03. The rear-wardly extending portion of the arm also carries a weight I04 adjustable along the length of said portion and held in adjusted position by the set screw I05.

At the end of the members forming the yoke of the frame are located pivot pins I536 having their pointed ends directed inwardly of the yoke for rotatably mounting the shaft I01, having secured thereto member I08 providing a vertical support I 09 which carries at its upper end the mercury switch H0. Also secured to shaft I31 is a lever II! connecting with lever H2 which in turn is pivoted to lever H3 projecting from the shaft i M and forming the toggle joint, the center connection of which is located directly under the resetting screw I02. Pivot pins H5 project inwardly from the yoke on frame 90 and rotatably mount the shaft H4. Also fastened to shaft I0? is an arm Hi3 connecting with link II! to which is secured one end of a coil spring H3 having its other end fastened at H9 to the diagonal member 9!. The coil spring yieldingly forces arm I E8 to the right, Figure 5, which tends to rotate shaft I01 counter-clockwise. When such rotation of shaft 50'! is allowed to take place the support I09 for the mercury switch H0 is tilted in a direction toward the left, Figure 5, changing the angularity of the switch and causing the globule of mercury in said switch to locate itself in the opposite end where electrical connection between the terminals I20 and I2! is terminated. The function of the toggle joint comprising the link H2 and lever I I3 is to prevent rotation of the shaft I 01 in a counterclockwise direction and which can take place only by breaking the toggle joint and movement of the members upwardly, it being understood that for the purpose of the invention the members are so arranged that the toggle joint breaks with the members moving upwardly. The toggle joint is also held in set position with the members horizontally aligned by the normally latched lever I22 formed integral with shaft I I4 and projecting to the right thereof for contact with a shoulder formed on member I23 having a companion or trip member I24 and which are integral with shaft I 25. The shaft is pivotally mounted within frame 90 by the pivot pins I26. The stop screw I21 located centrally of the yoke provided by the frame 90 and retained in adjusted position by lock nut I20 is positioned for engagement with the upper end of member !23 to limit movement of said member toward the lever I22. Member I24 has a length to over-balance member I23 and hold the same in contact with the stop screw. As more clearly shown-in Figure l the'trip I30 carried. by stud 32 is positioned for engagement with the end of the member I24 to cause upward movement of the member as the stud moves upwardly due to the downward descent of the platform. Upward movement of member I24 will result in movement of member I23 away from its stop and will thus release the lever I22 to free the toggle joint, whereby actuation of the switch will take place to open thecircuit to the electro-magnet 03 as the shaft I0? carrying the switch is yieldingly biased by the coil spring H8. 7

As shown in Figure 3 the terminals I20 and I2l connect with a source of power and with the electro-magnet 88, respectively, the other side of the. source of power being also connected to a terminal of the electro-magnet by conductor I3l. Withv the switch positioned as shown in Figure 5 it will be observed that the globule of mercury is in contact with the terminals and that thereforethe circuit to the electro-magnet is closed and the same is energized. The clutch has established the drive from the electric motor 55 to the feeding auger and agitating member and feeding of the material results. The positioning of the switch to close the circuit to the electromagnet has resulted from the placing of an empty container on the platform I l and upward movement of the container to contact the fingers 92, causing actuation of arm 98 and movement of the resetting screw I02 downwardly to straighten the toggle connection. The members of the toggle joint are held in said aligned relation by the lever E22 which has been caused to engage the shoulder on member E23, thus holding the mechanism in latched relation.

The actuation of the mercury switch to close the electric circuit initiates the feeding of the materal to the empty container and the same continues with the container and platform gradually descending due to the added weight on the platform side of the scale beam. The descending movement of the platform results in upward movement of stud 32 and trip I30 carried thereby, whereupon after a predetermined downward movement of the platform the trip is caused to contact member I24 and cause release of the lever I 22. As the fingers 92 are free, the container having moved down out of engagement with the fingers, the toggle joint is likewise free and breaking takes place upon the release of the lever E22. This, results in rotation of shaft E01, and actuation of the mercury switch to separate the terminals and open the circuit to the electromagnet; The coil spring 83 actuates the clutch collar to disengaged position immediately upon deenergization of the electro-magnet and as the drive to the feeding auger is thus intercepted the feeding of the material stops.

