US3471061A - Apparatus for handling material alternatively from two separate sources - Google Patents

Description

T. F. ARONSON APPARATUS FOR HANDLING MATERIAL ALTERNATIVELY FROM 'rwo SEPARATE SOURCES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 20, 1968 A INVENTO'R." A 73:00am: F. ARONJON flrramvs Y.

Oct; 7, 1969 T. F. ARONSON 3,471,061

, APPARATUS FOR HANDLING MATERIAL ALTERNATIVELY FROM TWO SEPARATE SOURCES Filed June 20, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 vFig.2

INVENTOR. F'LODORE FT Aka/v.30

' Oct. 7, 1969 T. AR-ONSON 3,471,061 APPARATUS FOR HANDLING MATERIAL ALTERNATIVELY FROM TWO SEPARATE SOURCES Filed June 20. 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 LO 1 g 4/, :r. *K 9' LL I v INVENTOR. file-000k: F. Anon/so ATTORNEY United States Patent US. Cl. 222-141 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure is directed to a material handling method and apparatus by which an article or a measured amount ofa given material is predetermined at a point ofsupply and picked up, transported or moved to a point remote from the supply source, and then released or deposited into a suitable receiver or container. This is preferably attained by coupled material handling means which are moved in unison so that as an article or predetermined amount of material is being deposited or released at one point by one of the material handling means, the next succeeding article or amount of material is simultaneously being determined at a remote point of supply by the other material handling means.

The problem in the art Heretofore considerable difficulty has been encountered in remotely measuring and/or positioning a predetermined amount of material into a given container located at a point remote from the source of supply. These material handling problems were further aggravated when the material to be handled constituted highly explosive type powders such as gun powder class B HMX, Grade 2 TVA lead azide, lead styphnate, tracer powder mixes, pyrotechnic smoke mixes, and the like, because of the accuracy of measure required and the ever present danger of explosion. Because many of these explosive type materials are extremely sensitive it was heretofore considered that such material could only be safely handled manual- 1y. However, such manual operations exposed the handler to the hazard of explosion. Not infrequently such explosions have killed or maimed many employees. Also with non-explosive powders such as sulphadrugs, powdered vitamins, and various other medical powders, it was difficult to load capsules or containers with prescribed predetermined measured amount of such powders in a totally antiseptic or sterile environmentif the measuring of such powdered material required manual handling- It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for effecting the remote handling of various materials as, for example, powder-like materials wherein predetermined measured amounts of such material require accurate determination and positioning in containers at a point remote from the source of supply in a manner which is both safe and/ or sterile.

Another object is to provide a method and apparatus for enhancing a material handling operation by providing a prescribed measured amount of material being predetermined as the previously determined amount of material is being simultaneously deposited with a container adapt-' ed to receive the same. Another object resides in provision of a method and apparatus wherein charging and discharging of predetermined article or amount of material may be effected simultaneously in a repetitive intermittent cycle.

The foregoing objects and other features and advantages of this invention .are attained by a method comprising the steps of effectively charging a container with a the determination of the next succeeding charge of ma terial to be loaded at a Supply source located at a point remote from the charging point of the container, and thereafter moving the succeeding predetermined charge to the charging point remote from the supply source to charge the next succeeding container as the next succeeding charge is being predetermined at another point of supply. In the handling of certain materials, e.-g. powder materials, the method further contemplates the step of determining the charge of powdered material by positioning a measuring chamber of determined volume into a bulk supply of the powdered material and subjecting the chamber to a negative pressure whereby the chamber is charged with the powdered material, the negative charge being maintained on the chamber until the chamber has been moved to a point of discharge. The discharge of the measuring chamber at the point of discharge is effected by removing the negative pressure thereon and subjecting the charge therein to a force of a positive fluid pressure.

To insure the positioning of the measuring chamber into the supply of powdered material during each charging operation, the supply is rotated an incremental amount.

