US3785412A

US3785412A - Mill apron automatic can filling machine

Info

Publication number: US3785412A
Application number: US00220824A
Authority: US
Inventors: L Stone
Original assignee: Richardson Co
Current assignee: Richardson Co
Priority date: 1972-01-26
Filing date: 1972-01-26
Publication date: 1974-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-15

Abstract

An apparatus for automatically filling containers with controlled amounts of a viscous material, such as printing ink, which is directly supplied to the containers from a viscous material discharge chute such as, for example, the apron of a roll-type dispersion mill. Viscous material from a valve assembly means mounted to the discharge chute is fed into open containers which are supplied into, and away from, a container filling station while a sensing means, for example, a weight detecting device, measures the quantity of viscous material being collected in the containers. A control means responsive to the sensing means regulates the operation of the valve assembly means and provides automatic delivery of the containers in a manner designed to accommodate a large supply rate of the viscous material from the discharge chute with minimal spillage and improved accuracy with respect to that which is presently obtained with manual filling operations.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Stone 1111 3,785,412 Jan. 15, 1974 MILL APRON AUTOMATIC CAN FILLING MACHINE 1 [75] Inventor: Leslie F. Stone, Westchester, 111.

[73] Assignee: TheRichardson Company, Des

P1aines,lll.

22 Filed: Jan. 26, 1972 211 Appl. No.: 220,824

1 52 U.s.c1 ..141/s3,53/59 W,53/63,

141/94, 141/129, 141/231, 177/63 [51 1 Int. Cl B651) 3/28 [58] Field of Search 53/59 W, 63; 141/83,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,139,915 7/1964 Minard 141/94 Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, Jr. Assistant ExaminerFrederick R. Schmidt Att0rneyJohn L. Alex et al.

[57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for automatically filling containers with controlled amounts of a viscous material, such as printing ink, which is directly supplied to the containers from a viscous material discharge chute such as, for example, the apron of a roll-type dispersion mill. Viscous material from a valve assembly means mounted to the discharge chute is fed into open containers which are supplied into, and away from, a container filling station while a sensing means, for example, a weight detecting device, measures the quantity of viscous material being collected in the containers. A control means responsive to the sensing means regulates the operation of the valve assembly means and provides automatic delivery of the containers in a manner designed to accommodate a large supply rate of the viscous material from the discharge chute with minimal spillage and improved accuracy with respect to that which is presently obtained with manual filling operations.

27 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures 1 MILL APRON AUTOMATIC CAN FILLING MACHINE The present invention is generally directed to the filling of containers with viscous materials and, more particularly, to an apparatus for supplying controlled quantities of aviscous material, such as printing ink, directly from the mill apron of a roll-type dispersion mill or similar discharge chute into open ended containers which are automatically fed into, and away from, position for receiving such viscous material.

Printing inks, due to the manner in which they are used by the printing industry, are conventionally packaged and handled in relatively small containers or canisters having standardized weights. For example, these inks are typically sold in containers holding 5 and pound amounts. While automatic filling of these containers would be economically desirable and consistent with modern industrial practices, heretofore automatic operations for filling these containers have not been widely adopted.

The use of conventional automatic filling equipment to package printing inks heretofore has not been practical primarily because the rheological properties of these inks do not lend themselves to pumping operations which are usually associated with such equipment. In particular, these inks usually contain a pigment which is dispersed in a suitable vehicle such as, for example, linseed oil, alkyd resins, and polyamides together with additives which may typically include antioxidants, cross-linking agents, dryers and the like. As such, printing inks are tacky, highly viscous and often thixotropric. Further, the highly colored nature of printing inks and the serious consequences which result from color contamination arising from different colored ink batches being used in the same equipment necessitates extensive and tedious cleaning of such complex filling equipment.

As a result of these problems and difficulties, in the industry today, most, if not all, commercial printing inks are generally manually canned directly off three roll dispersion mills. One technique which is commonly employed involves the use of an inverted V- shaped flow diverter. An operator typically places a can to be filled under each leg of the V-shaped diverter and visually gauges the amount of ink being collected in the containers. When he believes the correct amount has been received in one of the containers, he manually places the can on a scale located adjacent the dispersion mill and uses a putty knife to temporarily collect the flow from the diverter leg as well as make any necessary quantity adjustments to the contents of the container. As will be readily appreciated, this procedure does not lend itself to high speed mill production and, in fact, necessitates that the three roll mill, which is capable of a much higher rate of production, be run at a slower rate to accommodate the inadequacies of such manual operation. In this regard, another significant disadvantage of such manual filling is that the weighing equipment used in conjunction therewith cannot be as sensitive as would normally be desired since such sensitive weighing equipment further prolongs the individual container filling operation to such an extent that it cannot keep pace with even these slower mill production rates.

As a direct result of the absence of a commercially available satisfactory automatic can filling apparatus which is capable of handling printing inks, many concerns which have been faced with the problem of having to package printing ink produced at a high volume production rate have been forced to conduct manual filling operations with the three roll dispersion mills operating attheir maximum production rate without any weighing of containers during the initial filling step. Accordingly, all of the thus filled containers are subsequently then weighed and individual adjustments made thereto. As can be readily appreciated, this two-step filling and weighing procedure does little, if anything, to overcome the above-mentioned problems and disadvantages of manual container filling procedures.

Efforts to provide an apparatus for automatically filling containers with viscous materials such as printing ink have involved the use of transfer vessels which are equipped with separate valve means and means for pressurizng the ink within the vessel to facilitate the flow thereof through such valve means. Typically, a cylinder-piston arrangement which exerts force on the top surface of ink contained in the vessel is employed. While such apparatus provides for automatic filling of containers with printing ink, it has the disadvantage of necessitating additional handling equipment and processing steps which, desirably, could be eliminated.

