US2550903A - Material measuring and dispensing device - Google Patents

Material measuring and dispensing device Download PDF

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US2550903A
US2550903A US748203A US74820347A US2550903A US 2550903 A US2550903 A US 2550903A US 748203 A US748203 A US 748203A US 74820347 A US74820347 A US 74820347A US 2550903 A US2550903 A US 2550903A
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measuring
shaft
cylinders
ice cream
fluid
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Samuel H Berch
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B3/00Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B3/26Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of the material fed or filled
    • B65B3/30Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of the material fed or filled by volumetric measurement
    • B65B3/32Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of the material fed or filled by volumetric measurement by pistons co-operating with measuring chambers

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  • This invention relates to packaging devices; and particularly pertains to a material measuring and dispensing device and is a division of'my application entitled Packaging Machine for Ice Cream and the Like, Serial No. 631,331 filed by me November 28, 1945, and since issued as U. S; Letters Patent No. 2,500,922.
  • the present invention is applicable for use in packaging various products which are in a semifluidcondition when packaged, but the inven tion has particular value in the packaging of ice cream to be dispensed in restaurants, catering establishments, soda fountains, and at retail.
  • the inven tion has particular value in the packaging of ice cream to be dispensed in restaurants, catering establishments, soda fountains, and at retail.
  • dispensing ice cream it has been found that the sale of ice cream in bulk is unsatisfactory for the reason that the ice cream does not maintain a desired consistency and in addition will shrink. It is also common knowledge that the uniform scooping of ice cream from a bulk supply depends upon the skill and care of the dispenser.
  • the present invention is concerned with meas uring and dispensing means for receiving terial in a fluid state from a constant supply, thereafter measuring a predetermined membersaid material and discharging the same into a receptacle, the receiving and discharging operf ations takingplace simultaneously while the measuring and dispensing means is intermittently driven.
  • V j The invention is illustrated by way of eX-' ample in the'accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a view in plan showing the complete machine as designed to form, fill and discharge four containers in one unit of operation.
  • Figure 2 is a View in vertical section and eleva tion as seen on the line 22 of Fig. 1 and shows the driving mechanism for the structure. I V
  • N Fig. 3 is a view in horizontal section and elevation as seen on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and shows other details oi the driving mechanism.
  • Fig. 4 is a View in transverse section through the machine as seen on the line 44 of Fig. 1 and shows the ice cream measuring and dispensing device at the beginning of an ice cream dispens ing step
  • Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of an upper portion of'Fig. 4 at the completion of an ice cream dispensing step- V
  • ll indicates a base structure.
  • This structure is defined by a housing having opposite end walls I2 and I3, opposite side walls I4 and I5, a floor l6, and a top H.
  • the top is substantially at table height.
  • are disposed in the path of travel of a conveyor chain 22 and along the straight run 22 thereof.
  • the folding and forming units l9 and the measuring and dispensing units 20 are disposed along the other parallel straight run of the conveyor chain 22, as indicated at 22
  • the conveyor chain 22 is led around sprocket wheels 23 and 24 adjacent to the opposite ends of the base structure H. These sprockets lie in a horizontal plane parallel to the top I? of the base.
  • the sprocket 23 is an idler sprocket mounted upon a vertical shaft 25.
  • the sprocket 24 is a driven sprocket mounted upon a vertical drive shaft 26.
  • the shaft 26 is supported in bearings 21 and 2B and is driven intermittently through a mechanism to be hereinafter described.
  • a power unit for driving the shaft 26 and the other parts of the machine comprises an electric motor 20 mounted within the base structure upon a platform 30.
  • the motor shaft 31 carries pulleys 32 and 33.
  • the pulley 32 receives a belt 34 which is led around a pulley 35 of a compressor 36.
  • the pulley 33 receives a belt 31' which leads around a pulley 36 mounted upon a horizontally disposed jacklshaft 39.
  • This shaft is mounted in bearings 40 resting upon the floor l of the base structure at approximately the center thereof.
  • the jackshaft also carries a pulley 4
  • the belt 42 leads around a pulley 43 mounted upon a jack shaft.
  • the jack shaft 44 is suitably supported in bearings 45 carried by a gear box 46.
  • the gear box 46 is also fitted with bearings 4? through which a vertical shaft 48 extends and by which it is rotatably supported.
  • a worm wheel 49 mounted upon the shaft 48 is a worm wheel 49 in mesh with a worm gear 50 which is carried upon a jack shaft 44.
  • the vertical shaft 48 is rotatably supported at its opposite ends by bearings carried by the floor and top sections of the base.
  • Mounted upon the shaft 48 at a point beneath the gear box 46 is a disc 5
  • is adapted to engage the slots of a Geneva cam 52 which is mounted upon a cam shaft 53.
  • the shaft 53 also carries a relative.- ly large driving gear 23I which is in mesh with one of a series of gears 236 mounted upon vertical shafts 230.
  • the shafts 236' are mounted in bearings secured to the floor 16.
  • a vertical shaft 56 is rotatably mounted in a bearing carried by the bottom wall of the housing.
  • a gear 55 is freely mounted on the shaft 56 and is driven by a gear 54 mounted upon shaft 56.
  • Pivoted to the gear 55 is a rack bar 58 which is secured to a pivot pin 59.