While the method may be satisfactorily performed manually, it is preferred that the method be automatical- 1y performed. This is attained by an apparatus comprising a frame or housing having a pivot shaft rotatably supported thereon which is also free to reciprocate relative to the housing. At least one, but preferably a'plurality of angularly disposed arms are journalled to the shaft for movement therewith. A material handling or pickup means is connected to the end of each arm. For handling powdered material the pickup means comprises a gun having an outer elongated tubular barrel having an end wall disposed intermediate the ends of the tubular member to define a measuring chamber in one end of the barrel. The end wall is preferably formed as a piston head of a material pervious to air and impervious to the powdered material adapted to be charged into the chamber. Means are connected to the other end of the tubular member to connect it to a source of fluid pressure as for example an air pump so that the side of the piston opposite the measuring chamber is subjected to a fluid pressure.

A supply means for containing a supply of powdered material is disposed to one side of the housing and a means is operatively associated with the supply means for effecting intermittent rotation of the supply means.

A drive means is provided for actuating the movement of the pickup means in a predetermined cycle of operation, and the drive means includes a drive shaft journalled within the housing and a reversible power source or prime mover operatively connected to the drive' shaft 'to effect the rotation of the drive shaft in alternate clockwise and counterclockwise rotation. A complementary coupling means is provided for interconnecting the drive shaft into driving relationship with the pivot shaft of the pickup means. Preferably the coupling means comprises a first driving member connected to the drive shaft and a complementary driven geneva member connected to the pivot shaft. An actuating means in the form of a cam is connected to the drive shaft to be rotated therewith. The cam is operatively associated with the pivot shaft to effect reciprocal movement thereof within the housing in timed relationship to the drive of the pickup means. Operatively connected to the cam means predetermined charge of material simultaneously with is a means to impart alternate reciprocal movement to the means for imparting intermittent rotation to the respective supply means.

The arrangement is such that. actuation of the drive 3 means will cause the plurality of angularly disposed arms and pickup means connected thereto, to effect the determination of a predetermined measured amount of powdered material at one point while a previously loaded pickup means is being discharged at a point remote from the supply point. The drive means by effecting alternate or reverse rotation of the drive shafts imparts an oscillating movement to the arms and connected pickup means so that the cycle of operation is rendered repetitive to simultaneously effect the picking up of a predetermined measured amount of material at one point as a previously loaded charge is discharged at a point remote from the point of supply.

The actuating means, operatively associated with the drive means and operating on the pivot shaft is timed so that the respective arms journaled to the pivot shaft and the connected pickup means are raised and lowered in unison to position the respective pickup means at the point of supply and point of discharge. To insure accurate positioning of the pickup means relative to the point of supply and point of discharge, aligning means are provided to positively position and locate the pickup means in the lowered position thereof.

A feature of this invention resides in a method and apparatus wherein predetermined amounts of a powdered material can be accurately and precisely measured at one point while a previously measured amount of material may be deposited into a suitable receiver at a point remote from the supply source.

Another feature of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for repeatedly charging a measuring chamber with a predetermined amount of powdered material by subjecting the chamber to a negative fluid pressure and transporting and positioning of the charge chamber at a second point whereby the material is discharged from the measuring chamber under the influence of a positive fluid pressure.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a method and apparatus having coupled measuring chambers operatively associated so that as one is being charged with a given amount of material the other is being discharged.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a method and apparatus for effectively handling highly explosive materials in a safe and positive manner heretofore not considered possible.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 on FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged detailed view illustrating the means by which the supply means are rotated incremental amounts during the operation of the apparatus of FIGURES 1 and 2.

FIGURE 4 isfan enlarged detailed section view taken along line 4-4 of the supply station.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged detail of a particular form of power means for effecting the drive of the apparatus of FIGURES land 2.