Following the above sequence of operation the operator removes the filled container and replaces an empty container on the platform which is immediately forced upwardly to where the same contacts-the fingers 92 moving the resetting screw I62 downwardly to reset the trip mechanism.

In Figure 7 the fingers and associated structure which resets the trip mechanism is eliminated and modified resetting means substituted therefor. To the upper end of stud 32 is secured an arm I32 carrying the resetting screw I33 locked in adjusted position by the wing nut I34. The arm locates the resetting screw directly over the center connection of the toggle joint and the return of the toggle joint to aligned position to latch the mechanism is accomplished by said screw upon .downward movement of the stud 32. This downward movement takes place when corresponding upward movement of the platform is effected by the placing of an empty container on the same. 7

The invention also contemplates feeding means for delivering material from the hopper wherein a plurality of feeding augers are operated for supplying the bulk of the material to the container and thereafter an auxiliary auger is operated to supply a dribble or secondary stream of material to gradually bring the material in the container to the desired weight. feeding structure shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10 comprises a hopper I36 having a discharge spout I31 provided with a plurality of openings 138 within which are located the main feeding augers I39 and a central opening I40 receiving the secondary or auxiliary feeding auger I4I. This auxiliary auger is secured at I42 to the driving shaft I43 which extends through the gear casing I44 and projects above said casing, there being secured to the projecting end the pulley I45. Positioned on a second support I is a gear casing I46, the same journalling the vertical shaft I41 mounted in suitable bearings integral with the gear casing and projecting above the casing where the same has secured thereto the pulley I48 which operatively connects with pulley I45 through the belt I50. Shaft I 41 has suitably secured thereto a bevel gear 12 identical with the bevel gear having the same numeral and located within the gear housing 54 in the structure of Figure I. Said gear also has meshing engagement with a pinion 10 on shaft 61 which is rotated through clutch mechanism and other intermediate instrumentalities from an electric motor 56 as described. The auxiliary feeding auger is therefore driven from the motor supported on the companion support located to the side of the hopper I36, the driving shafts being operatively connected through pulleys I45, I48 and belt I50.

The main feeding augers I39 are detachably secured as at II to driving shafts I52 which are suitably journalled in the bearing I53. Each of the shafts [52 has secured thereto gears I54, Figure 9, which mesh with a central gear I55 secured to the tubular drive shaft I51 mounted in bearing I 58 and surrounding and having rotation independently of shaft I43. Suitably secured to the tubular driving shaft is a bevel gear I2 which meshes and is rotated by pinion I0 driven through clutch structure and other instrumentalities identical to that shown in Figure 1.

Figure 11 shows'the location on support I0 of duplicate trip mechanism operatively connecting with spaced fingers 92 overlying and having engagement with the empty container I5 suitably supported by platform I4 under the discharge spout I31. Each trip mechanism is similar in construction and in operation to that shown in Figures 4 and 5, as previously described. However, for the purposes of the invention it is to be understood that the lower trip mechanism identified in its entirety by I60 has its mercury switch electrically connected in circuit with the electromagnet associated with gear casing I44, journalling the tubular drive shaft I51 for rotating the main feeding augers I39, and that the upper trip mechanism designated in its entirety by I6I, Figure 11, has its mercury switch The modified electrically connected in circuitwith the electromagnet associated with gear casing I46 journalling the shaft I41 providing the driving means for the auxiliary feeding screw MI. The trip arms I62 and I63 are secured in spaced relation on stud 32 and associated with the trip member I24 of the mechanisms, respectively, being positioned to trip the mechanisms in sequence, arm I62 first actuating the lower trip mechanism to actuate the mercury switch thereof to open the circuit and disconnect the drive to the main feeding augers I39. continues in operation to gradually bring the material in the container to the proper weight. The continued upward movement of the stud 32 finally brings the arm I63 into contact with the trip member of the. upper mechanism I6I, opening the circuit and disconnecting the drive to the auxiliary feeder. It will be appreciated that by proper spacing of the trip arms I62 and I63 the time interval between the stopping of the main feeding augers and the auxiliary auger can be varied to suit conditions and materials of different characteristics.

