US2602578A - Apparatus for packing materials - Google Patents

Description

July 8, 1952 E. H. CARRUTHERS APPARATUS FOR PACKING MATERIALS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 29, 1951 INVENTOR.

y 8, 1952 E. H. CARRUTHERS APPARATUS FOR PACKING MATERIALS Filed March 29, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig INVENTOR. 555W H. QARRUTHERS A! Y'TOEWEY 5 sheets-sheet s y 8, 1952 E. H. CARRUTHERS APPARATUS FOR PACKING MATERIALS Filed March 29, 1951 IN VEN TOR. E BEN H. CARRUTHERS BY A JTTORNE Y y 8, 1952 E. H. CARRUTHERS APPARATUS FOR PACKING MATERIALS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 29, 1951 INVENTOR. EBE/V H. CARRUTHERS N JA A TTORME'Y y 1952 E. H. CARRUTHERS APPARATUS FOR PACKING MATERIALS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 29, 1 951 mmvrox 85 H. CARRUTHERS )IZZQM aw TTORNEY FIG. Z

Patented Jul 8, 1952 UNITED STATES P TENT orrice 29 Claims. 1

My invention relates to apparatus for packing materials.

The machine of this invention will be described primarily in connection with the packing of socalled flake and chunk packs of tuna fish. However, with adaptations and modifications, the

machine may be employed in connection with the packing of other products of a semi-flowable or non-flowable nature particularly'meat products.

'The'principles of :the "machine may also have applicationin the packing of other food products such for exampleas cut string beans and nonfood products such as cosmetics.

Reierenceis made to'my co-pending application Serial No. 774,626, now Patent.No.'2,567,052,

filed September 17, 1947, and entitled Method and Apparatus for Packing Flake Materials.

Reference is also made to my co-pending applications Serial Nos.3,9,274,filed July 1'7, 1948, entitled Method of Packing Materials in Containers Particularly Fish Products and Product Produced Thereby; 131,392, filed December 6, 1949, entitled Hopper Construction'ior Food Packing Machines; and 774,625 (new abandoned) filed September 17,1947, entitled Apparatus for Forming and Compressing"Materials? In'rny application 'Serial No. "774,626, I have describedand claimed a method and machine for packing products particularly ituna'fish in which-the 'tuna in a flake or chunk condition is fed to the machine. The tuna "is filled into pockets or cylinders which are continuously moved through a path of travel. Force is applied 'to the product at some point'during the filling operation to fill voids, expel'air and insure a "of the desired dimensions for deposit in the container. The tuna is of amoist oily nature and I have found that, after compression, it will retain approximately the dimensions to which it was compressed and that if the cake is made slightly smaller-in diameter than the container, an annular space is provided around the cake .fortthe reception of'oil to protect the tuna during retorting. ;Moreover, when the container is opened, the container may be inverted and/the cake will usually drop out as a whole cake or approximately the dimensions to which it was compressed.

An object of my invention is to provide a machine, operating on the same generalprinciples as the above described machine, which is more reliable in, operation, will pack containers at a higher rate of speed, will produce a superior pack and avoids substantially any waste of tuna.

Another object of my inventionis to provide .a more emcient machine adapted to compressor form .flake or chunk tuna into a cake andpack such vcake into acan which when opened by the userpresents an attractivelhomogeneous appearance. I

Another object otmy invention is to provide an improved machine for packing moist .fiaky .materialsormaterials which do notfiow readily .in which a compressionchamber is ,filled .with such materials, the filling operation being accomplished in a forced-or ,pressure manner so as to fill-voids in the-compression chamber and expel air; thereafter themass is trimmed to a desired volume which ,may be adjusted to arrive at a mass of the-desired weight; and thereafter the mass is compressed to form a cake of .sufiicientcohesiveness and rigidity that the cake-Will retain app x mately its cake term durin and :after packing in acan-on othercontainer .Aiurtherobject of my inventionis;toprovlde an improved machine adapted to-compresszfiake or chunk tuna .orothermaterials including food and non-food products whicharelcapableof be- .-ing compressed into a cakeorslug and pack a substantially uniform predetermined. weight .of :such materals into. .a can, or, other container.

:Anothercbject of my invention'is .to provide an improved machine in which controlof weight .of'the: material ultimately. to be i placedlin .a conproved basiclmachine which by adaptation and modification ,may be employed to 1oosely...fill,.a container with. materials, ameasured amount of the materials being loosely dropped ordeposited in the container, andthe machine being provided with means for controlling'or varying the Weight 3 of product to be placed in the container without interrupting the operation of the machine.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be set forth in the claims and will be apparent from the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a top plan view of the machine of my invention with the motor and variable speed reducer removed'for the purpose of more clearly showing the parts;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but taken on a horizontal section such as clearly to show the pockets or cylinders in the turntable, the elements for feeding the tuna fish into the pockets and the manner in which the cans or other containers are fed to and removed from the machine;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 in the direction indicated by the arrows and showing the motor, the variable speed reducer and the driving mechanism between the speed reducer and the upper and lower turrets and turn-table;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 in the direction indicated by the arrows, the view being taken substantially at the point of trim or removal of material to control weight, the view also show- .ing the means for varying the amount of trim to control weight;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the slugs or cakes of tuna being held by the walls of their respective pockets, the containers entering the machine beneath a shear plate into alignment with the pockets, the cake of tuna being deposited in the container and the filled containers being removed from the machine;

Fig. 6 is a view somewhat diagrammatic showing a developed layout of themachine and showing the complete functional operation as the tuna chunks or flakes progress through the machine and are deposited in the container;

' 'Fig. '7 is a sectional view showing the mounting for one of the upper plungers or pistons, the

guide therefor and the actuating cam and roller;

Fig. 8 is a view taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7 in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken through one of the lower plungers or pistons showing the spring mounting therefor, the manner in which the plunger is guided and the actuating cam and its associated roller;

.Fig. 10'is a sectional view taken substantially on the line III-I8 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the action when the product being packed is not to be pressed into a cake, showing the means for force-filling the pockets, the means for controlling weight and the means for depositing the charge of material being packed into a container.

Referring to Fig. 3, the mechanism of the machine of my invention is carried by a stationary frame main casting I I which may be suitably for the various parts of the machine as will be presently explained.

The machine is driven by a motor 11 through a suitable speed reducer I8. Preferably I1 and i8 constitute a variable speed drive for the machine to enable the machine operator through suitable controls tovary the speed of all operations at will in a manner well known in the art to which this invention applies. The variable speed drive I'I-I8 is mounted on the top of the casting It by means of anadaptor I9 bolted thereto. The output shaft of the variable speed drive I'II 8 is indicated by the numeral 2 I. The shaft 2| drives a main shaft 23 through a flexible coupling 22.

