US574444A - Can-filling machine - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) ev SheetsSheet "1;- W. E. NIOKERSON. CAN FILLING MACHINEa Patented Jan. 5

jazz-MM @34 W13. NI'GKBRSONL- 6 Sheets-Sheet 2.

, (No Model.)

CAN FILLING MAGHINE.

Patented Jafif5, 1897..

(No Model.) H 6 8heets-Sheet4.

' W, E. NIOKERSON. CAN FILLING MAQHIN'E.

Patented Jan. 5, 1897.

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

' W. E. NIOKERSON.

GAN FILLING MA GHINE. No. 574,444. V Patented Jan. 5,1897.

(No Model.) 4 6 SheLs-Sheet 6 W. E. NIOKERSON.

CAN FILLING MAGHINE.

No. 574,444. Patent ed Jan. 5, 1897.

\llllllll-ll Ill-Hill I WITIJEESEE I v V lpk/EPTEJR WW I @544 WWW a ping device.

:lTED STATE PATENT O FICE.

Wi I-AM .EMERY NICKEEtSOMOF CAMBRIDGE, \MASSACHUSE'ITS', ssienon 'ro THE NEW ENGLAND wmenme MACHINE COMPANY, or (BOSTON,

MASSACHUSETTS.

FOAM-FILLING MACHINE.

SFECIFICA TIO N forming part of Letters Patent No. 574,444, dated January 5, 1897.

Application filed-lprill6,1896. Serial renames.- Nomodelu It is especially adapted to operate in connec .tion with automatic weighing-inachines, and

is hereinafter fully set forth and described. My invention is illustrated in theaccompai5 nying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a general view, in front elcva tion, of a weighing-machine, and in connec tlon therewith my novel apparatus, exceptinga'part consisting of a can-delivering chute or raceway, which if shown-in position in this view vould obscure other parts, said raceway beingshown in Fig. 1? and also in plan in Figs.

2, 2, and 2. Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a raceway which serves to deliver empty cans :5- to a rotating table. Fig. 1" is a perspective view of a pair of friction driving-disks. Fig. 2 is a plan'ofa portion of my apparatus, in-

cluding a rotating table, traveling aprons,

rapping device, and can-delivering chute or raceway. -Fig. 2 is a detail explanatory of theaetion of the dclivering'ehute or raceway. Fig. ,2 is also a detail pertaining to the same subject-matter as Fig. 2. Fig. 3 represents, partly in side elevation and partly in vertical beams and 'alatch device. Fig. 3 shows, partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section, a portion of Fig. 3,,bntwith a canholding beam ,in the position which'it tends 4c'to take when holding a filled can.

shows, partly in front elevation and partly in vertical section, traveling aprons or conveyers and other parts, including a device for tightening one of the aprons and also a rap- Fig. dis a View, partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section, of the matterdisclosedin Fig.4. Fig.6shows, partly in front elevation and partly in vertical section, driving and tightening gear for the main 5o travelingapron. Fig.7shows diagrammatic- .35 section, a'rotating table having can-holding Fig. 4

part.

ally in plan the mode of operation-oi apart of theapparatus. Fig.8issup'plementarytoFig, 7 showing the parts in another position.v .Fig. 9 is also supplementary toFig. 7 in the same manner as Fig. 8. Fig. ld-is a view in side elevation (agreeing with Fig. 7 of a device for stopping the .weighingmachine if cans are not properly presented, a portion of the rotating table with can-holding beams being shown -'at the lower part of the figure and a feeding 6o device for the weighing-machine at the upper Fig. 11 represents a part of the mechan ism shown in Fig. 10in a diilercntposition-- viz., with a can missing from a can-holding beam-,and agrees with Fig. 9. Fig. 12 is an. enlarged view, in side elevation, of apart of the mechanism shown in Fig. 10, and especiallyshows a clutch mechanism and clutch latch.

weighing-machine in case the jeans or other receptacles are not regularly presented, and, further, when desired, to enable multiples of the weightdelivered by each discharge'of the weighing-machine to beiutroduced into each can. l I shall use, for the sake of convenience, the word can as representing any sort of package or receptacle to he filled, including bags in so pporting-f'ra mes, boxes of wood or paste board, bottles,-1or jars. go

I In the drawings, M, Fig. 1, represents a weigh ingmachine adapted to discharge at intervals uniform weights of material. As the construction of this machine is not involved in this application, and since themachine 5 itself is simply introduced in order to disclose a complete working system, a detailed description of it will not be necessary.

