US2597120A

US2597120A - Packaging machine

Info

Publication number: US2597120A
Application number: US683735A
Authority: US
Inventors: George L Mccargar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1946-07-15
Filing date: 1946-07-15
Publication date: 1952-05-20
Anticipated expiration: 1969-05-20

Description

May 20, 1952 G. L. M CARGAR 2,597,120

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS R R. v w M A 3 EU M m k w M r R m. 0 3 E mi 4 Q Q w m J 2 5 l= 5 w w M aw -[Mg i A May 20, 1952 G MccARGAR I 2,597,120

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 \rwamog Gaoaea L. M CIlQAR ATTORNEYS May 20, 1952 G, MCCARGAR V 2,597,120

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed July 15, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 24 107 my I 429 o 177 139 a4 \NVENTOR m 59 60 124 GEORGE L.NCARGAR i 125 v 1% BY Q 1/8 ATTORNEYS ma Patented May 20, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF I CE The present invention relates to a packaging machine, and is primarily concerned with a novel, practically operative machine for rapidly pack aging food materials, one example of which is spinach in substantially exact amounts as to weight, and in a compressed condition so as to greatly reduce the space occupied in comparison to the space filled by the same weight loose spinach occupies. With the machine of my invention, the material to be packaged, in practice in bags, is rapidly. conveyed by a conveyor to the machine, and at the delivery end or the machine, in a compressed condition, is contained within bags, the weights of spinach within the bags being substantially the same and with such tolerances as are legally required with respect to the representation of the weights of materials which are publicly sold in packages. With the machine of my invention, and as one object and purpose thereof, very rapid packaging of the normally loose and bulky materials which the machine is to handle is attained by means of a machine which occupies relatively small space and in which gravity is utilized in part, together with electrical controlling circuits and compressed air or other equivalent compressure fluid for operating movable parts of the machine in proper timed relation to each other, for a continuous, speedy and substantially perfect handling and packaging of the type of food materials mentioned.

An understandingof .the inventionv may be had fromthe following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which,

Fig. 1 is averticalsection, with parts shown in side elevation, of a machine made in accordance with my invention, the section being from front to rear.

' Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section through theupper portion of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section therethrough.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of the collecting and weighing drum mechanism, and

the'mechanism used forits operation and. control.

"Fig. 5 is a fragmentary rear elevation of one ofthe' safe guarding controls of the machine.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section throughthe machine, at a lower plane than in Fig. 3, showing the compressor mechanism in plan.

Fig. 7 is a front elevation thereof somewhat enlarged.

' Fig. 8 is a fragmentary under plan view illustrating the releasable bag holding mechanism at its operative position.

' rectangular outline.

Fig. 9 is a similar. under plan enlarged, showing the bag holding mechanism released.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical section showing, in side elevation, the bag holding mecha nism, and

Fig. 11 illustrates diagrammatically the electrical and pressure fluid control circuits and mechanisms of the machine.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figures of the drawings.

The supporting frame structure of the machine includes vertical front and rear posts I at four corners of the machine (Fig. 6), the side posts being connected by side bars 2 in any number required extending between said posts, and with transverse bars 3 between the front and rear posts, making a light, rigid supporting frame.

At the upper end of the frame, horizontal rods 4 are located and mounted above the upper side frame bars 2, upon which an inclined gate support, having spaced sides 5 and an upper horizontal bar 6 connecting them at their upper ends, is located. At the inner sides of the side bars 5, longitudinal grooves l are cut f0r,s1idab1y.receiving and guiding the vertical edge portions of the gate 8 which, in form as shown, is of The gate support with the gate thereon is mountedfor. adjustment lengthwise of the rods 4 by means of blocks 9 slidable on said rods, and as shown in Fig. 2. The gate with its support may be adjusted as to its angle of inclination to the vertical, manually operated screws being used to release the gate frame and the blocks 9 for adjustment, the tightening of the screws securing the gate in any position to which it may be adjusted.