  • the rack bar extends horizontally and is held in mesh with a pinion 00 which is freely rotatable upon the drive shaft 26. This pinion is fixed to a disc 61 on the drive shaft 20.
  • a notch having a square shoulder 62 At a point in the margin of the disc 6
  • a notch 66 is formed in the circumferential edge of the disc 63 and is engaged by a pin 61. The pin 61 is carried at one free end of a bell crank 68. This bell crank is pivotedupon a vertical pivot shaft 59 carried in a suitable bearing on the floor of the base.
  • the other arm of the bell crank 68 extends horizontally and terminates in an arcuate portion 10 which occurs beneath the gear 55. This arcuate portion is concentric with the axis of the shaft 56 and when the gear 55 rotates in a clockwise direction a pin H thereon will engage the arcuate portion 10 of the bell crank 60 and withdraw the lock pin 67 from the notch 66 in the edge of the disc 63.
  • a spring 12 is fastened to the bell crank and tends to urge the pin 61 against the periphery of the disc 63.
  • a shackle structure 13 embraces the rack 58 and is pivoted upon the shaft 26 so that as the rack reciprocates and oscillates it will be maintained in constant mesh with the pinion 60. By this arrangement the conveyor chain 22 will be driven a predetermined distance at each driving impulse and will be locked against movement in the pause therebetween.
  • the members 15 are substantially U- shaped and have a bottom wall 16 andparallel vertical walls 11. The vertical walls extend in planes normal to the longitudinal center of the sprocket chain 22. The sides of the molds 15 are open.
  • the measuring and dispensing units 20 involve novel means for measuring quantities of semisolid material and for discharging it in predetermined measured quantities to a container.
  • the structure is simple and may be made easily from stainless steel so that the parts may be quickly removed, separated and sterilized when required.
  • Each of the measuring units comprises an outer cylindrical shell 208. This shell is secured to a horizontal floor plate 209 which is disposed above the path of travel of the conveyor chain 22 and is parallel to the top wall I! of the base structure.
  • the shell 206 is formed with a bottom wall 2 l0. Valve ports 2
  • These ports are spaced equally from the center of the shell upon diametrically opposite sides thereof and with their central axes in the same plane as the vertical center of the shell. This plane is normal to the path of travel'of the conveyor chain22.
  • the center line of the valve port 212 is in vertical alignment with the center of the run of conveyor chain 22 which passes beneath the plate 209.
  • the upper end of the cylindrical shell 208 is open and receives a measuring valve rotor 2 l3.
  • This valverotor is formed with a plurality of measuring cylinders 214 and 2l5.
  • the measuring cylinders extend parallel to each other and to the cent-mi axis 20 8" and-are d esigr'ied to regist er with: the valve port's-1H and 212.
  • cylinders 2'14 and H5 Mounted to" reciprocate in l eachy oi the cylinders 2'14 and H5 are pistons each of whi'ch carries a plungerrodfz l 'l at 1 he: ports; Z 'H and 212; Thus when the lowe .opened endsoh the cylinders register the valve ports 21' I and 212- a clear and .uno'b' structed passageway will be formed.
  • Secured'beneaththetvalve port: 2 H. is a manifold conduit 21 39- which extendsv horizontally and formed with plurality of lateral connections 22%, one of which is in direct communication with each or the valve ports. 2H Asshown; in Fig- 5 of the drawing the.
  • conduit 2129' isto'f larger cross-section than the. connections". 220.
  • ⁇ Disposed beneath the: valve port: 212 is anozzle 22-,3:. Thisv nozzle has a, discharge end of.
  • each of the measuring valves 213-1 a-gea-r 22,4. Ifhisg-ear extends around the per etjer of, the portion oi the valve which projects hove: the cylindrical shell 208.
  • Each of the gear-e224 isi-n mesh with api-nion 2,25.
  • the pinions are mounted upon aseries of vertical shafts 225 These shafts extend downwardly. into the base structure of the machine and are rotatably su ppor'tedv by- .bearings and 22 .8. Secured uponeachof theshafts. 22.6 at a.
  • the gear train comprising. gears 2'29" and 2'30; will rotate one-half a revolution. This inv turn will alternately dispose the measuring cylinders 21 Land 2215 into register with the'valve port. 2 l2 and the discharge nozzle. 22:3.
  • rocker arm 2 32 is provided for each of. the dispensing. units. These rockerarnis are mounted upon-standards 233.
  • the lift rod?- '14-] is reciprocably mounted in bearing-s 243 and 2.44 so that. the rod may move;vertically.
  • a fitting 245 is. secured upon the. lift rod. 24'! and is'aconnectedto a link- 246 by apivot; 2'41 '1 e upper endof the link 246 is provided with ag'pirot pin 248 which connects with; one arm of; a bell, crank 2.49.
  • the bell, crank is mounted on brackets 250 within the base structure upon a pivot shaft 25;].
  • the opposite. arm of. thebell crank extends down.
  • cam roller 252 which rests against the suriace contour of a. cam 253;
  • This cam is fixed on a timing shaft 9 3 which extends throughout the length of the machine ⁇ and journals. in bearings '94 and 95.
  • Shaft 93' also ex: tends through the, gear box 46' and-journals, in suitable bearings. provided on. the walls thereof.
  • This shaft has fixed thereon a gear [82,(Fig. 2')" which meshes withthe worm 58' on the shaft 4 4' so as. to constantly rotate the shaft, 93 while the machine is inv operation.
