US2303822A - Receptacle filler - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 1, 1942. F. D. CHAPMAN 2303 'RECEPTAGLE FILLER Filed Aug. El, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 6 1,40,

1396- 1942- F. D. CHAPMAN RECEPTACLE FILLER Filed Aug. 21, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l VENTOR f9 '77fmzZZW)7/M I ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 1, 1942 l E UNITED STATES'PATENT OFFICE 2,303,822 RECEPTACLE. FILLER Frank D. Chapman, Berlin, Wis. Application August 21, 1939, Serial No. 291,159

' 8 Claims. (Cl. 226-97) My present invention relates in general to improvements in the art of packing mixed fluent materials, and relates more particularly to improvements in the construction and operation of receptacle fillers of the type especially adapted to deliver pre-measured batches of several kinds of material to each of a succession of receptacles.

Generally defined, an object of this invention is to provide an improved receptacle filling machine for delivering mixed pre-measured batches of several kinds of material to successive receptacles, which is simple in construction and highly efiicient in operation.

Some of the more specific objects of my present invention are as follows: e

To provide an improved mechanism for automatically accurately measuring and for delivering successive batches of several kinds of material such as peas and brine, to a succession of receptacles such as cans, without wasting any of the material.

To provide an improved no-can-no-fill assemblage for receptacle fillers of the type adapted to deliver pre-measured batches of several kinds of material to the successive receptacles; which positively prevents delivery of charges of either kind of material when no receptacle is available to receive such charges.

To provide a can filling machine for delivering mixed batches of material to successive cans, wherein the successive batches of the several ingredients are accurately pre-measured, and in which the proportions of the mixture constituting each batch may be quickly and accurately varied at any time. i

To provide an automatic can filler which is simple, compact and durable in construction, readily adjustable and manipulable, and wherein waste of material due to failure of the can supply is entirely obviated.

To provide improved mechanism for accurate- 1y pre-measuring independent batches of solids such as legumes or berries, and of liquid such as brine or syrup.

To provide an improved granular material supply mechanism for filling machines, which will positively prevent solids from bridging across the outlet of the supply hopper.

To provide an improved liquid supply system for receptacle fillers, which insures accurate measurement of the successive charges at high speed.

To provide a new and useful can filling assemblage which may be readily assembled and dismantled, and all parts of which are conveniently accessible for inspection and cleaning.-

To provide a sanitary receptacle filling machine, which may be safely operated by a novice; and which may be manufactured, installed and operated at moderate cost. 7

To provide a high speed filling machine for sanitary cans or the like, which will not damage the cans and which is moreover extremely reliable in operation. 1

These and other specific objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description. 1

A clear conception of the several features forming part of my present invention, and of the mode of constructing, adjusting and of operating can filling machines built in accordance with this improvement, may be had-by'reierring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views,

Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic vertical section through one of the improved can filling machines; 7

Fig. 2 is a fragment of the improved solid material agitating mechanism which is associated with the supply hopper;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the can filling-machin of Fig. 1 Y

Fig. 4 is a fragmentarytop view showingdiagrammatically the mechanism for agitating the solid material within the supply hopper;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary external view ofthe lower portion of the machine, showing the nocan-no-fill mechanism for preventing-discharge of solid material when no can is in place;

Fig. 6 is a side view of the'mechanism shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary external view of the cam track for restoring the-solid material nocan-no-fill mechanism to normal operating condition;

Fig. 8 is a part sectional view of one of the liquid measuring pockets or chambers, showing the floating piston thereof in mid position;

Fig. 9 is another view of one of the liquid measuring pockets, showing the floating piston in uppermost position; 7

Fig. 10 is a top view of one of the liquid control valves; and

Fig. 11 is a side View of the liquid control I valve of Fig, 10.

While the invention has been embodied in an automatic rotary can filler especially adapted to deliver independently premeasured batches of peas and brine to a succession of sanitary cans, it is not desired to unnecessarily restrict the scope or utility by virtue of such specific embodiment.