The gate is movable lengthwise of the groove 1. Lever i0 (Fig. 2), pivotally mounted between its ends on one side 5 ofthe gate carrying frame, at one end, is longitudinally slotted. ,A' pin or screw II passes through the slot and connects with the gate 8 so that movement of the lever I9 about its pivot moves said gate in accordance with the direction of movement of the lever. Links l2 are interposed between, said lever and the lower end of a piston rod [3, said links being pivotally connected at their ends thereto. The

piston rod connects with a piston within a vertical cylinder I4 mounted on the same side member 5' and adapted, as hereafter described, to have a pressure fluid, such as compressed air,

' carried into the cylinder alternately at opposite ends thereof. The movement of the piston in opposite directions reciprocates the gate 8.

There is also, mounted on the rods 4 a depending vertical stop 15 disposed toward the front upper end portion of the machine, having a curved arcuate section |5a at its lower end. Said stop plate [5 is secured to members [5 which may be adjusted lengthwise of the rods 4. Side plates I? extend rearwardly from the vertical edges of the plate l5 and similarly spaced side plates l8 (Fig. l) extend rearwardly from the sides 5 of the gate frame. An endless conveyor I9 is located around a roller 23 at its front mounted at the rear upper portion of the supporting frame. Said conveyor is driven at a desired speed with the upper run of the belt moving in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1, so that the material, such as stalks or leaves of spinach, or other similar vegetables at 2|, are projected in a forward direction and strike against the stop plate at !5 thereafter dropping downwardly by gravity. Such projection of the material 2| to the full extent shown in Fig. 1 must be with the gate 8 elevated. When the gate is lowered, the spinach leaves or other materials strike against it and drop downward by gravity at a different place in the machine.

A drum is mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis below the lower end of the gate carrying frame. In construction, the drum comprises two circular side discs 22 located in parallel vertical planes and spaced from each other, having diametrically disposed partitions 23 between and connecting said disc sides. Two of such diametrically disposed partitions are used thus dividing the drum into four quadrant shaped compartments or chambers. As will hereafter be described. the drum is always stopped with one of the partitions vertically disposed and the other in a horizontal plane as shown in Fig. 1. Thus, when the spinach leaves or other materials are projected against the vertical stop plate l5, they drop into the front upper compartment of the drum, as shown in Fig. 1, but when the gate 5 is in its lower obstructing position, it is the rear upper compartment that receives such material.

Four pins 24 extend laterally in an outward direction from one side 22 of the drum. They are located 90 degrees apart and in the same planes with the partitions 23. Horizontal frame bars 25 extend between the front and rear posts I of the frame at each side thereof in a plane substantially coincident with the turning axis of the drum. The drum is mounted for rotation on the spaced sides of a U-shaped fork having a transverse rear bar 26 and spaced forwardly extending

sides

21 and 28, one at the outer side of each side of said drum, with the ends of a shaft through the drum at its center rotatably mounted near the free forward ends of said

sides

21 and 28. The sides of the fork toward their rear ends are mounted for rocking movement at 29 to rock about a horizontal axis. being carried by the frame bars 25. the rear bar 26 and near its free rear end carries adjustable weights 3| thereon. The drum mounting structure, therefore, has a limited tilting movement about the axis of the pivots 29. When the front upper compartment of the drum isempty, weights 3| lift the drum to an upper position, but when a sufficient weight of material has been delivered to said front compartment, its weight overcomes the weights at 3| and the drum tends to move bodily in a downward direction.

At the outer side of the side 22 of the drum which carries the pins 24, a disc 32 is secured from which four pins 33 extend outwardly, equally spaced from eachother and radially alined with the pins 24. A bracket 34 is mounted on the A rod 30 extends rearwardly from side 21 of the drum fork support and is curved upwardly and forwardly, as shown in Fig. 1. Near its free forward end it carries a switch closing member 35 against which the pins 33 come in succession on rotation of the drum I, moving the switch member 35 to control an electric circuit in which said switch is included, with each degrees of rotation of turning of said drum for a hereafter described purpose. A second switch 36 (Fig. l) is mounted on the main frame above the arm 2! forward of the pivots 28. The switch 36 is closed by engagement of the side 21 thereagainst when the drum is tilted down by the weight of the material in its front forward compartment.