N is afeeding device consisting principally of a hopper, independently-driven feedingzoo set-screws.

wheel, and a spent and is adaptedto deliver into the \veighing-niachine the last portion of each charge of material in a uniform stream.

The case N contains a mechanism not concerned inthis description, which supplies to the weighing-machine that part of the load not furnished by the feeding device N. r

The specific construction of the weighingmachinc H and feeding devices X and N forms the subject-matter of previous patents and applications.

T is a rotating table, Figs. 1, :2. and 3, moitnted upon a vertical spindle T and is supported by the pedestal T The height of the table is adjusted by means of the pivotscrew i located in the base of the pedestal. Upon thc table are mounted a number of pivoled can-holding beams B B. These beams oscillate at b 1) upon supports attached to the top of the table, as shown, and carry near their inner ends the weights B 13, adapted to slide along the inner part of the beams for the purpose of adjustment and to be held at any desired point by set screws The inner ends of the beams project slightly under the cap-piece T, which prevents them from risingv beyond alimited distance. I The outer ends of the beams are bifurcated or otherwise adapt'ed to receive and hold the cans into which is to be introduced a weighed charge of material from the weighing-machine. The relation of the weights'to the filled and empty cans upon the beams is such thatwvhen an empty can is on the beam the weight prepondcrates, but when the charge is introduced into the can the weight is lifted and the can and'th'e outer end of the beam become depressed.

The beams B B are provided with the vertical standards B 15 which serve to support the funnels B B by means of the holders B B, said holders being adjustably mounted upon the standards and secured thereto by The table is also provided with a series of stop-pieces L L, one for each arm, and with a latch L, mounted upon the bracket L and adapted to engage with the stop-pieces L L in succession, thus preventing the table from rotating until its disengagement, and then only allowing a movement from one stoppiece to the succeeding one. The beams B B are further provided with the drop-pieces B B, which upon the depression of the outer ends o'fzihe beams respectively come in contact. with the latch L, forcingit down ward and disengagin9, it from the respect ive stop-piece; (see Fig. 3%) thus allowing the table to rotate until the latch comes in contact with the next stop piece in succession. The table '1 is caused to rotate in the direction of the arrow, whenever the latch L is disengaged, by means of a pair of friction-disks, the upper one of which, D, is driven by the belt D and rests upon its complementarydisk D, thelattcr being rigidly attached to its shaft. These disks .are mounted upon the vertical shaft Dfiwhich is secured at its lower end in the cap-piece T" and at its upper end by a suitable housing. (Not shown.)

The table '1. is so placed with reference to the discharge-orifice m (see Figs. 1 and 2) of the weighing-machine that when one of the stoppicees L L is in engagement with the latch L one of the funnels B B, with its corresponding can and arm, is directly beneath said orifice, and that upon a discharge of the weighing-machine the material will fall into the can.

Suitably located with reference to the table T is a main conveying belt or traveling apron A, adapted to transport the filled cans or packages to such places as are required for labeling or other operations.

S is a supplementary conveying belt or apron next to and extendingfor a limited distance parallel with the main apron A. This supplementary apron is used when morethan one weighlug-machine is to be operated in connection with the main apron A. By the use of this supplemcntz'u'y apron witheach Weighing-machine and rotating table the cans from a number of such machines may be conveyed upon the main apron without interference with each other.

'When one weighing-n1achine only is employed, the supplementary apron may be dispensed with and the cans received directly upon the end of the main apronin the same manner in which they are shown as entering upon the supplementary apron.

.The rollers upon which the main apron A travels are supported by a framework A, of wood or other suitable material, supported upon the legs A and having the portion A offset, as shown, for the accommodation of the supplementary apron S.