The present invention contemplates a method and apparatus for handling an article or material substances in a repetitive manner whereby an article or material supplied at one pointis picked up in a positive manner, transported to a point remote from the supply point in a precise manner, and deposited or released thereat. Preferably'the method is performed so that as an article or a measured amount of material is being determined at apoint of supply, a'previously determined article or measured amount ofmaterial is being simultaneously deposited at'a point remote from the point of supply. The determining of the article or measured amount of material is attained by positioning the end of a measuring chamber into a supply of material and drawing an amount of the given material thereinto under the influence of a negative pressure environment. Thereafter the charged measuring chamber is withdrawn from the supply of material and moved to a point of discharge. The discharge of the measured or determined material is eifected 'by subjecting the chamber to" a positive pressure. During transport of the material, the material is subjected to a negative pressure, and it is thus retained" within the measuring chamberj until discharged at a point removed from the source of supply. g

The method of this invention is particularly applicable to the handling and loading of a powder-like material or substance into a container 'of predetermined volume. The method is'us'eful in measuring and loading such powdered materials as for example chemical powders, powdered vitamins, medicinal powders, and the like 'in a. completely sterile environment or explosive powders, such as gunpowder, lead azide, lead styphnate, tracer powder mixes, pyrotechnic smoke mixes and the like in a completely safe manner. The method described is particularly applicable to the remote handling of highly explosive powders wherein predetermined amounts'of such powders can'be accurately measured as is very much essential in the manufacture of an acceptable product, such as a detonator or the like. 4

While the method described can conceivably be manually performed, it is preferred that the method be automatically performed by an apparatus illustrated in the drawings. Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, it is to be noted that the apparatus 20 by which the above foregoing method may be achieved comprises a supporting structure 21 illustrated in the form of an inner housing 21A and an outer housing 21B. The inner housing 21A comprises a plurality of spaced upright walls 22 supported on a base member 23 to define an enclosure 24. The base 23 is made sufficiently large so as to be common to both the inner andouter housing 21A, 21B. The outer housing 21B is defined by opposed upright end walls 26 circumscribing the base 23 to enclose the inner housing 21A.

Referring to FIGURE 2, it will be noted that a first shaft or pivot shaft 27 is rotatably journalled in a suitable sleeve orbearing 27A extending upwardly through the inner housing 21A. The shaft 27 being also mounted for relative reciprocal movement within the bearing sleeve 27A. Connected to the upper end of the shaft 2 7 are a pair of angularly disposed arms 28, 29 which extend radially therefrom. An extension member 28A, 29A extends outwardly from respective free endsfof the radially extending arms'28, 29 respectively. It will be noted thatthe adjacent ends of theang ula'rly disposed arms 28,29 are suitably secured to the shaft, 'as for example by'a pin connection 30, 31. Indie illustrated form'the respective 'arms' 28, 29 are disposed at'substanti'ally a 90 degree angle. However, it will be readily understood and appreciated that the angular position of 'the respective arms is not critical, as they can be disposed at any desired angle depending upon theangular disposition between the point of supply and point of discharge.

Connected to the free end of the respectiveextensions 28A, 29A is 'a material handling means 32. It, wi1lbe understood that the material handling means may be particularly constructed and arranged so as to effectively handle a particular material and/ or article. For purposes of I describing the illustrated form .of theinventionthe material handling means 32 is particularly constructed for handling powder-like materials as, for example, medicinal powders chemical: powders, explosive powders, and various other granulated and/or 'finely divided materials.