  • This disc idles past the latch- 64 when rotating in a clockwise direction and" engages said latch with the shoulder 62 when rotating inaicounterclcckwise directioni
  • the chain 22 is caused to tr'av'e'l during the coun, terclockwise rotation of the disc-61 and topause during the clockwise rotation of said disc.
  • The-ipiston in the measuring cylinder whichis thus brought into registry with port 2-1 is ht its down position as shown in Fig. 4 and the 7 presence of ice cream under pressure at all times in the manifold 219 and lateral connections 220 results in said ice cream flowing upwardly into the cylinders aligned with ports 2
  • the quantity of ice cream or other liquid material which the invention is employedto dispense may be delivered in vary ing quantities; this variation being controllable either by screwing the packing glands 2 l8 different amounts into the upper ends of the cylinders -2 l4 and 2 I5 or by varying the length of the distance between the pivots 236 and 24'! by screwing the threaded ,end 240 of the rod 2M varying distances into the fitting 238. Either of these variations would alter the volume of the charge of liquid delivered from one of the cylinders 2 [5 or 2 l5 in the dispensing step of the operation of the units 26. Varying the screwed-in position or" a packing gland 2!!!
  • any cylinder 2M or 2l5 varies the amount of ice cream or other liquid
  • the cam 253 on which this particular cylinder will receive when The amount of liquid which is delivered from each of the cylinders in a dispensing step of the operation of the invention will vary in accordance with the amount of liquid with Which said cylinder had previously been charged. From this it is seen'that I have provided a means for equalizing the amounts of liquid delivered from the different cylinders 2M and H5 as well as providing a means for increasing; or decreasing-at will the individual quantity thusuniformly delivered from all of said cylinders.
  • a measuring and dispensing unit beneath which a package is placed for receiving fluid material, a plate disposed horizontally and beneath which said container may be placed, a cylindrical shell extending upwardly from said plate, a valve rotor rotating within the shell and resting upon said plate, a plurality of longitudinally extending measuring cylinders formed through the valve rotor and disposed eccentrically of the rotating axis of the valve rotor, a fluid intake opening through said plate and with which said measuring cylinders may register, a fluid discharge opening through said plate and with which said measuring cylinders may move to register, a container, being adapted to be disposed below said discharge opening, means for intermittently rotating said valve rotor to successively move the measuring cylinders to the fluid intake opening and the fluid discharge opening, a plunger in the upper end of each of said cylinders and forming a fluid seal with the walls thereof, a plunger rod extending upwardly from each plunger to a point above the level of .the top of the valve rotor and
  • a measuring and dispensing unit beneath which a package is placed for receiving fluid material, a plate disposed horizontally and beneath which said container may be placed, a cylindrical shell extending upwardly from said plate, a valve rotor rotating within the shell and resting upon said plate, a plurality of longitudinally extending measuring cylinders formed through the valve rotor and disposed eccentrically of the rotating axis of the valve rotor, a fluid intake opening through said plate and With which said measuring cylinders may register, a fluid discharge opening through said plate and with which said measuring cylinders may move to register, a container, being adapted to be disposed below said discharge opening, means for intermittently rotating said valve rotor to successively move the measuring cylinders to register with the fluid intake opening and the fluid discharge opening, a plunger. in the upper end of each of said cylinders and forming a fluid seal with the walls thereof, a
  • plunger rod extending upwardly from each plunger to a point above the level of the top of the valve rotor and its shell, an operating lever overhanging the valve rotor and itsishell and beneath and with which the plungerrods register when the respective measuringj cylinders register with the fluid discharge opening, a lift rod connected with said lever, a camj engaging the lift rod to cause it to reciprocate and oscillate said lever, adjustable means at a point between the cam and the plunger whereby the operating stroke of the plunger may be, set to cause a measured quantity of fluid to be discharged from a measuring cylinder at one stroke of the plunger, and synchronous drivingmeans for said cam and for the driving means of the rotating valve rotor whereby said valve rotor may be moved to bring its measuring cylindersin registry successively with the fluid inlet opening and the fluid discharge opening whereby during an intermediate period the valve plunger'of the cylinder in register with the discharge opening will be forced downwardly.
  • a package conveying device by which packages are intermittently moved to a filling station, a rotatable rotor disposed thereabove, a plate between said device and said rotor and slidably fitting thelatter, a pair of longitudinal cylindrical chambers in said rotor, there being a pair of openings in said plate with which said cylindrical chambersjsuccessively register, one of said openings beingfat the filling station, a conduit in communication with the other of said openings through which fluid to be dispensed is delivered under pressure, plungers in each of said cylindrical chambers and adapted to reciprocate upwardly under the pressure of the fluid from the conduit,'and mechanical means for moving a plunger in one of said chambers downwardly at the filling station to eject the fluid from said chamber.