The main shaft 23 is mounted in suitable bearings 24 and 26 carried respectively by the castings I6 and I4. A spur gear 21 is keyed to the main shaft 23 and drives a gear 28 mounted on and keyed to a lay shaft 29. The lay shaft 29 is carried in suitable bearings 3| and 32 supported in the casting I4 and has a drive pinion 33 at its lower end keyed thereto. The drive pinion 33 mates with and drives an internal ring gear 34 which drives the upper and lower turrets in a manner which will be presently clear.

The upper turret I2 comprises a single casting which rotates about the frame structure above described as an axis. For the purpose of securing the casting 36 comprising the upper turret I2 to the internal ring gear 24, a series of screws 31 extend annularly around and between the parts so that the upper turret I2 is a rigid rotatable unit rotating with the internal ring gear 34. The main frame II has an accurately machined cylindrical face or barrel 4| upon which the internal machined face 42 of the upper turret I2 rides.

As shown most clearly in ,Fig. 1, the upper turret I2 has a plurality of vertically extending bores 43 each of which merges with a vertically extending guide slot or way 44. Each of the ways or guideslots 44 lies on a radius of the circle about the center of which the upper turret I2 rotates.

In the drawings I have shown twenty-four vertically extending bores 43 for the reception of a corresponding number of pistons or plungers 46. It will be appreciated that the number of plungers employed and the number of their associated parts is optional, depending upon the design of the machine, the speed thereof and the number of operations to be performed as each plunger completes a cycle.

Referring now to Fig. '7, that view shows a section through the upper turret and one of the pistons or plungers 46 mounted in its bore 43. I

have also shown in that view the means, generally indicated at 41, for guiding and actuating the pistons or plungers 46. The vertically extending slot 44 constitutes a guide or way for the reception of a guide block 48 which is carried by the piston or plunger 46. For this purpose the plunger 46 may be provided with a substantially rectangular recess 49 for the reception of the correspondingly shaped guide block 48. The guide block 48 is secured to the plunger 46 by recessed screws 5!. The guide block 48 corresponds in width to the width of the guide slot 44 and serves to hold the plunger 46 against rotation in the bore 43. The guide block 48 has a bore 52 for the reception of a pin 53 upon which a roller 54 freely rotates. The pin I 53 is threaded and extends through the guide block 48, the threaded end receiving a nut 56 which lies in a recess 51 formed the plunger 46,

and lower cams'58 and 65. The cams 58 and 85 are formed on cam elements 59 and (Fig.3) which'are mounted on the outer face of the casting I las indicated in'the drawing; As the upper turret rotates the plungers are actuated in accordance with the cam contours.

The lower turret I3 (Fig. 3) comprises an annular casting 5! which is driven by the upper turret in a manner whichwill presently appear.

The casting 6| has a machined face 62 which rides on the machined surface tl of the barrel shaped portion of the main frame I I. The main frame also has an annular machined ledge 63 adapted to receive and support a rotatable bearing ring es. The bearing ring '55 is'secured to the casting tI of the lower turret I3 by means of a series of screws ee-spaced annularly around and between the parts. 7

The lower turret l3 has a series of bores t? corresponding to the number of bores in the upper turret #2. These bores are adapted to receive plunger guides 68, the purpose and functions of which will later appear. As shown most clearly in Fig. 9,.the casting 6i is provided with guide slots or ways 12, the number of guide slots corresponding to the number of plunger guides employed, in this case twenty-four. As in the case of the guide slots for the upper turret, the guide slots 12 are machined on a radius of the circle about the center of which the turrets rotate.

Carried in a suitable substantially rectangular cutout F3 formed in each plunger'guide 68' is a rectangular guide block-"M adapted to ride in the guide slot or way Z2. Each ofthe guide blocks M is provided withsuitable' bores for'the reception of countersunk screws I5 which are threaded into the plunger guides 68. Rotatably mounted on the end of a pin TI is a cam roller I8 which rides between the suitable cams as will presently appear. The plunger guide 68 is provided with a recess IQ for the reception of the head of a nut 83 threaded on the end of the pin l1. 7 I

The upper and lower ends of the plunger guides E8 are provided with bearing sleeves 8! in each of which a plunger or piston 82 reciprricates. The upper end of each of the plungers or pistons 82 is enlarged to form a plunger face83 while the lower end is decreased in diameter, the decreased end being threaded as indicated at 84. A Washer se is interposed between a pair of nuts 81 and the lower end of the plunger guide 68. A spring 89 is-interposed between the enlarged head of the plunger and the top annular surface of the plunger guide 68' as indicated at 9 I.

The purpose of the spring mounting of the lower plungers will presently appear. For present purposes it is sufiicient to state that the lower plungers are actuated by the movement of rollers it as they rotate on or between earns 9 and 98 (see Fig. 6).

lower facecf the upper turret I2 and the upper face of'the lower turret i3 is a casting generally -indicated by the numeral IOI. The casting I0! 6 "of bolts' I03, the bolts extendingthrough the cast- "ing of the uppertur'ret I2 and the casting of "the lower turret I3. Itwill be understoodthat 'a series of bolts I03 "are employed extending annularly around and'betw'een the parts.

The casting IBI has "formed therein a series of pockets, cylinders or measuring'chambers I05 includes-an annular boxlike structure IE2 which u is provided with suitable bores forthe reception which are open at their upper and lower ends. 'Itwill be obvious that the numberof-pockets I04 formed in the casting I'fll corresponds to the number of upper and lowenplungers -48 and 82. The arrangement of the parts is such that the upper and lower plungers are maintained in vertical alignment with each other an'd invertical alignment with the axes of the pockets or cylinders I0 2. While I'have shown upper and lower plungers and-pockets I04 which are "cylindrical since tuna fish is packed in cylindrical cans, this is optional. These parts could be made r'ecta'ng'ular if it is desired to pack materials such aspressed meats in rectangularcontainers.

- The casting I'iii is extended outward to form an apron I66 having a rim IE7, suitable'strengthening ribs I68 being provided to support the apron and form a rigid but relatively light casting. The apron or turn-table constitutes an important improvement over the machine of my priori above mentioned application Serial No. 774,626 and is an important factor in-p'reventing wastage of tuna and in avoiding breaking up of the tuna into pieces smaller than desired.

It will now be understood thatjupon rotation of the driving pinion 33 at a speed under the control of the operator, the upper and lower turrets rotate as a unit together with the apron and the pockets. Duringrctation of the upper and lower turrets, the plungers are actuated in accordance with the dictates of their controlling cams and move into and out of the cylinders or-pockets Hid as indicated in Figs. 3, 5and 6.

Keyed to the main shaft 23 (Fig. 3) isa gear IIiwhich meshes with a gear II2. The gear 1 I2 is rigidly secured to a shaft I I3 which is supported in bearings H6 carried by the lower and upper castings It and I6. The shaft extends through the top wall and has an eccentric III and'a pulley I I8 rigidly secured thereto. A connecting rod IIl' reciprocate's as the eccentric rotates with the shaft.