Referring to FIGURE 2, the material handling means 32cor'nprises an outer tubular member or barrel 33 which is suitably secured to'a fixture '34. As shown, the fixture 3 4'comprises a tubular member having a chamber 35' formed therein which is adapted to be disposed into communication with thebore of the tubular member or barrel 33. The upper end of the fixture 34 is closed by suitable end cap 36. Disposed intermediate the ends of the tubular member or barrel 33 is an end wall or piston 37 which is preferably formed of a porous material that is pervious to air and impervious to the material being handled. The end wall 37 is suitably sealed to the internal walls of the tubular member or barrel by a compressible sealing ring and defines in the lower end of the barrel a measuring chamber 38 of predetermined volume. If desired, the end wall or piston 37 may be adjustably disposed within the tubular member or barrel 33 to vary the volume of the measuring chamber 39 defined in the end of the barrel 33. The adjustability of the end wall or piston 37 is effected by an adjusting rod 40 connected to the piston 37 and which extends upwardly therefrom and outwardly through a central opening 36A formed in the end closure cap 36. Accordingly by raising or lowering the adjusting rod 46, the position of the inner end wall or porous piston 37 may be controlled accordingly to vary the volume or capacity of the measuring chamber 39. Connected to the chamber portion 35 of the fixture 34 is a conduit .41 which connects to a fluid pressure chamber 42 which is. in turn connected to a source of fluid pressure not shown by means of a connecting conduit 43. Mounted on the upper end of the inner housing is a power means 44 for effecting the drive of the apparatus through its operating sequence, as will be hereinafter described. As shown, the drive means comprises a drive shaft; 45 rotatably journalled within the housing and it is operatively associated with a power means 44. Preferably the power means comprises a reversible power source as for example an air motor, electric motor, and/ or a fluid actuated piston and cylinder assembly arranged to effect oscillation of the drive shaft 45 in one direction and then the other. In the illustrated form the power source 44 comprises a fluid motor comprising of means defining a power chamber or cylinder 46 in which there is reciprocally mounted a pair of piston heads 46A, 46B interconnected by a tooth rack 47. The tooth rack 47, in turn, is disposed in meshing relationship to complementary gear or gear portion connected to or formed integral to an extended end portion 45A of a drive shaft 45. It will be noted that as fluid pressure is applied to one piston or the other 46B or 46A, the tooth rack 47 connected therebetween is displaced in one direction or the other. The reciprocal movement of the rack 47 in turn imparts a rotation to the drive shaft 45 in one direction or the other accordingly. The fluid pressure for effecting the actuation of the drive means 44 may comprise compressed air developedvby an air compressor, not shown, the pressure of which is suitably directed to one piston or the other by a controlled arrangement that includes suitable valve means 48, 49 to control the direction and/or exhaust of pressure to the respective piston chambers 46A,

Means are provided for interconnecting the drive shaft 45 into driving relationship with the pivot shaft 27 of the material handling means 28, 29. In the illustrated form of the invention, the means comprises a complementary coupling means in the form of driving geneva member 50 fixed to the drive shaft 45 and a complementary driven geneva member 51 journalled to the pivot shaft 27 of the material handling means. As best seen in FIGURE 1 the driven geneva member 51 comprises a member which is pinned to shaft 27 and which member 51 is provided with an angularly disposed slot 51A adapted to receive the driving end 50A of the drive geneva member 50. The end walls 51B, 51B of the driven geneva member 51 are formed with concave arcuate portion which is adapted to correspond to the outer circular periphery 50B of the driving geneva member 50. The arrangement is such that in the lowered position of the pivot shaft 27 as seen in FIGURE 2, the rotation of shaft 27 and the connected material handling means is prohibited. That is, the driven geneva member 51 is locked against rotation as the arcuate portion 51B engages the circular wall 50B of the driving member 50. Thus the drive between the complementary geneva members 50, 51 is not effected until the pivot shaft 27 and connected driven geneva member 51 is raised to a position wherein the driving member 50A of the driving geneva 50 is arranged to be received in slotted portion 51A of the driven geneva 51.

To effect the interconnection or driving relationship of the geneva members 50, 51 to place the drive shaft into drive relationship with shaft 27, an actuating means 53 is operatively connected to the drive shaft 45 to time the reciprocation of shaft 27 to the rotation of the driving geneva member 50.

The actuating means 53 in the illustrated form of the invention comprises a cam member 54 provided with a camming edge 54A and the cam member 54 is secured to the geneva member and associated drive shaft 45 to rotate therewith. As the drive means 44 effects rotation of the drive shaft 45 in one direction e.g. counterclockwise as viewed in FIGURES l and 2, the cam edge 54A of the actuating means 53 is disposed so that the lower end 27A of the shaft 27 defines a follower adapted to ride the surface of the cam edge 54A. Thus the drive shaft 45 is rotated, the actuating means or cam 54 rotating therewith will cause the shaft 27 to rise or lower as it follows the contour of the cam edge 54A, and the material handling means 28, 29 secured to shaft 27 are raised and lowered accordingly. When the driven geneva member 51 connected to shaft 27 is raised and has its slot 50A disposed opposite the driving end of the driven geneva member, the engagement efi'ected therebetween causes the driven geneva 50 and connected drive shaft 27 to be rotated clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 1 an angular distance equal to substantially 90 degrees in the illustrated embodiment. The material handling means 28, 29 connected to shaft 27 are also rotated through a like distance of substantially 90 degrees. Counter rotation of the power means 44 effects dis-association of the drive geneva member 50, 51 and a lowering of the pivot shaft 27 and connected material handling means 28, 29, as the shaft follows the cam edge 54A in the opposite direction of rotation.

