Weighing and Package Filling Machine.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Mar., 1896-Accepted, 23rd May, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Weighing and Package Filling Machine.
We, WILLIAM HENRY DOBLE, of 33 Canal Street, City of Quincy, in the
County of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, United States of America,
Merchant, and GEORGE WESTON WATSON of 63 Westville Street, Dorchester in
the City of Boston, County of Suffolk in said State of Massachusetts, Machinist
do hereby declare the nature of our invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following.
statement:-
Our invention relates especially to that class of weighing machines known as auto-
matic weighing and package filling machines and has particular reference to the scale
beam and its connectious, the electrical contacts, and the mechanism for feeding
the goods and moving the packages. The invention is especially adapted for a
machine operated by electricity, and the machine shown in the drawings and
particularly described in the Specification will be of that class, but some features
of the invention are applicable to machines operated in other ways, and it is not
intended herein to limit to electrically operated machines the claims for features
that are adapted for use in other kinds of weighing machines.
continuous
It is found in practice that where the scale beam is constructed as one
beam, the jarring of the machinery in a large factory causes the scale beam to
vibrate so that when the package is filled to about the required weight the vibration
prevents the electrical contact from being made as quickly as it should be made,
and the gate is slow in closing and there is consequently an overweight in the
package.
The main feature of our invention consists in gate opening and gate closing
mechanism, in combination with an automatic package carrier, the gate opening
mechanism being actuated by the package to open the gate when a package is
brought to the scales, and the gate closing mechanism being actuated to close the
gate by the tipping of the scales, either gate moving mechanism becoming
inoperative before the other becomes operative; another feature consists in a
carrier which carries the package to the scales and withdraws from contact with
the package while it is on the scales and removes the package when filled; another
feature consists in the novel contact mechanism; our invention further consists in
numerous other features which will be more particularly described and claimed.
In the drawings,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying our invention. Fig. 2 is
a plan.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the scales and gate-closing contact.
Fig. 4 is a side view of the auxiliary beam and of the gate-closing contact
partly in section, with the contact open. Fig. 5 is a similar view with the contact
closed.
Fig. 6 is an end view, partly in section, on line 6,-6, of Fig. 4.
Fig. 7 is a plan view of the contact on line 7,-7, of Fig. 4.
Fig. 8 is a detail section through the spring push pin,
Fig. 9 is a plan view of a portion of the table and scale pan and rings and
adjacent parts in detail showing their position when a can has just reached the
scale and before the gate is opened.
Fig. 10 is a side view of Fig. 9.
Fig. 11 is an end view of Fig. 9.
Fig. 12 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 9, immediately after the gate
is opened. Fig. 13 is an end view of the same.

page_text: Fig. 14 is a side view of the gate-opening contact when the contact is closed.
Fig. 15 is a plan view of a part of the machine showing the locking mechanism
for locking the package carrying ring to the revolving gear, when the package
ring is locked to the gear ring.
Fig. 16 is a side view of the locking mechanism and section through the ring
and gear showing one of the locking pins unlocked. The rings are supposed to be
locked however by the other pin which is partly broken away.
Fig. 17 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 15 when the rings are unlocked.
Fig. 18 is an end view.
Fig. 19 is a detail plan of the hooked lever freeing the spring plug connected
with the locking mechanism just after a can is filled.
Fig. 20 is a side view of the mechanism partly in section, with the rings locked.
Fig. 21 is a diagram showing the wire connections. The wires are omitted from
the most of the drawings for greater clearness in showing the other parts, but the
proper connections will be understood by reference to the diagram.
G G¹ are two solenoids whose cores 9, 9, are connected by a block or union g'.
The core of the forward solenoid G, is connected with the gate g, which controls
the outlet of the hopper H, and the circuit is made alternately through the two
solenoids so that the gate is opened and closed by the reciprocation of the core at
the proper times for feeding and for stopping the flow of goods as will be more
particularly described hereinafter. His the frame. A link h is pivoted at one
end to the union g', and at its other end it is pivoted to the lever h', which is
fulcrumed in the bracket h³, attached to the frame. The lever h¹, has forked
ends, h, which have pins sliding in a groove in the clutch h. This clutch is
keyed to the driving shaft h, upon which it is free to move laterally and is adapted
to engage with a clutch A, on the hub of the pinion wheel h', mounted on the main
driving shaft . This main shaft may be driven by any suitable power. In the
diagram shown in Fig. 21 we have represented the power as being supplied by an
electric motor. Pinion wheel A', engages with the two pinion wheels h³, h, which
drive the revolving cembs h10, 41, which serve as feeders and keep the sticky or
moist goods from lumping, and break up the lumps if already formed.
gate is closed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the clutches h, and he, are disengaged and
the combs are not in motion as it is not desirable to stir the goods except during
the feeding. When the gate is opened, the clutches will be brought into
engagement and the combs will be set in operation.