The upper end, of the casting I6 is formed with an annularboss' I I9 which is machined so as to receive an oscillatable collar I 2 I A pair of -angle bars I 22 which preferably lie substantially at right angles to eaehother are preferably formed integral with the collar I2I and serve to support what might be considered a hopper or perhaps more properly an agitator structure, generally indicated by the numeral I23.

As shown in Fig. l, the connecting rod is connected to the frame formed by the angle bars I 22 by means of a pivot pin I2 1. Although not shown in the drawings the end of the eccentric strap and link II'I' may be bifurcated to straddle the of theangle bar I22 into the bifurcated ends of the eccentric strap. When the shaft 1 I3 is 1'0- tated the frame comprised of the angle bars is oscillated backward and forward around the shaft 23 as an axis.

The hopper or agitator structure I23 which is attached to the frame formed by the angle irons I22 comprises a pair of downwardly and out wardly extending angle sections I26 (seeFiglO) attached to the frame I22 I'22 at I21. Thelsemihopper includes a vertically extending shield I28 or rear wall having an interned-lower lip." The shield extends part way circumferentially of the upper turret as will be clear from'an examination of Fig. 1. The, angle bars I26 extend downwardly from their point of attachment at I21 and then extend forwardly beyond the rim I01 of the apron I06. At their extended ends the angle bars I26 are secured to a semi-ring I29 as shown at I3I.

The semi-ring I29, as shown in Fig. 3, is angular in cross-section and has secured thereto an annular shield I32 which may be considered the forward wall of the semi-hopper or agitating device. As will be clear from a reference to Fig. 1, the annular shield I32 lies just inside the rim I01 of the apron I06 and serves to confine the material brought to the machine by preferably a conveyor I33, as indicated in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 3. V

In my co-pending application Serial No. 131,392,

filed December 6, 1949, and entitled Hopper Construction for Food Packing Machines, I have shown a hopper construction for use in connection with a machine of the type shown in my application, Serial No. 774,626. If desired, the hopper of that application may be employed with the machine of this application with the exception of conforming the hopper of that application to a circular machine. In the hopper of this application or what might more properly be considered an agitating element, the material to be packed such as flake or chunk tuna or a mixture of chunks and flakes is discharged by the conveyorI33 on to the apron or turn-table I06 between the vertically extending annular shields or walls I26 and I32.

In Fig. 1, I have broken away the downwardly and outwardly extending angle sections I26 to show that the partial enclosure formed by the annular shields I28 and I32 is open at its ends. The purpose of this modification from a conventional hopper is, as will presently appear, so that excess material brought by the conveyor beyond that required to fill the cylindrical chambers or pockets I04 may be carried by the apron I06 in a counterclockwise direction around the machine back to the entrance end or the beginning point of filling the pockets. The omission of end walls on the semi-hopper enables free entrance and exit of the material carried by the apron.

The outer shield I32 (Fig. 2) serves as a carrier or support for a series of material directing, agitating and force filling blades I4I, I42 and I43. Each of the blades I4I, I42, and I43 is curved on substantially the arc of a circle and may be welded or otherwise secured to the annular shield I32. The mounting of the blades and their curvature is such that the blades are directed in a trailing manner with respect to the direction of rotation of the apron or turn-table so that material, deposited on the apron by the conveyor or returned to the entrance end of the pockets upon completion of a rotation with the apron I05, is directed inward toward the pockets, as indicated by the arrow adjacent the blade I42. Preferably only a slight clearance exists between the lower edges of the material directing blades and the surface of the rotating apron so that substantially all the material deposited on the apron or rotating therewith is directed toward the pockets as they successively pass the ends of the directing blades MI and I42 and as they pass the material directing and force-filling blade I43. It will be appreciated that the material directing blades are oscillating about the central vertical axis 9f. the machine with the lower edges thereof in close spaced relation to the rotating turn-table.

In Fig. 10, I have shown a sectional view through one of the pockets I04 with the force filling end of the blade I43 directly over the pocket. In the machine of my invention the speed thereof is controlled and the rate of bringing material to the machine by the conveyor is such that a surplus of material is always available to the pockets. These facts result in the material directing blades mounding the material above the pockets. Actually, as will presently appear, the

pockets are filled with an amount of material in excess of that to be placed in the containers.

While the material directing blades MI and I42 do cause a slight force-filling of the pockets due to the fact that they cause the material to pile up or mound over the pockets, the function of the angularly disposed (see Fig. 6) inner end of the directing blade I43 is to exert a downward force on'the mounded material so as to cause what might be termed a compressing pressure or force-filling of the pockets. The purpose of force-filling the pockets is to eliminate voids in the pockets for the purpose of securing more accurate weight control and expel air as will be more fully explained later. If desired the material directing blade I42 may be shaped like the blade I43 so as also to constitute a force-filling blade.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the pulley I I 6 which is driven by the shaft H3 is provided with a belt I46 (Fig. l) which extends over a pulley I41 rigid with a shaft I48 (Fig. 4). An arm I49 (Fig. 1) is secured to the casting I6 as shown at I5I (Fig. 4) and extends outward beyond the circumference of the machine. The outer end of the arm is provided with an opening for the reception of a support post I52 which extends vertically downward toward the base of the machine. A bracket I53 is bolted or otherwise secured to the base of the machine, extends outward with respect to the base and has an opening for the reception of the lower end of the support post I52. An arm I45 is secured in any suitable manner to the support post (Fig. 4) and extends inward toward the shaft I48. The inner end has an opening for the reception of the shaft I48 and suitable bushings I54 are provided. A circular cut-off knife I55 is rigidly secured to the lower end of the shaft I48 and is preferably rotated at high speed by the means described.

It will be noted from Fig. 4 which is a view taken substantially at the point of cut-off, that the knife I55 rotates in a plane parallel with the plane of the upper circumferential edges of the pockets or cylinders I04 and substantially flush therewith. The purpose of the cut-01f knife is to cut off or trim the material mounded over the tops of the pockets or cylinders so as to secure substantially accurate weight control as will be presently described. The cut-off knife I55 may be considered a trimming knife in the sense that it cuts 011? the material substantially flush with the tops of the cylinders or pockets and thus removes the excess material.

The top wall of the bracket I53 constitutes a platform I56 for supporting a cam element I51. The cam element I51 is circular in plan and has a cam surface I58 adjacent its outer periphery. A bolt I59 having threaded upper and lower ends extends downward through the cam element I51 and the platform I56. The bolt is held in position by the means shown at [El and on the upper end of a wing nut I 62 is threaded.