As shown the upper end of the shaft 27 is biased by a spring 55 interposed between a suitably fixed plate 56 and the upper radial arm member 28 of the material handling means. As the lower end 27A of the shaft 27 rides the cam surface 54A of the actuating means 53 to raise the shaft, the spring is compressed and the energy thus stored is used to return the shaft 27 to its lowered position as shown in FIGURE 2. Thus as the cam follower end 27A of the shaft 27 rides down the slope of the cam 54A the spring 55 acting on the material handling means 28 functions to effect positive return of the material han dling means to its lowered position.

Referring to FIGURE 2, it will be noted that a supply source 57, 58 for the material to be handled s disposed on either side of the housing or support member 21. As best seen in FIGURE 4, the means for containing a supply of material or powder comprises a container 59 having an annular recess or channel 60 formed therein to define a reservoir for receiving a bulk supply of the material 61 to be handled. As shown, a portion of the annular recess 60 is adapted to be in communication to a fixed hopper 62 which contains a supply of powdered material 61 which may be gradually fed into the annular recess 60 asthe material therein is removed. The arrangement is such that the level of the material 61 within the recess 60 container 59 is-maintained at a constant level.

1 As shown in FIGURE 4 the supply container 59-is removably seated upon a rotatable turntable 63 journalled on the base 23 of the apparatus about pivot 64. As noted in FIGURE 3, the turntable 63 includes circumferentially extending ratchet teeth-like structures 63A which are adapted to engage a ratchet pawl 64 mounted on the opposed end of a reciprocating ratchet bar 65. Referring again to FIGURE 4, it is to be noted that the location of the supply means or container 59 is disposed beneath the point at which the material handling gun 32 is lowered in the material pickup position thereof. To insure against slippage between the container 59 and the supporting turntable 63, it will be noted that the container is provided with small holes to receive a pin 66 projecting upwardly from the turntable. Thus the container 59 will rotate with the turntable as will be hereinafter described. Connected intermediate the ends of the cross bar or ratchet bar 65 is an operator 67 which is adapted to operatively engage a driver 68 connected to the bottom of the actuating means or cam member 53. Accordingly it will be noted that whenever the drive shaft 45 and connected cam member 53 is rotated in one direction the driver 68 connected to the bottom of the cam will strike the drive and shift the ratchet bar 65 in one direction causing the ratchet pawls connected to one end to ratchet the turntable a notch or an incremental amount. Accordingly the ratchet pawl will effect the ratcheting of the associated turntable and powder supply mounted thereon in incremental amounts. On the return movement of the cam 53, the ratchet bar is shifted in the opposite direction. The rotation of the container 59 holding the supply of the material is desired to assure that the pickup means or gun 32 when lowered into the material will engage a normal level of material to insure an accurate volumetric measure of powdered material in the pickup means. As seen in FIGURE 4 a doctor blade 67 is mounted adjacent the container 59 to level off or remove any excess amount of material which may extend beyond the end of the tubular member or barrel 33 to insure an accurate predetermined volumetric measure of the material to be handled upon each charging operation. Accurate alignment of the respective measuring chambers 39 in both the charging position and discharging position thereof is attained by a pin and hole locating means. As best seen in FIGURE 1 the aligning means comprises an aperture or hole 67 formed in each of the respective arms 28, 29 adapted to receive a locating pin 68 mounted on the upper end of the inner housing 21A. As will be described, the pin 68 is shaped to guide and accurately locate the resepective arm 28, 29 as the material handling means are raised and lowered in their respective loading and discharging position.

