US2673019A - Receptacle filling machine - Google Patents

Description

March 23, 1954 D, w, SMITH 2,673,019

RECEPTACLE FILLING MACHINE Filed Feb. l5, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

DENNlS w. SM|TH BY ATT'Ys March 23, 1954 D W SM|T|| 2,673,019

RECETACLE FILLING MACHINE Filed Feb. l5, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.'

DENNIS W. SMIT ATT'Ys March 23, 1954 D W, sMlTH 2,673,019

RECEPTACLE FILLING MACHINE Filed Feb. l5, 1952 5 SheetSfSheet 5 INVEN'ToR- DENNIS W. SMITH BY v March 23, 1954 D. w. SMITH RECEPIACLE FILLING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 15, 1952 m mm INVENTOR: DENNIS VV. SMITH E BY ATTYs Ow Nv March 23, 1954 D W SMlTH 2,673,019

' RECEPTACLE FILLING MACHINE Filed Feb. l5, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet. 5

REAR FRONT FIG. I4 13 Y l5 73 74 i@ Q (79M (so FIG.

` gNVENToR.- DENNIS W. SMITH ATT'Ys from each side of the frame I and enter into suitable outwardly projecting sockets I9 and II mounted fast on the conveyer mechanism side plate I2, each of the coupling pins being held in its socket by a suitable cotter.

In this arrangement power for driving the depositor apparatus is taken from a sprocket I3, which is mounted on a shaft I4 extending through the conveyer mechanism side plate I2 and suitably driven by a sprocket I5 having positive driving connection with the drive chain of the conveyer mechanism. The sprocket I3 has positive driving connection with the main driving sprocket I6 of the depositor mechanism by means of a chain I1.

As shown, the main driving sprocket I6 for the depositor mechanism is mounted fast on the hub of a clutch member I8, which in turn is rotatablyT mounted on a stub shaft I9 attached to and extending outwardly from the side plate I2 of the conveyer mechanism 1, the second part 29 of the clutch being likewise mounted rotatably on a stub shaft I9.I extending forwardly from the mounting plate 4 of the frame I and axially aligned with the shaft I9. The clutch part 29 is in turn directly connected to sprockets 2| and 22, which are mounted on a common hub, on the shaft I 9.I.

The sprocket 2I is connected by a chain 25 to the driving shaft 23, of the variable speed drive 5, by means of a sprocket 24 mounted fast on the shaft 23; and the sprocket 22 is connected, by a chain 26, with a sprocket 21 which is rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 28, projecting from the upright plate 4. mounted on a common hub with a gear 29 from which a positive drive for the depositor mechanism is obtaned as will be hereafter explained.

In the form shown the depositor mechanism comprises a pair of parallel horizontally spaced rotatable heads 30 and 3| which are carried on a yoke-like bracket member 32 rigidly mountn ed on an arm 33 attached to and extending forwardly from the frame I vadjacent its upper end. The yoke 32 is located at the outer end of the arm 33 and is horizontally disposed with its arms 34 and 35 extending equidistant from the center of the main support arm 33. Each of the arms 34 and 35 of the yoke or bracket carries a tubular shaft support member 36 which is rigidly secured to the respective arms.

As shown in detail in Fig. 5, the tubular support member 36 for each depositor head extends through a suitable opening formed adjacent the end of the respective arm of the yoke member 32 and at its outer end carries a depositor head body 31 which in turn is rigidly secured to a flange. 38 suitably fastened to the support member 36. The depositor head body 31 is an annular disc-like member having a forwardly tapered, substantially conical, peripheral surface over which an annular conical valving member 39 is fitted in nested relation.

The valving member 39 is a hollow dish-like element in the form of a truncated cone and has a central hub 40 which is mounted on and keyed to a shaft 4I which extends through the hollow support member 36.y The shaft 4I is rotatably mounted in the support member 36 on conical roller bearings 42 and 43, and at its rearward end carries a flanged hub 44 which is suitably fastened to the shaft, as by a tapered pin 45. The ange of the hub 44 carries a drive sprocket 46.

The forward end of the shaft 4I extends through the hub 40 of the valving cone 39 and The sprocket 21 is directly its outer end is enclosed by a cap nut 41, which also serves as a means for adjusting the valving member 39 axially with respect to the shaft 4I. As shown, the shaft 4I is held against axial movement in the support member 36 by means of bearing members or discs 4B and 49 set into respective ends of the support member 36, the hub 54 at the sprocket end of the shaft engaging the outer surface of the bearing member 4t, and a bearing nut 59 adjacent the forward end of the shaft 4I engaging the outer surface of the bearing member 49.

As shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the conical wall of the depositor head body 31 is provided with a peripherally extending, radially opening, pocket or cavity 5I, which extends an annular distance of substantially 90; the pocket 5I, in the form of the device herein illustrated, being located at the bottom portion of the depositor head and centered directly below the shaft axis so as to extend an equal distance on either` side of a vertical plane through the shaft axis.

As shown, the pocket 5I is deiined by an inner wall 52 and an internally threaded opening 53 in the rear wall of the valve body is provided for connection of the pocket with a supply conduit 54 whereby material to be deposited may be supplied to the pocket.

The pocket 5I is normally closed by the conical wall 55 of the rotatable valving member 39, which wall slidably fits the conical periphery of the valve body 31. The adjoining surfaces of the wall 55 and conical wall 55 are finished and lapped together to provide a substantially leakproof running seal, and at predetermined locations on the periphery of the rotatable valve member 39, valve openings 51 are provided which, when registered with the pocket 5I, serve as discharge ports for the material supplied to the pocket by the conduit 54. The location of the openings 51 about the periphery of the valve member 39 is determined by the timing requirements of the depositing mechanism with respect to the movement of the receptacles to be filled, as will be hereafter explained.

As herein shown, the depositing apparatus utilizes two of the depositing heads just described, and in the case of reach depositing head, the valve body member 31 is stationary and the valving member 39 is rotary. Thus in order to keep the two valving members in precisely timed relation with each other with respect to their rotation, the sprockets 45 at the rearward ends of the shafts 4I are connected by a chain 59, the upper run of which is carried over a flange or guide 59 on the arm 33 in order to span the arm 33. As shown in Figs. l and 2, the drive for the depositor heads 30 and 3| is taken from the gear 29 which is meshed with a gear 60 mounted on the shaft of the depositor head 39; and, as shown in Fig. 5, the gear 59 is fastened directly to the sprocket 46 by means of screws 6I which extend through the sprocket into the hub of the gear 69. The sprocket 4S is in turn secured to the flange of the hub 44 by means of bolts 62. In this manner the drive for the depositor heads 39 and 3! is positively connected with the driving sprocket 22 which in turn is positively connected with the sprocket I6 driven directly from the conveyer mechanism as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the timing of vthe rotation of the valving members comprising the depositor heads 39 and 3l is at all times in fixed relation with the movement of the conveyer mechanism.

The clutch, comprising the .separate members I8 and 2G, interposed between the sprockets I6 and 2l-22 on the fixed shaft IQJ, is of the automatic, selfeihdeiiing type which Will disenga'ge Whenever an excessive load or jamming occu'r's in any part of the driven apparatus'. In this type of clutch the parts, when mated by attache ment vof the depositor apparatus "to the conveyer by the pins il and d, are held in engagement by the spring loaded elements, not shoivn, angularly spaced about the clutch axis, which yield to permit slipping of one part relative to the other upon overload; 'and the spring loaded engaging elements are so disposed as to cause engagement of the clutch parts only when they are in prede-i termined angular relation. Thus slipping of the clutch, under overload conditions, Will not dis= rupt the timing relation of depositing apparatus with respect to the conveyer mechanism with which the apparatus is connected.

The object of the depositing apparatus is to discharge a iluid material into receptacles as they are carried beneath the depositar heads by the `conveyer rnechanisniahd hence the speed of rotation of the depositor valving members, and the angular spacing of the discharge ports 51 there'- in, must coincide with the speed of movement of the receptacles as they pass beneath the'deposhl tor headsand with the spacing ofthe receptacles along the conveyer path. It is for this reason that the drive for the depositing apparatus is taken directly from the conveyer mechanism so that the timingv relation Will always be constant.