The cam 91 (Fig. 4) is secured to the base II by means of a plurality of screws Hi3 and the cam 97 is provided with verticallyelongated slots I64 for the reception of the screws I63. It will thus be understood that the cam 91 may be adjusted upward and downward within the limits defined by the length of the slots Hit. It. will also be understood. that upon loosening the wing nut, I52, the cam element I5? may be rotated so that a roller I66 fixed to the cam elwill roll on the cam surface I58. Adjustment of the cam. element IE? will raise or lower the camtl. Aswill be clear from an examination of Fig. 9, raising the cam 91 causes each plunger or pisten B2 to. rise to a greater height as its corresponding roller "i8 rides over the cam 91. It will also be clear that adjustment of the cam element l5? may be accomplished to raise or lowerthe plunger or piston 82 without interrupting the operation of the machine.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the cut-off or trimming knife I55 rotates in a counterclockwise direction. Thus any material trimmed from the tops of the pockets or cylinders is carried toward the rim Referring to Fig. 5, a pair of brackets IEZ is secured to the external wall of the base of the machine by means of screws and these brackets carry a pair of support columns 513. Mounted ontop of the support columns in any suitable manner as by welding is a plate H4. The plate I14 is annular in shape with its outer edge spaced somewhat inward of the rim 16? of the apron I66 (Fig. 2) and with its inner edge slightly spaced from the lower rotating turret. The plate I'M is stationary and constitutes a. supporting surface for the cans or other containers during the interval when the cans are being supplied empty to the machine, while they are being. filled and while they are being discharged from the machine as clearly shown in Fig. 5.

Carried by thelower turret, as shown in Fig. 5, is a series of members I16, eachof which has portions l'Il formed on the arc of a circle corresponding to the radius upon which the containers to. be filled are formed. The adjacent members IIB, as shown, provide a series of can pockets IES corresponding in number to-the number-of cylinders or material pockets I64, It will be appreciated that the can pockets are positioned sothat they are directly in alignment with and slightly below the material pockets I04.

A bracket I18 is secured to the plate Il i, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, and has-an upwardly extending part I19. The upwardly extending part has a flange for the reception of a shear plate I81. The cans are brought to the machine by means of a can chute I82, the discharge end of which is secured by means of brackets I33 to the plate I'M. The canchutehas an upwardly extending part I36 whichv is connected to a, can chute which may carry the cans from a can loft. The cans move downward through the loft can chute (not shown) into the can chute lBZWhich turns the cans from a position such that their axes are horizontal o'r substantially so to a position such that their axes are vertical. The weight of the cans discharges successive cans. onto the plate I'M. and they slide forwardly between the plate I'M and the shear plate Isl and each can in turn is deposited in one of the can pockets I15.

A guide plate I86 is secured in spaced relation to the plate I'M and serves to hold-the cans in the can pockets I15 while the material is being discharged from the material cylinders or-pockets into the cans. The guide plate I85 has anoutwardly extending guide I81 and together with a discharge bar I83 (Fig. 2) also supported in spaced relation with respect to the plate I'M com bines to form aguide. for the dischargeflof the cans from the can pockets after they are filled.

It will be understood that the inner end of .the guide bar I88 (Fig. 2) 1ies in such position as to engage thecans and cause them to be dischargedfrom their can pockets as the pockets continue to rotate.v v v f The operation of the machineof my invention will be more clear from an examination of Fig. 6 which in a developed layout of the machime. While the view is somewhat diagrammatic, it. is believed that it will be apparent how the parts previously described function to produce the action on the material illustrated in thelayout. In Fig. 6, I have indicated the major parts carried by the upper turret I2 and the majorQpartS carried by the lower turret I3.

Chunks or flakes of tuna or a mixtureof both I or any other materials which maybe packed by the machine are preferably brought by 'the'con-. veyor I33 in a volume such as always to maintain an excess of material in the semi-hopperdefined by the shields I23 and I32.- The materials are deposited on the apron I35 and sincethe semihopper including the directing blades I4 I, I42 and H33 is oscillated backward and forward about. the axis of the machine, the. blades by reason of their oscillation and their curvature tend to direct the material inward toward the cylinders or material pockets its. If the operator finds that the material is being delivered by the conveyorat; too slow a rate to maintain a surplus of material, he may slow downthe machine through-the v variable speed drive above mentioned. In practice also, the conveyor is preferably under thecontrol of. the operator so that if the materialsxare being supplied to; the machine too rapidly, he may slow down or interrupt the operation'of the conveyor or, within the limits of the speed of the ma-. chine, increase'its speed to take care of the surplus material.

' 'It will be apparent from'Fig. 6, that durin -the.

interval when the materialpockets are being filled, the camis holding the pistons. 01" plungers (55in their uppermost position and a considerable space exists above they material pockets so that the material may freely enter the pockets. 'Sinceian excess of material is constantly maintained in the semi-hopper'and isfdirected toward the pockets, the material tends to mound up over the top of the pockets as illustrated at the leftin Fig. 6. a

The inner end of the material directing blade I 13 constitutes a presser foot and particularly by reason of its angular position'and the-continued rotation of the pockets is adapted to exert pressure on the mound of material 'above the pocket as the pockets pass beneath it and press the mound downward into the pocket. The pur pose of this action is to give the materialan initial compression so that the pockets are filled substantially uniformly with material and voids therein are filled. The initial compression tends to expel air from the product, the purpose of which will later appear. While I have shown only one presser foot, it will be obvious that the material directing blade I42 may also be equipped with a presser foot if additional force filling of the pockets is desired.

Upon an examination of Fig. 1, it will be observed that the filling space is such that approximately seven pockets are in a position to be filled simultaneously. This insures that the material directing blades Ml, I42 and 143 will fill the pockets assuming the operator also maintains an excess of material on the apron in the manner previously described. 7

In practice, when the plungers 82 are in their lowermost position, the capacity of the pockets is in excess of the volume of tuna to be placed in a container. In the above mentioned application Serial No. 774,626, means were provided for increasing the maximum capacity of the material pockets by adjusting the cam corresponding to the cam 99-. However, this has been found unnecessary and substantially accurate weight control may be obtained by the means shown herein. The pockets having been filled with material preferably in an amount in excess of that to be placed in the containers, the rollers 18 ride on to the adjustable cam 91. Simultaneously therewith the presser foot of the material directing blade I43 is exerting a downward pressure on the material to preoompress it, fill voids and expel air. Further movement of the rollers 18 along the cam 91 raises the plunger 82 to a height predetermined by the positioning of the cam I51. Each plunger 82 in turn is brought to the same predetermined height and the space between the face of the plunger 82 and the cut-off knife is thus maintained a constant. Assuming the material has been properly force-loaded into the material pockets, the voids therein are filled and the volume in the pockets between the faces 83 of the plungers 82 and the cut-off knife is a constant, then the weight of successive charges of tuna is substantially a constant.

