US2770351A - Apparatus for handling spaghetti preparatory to packaging - Google Patents

Description

A. CURHONI W. m m

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING SPAGHETTI PREPARATORY TO PACKAGING 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed May 9, 1955 INVENTOR. ALDO CUR/0N1,

WUW 113 1956 A. CURIONI APPARATUS FOR HANDLING SPAGHEITTI PREFARATORY TO PACKAGING Filed May 9, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN TOR. 141 00 CUR/0N1.

ATI'ORNE).

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING SPAGHETTI PREPARATORY TO PACKAGING Aldo Curioni, Ridgefield Park, N. J. Application May 9, 1955, Serial No. 506,701

8 Claims. (Cl. 198--39) This invention relates generally to apparatus for handling spaghetti and the like, and is particularly directed to a device for receiving discrete quantities of spaghetti and individually delivering such quantities to a packaging machine.

This invention constitutes an improvement which is adapted for use in con-junction with the machine disclosed in my co-pending patent application Serial No. 442,581, filed July 12, 1954.

As is well known to those versed in the art, the packaging of spaghetti and similar food products is, at the present time, done by hand. Thus, even with the cutting and weighing machine disclosed in the above-mentioned patent application, it is necessary ta manually remove the measured quantities of spaghetti and either deliver the same to a packaging machine, or insert the quantities directly into cartons, bags or other desired containers. This, of course, involves considerable time, and requires extreme care and dexterity, all serving to increase the cost of production. Even under optimum prior art conditions, manual handling resulted in high waste due to breakage, etc., and the spaghetti was readily subject to contamination by careless personnel.

While the particular embodiment of the present invention, which is illustrated in the drawings and which will be described hereinafter in greater detail, has been primarily developed and employed in connection with the handling of spaghetti, and will be disclosed hereinafter with particular reference thereto, it is appreciated that the invention may be employed to handle other food products having similar handling requirements, and it is, therefore, intended that the term spaghetti be understood to comprehend such products.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide apparatus for handling spaghetti, which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art, which completely eliminates manual handling of spaghetti between weighing and packaging operations, to greatly increase the speed of production, which eliminates or minimizes Waste due to rough and careless handling, and provides optimum conditions of sanitation and hygiene.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a device having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the foregoing paragraph, which is adapted to directly receive measured quantities of spa ghetti, as from a cutting and weighing machine disclosed in the above-mentioned patent application, and wherein the spaghetti is conveyed away as rapidly as received and fed into cartons or the like of a conventional packaging machine, all Without the need for manual operations Whatever.

It is a further object of the present invention to pro- 'vide a materials handling device of the type described which is simple in construction, highly eflicient, dependable and completely automatic in operation, which is durable in use, and can be manufactured, installed and maintained at a reasonable cost.

Other objects of the present invention will become nited States Patent 2 apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of element, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic, plan view showing a production layout employing the device of the instant invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the operating controls of the instant invention.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view showing a conveyor constructed in accordance with the present invention for receiving measured quantities of spaghetti and depositing the same in individual hoppers.

4 is a plan view showing a construction of the present invention for feeding spaghetti from the hoppers to a packaging machine.

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view of the device as seen from the right of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a side view of one of the conveyor boxes and one of the hoppers, as seen in Fig. 3, but drawn to an enlarged scale and showing the box closure in closed condition but about to be released.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but showing the closure and its associated mechanism in released condition.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to Fig. 1 thereof, the diagrammatic layout illustrated therein comprises generally a cutting and weighing machine 20 which delivers measured quantities of spaghetti to a conveyor 21. The conveyor discharges the measured spaghetti quantities :to a feeding device disposed under the conveyor and partially shown on one side of the conveyor at 22. On the other side of the conveyor is a packaging machine 23 which receives and packages the measured spaghetti quantities fed by the feeding mechanism.