When the
I is a stationary circular table on which the empty cans or boxes are placed in
front of the hooked fingers I as fast as the full cans are removed. J is a fixed
inside ring which supports the ring. L. The gear ring K is supported on ball
bearings in the finger ring L and is geared to the main driving shaft and revolves
constantly while the power is applied. The ring L which carries the package
feeding fingers I is revolved intermittently to bring the empty cans to the scale
pan as fast as the full ones are removed, by means which will be explained in
detail bereinafter. For convenience of distinction from the other rings, the ring L
is called the finger ring.
We
The main forked scale beam A having the two arms A' A' is pivoted on the
knife edge pivots a, a, resting on the hollow post B rising from the base B'.
prefer to make the beam of aluminium for lightness. On the forward end of these
arms is pivoted the cross bar 6, of the forked frame D which supports the scale
pan D. The frame D is hinged at its lower end to the arm d, which is pivoted in
a slot in the adjustable screw d', in the inside of the hollow post B. The screw d',
being adjustable horizontally allows the arm d, to be adjusted to the same length
as the forward arm of the main scale beam so as to secure a parallel movement of the
arm d, and forward arm of the scale beam, and also keep the poise and the scale-
pan supporting-frame parallel and vertical. The rear arm of the scale beam A has
its up and down stroke limited by the adjustable set-screw stops d', d, set in the
brackets on the upright post d. The poise d', is made hollow with an opening in
which is a plug d, and the poise is partially filled with mercury, shot or other

page_text: heavy easily removable material to bring it to the desired weight. Mercury is
preferable because it is heavy and also more readily maintains a level when the
scale beam rises or falls. The auxiliary scale beam E is hinged at the rear end in
the upper end of standard E, and during certain periods of the operation the
block e, on the forward end rests on the block de, on the rear end of the main scale
beam. The weights e', arc adjustable lengthwise on the auxiliary beam so that the
desired resistance to the main beam may be secured and the position of the
poise d, is adjusted by the screws d'. The auxiliary beam has on one side a
ratchet piece, with which the upper end of angle bar lever e, e, engages. This
angle bar is pivoted on the fixed shaft e. At the forward end of the horizontal
arm c', of the angle bar is pivoted the drop f', which forms the core of the tapered
plug or plunger F. This plug is adapted to fit into the cup, forming the contact
nechanism which will be referred to hereinafter as the gate-closing contact
mechanism. The core/', of the plug is enclosed in a tapered cylinder, made of
some non-conducting material. We prefer to make it of wood fibre as being easily
moulded to the desired shape and excellent for the purpose. It is made in two
sections like two collars end to end. One of the sections is made with an offset at
the inner end, and the two sections when put together form a cylinder with
tapering walls and a groove around the periphery. Within the groove is a ring or
cylinder, of brass or other good conducting material whose outside is flush with
the surface of the fibre cylinder so that the outside appearance of the whole is as
of a plug tapering downward. The cup, is composed of two semicircular sections
of brass or other good conducting material, to each of which is clamped one of the
wires. The two sections of the cup are insulated from each other and from the
base B by the strips of fibre / The inside of the cup flares to form a sung
fit for the tapered plug F. When the plug drops into the cup the circuit is closed
through the forward solenoid as soon as contact is made by the metal collar on the
plug wedging into the cup and coming into contact with the two metal sections of
the cup. When the upper end of the vertical arm c of the angle bar rests in the
notch e, of ratchet piece e, the plug is held out of contact. This is its position
when the empty can first reaches the scale pan and the gate is closed as in Fig. 1
and in most of the other drawings except where it is specially mentioned that the
figure represents a different stage in the operation. At this stage, the electric
current is not passing through either solenoid, both contacts being open, the gate
being closed when the upper contact was last made, and left closed when that
contact was broken. As soon as the circuit is made through the rear solenoid G¹
the gate g slides open, the bent lever g' connected with the core of the solenoid is
turned on its pivot n carrying back the spring seated pin 93, and the goods flow
into the can. When the can contains the required weight, the scale pan drops, the
rear end of the main scale beam lifts the auxiliary beam, raising the ratchet
piece from the end of the angle bar, and the cuil spring of around the shaft of
the angle bar throws the angle bar forward on its pivot, and the plug F is forced
into its cup, making the contact and closing the circuit through the forward
solenoid which closes the gate. As the core of the solenoid slides in this closing
movement it turns the bent lever g', on its pivot, and the spring push pin 93, pushes
against the stud es, projecting from the upright arin e, on the other end of shaft e
from the arm e, thereby tipping up the angle bar e, e, again and lifting the plug,
immediately breaking the circuit. The moment the circuit is broken the package
moving ring L carrying the fingers 1 is locked to the constantly moving gear
ring K by means which will be described hereinafter, and the full can is removed
from the scale pan and an empty can is moved toward the scale pan. As soon as
the can g, reaches the middle of the scale pan the circuit is made through the
rear solenoid by means of the upper contact as will be explained, the gate is
thereby opened and the goods begin to flow as already described.