In practice, the material pockets are continuously moving through a path of travel. The machine shown herein is part of a complete packing line which includes the cleaning of the fish, the cutting of the fish into chunks or fiakes' and upon completion of the filling of the cans adding oil thereto, exhausting air from the can, applying the cover and clinching and closing it. Anything which interrupts the operation of the machine slows down or interrupts the operation of the entire packing line. It is therefore important that the machine be capable of adjustment to control the weight in the can without shutting down the machine. At the discharge end of the machine, a combined inspector and checker observes the cans after they are filled. She may checkweigh every tenth or twentieth can to make sure that the cans are coming from the machines filled with the proper weight of tuna. This constant checking is necessary for the reason that the moisture content of the tuna varies which affects the weight of tuna per unit Of volume.

If the checker finds the cans are being filled underweight, she signals the operator who without interrupting the operation of the machine rotates the cam I51 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, or so that the roller IE6 is at a lower position as viewed in Fig. 6 so that the plunger 82 rides to a lesser height than illustrated in Fig. 6. This increases the space between the face 83 of the plunger 82 and the cut-off knife,

thereby decreasing the amount of tuna trimmed oil and increasing the weight of tuna to be later deposited in the can. If the checker finds in checking the weights of cans as they are discharged from the machine that the cans are being filled overweight, the cam I51 is rotated in a clockwise direction or the roller I66 is raised from the position shown so that the plunger 82 is raised above the position shown in Fig. 6 so as to increase the amount of trim and decrease the charge of tuna to be later deposited in the can.

After the charge of tuna has been trimmed, the lower plunger may be raised slightly further, as indicated in Fig. 6, so as to additionally precompress the material against the bottom of the rotating knife; for the purpose of aiding in driving air out of the partly compacted mass. During this interval, the upper plungers 46 are moving downward and just beyond the cut-off knife both plungers enter the cylinder or pocket and start to compress the tuna therein. The springs 89 during the operation just described perform no function since they are made relatively heavy and the precompression force is relatively light and insufficient to compress the springs 89 to any extent.

During the interval when the charge of tuna is passing through stations 8 to 12, the tuna is compressed between the upper and lower pistons into a slug or cake of tuna. The tuna is of a relatively moist, oily nature so that it may be compressed into a cake of sufiicient rigidity that it will substantially retain its shape after the compression forces are removed; During the compression of the material into a cake, the

springs 89 are compressed sothat the pressure applied to form the cake is yielding.

In Fig. 6 I have indicated at l9l an adjustable means for raising or lowering the cam 98 to increase or decrease the pressure applied to each cake as it successively passes through the compression portion of the cycle. This adjustment may also be accomplished while the machine is maintained in continuous operation and the material pockets are continuously moving through their path of travel. Adjustment of the pressure of each spring individually may be accomplished by adjusting the position of the nuts 81 (Fig. 9). The purpose of the adjustment of the nuts 81 is to control the clearance between the plunger face 83, and the lower edge of the pocket at the point where the shear plate 18! enters between them. If the clearance is too large the effect of the shear plate is lost in that any loose piece that may have dropped free of the cake will be pushed or dropped through the opening instead of being retained in the pocket.

Adjacent the thirteenth station, the lowermost piston starts to withdraw, this action being accomplished by the cams 94 and 99. The initial action of these cams 94 and 99 is to withdraw the plunger guide 68 and allow the spring 89 to expand without withdrawing the plunger face 83 from the cake of material. Thereafter, at station 14 the contour of the cams 94 and 99 withdraws the lower plunger: face from contact with the cake of material. I have found the use of the springs desirable in securing proper compression of the product. While there is some expansion of the product after the compression force is withdrawn probably due to the presence of some air in the cake, this expansion is not great and occurs entirely in an axial direction since the annular margins of the cake-are con-, fined by the walls of the cylinder.

M the plunger is withdrawn very rapidly. Any

materi'alwhich may drop from the-cake falls upon the shear plate I81 and isoarried' along on the shear plate by the lower periphery of thepockets since the space between the upper surface of the shear plate and the'lower peripheral edge of the pockets is extremely slight. The material carried along on the shear plate I31 is deposited in the can so that no loss in material which might affect weight results.

. As previously mentioned the precompression or force-filling ofthe material into the cylinders or material pockets is important. not only in obtaining accurate weight but also in at least partially expelling the air prior to compression of the material into a cake.

It will be understood that since the machine is operating at a rate which may be as. high as 26.0 cans per minute, the time interval during which the material is compressed into a cake is extremely short. air is trapped in the cake, uponwithdrawal of the lower piston, the expansion or the air is likely to blow oif a piece of tunafrom the cake. Such blown-off material not only affects the appearance of the cake but also may interfere If any substantial amount of with proper weight control because it may adhere to the face 83 of the lower plunger instead. of being deposited on the upper surface of the shear plate and then carried into the can. However, this possibility is minimized by making the shear plate thin and adjusting nuts 8'! so that the enlarged face 83 of the plunger comes in close contact with the under side. of the shear plate.

As previously mentioned the cans or other, containers are partly guided by the shear plate [8L As each canis successively deposited in its can pocket I15, it passes from beneath the shear plate and the upper plunger starts to move downward. to depositv the slug or cake oftuna, in thecan.

Of particular importance in connection withv the machine of. my invention is the fact that. the tuna is compressed into a cake of sufiicient rigidity and cohesiveness that it maintains approximately the dimensions to which. it was compressed. Thus the cake may be preformed to a diameter somewhat less than the diameter of the can and somewhat less than the height thereof. Thus oil put in the can at a subsequent operation substantially completely envelopes the cake oftuna so as to protect the cake from scorching during retorting or cooking. Moreover, when the cake of tuna is opened by the housewife it may be inverted and in most cases dumped onto a plate as a cake of approximately the dimensions to whichit was compressed.

In Fig. 6 I have shown the cake of tuna d'eposited in the can by dropping the cake into it after the upper plunger gives the cakean initial push. However, more often the plunger pushes the cake into the can. In either case it is desired that the upper plunger face slightly enter the margins of the can to insure that the cake'is properly deposited therein. However, it

is desirable that the upper plunger not exert any pressure on the cake when it is in the can which would destroy the marginal space above mentioned. After the plunger has forced the cake of fish into the can and starts its upward travel, the cams are contoured so that the plunger pauses momentarily with the bottom of the plunger face flush with the cylinder or pocket. This condition is shown at station 20, and is done to prevent the drawing of the slugs or cakes of tuna back into the cylinderin case the cake tends to stick, to the plunger face. This dwell of the plunger face is shown by the cam contour at I92 (Fig. 6).