Description

S. H. BERCH MATERIAL MEASURING AND DISPENSING DEVICE May 1, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 15, 1947 HTTOENES" Filed May 15, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet M y 1 s. H. BERCH 2,550,903
MATERIAL MEASURING AND DISPENSING DEVICE I N V EN TOR. 5/71/1062 H. B66676 May 1, 1951 s. H. BERCH MATERIAL MEASURING AND DISPENSING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 15, 1947 INVENTOR.
firroeA/'i m M B H L w W 5 May 1, 1951 s. BERCH MATERIAL MEASURING AND DISPENSING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 15, 1947 INVENTOR. spy/05 H. 5520/ HTTOQNEV Patented May 1 1951 MATERIAL MEASURINGAND DISPENSING DEVICE,
Samuel H. Berch, Beverly Hills, Calif. Original application November 1945, fierial No. 631,331. Divided and this application May 15, 1947, Serial N0. 748,203
6 Claims. (Cl. 226-403) This invention relates to packaging devices; and particularly pertains to a material measuring and dispensing device and is a division of'my application entitled Packaging Machine for Ice Cream and the Like, Serial No. 631,331 filed by me November 28, 1945, and since issued as U. S; Letters Patent No. 2,500,922.
The present invention is applicable for use in packaging various products which are in a semifluidcondition when packaged, but the inven tion has particular value in the packaging of ice cream to be dispensed in restaurants, catering establishments, soda fountains, and at retail. In dispensing ice cream it has been found that the sale of ice cream in bulk is unsatisfactory for the reason that the ice cream does not maintain a desired consistency and in addition will shrink. It is also common knowledge that the uniform scooping of ice cream from a bulk supply depends upon the skill and care of the dispenser. An additional disadvantage in dispensing from bulk is that water may be carried into the container with 1311950001) so that ice particles are formed, which render the ice cream unsaleable, and sanitary conditions attendant to the use of' a scoop in a bulk container are not desirable; Due to these conditions the merchandiser of ice cream can never be certain of making a fixed profit since the. profit may vary. This tends to promote a practice on the part of the merchandiser to sk'imp'in the servings of ice cream or to substitute cheaper grades of ice cream from those which the character of his trade expects. From the mer,-' chandising standpoint there is also the objection that advertising does not create a sufficient demand for a particular advertised brand, since in sales from bulk, at least, the. retail purchaser cannot identify the product from its appearance. It is therefore desirable to provide a means for packaging ice cream which will utilize a simple and inexpensive package such as disclosed in my def-pending application entitled "Carton for Ice Creamand the Like, file'd'OctoherBl, 1944, andbearing Serial No. 561,235, said applicationsince' issuing as U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,443,536, s'a'idpackage permitting merchandise tobe identified and sold at a fixed profit without reference to the loss by shrinkage, contamination or 1111*- sanitary conditions. In order toaccomplish these results and to 'meet competition of bulk ice cream manufacturers it is necessary to provide automatic means by which carton blanks may be folded, filled and closed, and it is the principalobjectof the present invention to provide a ma chine forpa'ckaging ice cream and the like in- 2 volving the use of carton blanks as disclosed the aforesaid applicationand in which mac hine blanksare consecutively withdrawn from" amagazine; carried to forming means, and then consecutively to filling and closing stations", whereby the packaging may be accomplished rapidly and in a sanitary full automaticoperation. The present invention is concerned with meas uring and dispensing means for receiving terial in a fluid state from a constant supply, thereafter measuring a predetermined membersaid material and discharging the same into a receptacle, the receiving and discharging operf ations takingplace simultaneously while the measuring and dispensing means is intermittently driven. V j The invention is illustrated by way of eX-' ample in the'accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a view in plan showing the complete machine as designed to form, fill and discharge four containers in one unit of operation. Figure 2 is a View in vertical section and eleva tion as seen on the line 22 of Fig. 1 and shows the driving mechanism for the structure. I V
N Fig. 3 is a view in horizontal section and elevation as seen on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and shows other details oi the driving mechanism.
Fig. 4 is a View in transverse section through the machine as seen on the line 44 of Fig. 1 and shows the ice cream measuring and dispensing device at the beginning of an ice cream dispens ing step,
Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of an upper portion of'Fig. 4 at the completion of an ice cream dispensing step- V The present measuring and dispensing means is used in the general combination illustrated in the aforementioned drawings and will be explained in this connection although the inven= tion is particularly disclosed in Figs. 4 and 5.
In the drawings, a carton blank is shown with which the present invention is particularly concerned although it is to be understood that the mechanism involving the present invention may be adapted for use with blanks of other designs; The carton blank, here indicated at H), is de-' signed to form a cube-shaped container, the details of which are specifically set forth in my U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,443,530 above referred to. Generally considered, the present invention is concerned with a machine equipped with inag= azines to receive a quantity of the blanks It, to thereafter fold and form said blanks, and to then carry the folded cartons to means by which measuredquantities of ice cream may be dis charged into the cartons in register therewith and after which the carton may be completely closed and its parts interlocked to hold the contents of the carton in a closed and sealed condition. It is understood that while the invention is described as being used with ice cream that other products might be used if desired, and it is to be further pointed out that the means for measuring and filling the cartons may be employed with other machinery and with other products than those here shown.
In the drawings, ll indicates a base structure. This structure is defined by a housing having opposite end walls I2 and I3, opposite side walls I4 and I5, a floor l6, and a top H. For convenience, the top is substantially at table height. Disposed above the top is a plurality of carton blank magazine units l8, adjacent to which are carton folding and forming units I9. There are also mounted above the top I! a plurality of product measuring and dispensing units 20 and a plurality of carton closing units 2|. The carton magazine units [8 and the carton closing units 2| are disposed in the path of travel of a conveyor chain 22 and along the straight run 22 thereof. The folding and forming units l9 and the measuring and dispensing units 20 are disposed along the other parallel straight run of the conveyor chain 22, as indicated at 22 The conveyor chain 22 is led around sprocket wheels 23 and 24 adjacent to the opposite ends of the base structure H. These sprockets lie in a horizontal plane parallel to the top I? of the base. The sprocket 23 is an idler sprocket mounted upon a vertical shaft 25. The sprocket 24 is a driven sprocket mounted upon a vertical drive shaft 26. The shaft 26 is supported in bearings 21 and 2B and is driven intermittently through a mechanism to be hereinafter described.