As shown in Fig. 5, a bracket 31 is permanently secured to a rear transverse frame bar 3 disposed (in Fig. 1) a short distance above the tilting drum carrying frame. On bracket 31 a solenoid winding 38 is mounted. The armature 39 extending below the winding 38 is pivotally connected at its lower end to the end of a lever 40 pivotally mounted between its ends on the bracket, the free end portion of the lever 40 extending over rod 30. The position of the lever 40 is controlled by energizing or deenergizing the solenoid 38. In one position it interposes a stop against the upward movement of the rod 30. Said rod is permitted a greater upward movement when the lever is as shown in Fig. 5 than when the armature 39 is moved upwardly upon energizing the solenoid winding 38.

At the opposite side 22 of the drum a block 4| with rounded corners is connected (Fig. 4). It turns with the drum about the same horizontal axis of rotation. An arm 42 is pivotally mounted at its rear end on and at the upper side of the side 28 of the drum carrying fork, extending forwardly and upwardly therefrom. An adjustable screw 43 is mounted on and passes through the forward portion of the arm 42, at its lower end coming against the upper side of the side 28, and is normally moved in a downward direction by the spring 44. A pin 45 extends laterally and inward from the arm 42 over the edges of the block 4|. Such structure as described interposes a brake upon the free rotation of the drum as the corners of said block come to said pin, and such braking action may be increased or diminished by the adjustment of the screw 43. When the pin is'riding upon the rounded corners of the block 4|, the braking action is greatest and midway between said corners, it is at a minimum or absent.

The spinach receiving drum is rotated (Fig. 4) by means of a pressure fluid cylinder 45, from the piston of which a rod 41 extends. On the rod a block 48 is secured which at the end cdjacent the piston has a downwardly extending projection 49. At the other end a spring latch 50 is pivotally mounted having an inclined under side as shown.

On entrance of a pressure fluid, such as compressed air, at the inner end of the cylinder 46 rod 41 is moved inwardly. The dog 5|) engaged with a pin 24 gives a strong rotative impulse to the drum which under the momentum imparted is turned through a quarter of a circle in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4, so that the spinach or other material in the upper front compartment or chamber of the drum is dumped into a lower positioned hopper 5| (Fig. l). The drum is stopped after it is moved through onequarter of a complete rotation by the next suc ceeding pin 24 riding under the inclined edge of latch 5|] and coming against the projection 49,

rod 41 by such time having been returned to its initial position. Immediately preceding theengagemen't of the next succeeding pin with the projection 49' the braking or retarding structure which has been described exerts its greater force, pin riding upon a corner of the square block 4|. Likewise such braking'or retarding is at a minimum during the earlier parts of the drum rotation.

A horizontal platform 52 is mounted on and carried by the machine frame a distance below hopper 5| and is narrowed in width at its front side and extended a distance in front 'of the frame as indicated at 52a (Fig. 9). ,The hopper 5| is open at its lower end and so that the vegetable material, such as spinach or the like, passes through it and within the confines of U-shaped presser member having a curved inner end 53 and parallel vertical spaced sides 54, (Figs. 6 and 11). Said presser member is mounted for outward and inward movement on the platform 52, the lower edges of the sides 54 being outwardly flanged and guided underneath spaced parallel guide bars 55 secured at the upper side of the platform and extending at their front ends to the outer edge of the narrowed platform portion 520:. Near the front edge of said narrow portion 52a, a vertical curved plate 56 is fixedly secured in place the spaced sides 54 of the presser member being located one at each side edge of the member 56. Member 56 is located at the front of a circular hole 51 made through the portion 52a of the platform 52a. At the under side of the forward narrow portion 52a of the platform, and in line with the opening 51, a bag holding spout58 is permanently secured (Fig. 1).

The presser member is reciprocated by the longitudinal movement of a piston rod-59 extending into the end of a cylinder 66 and connected to a piston therein (Figs. 1 and 6) Compressed air or other pressure fluid is alternately conducted to the opposite ends of the cylinder. The spinach or other similar food material which has been dumped upon the platform 52 within the walls of the presser member is compressed substantially, a cylindrical form on outward movement of the piston rod 59, and as thus compressed is located directly over the opening 57.

A cylinder 6| is mounted vertically at the front of the machine frame over said opening 51. A piston rod 62 extends outwardly from its lower end, and at the lower end of the rod a substantially circular head 63 is secured. On the downward movement of the rod 62 the compressed spinach is pushed downwardly through the spout 58 into a bag which is releasably secured at its upper open end around the spout. The reciprocation of the rod 62 is controlled by the alternate conduction of the compressed air to the upper and lower ends of the cylinder 6|.