Referring especially to Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, the improved receptacle filler shown therein by way of illustration, comprises in general, a main support or frame having a base portion I4, lower supports l5, upwardly extending side members l6, and a top bracket IT; a central hollow column |8 fixedly mounted at its lower end in a bore l9 in the base l4 and having diametrically opposite slots 20 in its upper portion within which a cross-head 2| is slidably mounted; a non-rotatable adjusting rod 22 snugly confined within the column l3 and having its upper end rigidly attached to the cross-head 2| and its lower end threaded for cooperation with an adjusting worm wheel 23; an upper support or plate 24 resting upon a thrust ring carried by the outwardly projecting ends of the crosshead 2|, and being freely rotatable relative to the column l8 and slidable vertically therealong; an upper disk 25 embracing an annular shoulder on the plate 24, and being adjustable vertically with thisplate 24 but being fixed against rotation by a stub shaft 26 'coacting with an arm 21 secured to the side'members MS; a legume supply hopper 28 carried by the upper nonrotary disk 25; an annular series of eight upper measuring chamber sections 29 rotatably suspended from the periphery of the revolving plate 24 and slidably coacting withthe lower face of the stationary disk 25; an annular series of eight lower measuring chamber sections 33 telescopicall embracing the upper chamber sections 29 and being revolvable therewith; a central rotatable hollow shaft 3| revolvable about the fixed column l8 upon the base l4 and forming a direct support and drive for the measuring chamber sections 29, 30; an annular series of legume delivery chutes 32 suspended from the revolving shaft 3| beneath and in alinement with the chamber sections 3|]; a material delivery fiap or valve 33 interposed between each chamber section 30 and the corresponding chute 32; a liquid supply header 34 rotatably mounted upon the upper extremity of the fixed column l8 and communicating through a stuffing box 35 with a fixed liquid supply pipe 36 which'coacts with and is supported by the upper bracket l1; a series of eight liquid measuring pockets 31 suspended from the revolving shaft 3| near the chutes 32 and each having a floating piston 38 therein; an oscillatory valve 39 carried by each measuring pocket 31 and having a liquid discharge conduit 40 leading into the adjacent discharge chute 32; an auxiliary liquid distributing header-4| suspended from the medial portion of the rotary hollow shaft-3| and being connected to the main header 34 by a pipe 42 along which the plate 24 is slidable; radial pipes 43 extending outwardly from the lower header 4| to the several control valves 39; a revolving can support 44 secured to the lower end of the shaft 3| and having thereon a series of can hooks 45 for positioning the successive cans 45 beneath and in alinement with the lower open ends of the'chutes 32; mechanism for feeding the cans 46 in succession to the support 44 in advance of the hooks 45; mechanism fordelivering the successive loaded cans 43 from the filling zone; and other mechanism for driving the various movable parts of the assemblage.

The main frame may be of variedconstruction, and the central column l8 may be attached to the base l4 in any suitable manner so as to provide an effective journal or bearing for the plate 24, shaft 3|, and header 34 all of which are simultaneously revolvable about the column axis. The cylindrical rod 22 which carries the cross-head 2| and is vertically slidable within the central bore of the fixed column l8, serves to effect telescopic adjustment of the legume measuring chamber sections 29 relative to the chamber sections 30, and the non-rotary legume supply hopper 28 moves vertically during such adjustment of the batch measuring chambers. The worm wheel 23 which coacts with the lower threaded portion of the rod 22 and which is rotatable to move this rod longitudinally within the column I8, is prevented from moving vertically by a bracket 41 secured to the frame base I4 and is revolvable by means of a worm 43 journalled in the bracket 41 and which may be operable by a crank handle 49 in an obvious manner. A guide block 5B-which is rigidly attached to the lower extremity-of the rod 22 and which coacts with fixed guides 5| depending from the bracket 41, cooperates withthe cross-head 2| to positively prevent the rod 22 from rotating, and the worm gearing automatically locks the rod in various positions of adjustment. All of the upper chamber sections 29 are integrally united and are firmly attached to the upper rotary support or plate 24, and the plate 24 is rotatable upon the cross-head ZI by the shaft 3| coacting with the chamber sections 29 through the other chamber sections 33. The normally fixed hopper supporting disk 25 which rests upon the upper ends of the measuring chamber sections 29 is prevented from rotating with these sections and with the plate 24,-by the stub shaft 26, but the disk 25 and hopper 28 are vertically movable with the sections 29 and plate 24 during adjustment of the latter along the column l8 whereupon the shaft 28 slides vertically within the arm 21. During such vertical adjustment of the parts, the capacity of the legume" measuring chambers formed by the sections 29,33 will be simultaneously varied, and the elevation of the chutes 32, liquid measuring pocket-s 31, and liquid headers,'3 4,' 4! will not be altered. l

