US3186448A

US3186448A - Method and apparatus for filling and packing containers

Info

Publication number: US3186448A
Application number: US234956A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert C Clark
Original assignee: ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES Inc
Current assignee: ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES Inc
Priority date: 1962-11-01
Filing date: 1962-11-01
Publication date: 1965-06-01
Anticipated expiration: 1982-06-01

Description

R. C. CLARK June 1, 1965 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND PACKING CONTAINERS INVENTOR.

ROBERT C. CLARK ATTORNEY! NOE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 1, 1962 R. C. CLARK June 1, 1965 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND PACKING CONTAINERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 1, 1962 INVENTOR.

ROBERT C. CLARK ATTORNEY R. C. CLARK June 1, 1965 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND PACKING CONTAINERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. 1, 1962 INVENTOR.

ROBERT C. CLARK BY M, ATTORNEYS June 1, 1965 R. c. CLARK 3,185,448

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND PACKING CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 1, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ROBERT C. CLARK v 3 iwa 0 n .9 NO

J PC M 14 4, MW

A TTORNEYS June 1, 1965 R. c. CLARK 3,186,448

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND PACKING CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 1, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 K M R m o 3 m C 3N E w W M E 1 m 9a 33 n 58 a: 1:3

N 3mm JNMN n ma E n 0% Tim 1 M N an 5% J. Z I Q/Tm m NN k 3 8. w- 5 ATTORNEYS June 1, 1965 R. c. CLARK 3,186,443

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND PACKING CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 1, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 27l Ll M J 296 H H.

INVENTOR ROBERT C. CLARK 5 I L J i or containers for aging and shipment.

and the second container.

3,186,448 7 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND PACKING CONTAINERS Robert C. Clark, Asheville, N.C., assignor to Engineering Associates Incorporated, Asheville, N.C., a corporation of North Carolina Filed Nov. 1, 1962, Ser. No. 234,956

23 Claims. (Cl. 141-42) This invention relates to apparatus for filling and packing containers with fibrous compressible material, and more particularly to apparatus for filling and packing hogsheads with tobacco.

In the tobacco industry, tobacco is stored in hogsheads The tobacco may be cut, stripped or in whole leaf form when placed in the containers and is generally transported to the containers by means of belt conveyors which feed the material into the containers at a relatively constant rate. The tobacco is discharged in a trajectory from the conveyor in a tow or bat of approximately rectangular cross section, the vertical thickness of which is determined by the speed of the conveyor.

After a container positioned at the discharge end of the conveyor is filled, the tobacco is compressed toward the bottom of the container, and the container is then covered and placed in storage for the tobacco to age. As soon as the filled container is removed from its position, an empty container is put in its place to be filled. It is desirable therefore, to complete the cycle of filling, compressing, closing, removing and replacing with the greatest speed and with the least interruption.

US. Patent No. 1,380,674, dated June 7, 1921, discloses apparatus for filling a pair of horizontally spaced containers and compressing the material in each container while it is in its original position. In the Murray et al. apparatus, a pivoted hopper alternately directs a continuous stream of material from one to the other of two laterally disposed bins to deposit a measured quantity of material into each bin, the bins each being disposed to deposit the material into one of the horizontally spaced containers, each of which in turn is positioned beneath a hydraulic ram orpressing plunger. While one of the containers is being filled, the material in the other container is being compressed by the hydraulic ram.

US. Patent No. 2,596,018, datedMay 6, 1952, discloses another system for alternately filling a pair of horizontally spaced containers by means of a horizontal reversible conveyor disposed between the containers. Tobacco is fed onto the midpoint of thereversible conveyor to form a layer over one-half the length of the reversibleconveyor which is discharged into a delivery chute or distributor positioned axially above the container. -When one of the containers is filled, the reversible conveyor is reversed to fill the container at its other end positioned beneath a second delivery chute. containers is reversed, however, the material already deposited on the conveyor is carried back past the feed conveyor and consequently a double thickness of the hat or layer is initially formed over approximately one-half the length of the reversible conveyor between its midpoint This initial hat of double thickness frequently clogs the chute or distributor requiring the operation to be temporarily stopped in order to unclog the chutes.

If the material is discharged directly into the container from the end of the conveyor, the tobacco is unevenly distributed in the container resulting in the mass of tobacco being packed more tightly in the middle than at the sides resulting in uneven processing of thetobacco during ageing. Various types ofdistributors have been proposed forlcausing the tobacco to be uniformly distrib- When the conveyor between the United States Pat uted in the container. Such distribution is usually accompiished by means of rotating distributors positioned in the path of flow from the conveyor to the container. Obviously, such systems are mechanically complex and expensive to manufacture.

An object of this invention is to provide apparatus for alternately delivering a continuous stream or bat of material into a pair of horizontally spaced containers, alternately filling each container, wtih the stream or bat of material maintained at a constant cross-section and thickness throughout the filling operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus for filling containers with cut tobacco and compress ing the tobacco in the containers with a simplified, economically constructed distributor for uniformly distributing the cut tobacco into the container.

Still another object is to alternately direct a continuous stream of tobacco from one to the other of two horizontally spaced containers with the stream of material discharged into the containers at a constant, uniform cross section.

A further object lies in the provision of an improved apparatus for filling a container with a uniformly distributed mass of fibrous material and compressing the material in the container to its proper density in a single operation with the container remaining in its original position for the filling and pressing operation.

The foregoing and'other objects are achieved by the provision of a pair of horizontally spaced pressing direction to discharge material into their respective containers. Tobacco or other compressible material is fed to the delivery conveyors by means of a feed conveyor having its end disposed at a point intermediate the opposite ends of the delivery conveyors from the containers. Flow from the feed conveyor is directed from one to the other of the delivery conveyors by means of a pivoted baflie or deflector mounted at the end of the feed conveyor. Cylindrical chargers are positioned over the containers and the tobacco is deflected by the bafile first into one of the con tainers until the charger is filled to the desired level,

. whereupon the deflector is pivoted to direct the flow on to the delivery conveyor of the other, container. The thickness of the hat or tow of tobacco discharged into the containers is controlled by the speed of the conveyors (which may be adjusted to compensate for changes in the grade of tobacco or moisture conditions, etc.). Since the delivery conveyors move only in a single direction, and 'sincethere is a deliveryconveyor for each container, the bat of material has a uniform thickness throughout as it is discharged into the container. The conveyors may be driven by separate motors or, they may be interconnected to a single motor and driven at the same speed.