The position of the poise on the main scale beam and of the weights on the
auxiliary bean is determined experimentally according to the proposed weight of
goods for each package before the machine is set in operation. The length of arm

page_text: of the main scale beam and of the auxiliary beam from the respective pivots should
be different so that the vibrations will be in different times and neutralize each
other.
The push pin g, is spring seated, its spring g', being a little more powerful than
the spring, on the shaft of the angle bar which tends to hold the plug in the cup,
but the spring e, is powerful enough, taken together with the friction caused by
the snug fit of the plug so that the spring of the pin is nearly all taken up during
the first part of the movement of lever gl, on its pivot before the push pin begins
to lift the plug. Then when the core of the solenoid has nearly completed its
forward stroke the spring of the push pin is all taken up and the power of the now
compressed spring is sufficient to enable the lever g', to overcome the spring e, and
as the core of the solenoid completes its movement the plug is quickly lifted,
breaking the contact.
Referring now especially to Figs. 9-13 i, , are guides between which the
empty can is carried just before it reaches the scale pan. The inner guide i, is
fixed to the table, and the outer guide ", is pivoted at the entrance end on the
pivot which also serves as a pivot for the lever i, immediately beneath the
guide. Fixed to one side of the guide 2, near its exit end is a pin 3, which
projects through a slot in an ear, upon the lever 1, and around the pin is a
spring. Normally, the exit opening is narrower than the entrance and does not
permit the can to pass through without pressing against the guides and spreading
the outer one, thereby compressing spring and also spreading out the lever i
which in its first position does not lic quite as far inward as the guide and
therefore does not come directly in contact with the can. A stud j on the exit
end of the lever i projects down through a slot in the table I, and to this stud j
is pivoted the bent rod, which is pivoted at its other end to the lever i, said
lever, being fast to the shaft. To the upper end of this shaft is fixed the
arm, which in its normal position rests upon the top of the cap k, in which
position it is held by the torsion spring 10, around the shaft, to prevent the cap k
from rising. There is a series of package moving fingers I each of which is held
in a bracket k which is fast to the lower end of the shaft k, and the cam lever k³
is fast to the upper end of said shaft. The shaft turns in a boss upon the ring L
and around it is a torsion spring shown in Fig. 1. This spring is to keep the
cam end of lever 3 against the ring L until it reaches the cam track shortly
before the can reaches the scale pan. This cam track is a curved flange-piece
supported on a bent bracket & which arches over the gear ring K and is fastened
to the inner side of the stationary ring J. The lever & has a bevelel end, which,
as the finger ring L revolves, comes in contact with the beveled lower end of stud k
which projects downward from the under side of cap k. The coil spring around
the stud tends to hold the stud down against the cam track. The stud moves
up and down in a boss fastened to the side of the arched bracket above the
cam track 4. This boss has an upwardly extending arm to the end of which
is pivoted the arm which is also pivoted to the cap k. The tooth latch on the
under side of lever l'engages with tooth " on the arm at a certain stage in the
operation after the arm is removed from the cap k to prevent the spring 10 from
pulling the arm back against the cap è until the proper time arrives. The
lever forms a bar to prevent the forward thrust of the sliding rod 12 under
pressure of spring 14. Link is pivoted to the side of rod 2, the pivot forming a
stop for the spring . Link is also pivoted to the upper end of angle bar
contact-lever supported in the bracket which is attached to the supports of the
machine. The angle bar operates the plunger of the contact mechanism M
which forms a part of the circuit through the rear or gate-opening solenoid Gaud
which is similar to the gate-closing contact mechanism F already described. When
in operation a can approaches the scales it passes through the guides i and
spreads the outer guide and also the lever slightly which acting through rod .
and lever moves the arm i to one side away from the cap k allowing the inclined
back of the tooth on the upper side of arm i to push against the inclined back

page_text: and
to be
of tooth on the under side of lever and ride under it, raising lever
stud k and cap k slightly in so doing, but not sufficiently to allow the rod
thrust forward. The spring around stud 4 immediately pulls it down again and
the two teeth engage and prevent the arm from being pulled back by its spring.