-The releasable bag holding structure is shown in Figs. 8 and 9, located at the under side of the platform 52.

Two jaw carrying arms 64, equipped each at its front end with the gripping jaws 65 shaped to engage the spout 58, cross each other and are pivotally connected together at the cross at 66. The inner ends of the arms 64 are connected by a coiled tension spring 61 which when free to do so, movesthe jaws 65 toward the delivery spout 58 and presses against its opposite sides, a bag the open upper end of which is telescoped upwardly around the delivery spout.

Toggle links 68 pivotally connected at their meeting ends have pivotal connections attlieir outer end one to each of the inner ends of the arm 64. When they are in alinement withea'ch other, or slightly off dead center toward the front, they maintain the jaws 65 spaced from the spout 58 whereby the upper end of a bag may be placed therearound. The pivot pin connecting the adjacent ends of the toggle arm 68 is guided in a longitudinal guide 69. A roller 10 is mounted on the pivot pin at the knuckle of the toggle. When the jaws 65 are at inner gripping position, as in Fig. 8, the release thereof andfreeing of the bag with the spinach or other material which in compressed form has been delivered thereto is accomplished by the outward movement of a piston rod H extending from the front end of the cylinder 12 having compressed air or pressure fluid alternately delivered to its ends. Such movement of rod 1| forwardly straightens the toggle from the position shown in Fig. 8 to that in Fig. 9.

With the gripping jaws positioned as in Fig. 9 after a bag has been located over a spout 58 the toggle is broken by manually operated means. Such means or mechanism consists of a rod 13, having a head 14 to push against at its front end, and which carries an arm 15 the free end of which is disposed at the front in the path of movement of the roller 18. Rod 13 may be moved lengthwise through its supporting brackets 16 so as to push the roller 10 a short distance inwardly, whereupon the spring 61 will function, moving the jaws 65 to operative gripping position and clamping against a bag over the spout 58 and thereby hold it against accidental or undesired disconnection.

In Fig. 11 a diagram of the electric and pressure fluid circuits is shown. Pressure fluid carrying pipes 11 and 18 connect the upper end of the cylinder l4 and the outer end of the cylinder 46, and the lower end of said cylinder i l and the inner end of cylinder 56, respectively. Pipe 19' connects the two pipes 11 and T8, interposed in the length of which is a movable valve which may be turned by moving an operating arm or handle 88 therefore, to direct compressed air passing to the valve housing through a pipe 8| to the upper and outer ends of cylinders l4 and 48 simultaneously, or, reversely, to the lower and inner ends thereof. The exhaust of the compressed air is outward through the pipe 82.

The valve actuating arm or handle is moved clockwise when a solenoid Winding 63 is energized by our ent flowing therethrough, moving the armature of the solenoid to the right (Fig. 11) and holding it as lcng'as the current it not'interrupted. Upon interruption of current through the'solenoid winding the valve arm is movedin the opposite direction to reverse the flow of compressed air. It is to be understood that the armature is spring actuated for such movement.

One end of the solenoid winding is connected with a line or wire 84 leading to a source of electrical current. The opposite end of the winding is connected with the wire 85 which may be electrically connected, when contacts 35 are brought together, with the opposite wire 87 of the circuit.

Upon breaking the circuit at the contact 35, reversal of the flow of compressed air takes place.

A relay 88 has a magnetic core which when energized moves the contact 86 connected with the wire 8'! to the contact of the wire 85 as shown in Fig. 11. A second contact 96 is connected with the movable member of the relay being movable with the contact 86, said second contact at having connection with a circuitwire 89 which leads to one side of the switch 36. With the relay 88 a wire SI leading to a source of electric current is shown. A second wire 92 from the other end of the relay winding has connected therewith a second contact with which the contact 99 is associated. Said wire 92 leads from the relay 98 to a timed relay 93, which has