The scale beam of Figure 12 is modified by the elimination of the vertical rods 30 located on the respective sides of the beam members I1 and the substitution therefor of a single upright I65 located centrally of the spaced beam members II. Said upright has ball bearing connection with said members through structure similar to that employed in connecting the vertical rod I6 as shown in Figures 1 and 13. This refinement in the construction of the scale beam provides frictionless bearings throughout and makes for a more sensitive balance. The upright I65 carries the weight I66 which has been selected for the particular material being operated upon. The upright also carries trip arms I30 and I32 which function to trip and reset the trip mechanism similar to the structure shown and described in Figure '7. r

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiment of the device shown, which'is merely by way of illustration and notlimitation, as variousand other forms of the device will of course be apparentto those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim: 1. In a device of the character described, the combination with a vertically movable platform for supporting a container, of a hopper-having a discharge spout positioned over the platform and adapted to be located within the container, means for feeding material from the hopper to cause downward movement of the platform and container as the same fills, an electric motor for operating said feeding means, connections between the motor and feeding means including a clutch resiliently held in inoperative position,

electro-magnetic means for actuating and holding the clutch in operative position, and means including a latched lever adapted to be released by downward movement of the platform to open the circuitto the electro-magnetic means.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a vertically movable platform for supporting a container, of a hopper having a discharge spout positioned over the platform and adapted to be located within the container, means for feeding material from the hopper to cause downward movement of the platform and container as the same fills, an electric motor for operating said feeding means, connections be- However, the auxiliary feeder tween the motor and feeding means including a clutch, a resilient member biasing the said clutch into inoperative position, an electro-magnet, connections from said magnet to the clutch constructed and arranged to actuate the clutch and hold the same in operative position when the electro-magnet is energized, and trip means including a latched lever adapted to be released by downward movement of the platform to cause deenergization of the electro-magnet.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with a vertically movable platform for supporting a container, of a hopper having a discharge spout positioned over the platform and adapted to be located within the container, means for feeding material from the hopper to cause downward movement of the platform and container as the same fills, an electric motor for operating said feeding means, connections between the motor and feeding means including a clutch, a resilient member biasing the said clutch into inoperative position, an electro-inagnet, connections from said magnet to the clutch constructed and arranged to actuate the clutch and hold the same in operative position when the electro-magnet is energized, trip means including a latched lever adapted to be released by downward movement of the platform to cause deenergization of the electro-magnet, and means actuated by upward movement of the platform adapted to reset the trip means and energize said magnet.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with a vertically movable platform for supporting a container, of a hopper having a discharge spout positioned over the platform and adapted to be located within the container, means for feeding material from the hopper to cause downward movement of the platform and container as the same fills, an electric motor for operating said feeding means, connections between the motor and feeding means including a clutch, a resilient member biasing the said clutch into inoperative position, an electro-magnet, connections from said magnet to the clutch constructed and arranged to actuate the clutch and hold the same in operative position when the electro-magnet isenergized, trip means including toggle mechanism adapted to be tripped by the downward movement of the platform to deenergize the electro-magnet, and members engaged by an empty container upon upward movement thereof to cause resetting of the trip means and energization of the electro-magnet.