The supplementary apron S is driven by the main apron A in the manner shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The under or return pait of the main apron runs over the rollers (H1 (showri causing sufficient friction upon the rollerss 3, around which the supplementary apron runs, to cause them to turn, and thus drive the supplementary apron. Tension is maintained on the supplementary apron by means of't'he tighteningrollers s s, mounted upon the frame 5 said. frame beingbalanced upon the arm The ti gh tening-rollers s s arepressed against the under side of the supplementary apron S by means of the weight 3 and c0- operate with the roller o to take up the slack.

The main apron is driven by the mechanismdisclosed in Fig. 1 and enlarged and shown partly in section in Fig. 6.

G isadrivingalrum mounted upon the shaft 9, said shaft also carrying the gear-wheel g. The secondary shaft g is provided with the pinion g engaging with the said gear-wheel g, and also with the pulley'q and the small secondary roller or drum G.

H is a swinging frame pivoted at h and provided with a weight 71 This frame H carries the ti ghtening-roller II. The apron A by dotted lines) and under the rollers 33,

idler roller (1 574,444 n pl 3 passes around the drum G and over the small dll m' G, (whereby it is doubly driven',) then under the tightening-roller II and over the tion,-whcreby it exerts a strong pulling forceupon the apron'after it has passed round the drum G, causing the latter to drive thereby with great power. The tightening-roller II serves to take up the stretch of the apron A and to maintain an even tension thereon,

' The empty'cans are delivered to the table bymeans of the inclined chute or raceway (See Figs. 1, 2, and 2".) The 'row of cans uponthe raceway, by their tendency to slide downward, serve to force the last or lowest can of the row upon one of the beamsB B whenever such beam is presentedempty at the foot of the raceway. The raceway is made preferably curved at the lower end, so as to bring the lowest can into a nearly upright position. If there is a can on the beam presentcd, the. downward movement of the row of cans on the raceway is checked by it, nor is there space for a can to enter between any two of the beams 13' l3,'a.nd as the table ro-. tates the ends of the beams hold back the.

cans un til an empty beam is presented, whereuponthe next and lowest can is forced into it (See Figs. 2, 2, and 2 The frameworkAfis provided with a sheararm K, which serves to move filled cans ed the beams B 13 to the apron S upon a movement of the table. This framework is also prc vided with an inclined arm 0, Fig. 2, which serves, upon a movement of the table, to succc-ssivel y elevate the outer ends of the beams ll 13 after they have been depressed by receivi ng a discharge from the weighing-machine and preparatory to movingthe filled cans off the beams to the apron.

Housed .in a supporting-piece I (see Figs. 2, l, and 5) is .a vertical spindle r; This spindle has rigidly. attached to it a pulley r and mounted upon it and attached to a long sleeve 2' is apulley 2:", which with its sleeve 0' is free to turn upon the spindle.

just been filled with material, thereby shak-' ingdown' (n-settling the eharge,'in order that .it'may not bespilled 'upon the movement of theeans oil? the beams ll ll to the apron S.

The rapping device is'full'y operative if only one of the hubs with flexible spokes is used,

The circumference of the- The small d ru m is preferably, how-- the table.

Upon the upper end of the spindle r is'mou'nted a hub.

but two hubs withopposite motions are more,

effective; a

Sincea-dischargei of material into a can causes the depression of the corresponding beam of thcsc-ries B ll and thereby the releasement of the latch L; and consequent movementof thetab'le T, whereby an empty can is again brought under the discharge-orifice m of the weighing machine, and since if such empty canwas not 'present'edto the 'ori'-' fice the table would not move and the-weighing-machine would continue upon the iloor, I have provided a safety mechanism which, in case any armas it approachesthe posit-ion under the weighing machinejs not provided witha can, will shut off the feeding device of the weighing machine. This safety device is shown in Figs. 1, 1O, 11,

illustrated in Figs. 7,, 8, and J. v s

C isa bent arm pivoted upon a supportat O and carrying upon its lower end the curved piece 0, which I-will call a shoe. .The bent arm 0' is provided atits upper extremity-with the weight G which tends to make its lowerend carrying the shoe swing outward -.0r

todischarge and 12; and its action isdiagrammatically toward the table T. v The shoe 0 is'adapted to press against and slide along. the sides of the cans which are upon the I on the movement of the table, they pass by it. This shoeis of such length approximately as to reach fromthe center of ohe can to that of the next, and, when all the beams arejfnll,

is prevented by the cans from swinging toward the cans well back into their proper positions on the beams it any have not been so placed, If, however, one or more cans are missin from the beams, there is then no hindrance to the movement of the shoe, and impelled by the weight C? it will move toward the table when such empty beams pass by it.