The cutting and weighing machine 20 is preferably, though not necessarily, of the type disclosed in my abovementioned co-pending patent application, wherein there may be included a receiving table 26, supporting bars 27, 27 extending outwards beyond the table, a cutting and conveying mechanism diagrammatically illustrated by the rectangle 28, and automatically discharging weighing scales 29 and 30 extending from the cutting machine over the conveyor '21. It will be observed that one hatch of spaghetti 31 is entering the cutting machine, while another batch '32 is suspended on a rod or stick 33 extending between the bars .27, 27, and awaits entry into the machine. By reference to the above-mentioned patent application, it will be seen that the cutting machine 20 is capable of removing the bight portions or bends of the spaghetti, subdividing the remaining straight spaghetti portions, and delivering the straight subdivided portions to weighing scales, as at 29 and 30 which automatically discharge discrete spaghetti quantities of a predetermined weight.

The conveyor 21 includes a pair of flexible, endless carriers, belts or double chain unit 36 and 37 disposed in side by side relation and each extending outwards from beneath one of the scales 29 and 30, respectively. The carriers or double chain units 36 and 37 are independently mounted, and each movable about a path having upper and lower stretches. The upper stretches: of the paths are preferably level with each other, as are the lower stretches thereof, while the outer end of the carrier 37 extend outwards beyond the outer end of the carrier 36. Secured at spaced points along each of the carriers 36 and 37, respectively, are a plurality of receptacles 38 and 39.

3 In particular, each adjacent pair of receptacles 38 is spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing between each adjacent pairs of the receptacles 39, and the receptacles 38 are ofifset with respect to the receptacles 39 longitudinally of the carrier chains, so as to appear in stag gered relation in plan view of Fig. 1.

Referring now to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the double chain units or carriers 36' and 37 of the conveyor 21 are arranged in spaced relation above a generally horizontal base plate 42, upon which are fixed spaced, upstanding journal bearing supports 43 and 44. Four laterally spaced, coaxial sprocket wheels 45, (two for each double chain unit) are carried by a pair of end to end aligned horizontal shafits 46 rot-ata'bly supported in the standard 43. Only one of the wheels 45 i visible in the drawings. Extending from the standard 44, substantially horizontally toward the standard 43, are a plurality of arms 47 (only one being visible in the drawings); and, two pairs of laterally spaced sprocket wheels 48 and 49 are carried by horizontally disposed, parallel shafits 50 and 51, respectively, rotatably supported at spaced points on the arms". The carrier chains 36 extend about the sprocket wheels 49' and one pair of the sprocket wheels 45, while the carrier chains 37 extend about the sprocket wheels 48 and the remaining pair of sprocketwheels 45, so that both chains are mounted for movement about'the horizontal axes of their supporting sprocket in paths having upper and lower stretches extending between the sprocket wheels.

The receptacles 38 of the carrier 36 are all identical, each including a generally rectangular, open top box 54, a swingab'le closure or'cover 55 resiliently biased to an open position, and a crank-shaped latch or catch 56 resiliently biased to maintain the cover ina container closing position. As best seen in Pig. 3, the receptacles 38 are disposed exteriorly of the respective carrier 36 being fixed at their bottoms 57 to the carrier, and having their open tops facing away from the carrier.

The receptacles 39 of the carrier 37 are also arranged exteriorly of their respective carrier, and each includes an open top container or box 60, a swingable cover or closure 61 resiliently urged toward an open position, and a pivotally mounted, crank-shaped catch or latch 62 resiliently biased to maintain the cover in its container closing position.

The receptacles 38 and 39 are thus adapted to move with their respective carriers 36 and 37 about the paths thereof, opening upwards when the upper path stretches and opening downwards when the lower path stretches.