This is the position shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11. The bevelled end of cam lever k
riding on the cam track has now reached the stud k', and, the arm being
removed from the top of cap k, lever raises the stud and cap k, thereby raising
lever from the front of the rod and allowing the latter to be thrust forward by
the spring. At the same time, the tooth is released from engagement by the
tooth, and the arm is drawn part way back but as the cap k is now raised arm
will bear against the side of the cap as shown in Figs. 12 and 13 instead of resting
on top. As the rod shoots forward it carries the link which pulls the angle-bar
contact lever forward on its pivot and the plug in the contact mechanism M is
forced into its cup, making the 'contact and completing the circuit through the rear
solenoid G' and opening the gate.
The shaft m is rigidly attached to the arm 9 projecting from the union g
between the solenoids. The spring seated push-pin m' is held in a barrel m³ fixed
to the side of the shaft m. As the core of the solenoid slides back, opening the
gate, it carries back with it the shaft m, and the push-pin m³ strikes the lug on
the end of link 1, tipping up the angle har and opening the contact M, so that
the gate is now open and both contacts are open, leaving the circuit broken through
both solenoids. This backward movement of the shaft m also draws back the rod
from under the lever l, compressing spring again, and allowing the spring to
pull the cap and its stud and the arm down to their normal position. As
soon as cap k descends, the arm i will be drawn back by its spring to its position
of rest on top of cap k.
As soon as cam-lever 3 passes the stud k and runs off of cam track k³ onto the
periphery of the finger ring I again, the spring turns the shaft of the cam lever
slightly backward and thereby causes the finger I¹ to be drawn back from contact
with the can which has now reached its place on the scale pan beneath the feed
chute of the hopper. The withdrawing of the finger from contact with the can
prevents any friction of the finger from interfering with free movement of the
scales. As soon as the can contains the required weight the scale pan drops and
gate-closing contact F is closed, making the circuit through the forward solenoid G
and closing the gate as already described. The surface of the table I, on which
the cans stand is lower at the exit side of the scale pan than at the entrance side
so that when the scale pan drops it will not fall below the level of the exit side,
and when the finger ring is again set in motion the full can will be pushed along
off the scale pan onto the table on the exit side and the scale pan will rise again
ready for another can.
If by chance a finger passes around with no can in front to spread the guide",
the rod, and lever, and arm, will remain stationary with arm ", still resting
on top of cap k, therefore the cam lever k³, cannot lift the stud k', and has to ride
past outside of it. Lever l', will continue to bar the end of rod 2, and gate-opening
contact M will remain open so that the gate will remain closed and prevent the
flow of goods when no can is in place to receive them. If the rod, lever,
shaft, and arm, are omitted it is obvious that the cam lever k³, will lift the
stud k, directly and open the gate whether there is any can in place to receive the
flow of goods or not, and therefore these elements are not essential to the operation
of the machine, but are preferable in order to save wasting the goods in the event
of carelessness of the operator in leaving out a can.
The mechanism for locking the finger ring to the gear ring will now be described,
special reference being made to Figs. 15-20. N N are bosses on the rear
legs N2 N3 of the machine. N' is a horizontal bracket connecting the legs and
supporting the rear solenoid G'. The boss N' holds a shaft n which forms the
pivot for the bent lever g'. The flanged bracket plate n³, bowed outward has
bearings by which it is mounted on the parallel shafts n, n, which allow a slight

page_text: lateral movement to the plate. This bracket is located at the rear end of the
machine, below the rings. In the under side of the gear ring K is a series of
holes n³, adapted to receive the spring-seated pins n', set in the bosses p³, on the
finger ring L. There should be one of these spring pins n', to correspond with
each finger I. The holes n³, may be placed at shorter intervals than the pins to
make sure of speedy engagement at the proper time. A plug n, is spring seated
within the boss, projecting from the under side of the bracket plate n³, and a
pin n', projects from the side of the plug. A shaft ns, is pivoted in bearings nº, "",
fixed to the bracket 2. A forwardly projecting lever no, is fixed to the shaft n³,
and has near its free end an elongated slot through which projects the pin n',
whereby the spring plug n', is given a vertical movement when the lever no, rocks
with its shaft. Upon the shaft n, is also fixed an upwardly projecting lever p