A power unit for driving the shaft 26 and the other parts of the machine comprises an electric motor 20 mounted within the base structure upon a platform 30. The motor shaft 31 carries pulleys 32 and 33. The pulley 32 receives a belt 34 which is led around a pulley 35 of a compressor 36. The pulley 33 receives a belt 31' which leads around a pulley 36 mounted upon a horizontally disposed jacklshaft 39. This shaft is mounted in bearings 40 resting upon the floor l of the base structure at approximately the center thereof. The jackshaft also carries a pulley 4| receiving a belt 42. The belt 42 leads around a pulley 43 mounted upon a jack shaft. The jack shaft 44 is suitably supported in bearings 45 carried by a gear box 46. The gear box 46 is also fitted with bearings 4? through which a vertical shaft 48 extends and by which it is rotatably supported. Mounted upon the shaft 48 is a worm wheel 49 in mesh with a worm gear 50 which is carried upon a jack shaft 44. The vertical shaft 48 is rotatably supported at its opposite ends by bearings carried by the floor and top sections of the base. Mounted upon the shaft 48 at a point beneath the gear box 46 is a disc 5| carrying a pin 5!. The pin 5| is adapted to engage the slots of a Geneva cam 52 which is mounted upon a cam shaft 53. The shaft 53 also carries a relative.- ly large driving gear 23I which is in mesh with one of a series of gears 236 mounted upon vertical shafts 230. The shafts 236' are mounted in bearings secured to the floor 16. A vertical shaft 56 is rotatably mounted in a bearing carried by the bottom wall of the housing. A gear 55 is freely mounted on the shaft 56 and is driven by a gear 54 mounted upon shaft 56. Pivoted to the gear 55 is a rack bar 58 which is secured to a pivot pin 59. The rack bar extends horizontally and is held in mesh with a pinion 00 which is freely rotatable upon the drive shaft 26. This pinion is fixed to a disc 61 on the drive shaft 20. At a point in the margin of the disc 6| is a notch having a square shoulder 62. Disposed directly beneath the disc 6| is a disc 63. This disc is keyed to the drive shaft 26 and carries a pawl 64 which may fall into the notch and encounter the shoulder 62. A spring 65 urges the pawl 64 inwardly so that it will bear against the periphery of the disc 6!. A notch 66 is formed in the circumferential edge of the disc 63 and is engaged by a pin 61. The pin 61 is carried at one free end of a bell crank 68. This bell crank is pivotedupon a vertical pivot shaft 59 carried in a suitable bearing on the floor of the base. The other arm of the bell crank 68 extends horizontally and terminates in an arcuate portion 10 which occurs beneath the gear 55. This arcuate portion is concentric with the axis of the shaft 56 and when the gear 55 rotates in a clockwise direction a pin H thereon will engage the arcuate portion 10 of the bell crank 60 and withdraw the lock pin 67 from the notch 66 in the edge of the disc 63. A spring 12 is fastened to the bell crank and tends to urge the pin 61 against the periphery of the disc 63. A shackle structure 13 embraces the rack 58 and is pivoted upon the shaft 26 so that as the rack reciprocates and oscillates it will be maintained in constant mesh with the pinion 60. By this arrangement the conveyor chain 22 will be driven a predetermined distance at each driving impulse and will be locked against movement in the pause therebetween.
Provided on the chain 22 at equal spaced intervals along the length thereof is an endless series of individual molds I5 within which cartons made from the blanks [0 are to be placed and filled. The members 15 are substantially U- shaped and have a bottom wall 16 andparallel vertical walls 11. The vertical walls extend in planes normal to the longitudinal center of the sprocket chain 22. The sides of the molds 15 are open.