The weighing scales 29 and 30 are shown in Fig. 3 paced above the upper stretches of their respective carri'ers 36 and 37, and disposed in position for receiving cut spaghetti from conveyor belts 65 and 66, respectively. As the scales are substantially identical, a detailed description of one will apply equally well to the other. The scale 29 includes a bottom dumping hopper 67 having a swingable, lower end closure 68 balanced by any suitable mean (not shown) to open when a predetermined weight of spaghetti has been deposited in the hopper, and to close immediately after dumping of the spaghetti. Thus, when a desired weight of spaghetti, say one pound, has been received in the hopper 67, the bottom door 68 opens to dump the spaghetti into a receptacle 38 having its cover open and disposed in proper receiving position on the upper stretch of its carrier path. The scale 30 operates in like manner, opening to dump a measured quantity of spaghetti into one of the receptacles 39 disposed in proper receiving posit-ion on the upper stretch of its carrier path. However, it will be noted that proper receiving positions of the receptacles 38 and 39 on the upper stretches of their respective paths are offset or spaced longitudinally of upper path stretches, for purposes appearing presently.

In order to effect movement of the carriers 36 and 37 along their respective paths, a pair of independent, preferably identically constructed drive mechanisms are provided, each associated with one of the double chain units or carriers. One of the chain drive mechanisms, generally designated 71, is seen in Fig. 3 (the other drive mechanism being obscured in the drawing) and includes a pinion 72 carried on one of the shafts 46 for rotation therewith, and a gear 73 mounted on a horizontal, rotatable shaft 74 for meshing engagement with the pinion. Extending radially from the shaft 74, and rotatable about the axis thereof relative to the gear 73, is an arm 75 extending radially beyond the periphery of the latter gear. Provided on the arm 75, adjacent to its free end, is a pawl or dog 76 resiliently biased into engagement with the teeth of ratchet 77 for effecting rotation of the latter and the gear 73 in only one direction, namely counter clockwise, as seen in the drawing. That is, the dog 76 cooperates with the teeth of ratchet 77 to function as a ratchet and pawl effecting intermittent rotation of the gear upon rotary oscillation of the arm 75. The gear 7 3, of course, drives the pinion 72, which in turn drives the chains or carrier 36 in a clockwise direction.

In order to actuate the above-described intermittent gear rotation, and hence movement of the carrier by increments, a solenoid 79 is pivotally mounted on a fixed bracket 80, and ha its plunger 81 connected, as. by a pivot 82, to an intermediate portion of the arm 75. A helical tension spring 83 is connected between the free end of the arm 75, and a fixed bracket (not shown) to resiliently urge the arm clockwise toward a limiting position. It will now be appreciated that energization of the solenoid 79 to project the plunger 81 outwards will, through the dog 76, effect counterclockwise gear rotation and movement of the carrier 36 through one increment of its path. Of course, other suitable actuating means than the solenoid may be employed, if desired, such as a by draulic piston and cylinder; and, an independent, preferably identical drive mechanism and actuating means is. provided in association with the carrier or double chain unit 37.

Disposed in spaced relation below the lower stretch of the carrier 36 are a plurality of generally rectangular, upwardly opening hoppers 88. That is, the upwardly opening hoppers 88 are mounted on the base plate 42 below the lower stretch of the carrier 36 and spaced apart in the same relation as the receptacles 33. Additional, generally rectangular upwardly opening hoppers 87 are mounted on the base plate 42 in spaced relation directly below the lower stretch of the carrier 37. The hoppers 87 are spaced apart by the same distance as the receptacles 39, and hence by the same distance as the hoppers88. Moreover, the hoppers 87 are offset with respect to the hoppers 88 longitudinally of the lowcr'stretches, so as to be disposed in the staggered arrangement of Fig. 4.

In the latter figure, it will be noted that the hoppers 88 which open upwards beneath the carrier 36, are each provided with a generally horizontal, tubular extension 90 disposed below the carrier 37 and in alternate relation with respect to the hoppers 87. The hoppers 87 which open upwards beneath the carrier 37, are similarly provided, respectively, with tubular extensions 89 disposed beneath the carrier 36 in alternate relationv with respect is connected a cross bar 94; and, a plurality of parallel spaced piston rods or plungers each has one endfixed to the crossbar and its other end provided with an enlarged head or piston 92 snugly and slidably received in one ofthe hoppers 87 and 88, or its tubular extension.

