US3333648A

US3333648A - Packaging machine with sampler

Info

Publication number: US3333648A
Application number: US389126A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edmund L Dodd
Original assignee: Pneumatic Scale Corp
Current assignee: Pneumatic Scale Corp
Priority date: 1964-08-12
Filing date: 1964-08-12
Publication date: 1967-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 1984-08-01

Description

Aug. 1, 1967 E. L. DODD 3,333,648

PACKAGING MCHINE WITH SAMPLER 'Filed Aug. 12, 1964 7 sheets-sheer 1 BY Cuv 34 TTOR/YEY EQ e Aug. 1, 1967 E. L.V DODD PACKAGING MACHINE WITH SAMPLER 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 12, 1964 2 INVENTOR Edmund L. Dodd BY @www Aug.1,1 967 l ELDODD l 9,;333548 PACKAGING MACHINE WITH SAMPLER Filed Aug. l2, 1964 7 Sheets-Shet I5 i INVENTOR Edmu/zdLDodd BY fwve (LAM ATTO/WYE),

Aug. 1, 1967 E. DODD PACKAGING MACHINE WITH SAMPLER Filed' Aug. 12, 1954 uo-T SIGNAL LAMP RESET D@ GROUP \8 SIGNAL LAMP NON SELECTIVE NST REJECT @@@Q PBI PBL PBS PE4 DB5 PE4,

SELECTVE INVENTOR EdmundLDodd MCMJLM Aug. 1, 1967 E. l?. DoDD 3,333,648

PACKAGING MACHINE WITH SAMPLER Filed Aug. l2, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Edmund L. Dodd Aug. l, 1967 E. L.. Donn PACKAGING MACHINE WITH SAMPLER 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. l2, 1964 INVENTOR Edmund L. Dodd A rfc/PNE Y Aug- 111967 E. A. Donn 3,333,648

PACKAGING MACHINE WITH SAMPLER 208 Faun usm F/g. /0

C52 Il INVENTOR Edmund L. Dodd ATTO/QNE Y United States Patent O 3,333,648 PACKAGING MACHINE WITH SAMPLER Edmund L. Dodd, Quincy, Mass., assignor to Pneumatic Scale Corporation, Limited, Quincy, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Aug. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 389,126 19 Claims.-(Cl.'177-55) This invention relates to a packaging machine and m-ore particularly to an automatic filling or weighing machine for forming and depositing predetermined loads into successive containers.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improved packaging machine of the character specified having a plurality of load forming or weighing units arranged to deposit their loads into successive containers associated therewith and in which provision is made for diverting or separating preselected containers from a normal discharge path to a second path for the purpose of checking the loads formed by a particular filling or weighing unit for statistical product control of the machine,

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved rotary lling or weighing machine having a plurality of continuously moving load forming or weighing units arranged to deposit their weighed loads into successive containers moved along therewith and in which provision is made for preselectively diverting or separating a container or group of containers from la normal discharge path to a second path for the purpose of checking the loads formed by a particular single unit or group of filling or weighing units for statistical product control of the machine.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved lling or weighing machine of the character described characterized by novel control means for selectively diverting from a normal discharge path to a second path a single container; successive single containers; or a group of containers associated with a particular load forming or weighing unit or units =for the purpose of checking and recording the accuracy of the particular unit or units for statistical purposes.

With these general objects in view and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the packaging machine and in the various structures, arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly defined in the claims lat the end of this specication.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention:

FIG. l is a plan view of a rotary weighing machine embodyin g the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of left in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is .a plan view detail of the container discharge mechanism showing the container diverting mechanism associated therewith;

FIG. 4 is a side elevati-o-n of the mechanism shown in FIG. 3 as seen from the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view detail of a distributor forming a part of the present control means;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the same showing the distributor in cross section as seen from the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of timing mechanism to be referred to;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation tof the same shown partly in cross section as seen from the line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front elevation of a push button panel for actuating the selective control means; and

FIG. 10 is a wiring diagram illustrating the selective control mechanism.

the same as seen from the ice In general, the present invention contemplates a packaging machine, herein illustrated as a multiunit rotary automatic weighing machine having a plurality of continuously moving load forming and weighing units, wherein provision is made for first forming a plurality of measured bulk loads land delivering the same to the load receiving members of successive weighing units and for thereafter delivering a drip stream to the continuously moving weighing units to complete the weighed loads which are then deposited into containers moved along therewith.