The present invention overcomes the above mentioned problems and disadvantages associated with manually filling containers with viscous materials such as printing ink and offers advantages over the abovementioned automatic can filling apparatus by providing an improved apparatus for supplying controlled quantities of viscous material, such as a printing ink, directly from the mill apron of the roller-type dispersion mill or equivalent material discharge chute into open ended containers which are automatically fed into, and away from, position for receiving such viscous material. In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, a valve assembly is provided which is adapted to be mounted to a typical materials discharge chute such as the mill apron of a conventional three roll dispersion mill. This valve assembly includes a discharge port, which preferably is opened and closed by a guillotine type slide valve, and associated viscous material flow directing means which cooperate with the chute to direct and collect the viscous material for discharge through the port. Viscous material from the valve assembly means is discharged into opencontainers which are delivered into position for receiving the viscous material by a container transporting means which also removes the filled containers therefrom. A sensing means, such as, for example, a weight detecting device, is provided at the container filling station for measuring the quantity of viscous material received in the containers. Control means responsive to the sensing means provides control for the operation of the valve means and the container transporting means.

While the present invention is particularly intended for use in filling operations with a conventional dispersion mill of the three roll type, it should also be noted that it can be advantageously employed in other filling operations which either presently, or by modification, employ a materials discharge chute. For example, in pigment flushing, a vehicle is normally added to a pigment-water dispersion contained in a vessel. The water is then driven off by means of the application of heat and vacuum to the vessel. Typically, a dispersing or mixing device, such as Cowles Mixer (Morehouse Cowles, Inc.) or Sigma Blade mixer (Baker Perkins),

can be used for this purpose. In such operation, the product from the mixer, in accordance with the present invention, can be fed directly onto a materials discharge chute and thereafter automatically supplied in predetermined and controlled quantities into containers by the apparatus of this invention.

It is, therefore, a general object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for automatically filling containers with viscous materials such as, for example, printing ink.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically filling containers with predetermined quantities of a viscous material such as printing ink.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for automatically filling containers with printing ink which apparatus is fed directly from the apron of a dispersion mill without necessitating transfer of the printing ink to a separate vessel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automated filling apparatus for directly supplying printed ink from the apron ofa dispersion mill operated at maximum mill production rates with negligible, if any, loss or spillage of such printing ink.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically filling containers with predetermined quantities of printing ink which apparatus is capable of accommodating maximum mill production rates without requiring the attention of a mill operator, thereby freeing such operator for the performance of other duties.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically filling containers with predetermined quantities of printing ink which are discharged directly from the apron of roller-type dispersion mills operated at high speed with greater accuracy than is presently achieveable by manual filling techniques even where, during such manual filling operations, the mill is operated at a relatively slow production rate.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically filling containers with predetermined quantities of printing ink which permits the use of more sensitive weighing devices than is presently possible with conventional manual filling techniques.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically filling containers with predetermined quantities of printing ink which apparatus includes an apron valve assembly unit having a detachable valve mechanism, thereby facilitating thorough cleaning of the unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically filling containers with a viscous material, such as printing ink, directly discharged from a roller-type dispersion mill which apparatus includes a portable container transporting, weighing and control unit that can be readily moved to, and aligned with, other dispersion mills for facilitating use of such unit with a plurality of dispersion mills.

These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a three roll dispersion mill which is equipped with the automatic container filling apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. I with a portion of the three roll dispersion mill and of the control cabinet broken away;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a portion of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating such apparatus during a filling operation;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, with portions thereof broken away, taken along the line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view ofa portion of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the apron valve assembly means and dispersion mill apron shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an elevational front view, with portions broken away, illustrating the front face of the apron valve assembly means shown in FIG. 7 and taken along lines 88 thereof;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view, with portions thereof broken away, of a modified valve assembly means embodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the modified valve assembly means shown in FIG. 9; and,

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic layout of a control circuit for use with the apparatus of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings and with particular reference to FIG. 1, a roll-type dispersion mill 20 equipped with the automatic filling apparatus of the present invention is shown which, in the illustrated embodiment, includes a mill apron valve assembly unit 21 and a combination container transporting, weighing and control table 22. In this regard, it should be noted that while the present invention will be generally described in conjunction with the packaging of printing ink which is discharged onto an apron of a roll-type dispersion mill, it can also be advantageously employed in other filling operations where a viscous material is supplied to a material discharge chute. Accordingly, it should be understood that this invention has broad application to the automatic filling of containers with predetermined quantities of viscous materials which are supplied, either directly or indirectly, to a discharge chute or the like.