When one of the containers is filled, the hydraulic pressing plunger for the filled container may bethen excontainer, a conical, vibrating distributor is positioned axially above the mouth of the container in the path of flow of the material from the delivery conveyor. The conical distributor is disposed with its apex in an upward direction in axial alignment with the flow of mater al to rada'lly deflect the material toward the inner periphery of the container wall. In one form of the invention, the

distributor is mounted on a lever pivotally supported on a frame adjacent the plunger, with a counter-weight on the end of the lever above the plunger biasing the lever to pivotally retract the distributor out of the path of the plunger. The lever is actuated by a cam member engageable by the plunger as the plunger moves to its upper retracted position to rotate the lever against the force of the counterweight to position the distributor axially above the container. Thus as the plunger descends to compress material in the container, the counterweight causes the distributor to be retracted out of the path of the plunger. Upon retraction of the plunger to start another filling operation, the plunger actuates the cam to again position the distributor in the path of flow from the delivery conveyor, the cam member being supported by the plunger to overcome the force of the counter-weight.

In another form of the invention, the distributors are moved in and out of position relative to the containers by fluid motors operated by solenoid valves. The solenoid valves for the fluid motors are electrically connected with the pressing plunger controls so that when the distributors are retracted, their associated pressing plungers are actuated to compress the material in the container, and upon retraction of the pressing plunger, the distributors are extended into the operative position over the mouth of the container.

For complete automatic operation, the de'ector may be electrically interconnected with the distributors and pressing plungers to be actuated to its alternate positions in response to corresponding actuation of the press and distributor controls.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection With the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view, partially in section, of a system embodying the invention in its preferred form;

FIG. 1a illustrates an alternate construction of the defiector;

FIG. 2 is an end view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

'FIG. 3 is an e'levational view, partially in section, of a modified form of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an end view taken on line 44- of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the control system for the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5a is a detailed view of the prefill valves;

FIG. 5b is a detailed view of pilot pressure actuated valve;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are wiring diagrams for the motor and press controls respectively of the system of FIGS. 1 and 5;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of another system embodying the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a Wiring diagram for the system of FIG. 8.

With reference to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1% denotes a supporting frame, or housing, extending between two horizontally spaced receiving stations at which a pair of containers 12 and 12L are located to be filled and packed. Since the filling and pressing apparatus to the left of housing '10, as viewed in FIG. 1, differs from that at the right hand side only in being left and right handed, only the right-hand apparatus will be described in detail. Like reference numerals will be employed to designate corresponding parts of the left hand pressing and filling apparatus with the sub-script L added to reference numenals designating specific parts of the left hand apparatus.

Housing 10 supports the discharge end of a feed conveyor 14 positioned intermediate the adjacent inner ends of a pair of

delivery conveyors

16 and 16L disposed to discharge material into containers 12 and 12L, respectively.

Conveyors

16 and 16L are in the form of endless belts which move in a single direction to discharge ma terial into containers. Since the grade, weight, density and moisture content of the tobacco varies over a wide range, the conveyors preferably are driven by variable speed motors to accommodate the varying conditions of the tobacco.

For alternately deflecting the how from feed conveyor 14 irom one to the other of delivery conveyors 16 and fteL, a fiap valve or deflector 18 is mounted on a pin 20 rotatably supported on housing 141 between conveyor 14 and the ends of

conveyors

16 and 16L. When deflect-or lie is in the full line position indicated in FIG. 1, the flow of material from feed conveyor '14 is deflected on to delivery conveyor 16 to be discharged into container 12, and when deflector :13 is pivoted to the broken line position illustrated in FIG. 1, the flow of material is deflected on to conveyor 16L for discharge into container 12L.

Deflector 18 may be a unitary structure as illustrated in PEG. 1, or in order to reduce the res stance to actuation from one position to the other due to the weight of mate-rial falling from feed conveyor 14, an alternate con struction is illustrated in FIG. la. In FIG. 1a, a deflector 18' comprises a pair of section 13a and 18b hinged about pin 24 iie. section 1530! and 18!) are independently pivot- Efiblfi about pin 2%.

Actuation of deflector 18 is accomplished by means of a lever 17 mounted on a rod 19 which is pivotally mounted in frame 1d.

In the position illustrated in FIG. In, section 18b is supported between pin 20 and a stop member 21L formed on housing 10, and section 13a is supported in its upper position by the end of lever 17. Upon clockwise rotation of rod 19 and lever 17, section 18a is released and rotates clockwise about pin 2%) until it comes to rest against stop member 21. Lever 17 continues to rotate in a clockwise direction to pivot section 1852 upwardly until it reaches a position to deflect the flow from the feed conveyor onto the right-hand delivery conveyor 16.

Mounted on a pair of beams forming a fixed support 21 above container 12 in axial alignment therewith, is a hydraulic ram or pressing plunger 22 which is extensible from its retracted position spaced above the container (the position illustrated in FIG. 1) to compress the material received in container 12. The tobacco is discharged from delivery conveyor 16 in a continuous stream of approximately rectangular cross section to fill container 12 and a cylindrical charger 24 supported on the upper end of the container. When the proper amount of material is received in charger 24, the flow from conveyor 16 is shut oh? and plunger 22 is extended into the charger to compress the tobacco into the container.

Pressing plunger 22 may be operated in a conventional manner by a hydraulic cylinder 26 in which is reciprocably mounted rod 28 of the pressing plunger. Pressing plunger 22 moves into and out of the container and charger through a shield Iiii fixedly supported above the container at the end of housing 10.

As the material falls from the discharge end of delivery conveyor 16 into the container, it is radially deflected towards the periphery of container 12 by a conical distributor 32 which is pivotally supported adjacent plunger 22. Distributor 32 is extended into the path of flow when plunger 22 is retracted and is retracted out of the path of movement of plunger 22 when the container is filled and the pressing plunger is extended.