In the operation of such automatic weighing machine it is the practice to check weigh at random selected of the lled containers discharged from the machine at predetermined test intervals for the purpose of production control to assure that the containers are consistently provided with uniformly weighed loads within the limits of allowable tolerances from a predetermined weight. On the one hand, if too much material is deposited into successive containers it will result in a substantial loss to the producer and, on the other hand, if too little is deposited into successive containers the consumer receives less than he paid for. While modern high speed weighing machines are designed to be initially adjusted to produce extremely accurate weights and have provision for rejecting underk and overweight containers, they very rarely have to be readjusted once they are set for a particular weight. However, in practice it is desirable to keep a record of such weights not only as a safety precaution in the event of any malfunction of the machine but particularly for statistical weight control to conform with government regulations as to uniform weights of packaged products.

In practice, in a multiunit high speed weighing machine of the type illustrated wherein the weighing units are in continuous motion to produce filled containers at the rate of about one hundred and sixty a minute, it has been diicult to determine which weighing unit produced the load deposited in a particular container selected for check weighing.

In accordance with the present invention provision is made for enabling the operator to selectively withdrawl or separate from the containers being discharged those containers which received their load or loads from a particular weighing uit or units so that the performance of they individual weighing units may be tested or checked. This is accomplished automatically by means under the control of the operator arranged to divert from a normal discharge path into a separate path those containers which received their loads from -a particular weighing unit. Thus, in practice, the operator may actuate a control associated with a particular weighing unit, such as weighing unit #l which will effect automatic separation of the container associated therewith during one cycle, and also containers associated therewith during successive cycles, if desired. Likewise, the operator may actuate one or more of the controls associated with any of the remaining weighing units to elfect diversion into a separate path of the container or containers associated with a particular weighing unit or units. The present control mechanism is also arranged to divert successive containers in a group or set comprising one container from each weighing unit starting with #1 during one cycle or rotation of the machine and to automatically discontinue diversion of the containers when the last one of the group h-as been diverted. Provision is also made for diverting successive containers indiscriminately for checking the overall performance of the weighing units. Thus, in'operation it will be seen that the weighing perfor-mance of a particular weighing unit or group of units may be selectively tested whereby the task of check weighing and statistically recording the accuracy of production of the machine is greatly facilitated.

Referring now to the drawings, the present invention is illustrated as embodied in a rotary multiunit automatic Weighing machine of the general type shown and described in the United States patent to Thomas P. Howa'r'd, No. 2,868,375, issued Jan. 31, 1959, wherein a plu' rlity of measured loads are formed and delivered to a weighing unit associated with each measuring chamber, the final or drip load being thereafter delivered directly into the weighing units to complete the weighed loads which are subsequently deposited into containers being moved along with the weighing units.

In general, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a generally circular non-rotating material feeding compartment is arranged to receive material byy gravity from a supply hopper 12. The compartment 10 is arranged to divert the material into successive rotary measuring chambers 14 wherein the bulk loads are formed and subsequently delivered into the receptacles 16 of Weighing units 18 associated therewith. After the bulk loads are delivered the drip loads in the form of continuous streams are delivered through the open measuring chambers 14 directly into the weighing receptacles. Subsequently, the weighed loads are discharged through guide funnels 20 into successive containers 22, being moved along with their respective weighing units.

The measuring chambers 14 are telescopically adjustable, the upper portions thereof comprising a plurality of flanged tubes 24 supported in and depending from a rotary disk 26 which forms the bottom wall of the compartment 10. The lower portion of each measuring chamber 14 may comprise a corresponding tube 28 telescopically fitted about the upper tube 24 and supported in a rotary disk 30 secured to a continuously rotated central shaft 32, the telescoping connection imparting rotary movement to the upper portions of the chambers 14 during the operation of the machine. The upper rotary disk 26 may be supported for vertical adjustment relative to the lower disk 30 to adjust the volume of the chambers. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6, the rotary disk 26 is provided With a plurality of rollers 27 arranged to engage a track 29 carried by an annular supporting member 31. The annular member 31 is supported by upstanding rods 33 threadedly engaged in sprockets 35 which are connected by a chain 37. Manual drive connections to the chain indicated generally at 39 are provided for rotating the rods 33 to effect simultaneous adjustment of al1 of the chambers when required. Each measuring chamber 14 is provided with a bottom closing shutter indicated generally at 34, and in the operation of the machine successive measuring chambers are filled at which time the shutters are closed, the shutters being thereafter opened to deposit the loads into their respective weighing receptacles.

The illustrated weighing units indicated at 18 comprise cantilever spring Weighing beams cooperating with pneumatic pressure responsive control units of the type disclosed in the Howard patent, above referred to, and which are capable of rapid and accurate weighing performance during the continuous movement of the weighing units. Each weighing receptacle 16 is provided with a bottom closure gate indicated at 36, which is normally maintained in its closed position, provision being made for opening the gate 36 of successive receptacles at a predeterrnhed time in the cycle after the weight has been made to effect discharge of the weighed loads through the funnels 2,0 and into the container 22 associated therewith.