Mounted upon'the shaft 0 of the feeding device. N, Fig. 12, are the loose pulley c and.

thesliding cl [itch-piece c. The pulley 0 turns freely upon the shaftc when notin engagcincnt with the clutch-piece c. The clutchpiece 0 can 'slide a limited distance upont-he.

shaft butis made to rotate with itby means .0"? c fixed in the clutch-piece c, to cause the shaft (1 to be driven whenever the clutch-piece is moved toward the pulley c. 'Pivoted upon the frame of the feeding device at a is the clutch-arm c, the upper end of which is bifurcated at 'c in order to engage with the clutch-piecev c andis adapted to move the. clutchr-piccealong the shaft 0 as required.

The clutch-arm is bent at its lower end 0 so as to project-between the spokes of the wheel '0' and securely lock it when the clutch' o is out of engagement with the pulley c, in orderthat the feeding device N may not'be started ICC It also serves incidentally to push v by any possible sticking of the loose pulley 0 upon its shaftc' The clutch-latch c pivoted at c serves when in engagement with the clutch-arm 0'' (see Fig. 10 and dotted lines in Fig. 12) to hold the 'clutclnpiece c in engagement with the pulley c. The clutch-latch c is forced outo'f engagement with the clutcharm 0 (seewholelines, Fig. 12) by the rod 6, which is connected with the guiding-arm C pivoted at (3, and with the rod C", the latter being attached at 0* to the arm 0' before described.

In the plan shown in Fig. 2 some of the funnels B B' are left out in order to better dis close some ofthe parts located underneath them,

Starting with the raceway filled with cans and with such of the beams B13 as may be necessary, each holding a can, the operation of theapparatus :is as follows: Upon a discharge of the weighing-machine into the can which is under the discharge-orifice m the outer end of the corresponding beam is depressed and its weight raised until the movement is checked by the contact of the inner end of the beam with the cap-piece T This movement of the beam causes, through its drop-piece 13, the disengagement of the latch L from the respective stop-piece L. The table '1 is now free to rotate, through the action of the friction-disks D and D and vertical shaft D until the stop-piece corresponding'to the succeeding beam comes in contact with the latch L, whereupon the table again comes to rest, having advanced the distance between two beams and having brought another empty can into position under the discharge-orifice m of the weighingonachine. During this move ment the following operations have taken place: First, by the pressure of the row of cans in the raceway E a can has been introduced into the empty beam which was presented at the foot of the raceway; second, the can just filled has been brought within striking distance of the rapping device RR, &c., where by the charge is soon settled or shaken down in the can, and the beam holding the afore; said can has, by sliding up-the inclined arrn 0, Fig. 2, beenelevated to the position in relation to the table which it had occupied be-- fore its can was tilled, and the can (shown at :n, Fig. 2) is now ready to be moved upon the apron S; third, the can which hadvbeen filled immediately previous to the movement of the table justidescribed has been moved off its beamand upon the'apron S through the action of the shear-arm K and occupies the position shown at y, Fig. 2. At each successive movement of the table T these operations are repeated, that is, a' can is taken on from the racewayE, an empty one brought under the weighingmachine, the charge in the one previously filled is shaken down, and the immediate predecessor of the last mentioned is moved oif its beam and placed upon the apron S. v After a can has been moved upon the supplementary apron S it travels with it until itstrikes the shearpicce l, which causes it with a turning and laterally-sliding motion to move across upon the main apron A, as shown in Fig. By means of the main apron A the can may be transported to any distance from the weighing apparatus.