The measuring and dispensing units 20 involve novel means for measuring quantities of semisolid material and for discharging it in predetermined measured quantities to a container. The structure is simple and may be made easily from stainless steel so that the parts may be quickly removed, separated and sterilized when required. Each of the measuring units comprises an outer cylindrical shell 208. This shell is secured to a horizontal floor plate 209 which is disposed above the path of travel of the conveyor chain 22 and is parallel to the top wall I! of the base structure. The shell 206 is formed with a bottom wall 2 l0. Valve ports 2| l and 2 l2 are formed through the bottom wall 210 and, the plate 209. These ports are spaced equally from the center of the shell upon diametrically opposite sides thereof and with their central axes in the same plane as the vertical center of the shell. This plane is normal to the path of travel'of the conveyor chain22. The center line of the valve port 212 is in vertical alignment with the center of the run of conveyor chain 22 which passes beneath the plate 209. The upper end of the cylindrical shell 208 is open and receives a measuring valve rotor 2 l3. This valverotor is formed with a plurality of measuring cylinders 214 and 2l5. The measuring cylinders extend parallel to each other and to the cent-mi axis 20 8" and-are d esigr'ied to regist er with: the valve port's-1H and 212. Mounted to" reciprocate in l eachy oi the cylinders 2'14 and H5 are pistons each of whi'ch carries a plungerrodfz l 'l at 1 he: ports; Z 'H and 212; Thus when the lowe .opened endsoh the cylinders register the valve ports 21' I and 212- a clear and .uno'b' structed passageway will be formed. Secured'beneaththetvalve port: 2 H. is a manifold conduit 21 39- which extendsv horizontally and formed with plurality of lateral connections 22%, one of which is in direct communication with each or the valve ports. 2H Asshown; in Fig- 5 of the drawing the. conduit 2129' isto'f larger cross-section than the. connections". 220. A feed pipe. 2211. connectsn vith; the" manifold. as; shown in Fig; l of the drawing, and this turn. leads to a. source of. icecream supply from whichxic'e' cream is delivered-under pressure in a. semi-fluid. state; tothe machine. The opposite ends; of the manifoldare provided with removable plugs. 222: which permit tree access" to the manifold: so that the interior thereof may be cleaned and scalded when desired}. {Disposed beneath the: valve port: 212 is anozzle 22-,3:. Thisv nozzle has a, discharge end of. reduced diameter so that the ice cream forced item a measuring, cylinder will be discharged into a. carton disposed; therebeneath. Mounted upon theup-per end of each of the measuring valves 213-1 a-gea-r 22,4. Ifhisg-ear extends around the per etjer of, the portion oi the valve which projects hove: the cylindrical shell 208. Each of the gear-e224 isi-n mesh with api- nion 2,25. The pinionsare mounted upon aseries of vertical shafts 225 These shafts extend downwardly. into the base structure of the machine and are rotatably su ppor'tedv by- .bearings and 22 .8. Secured uponeachof theshafts. 22.6 at a. point. within the nFig. 3 of the drawing, are spaced an x I tance apartso t'hat intermediate. pinions 2.38 may be'in mesh. with the pinions 229 on each side thereoi. This provides. a gear train which will.v cause. all. of the .pinions- 229i tov rotate .in the same. direction when driven from one of the gears. As. shown in Fig. 3" of the drawing, the intermediate. .pinin..230. is in mesh with .a large driving: gear. 23L. gear is. fixed upon shaft 53 upon which the Geneva gear 52 is. also fixed,- said shaft. and. gear. being rotated. by rotation of said C 5eneva gear; The. gear ratio is such. as to insure that at each movementof the Genevagear. 52-. the gear train, comprising. gears 2'29" and 2'30; will rotate one-half a revolution. This inv turn will alternately dispose the measuring cylinders 21 Land 2215 into register with the'valve port. 2 l2 and the discharge nozzle. 22:3.
In order to'eject ice cream. from. thecylmder 2 M or .215 which is.- in register with the. valve port 212 a. rocker arm 2 32 isprovided for each of. the dispensing. units. These rockerarnis are mounted upon-standards 233. The. standards. 233
are secured to the base and extend upwardly.
therefrom; to'carry a rocker arm shaft 234. In Fig. hot the drawing itwill be. seen that an actuating arm 235' is. fixed on: the, shaft 234 and is pivotally connected at 236 with a pitman rod 2-3 The lower end. of thisrod is: connected to rmin 238m ivot pin 23i9z. This: fitting. has asthreadedi. bore; .mits lower endi to receive the u percase-ascertainstatesmanI: "mate of the cyl indricak shell ucture is a. pinion 229 These. pinions, asv
6 rod isprovided Wuhan-adjustingnut Ma -whichmakes it possible to vary thei-efliective length: of
the lift: rod and to thus. control the flength of travel of the pistons 21 6?. The lift rod?- '14-]: is reciprocably mounted in bearing-s 243 and 2.44 so that. the rod may move;vertically. A fitting 245 is. secured upon the. lift rod. 24'! and is'aconnectedto a link- 246 by apivot; 2'41 '1 e upper endof the link 246 is provided with ag'pirot pin 248 which connects with; one arm of; a bell, crank 2.49. The bell, crank is mounted on brackets 250 within the base structure upon a pivot shaft 25;]. The opposite. arm of. thebell crank extends down. wardly and carries a cam roller 252 which rests against the suriace contour of a. cam 253; This cam is fixed on a timing shaft 9 3 which extends throughout the length of the machine} and journals. in bearings '94 and 95. Shaft 93' also ex: tends through the, gear box 46' and-journals, in suitable bearings. provided on. the walls thereof. This shaft has fixed thereon a gear [82,(Fig. 2')" which meshes withthe worm 58' on the shaft 4 4' so as. to constantly rotate the shaft, 93 while the machine is inv operation.
It is to be pointed out that the run of conveyor chain 22 which passes beneath the discharge spouts 223 are led. between a pair of spaced side rails 254i and 255'. These temporarily close the opposite sides of the molds 75' and in effect, provide in each of said molds a rectangular form within which the carton is confined while. traveling beneath the filling units 26'.
For a. comprehensive description of the entire machine shown in the drawings of this. applicav containers so positioned while the dispensing units 28 functionto fill said containers with icecream. This intermi'tten't driving off the; chain 22 is accomplished" by the rack mechanism illu's' trated at the extreme left" end o f-Fig. '3'; In this mechanism theg'ea'r rotates continuously-and the rack 58 is reciprocated'by" such rotation and causes the disc 6| to successively rotate in opposite directions'. This disc idles past the latch- 64 when rotating in a clockwise direction and" engages said latch with the shoulder 62 when rotating inaicounterclcckwise directioni Thus the chain 22 is caused to tr'av'e'l during the coun, terclockwise rotation of the disc-61 and topause during the clockwise rotation of said disc.