Mounted within the distributor 32 is a mechanical or electrical vibrator 34. As the hat of material falls onto the apex of the conical distributor, the vibration increases the efficiency of the distributor in breaking up the bat of material and deflecting the material radially toward the periphery of the container, and also prevents particles of the material from clinging to the surface of the cone.

Vibrators particularly suitable are pulsating magnet electrical vibrators Models V-9 and V-15, sold under the trade name Syntron by the Syntron Company of Homer City, Pa. The latter Syntron electric vibrators operate at 3600 vibrations per minute from rectified 115 or 230 volt 50 or 60 cycle alternating current.

Distributor 32 is mounted on one end of a plate member 36 forming part of a lever indicated generally by reference numeral 35. Plate member 36 is clamped at its other end between a pair of plates 38 and 40 (FIG. 2) by bolts or screws 39. Plates 38 and 40 are rigidly connected to a shaft 42 which is rotatably supported at its ends between bearings or journals 44 and 46. Distributor 32 is vertically adjustable relative to plates 38 and 40, by means of slots 41 formed in plate 36 through which bolts 39 extend. Bearings 44 and 46 are formed respectively on a pair of members 48 and 50 of a supporting framework indicated generally at 53. Frame members 48 and 50 are in turn supported between a column 51 and a pair of vertical frame members 52 and 54 respectively. Vertical frame members 52 and 54 are respectively secured to a pair of

beams

56 and 58 supported between column 51 and beam 21.

Rigidly connected to shaft 42 and projecting upwardly therefrom is a pair of lever arm members 60 and 62. It is apparent that lever 35 is formed by

plate members

36, 38 and 40, and arm members 60 and 62, and that lever 35 is pivotally supported intermediate its ends onframework 53 by shaft 42. Mounted on the upper ends of arm members 60 and 62 respectively, is a pair of

channel sections

64 and 66 at the upper end of the lever in which are mounted counterwveights.

Channel members

64 and 66 extend laterally from the vertical axis of arm members 60, 62 and plate members 38 and 40 with the result that the net force acting on the lever due to the position of the counter-weights biases the lever to rotate in a counterclockwise direction about bearings 44 and 46 as viewed in the right hand portion of FIG. 1.

Extending between

channel members

64 and 66 is a bumper plate 68 which cooperates with a rubber bumper 70 mounted on support 21. Counterclockwise rotation of lever 35 to the broken line position illustrated in the righthand portion of FIG. 1 causes bumper plate 68 to engage the rubber bumper 70 and retracts distributor 32 to a position radially spaced from the container and out of the path of movement of pressing plunger 22.

Rigidly connected to arm members 60 and 62 and extending in a lateral direction therefrom to overlie the pressing plunger 22 is a pair of cam plates 72 and 74 for rotatably supporting a cam roller 76 which is disposed in the path of movement of the top of pressing plunger 22. Extending from the opposite side of arm members 60 and 62 is a pair of shock absorbing plates 78 and 80 each having a roller 82 at their outer ends for cooperating with the ends of shock absorbers mounted on column 51 (one such shock absorber being indicated at 84). Shock absorber 84 is resiliently compressible by rollers 82 as lever 35 rotates about shaft 42 in a counterclockwise direction. In operation, container 12 and charger 24 are positioned underneath shield 30, and deflector 18 is first actuated to the full line position in FIG. 1 to deflect the flow from feed conveyor 14 on to delivery conveyor 16, which in turn discharges the material in a trajectory onto distributor 32. The tobacco is discharged from conveyor 16 in a continuous stream having a substantially rectangularcross section the vertical thickness of which'is determined by the speed of the conveyor, and is radially deflected by distributor 32 toward the periphery of the container. Consequently, the container and charger are filled with a mass of material having a slight depression at its center.

As soon as the desired amount of material is received in container 12 and charger 24, deflector 18 is actuated to the broken line position of FIG. 1 to deflect the flow from feed conveyor 14 onto delivery conveyor 16L. As soon as deflector 18 is actuated, pressing plunger 22 descends into charger 24 to compress the tobacco into container 12. The force of the counter-weights in

channels

64 and 66 cause lever 35 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction about shaft 42 as plunger 22 descends with roller 76 following the movement of the top of plunger 22 until the plunger moves away from the roller whereupon lever 35 continues to rotate until bumper plate 68 engages bumper 70. Shield 30 is provided with openings to accommodate the movement of lever 35 as it pivots distributor 32between its extended and retracted positions. I

When the material is compressed to the desired density by plunger 22, the plunger is retracted and the top of the plunger engages roller 76 to rotate lever 35 in a clockwise direction against the biasing force of the counterweights. The filled container is removed and replaced with an empty container. Thus, while the material in container 12 is being compressed, the empty container 12L is being filled and the cycle of operation is repeated with the containers being filled and packed at the same location. Since the material is discharged into each container from a separate single direction conveyor, the stream of material delivered into the container is always maintained at a constant cross section determined by the speed of the conveyor.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the hydraulic circuit for operating the presses of the embodiment of FIG. 1. The container-

charger assembly

12, 24 is seated on weighing scales 99, and preferably including charger and supporting apparatus of the type disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,732,113 to W. L. Rice, dated January 24, 1956.

Reference numeral indicates a twin pump unit including a right-hand series of

pumps

102, 104, 106 and 108 operated by a motor 118, and a left-hand series of

pumps

110, 112, 114 and 116 driven by a motor 120.

Pumps

102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 and 114 are connected to feed into a common manifold 122 in turn connected with an output conduit 124 extending from the pump unit. Output conduit 124 communicates with a conduit 128 through a double-solenoid, four-way valve 126L, and conduit 128 communicates with a return conduit 132 through a double solenoid, four-way valve 126; Conduit 132 communicates with the reservoir of the pump unit at atmospheric pressure. When both solenoids of valves 126 and 126L are deenergized, the valves are spring-biased to the positions illustrated in FIG. 5, and

conduits

124, 128 and 132 form a closed circuit between the outlet of the pump unit and the reservoir.

