Patent GB-1397190-A (GB)
Title: Weighing dispenser
IPC: G01G19/24
Filed: 1973-05-18
Abstract: 1397190 Dispensing apparatus R L WEBER 18 May 1973 [18 May 1972] 23824/73 Heading G1W An apparatus for dispensing coffee into a cup comprises a weighpan which is retained in a material receiving position by the attraction of magnetic elements set an adjustable distance apart. In the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 4, a weighbeam 40 pivoted at 41 is provided with a weighpan 44 and a counterweight 50. Coffee is stored in a hopper 14 having an outlet 15 closed by a shutter 20 pivotally mounted by links 22. The shutter may be moved to open outlet 15 by means of a lever 23, and may be retained in the open position by a latch 30 which engages an opening 34 in the shutter. The shutter is such that it moves to the closed position under gravity, and the latch 30 is pivoted such that it moves to the unlatched position under gravity. Magnetic elements 58 and 57 are provided on the weighpan and latch, element 57 being adjustable in position. After a weighing, counterweight 50 rotates the lever 40 until it is held in the position shown by elements 57, 58. To weigh a quantity of coffee, cup K pushes a rod 2 upwardly, and rod 2 pushes lever 23 to the position where shutter 20 opens outlet 15. Latch 30 is biased clockwise by magnetic elements 57, 58 and engages opening 34 in shutter 20 to latch the shutter in its open position. When the weight of coffee is sufficient to overcome the force of attraction between elements 57, 58, the beam 40 pivots clockwise to dispense the coffee, and the consequent removal of the magnetic force on element 57 allows latch 30 to release shutter 20 which then closes aperture 15. A roller 52 is mounted on a crank and engages surface 49 of beam 40. During counter-clockwise rotation of the beam, the roller 52 is pressed against surface 49 and rotated thereby. The roller 52 carries vanes 54, and the movement of the beam is clamped thereby. Rod 2 is shaped and dimensioned such that it moves past the end of lever 23, which is resilient, when rod 2 is pushed upwards to start a weighing and again when it is allowed to drop at the end of a weighing. A dashpot 68 inhibits upward movement of rod 2. The sides of the weighpan may slope downwardly at an angle of 3 to 10 degrees. In the embodiment of Fig. 9, the weighbeam 77 is counterbalanced by a pair of weights 80b mounted on arms 80a. Springs 81a prevent excessive movement of the beam after a weighing. The outlet 74 of the  hopper 72 is covered by a plate 82 slidable in rollers 84 and biased to the left by springs 88. When the plate is moved to the right, an aperture 86 in the plate allows coffee to be discharged on to the weighpan, and a latch 90 engages aperture 94 to latch the plate in the open position. Magnetic elements 98, 99 maintain the pan in the horizontal position and the latch in the latching position. To commence a weighing, a cup pushes rod 108 upwardly, and a cam portion 107 pushes the plate 82 to the right by means of a cam follower roller 105 mounted on a frame 103 pivoted to the plate 82 and biased lightly in a clockwise direction by spring 104. In the weighing position, roller 105 is situated below the crest of portion 107 and when plate 82 is released by latch 90, roller 105 moves down portion 107 by pivoting of frame 103. On release of rod 108, portion 107 passes roller 105 by pivoting of frame 103 to the position 103'. As in Fig. 1, weighing is terminated when the weighbeam 77 pivots clockwise and allows latch 90 to move under gravity to unlatch plate 82. Movement of rod 108 upwardly operates a tamping device 114 or may operate a fluffing device Fig. 17 (not shown). In a modification of Fig. 9, Fig. 16 (not shown) cam portion 107 is shaped so that roller 105 does not pass the crest of the cam portion and coffee is dispensed through opening 74 as long as rod 108 is maintained in the raised position. The magnetic elements may be magnets, electromagnets or armatures.