The roll-type dispersion mill 20 shown in FIG. I is of conventional construction and includes a control cabinet 32 having suitable roll pressure gauges and controls for indicating and regulating the total roll pressure and other operating conditions for a plurality of

individual rollers

24, 25 and 26 which are supported by a frame 27 and which discharge printing ink onto a mill apron 28. Typically, with mill 20, the ingredients for the printing ink to be manufactured (which include pigment, a

suitable vehicle, such as, for example, linseed oil, alkyd resins, and polyamides, and may also include suitable additives such as antioxidants, cross-linking agents, and dryers) are manually, or automatically, fed to a feed inlet area between rolls 2S and 26. These ingredients are then subjected by the rollers to a shearing action which breaks down the pigment particles and uniformly disperses the same throughout the vehicle. After sufficient dispersing has been accomplished within the mill, the viscous printing ink is discharged onto the mill apron 28 for processing by the mill apron valve assembly 21 and the combination container transporting, weighing and control table 22 of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 7-8, the mill apron valve assembly 2 includes a pair of diverter plates 29 and which are mounted to and extend outwardly from a central wall portion 31. A pair of integral

diverter flange portions

32 and 33 extend from, and are perpendicularly disposed with respect to, the

diverter plates

29 and 30, respectively. As is best shown in FIG. 4, the mill apron valve assembly 21 is adapted to be mounted to the discharge or lip end of the mill apron 28 with the portions of each of the

diverter plates

29 and 30 snugly received against the upstanding side wall portions 28a of the mill apron 28. Likewise, the integral

diverter flange portions

32 and 33 are adapted to be flushly received on the planar surface 28b of mill apron 28. To insure against leakage and provide for secure mounting of the mill apron valve assembly 21, suitable adhesively backed tape strips 34 can be used to seal the diverter plates against the apron mill side walls 28a and conventional C clamps 35 and 36 can be used to secure the integral

diverter flange portions

32 and 33 to the mill apron planar surface 28b.

As best shown in FIG. 8, central wall portion 31 of the mill apron valve assembly 21 includes a valve port 37 and gate type slide valve 38 which is received between a pair of valve guides 38, that are mounted to the central wall portion 31 by a plurality of

screw fasteners

39a and 40a. The slide valve 38 is directed in its travel by

guides

39, 40 so that it opens and closes discharge port 37 in guillotine fashion by sliding movement thereover. In addition to allowing for quick movement, this gate valve-valve port combination provides a cutting action with respect to the viscous ink discharged from valve port 37 thereby preventing any substantial dribbling or trickling of the ink which would otherwise cause undesirable spillage during the automatic cycling of the apparatus.

As is best shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the slide valve 38 is actuated by a pneumatic cylinder 41 of conventional construction having compressed air inlet and discharge

fittings

42 and 43 which communicate with an available source of compressed air. A solenoid (not shown) of conventional design, in accordance with known techniques, can be used to control the operation of a conventional air valve (not shown) for selectively actuating the slide valve 38. As shown, pneumatic cylinder 41 includes an actuating rod 44 which is threadedly received in outwardly extending flange 45 integrally formed with gate valve 38. In the illustrated embodiment, pneumatic cylinder 41 is mounted to central wall portion 31 of the mill apron valve assembly 21 by means of a suitable retaining bolt 46 which passes through

upstanding flanges

47 and 48 and is threadedly received in a retaining collar 49 integrally formed with the wall portion 31. While slide valve 38 in the illustrated embodiment is actuated by a pneumatic cylinder 41, it will be appreciated that other suitable actuating means could be suitably substituted in place thereof. Likewise, while, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mill apron valve assembly includes the valve port 37 and sliding gate valve 38, it will be appreciated that flow regulating devices of other types which are well known in the art and which provide the desired ink stream shearing action could be used in place thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6, the combination container transporting, weighing and control table 22 includes a top 50 supported by a plurality of legs 51 each of which has mounted thereto a suitable wheel or caster device 52 which facilitate relocation of the table 22 for use thereof with a plurality of roller mills. As best shown in FIG. 3, table top 50 is provided with a gapped circular container track 53 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is generally continuous except for a segment generally designated by the reference numeral 65 which segment constitutes the container filling station location. A plurality of open ended containers 54-62 are received on circular container track 53 while a tenth container 63 is positioned at the container filling station location 65. A platform 66 sized to receivingly suppport a container to be filled is at substantially the same height as circular track 53. As best shown in FIG. 5, platform 66 is supported by a spacer element 67 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is mounted to a pan 68 of a balance scale 69. The opposite pan 70 has a replaceable weight element 71 supported thereon. As the container 63 is filled with ink, the pan 68 moves downwardly and a scale pointer (not shown) on an upright scale dial element 72 moves to indicate the weight of the container 63. The conventional internal mechanisms of the balance scale 69 are adjusted so that the downward movement of platform 66 is negligible and, in no event, does this pan reach a downward position of travel which precludes traveling communication for the containers 54-63 with respect to the track 53. When a predetermined weight is transferred to pan 68 which weight corresponds to a predetermined amount of ink in container 63, an internal switch (not shown) in scale 69 closes thereby activating the control means which closes valve port 37, and, after a predetermined delay which permits collection in the container 63 of any dripping or trickling of ink adhering to the valve port 37, initiates actuation of a container transporting means as more fully described hereinafter.

A container transporting means 73 is provided in the illustrated embodiment in the form of a central rotatable hub 74 having a plurality of radially extending container separating arms 75 which are spaced apart a sufficient distance to urge the containers 54-63 along the track 53 into, and away from, container filling station 65. A suitable electrical drive motor 76 is mounted on the underside of table top 50 and is operatively connected to the central hub 74 of the container transporting means 73 by means of a drive shaft 77.

Referring particularly to FIG. 6, the underside surface 50a of table top 50 is generally shown with each of the containers 54-63 shown in phantom. A plurality of indexing pins or detents 78 are mounted to the under surface 74a of the central hub 74 of the container transporting means 73 which indexing pins or detents 78 are arranged to come into contact with an indexing arm 79 of an indexing switch member 80 to provide index ing of the hub element 74 and thereby achieve proper registration of the containers in the container filling station location 65. As shown, switch 80 has leads 800 which communicate directly into a control cabinet 81 which, as more fully described hereinafter, controls the operation of the apparatus of the present invention. While, in the illustrated embodiment, an electric motor 76 is shown as a means for driving central hub 74, it will be appreciated that alternative drive means could be effectively used in place thereof. For example, central hub 74 could be driven by a suitable hydraulic or air motor or, could be in the form of a conventional air operated indexing table of a suitable commercially available type.