Valve 126 controls communication between

conduits

128, 132 and a pair of

conduits

134 and 136 communicate with cylinder 26 below and above respectively, the piston carried by rod 28 of pressing plunger or ram 22. Conduit 136 is provided with a non-return. check valve 138.

Pump 116 feeds into a pilot pressure conduit 140 with a relief valve 142. Conduit 140 intersects a conduit 144 connected between a pair of single'solenoid, four-way valves and 150L. Valve 150 is spring-biased so that when its solenoid is deenergized conduit 144 communicates with a plugged port of the valve, and when the solenoid is energized, conduit 144 communicates with a conduit 146 which is in turn connected with conduit 134 and provided with a non-return check valve 148.

The reservoir of the pump unit communicates with a prefill tank 152 through an overflow conduit 154.

Pipes

156 and 158 connect the interior of prefill tank 152 with a pair of pilot pressure actuated

prefill valves

160 and 162 respectively.

Prefill valves

160 and 162 are also connected with

conduits

164 and 166 respectively, which intersect conduit 136 at a cross-connection 168.

Prefill valves

160 and 162 are spring-loaded to a position shutting off communication between pipe 156 and pipe 164 and between pipe 158 and pipe 166, respectively.

Prefill valve 162 is schematically illustrated in detail in FIG. a. Valves 166, 166L and 1621. are constructed identically with valve 162. Communication between

conduits

166 and 158 is controlled by a valve element 159 which is biased by a spring 161 to disconnect conduits 166 and 153. Pilot pressure from conduit 176 actuates valve element 159 against spring 161 to connect conduit 166 with 158. When pilot pressure is relieved, valve element 159 returns to its normal position and the fluid from the pilot pressure line drains to the reservoir through conduit 1711 A conduit 163 bypasses valve element 161 between

conduits

158 and 166. Conduit 163 is provided with a check valve which permits flow from conduit to conduit 166 when valve element 159 is closed by spring 161, but does not permit flow from conduit 166 to conduit 158.

Prefill tank 152 communicates with the top of cylinder 26 through a conduit 172 which is provided with an adjustable needle valve 174 for controlling the rate of flow through pipe 172.

Prefill valves 161i and 162 are actuated by fluid pressure from pilot pressure conduit 176. When solenoid 132a is energized, pilot pressure conduit 176 is communicated with conduit 1% and the pilot pressure actuates

prefill valves

166 and 162 to connect

conduits

156 and 158 with

conduits

164 and 166 respectively. Upon deenergization of solenoid 182a,

prefill valves

166 and 162 re turn to their normal position to shut oil communication between conduits 156 and 169 and between

conduits

158 and 166. The fluid from conduit 176 trapped in

valves

160 and 162 then drains into conduit 172 through pilot pressure drain conduit 171).

When the solenoid of valve 132 is energized, conduit 176 communicates through the valve ports with a pilot conduit 18% between valves 182 and 18212. Outlet conduit 14-1) communicates upstream of relief valve 142 with a pilot conduit 184, which in turn communicates with conduit 181) through a conduit 186. Conduit 134 also communicates with valves 126 and 1261. through conduits 185 and 135L, respectively. Valves 126 and 1261. are also connected by a pilot pressure drain conduit 189 which intersects conduit 132.

A suitable construction of valve 126 is schematically illustrated in detail in FIG. 5b, in which valve 126 consists of a pilot valve member 121 and a main valve member 123.

Valve members

121 and 123 are biased by springs to their neutral positions illustrated in FIG. 5b. Upon energization of solenoid 126b, pilot pressure conduit 185 is connected with a conduit 125. The pressure in conduit 125 actuates valve member 123 to the right as viewed in FIG. 5b to connect conduit 134 with drain conduit 132, and connect conduit 136 with output pressure 124. Conversely, when solenoid 126a is energized, pilot pressure from conduit 185 is connected with a conduit 127 to actuate valve member 123 to the left and connect conduit 134 with conduit 124, and conduit 136 with drain conduit 132.

Cylinder 26 is provided with a cushion (not shown) beneath its connection with pipe 134- on which the piston carried by rod 28 rests when plunger 22 is extended to compress the material in the container-

charger assembly

12, 24. Consequently, a counter-balance conduit 1158 provided with a counter-balance restriction 15 1 connects the portion of the cylinder beneath the cushion with pipe 13 Hydraulic fluid is prevented from accumulating in the lower end of cylinder 26 by a bleed line 1% which, as indicated, drains to the reservoir at atmospheric pressure.

Deflector, or flap valve 18 is connected through linkage 198 with the stem or plunger of a fluid motor 260 which is spring-biased to urge deflector 18 to the feed left direction (to delivery conveyor 161). Motor 2% is controlled by a solenoid valve 262 which is biased to connect the piston of motor 261) with atmosphere, and which, upon energization of its solenoid, connects the motor with a source (not shown) of air or other fluid under pressure,

r 8 to actuate the deflector to the feed right position to direct the flow from feed conveyor 1 onto delivery conveyor 16.

The electrical circuitry for the system is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Conveyors

16 and 16L are operated by motors which are connected in series with normally closed switches.

With reference to FIG. 6, typical electrical circuitry for the control system of conveyor 16 and 161. is illustrated.

Reference numerals

212 and 212L indicate the starters for the motors of

conveyor

16 and 16L respectively. Starters and are illustrated connected between main power lines L1 and L2 to operate in response to actuation of scale switches and 264-1.. Scale switch 264 is normally closed and is connected in series with a coil 2117 which operates relay contacts 2155 and 2116 which are shown in their deenergized positions (i.e. contacts 265 are normally open, and contacts 216 are normally closed). When coil 26? is energized, contacts 2115 close and contacts open. Contacts 265 are in series with a starter switch 2111, which corresponds with a similar starter switch 2-11 in series with contacts 265]...

