Patent GB-448797-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to machines for weighing and sorting filled cans
IPC: B07C5/24
Filed: 1934-12-14
Abstract: 448,797. Sorting by weighing. FARRER, J. O., 27, Chancery Lane, London.-(Continental Can Co., Inc. ; 100, East 42nd Street, New York, U.S.A.) Dec. 14, 1934, No. 35974. [Class 143] Relates to a weighing and sorting machine for filled cans wherein a series of weighing scales are moved in a continuous path and are prevented from oscillating whilst passing the loading station by a track which temporarily diverges into normal and underweight tracks having inclined entries co-operating with wedgeshaped directors on the ends of the scale beams. The invention consists in locating a yieldinglymounted diverting roller at the entry ends of the tracks to cooperate with the wedge-shaped directors and deflect the scale beams into the appropriate tracks. As embodied in a machine for separating overweight, normal and underweights cans, the cans C from a filling machine are fed to the weighing and sorting machine frictionally by means of a chain 6 and are spaced by a screw 7 which delivers them singly to a rotating feed wheel 18. The feed wheel pushes the cans along, and over the edge of, a stationary support 100 so that they are received upon the pans of the weighing scales detachably carried on a rotating turret 57, the pans passing successively beneath the stationary support 100. As the cans are carried round, a yielding presser member 106 pushes them into correct position on the scale pans. During the loading and unloading of the pans the scale beams are positively held from vertical movement by the engagement of the inner ends of the beams with circular grooves or tracks formed in a drum secured to the central column of the machine. The track widens out to allow freedom of movement of the scale beams at the weight testing position after which the track divides into three tracks 112, 115, 114, Fig. 9a, along one of which the wedge-shaped end 50 of the scale beam passes according as the weight of the can is above, equal to, or below a predetermined weight. Whilst the scale beam is held by the tracks 112, 115, 114, against vertical movement, the cans are removed from the scale pans at the discharging station of the machine. As the end 50 of the beam is approaching the tracks 112, 115, 114, it brushes past a yieldingly-mounted roller 116, grooved and bevelled as shown, so as to direct the end of the beam to the appropriate track. The beam is restored to mid-position by sloping surfaces 127, 128. Spring-pressed and grooved brake blocks 171, 172 apply friction to the beam end as described in Specification 448,834 to steady the downward impetus resulting from the absence of the can. At the discharging station, owing to the restraint of the tracks 112, 115, 114, the scale pans are maintained at different heights and the cans are pushed off the pans into three grade channels, viz. overweight, normal and underweight, by horizontal stationary plates arranged in step-like formation. Feed chains arranged in the floors of the channels carry the cans forward along a table where operators remove or add material to the inaccurate cans. The cans are then carried further forward and their guide channels converge into a single channel leading to a clinching machine. If it is desired to render the weighing and sorting machine inoperative without interfering with the operation of the filling machine and the clincher, the spacing screw 7 and the feed wheel 18 are removed and a curved deflector 20a is swung upwards to allow the cans to proceed straight forward.