5. In a machine for filling containers, the combination with a vertically movable platform for supporting the container, of a hopper having a discharge spout positioned over the platform and adapted to be located within the container, a plurality of feeding augers for delivering material from the hopper to cause downward movement of the platform and container, said augers being initially started simultaneously and operating in unison to feed the bulk of the material, and trip mechanisms actuated in sequence by the downward movement of the platform to stop the operation of certain of said feeding augers and then the remaining augers.

6. In a machine for filling containers, the combination with a vertically movable platform for supporting the container, of a hopper having a discharge spout positioned over the platform and adapted to be located within the container, a plurality of feeding augers operating within the hopper for delivering material to the container,

certain of said augers operating to feed the bulk of the material, and other of said augers feeding an auxiliary stream, and trip mechanisms actuated in sequence by the downward movement of the platform to stop the operation of said first mentioned augers, and after a predetermined interval of time to stop the operation of the auxiliary feeding augers.

7. In a machine for filling containers, the combination with a vertically movable platform for supporting a container, of a hopper having a discharge spout positioned over the platform and adapted to be located within the container, means for feeding material from the hopper to cause downward movement of the platform and container as the same fills, an electric motor for operating said feeding means, connections between the motor and feeding means including a clutch, electro-magnetic means actuating and holding the clutch in operative position when energized, and trip means including toggle mechanism adapted to be tripped by downward movement of the platform, said trip means operating a mercury vacuum tube switch to cause deenergization of the electro-magnetic means.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination with a vertically movable platform for supporting a container, of a hopper with a discharge spout positioned over the platform, and adapted to be located within the container, means for feeding material from the hopper to cause downward movement of the platform and container as the same fills, an electric motor for operating said feeding means, connections between the motor and feeding means including a clutch, a resilient member biasing the said clutch into inoperative position, an electro-magnet, connections from said magnet to the clutch constructed and arranged to actuate the clutch and hold the same in operative position when the electro-magnet is energized, trip means including a latched lever adapted to be released by the downward movement of the platform to deenergize the electro-magnet, and members adapted to be engaged by hand to cause resetting of the trip means and energization of the electro-magnet.

9. In a machine for filling containers, the combination with a movable platform for supporting the container, of a hopper having a discharge spout positioned over the platform and adapted to be located within the container, a drive shaft rotatably mounted within the hopper, a feeding auger fixed to said drive shaft and being centrally disposed with respect to the discharge spout, a tubular drive shaft also rotatably mounted within the hopper and concentrically disposed with respect to the first mentioned drive shaft, and a plurality of feeding augers rotated by said tubular drive shaft, said last mentioned augers being radially disposed with respect to the center auger and having operation to feed the bulk of the material to the container.

10. In a machine for filling containers, the combination with a movable platform supporting the container, of a hopper having a discharge spout positioned over the platform and adapted to be located within the container, a tubular drive shaft rotatably mounted within the hopper, means for rotating said tubular drive shaft, a plurality of feeding augers supported within the hopper and positioned within the discharge spout thereof, means operatively connecting each of said feeding augers with the tubular drive shaft whereby they have rotation to feed the bulk of the material to the container, a drive shaft extending through said tubular shaft, independent means for driving said last mentioned drive shaft, and a feeding auger fixed to said center drive shaft and disposed centrally with respect to the first mentioned augers, said centrally disposed feeding auger having operation to deliver a secondary stream to the container.

11. In a machine for filling containers, the combination with a movable platform for supporting the container, of a hopper having a discharge spout positioned over the platform and adapted to be located within the container, means within the hopper for feeding material to the container, electric means for controlling the operation of said feeding means, trip mechanism for opening the circuit to said electric control means, beam members pivotally supporting an upright at one end thereof having the platform secured thereto, a support for the beam members including bearings substantially frictionless mounting the beam members for oscillation, a second upright pivotally carried by said beam members at the opposite end thereof, means fixed to said second upright adapted to actuate said trip mechanism upon upward movement of the same, and other means fixed to said upright for resetting the trip mechanism upon downward movement thereof.

WARREN D. JORDAN.

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