Asiherein illustrated, the weighing units 18 are supported by individual brackets 38 which are attached to a rotary member 40. The rotary member 40 is secured to a flanged hub 42 keyed to the central shaft 32. Thus in operation the weighing units are moved through a circular path in alignment With their respective measuring chambers 14. The central shaft 32 is arranged to be rotated through connections from a variable drive motor 44 whose output shaft is coupled to a drive shaft 46 journaled in a gear Abox 48. The drive shaft is provided with a helical pinion 50 in mesh with a helical gear 52 fast on the central shaft 32.

The containers 22 are delivered to the machine in a line from a supply thereof by a conveyor 60. The containers are engaged by a helical feed screw 62 arranged to space the containers to be received in spaced cutouts -or openings 64 in a rotary intake and transfer disk 66, the cutouts 64 being shaped to engage successive containers. The transfer disk 66 cooperates with a guide plate 67 and is arranged to transfer successive containers onto successive pockets 68 which support the containers 22 in alignment with their respective weighing units 18 during their travel in a circular path. The filled containers are likewise transferred from successive pockets 68 back onto the conveyor 60 by a rotary discharge disk 70 having spaced openings 72 shaped to engage the containers being discharged. The rotary intake disk 66 is mounted fast on the upper end of a vertical shaft 74, and the rotary discharge disk 70 is likewise fast on the upper end of a vertical shaft 76. The shafts 74 and 76 are arranged to be rotated in timed relation to the operation of the machine through a gear train 78 which includes a gear 80 fast on the central shaft 32; an intermediate gear 82; and spaced

gears

84, 86 in mesh with the intermediate gear and With gears 88, 90, respectively, Which are fast on the vertical shafts 74, 76. The container supporting pockets 68 are supported by brackets 92 attached to a rotary disk 94 which is connected to rotate with the central shaft 32.

From the description thus far it will be seen that successive containers 22 transferred onto successive pockets 68 of the machine are provided with accurately weighed loads as they are carried around in a circular path and that thereafter the filled containers are transferred back onto the conveyor to be discharged from the machine. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the filled containers 22 transferred from the pockets 68 onto the discharge end of the conveyor 60 normally are free to be released from the openings 72 of the discharge disk to pass along the conveyor 60 between

guide rails

96, 98. However, when the operator actuates the selective control mechanism to be described, to effect separation of Vone or more selected containers from the discharge line, in accordance with the present invention, provision is made for clamping the selected container in its discharge disk opening 72 to hold the same in engagement with the disk until the container passes off the edge of the conveyor 60 and is guided between

rails

100, 102 into a separate path where it is automatically released onto a second conveyor 104 to be check weighed by the operator.

A clamping mechanism, indicated generally at 106 in FIGS. 3 and 4, is associated with each opening 72 in the rotary discharge disk 70, and each clamping mechanism includes a normally latched clamp 4arm 108 pivotally mounted at 110 and which when unlatched is urged by a spring 112 into clamping engagement with its container to clamp the same to the disk. Each pivoted clamp arm 108 has a second arm 114 provided with a notched end 116 arranged to be engaged by the end of a spring urged latch arm 118 pivotally mounted `at 119. The clamp arm E 108 is arranged to be unlatched to effect gripping or cla-mping of its container, as described, by a solenoid operated movable cam piece 120 arranged to be moved into the path of a roll 122 carried by the second arm 124 of the latch 118. The cam piece 120 is carried by one arm 126 of a bell crank pivotally mounted at 128, the second arm being connected by a link to the armature ofga solenoid 132. The solenoid is supported from the underside ofthe platen 134 of the machine frame, and the cam piece 120 is supported at the upper end of a vertical extension 136 which extends through an opening in the platen as shown in FIG. 4.

The solenoid 132 forms part of a control circuit shown in the wiring diagram, FIG. 10, wherein the circuit to the solenoid may be closed by pressing a selected control button, see also FIG. 9. Upon energizing the solenoid 132 the movable cam piece 120 will be rocked from an outwardly disposed position where the latch roll 122 will pass by without engaging the cam piece to a position inwardly of the transfer disk where the roll 122 will engage the cam piece to effect rocking of the latch and release of the clamp arm 108.

As herein shown, the notched arm,114 of the pivoted clamp arm 108 is also provided with a roll 138 arranged to cooperate with a cam 140 stationarily supported about the discharge disk shaft 76. The cam 140 is shaped to permit the clamp arm 108 to be gradually rocked after release of the latch to effect relatively gentle clamping of the container in its disk yopening to prevent jarring of the contents. Thereafter, when the clamped container 22 is diverted to a position on the second conveyer 104 the cam 140 is shaped to effect outward rocking of the arm 108 to release the container and to also reset the clamp arm in its latched position as illustrated.