The lower end of the legume supply hopper 28 is communicable through a delivery opening 52 in the disk 25, with the upper ends of the successive measuring cham'bersections 29, as these chambers are revolved about the column 18 by the shaft 3| and in order to maintain the material in the hopper 28 in a state of agitation and to prevent this material from'bridging across the opening52, I may provide a special hopper-such as shown diagrammatically inFigs. 2'an'd 4. The special hopper 28 comprises a pair of outer side walls 53 interconnected at their adjacent ends by a hinge 54; a pairof inner side walls55 likewise interconnected by-a hinge 56; a fixed end wall 51 secured to the disk 25 and pivotally connected to the adjacent walls 53, 55 by hinges 58; a movable end wall-59 secured .to a reciprocable slide 60 and-pivotally attached to the adjacent side walls 53, 55 by hingesffil; an oscillatory lever 62 for reciprocating .the slide'EO within guideways 63; and'stop's 64,'65 forlimiting the oscillatory movement of the side walls 53, 55 respectively. The slide actuating lever 62 is swingably suspended from the frame base M by means of a pivot pin 53, and is constantly oscillatable-during normal operation of the machine, by an eccentric'61 carried by the main drive shaft 58 and coacting with the lower extremity of the lever 62, see Figs. 1 and 2; and the upper end of the lever 62 which coacts with a bolt carried by the slide 80, may be vertically slotted to permit vertical adjustment of the hopper 28. The arrangement is obviously such that reciprocation of the slide 68 by the oscillating lever 82 will continuously alternately flex and straighten the toggles formed by the hinged sections or side walls 53, 55, and will thus shift the load within the hopper 28 back and forth over the discharge opening 52 thus positively preventing bridging of the material across this opening and insuring proper filling of-the successive measuring chambers.

The flaps or valves 33 which arelocated between the legume measuring chambers and the adjacent chutes 32, are swingably suspended by means of radial shafts 69 mounted in bearings carried by the lower measuring section supporting plate 18, and each of the shafts 69 has-an end crank 7| provided with a roller 12, see Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7. The rollers 12 are adapted to ride along a stationary valve actuating ring 13 which is fixedly secured to the frame member l8, and is provided with an annular continuous track groove 14 and with an upper rail surface 75, along which the successive rollers 12 are adapted to travel under certain conditions of operation of the machine. Near the can receiving portion of the machine, the ring 13 is provided with a gap 16 shown in Fig. 5, which is adapted to be spanned by a lever 11 swingably secured to the upper portion of the ring by a pivot pin 78. When the lever 11 is in the solid line position shown in Fig. 5, the successive advancing actuating rollers 12 of the valves 33 are adapted to ride from within the groove l4 up the upper surface of the inclined lever 71 and upon the upper track surface 15, thereby throwing the corresponding flap valves 33 from horizontal closed position as shown at the left of Fig. 1, to vertical open position as shown at the right of Fig. 1. This inclined setting of the lever 71 is maintained whenever cans 46 are in position beneath the successive chutes 32; but when no cans are thus positioned, the lever T! will be automatically positioned as illustrated in dotand-dash lines in Fig. 5 whereupon the roller or successive rollers 12 will follow the groove 14 and the corresponding valve or valves 33 will not open to deliver charges of legumes to the chutes 32.