"During each of such pauses four of the molds T5. each carrying an empty ice cream container C; are located" under the tour dispensing units 20 and in alignment respectively'with the" filling spouts 223 of said units. During each travel period of the chain 22 the pin 5-l disposed in one of the radial slots of the Geneva: wheel 52 and this Geneva wheel is thus being rotated a quarter turn which is transmitted through the: gear 23 l to the shafts 22 6 and: from these through the gears 225 to the dispensing unitlrotors 213'; Thus, during each: period of mov'emer it of the" chain 22,.each of the rotors 2 1.3 is givena revolution which begins and ends with one of the: measuring cylinders 21'4 and'Z l5 aligned with the port 2 and with the: other of" said cylindersaligned with-'theport 21 2.
.The-ipiston in the measuring cylinder: whichis thus brought into registry with port 2-1 is ht its down position as shown in Fig. 4 and the 7 presence of ice cream under pressure at all times in the manifold 219 and lateral connections 220 results in said ice cream flowing upwardly into the cylinders aligned with ports 2| l until the pistons 2H5 in said cylinders are raised into contact with the threaded packing glands ZIS which close the upper ends of the cylinders; This, of course, extends the piston rods 2|! connected'with said pistons to their uppermost positions.
'Ihus, measuring cylinders which with each half rotation of the rotors 2l3 are brought into alignment with the ports 2|2 have during the immediately preceding pause in the travel of the chain 22 been aligned with the ports 2H and have thus been filled with ice cream.
The pistons ZIE and piston rods 2!? of these cylinders are thusrin their raised positions with the upper ends of the rods just beneath the extremities of the arms 232. the cam shaft 93 is so timed that during each pause in the rotation of the rotors 2l3 this cam elevates the cam follower Mt and through this rocks the shaft 234 causing the arms 232 to swing downwardly and depress the piston rods 2|! aligned with these arms so as to empty the ice cream from the cylinders aligned with the ports '2l2 through the discharge nozzles 223 and into the paper containers C occupying the'molds l5 aligned with said nozzles.
This operation terminates with the pistons 2 l 6 in the cylinders over the ports 2l2 being in their lower positions as shown in Fig. 5 while the pistons in the cylinders aligned with the ports ill have been raised to their upper positions incidental to said latter cylinders being filled with charges of ice cream. As the cam 253 continues to rotate with the shaft Q3, shaft 235 is reversely rocked so as to swing the arms 232 upwardly above the uppermost positions of the piston rods 21"., and with the next movement period of the chain 22 and half rotation of the valve rotors N3, the relative positions of the measuring cylinders 21 and 215 are reversed in readiness for the ice cream dispensing operation to follow as soon as chain 22 is moved a distance suflicient to remove the four molds just previously beneath the units 25 and bring the next succeeding four molds and the formed containers C occupying these, beneath said units and in alignment with the discharge'nozzles 223.
- It is to be noted that the quantity of ice cream or other liquid material which the invention is employedto dispense, may be delivered in vary ing quantities; this variation being controllable either by screwing the packing glands 2 l8 different amounts into the upper ends of the cylinders -2 l4 and 2 I5 or by varying the length of the distance between the pivots 236 and 24'! by screwing the threaded ,end 240 of the rod 2M varying distances into the fitting 238. Either of these variations would alter the volume of the charge of liquid delivered from one of the cylinders 2 [5 or 2 l5 in the dispensing step of the operation of the units 26. Varying the screwed-in position or" a packing gland 2!!! in any cylinder 2M or 2l5 varies the amount of ice cream or other liquid The cam 253 on which this particular cylinder will receive when The amount of liquid which is delivered from each of the cylinders in a dispensing step of the operation of the invention will vary in accordance with the amount of liquid with Which said cylinder had previously been charged. From this it is seen'that I have provided a means for equalizing the amounts of liquid delivered from the different cylinders 2M and H5 as well as providing a means for increasing; or decreasing-at will the individual quantity thusuniformly delivered from all of said cylinders.
While the present invention was developed particularly for dispensing uniform quantities of ice cream to folded paper containers for packaging said ice cream, it is to be understood that the invention may be modified by those skilled in the art in adapting it to a wide variety of uses without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:
1. In a packaging machine, a measuring and dispensing unit beneath which a package is placed for receiving fluid material, a plate disposed horizontally and beneath which said container may be placed, a cylindrical shell extending upwardly from said plate, a valve rotor rotating within the shell and resting upon said plate, a plurality of longitudinally extending measuring cylinders formed through the valve rotor and disposed eccentrically of the rotating axis of the valve rotor, a fluid intake opening through said plate and with which said measuring cylinders may register, a fluid discharge opening through said plate and with which said measuring cylinders may move to register, a container, being adapted to be disposed below said discharge opening, means for intermittently rotating said valve rotor to successively move the measuring cylinders to the fluid intake opening and the fluid discharge opening, a plunger in the upper end of each of said cylinders and forming a fluid seal with the walls thereof, a plunger rod extending upwardly from each plunger to a point above the level of .the top of the valve rotor and its shell, an operating lever overhanging the valve rotor and its shell and beneath and with which the plunger rods register when the measuring cylinders register with the fluid discharge opening, means for oscillating said lever, and synchronous driving means for alternately and intermittently operating the rotor rotating means and the lever oscillating means.