wires

94 and 95 therewith for the supply of electric current. The second wire 95 from the timed relay connects with one side of switch 35. The wire 9? leads to the opposite side of the switch 38. Wire 93 connected with wire 97 leads to the opposite side of the switch 35. From th timed relay 93, wires I90 and Iill lead to the end of solenoid winding 38 which operates the pivoted finger 40. An additional circuit Wire i32 carrying current is connected with the wire 98 and, therefore, with one side of switch 35. The other wire I63 of such circuit leads to a second timed relay I95, the opposite wire I34 of which is connected with wire 96 and, therefore, with the other side of the switch 35. The current supplying Wires for the timed relay H35 are at I33 and I97. One wire I08 from the opposed side of the timed relay I85 leads to and connects at one end of the solenoid winding I83, the other end of said winding being connected by wire ill) with a switch i II the operation of open or closing of which is controlled by the movement of the spinach presser member, an edge of a side 54 thereof operating the switch. Said switch may be normally closed and, therefore, opened at the completion of the movement to compress the spinach into a cylindrical mass. The wire II2 leading from the opposite side of theswitch is connected to the other side of the timed relay I95.

The presser member operating cylinder 68 has fluid pressure carrying pipe II3 and H4 leading to opposite ends thereof, which are connected with the valve housing, the control valve in which is operated by an arm I 55 actuated in one direction by the movement of the armature of the solenoid I39 when current is passing through said solenoid, and in the opposite direction by the spring shown. The inlet and exhaust pipes I I6 and I I? are associated with the valve housing in the usual manner.

The bag holding or clamping means has its pressure fluid supplied to cylinder I2 through pipes H8 or I29 alternately to opposite ends of said, cylinder. The pipes connect with a valve housing, the valve of which is moved between two positions to control the direction of the how of the air through an operating arm I23, said valve housing having inlet and exhaust pipes I2I and I22. The arm $29 is moved in one direction by the armature of a solenoid winding I23 while current is passing through said winding, a spring moving the armature in the opposite direction when the circuit is broken. A relay 24 is connected by the wires I25 with the ends of the solenoid winding I23. Said relay has associated therewith circuit wires leading to a source of electric current as shown at {25 and I21. The wire I21 leads to one side of a witch I28 in the path of movement of the head 53, the second wire i29 from the other side of the switch connecting with the relay I23.

The vertical cylinder SI has compressed air carried to its upper and lower ends by the pipes I33 and I3I, joined with a valve housing the valve within which is moved by turning the valve arm I32, the usual intake and exhaust pipes I33 and I34 for the pressure fluid being supplied for the compressed air circuit last described.

Movement of arm I32 in one direction is actuated by energizing of a solenoid winding I35 and in the opposite direction by a spring acting upon the solenoid armature. The ends of the solenoid winding are connected with a relay I31. The circuit wires I38 and I39 for supplying the relay with current, one of them, I39, as shown is connected with a switch I40 from which a wire I4I leads to the relay. Said switch I49 is also actuated by a side 54 of the spinach compressor member when a compression stroke reaches its extreme position of movement.

In the diagram shown in Fig. 11, the gate 8 is in upper position, which means that the compressed air is conducted to the upper end of cylinder I4 through the pipe 11 and to the outer end of the cylinder 48. Valve is held by solenoid 33 which has current flowing through it in a position to cause the compressed air to pass through the pipe 11, and this fiow of current through the solenoid Winding 83 is continuous as long as t e contacts 38 are together The holding current through the relay at 38 is through the wires 9|, the contacts at 98, wire 89 and wire 91 and through the switch 38. Upon a predetermined weight of the material, such as spinach being delivered to the front upper chamber or compartment of the drum, it is tilted in a down ward direction about a pivot 29, and switch 33 is momentarily opened, whereupon the relay at 88 is deenergized and the contacts at 83 and S8 separated. Flow of current through the solenoid winding at 83 is interrupted and the spring actuated armature thereof moves valve arm 99 to reverse the flow of compressed air, which thereupon passes through the pipe I8 to the lower end of cylinder I4 and the inner end of cylinder 45. The gate 8 is moved to its down position and the rod 41 is moved outwardly, giving an impulse of rotation to the drum to move it through a quarter turn, as earlier described, dumping the drum compartment contents into the hopper below and moving the next succeeding upper compartment of the drum into receiving position.