In the event that the supply of cans is interrupted, or it one or more are for some cause missing from their rcspectire beams l3 13, the supply of material will be shut oil? from the wcighing-machine in the following manner: \Vhcn a beam holding no can comes opposite the shoe (3, the bent arm 0 is allowed to swing toward the table (see Figs. El and 11) through the action of the weight C, and this increment, acting through the rods and C, causes the clutch-latch c to be moved out of engagen'ient with the clutcharm 0 and the latter by its gravity slides the clutch-piece 0 out of engagement with the pulley 0'', thereby stopping the feeding device, looking the 'wheel c as described, and preventing the weighing-machine thereby from discharging material upon the floor.

By means of the adjustable weights 13"l3' the arms B B may be so balanced as not to be moved by one discharge of the weighingmachine, but only upon the second discharge thereof into the same can, or only by the third discharge, and so On, whereby multiples of the quantity discharged by the weighing-ma chine may be introduced into one package. By this means a machine whose capacity is one pound may be used in putting up packages of two or three or more pounds.

Myinvention consists, chiefly, of the following: A rotating table having pivot-ed beams adapted tosupport cans, and having a latch device adapted tostop the rotation of the table as each successive beam comes into position and to be released by such beam upon a discharge of material from a weighing-machine into the corresponding can, and having means for causing rotation upon the release of the lat-ch device until stopped by the next successive engagement of the latch; a rotating table having pivoted beams adapted to support cans, and having a latch device adapted to be released by it movement of each beam in due order, said movement being caused by two or more discharges of material into the corresponding can, and having means for causing rotation except when held by the latch device; a rota ting table having pivoted beams adapted tosupport cans, and having a latch device adapted to be released by a movement of each of the beams in due order, caused by a discharge of material into the'corresponding can, and having means forcausing rotation excepting when held by the latch de-- vice,-said table operating in connection with an inclined raceway, whereby an empty can is supplied toeach beam as'it is presented empty at the foot of the raceway; a rapping device consisting of rotating hubs with flexible'spokes so located as to strike the filled cans and shake down the material therein;

a rotating table having pivoted beams adapted tosnpport cans, and having a latch device adapted to be released by a depressionof one of-the arms caused'by a discharge of material into the corrospondi n g can and having in cans "-for causing rotation excepting when held by 'nection. with one main-apron; a suppleme'n tary apron operating in connection with a the machine, maybe introduced main apron, the supplementary apron being driven, by the under or return side of the main apron, the latter being forced against the driving-rollers of the supplementary apron; a rotating table for conveying cans to and from a weighing-machine, the tablebeing r"- tated by friction-disks, as described; a novel tightening device fora traveling supplement-ary apron; a rapping device consisting of two hubs havingflex'ible spokes, the hubs rotating in opposite directions, as described.

I claim-e 1. In a mechanism for filling cans, and adapted to operate in connection with a weighin g-machine; the combination of the rotating table '1, the pivoted can-holding beams B B; said table having a latch device adapted to. be released by a movement of one of said beams,

caused by a dischargeof the weighing-machine; and means for causing the table to rotate upon the disengagement of the said latch, substantially as and for the purpose set'forth.

2. In a mechanism for. filling cans, and adapted to operate in connection with a weighing-machine; the combination of the rotating table T, the pivoted can-holding beams 13 B, said beams being so adjusted as to require two or more discharges of the weighing-machine into their respective cans to move them, a latch device adapted to be released by a movement of the beams -in due order, and

meansfor causing the table to rotate upon the disengagement of the latch device; whereby multiples of the quantity discharged by into a can, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a mechanism for filling cans, and adapted .to operate in'connection with aweighing-machine; thecombination of the rotating table '1, the pivoted can-holding beams B B, a latch device vadapted to be released by av movement of the said beams-in due order,

, means for causing the table to rotate upon the disengagement ofthe said latch, and the ,in-'

clined race-way E, whereby cans may be successively and automatically placed 'upon the beams and presented under thedischarge-orifice ofthe weighing-machine,;substantiail'y as .andfor the purpose set forth.

4. In a' mechanism for filling cans, andadapted to operate in connection with a weighing-maohine; the combination of the rotating table T, the pivoted can-holding beams I; B, the shoe 0, said shoe being adapted to perform a movement it one or more of the cans are missing from the table, the loose pulley e,

. for the purpose set forth.