2. In a packaging machine, a measuring and dispensing unit beneath which a package is placed for receiving fluid material, a plate disposed horizontally and beneath which said container may be placed, a cylindrical shell extending upwardly from said plate, a valve rotor rotating within the shell and resting upon said plate, a plurality of longitudinally extending measuring cylinders formed through the valve rotor and disposed eccentrically of the rotating axis of the valve rotor, a fluid intake opening through said plate and With which said measuring cylinders may register, a fluid discharge opening through said plate and with which said measuring cylinders may move to register, a container, being adapted to be disposed below said discharge opening, means for intermittently rotating said valve rotor to successively move the measuring cylinders to register with the fluid intake opening and the fluid discharge opening, a plunger. in the upper end of each of said cylinders and forming a fluid seal with the walls thereof, a
plunger rod extending upwardly from each plunger to a point above the level of the top of the valve rotor and its shell, an operating lever overhanging the valve rotor and itsishell and beneath and with which the plungerrods register when the respective measuringj cylinders register with the fluid discharge opening, a lift rod connected with said lever, a camj engaging the lift rod to cause it to reciprocate and oscillate said lever, adjustable means at a point between the cam and the plunger whereby the operating stroke of the plunger may be, set to cause a measured quantity of fluid to be discharged from a measuring cylinder at one stroke of the plunger, and synchronous drivingmeans for said cam and for the driving means of the rotating valve rotor whereby said valve rotor may be moved to bring its measuring cylindersin registry successively with the fluid inlet opening and the fluid discharge opening whereby during an intermediate period the valve plunger'of the cylinder in register with the discharge opening will be forced downwardly. 1
3. In a packagingmachine, a package conveying device by which packages are intermittently moved to a filling station, a rotatable rotor disposed thereabove, a plate between said device and said rotor and slidably fitting thelatter, a pair of longitudinal cylindrical chambers in said rotor, there being a pair of openings in said plate with which said cylindrical chambersjsuccessively register, one of said openings beingfat the filling station, a conduit in communication with the other of said openings through which fluid to be dispensed is delivered under pressure, plungers in each of said cylindrical chambers and adapted to reciprocate upwardly under the pressure of the fluid from the conduit,'and mechanical means for moving a plunger in one of said chambers downwardly at the filling station to eject the fluid from said chamber.
4. The structure of claim 3 including means for adjusting the stroke of the plunger which is acting .to discharge the fluid whereby measured quantities of the fluid will be discharged.
5. The structure of claim 3, including a packing gland-screwed into the upper-end of each of saidchambers, the vertical position of said gland determining the upper position of the plunger 'in said chamber when lifted by said fluid, aridtherefore the amount of said fluid admitted. to said chamber at onetime through the opening communicating with said conduit.
6. The; structure of claim 3, including a packing gland screwed into the upper end of each of said chambers, the vertical position of said gland, determining the upper position of the plunger in said chamber when lifted by said fluid, and therefore the amount of said fluid admitted to said chamber at one time through the opening communicating with said conduit, a variation in the amount of fluid so admitted into said chamber'operating to correspondingly vary the amount of? fluid discharged therefrom by said mechanical means moving thejplunger in said chamber downward to a given level; and a device for adjusting said mechanical means to vary the level downward to which said mechanical means successively moves said plungersl SAMUEL H. BERCH.
REFERENCES CITED The following references are of 'record in the file of this patent:
UNITED STATES PATENTS
US748203A 1945-11-28 1947-05-15 Material measuring and dispensing device Expired - Lifetime US2550903A (en)

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US631331A US2500922A (en) 1945-11-28 1945-11-28 Container flap folding apparatus
US748203A US2550903A (en) 1945-11-28 1947-05-15 Material measuring and dispensing device

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2993317A (en) * 1951-07-30 1961-07-25 Alfred J Gramp Machine for producing and filling tubular containers
US3067786A (en) * 1958-04-23 1962-12-11 Rosen Sidney Fluid handling and filling machine
US3782272A (en) * 1971-05-19 1974-01-01 Toolmakers Inc Food handling equipment and method of use
USRE29482E (en) * 1963-12-24 1977-11-29 Container filling system
US4290700A (en) * 1979-11-08 1981-09-22 Mechanical Service Company Measuring apparatus for shot dispensers

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2176448A (en) * 1938-02-05 1939-10-17 Ayars Machine Co Can filling machine

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2176448A (en) * 1938-02-05 1939-10-17 Ayars Machine Co Can filling machine

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2993317A (en) * 1951-07-30 1961-07-25 Alfred J Gramp Machine for producing and filling tubular containers
US3067786A (en) * 1958-04-23 1962-12-11 Rosen Sidney Fluid handling and filling machine
USRE29482E (en) * 1963-12-24 1977-11-29 Container filling system
US3782272A (en) * 1971-05-19 1974-01-01 Toolmakers Inc Food handling equipment and method of use
US4290700A (en) * 1979-11-08 1981-09-22 Mechanical Service Company Measuring apparatus for shot dispensers

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