Itis also an object of this invention to provide for a constant rate of flow of material from the pump t to the supply conduits leading to the depositor heads and in order to accomplish this, in the depositing apparatus herein shown, tivo depositor heads are employed and the angular spacing of the discharge ports or openings 51 with respect to each other, and the angular relation of the valving member of one depositor head with respect to the valving member of the other depositor head, is such that at least one of the die charge openings 51 Will be in communication with a valve body pocket 5! at all times. lThus, since the angular length of the pockets el is substantially 90 and each valve port or opening 51 will be in communication with a pocket 5! for at least 90 of its angular movement, the quantity of .maN

terial to be discharged through the valve port 51 Will be dependent upon the speed of rotation of the valving cones and the rat-e of discharge of the supply pump Therefore, since the speed of the valving cones is constant, to control the quantity of material discharged through a valve port 51 while it is in registry with a valve pocket 5l, the speed of pump t must be adjusted accord'- ingly.

As shown in Figs. l and 2, the drive for the pump ii is taken from the variable speed mechanism 5 by means of a chain e3 running between a sprocket te on the pump drive shaft 65 and a sprocket @t mounted on the driven 'shaft 61 of the variable speed drive. The 'speed of the pump 6 may be thus regulated by varying the speed of the driven shaft of the variable speed drive mechanism Which is accomplished by means of an adjusting knob t8. As shown, the pump 6 has an inlet connection 69 leading from a reservoir of the filling material, not shown, and a discharge connection 'it which leads through an opening 1| in the support plate t to the branch connections 54 which lead to the respective depositor heads. The pump 6 is preferably a positive displacement rotary pump and suchpumps,

suitable for handling ller material, and particularly such material having Whole fruit or relatively large fruit piece content,` are available on tlie'open market.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the depositor heads 30 and 3l are disposed and arranged for iilling large sine pie plates as they are transported by the conveyer mechanism of a pie making machine 1, and since the pie plates are carried in a single row by the conveyer, the depositor heads are located directly over the center line of the conveyer and the path of pie plate travel. Ordinarily large size pie plates, for example, ten inch plates, are carried on the conveyer in individual plate holders 12 which are spaced on twenty inch centers along the path of conveyer travel. Thus, the depositor heads 30 and 3l must function in timed vrelation with each other and with the movement of the pie plates to deliver lling material to each pie plate as it passes beneath the depositor heads, and the speed of rotation ofthe valving member 39 of the depositor heads, toL gether with the angular location of the discharge openings 51, must be such as to open and close, or cut ofi', flow from the depos-itor head cavities 5| while a pie plate is in proper position to receive the filling material.

In order to accomplish this result, and with the form of the apparatus shown in Figs. l to 3 inclusive, the depositor heads are arranged on ten inch centers, and each depositor head functions to deliver to each pie plate, one-half ofthe total quantity of material required to nll the pie plate. Also, the openings 51, in each rotating valving member 39, are disposed diametrically opposite each other, or 180 apart, and the two valve members are arranged relative to each other so that the openings 'of one valve member are in advance of the corresponding openings of the other valve member.

With this arrangement, the speed of rotation of the valve members is such that the openings 5l' vvill have 'an angular speed of substantially one-'half the speed of lineal travel of the pie plates on the conveyer 1. That is, the valving members will turn through one-half revolution While the receptacles move a distance of twenty inches. Thus, since the cavity 5l in each valve body has an angular length of 90, each opening el in the valving member 39 will deliver material from the cavity 5i during onequarter of the revolution of the valving member 39, 'or during the interval that a pie plate moves through a distance of ten inches.

In this case, the speed of the pump 6 is adjusted to deliver lling material at a rate equivalent to one-half the total 'quantity required to fill the pie plate during lthe interval that a valve port is open; and, since the depositor heads 'are on ten inch centers and the discharge openings of one are 90 out of phase with the openings of the other,N each pie plate Will receive a deposit of oneehalf of the total required amount of filling material as it passes under the ller head 3i and will receive the balance of the lliiig material from the second depositor head 39, a valve opening 51 in the rst depositor head closing at the same time that a valve opening in the second depositor head is opening. Also, since the depositor head valve members 39 are rotating at the same speed, the total discharge opening for passage of fluid material from the pump to the pie plates will at all times be constant "so that the rate of flovv of filling naterial through the pump and the conduit 10 will likewise be constant.

A detailed front View of the depositor head valve member 39, with the valve body 3l indicated in dotted outline, is shown in Fig. 6. In this case the diameter of the valve body 3l at its base, or large end, is approximately nine and one-half inches, and the angle of inclination o the conical side wall, from the axis of the valve body, is 2.21/2". The over-all thickness of the depositor head is approximately two and one-halt` inches and the valve openings 51 are substantially one and one-quarter inches square.