The no-can-no-fill mechanism for thus positioning the valve actuating lever 17 is shown diagrammatically in Figs. 5 and 6, and comprises a bell-crank l9 swingably suspended from a pivot 80 carried by a bracket 81 secured to the frame base l4; 2. link 82 pivotally connecting one arm of the bell-crank 19 with the medial portion of the lever l1 and a can engaging rod 83 slidable in a guide 84 carried by the bracket 81 and-pivotally attached to the other arm of the bell-crank 79. In order to prevent the can engaging end of the rod 83 from obstructing or denting the cans 46, this rod may also be provided with a roller 85 which rides along a cam surface 86, at the periphery of the can support 44, and this cam surface 86 comprises a recess adjacent each can hook 45 which will permit the rod 83 to slide inwardly sufiicient to engage the advancing cans 36 but which also limits the inward travel of the rod 83, see Figs; 1, 5 and 6.

In order to restore the successive valve actuating rollers 12 to the groove M after each can 46 has been filled, the valve actuating ring 13 is provided beyond the filling zone with another gap 8! having a diverting projection 88 and a pivoted track section 89,.seeFigs. 3 and 7. The track section 89 is normally held by gravity in the dot-and-dash line position of Fig. 7, so that therollers l2 advancingalong the upper track surface 215 will strike the inclined projection 88 and will be directed downwardly along. the section 89 and into the groove 74, thereby simultaneously closing the valves 33' which had been previously. opened to deliver measured charges, preparatory to subsequent measurement of batches of legumes. .If, however, no can 46 is in place to receive a charge, the corresponding valve actuating roller 72 will be advancing along the groove 14 and towards the lower side of the pivotedtrack section 89. As this roller 72 strikes a the track section '89it momentarily elevates the same and passes into the'groove (4 beyond, whereupon the section 89 again descends by gravity to the dot-and-dash line position of Fig. 7. It will thus be noted, that the improved no-canno-fill mechanism for the solid material or legumes, functions automatically. to cause the flap'valve actuating rollers 12 and cranks H to open and close the successive valves33 whenever a can 46 is in proper position to receive a charge, and also functions automatically to keep the valves 33 sealed or closed when no cans 48 are present, thereby positively avoiding waste of solid material. I

As previously indicated, each of the successive cans 48 issupplied with a pre-measured batch ofliquid such as brine, as well as with 1 a pre-measured -batch of solid material such as legumes. The liquid batches are measured in the cylindrical measuring pockets 31, and the volume of each'batch of liquid is pre-determined by the stroke of the corresponding plunger or piston 38. The stroke of each piston 38 may be variedby means of a stop screw 90 having screw thread coaction with a'threaded opening in the upper head 9| of the pocket, and when the screw 98 is in the position shown in Fig. 9 the stroke is greatest, whereas adjustment of the screw 38 to theposition shown in Fig. 8 will shorten the stroke. The measuring pockets 3i alternately measure batches of the liquid on opposite sides of the pistons 38 therein, and the chamber at-the top of each piston 38 is connected with the central portion of the side of the corresponding valve casing 92 by an open conduit 93, while the bottom chamber is con-- nected to this casing by a port 94, see Figs. 1 and 8. The brine control valves 39 are rotatable within thecasing's' 92' by means of star wheels 95 at the ends ofthese valves, and the valves 38 are formed as shown in Figs. 10 and 11 with annular recesses 86, 87, near the opposite ends thereof, and with two sets of diametrically opposite passages 98, 89 extending longitudinally of the valves and away from the recesses 9%, M respectively. The recess 96 of each valve 39 is in constant open communication with the corresponding liquid supply pipe 43 as shown in 1, and the annular recess '9'! is likewise in constantopen communication with the corresponding discharge conduit 40 as shown in Fig. 9. When a valve 39 is positioned as shown in section in Fig. l, the liquid supply headers 34, M are in open communication with the lower displacement chamber'of the corresponding pocket 3'! through the pipe 43, valve recess36, upper passage 99, and port 9 4; the upper displacement chamber is-in open communication with the corresponding liquid discharge conduit 40 through the conduit 93, valve recess 91, and passage 98. When a valve 39 has been displaced through an angle of ninety degrees from the position shown in Fig. 1, the lower displacement chamber of the :pocket 39 will be brought into open communication with the liquid discharge conduit 40 through the port 94 which then communicates with the recess 91 through one of the passages 99; and the upper displacement chamber will be placed in communication with the corresponding liquid supply pipe 43 through the conduit 93 which then communicates with the recess '96 through one of the passages 98. The hydrostatic head of liquid in the supply headers 34, 4I acting upon the face of the pistons 30 which are exposed to this pressure, will always cause the pistons to move either up or down and will expel the ipre-measured charges on the other side of these pistons 38.