That is, the rod 93 is Upon extensile and retractile movement of the rod 93, the piston heads 92 are each moved between the distal end of one tubular hopper and the remote end of the respective hopper extension. For example, the leftmost piston 92 in Fig. 4 will, upon retraction of the rod 93, move from its illustrated position in the distal end of the hopper extension 90 to the remote end of the hopper 88, while the next adjacent piston moves from its illustrated position at the distal end of the hopper 87 to the remote end of hopper extension 89. Of course, the contents of the hoppers will thus be discharged and fed directly into the cartons, bags or the like 97 of the packaging machine 23. The cylinder 96 is controlled by a solenoid valve (not shown) in a well known manner to control the direction of flow of fluid to project and retract the rod 93.

In Fig. 2 is shown a schematic illustration of the controls employed in the above-described construction. As disclosed in my above-mentioned co-pending patent application, the belt conveyor 65 is driven intermittently by a motor 98 through the drive pulley 99. The intermittent conveyor operation, effected by turning the motor 98 on and off, is necessitated by working on the spaghetti in batches, so that the motor is de-energized or turned off during an interval between successive batches, as when a new batch is introduced to the cutting machine. The motor 98 is electrically connected by conductors 102 and 103 to a source 104 of electric supply; and, a relay coil 105 is connected in the line 103 to close the switch 106 when the motor 93 and relay coil are tie-energized.

The bottom closure or door 68 of the scale 29 is linked as at 107 to the movable contact of a switch 108 to close the latter switch upon opening of the door and delivery of a measured quantity of spaghetti to one of the receptacles. The fixed contact of switch 108 is connected by a conductor 109 to the supply line 102, and the movable contact of such switch is connected to a conductor 110 to one side of the actuating solenoid 79, the other side of the latter being connected by conductors 111 and 112 to the supply line 103. The solenoid 79 is thus placed across the source 104 when the switch 108 is closed, as on dumping of spaghetti by the scale 29 into a receptacle 38. Energization of the solenoid 79 projects the solenoid plunger 81 to the right, as described hereinbefore, to move the carrier 36 clockwise one step or increment of its path of travel. The displacement of solenoid plunger 81, and the proportions of the drive mechanism including arm 75, gear 73 and pinion 72, are selected so that the increment of carrier travel is equal to the distance between the carrier receptacles. In this manner, the actuating solenoid 79 is responsive to the delivery of spaghetti to each of the receptacles, and thereupon actuates the drive mechanism to properly index or shift the next successive receptacle into position for receiving spaghetti from the scale hopper.

The rod 93 is shiftable longitudinally, to the right as seen in Fig. 2, by energization of the solenoid valve controlling cylinder 96, which is electrically connected on one side by the conductors 115 and 112 to the supply line 103, and electrically connected on its other side through conductor 116, switch 117 and conductor 118 to the supply line 102. Hence, when the switch 117 is closed, the solenoid controlling valve to cylinder 96 will be energized to admit fluid to shift the rod 93 to the right. This will effect movement of the plungers 95 from their extended position of Fig. 4 into the hoppers 87 and 88, and movement of the pistons 92 into adjacent relation with respect to the boxes 97 of the packaging machine 23.