Fig. 4 of the drawings shows an arrangement of the depositor heads for lling individual-size pie plates having a diameter o1 iive inches or less, in which case each plate holder of the pie making machine conveyer mechanism holds a group of four of the small size plates. In this case each depositor head must function to completely fill two pie plates, of each group of four, while the plate holder travels beneath the depositor head, and, since the pie plates are arranged in two rows as shown in Fig. Ll, the depositor heads must be staggered relative to each other, transversely of the conveyer, so that each depositor head will serve a single row of pie plates.

For grouped receptacles, or pie plates the only change in the depositor mechanism is in the size and mounting of the depositor heads, and in the sprocket sizes which determine the speed of rotation of the depositor valving member 39. Also, the valve openings 5l in each depositor head are spaced apart an angular distance of 90 and the two valving members are arranged to be 180' out of phase with each other.

In this case, and since the plate holders are on twenty inch centers, the depositor heads, which are on ten inch centers, are driven at a speed such that each will make one complete revolution while the plate holders travel twenty inches on the conveyer mechanism 1. As in the arrangement for lling the large size pie plates,

4and since the two valve members 39 rotate at precisely the same speed, a valve opening 5l will at all times be in communication with a cavity 5| in one of the valve bodies so that the total area of discharge opening for passage of material from the pump to the receptacles will at all times be constant.

A face view of this modified form of depositor head is shown in Fig. '1, and in this case the diameter of the valve body at its base, is approximately seven and seven-eighths inches, otherwise the over-all thickness of the depositor heads is substantially the same as in the case of the larger size depositor heads. Also, in the smaller depositor heads, the discharge ports 57 are preferably smaller than in the large heads, for example, one-half the area, in order to prevent too rapid discharge from the cavity 5l for adequate supply of the next discharge port.

In order t0 more fully demonstrate the operation of the depositor heads as they function to ll pie plates or other receptacles, as they are moved continuously along a predetermined path by a conveyor mechanism, a complete lling operation for both the large size receptacles and the small size grouped receptacles, is illustrated in Figs. 9 to 18 inclusive. Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive, show the various phases of a complete filling operation of the depositor heads for a single large size receptacle as it passes beneath the depositor heads; and Figs. 14 to 18 inclusive, show the op- 8 eration of the depositor heads arranged for lling receptacles carried in groups.

Referring particularly to Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive,

' the depositor heads 3| and 30 are of the type in which the discharge openings are diametrically opposite each other, and in which one depositor head is out of phase with respect to the other depositor head. In this case, the pie plates or other receptacles travel in the direction indicated by the arrow 'l5 and are uniformly spaced apart along the path of travel. The direction of rotation of the depositor head is such that the discharge openings, as they pass the depositor head cavities 5|, move in the same direction as the receptacles. Fig. 9 shows the orice or discharge opening A of the depositor head 3| in position where it is fully regulated with the cavity 5| and fully opened as at the first part of a filling operation for the receptacle 16. At this point, the next previous receptacle 'l1 has been completely filled and the orifice D of the depositor head 30 is completely closed.

Fig. 10 shows the relation of the receptacle 1E, with respect to the depositor heads, as the orifice A is approaching its cut ofi position, and the orifice C of the depositor head 39 is approaching its opening position, the receptacle lt at this point having received a little more than onefourth of its total lling.

Fig. l1 shows the relation of the elements at the point where the orifice A of the depositor head 3| has become completely closed and the orifice C' of the depositor head 30 is in completely open position, the two depositor heads having turned through an angular distance of substantially 90 and the receptacle 'i6 having progressed one-half the distance that the successive receptacles are spaced apart.

Fig. 12 shows the relation of the elements where the orice B of the depositor head 3| is approaching its opening positions and where the orifice C of the head 3l! is approaching its cut oi position. At this point the receptacle 16 is almost seven-eighths full and the next succeeding receptacle 18 is approaching its filling position.

Fig. 13 shows the relation of the elements when the receptacle 'i9 has become completely filled, the orifice C of the depositor head 30 is fully closed and the orifice B of the depositor head 3| has reached fully opened position for delivering material to the next receptacle 13.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the orice opening A of the head 3| and the orifice opening C of the head 39 function successively to iill one receptacle; that orifices B and D of the two heads function successively to fill the next succeeding receptacle; and that a complete revolution of the two depositor heads Will accomplish the complete lling of two receptacles. It will also be seen that by the arrangement of the orice openings of the discharge heads and the angular length of the pockets 5|, the total opening area through which material may flow is at all times constant, the orice of one head beginning to open at the same instant that the orifice of the other head begins to close and speed of movement of the two orifices being the same.