As best shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the combination container feeding, weighing and control table 22 is provided with a pair of locating guides 82 and 83 which are adapted to be received in mating engagement with alignment studs 82a and 83a which are mounted to the frame 27 of roller mill 20 to facilitate proper registration of the container filling station location 65 on table 22 for receiving the flow of viscous ink from the mill apron valve assembly 21.

If desired, a full can detector device may be provided in order to signal when the container immediately upstream of the container filling station is already full. In the illustrated embodiment this device includes a switch element 84 having a container engaging arm 85 which is positioned to engage each of the containers as they are transported on circular container track 53 just immediately prior to the transfer of such containers into the filling station location. Arm 85 is biased so that it will not activate switch 84 unless the container which it engages is of a predetermined sufficient weight, corresponding to that of a filled container. In this manner, as empty containers come into engagement with arm 85, they do not produce any significant movement thereof. A filled container, however, operates to sufficiently depress arm 85 when it comes into engagement therewith so as to thereby activate switch 84 which, in turn, can either shut off the entire apparatus or trigger an appropriate alarm which will signal the operator.

In order to prevent'inadvertent discharge into the filling station location when a container is not present therein, a suitable photoelectric cell unit 86 and reflector element 87 are provided. As shown, photoelectric cell 86 is mounted to the upper surface of table top 50 and is positioned to direct a light beam through the container filling station position 65 onto reflector element 87 and receive the same if a container is not in position for receiving ink from the valve assembly means 21. As such, photoelectric unit 86 can be of conventional construction and connected in series relationship to the control circuitry so that activation of the apparatus can only be achieved when the light beam emitted therefrom is broken.

In the illustrated embodiment, a manual by-pass or jog switch 88 is provided to permit manually controlled rotation of the turntable 74. While the operation of the by-pass or jog switch 88 will be more fully described hereinafter in conjunction with the detailed description of FIG. 11, the diagrammatic layout of a control circuit for use with the apparatus of the present invention, it should be noted that this switch is particularly useful in connection with the indexing of the turntable when the apparatus of the present invention is initially set up.

FIGS. 9 and generally illustrate a modified valve I assembly means 89 embodying features of the present invention which valve assembly means permits removal of a pneumatic cylinder 90 and associated actuating rod 91 to facilitate immersion cleaning of the valve assembly means 89. As illustrated, pneumatic cylinder 90 is of conventional construction and is provided with compressed air inlet and discharge

fittings

92 and 93 which communicate with an available source of compressed air in the same manner as was previously described with respect to

comparable fittings

42 and 43 of pneumatic cylinder 41 (FIGS. 4 and 8). In the illustrated embodiment, a cleavis 94 is fixed to the upper end of pneumatic cylinder and is adapted to be detachably connected to a mounting ear 95 on wall portion 96 by means ofa cleavis pin 97. A magnetic collar 98 on cleavis pin 97 is adapted to be magnetically attracted to cleavis 94 to facilitate removal of the pin 97. The actuating arm 91 is provided at its lower end with a pair of spaced apart circular flanges 99 and 100 which are adapted to engage with two protruding

studs

101 and 102 on a slide valve 103. A pair of valve guides 104, are respectively secured to wall portion 96 by a plurality of

screw fasteners

104a and 105a. In this manner, pneumatic cylinder 90 will activate slide valve 103 to provide an opening and closing of discharge port 106 in the same manner as the previously described embodiment.

Referring now to the control means of the apparatus, FIG. 11 shows schematically a circuit which is adapted to provide actuation and control for the apparatus of the present invention, and includes means for starting the apparatus, means for operating a valve to fill a properly positioned can, means for shutting off the filling valve as a predetermined can weight is reached or approached, permitting a predetermined time delay before turntable rotation to insure that continued flow of material past the time of valve closing will not undesirably drip ink or the like on the apparatus, means for indexing the turntable to the next position prior to cycle repetition, and means for continuously checking to insure that various auxiliary or safety functions are car ried out, for example, to determine whether cans are properly positioned prior to filling and to create a signal or stop the apparatus when the cans at all stations have been filled.

In the following discussion, certain multiple element parts, such as relays, are given a general designation, such as R-l, R-2, etc., which appears wherever an element of the part appears, while the included elements are separately numbered. Operative association of elements is also shown by broken lines.

The preferred circuit for carrying out the foregoing and other functions is illustrated schematically and is generally designated 200. This circuit is shown to include a line power 201 for receiving current from a source at line potential, and an oppositely disposed ground potential or return line 202. As shown in FIG. 11, contacts 203 for the starting switch 81a are disposed in a line 204 which includes an inductor 205 forming a part of a relay generally designated R-1. A pilot light 81c is wired parallel to the line 204 containing the inductor 205 while another inductor 206 is disposed in line 207 and forms a part of a solenoid valve (not shown in detail) which controls air flow in

lines

42, 43 of the cylinder 41, and thereby controls ink flow from the supply source into the cans 54-63. Disposed in series in the line 207 are a pair of normally closed relay contactors 208 forming a part of relay designated R-2, and a pair of normally closed relay contactors 209 adapted for opening in response to a signal from the photocell 86. Also disposed in the line 207 are a pair of normally open relay contactors 210 also designated R-1 and shown by a broken line to be associated with the inductor 205. Disposed in the line211 which is served by

lines

204 and 207 is a weight-responsive stop switch 212 which controls current flow to line 213 containing an additional inductor 214 formng a portion of a relay R-2. Line 213 may also receive current through 3 line 215 by closure of normally open relay contacts 216 forming a part of relay R-3.