During such rotative movement, a pin 33 closes the switch at 35, whereupon there is a current momentarily completed through the relay at 83 and the timed relay at 93 through the wires 9|, 92, 96 and 98. This causes a reengagement of the contacts 86 and 99 and a momentary action of the lever 49 to return the drum to its normal operative position. The flow of compressed air through the pipe I8 is of short duration so that the reversal of compressed air flows by change of position of the valve arm 38 follows quickly after the gate 8 has been lowered and the drum given its one step of rotation through degrees, the gate 8, and the rod 41 and the latch connected therewith returning to the initial position shown in Fig. 11. The circuit above described through the relay 88, the wire 9 I, the contact 90 and

wires

89 and 3! and the switch 36 is a holding circuit and will energize the relay 88 until broken by the switch 33. The circuit 9I-929333, momentarily closed by the switch as the drum rotates, momentarily energizes the relays B8 and 93, again closing the holding circuit above re ferred to, including the contacts 99 and 8S, and causes the lever 48 to momentarily act to push the drum carrying fork back to operating position thereby closing the switch 33 and said holding circuit out this movement of the lever 43 is only momentary and it does not continue to hold the rod 38 depressed.

The structure thus described is for the control of the rotative movement of the drum when the predetermined weight of material has been received in the front upper drum compartment, accompanied by a downward and very shortly after, an upward movement of the gate 8.

The closure of the switch at 35 during the turning movement of the drum closes a circuit through the wires I32, m3 and ltd through the timed relay I35, and in accordance with the interval of time by which the relay N55 is governed.

The circuit including the wires I63 and lid is closed energizing the solenoid N39 to move the valve arm M5 to change the flow or" compressed air through the pipe I I3 to the opposite pipe it connected with cylinder so and move the U-shape compressor 5354 to compress the spinach into cylindrical form. It is to be understood that the switch III is normally closed. Such switch is opened by a side 54 of the compressor engaging therewith, thus breaking the circuit through the wires III] and II2 whereupon the spring associated with the solenoid I09 acts to return the valve arm H5 to its original position, with pressure of air to the front end of cylinder iii! and a return of the compressor to its original position.

Compressed air to hold the head 63 in its up er position is directed through the pipe I3! to the lo er end of the cylinder GI with the valve arm I32, as shown, held in such position by the spring associated with the armature of the solenoid 35. The circuit through wires I38 and I39 is normally open be ng closed when the circuit I l? is closed on the forward extreme of movement of a side of the compressor. Upon c osing such circuit, the timed relay I3! acts after the proper interval to energize the solenoid I and swing the arm I32 to reverse the flow of compressed air to cylinder 4I, whereupon the pushing head (53 is moved downwardly to force the cylindrical compressed mass of spinach into a bag, the upper end of which is located over the delivery snout 53. On such downward movement, the switch I23 which has been held open by the head 63 in its upper position, is closed, completing a circuit through the wires I21, I29 and I23 through the timed relay I24 with an operation of the valve controlled by the arm I2fl to reverse the flow of compressed air from the front to the rear end of the cylinder 12, thereupon opening the bag clamping arms 64 so that the bag with the spinach therein is removable from the spout 53. On the return of the head 63 to upper position in closing the switch I28, the rod II returns to its initial position, but the toggle arms 68 remain in open position until released by manually operating the push rod I3 whereupon a new em ty bag which has been placed upon the spout is gripped so that it will be held in place until a next succeeding compressed cylindrical mass of the spinach or othe like vegeta e m terial is ver thereto.

With the construction described, the leaves or stalks of spinach in their loose form, are delivered to the conveyor and moved continuously toward and proiected by the speed of the conveyor into the front compartment of the drum until a predetermined weight thereof has been delivered to cause a tilting of the drum in a downward direction by gravity, which thereupon starts the cycles of operation described in motion. At the instant that the drum tilts downward the gate 8 lowers so that no more spinach is delivered into the front compartment but it is deflected to fall into the next rear compartment and when the drum rotates the said next rear compartment moves to the front, the gate rises and the spinach continues to flow into that same compartment which is now in front. The drum in themeantime has returned to its initial receiving position with the next succeeding compartment of, the drum locatedto receive the spinach; and when a sufficient weight thereof is again delivered, all of the cycles described are repeated. The operation continues without interruption so long as delivery of spinach is continued.