One fact of importance not previously stressed is that tuna is a very expensive fish costing the canner anywhere from $300.00 to $400.00 per ton. The control of weight and the prevention of loss during packing are ofextreme importance. It will be observed that losses by the machine of my invention are maintained at a minimum. Provision is made for preventingthe expansion of air from blowing off chunks of tuna after they have been compressed; any piece of tuna which may drop off the cake after the lower piston is withdrawn, is deposited on the shear plate [8i andthen deposited in the can; and all material cut off by the trimming knife is deposited on the rotatable apron and confined by the rim I01 so that, as viewed in Fig. l, the material is carried by the apron or turn-table in a counterclockwise direction and swept into a material pocket when it reaches the material directing blade l il.

In Fig. 11, I have indicated a somewhat modifled form of. the machine of my invention to adapt it to the packing of materials which are not to be compressed into a cake. In Fig. 11, station i as shown in Fig. 6 has been omitted. At station 2, the lower plunger is in a raised position and at station 3, the lower plunger is dropped down rapidly to cause a subatmospheric pressure above the plunger face'to aidin drawing materials into the pockets or cylinders. A force filling of the pockets or cylinders occurs at stations A and 5. At stations 5 and 6 the lower plungers are raised slightly to obtain theweight control described in connection with Fig. 6, the cut-off knife l55 trimming the excess material to bring the amount of material in the pockets to the described volume and hence approximately the desired weight. y

In the, modified form of Fig. 11, the springs 89' may be omitted since pressure is not to be applied to the material. Since the material is not to be compressed into a cake, the plungers throughout the next few stations exert only a light pressure on the material until the fourteenth station is reached when the lowerplunger is quickly withdrawn so as to pass beneath the shear plate l8! which is preferably made extremely thin. The material drops down onto the shear plate and is carried along by the margin of the pockets until the material is dropped or is pushed into the cans or containers as will be clear from an examination of the drawing and as will be clear from the previous description of the operation of the machine of Fig. 6. It will be apparent from Fig. 11 that various modifications of the cam contours may be made so as to accomplish the operation shown in Fig. 11 or other modified operation of the plungers-inaccordance with the material or product to be packed.

While I have shown and described the preferred method and machine of my invention,- it will be apparent that various changes and mojdifications may be made therein, particularly in the form and relation of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A machine for packing materials in a container comprising, in combination, a stationary frame structure, a pair of turrets mounted one above the other on said frame structure, a memher having a plurality of material receiving measuring chambers mounted between said turrets, means for filling said measuring chambers with materials, means for rotating said turrets and member through a circular path of movement about said frame structure, a plurality of plungers carried by each of said turrets, each of the plungers in the upper turret being in alignment with a plunger in the lower turret and in alignment with a measuring chamber in said member, and means for actuating said plungers as they rotate through their circularpaths of movement to move them into and out of said measuring chambers and compress the materials between them. 7

2. A machine for packing materials in a container comprising, in combination, a stationary frame structure, a pair of turrets mounted one above the other on said frame structure, a member having a plurality of material receiving measuring chambers mounted between said turrets and having an annular material receiving tablelike surface extending around said measuring chambers, means for rotating said turrets and member through a circular path of movement about said frame structure,.a plurality of plungers carried by each of said turrets each of the plungers in the upper turret being in alignment with a plunger in the lower turret and in alignment with a measuring chamber in said member, and means including a plurality of cam elements carried by said frame structure for actuating said plungers as they rotate through their circular paths of movement to move them into and out of said measuring chambers and compress the materials between them.

3. A machine for packing materials in a container comprising, in combination, a stationary frame structure having a barrel shaped machined part, a pair of turrets mounted one above the other on said frame structure, each of said turrets having machined surfaces bearing upon said barrel shaped part of. the frame, a member having a plurality of material receiving measuring chambers mounted between said turrets, means for rotating said turrets and member through a circular path of movement about said frame structure, a plurality of plungers carried by each of said turrets, each of the plungers in the upper turret being in alignment with a plunger in the lowe turret and in alignment with a, measuring chamber in said member, and means including a plurality of cam elements carried by said frame structure for actuating said plungers as they rotate through their circular paths of movement to move them into and out of said measuring chambers and compress the materials between them.

4. A machine for packing materials in a container comprising, in combination, a stationary frame structure, a pair of turrets mounted one above the other on said frame structure, a member having a plurality of material receiving measuring chamber mounted between said turrets, said member being circular in shape and constituting a material receiving turntable extending externally around said measuring chambers, means for rotating said turrets and member through a circular path of movement about said frame structure, a plurality of plungers carried by each'of said turrets, each of the plungers in the upper turret being in alignment with a plunger in the lower turret and in alignment with a measuring chamber in said member, means for actuating said plungers so they rotate through their circular paths of movement to move them into and out of said measuring chambers and compress the materials between them, and means comprising a material directing element for directing the material received from an external source and directing it inward on said turntable in a direction toward said measuring chambers.

5. A machine for packing materials in a container comprising, in combination, a stationary frame structure, a pair of turrets mounted one above the other on said frame structure, a member having a plurality of material receiving measuring chambers mounted between said turrets, said member being circular in shape and constituting a material receiving turntable, means for rotating said turrets and member through a circular path of movement about said frame structure, a plurality of plungers carried by each of said turrets, each of the plungers in the upper turret being in alignment with a plunger in the lower turret and in alignment with a measuring chamber in said member, means including a plurality of cam elements carried by said frame structure for actuating said plungers as they rotate through their circular paths of movement to move them into and out of said measuring chambers, means comprising a material directing element including a plurality of material directing blades for receiving the material deposited on said turntable and directing it inward on said turntable toward said measuring chambers, and means for oscillating said material directing element including the material directing blades about the same axis as the turntable rotates.

6. In a machine for packing materials in a container the combination of a horizontally disposed material receiving turntable having a table surface and having a plurality of material receiving measuring chambers with the table surface for receiving the material being external of the measuring chambers and a material directing assembly for receiving the material from an external source and directing it on said turntable and toward said measuring chambers, means for rotating said turntable about an axis and means for oscillating said assembly about the same axis, said assembly including upwardly extending material guiding surfaces and a plurality of material directing blades which oscillate in close spaced relation with the surface of said turntable.

7. In a machine for packing materials in a container the combination of a material receiving turntable having a plurality of material receiving measuring chambers and a material directing assembly for receiving material from an external source and directing it onto said turntable and toward said measuring chambers, means for rotating said turntable about an axis, means for oscillating said assembly, said assembly including upwardly extending material guiding surfaces and a plurality of material directing blades which oscillate in close spaced relation with the surface of said turntable, and means above the path of movement of the measuring chambers for force loading of the material into the measuring chambers.