Starter switch 2111. is operable to close contacts 213L to complete a circuit from safety switch 267, relay contacts 2651i, starter switch 211, contacts 211% and terminal 216 to motor starter 212L. When starter switch 211 actuates contacts 211 a circuit is completed from switch 267, relay contacts 2115, switch 2111, terminals 216 and 213 to motor starter 212. When motor starter 212 is energized, contacts 269 and 268 close to energize solenoid 262:: to actuate the flap valve to the feed right position.

Assuming that both containers are empty, the main power switches and switch 267 are closed to connect the motors with the main power source. Upon starting up the system to initially feed to the left container 12L, switch 2111 is actuated to close terminals 219L momentarily to energize coil 212La of motor starter 212L, which in turn closes relay contacts 2G9L, and switch 211L returns to its normal position. Contacts 209L are held closed by the coil 212La to complete the circuit through relay contacts 2651c, switch 211, terminal 215 and relay contacts 261% to coil 212La to energize motor starter 21212. When the selected weight of material has been received in container 12L, switch 204L opens to shut off motor starter 212L. When motor starter 212L shuts off, coil 267L is deenergized due to the opening of scale switch 2641 and contacts ZIPSL open and contacts 206L close. A circuit is then completed through contacts 2115, switch 211L, relay contacts 2t 6L, terminals 216 and 213 to coil 212a of motor starter 212. Upon energization of coil 212a, contacts 269 and 2198 close to energize solenoid coil 262a and actuate deflector 13 to feed material on to the right hand conveyor 16.

Motor starter 212 is energized until the selected weight of material is received in container 212 whereupon scale switch 264 opens to deenergize coil 2117 and shut down motor starter 212.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates typical electrical circuitry for operating the right hand press, it being understood that the left hand press is operated by a similar circuit. Referring also to FIGS. 5 and 7 and assuming that container 12 is filled, switch 219 is actuated to close switch contacts 219a. Switch 218 is closed to complete the circuit through contacts 219a. When contacts 21% are closed by switch 219, solenoid 1261) of valve 126 is energized to connect conduit 136 with the main pressure conduit 123 to actuate the press downwardly. As soon as pressing plunger 22 leaves its uppermost position, limit switch 216 opens to actuate timer motor 268. When timer motor 2118 reaches the end of its time cycle, switches 262 and 263 open to deenergize solenoid 182a and connect pilot pressure line 176 with drain. Consequently valves 161i and 162 close to shut off communication between

conduits

156 and 164 and between

conduits

158 and 166. Conduit 136 is under pressure from output line 124- from the pump unit. When plunger 22 reaches a selected position within the container, limit switch 221 is opened by a cam operation to energize timer motor 223. Solenoid 12612 is energized during the time that timer motor 223 is running. When the time cycle is completed switches 225, 226 and 228 open and switch 227 closes. When switch 228 opens, solenoid 12612 is deenergized and valve 126 returns to its neutral position connecting conduit 136 with the pump reservoir to disconnect conduit 136 from the pump output line.

To raise pressing plunger 22, switch 221 is actuated to close contacts 221a and 2211;. Switch 227 in timer 223 completes a circuit through contacts 221a to solenoid 126a to actuate valve 126 to a position connecting conduit 134 with the

output pressure line

124 and 128. Pressure is then supplied by the pumps to the cylinder beneath the plunger piston. Simultaneously contacts 221b are closed by switch 221 to energize solenoid 182a of valve 182 and connect the pilot pressure line 176 with conduit 180 to open

prefill valves

160 and 162. As pressing plunger 22 moves upwardly the hydraulic fluid in the cylinder above the plunger piston drains back into the prefill tank through

conduits

136, 164 and 166. When plunger 22 reaches its uppermost position,

limit switches

206a and 219 are returned to their normally closed positions.

When switch 286a closes, solenoid 150a is energized to connect conduit 134 with holding conduit 144 and maintain the plunger in its upper position.

After the initial start up, material is fed onto delivery conveyor 16L, and distributor 32L operates to uniform- 1y distribute the material in container 12L and charger 24L, When the proper weight of material is determined by weighing scale 99L, the scale switch 204L opens shutting off the motor of conveyor 16L and turning on the motor of conveyor 16. Solenoid 202a is in turn energized to move deflector 18 to deflect the flow from feed conveyor 14 onto delivery conveyor 16.

Solenoid 126La may then be energized to connect conduit 136L with output conduit 124 to deliver pressure into the top of cylinder 26L to extend plunger 22L into the container. Lever 35L rotates counterclockwise to retract distributor 32L as the plunger moves downwardly. Conduit 134L is connected with the reservoir to release the pressure beneath the piston. Plunger 22L remainsin its extended position to settle the material in the container for a time determined by timer motor 212L. Upon the expiration of the time, solenoid 126Lb is energized and solenoid 126La is deenergized to connect conduit 134L with output conduit 124 and connect conduit 136L with the pump reservoir through

conduits

128 and 132. Check valve 138L prevents the excape of pressure through conduit 136L, and the fluid in cylinder 26L above the piston escapes into prefill tank 152 through conduit 172L. Prefill timer motor 208L is energized by limit switch 210L at the top of the pressing plunger which in turn energizes solenoid 1S2La to control the pressure in pilot pressure conduit 176L.

During the time that plunger 22L is in its upper position, solenoid 150La is energized to connect conduit 146L with output conduit 140. Thus, pressure is continuously fed to conduit 134L to compensate for any leakage beneath the piston and hold the plunger in its upper position.

Reference numeral 222 indicates a solenoid winding which actuates supporting cylinder for the container on the scale. When solenoid 222 is energized, the container is supported on the scale, and when solenoid 222 is deenergized, the weight of the container is shifted from the scale in a manner fully disclosed in Rice Patent No. 2,732,113.

FIG. 8 illustrates a hydraulic system for full automaticoperation of rams 22 and 22L, distributors .32 and 32L, and deflector 18. Component and elements identical with those described in the FIG. embodiment are identified by the same reference numerals in FIG. 8.