"5, In-a mechanism for filling cans, and

adapted to operate in connection with a weighing-machine; a rapping device, consisting of a rotating hub having flexible spokes, adapted to strike the filled cans, whereby the charge is shaken down in the can and spilling prevented, and means for conveying cans to and from the discharge-orifice of said weighing-- machine, substantially as and for the purpose Set forth.

6. In a mechanism for filling cans and adapted to operatein connection with a weighing-machine; the combination of the rotating table '1, the pivoted can-holding beams B B adapted to be depressed at their outer ends by holding filled cans, a latch device adapted to be released by the depression of the said beams 'in due order, the traveling apron S, means for causing the table to rotate upon the disengagement of the said latch, and the inclined arm 0, said arm being adapted to raise the depressed pivoted can-holding beams upon the rotation of the table, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In a mechanism for filling cans and adapted to operate incon'nection with a weiglring-machine; in combination, the rotating table T adapted to present cans successively to the weighing-machine for filling, the main traveling apron A, the short supplementary traveling apron S, adapted to receive cans from the table T. and deliver them to the said main apron A, and means for transferring the cans from the table Tto the apron S, and from the apron S to the apron A, whereby the Came from several weighing-machinesjmay be delivered toone main apron without interfering' with each other, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. r

In .a mechanism for filling cans, and adapted to operate in connection with a weighing-machine, the main apron A, the short supplementary apron S adapted to receive filled cans from a weighing apparatus, and means for transferring said cans across from the said short'supplementary apron tothe main apron,

whereby, by using a, short supplementarytoo IOF

apron with each weighing-machine, the cans from several weighing-machines may be de- Iivered to one main apron without interfering with each other, substantially asandfo'r the purpose set forth.

'9. In a mechanism for filling cans, and adapted to operate in connection with a weighing-machine in combination, themain'apron A, the supplementary apron S, the rollers a, a,

10. In a mechanism for lilling cans and adapted to operate in connection with a weighing-machine; in combination, the rotating table '1 adapted to convey cans to and from the -discharge-oriiice of said weighing-machinc,

said table being provided with a latch device adapted to be released by the filling of a can presented to saidweighing-machine and when not so released to prevent the'rotation of said table, the verticalshatt'D the friction-disk I) fixed to the Mid shaft, the loose'disk I) resting upon the said disk D, and means for the continuous rotation of the said disk 1), whereby tlie filling of a can presented to the weighingnnachi'ne allows the table to rotate and an empty can to be presented, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

- 11. In a'mechanisin for filling cans and adapted to operate in connection with a weigh: in gmaeliiue'; in combination, the rotating table '1, the" pivoted can-holding beams B B, thefunnels B B said funnels being mounted upon said beams by suitable mechanism and adapted to transmit material into cans placed beneath them upon said beams, said table being provided withfa latch device adapted to be disengaged whenever a can presented by said table to the'weighing-machine has been filled, and means for rotating said table upon the disengagement of said latch device, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

12. In a mechanism for filling cans and adapted to operate in connection with a weighing-machine; in combination, the apron S, the rollers s 8 adapted to support and drive the said apron one at each end substantially as described, the rollers s s mounted in the frame :5 and bearing upon the under or return part of the apron Sand in opposition to the roller (6 the rollerafi, the frame .5 adapted to adj ust-abl y support the rollers s s, the pivoted arm 5 adapted to carry the frame 5* in opposition to the weight 5, and the weight 5, whereby tension is maintained on the said apron S, substantially as and for the purpose set forth 13. In a mechanism for filling cans and adapted to operate in connection with a weigh lug-machine; in combination, the rotating hub R having the flexible spokes R R, the spindle 7" adapted to support the hubR, and

the pulley r fixed upon and adapted to drive the said spindle 1' with the hub It having the'flexible spokes R" It, and mounted upon the loose sleeve 1- the sleeve 1' rotating upon the spindle 1', the pulley 'r fixed upon the sleeve 9" and a suitable supporting-frame,

whereby the said hubs R and R" may be rotated in directions opposite to each other, sul stantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence oi. two subscribing witnesses, on this 15th day of April, A. l). n90.

WILLIAM EMERY XICKERSON. Wit-n esses:

FRANK G, PARKEk, WILLIAM H. PARRY.

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