- 8. A machlne tor packingt-materials in: a 0011': tainer comprising, i in r combination, .means: for obtaining a substantiallyconstant predetermined weight of material fondeposit in eachofa series of said containers comprising :a series pf measure, ing chambers movable continuously through a circular path of travel;saidchambersieach thave.

ing fixedw'alls whichaenclose-lthe material .on all sides except fortheupper' and .lower ends which; are open, aplunger movable. withxeach' or said. chambers throughout its path :of travel :and ex! tending through the lower open ends. of .said chambers, said material being deposited in the chambers at least partly :by gravity through the, upper open ends of said chambers with the posi-v tion of the plungersrdetermining. the volume .of the chambers, means: for. moving. said plungers into the chambers .a predetermined: amount. :to. reduce the volume of the chambers; whichithe. material may occupy; means. comprising a sir-' cul-ar rotating knife. past and beneath which :rne upper :open ends o'fflthe. chambers zpass.-.during movement through their circular-pathofftravel' for removing excess material, and imeans for moving said :chambers continuously :through said circularpathof travel. I

.Amachine for packing materials in .a series offcontainers comprising, in combination, means for obtaining a substantially::constant predeter mined weight :of materials for deposit 'in. 'eachzfof said series of containers comprising :;a series of .measuringxchambers movable continuously through a circular path f travel-,"each. of said chambers having fixedwall'sf which" enclose the material on all sides except for the upper'vand lower .ends "which" are :open,;';a plunger -.movable with each .of said chambers. throughout its path of travel and-extending through the lower-open ends of the chambers, means for directing the material into the chambers rthrough theupper open ends thereof,:means *for zmovingnsaidplungers. into the chambers :a predetermined amount to control the volume-of the chambe'rs which the material :may occupy; means comprising a cir'cu lar rotatableknife past and beneathwhidh the upper :open ends of the :chainbers -pass during movement-through their circular path or travel forfiremoving excess materiaL a' series or plungers above said chambers movable with thechamhers throughout their path of travel,' means for compressing the material in each of said chambers between the upper and lower plunger-s finto a calke of approximately predetermined weight, means for transferring theima'terial in each "of said c'hanibers in 'cak'e'form to a container, and means for moving said chambers acontinuously through-said circular =pa'thjof travel.

' -1'0."'-2[n a'm'achine 'forlpacking materials in'ieach .of'a ser'ies -01 containers, a 'member flhaving fan axis ofirotation and having aser'ie's of material receiving measuring chambers;means for re tating said member about said axis .to define a cycle of operation, means "for; :fillingsaid enamhersduring a portion of the cycle .of operation in 'such manner that 'theflmaterial tendsfflto mound up .abovefthe chambers, means for re.- moving the 'mounded, material so that .Itl'ie .marenal is substantially flush with .themargins lot the chambers, means including a material carry- .i'ng surface in connection with :said :member :for

carrying the removed material around ,said :axis so that the removed material may :be returned .;.to =the.-chambers vat-the chamberfilling portionzof the cycle and means cfor. closing'thef-bottoms of :said chambers .zat least while they pass through thefilling .p'ortion'of the cycle, of operation. I I

.11. In a machine for packing materials in eachiof a series vof containers, an ,annularmfimher having an axis of rotation and having a se-.

ries of .materialqreceiving measuring chambera;

means for-rotating said member gabout:,said;ax;i s to define a cycle ofoperation, said member having. a. chamber .fi-lling sector throu h hiG 'Qi passes, means for filling said chambers as they.

pass'through the chamber filling, sector in such mannerflthat the material tends to mound u above the chambers, a circular cut :off knife-adjacent the end of the-filling sector -for:removing the material :mounded up over the chambers, means for. rotating said cutoff knife;v means in connection. with said member for carrying :the; removed material around said axis back-to the chamber'filling sector and. means for closing-the? bottoms of said chambers at. least While theyare passing through the chamber filling sector. v12. In. a machine ,for packing materials in each of a series of containers, an annular memher having an axis of rotation and having .a series of material receiving measuring chambers, means for rotating said member about said axis to define a cycle of ;operation, said member :having a chamber filling sector through which it passes, means for filling said chambers .as they pass through the chamber filling sector in such manner that the material tends to mound up above the chambers, said chamber filling means including means movable independently .of said annular member to direct material into-said chambers, a circula cutoff knife. adjacent the end of the filling sector tor :removing the material'mounded up over the chambers, means for rotating said out ofi knife, meansincluding a material carrying .surface in connection with said member :forfcarrying the removed material around said axis back to the chamber .fillingsector and means for closing :the bottoms of .said chambers ,at least while they are passingthrough the chamber filling sector. l3.'A machine for packing materials in each of a series of --containers comprising, in combination, a stationary'frame structure havinga vertical axis, a pair of turrets mounted one above the other on said vframe structure, an annular member having a plurality 'of open ended material receiving measuring chambers mounted-be tween said turretsgmeans for rota'ting said'turrets and annulanmember in unison about 'the axisofsaidrframe structure, .a plurality of'plungers carried by each of said turrets, each off'the plungers in the upper turret being in alignment with a plungerrinithe lower turret and align ment with ":a. fchamber in said me'mber, means for actuating the .plung'ers to move them into and out :of said chambers as the turrets and annular member :are rotated, said annular member'having:achamberfilling sector through which it passes, :the lower plungers closing the lower ends of said chambers and the upper plungers being clear of said chambers when said member moyesthrough thechamber filling sector, means foridirecting material into the chambers as they :pas'slthrough the chamber filling sector in such manner that an excess ofrmaterial is sup lied to said chambers, means adjacent theend of said .chamber filling sector for removing the excess material, and means'f in connection with said member for carrying the/removed material :arogmd saidaxis back to the chamber .filling sec or.

14. A machine for packing materials ineach of a series of containers comprising, in combination, a stationary frame structure having a .vertical axis, a pair of turrets mounted one above the other on said frame structure, an annular member having a-plurality of open ended matee rial receiving measuring chambers mounted between said turrets, means forrotating said .tur-J retsand annular member .in unison about the axis of said frame structurea plurality of plunge.

e'rs carried byeach of said turrets, each. of the plungers in the upper. turret being in alignment with a plunger in the lower turret and in alignment with a chamber in said member, means for actuatingthe plungers to move them into and out ofsaid chambers as the turrets and annular member are rotated, said annular member having a chamber filling sector and a container filling sector through which it passes, the lower plungers closing the lower ends of said chambers and the upper plungers being clear of said chambers when said member moves through the chamber filling sector, means for directing material into the chambers as they pass through the chamber filling sector in such manner that an excess of material is supplied to said chambers, means adjacent the end of said chamber filling sector for removing the excess material, means for supplying empty containers to the machine and removing them filled therefrom at the chamber filling sector, a stationary shear plate adjacent the container filling sector below the chambers and below which the lower plungers pass, and means in connection with said member for carrying the removed-material around said axis back to the chamber filling sector. 1

15. In a machine for packing materials in container the combination of a material receiving turntablehaving an external perimeter, and having a plurality of material receiving measuring chambers and a material directing assembly :for receiving the material from an external source and directing it into said measuring chambers, means for rotating said turntable about an axis, and means for oscillating said assembly about the same axis and with at least the; major part thereof within said external Perimeter. 16. In a machine for packing materialsina container comprising the combination of a plu rality of material receiving'measuring chamber s, a plunger above each of said measuring chambers and a plunger below each of said measuring chambers, means for rotating said measuring chambers and plungers in unison, means for moving said plungers into andjout of said meas-' uring chambers during rotation, means'for yieldingly mounting at least one of said sets of plungers whereby when theplungers engage material in the measuring chambers a yielding compression force'is applied on the material.