The respective arms 28, 29 supporting the pickup means 32 are arranged so that as one pickup means is disposed above or in one of the supply means 59 to effect the charging of the measuring chamber 39, the gun connected to the other arm is positioned at a point of discharge so that the measured amount of material carried therein may be ejected therefrom into a container or capsule 70 adapted to receive the charge. The cycle of the operation is such that the loaded chamber 39 is being discharged into a container 70 as the other 39 is being charged. The reversing drive of the power means 44 is such that the respective guns 39 are alternately loaded and unloaded simultaneously and rotates from a loading position to the discharging position alternately. With the arrangement disclosed the production is greatly enhanced in that one pickup member 39 is disposed in a filling position while the other is being unloaded, and by alternating a movement of the respective pickup means in one direction and then the other, the arrangement is such that one gun is'being loaded as the other is being discharged on each alternate movement of the material handling'means. The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

In the position illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, the pivot shaft 27 of the material handling means is positioned at a lowered position wherein the pickup means 32 or gun carried by arm 28, 29 of the loading arm is disposed within the recessed portion 60 of the supply container 59 in a manner illustrated in FIGURE 4. The other 8 gun means is disposed in its lowered position so that the end of the barrel 39 is disposed immediately above the container or capsule 70 adapted to receive the powdered charge contained therein. In the lowered position of the respective pickup means 32 the fluid pressure adapted to operate on each is such that the fluid pressure operating on the chamber 39 located in the supply means 59 is subjected to a negative pressure thereby causing an amount of the powdered "material disposed within the supply container 59 to be drawn into the measuring chamber 39. Simultaneously therewith the measuring chamber previously charged with the powdered material and located over capsule 70 is subjected to a positive pressure causing the material therein to be ejected into the container or capsule 70. After guns 32 have been charged and discharged re"- spectively, the drive means44 is actuated causing the'drive shaft 45, connected geneva drive member 50 and associated cam member 53 to rotate in a given direction, The pivot shaft 27 of the material handling means riding 'on the cam edge 54A of the actuating means causes shaft 2 7 and connected pickupmeans to rise. In doing so the respective arm 28, 29 and associated pickup means 37 are raised also wherein the'aligning hole 67 is raised above the locating pin 68. Rotation is prohibited due to the interlocking relationship caused by the geneva movement. When shaft 27 of the handling means has reached its uppermost position, the drive end 50A of the' drive geneva'member 50 intergages with the slot 51A of the raised driven geneva member 51 causing the driven member 51 to be displaced in clockwise direction about pivot shaft 27' as viewed in FIGURE 1, thereby impartinga comparable -clockwise movement to the respective arms and connected pickups wherein 'the loaded chamber is moved over an empty capsule 70 and the discharged chamber is moved over the other supply point 58. In this position the drive is reversed causing the geneva members 50, 51 to become disconnected ceasing further rotation of the respective material handling means, and at the same time causing the pivot shaft and material handling means to be lowered under the influence of the spring 55. As the respective material handling means 32 are lowered, the'locating pin 68 engages the appropriate opening 67 of the arm of the handling means being charged to guide the respective mate rial handling means 32 to the lowered position. In lowering the fluid pressure operation on the respective measuring chamber causes the material to be either charged or discharged accordingly as previously described. 1 To assure that the lowering of the gun 33 on each cycle of operation in preparation to charging the same will not be received in the same area of the 'supply means in which the charge was received by the preceding charging operation, means are provided for eliect'ing' incremental'rotation of the respective supply station. This is achieved by ratcheting the respective supply means an incremental amount just prior to lowering the gun 33 thereinto. This is attained as previously described by a ratchet bar 65 connected pawl 64 actuated by the rotation of the cam member 63 to alternately ratchet one supply means and then the other on each alternatecycle operation; To prevent anti-rotation of the respective turntable 63 and supply means supported thereon, a counter-rotating pawl'71 is provided. By alternately subjecting the respective pickup guns 32 to either a negative and positive pressure the material may be either charged or discharged therefrom, the negative pressure being maintained on'the loaded gun during movement between the supply point and the'dis'charge point. 7 p

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that by alternating the charging and discharging of the respective material handling means 32 simultaneously, production can be enhanced as a minimum of losttime or motion is bad between the filling and charging operations. v

While the instant invention has been illustrated and described with respect to a particular method and apparatus thereof, it will be readily understood and appreciated that variations and modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

As the described method and apparatus has been particularly described with respect to the handling of explosive powders or medicinal powders, the same can be utilized to remotely handle any desired material which is supplied at one point and deposited at another point in a repetitive manner.