Referring to Figs. 14 to 18 inclusive, wherein the depositor heads 'i3 and "M are of the type and arrangement shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings for operation to fill individual or small size receptacles which are carried in groups of four by the conveyer mechanism, the depositor head 13 is indicated to be operating on the rear row of receptacles and the head 14 is indicated as operataerobic ingion the. front rowfof receptacles. In thiscase, the, orifice openings ATB and C'.-D. in the respective. depositorI heads; are spaced apart an angular distancel of 9092 from. each other and the depositar head 1.3 is 180. out of phase with respect 5 tothe depositcr. headV T41. mso, inthis case, the speed of' rotation of the depositar heads 13. and M is: substantially the same as the lineal rate. ci travel ofl the receptacles beneath the heads and the depositor heads are spaced apart one-half the distance between the groups of receptacles.

In Eig. 14, the orice A ofs the. head 73. is open ing to fill the rst receptacle in a group. i9. or four receptacles, and the orice` D of the head i4 is closing after having substantially fil-led the fourth receptacle of a group 8D..

Fig; 15 shows thev oriiice A ot the head 'i3 closing and the4 orifice B of the head 13 opening to n-llthe. second receptacle ofl the group -fS.

ld` shows the orifice of the head 13, closingv and the ori-nce C' of the head 'lil openingl to ll the third receptacle of theY group. T9.

Fig. 17' shows the orice C ofthe head 1:4 closing and the orice D opening to, ll the fourth receptacle of the group 19. This figure also shows the next succeeding group of receptacles M moving into. position to be lled.

Fig. 18 shows the orifice D of the head 'M closing upon completion of the filling of the fourth receptacle of group 719 and shows the orifice A of the head 13 opening to fill the first receptacle in the next succeeding group 8|.

In anyl case of a receptacle filling operation, the quantity of material delivered by each orirlce opening as it registers with the cavity 5l of the depositor head, will be determined. by two factor-s, namely, the speed of rotation ofthe valving member of the depositor head, and the rate ofmaterial delivery from the pump 5 of the depositing apparatus. TheA speed of rotation of the depositor head valving members is directly related to the speed of travel of the conveyer mechanism, and is constant with respect thereto because of the direct drive connection between the depositor mechanism and the conveyer mechanism. Thus variation in the rate of delivery of material from the depositar heads to accommodate receptacles or different sizes is obtained, generally, by variation of the speed of the delivery pump.

It will be understood that the angular relation I the orifice openings in the depesitor heads, as Well as the angular length ef the depositor'head cavities l and the lateral spacing of the depositor heads, may be altered to accommodate various spacingdistances of the receptacles along lthe i conveyor path. However, in any case, the arrangement of oriees should be such that, as between the two depositor heads, the total area of orifice opening for the discharge of material will, preferably, be constant at all times. Also de,- pending upon the nature or the IrlaterialA being handled, the angular location of the cavities il may be altered to move the cut 01T point 0165er to the vertical plane so as to minimize dripping andr running of the material on the outer surface of the valving member.

It will also be understood that in certain lling operations and depending upon the material .to be deposited, a single depositor head of the kind herein disclosed may be used for lling receptodos, moving along a predetermined path and depositing a predetermined quantity of material in each receptacle.

The main advantages of this invention reside in the .overeall Simplicity of the depositing appa.. 75

'tion and arrangement off the depositor heads whereby precisely thned and accurately measured deposit-ine; of? material is obtained; in the4 arl? e, ht c tthe. depositor heads, whereby a arse opening of constant. area is maintained at. all. tipos so as to. permit a continuous, uniform the mate iai from the supply pump; in ved depositor heads will el? .c s of' material at Such a rato as to obviate splashing', sporting and spillin the. overvalt emciency. of operation and .relatively small Spa@ requirements for the de- -nositor apparatus; and the, adantability.1 or the dep, tor apparatus for association with sub- Siohiiall'y Tilly receptacle. conveyor mechanism.

although two embodiments of this invention have been, herein show-n and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the con,- structiolns shown may be altered or omitted withcieioarting from the sri-rit of this invention defined by the following claims.