Delivery conduit 140 communicates with a conduit 230 connected between a double solenoid, four-way snsaass valve 232L and a double solenoid, four-way valve 234. Valve 232L controls a fluid motor 236L which positions distributor 32L relative to the container. Valve 234 controls the position of deflector 18 through a fluid motor 238. When either solenoid of valve 234 is energized, the valve internally maintains the energized position, even though the solenoid is deenergized until the solenoid is energized. Upon energizing the other solenoid the valve shifts to the opposite position and holds in that position likewise after the solenoid is deenergized. Connected between valve 232L and valve 232 is a conduit 244 which in turn communicates with a bleed conduit 246 when both solenoids of valve 232 are deenergized. Bleed conduit 246 is also provided with a nonreturn check valve 248.

Valve 232 is connected with conduits 250 and 252 connected at opposite ends of fluid motor 236 to alternately move distributor 32 into and out of the path of plunger 22. Conduit 252 is provided with an adjustable needle valve 254. Conduit 230 communicates with conduit 144 through a holding conduit 256 which supplies pressure to

valves

150 and 150L as previously described. Pressure is maintained in conduit 256 by. a regulator 258 at the junction of

conduits

230 and 256.

An output conduit 260 is connected with pump 108 which extends to a manually operated four-way valve 2621. which in turn controls a hydraulic cylinder 264L operative to press the cover on a fluid container when it is removed from the receiving and weighing station. A conduit 263 extends between valve 262L and a similar valve 262. Valve 262 is biased to a neutral position in which conduit 263 communicates with a conduit 266 connected to drain into the reservoir. When the operating member of valve 262 is moved downwardly as viewed in FlG. 8, the plunger of cylinder 264 is actuated by the pressure from conduit 263 to project from thecylinder, and when the operating member is moved upwardly from the neutral position, the piston is retracted into the cylinder. The starter for the motor of conveyor 16 is electrically connected with solenoid 202a of valve 202 so that when conveyor 16 is operating, deflector 18 is actuated by motor 200 to feed from conveyor 14 to the right container-charger,

assembly

12, 24. When solenoid 282a is deenergized, deflector 18 is biased to feed material into container 12L. The startersfor the motors of

delivery conveyors

16 and 16L are interconnected electrically so that when the motor for conveyor 16L stops, the motor for conveyor 16 starts, with the result that one or the other of the delivery conveyors is always in operation.

Solenoid 150a of valve 150 is energized and deenerglzed in response to actuation of a switch 206 at the top of press plunger 22. Solenoid 182:: is deenergized durmg the time that pressing plunger 22 is pressing material in container 12, the time being controlled by a prefill timer motor 288, operated by a limit switch 210.

To start the system into operation, pump

motors

118 and 120 are started up, sending hydraulic fluid under pressure through outlet conduit 124. With solenoids 126La and b, and 126a and -b deenergized, the fluid circulates back to the reservoir through conduits 124,128 and 132. Outlet conduit and pilot pressure conduit 184 are connected with the output of pump 116, and with solenoids a and 150La deenergized, pressure is trapped in

conduits

140 and 144 since conduit 144 communicates with the plugged ports of valves 150 and IStFL. Excessive pressureis released from conduit 146 by relief valve 142.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates typical electrical cir-,

area As it It Reference numeral 269 identifies the coil of a stepping switch having a common terminal 27% which is connected with stepping switch contacts 272 through 283. To initially start up the system, a reset switch 284 is closed to set the stepping switch in its initial position. Relay contacts 2% and 289 are normally open and are closed when the selected weight of material is received in container 12. Limit switches 291 and 292 are operated upon retraction of the cone. Limit switch 291 is normally closed and is opened upon retraction of the distributor, and limit switch 292 is normally open and is closed upon retraction of the distributor. Limit switch 299 is normally open and is closed upon retraction of distributor 32. Limit switch 3% is normally closed and is opened by the pressing plunger when the plunger is fully extended into the container. Limit switch 313 is normally closed and is opened upon extension of distributor 32 into the path of plunger 22.

In the automatic system of FIG. 8, conveyors 16 and ML both operate continuously in opposite directions. To start the system into operation, main power switch 271 is closed and reset switch 284 is closed to start the stepping switch into operation. In the first posi tion of the stepping switch, contacts 273 are closed and solenoid 234a is energized to cause flap valve 18 to feed onto the right hand conveyor 16. Pilot light 3'89 burns to indicate that the cycle has begun. Distributor cone 32 is actuated to its extended position in the path of flow from conveyor 16. When the selected weight of material is received in the container-

charger assembly

32, 24, relay contacts .239 close to move the stepping switch to its second position. In the second position, stepping switch contacts 274 and 2'75 close and contacts 273 open. Upon closing of contacts 274 solenoid 23412 is energized to actuate deflector 155 to feed onto conveyor 16L. Con tacts 275 energize solenoid 232a to retract distributor cone 32 out of the path of plunger 22. When distributor 32 reaches its retracted position it opens limit switch 291 and closes limit switch 292, and 299. Limit switch 292 moves the stepping switch to the third

position closing contacts

276 and 277 and opening contacts 2'54 and 275. When contacts 276 are closed, solenoid 12617 is energized to actuate the pressing plunger 22 to move downwardly into the container. As soon as plunger 22 leaves its uppermost position, limit switch 311, located at the top of the pressing plunger, opens to deenergize relay coil 2% which in turn opens relay contact 395 to start timer motor 302 into operation. As soon as pressing plunger 22 reaches its lowermost position, limit switch sea opens to start timer motor Frill into operation. Limit switch 3% may be operated in any conventional manner, such as by a cable attached at one end to the pressing plunger and extending over a pulley on the cylinder for mechanical connection with limit switch 39%.

During the time plunger 22 is traveling downwardly, timer motor 3G2 is operating and solenoid 182a is energized to hold prefill valves 166i and 162 in their open position. Timer 3% starts into operation as soon as plunger 22 reaches its lowermost position due to actuation of limit switch 3%. When the end of the time cycle of motor 301 is reached contacts 397 close to actuate the stepping switch to the fourth position. When the stepping switch moves to the fourth position, stepping switch contacts 2'78 close and contacts are and 277 open. When relay contacts 278 close relay coil 3493 is energized to energize solenoid 12nd. Upon energization of relay coil 3%, relay contacts 3% close to energize solenoid 132a and open prefill valves lied and M2 to permit

conduits

136, 164 and 166 to drain into prefill tank 152 as the plunger moves upwardly. When the plunger 22 reaches its uppermost position, limit switch Sill closes to energize relay coil 2%. When coil 2% is energized, relay contacts 235' open, and relay contacts ass and 2337 close to deenergize solenoid 126a and relay coil 303. Upon closing i2 of relay contacts 286, the stepping switch moves to the fifth position closing stepping switch contacts 279 and 23%. Upon closing of contacts 279, solenoid 23212 is energized to extend distributor 32 into its operative position above charger The above described operation completes the cycle for a single stroke operation of the pressing plunger.