What is claimed is:

1. A materiad handling apparatus for effectively picking up accurate predetermined measures of a powder-like material and depositing said measure at a predetermined point comprising a support means,

a materiad handling means movably mounted on said support means,

said material handling means including a first. shaft rotatably and reciprocally mounted on said support means,

a radially extending arm connected to said first shaft for movement therewith,

a material pickup means conected to said arm for movement therewith,

a drive means including a power means anda drive shaft operatively connected thereto,

coupling means for operatively connecting said first shaft in driving relationship with said drive shaft, actuating means connected to said drive shaft for effecting reciprocation of the first shaft between a raised and lowered position, and said coupling means being rendered operative to effect the drive of said material handling means when said actuating means has'reciprocated said shaft of said handling means to its raised position, and inoperative non-driving position in the lowered position of said material handling means.

2. The invention as defined in claim land including means for effecting accurate alignment of said material handling means in the pickup and discharging positions thereof.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said aligning means includes a locating pin positioned on said suppording means adjacent the pickup and discharging positions of said material handling means, and means defining an opening formed in said radial arm for receiving said pin when said'radial'arm has moved to said pickup and discharging positions.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 and including means defining a container for containing a supply of 7 5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said latter means includes a reciprocating ratchet pawl, ,4

and said container support means including aseries of ratchet teeth adapted to be engaged by said pawl.

6. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said material pickup means includes a tubular member connected to said arm,

a means defining an end wall spaced from the end of said tubular member to define a measuring chamber in the end of said tubular member,

said end wall being rendered pervious to air and impervious to the material being handled,

and means connecting said tubular member to a source of air pressure.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said latter means includes means for alternately subjecting said tubular member to a negative pressure to charge said chamber with a measured amount of material, and subjecting said tubular member to a positive pressure for ejecting said material from said chamber.

8. An apparatus for repetitively picking up, transporting and positioning material in'a predetermined manner comprising a support means including a rotatable and reciprocally mounted shaft,

a plurality of angularly disposed arms mounted -on said shaft for movement about its axis of rotation a predetermined angular amount,

means defining at least two spaced sources of supply for the material to be handled disposed to either side of said rotatable shaft,

means defining a discharge station disposed between said supply means,

. an alternating pick-up and discharging means connected to each of said angularly disposed arms,

said pickup and discharging means being arranged so that when one of said pickup means is disposed in alignment with a supply means, the other is disposed in alignment with the discharge station,

drive means for eifecting the rotation of said arms and connected pickup and discharging means alternately between one of said supply means and said discharge station, whereby one of said pickup means is ejecting the material at the discharge station as the other is picking up a measured amount at one of the supply means and means responsive to said drive means for reciprocating said shaft and connected arms for movement toward and away from said supply means and said discharge station.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8 and including means for rotatably journalling each of said supply means,

and means responsive to said drive means to efiect alternate incremental rotation of each of said supply means.

10. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said drive means includes a drive shaft and a reversible power source to oscillate said drive shaft about its axis of-rotation,

and means for intermittently connecting said drive shaft in driving relationship to said arms and connected pickup means.

11. The invention as defined in claim 8 and including means which locks said arms and connected pickup means against rotation until said arms and connected pickup means are moved away from its respective supply means and discharge stations.

12. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said pickup and discharge means includes an elongated tubular member, and i a piston disposed within said tubular member,

'said piston being formed of a material pervious to air;

said piston being spaced from the end of said tubular member defining a measuring chamber adaptedto receive a predetermined measure of the material to be handled, and means adapted to connect said tubular member to a source of fluid pressure.

13. The'invention as defined in claim 12 and including means operatively associated with said piston for effecting the adjustment thereof to vary the volume of said measuring chamber formed in the end of said tubular member.

14. The invention as defined in claim 12 and including means for connecting said chamber to a negative pressure source in the pickup position thereof and to a positive pressure source in the discharge position thereof.