I claim;

1,. A device flor filling uniformly spaced con,- tainers moving successively along a predetermined path, comprising an annular body member and an annular valving member mounted on a common axis in race to face engagement with each other above the containerV path, said common axis being .substantially normal to the container path, said valving member being rotatable against Said body member, said body member having;` a cavity therein opening to the surface engaged by the valving member and the cavity-.opening extending aneularly with respect to Said Common axis and substantially parallel with the con.- t, r path, said valving member having a plu- Q allglllarly spaced discharge openings each of less angular length than the cavityeopen.-

ing and successively registrable therewith upon rotation of the valvine member. said discharge openings being spaced apart an angular distance et least equal. to. the angular length of the cavity- Opening, means for turning said valving member about saidcommon axis and registering Saiddischarge openings successively with the cavityopening in timed relation with the movement of the receptacles. a supply connection onsaid body member having communication with said cavity, and means kfor supplying suing material to said supply connection at a constant predetermined pressure volume rate.

2, A device for filling containers moving sucoossively al ne a predetermined path, Comprising a body mounted on a. horizontal axis above and normal with the container path and havingan internal Cavity opening to the surface of said body the Side thereof adjacent said path. the .oavitvforonins orio 'es .il-1th@ dir eotionof Said container oath. a valvise mombersurrounding seid. body in surface to surface engagement therewith and rotatable in a vertical pla-ne connai-,tp the body axis. said, valvine member 'enclosing Said cavity-Goonies and having a plurality of discharge ports reeistrablo therewith. said dit,y

charge ports being spaced from each other in the direction of valving member rotation a distance at least equal to the length of the cavity-opening, and each of said discharge ports being of less length than said cavity-opening, means for turning said valving member and moving the discharge ports successively into registry with and along said cavity opening in timed relation With the movement of said containers, a supply con- Vnection on said body having communication with -said cavity, and means for supplying filling material to said supply connection at a constant predetermined pressure and volume rate.

3. A device for filling containers moving successively along a predetermined path, comprising an annular body mounted on a horizontal axis above and normal to the container path and having an internal cavity opening to the surface of said body on the side thereof adjacent said path, said cavity-opening extending angularly with respect to the axis of said body, an annular valving member surrounding said body in surface to surface engagement therewith androtatable about the body axis, said valving member enclosing cavityopening and having a plurality of angulariy spaced discharge ports registrable therewith, said discharge ports being each of less length than said cavity-opening and being spaced apart an angular distance at least equal to the length of said cavity-opening, means for rotating said valving member and moving the discharge ports thereof successively into registry with and along said cavity-opening in timed re- -lation with the movement of said containers, and

a supply connection on said body having communication with said cavity.

4. A device for filling receptacles moving successively along a predetermined path, comprising a plurality of depositors mounted side-byside in predetermined spaced relation along and above the receptacle path; each of said depositors comprising a body having a horizontal axis normal to the receptacle path and aninternal cavity opening to the body surface adjacent said path,

.the cavity-opening having a predetermined length -in the direction of said path, and a rotatable valving member surrounding said body in suriace-to-surface engagement therewith for enclosing the said cavity-opening, said valving member rbeing rotatable in a vertical plane parallel With :the receptacle path and having a discharge port registrable with the cavityopening, and said dis charge port being of predetermined length less than that or the cavity-opening in the direction vof valving member rotation; means for turning the valving members and moving the discharge 'ports thereof successively into registry with and along the respective cavity-openings in timed relation with the movement of the receptacles, said valving members having their discharge ports displaced relative to each other in the direction of their movement a distance at least equal to `the length of the said cavity-openings, and a vsupply connection on each body communicating with rthe respective cavity and leading from a common supply source.

length in the direction of said path, and a rotatable valving member surrounding said body in surface to surface engagement therewith for enclosing the said cavity-opening, said valving member being rotatable in a vertical plane parallel with the receptacle path and having a plurality of discharge ports successively registrable with the cavity-opening, and said discharge ports each being of predetermined length less than that of the cavity-opening in the direction of valving member rotation; means for turning the valving members and moving the discharge ports thereof successively into registry with and along the respective cavity-openings in timed relation with the movement of the receptacles, each valving member having its discharge ports displaced in the direction of their movement and relative to the ports of the adjacent valving member a distance at least equal to the length of the said cavity-openings, and a supply connection on each body communicating with the respective cavity and leading from a common supply source.