Referring now to FIGS. and 6, the present control mechanism includes a distributor indicated generally at 142 and enclosed in a casing 141. The distributor comprises a plurality of microswitches indicated generally at 144, herein shown as eight in number, corresponding to the number of weighing units 18. The microswitches are arranged to be closed successively each cycle of operation by a rotary cam or contact closer 146 fast on a vertical shaft 148. The shaft 148 is rotated by a chain and sprocket drive 150 from the central shaft 32 in timed relation to the movement of the containers through a rotary path. It will be understood that each microswitch 144 is associated with a particular weighing unit 18, and the weighing units may be numbered to correspond to the numbers of the associated microswitches.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and l0, when the operator wishes to divert a container associated with the weighingl unit #l he may press two-way push button PB1 having upper and lower contacts to close the lower contacts at 152 in line 153 and hold the contacts closed until the Cam 146 operates to close microswitch SSWI in line 153. The circuit will then be continued through

lines

154, 156, and the upper contacts 155 of two-way push button PB9 to energize a relay CR3. This will effect closing of contacts CR3 in line 154 which will continue the circuit from line 154 to

lines

158 and 160 to energize solenoid 132.

As herein shown, line 160 is also provided with a rotary timing switch 162 which makes eight revolutions for each revolution of the machine corresponding to the number of containers discharged each cycle or revolution. The timing switch 162 may be arranged to close the circuit in line 160 and energize solenoid 132 to release the latch arm 118 at the proper time in the cycle of rotation of the transfer disk to effect clamping of the selected container.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the rotary timing switch 162 is mounted on a vertical shaft 164 arranged to be driven from the Vertical intake disk shaft 74 through connections including a chain and sprocket drive 166 to a vertical shaft 168, and a gear and pinion drive 170, 172 from the shaft 168 to the shaft 164. The upper end of the shaft 164 is also connected by a shaft 174 and universal joint connections 175 to helic-al gears 176 for rotating the helical feed screw 62 eight revolutions per cycle to correspond to the number of weighing units and to time the feed of the containers with the arrival of the weighing units 18 and the pockets 68 into container receiving position.

Referring again to FIG. l0, it will be seen that in practice the operator may hold the contacts 152 closed for successive cycles of the machine to divert successive containers filled by weighing unit #l onto the second conveyor 104 so that the accuracy of the performance of weighing unit #l in forming successive loads may be checked and recorded. It will be apparent that any one of the two-way push buttons PBI to PBS, or any combination thereof may be simultaneously pressed to divert or separate from the vnormal discharge path to a different path those selected containers associated with a particular weighing unit or units. Thus, for example, if the performance of Weighing unit #5 is to be tested, push button PBS is pressed and held to close the lower contacts 176 in line 178, and when the cam 146 operates to close switch SSW5 to continue the circuit through

lines

154, 156, and through normally closed upper contacts of push button PB9 in line 156 to energize relay CR3. This will effect closing of contacts CR3 in line 154 and energization of solenoid 132, as described, to effect diversion of the container which received its load from weighing unit #5. Also, for example, two-way push buttons FB2 and PB4 may be simultaneously pressed and held so that when the cam 146 closes the circuits sequentially through switches SSW2 and SSW4 the solenoid 132 will be energized to release the associated latches 118 and permit clamping of the filled containers associated with the corresponding weighing units and t'o there-after release the containers into a separate path as described.

If it is `desired to test the overall performance of all of the Weighing units in the machine during a cycle of operation, provision is made for diverting a selected group of containers sequentially starting with the container associated with weighing unit #l and ending with the container associated with weighing unit #8, at which time the diversion of containers will be automatically discontinued. As shown in FIG. 10, this is accomplished by pressing two-way push button PB9 to close the lower contacts in line 182. This will also close a second set of lower contacts 184 of push button PB9 in line 153. Push button PB9 is held closed until switch SSWl is closed by the cam 146, and at thi-s time relay CR4 in line 153 will be energized to close normally open contacts CR4 in line 186. Holding contacts CR4 in line 188 will be simultaneously closed. Line 188 is provided with a normally closed group signal switch SSW9 which will light the group signal lamp W when push button PB9 is pressed. After the switch SSWI has closed and the holding circuit energized, the push button PB9 may be released and the circuit continued through

lines

188, 189, 190, 186, 158 and 160 to energize the solenoid 132 through the timing mechanism 162. The solenoid 132 will now be energized each time the timing switch 162 is closed, independently of successive switches SSW2 through SSW8, through the lines specified to divert successive containers until the container from the weighing unit #8 has been clamped to be diverted. At this time a second contact cam 192, see FIG. 6, also fast on shaft 148 and disposed above the cam 146, engages the normally closed switch SSW9 disposed above switch SSWS to open the circuit in line 188, thus deenergizing relay CR4 and causing the normally open contacts CR4 in

lines

186 and 188 to open to discontinue diversion of succeeding containers. The group signal lamp W will also be extinguished at this time to indicate to the operator that the ygroup diversion during one cycle of the machine has been completed.