The valves 3,9,v as previously indicated, are rotatable by means of the star, wheels 95, and the arms of these wheels are cooperable with the upper end of a no-can-no-fill lever I in the manner shown in Fig. 1. The lever I00 may be suspended from the main frame by means of a pivot pin IIlI at any desired location, so that the measured liquid batches will be delivered to the successive cans 46 either before, simultanee ously with, or after the measuredbatches of peas have been introduced into the cans. The lever I00 is constantly urged to swing about its pivot pin IN, by means of a spring I02, so that the lower extremity I03 will be projected into the path of the advancing cans 46. If no can 46 is in place, the upper end of the lever I00 will be pulled outwardly by the spring I02 sothat the corresponding valve actuating star wheel 95 will not engage the lever I00, thus preventing delivery of any liquid as the star wheel passes the lever. If a can 46 is. in position, the can will engage the lower lever extremity I03 and will swing the upper end into the path of the star wheel 95 which willthen cause the corresponding valve 39 to shift through an angle of ninety degrees and will thereby deliver a measured batch of liquid to the can. In this manner, measured charges of liquid will be delivered only when a can 46 is in position to receive the same, and waste of liquid is positively avoided; and each of the liquid measuring pockets 31 will alternately deliver a pre-measured batch of liquid from its lower and upper displacement chambers; It is also noteworthy that regardless of the position ofadjustment of the screw 99, the liquid batches measured on the opposite sides of the same piston 38 will always be'equal to each other, since the piston stroke in both directions will remain equal.

The mechanism for delivering the successive empty cans 46 to the machine, may be of the improved form shown and described in my copending application Serial No. 189,490, filed February 9, 1938, and comprises a can feed screw I04 cooperating with a rotary can feed disk I and with a resiliently mounted fixed can guide I06 to deliver the successive cans 46 upon the revolving support 44 in front of the can hooks 45; and a can supply chute I01 for directing the cans towards the screw I04 andupon the disk 205 in upright condition. The mechanism for discharging the food laden cans 46 in succession from the machine, is of well known construction and comprises a stationary discharge plate I08. and a series of can hooks I09, simultaneously.

revolvable about a common vertical axis by means of an upright shaft H0. The mechanism for driving the machine during normal operation thereof, comprises a main shaft 68 journalled in bearings III carried by the frame supports I5 and having a driving pulley H2 at one end thereof; chain gearing II3 connecting the opposite end of the shaft 68 withv the feed screw I04; bevel gearing II4 connecting a medial portion of the shaft 68 with the lower end of an upright counter shaft II5 which is journalled in other bearings I I6 carried by the main frame; a pinion II'I secured to the upper end of the counter shaft H5 and meshing with a spur gear II8 formed integral with the can support 44 to drive this support and the hollow shaft 3I.; another counter shaft II9 journalled in a bearing- I20 carried by the base I4 and having thereon a pinion I2I which meshes with the gear ,I I8 and chain gearing I22 driven by the counter shaft H9 and cooperating with the disksupporting shafts I I0, I23 to drive the latter, see Figs. 1 and 3.