17. A machine for packing materials incontainers comprising, in combination, a material receiving turntable, a series of material receiving measuring chambers carried bysaid turntable, means for rotating; said turntable. and chambers continuously through an endless 'path of travelpart of said ,path-includinga" filling station, means at the filling station 'forurging the material into. and above said chambers in an amount in'excess of that required to fillsaid chambers, means for trimming olf -saidiexcess, means for directing said excess back ontdthe turntable so that it may rotate therewith-back to the filling station and means for closingithe 201 bottoms of i said measuring chamberiat; least while they are passing through thegfilling station.

18. A machine in accordance ,with claim 17 in which the trimming means constitutes ,a knife and the directing means overlies the knife. ivv

19. A machine iniaccordance with claim 17;- in which. themeans: for urging the material into, the chambersis at least oneblade which is mov able backward and forwardin close spaced rela-.

tion to the surface-ofthe. turntablewhile the turntable passes beneath it.. a; I

'20. A machine forpacking materials in con-- tainers comprising, in combination la material receiving turntable rotatable about a vertical axis, a series of material receiving measuring chambers having vertical side walls and open tops and bottoms rotatable :with.said.turntable, means for .rotating said turntable and chambers continuously through an endless path of travel part of said-path including a filling station, "said turntable having an area outwardly of the cham bers upon which at least part of the material; to be packed is deposited, means at the filling station for urging thematerial on the .turntable. into the chambers, the material being supplied to the turntable and chambers in a quantity in excess of i that required to fill the chambers, means for directing said excessoutwardly of the chambers and toward thexperiphery of the turntable after :the chambers'have been filled, said excess rotatingwith the. turntable about said axis back to the .filling station and'means for closing the bottoms of said measuring chambers at least while'they are passingthrough the filling station. V. 21. A machine in accordance with claim 20 in which the means for urging the material into the chambers is at least one material directing member at the filling station closely/overlying the surface'of the turntable.

22. A machine in accordance with. claim-.20 in which the means for urging .the material, into the chambers is at least one material directing member at the filling station closely overlying the surface of the turntable, and the means for directing the excess outwardly ofthe chambers after they have been filled comprises a knife beneath which the open tops ofthe chambers pass. 23. A machine in accordance with claim 20 in which the means for directing the excess out-.- wardly of the chambers is a knife rotatable on a vertical axis closely overlying the open tops. of the chambers as they move through their path of travel and. a deflecting member contiguous *to the upper surface of the knife. 1 24. A machine for packing materials in containers comprising, in combination, a material receiving turntable rotatable about a vertical axis, a series of, material receiving measuringchambers having vertical sidewalls and opentops and bottoms rotatable with said turntable, means for rotating said turntable and chambers continuously through an endless pathofltravel part of said path including. afilling station, said turntable having an annular-surface flush with the .open tops ofthechamber's and encircling said chamrbers upon'which at least part of thematerial to be packed is deposited, means at the filling station for urging the material on the turntableintothe chambera the -material' being suppliedtothe turntable and chambers in'a'quantity suchthat an excess is alway'savailable to insure that the chambers will be filled, means for closing the open bottoms of said chambers at least while they are passing through the filling station, means for terialmounded up over the tOps of the chamber positioning a container in alignment with each of said chambers, a plunger above and in alignment with each of said chambers, means for moving said plungers into said chambers to discharge the material therefrom and a trimming knife bevertical axis and a member overlies the trimming knife and directs the trimmed and excess materialtoward the periphery of the turntable so that it cannot reenter filled chambers and instead rotates with the turntable back to the filling station.

26. A machine inaccordance with claim 24 in which the urging means is an assembly which is oscillatable about the same vertical axis as the turntable rotates and includes a blade extending from adjacent the periphery of the turntable toward the path of the rotation of the chambers and a member which overlies the path'of travel of the chambers and has a surface which faces their open tops and presses the material into the chambers for the purpose of filling voids.

27. A machine for packing materials in containers comprising, in combination, a materialreceiving turntable rotatable about a vertical axis, a series of material receiving measuring chambers disposed in a circle around said axis and rotatable with said turntable, said chambers having vertical side walls and open tops and bottoms and said turntable having an annular surface flush with the open topsof said chambers and extending completely around the circle of chambers and extending completely around the circle of chambers, means for rotating said turntable and chambers continuously through an endless path of travel part of said path including a chamber filling station and part including a container filling station, the material brought to the machine for packing being at least partly deposited on the turntable and being always available at the filling station in an amount in excess of that required to fill the chambers, means at the filling stationfor urging the material into the chambers, the material tending to mound up over the tops of the chambers, a circular trimming knife between the chamber filling station and the container filling station, said trimming knife being mounted on a vertical axis and having its plane of rotation substantially flush with and overlying 'the open tops of the chambers so that any mais trimmed off, means for rotating said trimming knife, a member overlying the trimming knife for directing excess material and trimmed material toward the externalpart of the turntable surface and away from said chambers so that saidmaterial is prevented from entering the chambers which have been filled and trimmed at least until after the filled and trimmed chambers have passed through the container filling station. means for closing the open bottoms of said chambers while they pass through the chamber filling station and beneath the trimming knife and until they reach the container filling station, a plunger in alignment with each of said chambers and rotatable about the same axis, means for movin containers into a position below said chambers and. in ali nment therewith, and means for raising and lowering said plungers, said plunger being clear of the tops of the chambers during the chamber filling and trimming operations and being lowered into the chambers to discharge said material from the chambers into the containers at the container filling station.

28. A machine in accordance with'claim 27 in which the urging means is at least one blade extending from adjacent the periphery of the turntable toward the path of rotation of the chambers and closely overlying the rotating surface thereof and means adjacent the end of the filling station having a surface overlying the path of rotation of the chambers for pressing the material into the chambers to fill voids.

29. A machine in accordance with claim 27 in which the urging means is an assembly which is oscillatable about the'same vertical axis as the REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the p18 of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 1 Date 1,046,762 Fleming et al Dec. 10, 1912 1,891,830 Nicholson Dec. 20, 1932 2,176,449 Ayars Oct. 17, 1939 2,446,762 Hauck Aug. 10, 1948

Images