In the event that it is desired to compress the material twice in the container to obtain the proper density, a timer motor 326; may be connected in the system to be operated by a limit switch 362. Accordingly, when a first selected weight of material is received in the container, plunger 22 will fully extend to actuate limit switch 3% at the lowermost position of the plunger. Upon subsequent completion of the filling operation, the plunger will compress the additional material and actuate limit switch 362.

FIGS. 3 and 4- disclose a modified version of the invention; components identical in construction with corresponding components of the previously described embodiment being identified by like reference numerals. In FIG. 3, distributor 32 is supported on an L shaped support member as movably mounted on a fixed beam 38. Formed at the top of the vertical leg of support member as is a yoke having a pair of rollers 92 rotatably mounted thereon for movably supporting the distributor on beam 83.

When an empty container 12 is positioned underneath pressing plunger 22, support member 86 is moved to the full line position of FIG. 3 to extend distributor 32 into the path of flow of material from conveyor 16 and into the path of movement of pressing plunger 22. As material falls from the discharge end of conveyor 16 onto the apex or" distributor 32, it is deflected radially toward the periphery of the container as previously described. When the proper amount of material has been discharged into container 12 and charger 24, support member 86 is moved to the broken line position to retract distributor 32 out of the path of movement of pressing plunger 22. and the material is compressed within the container by plunger 22.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that the invention is not confined to the precise construction shown, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the inventron.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for filling containers and compacting the material therein comprising in combination;

a plurality of fixed horizontally spaced receiving stations for receiving the containers,

a plurality of conveyors each disposed to deliver material to an associated receiving station and being situated in a fixed position relative to the associated receiving station,

means for feeding a continuous stream of material to the conveyors,

means for selectively deflecting the flow of material from the feeding means to a conveyor,

and means operative to compact the material at one receiving station while material is being delivered to another receiving station.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 further including a distributor of conical configuration having an apex disposed in the path of flow of the material from the conveyor.

3. The combination defined in claim 2 including vibrating means mounted on the distributor.

4. Apparatus for filling a pair of horizontally spaced stationarily positioned containers with compressible material and compacting the material therein comprising;

a pair of conveyors each movable in one direction only disposed to deliver material into one of the containers at a fixed position relative to the container,

means for feeding a continuous stream of material to a point between the conveyors,

means for selectively deflecting the flow from the feeding means to one or the other of the conveyors,

and means operative to alternately compact the material in each one of the containers while the other container is receiving material from its associated conveyor.

5. Apparatus for filling containers with material and compacting the material therein comprising;

a pair of horizontally spaced receiving stations for receiving the containers to be filled,

a pressing plunger at each receiving station reciprocably movable between an extended position to compress material in the container and a retracted position in which the pressing plunger is axially spaced from the receiving station,

a pair of delivery conveyors each having one end disposed to deliver material to one of the receiving stations,

a deflector mounted for pivotal movement at a point between the other ends of the delivery conveyors,

a feed conveyor for discharging material onto the defiector,

and means operable to actuate the deflector to alternately deflect the flow from the feed conveyor to one or the other of the delivery conveyors, and operable to extend the pressing plunger at the receiving station of said one delivery conveyor and retract the pressing plunger for the receiving station of the other delivery conveyor.

6.-The combination of claim further including a dis tributor at each receiving station movable into and out of the path of movement of its associated pressing plunger as the pressing plunger is retracted and extended respectively, said distributor having a conical configuration with the apex thereof disposed in the path of flow from the delivery conveyer.

7. The combination defined in claim 6 further including a vibrator mounted on the distributor.

8. Apparatus for filling and packing compressible material in a container comprising;

a conical distributor mounted for movement between an extended position axially disposed above the mouth of the container and a retracted position radially spaced from the container,

means for delivering a stream of compressible material on to the apex of the conical distributor to be deflected by the conical distributor toward the periphery of the inner wall of the container when the conical distributor is in its extended position,

and means movable into the container to compress the material in the container upon retraction of the conical distributor.

9. The combination defined in claim 8 including means for vibrating the conical distributor.

10. Apparatus for filling a container with compressible material and compacting the material in the container comprising in combination;

a distributor supported for pivotal movement between an extended position above the mouth of the container and a retracted position radially spaced from the mouth of the container,

a pressing plunger movable to an extended position to compress material within the container and movable to a retracted position axially spaced from the container,

said pressing plunger operatively connected to actuate the distributor from its extended position to its retracted position as the plunger moves from its retracted position to its extended position, and actuate the distributor from its retracted position to its extended position as the plunger moves from its extended position to its retracted position.

11. Apparatus for filling a container with compressible material and compacting the material in the containers comprising in combination;

a distributor supported for pivotal movement between an extended position above the mouth of the container and a retracted position radially spaced from the container,

means biasing the distributor to its retracted position,

a pressing plunger mounted for axial movement. relative to the container between an extended position to compress material within the container and a retracted position spaced above the container,

and means engageable by the plunger as it moves from its extended position to its retracted position to actuate the distributor to its extended position against the force of the biasing means.

12. Apparatus for packing compressible material in a container comprising in combination;

a pressing plunger vertically extensible to compress material in a container positioned beneath the press-' ing plunger and retractable to a vertically spaced position above the container,

a lever pivotally supported intermediate its ends,

a conical distributor mounted on one end of the lever,

a cam member mounted on the lever and projecting therefrom into the path of movement of the pressing plunger for engagement by the pressing plunger to pivotally rotate the lever to a position in which the conical distributor is axially disposed between the pressing plunger and the container when the pressing plunger is retracted,

and a counter-weight on the other end of the lever biasing the lever to pivotally rotate the conical distributor out of the path of the pressing plunger.