An additional line 217 extends between the line 211 and the return line 202 and includes therein an inductor 218 forming a part of time delay relay T.D. R-1 which may be energized through normally open relay contactors 219 forming a part of relay R2. FIG. 11 also shows that a line 220 extends between the bus power line 201 and the return line 202 and includes a full can detector switch 221 therein for operating a signal bell 222. Disposed parallel to

lines

213 and 217 and also energized by line 211 is a line 223 which includes a pair of normally open relay contactors 224 forming a part of time delay relay T.D., a pair of normally closed relay contactors 225 forming a part of relay R4, a normally closed jog switch 88, and an inductor 227 forming a part of the turntable motor 76. A pair of normally open contacts 228 for the alternate position of switch 88 are shown to provide a connection in a bypass line 229 for connecting the power line 201 to the motor 76 so that the same may be operated under manual control if desired.

Also extending from the line 211 is a line 230 which includes a resistor 231, a diode 232 and a capacitor 233. A pair of'normally open relay contactors 234 forming a part of relay R4 are disposed in a line 235 which extends from a point in line 230 between the diode 232 and the capacitor 233 and the portion of line 223 lying between the switch contacts 226 and the normally closed relay contactors 225. Line 211 is also connected to one terminal 236 of a turntable indexing switch 80, the

other terminals

237, 238 of which are connected respectively to lines 239, 240. Line 239 includes a resistor 241 and a diode 242 in series therewith, and the output of line 239 feeds an inductor 243 forming a part of relay R-3 and a capacitor 244 in parallel therewith. Line 240 includes a pair of normally open relay contactors 245 forming a part of relay R3; contactors 245are disposed in series with an inductor 246 forming a part of relay R4.

A photoelectric cell unit designated 86 is also shown to be disposed in a line 247 which is connected between

lines

201 and 202, while an inductor 248 is disposed in a line 249 wired parallel to inductor 218 to serve as the actuator for a counter unit. The photocell is also shown to be operatively associated with normally open contacts 250 in line 251; this line is normally connected through switch contacts 221 to the line 220 which includes the bell 222 or other signal means.

Referring now to the operation of the apparatus, it will be assumed that a full load of empty cans 54-63 are in place within the track 53, that the turntable 74 is stationary, that all electrical and pneumatic connections have been made, with the gate valve 38 closing the port 37, and that the circuit 200 is ready to be energized With the starting switch 81a pushed to close contacts 203 and energize line 204, the pilot light 81c will be illuminated and the inductor 205 of relay R-l will be energized, closing the normally open relay contactors 210. This will cause current to flow in the line 207 and through closed contacts 208,209,energizing the inductor 206 of the solenoid valve, thereby in turn actuating the gate valve 38 and permitting ink to flow from the supply into a can 54.

After a predetermined time, the weight of the can in creases to an amount sufficient to overcome the bias placed on the weight responsive switch 212 thereby closing the contacts thereof and feeding current into line 213 to energize the inductor 214 of the relay R2. In this connection, it will be understood that the switch 212 is associated with the platform 66 beneath container filling station 65, and that platform movement of a predetermined amount causes the switch contacts to close. Energizing the inductor 214 serves to close normally open relay contacts 219 of relay R-2, causing current flow in line 217 to energize the inductor 218 of the time delay relay T.D. R-l. At the same time that relay contacts 219 are closed to energize the time delay relay TD. R-l, the inductor 214 is energized to open the normally closed contacts 208 which also form a part of relay R2. This opens the circuit in line 207 and de-energizes the solenoid valve actuated by the inductor 206.

After a lapse of time equal to the time constant asso ciated with the time delay relay TD. Rl, the normally open contacts 224 of the relay T.D. Rl are closed, thereby passing current into line 223, through the normally closed relay contacts 225, through the contacts 226 of the jog switch 88 and into the windings 227 of the motor 76. This insures that rotation of the turntable will occur only after enough time has elapsed to permit the viscous material to flow from the closed valve 38 into a can. When switch contact 212 is closed, although motor actuation is being delayed by relay T.D. Rl, current begins to flow through the resistor 231 and the diode 232 to charge the capacitor 233. Current also flows through resistor 241 and diode 242 to energize the inductor 243 of R-3 and to charge the capacitor 244 in parallel therewith.

Energizing of the inductor of relay R-3 causes closing of the normally open contactors 216, thereby permitting current to be furnished to the line 211 even though the contacts of switch 212 remain open because the can has been removed from the platform 66. After the turntable 74 has rotated sufficiently to center the next succeeding empty can on the'pan of the scale platform 66, the switch breaks contact 237 and makes contact 238, thereby feeding current from the line 211 through relay contactors 245 closed by energization of inductor 243, and thereby actuating the inductor 246 of relay R4. At this point, it will be noted that, even with the

terminals

236, 238 connected, the inductor 243 of relay R-3 continues to be energized as the capacitor 244 in parallel therewith discharges therethrough.

Energizing the inductor 246 of relay R4 causes opening of the normally closed contacts 225 in line 223, thus stopping the supply of current to the motor windings 227, which relay contactors 234 also forming a part of the relay R4 are biased closed, permitting the capacitor 233 to discharge into the motor windings 227 through line 235 to provide braking action. The diode 232 insures that the charge stored in capacitor 233 will be supplied to the motor. As relay R3 is de-energized after the charge in capacitor 244 is dissipated, the contacts 216 return to an open position and, switch 212 being also open by reason of the presence of an empty can on the scale pan, the inductor 214 of relay R-2 is de-energized, thereby opening contacts 219 to deenergize the inductor 218 of the time delay T.D. R-1 and also opening the contacts 224 for the motor windings 227.