6. A device for filling receptacles moving successively along a predetermined path, comprising a plurality of depositors mounted side-byside in predetermined spaced relation along and above the receptacle path; each of said depositors comprising an annular body having a horizontal axis normal to the receptacle path and an internal cavity opening to the periphery of the body on the side adjacent said path, the cavity-opening having a predetermined angular length, and a rotatable valving member peripherally surrounding said body in surface-to-surface engagement therewith for enclosing the said cavity-opening, said valving member being rotatable about the axis of said body and having a discharge port registrable with the cavity-opening, and said discharge port being of predetermined angular length less than that of the cavityopening; means for rotating the valving members simultaneously and moving the discharge ports thereof successively into registry with and along the respective cavity-openings in timed relation with the movement of the receptacles, said valving members having their discharge ports angularly displaced relative to each other a distance at least equal to the angular length of said cavity-openings, and a supply connection on each body communicating with the respective cavity and leading from a common supply source.

'7. A device for filling receptacles moving successively along a predetermined path, comprising a plurality of depositors mounted side-by-side in predetermined spaced relation along and above the receptacle path; each of said depositors comprising an annular body having a horizontal axis normal to the receptacle path and an internal cavity opening to the periphery of the body on the side adjacent said path, the cavity-opening having a predetermined angular length, and a rotatable valving member peripherally surroundving said body in surface-to-surface engagement spective cavity-openings in timed relation with the movement of the receptacles; each valving member `having its discharge ports displaced 13 angularly relative to the ports of the adjacent valving member a distance at least equal to the angular length of the said cavity-openings; and a supply connection on each body communicating with the respective cavity and leading from a common supply source.

8. A device for lling uniformly spaced receptacles moving successively along a predetermined path, comprising a pair of depositors mounted side-by-side in predetermined spaced relation along and above the receptacle path; each of said depositors comprising an annular body having a horizontal axis normal to the receptacle path and an internal cavity opening to the body surface on the side adjacent the said path, the cavity-opening having an angular length of substantially 90, and a rotatable valving memberperipherally surrounding said body in surface-to-surface engagement therewith for enclosing the said cavity-opening, said valving member being rotatable about the axis of said body and having a pair of discharge ports registrable with the cavity-opening, said discharge ports each being of predetermined angular length less than that of the cavity-opening and being diametrically opposite each other in the valving member periphery; means for rotating the valve members simultaneously and moving the discharge ports thereof successively into registry with and along the respective cavity-openings in timed relation with the movement of the receptacles, said valving members being arranged with the discharge ports of one displaced 90 angularly relative to the discharge ports of the other; and a supply connection on each body communieating with the respective cavity and branching from a common supply conduit.

9. A device for filling uniformly spaced receptacles moving successively in two parallel rows along a predetermined path, comprising a plurality of depositors mounted side-by-side in predetermined spaced relation along and above the re- 14 ceptacle path, one of said depositors being disposed above each row of receptacles, each of said depositors comprising an annular body having a horizontal axis normal to the receptacle path and an internal cavity opening to the body periphery on the side adjacent said path, the cavity-opening having an angular length of substantially and a rotatable valving member peripherally surrounding said body in surface-to-surface engagement therewith for enclosing the said cavityopening, said valving member being rotatable about the axis of said body and having a pair,.of angularly spaced discharge ports successively registrable with the cavity-opening, and said discharge ports being spaced apart substantially 90 from each other and each being of predetermined angular length less than that of the cavity-opening; means for rotating the valving members and moving the discharge ports thereof successively into registry with and along the respective cavity-openings in timed relation with the movement of the receptacles, the discharge ports of one valving member being displaced angularly substantially with respect to the discharge ports of the other valving member, and a supply connection on each body communicating with the respective cavity and branching from a common supply conduit.

DENNIS W. SMITH.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,075,534 Ash Oct. 14, 1913 1,260,636 Campbell Mar. 26, 1918 1,305,584 Yahle June 3, 1919 1,332,363 Schwarzer Mar. 2, 1920 1,420,222 Schmidt Apr. 6, 1922 1,919,155 Ayars July 18, 1933 2,315,932 Burt et al. Apr. 6, 1943 2,351,732 Almono et al. June 20, 1944

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