Provision is also made in the present control circuit for effecting instantaneous diversion of successive containers indiscriminately, if desired, for testing one or more nonselected containers or groups of containers. This may be accomplished by pressing one or the other of push buttons PB10 in

lines

194 or 196 to close the circuit directly through

lines

158 and 160 to solenoid 132 through timing switch 162. Thus, solenoid 132 will be energized each time the timing switch 162 closes to divert successive containers indiscriminately as to which container is associated with a particular weighing unit.

As previously stated herein, weighing machines of the type illustrated by the automatic weighing machine shown in the Howard Patent No. 2,868,375 are provided with means for detecting a fault in the weighing operation and for rejecting the containers which received a load from a weighing unit in which the fault was detected. Thus, for

example, if the weighing scale of a weighing -unit should rip prematurely, this might indicate that the bulk load was overweight. On the other hand, if the scale of the weighing unit should not trip after it has passed beyond a predetermined point in the weighing cycle, this might indicate an underweight load. In either event the faulty or abnormal operation was detected and the filled container associated with such scale is rejected. This is accomplished through electrical control means including a time delay mechanism illustrated and described in the Howard Patent No. 2,868,375 and which is arranged to close a switch at the proper time when the faulty container arrived at a rejecting station, at which time a solenoid operated clutch is engaged to operate the rejecting mechanism.

The present weighing machine is provided with similar control means, not shown, but which is arranged to actuate a fault switch 200 included in the circuit shown in FIG. 10. As illustrated, the fault switch comprises a twoway switch and is normally in a position to close a circuit through its lower contact 202 and line 204 to energize a relay CR2. In operation, in the event a faulty or abnormal operation is detected as described, the switch 200 will be actuated to close the circuit through the upper contact 206 and line 160 to energize solenoid 132 through the timing mechanism 162 to effect rejection of the faulty container onto the separate conveyer 104.

Since a faulty or defective weight container produced by an abnormally operated weighing unit is arranged to be rejected onto the same conveyer 104, as is used for receiving preselected containers of a predetermined weight to be check weighed, provision is made for actuating a signal when such a fault occurs durin-g normal diversion as controlled by the operator so that any faulty containers rejected during such time may be omitted from the testing procedure. The fault signal is herein shown as comprising a lamp R in line 208 which is arranged to be lit when normally closed contacts CRZ and CRS in line 210 are permitted to remain closed to continue the circuit through

lines

210, 212 and 208. However, these two contacts are arranged to be held open when no fault is indicated and when no push buttons are pressed to divert selected containers. The contacts are held open by relays CR2 in line 204 and CRS in line 214, respectively. As above described, relay CR2 is held energized by switch 200 in engagement with its lower contact 202 to maintain normally closed contacts CR2 in line 210 open. vRelay CRS is held energized through the upper contacts of two-way push button switches PB9 and PB1 through PBS which are connected in series to line 214. Thus, normally closed contacts CR2 and CRS are maintained in their open condition through the normally energized relays `CRZ and CRS, respectively, to prevent illumination of fault light R.

In operation, in the event a fault occurs, switch 200 will be moved to open the circuit to the relay CR2 in line 204, thus permitting contacts CRZ in line 210 to close. If during such time one or more of the push buttons is pressed to effect selective diversion, the series circuit will be opened to deenergize relay CRS, thus permitting the contacts CRS to also close and light the fault lamp R. When the operator sees the fault lamp lit he will disregard the automatically rejected containers and any other diverted containers for testing purposes. When contacts CR2 and CRS are closed a holding relay CR6 in line 210 is also energized to close contacts CR6 in line 208 to hold the lamp R lit after the operator releases the lpush button, and the fault switch 200 returns to its normal position. After the diverted and rejected containers have been discarded, and after the fault in the weighing operation has been corrected, a reset button PB11 may be pressed to open the circuit in line 208 to extinguish the fault signal lamp R.