having a hook pl, upon its upper end, said lever rocking with the shaft n³, and
bringing the hook pl in front of one of the bosses p², to stop the rotation of the
finger ring at the proper time. p³, is another forwardly projecting lever fixed to
the rock shaft ns, and lifts the inclined cam P³, by bearing up against the lug P
on the under side of said cam when the shaft rocks backward. A plate P is
secured to supports P1 P2 extending up from the bracket plate n². Pivoted in the
support P¹ is a cam P³ with a lug P which rests upon the lever p³. The inclined
face of the cam is projected up through a slot in the plate P by the lever p³, when
the shaft n, rocks back, as shown in Figs. 18 and 20. A pin r, fixed in the
frame H as shown in Fig. 1. extends downward and forms a guide for the hooked
cam lever, pivoted in the arm r, attached to the shaft m. The cam lever is
held against the pin r by the spring. A lever is fixed to the upper end of
shaft, supported in bracket, attached to the stationary ring J. A knife-lever,
is fixed to the lower end of shaft r, and the torsion spring, around the shaft
tends to hold the shaft so as to keep the knife-lever, with its edge extending
through a slot in the side of the boss n', and into a notch in the side of the spring
plug n³, so as to prevent the latter from rising until the knife is withdrawn after a
can is filled and the rings are to be locked again. While a can is being filled, of
course the rings K and L are not locked together because the finger ring L must
the nain at rest and the gear ring K is in constant motion. In Figs. 15, 16
and 20 the rings are supposed to be locked together (being locked in Fig. 16 by
the pin which is partly broken away to clearly show the parts behind it) and the
finger ring hae nearly completed its forward movement with a can approaching the
scale pan. When one of the bosses holding a spring pin n', arrives against
the hooked lever p, the contact for the rear solenoid will have formed, opening the
gate and drawing back the shaft m, and lever r³, from the position shown in Fig. 15
to the position shown in Fig. 17. Lever, rides back over the pin r, and the
hooked end, hooks onto the pin r, but does not yet move the lever ³, and the
knife lever, still remains in the spring plug n³. These parts all remain stationary
while the can is being filled. As soon as the can is filled and the scale beam drops
and the gate begins to close, shaft m, and lever, are moved forward, pulling the
levers, and into the position shown in Figs. 19 and 20 with the stud, on
lever, just about to slip off the hook, and the knife lever, withdrawn from the
slot n, in the spring plug. This allows the spring plug to rise and throw the
spring pin n', into the hole in the gear ring K. As the spring plug rises, the pin n',
projecting from the plug into the slot of lever n10, causes the shaft ns, on which
the levers nº, and p, and p³, are fixed, to rock back and carries them into the
position shown in Fig. 20, withdrawing the hook pl, from the boss p², and leaving
it free to pass the hook p', and the two rings move together. The head of the
spring pin n slides along the plate P which keeps the pin from dropping down.
When the pin comes to the cam P3 which is now sticking up through the plate P
as shown in Fig. 20, the pin pushes the cam down, thereby pressing down lever p
and causing shaft ne to rock forward again and the levers p³, no and p are restored
to the position shown in Figs. 15 and 16 and depressing the spring plug n to its
lower position, and knife lever is again pressed by its torsion spring into the

page_text: slot in the side of the plug, as shown in Fig. 15, the hook of cam lever having
in the meantime entirely released its hold on the pin. The two rings continue
revolving together until the spring pin n leaves the plate P when the pin is free-
to respond to the downward pull of its spring and it is withdrawn from the hole in
the gear ring. At this time another boss p enclosing a spring-pin will have
reached the hook pl which catches the buss and stops the revolution of the finger
ring. In the meantime also another can will have reached the scale pan. In order
to break the shock when the boss strikes the stop hook pl, as the two rings revolve-
quite rapidly, the hearings of the bracket plate n are allowed a little play laterally
on the shafts n, n', and a spring n on the shaft n' forms a cushion.
In Fig. 21, S represents a battery, and T an electric motor, G the forward
solenoid which closes the gate, and G¹ the rear solenoid which opens the gate.
Wire leading from one pole of the battery has a branch wire a leading to the
motor, and a branch a, leading to one side of the cup of the closing contact
mechanism F. The line is continued by the wire a, from the other side of the
cup, up to the forward or closing solenoid G. The wire, tapped onto the
wire leads to the opening contact M and the line is continued by the wire.
leading to the rear or opening solenoid G¹.