Although it is believed that the normal operation of my improved receptacle filler should be apparent from the foregoing detailed description of the parts thereof, this operation will again be briefly described. During such normal operation, the can supply and discharge mechanisms,

, and the upright hollow shaft 3| with its associatedparts, will be revolving continuously by virtue of the application of power to the drive shaft 68 by the pulley H2. The stationary hopper 29 should be supplied with an abundance of solid material such as peas, and liquid such as brine should be abundantly supplied to the main header 35 through the fixed supply pipe 30. The upper pea measuring chamber sections 29 should be adjusted relative to the lower sections 30, with the aid of the adjusting rod 22, worm gearing 23, 48,and crank 49 so as to accurately predetermine the volume of the measured batches of solid material; and the stroke of each piston 38 should also be fixed with the aid of the corresponding adjusting screw so as to likewise accurately pre-determine the volume of the measured batches of liquid, which when mixed with the batches of solid material will properly fill the successive cans 46. The continued rotation of the upright hollow shaft 3I and can support 44, causes the solid material measiu'ing chamber sections 29, 90, the liquid measuring pockets 31, the liquid supply headers 24, 4!, the batch delivery chutes 32, and the can conveying hooks 45 to simultaneously revolve about the axis of the fixed upright column I8, and the successive cans 40 are thus advanced about the column axis beneath and in vertical alinement with the lower delivery openings of the chutes 32.

As each of the measuring chambers passes beneath the delivery opening 52 of the fixed hopper 28, it receives a measured charge of peas and advances beyond the opening 52 beneath the fixed top plate 25; and one of the displacement chambers of each pocket 31' is always provided with a measured batch of liquid which is ready for delivery to a can 46. When an advancing can 46 resting upon the support 44 reaches a position.

wherein it engages the rod 83, the lever 'I'I will be swung downwardly to the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 5, and the corresponding flap valve 33'will be opened to deliver the measured batch of peas through the chute 32 to the can 46. Either before, simultaneously with, or after such.

line position of Fig. 5, preparatory to subsequentv actuation by another can, but the liquid control valves 39 require no special pre-setting as they are always in condition for discharge of measured liquid batches whenever a can is in position. After the flap valve 33 which has just been opened to deliver a charge, has been advanced to a position near the can discharge portion of the machine, it will be automatically closed by coaction of its roller 72 and actuatin crank 69, with the projection 88, gap 81 and rail section89, to restore the corresponding pea measuring chamber to closed condition preparatory to reception of a fresh batch. In this manner the successive cans 66 are automatically delivered to and from the machine, and each can is supplied with an accurately pre-measured charge of mixture of peas and brine.

When no can 46 is in position beneath any of the chutes 32, the lever 11 will not be lowered from the dot-and-dash line position of Fig. 5 as the corresponding chute 32 passes the rod 83, and the corresponding valve actuating roller 12 will therefore continue to advance along the groove 14, and the valve 33 will not be opened. As the chute 32 passes the corresponding liquid control valve 39, the lever H20 will not engage the star wheel 95 of this valve, and no charge of liquid will be delivered to the chute 32. It will thus be apparent that with my improved no-can-no-fill mechanism, neither solid material nor liquid will be discharged from a chute 32, unless a can 46 is in position to receive the material from this chute. This mechanism positively prevents delivery of any material and therefore likewise positively eliminates waste of material.