In like manner, if a fault occurs when push button PB9 is pressed to cause group diversion, contacts CRZ and CRS will likewise be permitted to close to light the lamp and to energize relay CR6 as described. However, as previously described, push button PB9 is released after the switch SSW1 is closed, and holding circuit relay is energized to close contacts CR4 in

lines

188 and 166 to permit successive containers to be diverted to form a group. It will be apparent that if a fault should occur after push button PB9 is released, normally closed contact CRS in line 210 will remain open. In order to take care of this contingency a normally open contact CR4 is provided in a by-pass line 216 around contacts CRS. Thus, contact CR4 in line 216 will be closed when relay CR4 is energized to effect sequential group diversion of the containers from weighing units #2 through #8. The relay CR6 and holding circuit contact CR6 will also be closed to keep the fault light on until the reset button PB11 is pressed as described.

From the above description it will be seen that the present invention provides a novel and convenient control apparatus arranged to be actuated by the operator for diverting from the normal discharge path into a separate path selected lled container associated with particular weighing units for the purpose of testing the accuracy of the performance of the particular weighing units for statistical product control of the machine.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a weighing machine, in combination, a plurality of continuously moving weighing units arranged to deposit their weighed loads into successive containers moved along therewith, container discharge means for guiding successive filled containers into one path, and control means actuated by the operator for diverting preselected containers associated with particular weighing units from said one path into a second path to be check weighed to determine the accuracy of said particular weighing units, said control means also having provision for effecting diversion of selected groups of containers from various of selected weighing units in different combinations.

2. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality of continuously moving weighing units, means for supporting successive containers in alignment with their respective weighing units to receive the loads formed thereby, a discharge conveyor, means for transferring successive filled containers from the supporting means onto said discharge conveyor, a second conveyor, `and control means cooperating with said transfer means and actuated by the operator for diverting selected containers in various combinations associated vwith different weighing units onto said second conveyor for testing purposes to determine the accuracy of said weighing units.

3. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality of continuously moving weighing units moved in a rotary path, means for supporting successive con-tainers in alignment with their respective weighing units to receive the loads formed thereby, a discharge conveyor, means for transferring successive filled containers from the container supporting means onto said discharge conveyor, a second conveyor, and control means cooperating with said transfer means and actuated by the operator for diverting individual containers and also a selected group of containers associated with successive weighing units onto said second conveyor.

4. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality of continuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, means for supporting successive containers in alignment with their respective weighing units to receive the weighed loads therefrom, a discharge conveyor, means for transferring the filled containers from their supporting means and releasing the same onto said discharge conveyor, a second conveyor, normally inoperative means cooperating with said transfer means arranged to prevent release of a container onto said discharge conveyor and to divert and release the same onto 9 said second conveyor, and control means actuated by the operator for rendering operative said cooperating means to effect diversion and release onto said second conveyor of a selected container associated with a particular weighing unit, said control means also having provision for effecting diversion of selected groups of containers from various of selected weighing units in different combinations.

5. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, av

by the operator for rendering operative said cooperatingA means to effect diversion and release onto said second conveyor of a selected container associated with a particular weighing unit, said control means also having provision actuated by the operator for effecting diversion and release of a selected group of containers sequentially one from each weighing unit onto said second conveyor during one revolution of the machine.

6. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality of continuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, means for supporting successive containers in alignment with their respective weighing units to receive the weighed loads therefrom, a discharge conveyor, means for transferring the filled containers from their supporting means and releasing the same onto said discharge conveyor, a second conveyor, normally inoperative means cooperating with said transfer means arranged to prevent release of a container onto'said discharge conveyor and to divert and release the same onto said second conveyor, and control means actuated by the operator for rendering operative said cooperating means to effect diversion and release onto said second conveyor of a selected container associated with a particular weighing unit, said control means also having provision actuated by the operator for effecting diversion and release of a selected group of containers sequentially one from each Weighing unit onto said second conveyor during one revolution of the machine, and means for discontinuing sequential diversion and release after the last container of the group has been diverted.

7. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality of continuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, means for supporting successive containers in alignment with their respective weighing units to receive the weighed loads therefrom, adischarge conveyor, means for transferring the filled containers from their supporting means and releasing the same onto said discharge conveyor, a second conveyor, normally inoperative means cooperating with said transfer means arranged to prevent release of a container onto said discharge conveyor and to divert and release the same onto said second conveyor, and control means actuated by the operator for rendering operative said cooperating means to effect diversion and release onto said second conveyor of a selected container associated with a particular weighing unit, said control means also having provision actuated by the operator for effecting diversion and release of a selected group of containers sequentially lone from each weighing unit onto said second conveyor during one revolution of the machine, and signal means to apprise the operator when the lastcontainer of the group has been diverted onto said second conveyor.

8. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality of continuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, means for supporting successive con- 10 tainers in alignment with their respective weighing units to receive the weighed loads therefrom, a discharge conveyor, means for transferring the filled containers from their supporting means and releasing the same onto said discharge conveyor, a second conveyor, normally inoperative means cooperating with said ltransfer means arranged to prevent release of a container onto said discharge conveyor and to divert and release the same onto said second conveyor, and control means actuated by the operator for rendering operative said cooperating means to effect diversion and release onto said second conveyor of a selected container associated with a particular weighing unit, said control means also having provision actuated by the operator for effecting diversion and release of a selected group of containers sequentially one from each weighing unit onto said second conveyor during one revolution of the machine, means adapted -to be actuated by an abnormally operating weighing unit for automatically effecting diversion of the container filled by said abnormal weighing unit, and signal means actuated by simultaneous operation of said automatic means and said operator actuated means for apprising the operator that at least one abnormally filled container has been diverted.

9. In a rotary weighing plurality of continuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, means for supporting successive containers in alignment with their respective weighing units to receive the weighed loads therefrom, a discharge conveyor, means for transferring the filled containers from their supporting means and releasing the same onto said discharge conveyor, a second conveyor, normally inoperative means cooperating with said transfer means arranged to prevent release of a container onto said discharge conveyor and to divert and release the same onto said second conveyor, and control means actuated by the operator for rendering operative said cooperating means to effect diversion and release onto said second conveyor of a selected container associated with a particular weighing unit, said control means also having provision for effecting diversion of selected groups of containers from various of selected weighing units in different com-` binations, said control means including an electrical circuit having a solenoid arranged to be energized upon closing of the circuit by the operator to render operative said diverting and releasing means.

10. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality of continuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, means for supporting successive containers in alignment with their respective weighing units to receive the weighed loads therefrom, a discharge conveyor, means for transferring the filled containers from their supporting means onto said discharge conveyor, a second conveyor, normally inoperative means cooperating with said transfer means arranged to prevent release of a container onto said discharge conveyor and to divert and release the same onto said second conveyor, and control means actuated by the operator for rendering operative said cooperating means to effect diversion and release onto said second conveyor of a selected container associated with a particular weighing unit, said control means including an electrical circuit having a solenoid arranged to be energized upon closing of the circuit by the operator to render operative said diverting and releasing means, and a timing switch in said solenoid circuit arranged to be closed in timed relation to the transfer for successive containers to control the timing of said diverting operation.

11. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality of continuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, means for supporting successive containers in alignment with .their respective weighing units to receive the weighed loads therefrom, a discharge conveyor, means for transferring the filled containers from their supporting means and releasing the same onto said discharge conveyor, a second conveyor, normally inopermachine, in combination, a

lll

ative means cooperating with said .transfer means arranged to prevent release of a container onto said discharge conveyor and to divert and release the same onto said second conveyor, and control means actuated by the operator for rendering operative said cooperating means to effect diversion and release onto said second conveyor of a selected container associated with a particular weighing unit, said control means including an electrical circuit having a solenoid arranged to be energized upon closing of the circuit by the operator to render operative said diverting and releasing means, said control means further including a distributor having a plurality of switches corresponding to the number of weighing units, each switch being associated with a particular weighing unit, a switch closing cam driven in timed relation to the movement of said weighing units for closing said switches sequentially, and a plurality of manually operated switches in said circuit; one associated with each weighing unit and its respective distributor switch whereby closing of a selected manually operated switch and subsequent closing of the associated distributor switch will close the circuit to energize said solenoid to effect diversion of a selected container.

12. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality of continuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, means for supporting successive containers in alignment with their respective weighing units to receive the weighed loads formed thereby, a discharge conveyor, a rotary transfer disk having spaced pockets for transferring successive filled containers from said circular path onto said conveyor, a second conveyor, a normally latched clamping member cooperating with each of said transfer disk pockets, and control means actuated by the operator for unlatching a clamping member to clamp in its associated pocket a selected container which received its load from a particular weighing unit 'whereby to prevent discharge of the selected container onto said discharge conveyor and to divert and release the container onto said second conveyor.

13. A rotary weighing machine as defined in claim 12 wherein the control means includes an electrical circuit having a solenoid arranged to unlatch a clamping member for a selected container upon closing of the circuit by the operator.