The construction is sure and certain in operation, is very rapid in the packaging of large quantities of spinach in compressed form in a short period of time, and with each package of substantially the same weight. There is a very marked saving of time and of labor costs.

The invention is defined in the appended claims and is to be considered comprehensive of all forms of structure coming within their scope.

I claim: I

1. In a machine of the class described, means for continuously conveying material in loosely separated condition and proiecting it therefrom in a substantially. horizontal direction, a drum having spaced sides and diametrically positioned partitions providing a plurality of compartments open at their outer ends, a vertical plate above the drum spaced from said conveyor means and disposed against which said loose material to be packaged is proiected whereby said material is dropped by gravity into a preselected compartment of the drum, a tiltably mounted frame carrying the drum, said frame tilting to move the drum in a downwardlydirection-upon a predetermined weight of said material being delivered to said compartment, a substantially vertical gate slidably mounted over said drum in advance of said plate in the direction of movement of the material and spaced from the end of said conveyor means, means for lowering the gate, means for turning the drum, and means rendered operative by the downward movement of the drum for simultaneously actuating said lowering means for lowering said gate into the path of said projected material, and for actuating said drum turning means, combined with means for stopping the drum when it has turned through a predetermined arc.

2. In a machine of the class described, a supporting frame, a drum having a plurality of radially disposed compartments therein open at their outer ends, a tiltable support mounted to tilt about a horizontal axis, means for rotatably mounting the drum at one end of said tiltable support, conveyor means for projecting material in loose condition over the drum in a substantially horizontal plane, a vertical plate above the drum spaced from the conveyor means and in the path of the material for directing it by gravity to a selected compartment of the drum, said tiltable support for the drum upon accumulation of a predetermined weight of said material in said compartment tilting about its axis of movement to move the drum in a downward direction, means rendered eifective by said tilting of said drum support for turning the drum through a preselected arc of movement, movable stop means mounted above the drum and spaced between the conveyor means and the vertical plate, and means controlled by the downward tilting of the drum carrying support for simultaneously moving said stop means into the path of movement of said material while the drum is being turned, and thereafter moving it out of said path of material movement after the drum has been turned through its predetermined arc of movement, the material obstructed by said stop means when in the path of the material dropping by gravity into said next preceding compartment of the drum.

3. In a machine of the class described, a main frame, a tiltable support on said main frame, a drum having a plurality of outwardly opening compartments rotatably mounted on said tiltable support, means for continuously feeding loose material and projecting it in a substantially horizontal plane over said drum,

fixed means in the path of said material for simultaneosly move said movable bafiie into the path of the material and to rotate the drum a part of a revolution.

4. In a machine of the class described, a horizontal conveyor for continuously conveying loose material to be packaged, and said conveyor projecting said material therefrom at an end thereof, a drum having radially disposed partitions and open at its outer side to provide a plurality of consecutive compartments around the drum, said conveyor end being disposed at one side of the drum, a vertical plate at the outer side of the drum farthest away from said conveyor against which the loose material is projected from the conveyor for said material to drop by gravity in the compartment farthest away from the conveyor, a tiltably mounted frame tilting said drum in a downward direction upon a predetermined weight of said material being delivered to said compartment, a substantially vertical gate slidably mounted over the drum between the delivery end of the conveyor and said plate, means for lowering the gate, means for turning the drum, and means rendered operative by downward movement of the drum for simultaneously actuating said gate lowering means to lower said gate into the path of said projected material for delivering it into the compartment of the drum nearest the delivery end of the conveyor, and for actuating said drum turning means, combined with means for stopping the drum when it is turned through a predetermined arc and for simultaneously lifting said gate out of the path of movement of said projected material.

GEORGE L. McCARGAR.

REFERENCES CITED lhe following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Num er Name Date 287,133 Kail Oct. 23, 1883 481,810 OConnor Aug. 30, 1892 572,504 Dennis Dec. 1, 1896 615,494 Richards Dec. 6, 1898 618,129 Outcalt et a1. Jan. 24, 1899 801,414 Stebler Oct. 10, 1905 975,158 Richardson Nov. 8, 1910 2,038,746 Madsen et al. Apr. 28, 1936 2,055,131 Vogel-Jorgensen Sept. 22, 1936