Mounted on each of the hoppers 87 for vertical sliding movement, is a vertically disposed operating rod or stem 12]. having its upper end engageable with one arm of the crank-shaped latch 56 of a receptacle disposed in position directly above the associated hopper. Upon upward shifting movement of each operating stem 122 into engagement with the respective receptacle latch, the latter will be disengaged from its receptacle cover to permit opening movement thereof to the dashed line position of Fig. 3 for discharging the contents of the receptacles 38 into the hoppers 88. Similarly, a plurality of vertically disposed operating stems 121 are mounted, respectively, on the hoppers 87 for vertical shifting movement into engagement with the latches 62 of the receptacles 39. The stems 121 thus disengage the latches 62 from the receptacle covers 61, permitting the latter to open and release the contents of the receptacles 39 to the hoppers 87. The operating stems 122 are preferably in alignment with each other, for operation on the receptacle latches 56, and the stems 121 are preferably in alignment with each other and spaced laterally, or offset from the stems 122, for engagement with the receptacle latches 62, as best seen in Fig. 4.

A pair of parallel spaced, rotatable cam shafts 123 and 124 are mounted below the base plate 42, the cam shaft 123 being disposed beneath the hoppers 87 and the cam shaft 124 beneath the hoppers 88. A series of cams 125 are carried on the cam shaft 123 for engaging the lower ends of the stems 121 to effect vertical reciprocation of the latter, and additional cams 126 are carried by the shaft 124 and engageable with the lower ends of the stems 122 to vertically shift the latter stems,

The cam shafts are suitably connected together, as by gearing or the like (not shown) to insure simultaneous elevation of all the stems 121 and 122, and one of the cam shafts, say 123 (see Fig. 2) is provided with an arm 127 fixed to and extending radially from the latter shaft. Actuation of the arm 127 in a counterclockwise direction is effected by a solenoid 128 having its plunger 129 pivotally connected to the arm. The solenoid 128 has one side electrically connected by a conductor 130 and through the conductors 115 and 112 to the supply line 103, and is connected on its other side through a conductor 131 and the relay operated switch 106 to the supply line 102. Thus, the solenoid 128 is connected in series with the relay operated switch 106, and together with the latter across the supply source. When the relay coil 105 is energized by operation of the motor 98, as during weighing of the cut spaghetti, the switch 106 is open, and the solenoid 123 de-energized, to permit retention of the arm 127 in a limiting position of its clockwise movement by a spring 132. That is, the spring 132 normally resiliently maintains the arm 127 in its extreme position of clockwise movement, in which condition the operating stems 121 and 122 will be in an inoperative, lowered position. However, when the motor 98 is inactive, as during the intervals between operations on successive batches of spaghetti, the relay coil 105 will be de-energized, permitting closing of the switch 106 and energization of the solenoid 128 to swing the arm 127 to its extreme clockwise position, illustrated in Fig. 2. This will simultaneously elevate all of the operating stems 121 and 122 to unlatch the particular receptacles of groups 38 and 39 which are at that time disposed on the lower stretches of their respective carriers in position for discharging their contents into the hoppers 87 and 88. Further, counterclockwise rotation of the arm 127 will, immediately after discharge of the spaghetti to the hoppers, close the switch 117 to energize the solenoid 96 and shift the piston 92 through their respective hoppers to individually deliver the contents of the latter directly into respective boxes 97 on the packaging machine 23.

While only a single scale 29, drive means 71 and actuating solenoid 79 have been illustrated in the schematic representation of Fig. 2, it is, of course, appreciated that an identical scale, drive mechanism and actuating means therefor are provided for each carrier. Although the driving mechanism for each carrier may operate entirely independently, as will appear in greater detail presently, the receptacle discharging means, including '27 thev stems 121, and; 122, and the camshafts 12 3 and 124, are Preferably, actuated simultaneously by the solenoids 128.,