13. The combination defined in claim 12 further including means for vibrating the conical distributor.

14. Apparatus for filling a pair of horizontally spaced containers with compressible material and compressing the material in the containers, comprising;

a pair of horizontally spaced pressing plungers vertically extensible to compress material in containers positioned axially beneath the plungers and retractable to a vertically spaced position above the containers,

a pair of distributors each supported for pivotal movement between an extended position in which it is axially disposed above one of the containers in the path of movement of the respective pressing plungers, and a retracted position in which it is disposed out of the path of the pressing plungers,

means for feeding a continuous stream of material to a point between the pressing plungers,

and means for alternately directing the stream of materialfirst onto one of the extended distributors until the container beneath it'is filled and then on to the other distributor,

said pressing plunger each operatively connected to actuate its associated distributor from its extendedposition to its retracted position upon extension of the pressing plunger and to actuate the distributor from its retracted position to its extended position upon retraction of the pressing plunger.

15. Apparatus for filling a pair of horizontally spaced containers with compressible material and compressing the materialin the containers comprising;

first and second horizontally spaced pressing plungers vertically extensible to compress material in containers positioned axially beneath the plungers and a cam member connected with each of the first and second distributors engageable by the first and second pressing plungers, respectively, upon retraction of the pressing plungers to actuate the distributors to a position axially disposed beneath the pressing plungers,

and means for feeding a stream of material first onto one of the distributors and then on to the other to alternately fill the containers beneath the pressing plungers.

16. A method of filling and packing a container with compressible material comprising;

positioning a vibrating distributor over the mouth of the container,

feeding the material in a continuous stream onto the vibrating distributor to agitate and distribute the material toward the periphery of the container until a selected amount of the material is received in the container,

removing the vibrating distributor to an inoperative position spaced from the mouth of the container,

and compressing the material in the container.

17. A method of filling and packing containers with tobacco or other compressible material comprising;

positioning a pair of containers at horizontally spaced Weighing stations,

positioning a vibrating distributor over the mouth of each container,

feeding a continuous stream of material to a point between the containers,

directing the stream of material first onto one of the distributors until the container beneath said one distributor is filled with a selected weight of material,

directing the stream of material onto the other distributor to fill the other container with a selected Weight of material,

retracting said one distributor to an inoperative position spaced from said one container and compressing the material in said one container While Said other container is being filled.

18. A method of filling and packing containers with compressible material comprising;

positioning a pair of containers at horizontally-spaced receiving stations,

positioning a vibrating distributor over the mouth of each container,

alternately feeding a continuous stream of material first onto one of the vibrating distributors to agitate and distribute the material toward the periphery of its associated container until filled and then onto the other of the vibrating distributors,

retracting each vibrating distributor to a position spaced from its associated container when filled,

and compressing the material in each container upon retraction of its associated vibrating distributor while the other container is being filled.

19. A method of filling and packing containers with compressible material comprising;

feeding a continuous stream of material into the container,

positioning a vibrating distributor in the path of fiow of the material into the container to agitate and distribute the material toward the periphery of the container,

moving the vibrating distributor to a position spaced from the container when the container is filled,

and compressing the material in the container.

23*. Apparatus for filling containers with material and compacting the material therein comprising in combination;

a pair of horizontally spaced stations for receiving the containers to be filled,

a pressing plunger at each receiving station reciprocably movable between an extended position to corn press material in the container and a retracted position in which the pressing plunger is axially spaced from the receiving station,

means including a pivotal deflector for alternately delivering material to said stations,

and means operable to actuate the deflector to change the delivery from one of said stations to the other of said stations and to extend the pressing plunger at said one station for compaction and retract the pressing plunger at the other station.

21. Apparatus for filling compressible material in a container comprising in combination;

a conical distributor mounted for movement between an extended position axially disposed above the mouth of the container and a retracted position radially spaced from the axis of the container,

and means for delivering a stream of compressible material onto the apex of said distributor to be distributed thereby toward the periphery of the container when said distributor is in its extended position.

22. The combination as defined in claim 21 further including means for vibrating said distributor.

23. Apparatus for filling a container with compressible material and compacting the material in the container comprising in combination;

a distributor,

means supporting the distributor for pivotal movement between an extended position above the mouth of the container and a retracted position radially spaced from the axis of the container,

a pressing plunger movable to an extended position to compress material within the container and to an opposite retracted position for permitting the container to be filled with material, and

means for actuating said distributor to its retracted position when the pressing plunger moves to its extended position and for actuating said distributor to its extended position when said plunger moves to its retracted position.

References (Iited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,018,925 2/12 Pruden 137-119 1,380,674 6/21 Murray et al. 141-80 1,539,370 5/25 Ranch 137-119 2,257,347 9/41 Raymer 141-248 XR 2,273,735 2/42 Raymer 141-248 XR 2,596,018 5/52 Fishburne et al. 141-12 2,619,272 11/52 Boehling 141-248 XR 2,675,154 4/54 Fishburne 141-12 2,689,676 9/54 Ferguson et al. 141-12 2,732,113 1/56 Rice 177-152 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

Claims

16. A METHOD OF FILLING AND PACKING A CONTAINER WITH COMPRESSIBLE MATERIAL COMPRISING; POSITIONING A VIBRATING DISTRIBUTOR OVER THE MOUTH OF THE CONTAINER, FEEDING THE MATERIAL IN A CONTINOUS STREAM ONTO THE VIBRATING DISTRIBUTOR TO AGITATE AND DISTRIBUTE THE MATERIAL TOWARD THE PERIPHERY OF THE CONTAINER UNTIL A SELECTED AMOUNT OF THE MATERIAL IS RECEIVED IN THE CONTAINER, REMOVING THE VIBRATING DISTRIBUTOR TO AN INOPERATIVE POSITION SPACED FROM THE MOUTH OF THE CONTAINER, AND COMPRESSING THE MATERIAL IN THE CONTAINER.