15. An apparatus for eifectively picking up, transporting and positioning accurate predetermined amounts of a powder-like material comprising a support means,

a material handling means movably mounted on said support means,

said material handling means including a first shaft rotatably and reciprocally mounted on said support means,

a plurality of angularly disposed arms having their adjacent end portions connected to said first shaft,

1 I an alternating pickup and discharging gun means connected adjacent the free end of said arms, 1 said pickup and discharging gun means each comprising a tubular member, a

means defining an end wall spaced from the end of saidtubular member to define a measuring chamber on one side thereof, 1

said end wall being formed of a material pervious to air and impervious to the powdered-like material,

means connecting the other side of said end wall to a source of air pressure,

at least two supply means for containing a supply of said powdered-like material oppositely disposed to either side of said support means,

means 'defininga discharge station for said pickup and dispensing means, disposed between said opposed supply means,

a drive means for operatively rotating said arms and connected pickup and discharging gun means in unison between one of said supply means and the discharge station,

said drive means including a drive shaft and a reversible power source operatively connected thereto,

actuating means operatively associated with said drive means for effecting reciprocation of said first shaft and connected arms toward and away from said supply means and discharge station respectively,

and a coupling means for connecting said drive shaft and said first shaft into driving relationship as the latter is raised by said actuating means.

16. The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein said coupling means includes a driver member fixed to said drive shaft, and a complementary driven member fixed to said first shaft,

Said driver member and driving means having complementary interengaging means whereby the rotatory motion of said drive shaft is transmitted to said first shaft when in the raised position thereof.

17. The invention as defined in claim 16 and including means for rotatably supporting each of said supply means,

means responsive to said drive means to effect alternate incremental rotation of the respective supply means.

18. An apparatus for effecting picking up a predetermined amount of powdered-like material and predeterminately positioning said predetermined amount of material at a point remote from the supply of said material comprising a housing,

a shaft rotatably supported on said housing and reciprocally mounted with respect thereto,-

a plurality of angularly disposed arms journalled to said shaftfor movement therewith,

amaterial pickup and discharge means connected to each of said arms,

eachof said' pickup and discharge means comprising a gun having an outer elongated tubular member,

anend wall disposed intermediate said tubular member to define'a measuring chamber in the end thereof, said end wall being formed .-of a material pervious to air and impervious to the powered material, means connecting the other end :ofthe end wall to a source of air pressure, 1 a pair of supply means for containing a supply of said powdered material, one of said supply meansrbeing disposed on either end of said housing, meansdefining a discharge station for said pickup and discharge means disposed between said opposed supply means, v-- means for rotatably journalling said powdered material incremented amounts, 1 -a drive means for effecting the rotation of said arms and connected pickup and discharge means alternately between one of said supply means and said discharge stations whereby when one of said: pickup means is ejecting the material at the discharge station the other is picking up a measured amount of-material at one of the supply means, saiddrive means including a drive shaft journalled within said housing, i a reversible power means operatively connected to said drive shaft to'eifect the drive thereof, 7 complementary coupling means for connecting said drive shaft in driving'relationship to said first mentioned shaft, 1 v .1 said complementary coupling means-including a'driving geneva member connected to said drive shaft, a driven geneva-member connected to said first mentioned shaft, and an actuating-means connected to said drive shaft for effecting the reciprocation of said first mentioned shaft toward and away from said supply means, and means operatively connected to said actuating means to impart alternate incremental rotation to each of said supply means. a

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,004,053 9/1911 Madgett 141-24s 1,331,235 2/1920 Bristow '221 211 1,959,453 5/1934 Wilson '222 440 XR 2,097,887 11/1937 Lacey 222' 136 2,540,059 1/1951 Stirn et a1. 222494 XR 2,652,161 9/1953 Herzig et a1. 221 211 2,809,769 10/1957 Clarke et a1. 221-211 XR 2,921,721 1/1960 Brooks 222 194-XR 3,145,881 8/1964 Moore et a1, 222-4401XR 3,152,720 10/1964 Maloney et al. '221 211XR WALTER SOBIN, Primary Examiner U.S'.Cl.'X.R. 222 145, 194, 373

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