In operation, successive batches of spaghetti are cut in the machine 20 and conveyed to the weighing scales 29 and 30. As each Weighing scale receives a desired quantity; of the spaghetti, it delivers the quantity to an open, waiting receptacle. Delivery of the Weighed quantity from each scale involves opening. of the. bottom scale door, which through a linkage, such as 107, closes an electric switch, asat 108, to energize the respective carrier drive mechanism, as at 71. It will now be app-reciatedthat the drive. mechanism associated with each carrier, operates its particular carrier independently of any other carriers. and solely in response to the delivery of a measured quantity of spaghetti to a receptacle of the respective carrier. As noted hereinbefore, the drive mechanism. of each carrier efiects movement thereof an increment or distance equal to that between the carrier receptacles, so as to quickly place a successive receptacle of the associated carrier in position below its respective scale. As the receptacles 38 and 39 are thus successively filled, their movement continues along the upper stretches of their respective paths toward the standard 44. A pair of elongated receptacle cover closing elements 135 (only one being shown in the drawing), are each disposed with one endfixed to the upper end of the standard 44 and extending inwards therefrom just above the receptacles 38 and 39 toward the scales 29 and 30. Both ofthe cover closers 135 are identical, each being associated with one of the carriers 36 and 37, but the closing element associated with the latter carrier is obscured inthe drawings. It will be noted that the inner, free end portion 136 of the closer associated with the carrier 36 is curved upwards to smoothly engage with and close each of the receptacle covers 55 as the receptacles 38 pass beneath the closer. That is, the closer moves the receptacle covers into closing position against their hinge springs, and snaps the covers beneath the holding portions of the latches 56. The remote portion 137 of the closer is spaced above the receptacles to permit unhampered movement of the latter about the sprocket wheels 48 and 49.

When the receptacles arrive on their respective lower stretches, they are in inverted condition; and, the hoppers 87 and 83 are arranged with respect to the intermittent, incremental carrier movement, so that the receptacles are always stopped in position directly over the hoppers.

During the interval when a new batch of spaghetti is being introduced to the cutting and weighing machine 20, the motor 98 is turned off; and, as described hereinbefore, the solenoid 128 is energized to effect the discharge of those receptacles disposed in lower stretch positions over the hoppers. Also during the interval between operations of the machine 20 on successive batches, the solenoid 96 is energized to feed the spaghetti received in the hoppers directly into boxe or cartons 97 on the packaging machine 23. Upon resumption of the spaghetti cutting and weighing operations, the solenoids 128 and 96 will, of course, be de-energized to once again permit delivery of measured quantities of spaghetti to the receptacles 38 and 39, and movement of the carriers 36 and 37 in increments responsive to the deliveries of spaghetti.

While the particular embodiment of the instant invention employs a pair of endless carriers, and receptacles associated with each of the latter, which is presently believed to be a highly advantageous form of the instant invention, it is fully understood that the invention may be practiced with similarly advantageous results by using more or less carriers.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a device for receiving discrete quantities of spaghetti from a spaghetti weighing machine, and individually delivering the same spaghetti quantities directly into cartons or the like of a packaging machine,

all without the; intervention of hand operations, which" he w se fiul ras mr i its n nd d bie te' ad which is 'well adapted to meet practical conditions; of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described insome detail by way of illustration and; example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims. A

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters, Patent, is:

1. A device for handling spaghetti or the like, said device comprising a flexible endless carrier mounted for movementabout a path having upper and lower stretches, drive means for effecting movement of said carrier in increments about said path, a plurality of receptacles secured at spaced points along said carrier for movement therewith and each adapted to receive a quantity of spaghetti when in one position on said upper stretch, means responsive to the delivery of spaghetti to each of said receptacles for actuating said drive means tov move a successive receptacle into said one upper stretch position, atleast one upwardly opening hopper disposed below said lower stretch for receiving successive quantities of spaghetti from said receptacles when the latter are moved to said lower stretch, and a member slidable in said hopper for feeding each of said quantities of spaghetti from said hopper to a packaging machine.

2. A device according to claim 1, said receptacles each comprising an open top container disposed exteriorly of said carrier and opening away from the latter, and a movable closure on said container for retaining the contents thereof until movement of the container to a position on said lower stretch over said hopper.

3. A device according to claim 1, said actuating means comprising a solenoid connected to said drive means for operating the latter, an electric circuit connecting said solenoid to a source of electrical supply, and a normally open switch in said circuit and adapted to close upon delivery of a quantity of spaghetti to one of said receptacles to energize said solenoid and actuate said drive means.