Contacts 208 forming another portion of the relay R-2 are normally closed, and therefore, as the relay R-2 is deenergized, these contacts return to a closed position and enable the inductor 206 of the solenoid valve to be energized for initiating a repetition of the cycle.

The switch 221 which detects the presence of a full can in the station just ahead of the container filling station 65 is normally positioned to provide a conductive path from line 251 to the bell 222; however, normally open contacts 250 form a part of line 251, preventing current flow from line 207 to the bell 222 unless the photoelectric cell 86 closes the contacts 250. On the other hand, line 220 is connected to power line 201 and is always energized; a full container will move the switch 221 so as to connect line 220 to the bell 222. Accordingly, whether the photocell 86 senses that no cans are present for filling, or whether the switch determines that the next can that might otherwise be filled is already filled, the alarm will sound. As pointed out above, however, the bell 222 may be replaced by another signal means or by means for stopping operation of the apparatus.

While in the foregoing specification a detailed description of a preferred embodiment has been set forth, it will be appreciated by those skilled in this art that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for automatically filling containers with viscous material which is supplied from a discharge chute, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a valve assembly means adapted to be mounted to the discharge chute, said valve assembly means including a discharge port, associated viscous material flow directing means which directs said viscous material on said chute for discharge through said discharge port, and valve means for opening and closing said discharge port; a container filling station positionable for receiving the flow of viscous material from said discharge port; container transporting means for supplying containers to be filled to said container filling station; sensing means operatively connected to said container filling station for detecting when a predetermined quantity of viscous material has been received in a container being supplied with said viscous materials at said eontainer filling station, and control means responsive to said sensing means for controlling the operation of said valve means and container transporting means.

'2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said valve assembly means is adapted to be detachably mounted to the materials discharge chute.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said valve means is detachably mounted to said valve assembly means.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said valve means includes a gate which opens and closes the discharge port in guillotine fashion by sliding movement thereover.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said container transporting means is a turntable adapted to deliver said containers into, and away from, said container filling station.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said sensing means is a weight detecting device.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the control means delays the operation of said delivery means after responding to the sensing means for a period of time sufficient to allow any viscous material adhering to the discharge port of said valve assembly means to drain into the container positioned at said container filling station.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said container filling station, container transporting means and sensing means are mounted on a portable support means for facilitating the relocation and use thereof with other discharge chutes.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said portable support means is provided with locating guides for facilitating alignment of said container filling station with the discharge port on said valve assembly means.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said valve means, sensing means and control means are electrically operated, said sensing means including a normally open weight sensitive switch, said control means including a control relay having first and second contact switches, said first contact switch being normally closed and in series with said valve means, said second contact switch being normally open and in series with a time delay circuit, said normally open weight sensitive switch being arranged to close when a predetermined quantity of viscous material has been received in a first container positioned at said container filling station, said weight sensitive switch upon closing activating said control relay to open said first contact switch and close said second contact switch, whereby, current flow to said valve means is interrupted and current flow is initiated to said time delay circuit which, after a predetermined time interval, actuates said container transporting means to remove said first container from said container filling station and move a second container thereto, which predetermined interval permits any viscous material adhering to said valve assembly means to drain into said first container prior to its removal from said container filling station.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said container transporting means includes an electric motor, said time delay circuit including a time delay relay in series with said second contact switch, a time delay contact switch being normally open and in series with said electric motor, said time delay relay being energized by the closing of said second switch and operating to close said time delay contact switch after said predetermined time interval to permit the flow of current to said electric motor and activate said container transporting means, an indexing switch operatively associated with said container transporting means, said indexing switch being arranged to close when said container transporting means has advanced said second container into said container filling station, a motor deactivating relay in series with said indexing switch, said motor deactivating relay including a normally closed motor control switch in series with said electric motor, said indexing switch upon being closed energizing said motor deactivating relay to open said motor control switch and interrupt the flow of current to said motor.