From the foregoing detailed description it will be apparent that my present invention provides an improved receptacle filler for delivering batches of mixed material to successive receptacles, which is simple, compact and durable in construction and which is moreover highly efficient in operation. The improved mechanism may obviously be accurately adjusted to insure accurate pie-measurement of the successive charges of material, and by utilizing an improved supply hopper 28 for the solid material, such as shown in detail in Fig. 4, complete filling of the successive measuring chambers will be assured and bridging of the material across the hopper outlet opening 52 will be positively prevented. When the side walls of this hopper 28 are moved laterally, they not only shift the entire charge of material within the hopper back and forth over the plate 25 but the volumetric capacity of the hopper is also constantly changing. These combined actions most efiectively retain the legume charge in a state of constant agitation and cause the particles to gravitate freely towards the measuring pockets. The improved no-canno-fill mechanisms are obviously extremely simple in construction and positive in action. While the solid materials are delivered from the hopper to the cans by gravity, the liquid charges are positively delivered to the cans by the hydrostatic head in the liquid supply, and the delivery of the liquid charges through the same chutes 32 through'which the solids are delivered; will serve to lubricate the interiors of these chutes and to prevent accumulation of solids therein. The'assemblage is of such construction that it may be operated at relatively high speed, and may be utilized to fill cans or receptacles of various sizes, and all parts of the assemblages are obviously readily accessible for inspectionand cleaning. The improved receptacle filling machine'may be conveniently installed and operated by a novice, and can be manufactured and sold at moderate cost. It should be understood that it is not desired to limit this invention to the exact details of construction or to the precise mode of use, herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. In a filler, an annular series of measuring chambers rapidly revolvable about an axis, and a hopper for delivering material by gravity into said chambers as they move beneath the hopper in rapid succession, said hopper having opposite downwardly converging side walls each formed of several hingedly connected rigid sections movable relative to the corresponding sections of the other wall and a reciprocable end wall for relatively moving said side walls.

2. In a filler, an annular series of measuring chambers rapidly revolvable about an axis, a hopper for delivering material by gravity into said chambers as they move beneath the hopper in rapid succession, said hopper having opposite downwardly converging side walls each formed of several hingedly connected rigid sections movable relative to the corresponding sections of the other wall and a reciprocable end wall for relatively articulating said side walls, and common means for revolving said chambers and for reciprocating said end wall.

3. In a filler, an annular series of upwardly open measuring chambers rapidly revolvable about an upright axis, and a hopper for delivering material by gravity into said chambers as they pass in rapid succession beneath said hopper, said hopper having opposite downwardly converging side walls each formed of a pair of hingedly connected rigid sections movable toward and away from the corresponding sections of the other wall to insure filling of said chambers as the latter move rapidly past the lower hopper discharge opening.

4. In a filler, an annular series of upwardly open measuring chambers rapidly revolvable about an upright axis, and a hopper for delivering material by gravity into said chambers as they pass in rapid succession beneath said hopper, said hopper having opposite downwardly converging side walls each formed of a pair of hingedly connected rigid sections movable toward and away from the corresponding "sections of the other wall to insure filling of said chambers as the latter move rapidly past the lower hopper discharge opening, and also having a reciprocable end wall for moving said side walls.

5. In a filler, an annular series of upwardly open measuring chambers rapidly revolvable about an upright axis, a hopper for delivering material by gravity into said chambers as they pass in rapid succession beneath said hopper, said hopper having opposite downwardly converging side walls each formed of a pair of hingedly connected rigid sections movable toward and away from the corresponding sections of the other wall to insure filling of said chambers as the latter move rapidly past the lower hopper discharge opening, and [also having a reciprocable end wall for moving said side walls, and common means for revolving said chambers and for reciprocating said end wall.

6. In a filler, a series of measuring chambers movable along a definite path, a hopper for delivering material into the successive chambers as they advance past the hopper outlet, said hopper having opposite side walls formed of several rigid sections articulably interconnected by hinges extending in the direction of travel of the material passing through the hopper, and means for articulating said hopper wall sections during advancement of said chambers past said outlet.

7. In a filler, an annular series of measuring chambers revolvable about an axis, a hopper for delivering material into the successive chambers as they move past the hopper outlet, said hopper having opposite side walls formed of several rigid sections articulably interconnected by hinges 'extending in the direction of travel of the material passing through the hopper, and an end member connecting said hopper side walls and being reciprocable to articulate said side wall sections during revolution of said chamber series.

8. In a filler, a series of measuring chambers revolvable about an upright axis, :a hopper for delivering material by gravity into the successive chambers as they move past the hopper outlet, said hopper having opposite side walls each formed of several rigid sections articulably interconnected by hinges extending downwardly and inwardly toward said outlet and also having an end wall reciprocable to articulate said side wall sections, and means for simultaneously revolving said chamber series and for reciprocating said end wall.

FRANK D. CHAPMAN.

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