Patent GB-1332703-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for metering and distributing liquid and paste-like substances
IPC: G01F11/02
Filed: 1970-11-16
Abstract: 1332703 Dispensing liquid or paste-like substances into containers INTERGAN SA 16 Nov 1970 [24 Nov 1969] 54436/70 Heading B8C [Also in Division Fl]  Apparatus for dispensing liquid or paste-like substances into containers 81 and for use with a packing machine which may comprise a station where the containers are formed, a station at which the containers are filled, and a container closing and sealing station, comprises a plurality of metering units 9, each unit having a metering chamber 17 defined in part by a flexible diaphragm 13 secured at its periphery to the wall of the unit, a reciprocable plunger 15, an inlet 11 connected to a common supply pipe 12, and an outlet 52 connected via a flexible pipe 53 to a respective distributing means 19. Each distributing means comprises a chamber 54 and one or more outlet pipes 56 (two as shown) extending from the chamber. The upper end of the or each pipe constitutes a seat for a diaphragm 57a of a pneumatically operated diaphragm valve. All the distributing means are mounted in a single distributing head 55. A pneumatically operated diaphragm valve 14 comprising a diaphragm 14c and a seat 14b is located between the chamber 17 and inlet 11 of each metering unit. The volume of a substance dispensed by a unit can be varied by adjustment of a sleeve 31 screw threadedly engaged in a bore 28 of a support bar 24 and/or by adjustment of a stop screw 32. When the plungers 15 are each performing a dispensing stroke, the distributing head is raised so that pipes 56 rise with the level in the containers. The dispensing stroke of each plunger is effected by a drive bar 36 connected at its ends to rotatable discs 46 via eccentric lugs 47 which are mounted on slides 49 adjustable in diametric grooves 50 in the discs 46 to provide for adjust ment of the motion of the drive bar. The discs 46 are mounted on shafts 43, 44 driven in usinon by a double-acting ram 37 via an endless chain 40 and sprockets 41, 42. A further shaft 73 on which is mounted a disc 76 is driven via a chain 71 and sprockets 70, 72. The disc 76 has a diametric groove in which is received an adjustable slide 82 carrying a roller 77 which can engage a bar 78 rigidly secured to posts 61, 62 carrying the distributing head 55. An auxiliary pneumatic ram 68 is provided for retaining the head in its raised position and for effecting a rapid downward movement of the head. The substance supplied via pipe 12 is preferably pressurized, also a vacuum can be applied to the space 18 in each unit above the plunger 15 via a conduit 22 either to effect or to assist in filling the chamber.  During discharge, valve 14 is closed by pressure air supplied to chamber 14a and valves 57 are open. During filling of the chambers 17, the valves 14 are open and the valves 57 are closed, and the distributing head 55 is retained in its upper position by the ram 68 whilst roller 77 is moved to its lowest position. If filling is effected only by suction applied via conduit 22, a vacuum must be applied to valve chamber 14a, and preferably conduit 22 and chamber 14a, are interconnected. Alternatively if filling is effected by pressurizing the substance, chamber 14a is connected to atmosphere.  The ram 37 may be replaced by an electric motor effecting reciprocation of a block 87 connected to the chain 40 via a crank rod arrangement. The ram 68 may be omitted, and in this case the disc 76 has a cam (96) (Fig. 5, not shown) therein for raising the head 55. A catch (91) retains the head in its upper position and this catch is released just before the drive bar 36 reaches its upper position by a switch actuated by the bar and causing energization of a coil (95) of an electromagnet. The catch (91) constitutes the core of the electromagnet.  The ram 37 may be replaced by a rotary motor (100) (Figs. 6 and 7, not shown) driving the shaft 43 via meshing sprockets (101, 102). In a further arrangement the shafts 43, 44 and 73 can be rotated by part of the packing machine with which the illustrated apparatus is associated.