12. An apparatus for automatically filling containers with viscous material which is supplied from a 'discharge chute, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a valve assembly means adapted to be detachably mounted to the discharge chute, said valve assembly means including a discharge port, associated viscous material flow directing means which directs said viscous material on said chute for discharge through said discharge port, and valve means for opening and closing said discharge port; a container transporting and weighing table; a container filling station located on said table for receiving the flow of viscous material from said discharge port; container transporting means on said table for supplying containers to be filled to said container filling station and for removing said containers after they have been filled from said container filling station; weight detection means mounted on said table and operatively connected to said container filling station for detecting when a predetermined quantity of viscous material has been received in a container being filled; and control means responsive to said weight .detection means for controlling said valve means and for operating said container transporting means to deliver unfilled containers to said container filling station and removing containers therefrom after a predetermined quantity of viscous material has been collected therein.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said valve means is detachably mounted to said valve assembly means.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said valve means includes a gate which opens and closes said discharge port in guillotine fashion by sliding movement thereover.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said container transporting means is a turntable which is adapted to deliver containers into, and away from, said container filling station.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said control means delays operation of the container transporting means after responding to the weight detecting means for a period of time sufficient to allow any viscous material adhering to the discharge port of said valve assembly means to drain into the container positioned in said container filling station. 17. An apparatus a defined in claim 12 wherein locating guidesare mounted to said container table for facilitating alignment of said container filling station with the discharge port of said valve assembly means.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said valve means, weight detection means and control means are electrically operated, said weight detection means in cluding a normally open weight sensitive switch, said control means including a control relay having first and second contact switches, said first contact switch being normally closed and in series with said valve means, said second contact switch being normally open and in series with a time delay circuit, said normally open weight sensitive swtch being arranged to close when a predetermined quantity of viscous material has been received in a first container positioned at said container filling station; said weight sensitive switch upon closing activating said control relay to open said first contact switch and close said second contact switch, whereby, current flow to said valve means is interrupted and current flow is initiated to said time delay circuit which, after a predetermined time interval, actuates said container transporting means to remove said first container from said container filling station and move a second container thereto, which predetermined interval permits any viscous material adhering to said valve assembly means to drain into said first container prior to its removal from said container filling station.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said container transporting means includes. an electric motor, saidtime delay circuit including a time delay relay in series with said second contact switch, a time delay contact switch being normally open and in series with said elec tric motor, said time delay relay being energized by the closing of said second switch and operating to close said time delay contact switch after said predetermined time interval to permit the flow of current to said electric motor and activate said container transporting means, an indexing switch operatively associated with said container transporting means, said indexing switch being arranged to close when said container transporting means has advanced said second container into said container filling station, a motor deactivating relay in series with said indexing switch, said motor deactivating relay including a normally closed motor control switch in series with said electric motor, said indexing switch upon being closed energizing said motor deactivating relay to open said motor control switch and interrupt the flow of current to said motor.

20. An apparatus for automatically filling containers with viscous material such as ink which is supplied from the mill apron of a roll-type dispersion mill, said apparatus comprising, in combination; an apron valve assembly means adapted to be detachably mounted to said mill apron, said apron valve assembly means including a discharge port, associated viscous material flow directing means which directs viscous material on said mill apron through said discharge port, and valve means for opening and closing said discharge port; a container transporting, weighing and control table; a container filling station located on said table for receiving the flow of viscous material from said discharge port; container transporting means mounted on said table for supplying containers to be filled to said container fil ling station and for removing said containers after they have been filled from said container filling station; weight detecting means mounted on said table and operatively connected to said container filling sta tion for detecting when a predetermined quantity of viscous material has been received in the container which is being supplied with said viscous material at said container filling station; and, control means responsive to said weight detecting means for controlling the operation of said valve means and container transporting means, said control means being adapted to delay operation of said container transporting means after responding to said weight detecting means for a period of time sufficient to allow any viscous materials adhering to the discharge port of said apron valve assembly means to drain into the container positioned at said container filling station.

21. An apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said valve means is detachably connected to said apron valve assembly means.

22. An apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said table includes locating guides for facilitating proper alignment of said container filling station with the discharge port of said valve means.

23. An apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said valve means includes a gate which opens and closes a discharge port in guillotine fashion by sliding movement thereover.

24. An apparatus as defined in claim wherein said container transporting means is adapted to receive a predetermined number of containers which travel through said container filling station in a continuous and closed path, and which further includes filled can detector means immediately upstream of said container filling station to detect the presence of a previously filled container.

25. An apparatus as defined in claim 24 wherein signal means is associated with said filled can detector means.

26. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said valve means, weight detecting means and control means are electrically operated, said weight detecting means including a normally open weight sensitive switch, said control means including a control relay having first and second contact switches, said first contact switch being normally closed and in series with said valve means, said second contact switch being normally open and in series with a time delay circuit, said normally open weight sensitive switch being arranged to close when a predetermined quantity of viscous material has been received in a first container positioned at said container filling station, said weight sensitive switch upon closing activating said control relay to open said first contact switch and close said second contact switch, whereby, current flow to said valve means is'interrupted and current flow is initated to said time delay circuit which, after a predetermined time interval, actuates said container transporting means to remove said first container from said container filling station and move a second container thereto, which predetermined interval permits any viscous material adhering to said valve assembly means to drain into said first container prior to its removal from said container filling station.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said container transporting means includes an electric motor, said time delay circuit including a time delay relay in series with said second contact switch, a time delay contact switch being normally open and in series with said electric motor, said time delay relay being energized by the closing of said second switch and operating to close said time delay contact switch after said predetermined time interval to permit the flow of current to said electric motor and activate said container transporting means, an indexing switch operatively associated with said container transporting means, said indexing switch being arranged to close when said container transporting means has advanced said second container into said container filling station, a motor deactivating relay in series with said indexing switch, said motor deactivating relay including a normally closed motor control switch in series with said electric motor, said indexing switch upon being closed energizing said motor deactivating relay to open said motor control switch and interrupt the flow of current to said motor.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No- 3,785,412 I Dated January 15, 1974 I d I Leslie F. Stone It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 2 the numeral "2" should read --2l-- I Column 5, line 25, the numeral "38" should I read -39- Column'9, line 56, after "energized" insert Column 13, line 55 sw tch'" should read switch- Si gned and sealed this 16th day of July 1974.

Attest! MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. C'. M! \RSI IALL DANN Attesting Officer Comm1ss1oner of Patents FORM PO-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1 I!" 0-3$-J3l.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 785, 412 Dated January 15, 1974 Inventor( s) Leslie F. Stone It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 2 the numeral "2" should read --2l-- Column 5, line- 25, the numeral "38" should read -39--- Column 9, line 56, after "energized" insert Column 13, line 55 "swtch" should read -switch- Signed and sealed this 16th day of July 1974.