14. A rotary weighing machine as defined in claim 13 wherein the circuit to the solenoid includes a timing switch arranged to be closed in timed relation to the transfer of successive containers to effect clamping of the selected container during such transfer.

d5. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality of continuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, means for supporting successive containers in alignment with their respective weighing units to receive the weighed loads formed thereby, a discharge conveyor, a rotary transfer disk having spaced pockets for transferring successive filled containers from said circular path onto said conveyor, a second conveyor, a normally latched clamping member cooperating with each of said transfer disk pockets, control means actuated by the operator for unlatching a clamping member to clamp in its associated pocket a selected container which received its load from a particular weighing unit whereby to prevent discharge of the selected container onto said discharge conveyer and to divert the container onto said second conveyor, and means for unclamping and relatching said member to release the selected container onto said second conveyor for testing purposes.

16. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality of continuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, means for supporting successive containers in alignment with their respective weighing units to receive the weighed loads formed thereby, a discharge conveyor, a rotary transfer disk having spaced pockets for transferring successive filled containers from said circular path onto said conveyor, a second conveyor, a

normally latched clamping member cooperating with each of said transfer disk pockets, and control means actuated by the operator for unlatching a clamping member to clamp in its associated pocket a selected container which received its load from a particular weighing unit whereby to prevent discharge of the selected container onto said discharge conveyor and to divert the container onto said second conveyor, said control means including an elec- -trical circuit having a solenoid arranged to unlatch a clamping member for a selected container upon closing of the circuit by the operator, a distributor in said circuit having a plurality of switches corresponding to the number of weighing units, each switch being associated with a particular weighing unit, a s'witch closing cam driven in timed relation to the movement of said weighing units for closing said switches sequentially, and a plurality of manually operated switches in said circuits, one associated with each weighing unit and its respective distributor switch whereby closing of a selected manually operated switch and subsequent closing of the associated distributor switch will close the circuit to energize said solenoid to clamp a selected container to be diverted.

17. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality of continuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, means for supporting successive containers in alignment with their respective weighing units to receive the weighed loads formed thereby, a discharge conveyor, a rotary transfer disk having spaced pockets for transferring successive filled containers from said circular path onto said conveyor, a second conveyor, a normally latched clamping member cooperating with each of said transfer disk pockets, and control means actuated by the operator for unlatching a clamping member to clamp in its associated pocket a selected container which received its load from a particular weighing unit whereby to prevent discharge of the selected container onto said discharge conveyor and to divert the container onto said second conveyor, said control means including an electrical circuit having a solenoid arranged to unlatch a clamping member for a selected container upon closing of the circuit by the operator, a distributor in said circuit having a plurality of switches corresponding to the number of weighing units, each switch being associated with a particular weighing unit, a switch closing cam driven in timed relation to the Amovement of said weighing units for closing said switches sequentially, and a plurality of manually operated switches in said circuit, one associated with each weighing unit and each distributor switch whereby closing of a selected manually operated switch and subsequent closing of the associated distributor switch will close the circuit to energize said solenoid to clamp a selected container to be diverted, and a timing switch in said solenoid circuit arranged -to be closed in timed relation to the discharge of successive containers to effect clamping of a selected container during its transfer.

18. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality of continuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, means for suporting successive containers in alignment with their respective weighing units to receive the loads formed thereby, a discharge conveyor, a rotary transfer disk having spaced pockets for transferring successive filled containers from said circular path onto said conveyer, a second conveyer, a normally latched clamping member cooperating with each of said transfer disk pockets, and control means actuated by the operator for unlatching a clamping member to clamp in its associated pocket a selected container which received its load from a particular weighing unit whereby to prevent discharge of the selected container onto said discharge conveyer and to divert the container onto said sec-ond conveyor, said control means including an electrical circuit having a solenoid arranged when energized to effect unclamping of said clamping member, a distributor in said circuit having a plurality of switches corresponding to the number of weighing units, each switch being associated with a particular weighing unit, a switch closing cam driven in timed relation to said weighing units for closing said switches sequentially, a plurality of manually operated push button switches in said circuit, one associated with each weighing unit and its respective distributor switch whereby closing of a selected push button switch and subsequent closing of the associated distributor switch will close the circuit to energize said solenoid to clamp a selected container to be diverted, said solenoid circuit being further provided with a fault switch adapted to be automatically closed in the event that a weighing unit performs a faulty Weighing operation, closing of said fault switch effecting diversion of the container which received its load from a faulty Weighing unit, and a signal actuated by simultaneous closing of said fault switch and a push button switch to apprise the operator of such faulty condition.

19. A rotary weighing machine as defined in claim 17 wherein the electrical circuit further includes a manually References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,950,302 3/1934 Hansen 73-421 X 1,958,173 5/1934 Rennie. 2,068,344 1/1937 McManus 73-421 X 2,601,785 7/1952 Pottle 73-421 2,868,375 1/1959 Howard 177-55 X RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner. G. H. MILLER, Assistant Examiner.