4. A device for receiving successive batches of spaghetti in discrete subbatch quantities and individually delivering said quantities to a packaging machine, said device comprising a flexible endless carrier mounted for movement about a path having upper and lower stretches, drive means for effecting movement of said carrier in increments about said path, a plurality of receptacles secured at spaced points along said carrier for movement therewith and each adapted to receive one of said quantities when in one position on said upper stretch, means responsive to the delivery of spaghetti to each of said receptacles for actuating said drive means to move a successive receptacle into said one upper stretch position, said actuating means and hence said carrier being inactive during intervals between batches, a plurality of upwardly opening hoppers disposed in spaced relation below said lower stretch for receiving said quantities from said receptacles when the latter are moved to said lower stretch, means operable during said intervals for discharging said quantities from a series of said receptacles on said lower stretch into said hoppers, and a plunger member slidable in each of said hoppers for feeding each of said discrete quantities to a packaging machine.

5. A device according to claim 4, said receptacles each comprising an open top container disposed exteriorly of said carrier and opening away from the latter, and a movable cover on each of said containers adapted to be latched in closed position for retaining the contents of the associated container until the latter is moved into discharging position on said lower stretch, and said discharging means comprising a plurality of stem members movable to unlatch said covers when said containers are in said discharging position.

6. A device according to claim 4, in combination with plunger member actuating means responsive to operation of said discharging means for feeding said quantities to said packaging machine upon discharge to said hoppers.

7. A device for receiving successive batches of cut spaghetti in discrete subbatch quantities and individually delivering said quantities to a packaging machine, said device comprising a pair of flexible endless carriers each mounted for movement about a path having upper and lower stretches and disposed in side by side relation with respect to each other, a pair of independent drive mechanisms each operatively connected to one of said carriers for effecting movement of the associated carriers in increments about its respective path, a plurality of receptacles secured at spaced points along each of said carriers for movement therewith and each adapted to receive one of said quantities when in one position on the upper stretch of the respective path, said one position of one path being offset from said one position of the other path longitudinally of said upper stretches, a pair of independent actuating means each operatively connected to the drive mechanism of a respective carrier, said actuating means each being responsive to the delivery of spaghetti to the receptacles of the respective carrier for actuating the associated drive mechanism and moving a successive receptacle of the respective carrier to its one upper stretch position, said pair of actuating means and hence said carriers being inactive during intervals between batches, a group of upwardly opening hoppers disposed in spaced relation below the lower stretch of each carrier, the hoppers of one group being ofiset with respect to the hoppers of the other group longitudinally of said lower stretch, means operable during said intervals for discharging said quantities from receptacles on the lower stretch of each carrier into said hoppers, and a plunger member slidable in each of said hoppers for feeding each of said quantities to a packaging machine.

8. A device for receiving successive batches of spaghetti in discrete subbatch quantities and individually delivering said quantities to a packaging machine, said device comprising a flexible endless carrier mounted for movement about a path having upper and lower stretches, drive means for effecting movement of said carrier in equal increments about said path, a plurality of receptacles arranged about said carrier and secured to the latter so that each adjacent pair of receptacles is spaced apart a distance equal to one increment of carrier movement, said receptacles being movable with said carrier and each adapted to receive one of said quantities when in one position on said upper stretch, means responsive to the delivery of spaghetti to each of said receptacles for actuating said drive means to move a successive receptacle into said one upper stretch position, said actuating means and hence said carrier being inactive during intervals between batches, a plurality of upwardly opening hoppers disposed below said lower stretch in a spaced apart relalation equal to that of said receptacles, means operable during said intervals for discharging said quantities from a series of said receptacles on said lower stretch into said hoppers, and a plunger member slidable in each of said hoppers for feeding each of said discrete quantities to a packaging machine.

No references cited.

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