CS' Ll Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON, JR. C'.'M! \RS! 1ALL DANN Attesting Officer Commlssloner of Patents FORM PO-105O (10-69) USCOMM-DC 603764 59 0.5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1959 0-366-31,

Claims

1. An apparatus for automatically filling containers with viscous material which is supplied from a discharge chute, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a valve assembly means adapted to be mounted to the discharge chute, said valve assembly means including a discharge port, associated viscous material flow directing means which directs said viscous material on said chute for discharge through said discharge port, and valve means for opening and closing said discharge port; a container filling station positionable for receiving the flow of viscous material from said discharge port; container transporting means for supplying containers to be filled to said container filling station; sensing means operatively connected to said container filling station for detecting when a predetermined quantity of viscous material has been received in a container being supplied with said viscous materials at said container filling station, and control means responsive to said sensing means for controlling the operation of said valve means and container transporting means.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said valve assembly means is adapted to be detachably mounted to the materials discharge chute.

12. An apparatus for automatically filling containers with viscous material which is supplied from a discharge chute, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a valve assembly means adapted to be detachably mounted to the discharge chute, said valve assembly means including a discharge port, associated viscous material flow directing means which directs said viscous material on said chute for discharge through said discharge port, and valve means for opening and closing said discharge port; a container transporting and weighing table; a container filling station located on said table for receiving the flow of viscous material from said discharge port; container transporting means on said table for supplying containers to be filled to said container filling station and for removing said containers after they have been filled from said container filling station; weight detection means mounted on saId table and operatively connected to said container filling station for detecting when a predetermined quantity of viscous material has been received in a container being filled; and control means responsive to said weight detection means for controlling said valve means and for operating said container transporting means to deliver unfilled containers to said container filling station and removing containers therefrom after a predetermined quantity of viscous material has been collected therein.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said control means delays operation of the container transporting means after responding to the weight detecting means for a period of time sufficient to allow any viscous material adhering to the discharge port of said valve assembly means to drain into the container positioned in said container filling station.

17. An apparatus a defined in claim 12 wherein locating guides are mounted to said container table for facilitating alignment of said container filling station with the discharge port of said valve assembly means.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said valve means, weight detection means and control means are electrically operated, said weight detection means including a normally open weight sensitive switch, said control means including a control relay having first and second contact switches, said first contact switch being normally closed and in series with said valve means, said second contact switch being normally open and in series with a time delay circuit, said normally open weight sensitive switch being arranged to close when a predetermined quantity of viscous material has been received in a first container positioned at said container filling station; said weight sensitive switch upon closing activating said control relay to open said first contact switch and close said second contact switch, whereby, current flow to said valve means is interrupted and current flow is initiated to said time delay circuit which, after a predetermined time interval, actuates said container transporting means to remove said first container from said container filling station and move a second container thereto, which predetermined interval permits any viscous material adhering to said valve assembly means to drain into said first container prior to its removal from said container filling station.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said container transporting means includes an electric motor, said time delay circuit including a time delay relay in series with said second contact switch, a time delay contact switch being normally open and in series with said electric motor, said time delay relay being energized by the closing of said second switch and operating to close said time delay contact switch after said predetermined time interval to permit the flow of current to said electric motor and activate said container transporting means, an indexing switch operatively associated with said container transporting means, said indexing switch being arranged to close when said container transporting means has advanced said second container into said container filling station, a motor deactivating relay in series with said indexing switch, said motor deactivating relay including a normally closed motor control switch in series with said electric motor, said indexing switch upon being closed energizing said motor deactivating relay to open said motor control switch and interrupt the flow of current to said motor.

20. An apparatus for automAtically filling containers with viscous material such as ink which is supplied from the mill apron of a roll-type dispersion mill, said apparatus comprising, in combination; an apron valve assembly means adapted to be detachably mounted to said mill apron, said apron valve assembly means including a discharge port, associated viscous material flow directing means which directs viscous material on said mill apron through said discharge port, and valve means for opening and closing said discharge port; a container transporting, weighing and control table; a container filling station located on said table for receiving the flow of viscous material from said discharge port; container transporting means mounted on said table for supplying containers to be filled to said container filling station and for removing said containers after they have been filled from said container filling station; weight detecting means mounted on said table and operatively connected to said container filling station for detecting when a predetermined quantity of viscous material has been received in the container which is being supplied with said viscous material at said container filling station; and, control means responsive to said weight detecting means for controlling the operation of said valve means and container transporting means, said control means being adapted to delay operation of said container transporting means after responding to said weight detecting means for a period of time sufficient to allow any viscous materials adhering to the discharge port of said apron valve assembly means to drain into the container positioned at said container filling station.

24. An apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said container transporting means is adapted to receive a predetermined number of containers which travel through said container filling station in a continuous and closed path, and which further includes filled can detector means immediately upstream of said container filling station to detect the presence of a previously filled container.

26. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said valve means, weight detecting means and control means are electrically operated, said weight detecting means including a normally open weight sensitive switch, said control means including a control relay having first and second contact switches, said first contact switch being normally closed and in series with said valve means, said second contact switch being normally open and in series with a time delay circuit, said normally open weight sensitive switch being arranged to close when a predetermined quantity of viscous material has been received in a first container positioned at said container filling station, said weight sensitive switch upon closing activating said control relay to open said first contact switch and close said second contact switch, whereby, current flow to said valve means is interrupted and current flow is intitated to said time delay circuit which, after a predetermined time interval, actuates said container transporting means to remove said first container from said container filling station and move a second container thereto, which predetermined interval permits any viscous material adhering to said valve assembly means to drain into said first container prior to its removal from said container filling station.