Wire y leads from the other pole of the battery and has a branch y' leading to the
motor, a branch y leading to the forward or closing solenoid, and a branch y
leading to the rear or opening solenoid.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a feed hopper,.
a weighing scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a gate
opening and a gate-closing solenoid having cores connected with each other and
with the gate, a source of electrical supply, an electrical cirenit through each
solenoid, a contact mechanism forming a part of each circuit, automatic mechanism.
which carries a package to the scales, automatic mechanism which then closes the
contact in the circuit through the gate-opening solenoid whereby the gate is opened,.
and mechanism which again opens said contact before the gate-closing solenoid
becomes operative, automatic mechanism which closes the contact in the circuit
through the gate-closing solenoid when the package is filled whereby the gate.
is closed, and automatic mechanism which opens said contact again before the
gate-opening solenoid becomes operative, substantially as described.
2. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a feed hopper,
a weighing scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a gate-
opening and a gate-closing solenoid having cores connected with each other and with
the gate, a source of electrical supply, an electrical circuit through each solenoid,.
a contact mechanism forming a part of each circuit, automatic mechanism which
carries a package to the scales, automatic mechanism which then closes the contact.
in the circuit through the gate-opening solenoid whereby the gate is opened, and
mechanism which opens said contact again before the gate-closing solenoid becomes.
operative, automatic mechanism which closes the contact in the circuit through the
gate-closing solenoid when the package is filled, whereby the gate is closed, and.
mechanism which opens said contact again before the gate-opening solenoid.
becomes operative, the package-carrying mechanism removing the package from the
scales, substantially as described.
3. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a feed hopper,.
a weighing scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a
gate-opening and a gate closing solenoid having cores connected with each other
and with the gate, a source of electrical supply, an electrical circuit through each
solenoid, a contact mechanism forming a part of each circuit, automatic mechanism.
which carries a package to the scales, automatic mechanism which then closes
the contact in the circuit through the gate-opening solenoid whereby the gate is

page_text: opened, and mechanism which opens said contact again before the gate-closing
solenoid becomes operative, mechanism operated by the tipping of the scale beam
when the package is filled which closes the contact in the circuit through the gate-
closing solenoid whereby the gate is closed, and mechanism which opens said
contact again before the gate-opening solenoid becomes operative, substantially as
described.
4. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a feed hopper,
a weighing scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a gate-
opening and a gate-closing solenoid having cores connected with each other and
with the gate, a source of electrical supply, an electrical circuit through each
solenoid, a contact mechanism forming a part of. each circuit, automatic mechanism
which carries a package to the scales, automatic mechanism which then closes the
contact in the gate-opening circuit, allowing the gate to be opened and mechanism
which opens said contact again before the gate-closing solenoid becomes operative,
mechanism actuated by the tipping of the scales when the package is filled, which
closes the contact in the gate-closing circuit allowing the gate to be closed, and
intermediate mechanism operated by the sliding core of the solenoid which again
opens said contact, substantially as described.
5. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a feed
hopper, a weighing scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the
hopper, automatic mechanism which carries a package to the scales, inter-
mediate mechanism operated by the package as it moves to the scales which
causes the gate to open, and intermediate mechanism operated by the tipping
of the scales when the package is filled, whereby the gate is closed, substantially
as described.
6. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a feed hopper,
a weighing scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, an
automatic intermittently moving package carrier, mechanism actuated by the
package carrier as it moves to the scales which causes the gate to open,
intermediate mechanism actuated by the tipping of the scales when the package is
filled whereby the gate is closed, automatic mechanism which removes the filled
package and mechanism which again presents an empty package to the scales,
substantially as described.
7. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a feed hopper,
a weighing scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a gate-
opening and a gate-closing solenoid having cores connected with each other and
with the gate, a source of electrical supply, an electrical circuit through cach
solenoid, a contact mechanism in each circuit, au automatic intermittently moving
package carrier, mechanism actuated by the package carrier as it moves to the
scales which closes the contact in the gate-opening circuit, allowing the gate to be
opened, intermediate mechanism operated by the sliding core of the solenoid
which opens said contact again before the gate-closing solenoid becomes operative,
mechanism actuated by the tipping of the scales when the package is filled which
closes the contact in the gate-closing circuit, allowing the gate to be closed, and
intermediate mechanism operated by the sliding core of the solenoid to again open
said contact, substantially as described.
8. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a hopper, a
weighing scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, an
automatic package carrier, mechanism actuated by the package carrier as it moves a
package to the scales which causes the gate to open, mechanism which prevents the
gate-opening mechanism from being actuated except when a package is brought to
the scales, and mechanism actuated by the tipping of the scales when the package
is filled, whereby the gate is closed, substantially as described.
9. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a hopper, a
weighing scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, an
automatic package carrier, mechanism actuated by the package carrier as it moves
a package to the scales which opens the gate, mechanism which prevents the gate-

page_text: opening mechanism from being actuated except when a package is brought to the
scales, mechanism actuated by the tipping of the scales when the package is filled
whereby the gate is closed, and automatic mechanism which removes the filled
package and again presents an empty package to the scales, substantially as
described.
10. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a hopper, a
weighing scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a gate-
opening and a gate-closing solenoid having cores connected with each other and
with the gate, a source of electrical supply, au electrical circuit through each
solenoid, a contact mechanism in each circuit, an automatic package carrier,
mechanism actuated by the package carrier as it moves a package to the scales
which closes the contact in the gate-opening circuit allowing the gate to be opened,
mechanism which prevents the gate-opening mechanism from being actuated except
when a package is brought to the scales, mechanism operated by the sliding core of
the solenoid which opens the contact in the gate-opening circuit before the gate-
closing solenoid becomes operative, mechanism actuated by the tipping of the scales
when the package is filled which closes the contact in the gate-closing circuit,
allowing the gate to be closed, and mechanism operated by the sliding core of the
solenoid to again open said contact, substantially as described.
11. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a hopper, a
weighing scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a gate-
opening and a gate-closing solenoid having cores connected with each other and
with the gate, a source of electrical supply, an electrical circuit through each
solenoid, a contact mechanism in each circuit, an automatic package carrier,
mechanism actuated by the package carrier as it moves a package to the scales
which closes the contact in the gate-opening circuit allowing the gate to be opened,
mechanism which prevents the gate-opening mechanism from being actuated except
when a package is brought to the scales, mechanism operated by the sliding core
of the solenoid which opens the contact in the gate-opening circuit before the
gate-closing solenoid becomes operative, mechanism actuated by the tipping of
the scales when the package is filled which closes the contact in the gate-closing
circuit, allowing the gate to be closed, mechanism operated by the sliding core of
the solenoid to again open said contact, and mechanism to remove the filled
package from the scales and again present an empty package to the scales,
substantially as described.
12. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a hopper, a
weighing scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a
reciprocating rod which opens and closes said gate, a source of energy which
supplies power to reciprocato said rod, an automatic package carrier, mochanism
which moves the rod in a direction to open the gate, and mechanism which moves
it in a direction to close the gate, a medium with a make and break device through
which force is transmitted from said source of energy to the mechanism for opening
the gate, mechanism actuated by the package carrier which completes the circuit
through said medium when a package reaches the scales so that the gate is then
opened, a medium with a make and break device through which force is transmitted
from said source of energy to the mechanism for closing the gate, and mechanism
actuated by the tipping of the seales when a package is filled which completes the
circuit through the last mentioned medium so that the gate then closes, the circuit
through either medium being broken before the mechanism actuated by force
transmitted through the other medium becomes operative, substantially as described.
13. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a hopper, a
weighing scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a
reciprocating rod which opens and closes said gate, a source of energy which
supplies power to reciprocate said rod, an automatic package carrier, mechanism
which moves the rod in a direction to open the gate, and mechanism which moves
it in a direction to close the gate, a medium with a make and break device through
which force is transmitted from said source of energy to the mechanism for opening
B

page_text: the gate, mechanism actuated by the package carrier which completes the circuit
through said medium when a package reaches the seales so that the gate is then
opened, a medium with a make and break device through which force is transmitted
from said source of energy to the mechanism for closing the gate, mechanism
actuated by the tipping of the scales when a package is filled, which completes the
circuit through the last mentioned medium so that the gate then closes, the circuit
through either medium being broken before the mechanism actuated by force.
transmitted through the other medium becomes operative, and mechanism to remove
the filled package from the seales, substantially as described.
14. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a hopper, a
weighing scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a
reciprocating rod which opens and closes said gate, a source of energy which
supplies power to reciprocate said rod, an automatic package carrier, mechanism
which moves the rod in a direction to open the gate and mechanism which moves
it in a direction to close the gate, a medium with a make and break device through
which force is transmitted from said source of energy to the mechanism for opening
the gate, mechanism actuated by the moving package which completes the circuit
through said medium when a package reaches the scales so that the gate is then
opened, a medium with a make and break device through which force is transmitted
from said source of energy to the mechanism for closing the gate, and mechanism
actuated by the tipping of the scales when a package is filled which completes the
circuit through the last mentioned medium so that the gate then closes, the circuit
through either medium being broken before the mechanism actuated by force trans-
mitted through the other medium becomes operative, substantially as described.
15. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a hopper, a
weighing scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a
reciprocating rod which opens and closes said gate, a source of energy which
supplies power to reciprocate said rod, an automatic package carrier, mechanism
which moves the rod in a direction to open the gate and mechanism which moves
the rod in a direction to close the gate, a medium with a make and break device
through which force is transmitted from said source of energy to the mechanism for
opening the gate, mechanism actuated by the package carrier as it moves a package
to the scales which completes the circuit through said medium so that the gate
is then opened, mechanism which prevents the gate-opening mechanism from being
actuated except when a package is brought to the scalus, a medium with a make
and break device through which force is transmitted from said source of energy to
the mechanism for closing the gate, and mechanism actuated by the tipping of the
seales when a package is filled which completes the circuit through the lust
mentioned medium so that the gate then closes, the circuit through either medium
being broken before the mechanism actuated by force transmitted through the
other medium becomes operative, substantially as described.
16. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a hopper, a
weighing scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a
reciprocating rod which opens and closes said gate, a source of energy which
supplies power to reciprocate said rod, an automatic package carrier, mechanism
which moves the rod in a direction to open the gate and mechanism which moves
it in a direction to close the gate, a medium with a make and break device through
which force is transmitted from said source of energy to the mechanism for opening
the gate, mechanism actuated by the moving package which completes the circuit
through said medium when a package reaches the scales so that the gate is then
opened, a medium with a make and break device through which force is transmitted
from said source of energy to the mechanism for closing the gate, mechanism
actuated by the tipping of the scales when a package is filled which completes the
circuit through the last mentioned medium so that the gate then closes, the circuit
through either medium being broken before the mechanism actuated by force
transmitted through the other medium becomes operative, and mechanism which
removes the filled package from the scales, substantially as described. ...

page_text: 17. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a hopper, a
weighing scale, a gate. which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a
reciprocating rod which opens and closes said gate, a source of energy which
supplies power to reciprocate said rod, an automatic package carrier, mechanism
which moves the rod in a direction to open the gate and mechanism which moves
it in a direction to close the gate, a medium with a make and break device through
which force is transmitted from said source of energy to the mechanism for opening
the gate, mechanism actuated by the package carrier as it moves a package to the
scales which completes the circuit through said medium so that the gate is then
opened, mechanism which prevents the gate-opening mechanism from being actuated
except when a package is brought to the scales, a medium with a make and break
device through which force is transmitted from said source of energy to the
mechanism for closing the gate, mechanism actuated by the tipping of the scales
when a package is filled which completes the circuit through the last mentioned
medium so that the gate then closes, the circuit through either medium being
broken before the mechanism actuated by force transmitted through the other
medium becomes operative and mechanism which removes the filled package from
the scales, substantially as described.
18. In an automatic weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a
hopper, a weighing scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper,
a reciprocating rod which opens and closes said gate, a source of energy which
supplies power to reciprocate said rod, an automatic package carrier, mechanism
which moves the rod in a direction to open the gate and mechanism which moves
it in a direction to close the gate, a medium with a make and break device through
which force is transmitted from said source of energy to the mechanism for opening
the gate, a lever connected with said make and break device having a spring
which tends to keep the circuit closed and a latch device which holds the circuit
open, the latch being released by the package carrier when a package is brought
to the scales, the circuit then becoming closed and the reciprocating rod moving to
open the gate, a device connected with the reciprocating rod which, when the gate
opens, breaks the circuit and resets the latch, a medium with a make and break
device through which force is transmitted from said source of energy to the
mechanism for closing the gate, a lever connected with said make and break device
having a spring which tends to keep the circuit closed, and a latch device which
holds the circuit open, the latch being released by the tipping of the scales when a
package is filled, the circuit then becoming closed, and the reciprocating rod
moving to close the gate, a lever connected with the reciprocating rod, which when
the gate closes, breaks the circuit and re-sets the latch, substantially as described.
19. In an automatic weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a
hopper, a weighing scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper,
a reciprocating rod which opens and closes said gate, a source of energy which
supplies power to reciprocate said rod, an automatic package carrier, mechanism
which moves the rod in a direction to open the gate and mechanism which moves
it in a direction to close the gate, a medium with a make and break device through
which force is transmitted from said source of energy to the mechanism for opening
the gate, a lever connected with said make and break device having a spring which
tends to keep the circuit closed, and a compound latch device which holds the
circuit open, the latch being partially released by mechanism actuated by the
package as it moves toward the scales, after which the latch is further released by
mechanism actuated by the package carrier, the circuit then becoming closed and
the reciprocating rod moving to open the gate, a device connected with the
reciprocating rod, which, when the gate opens, actuates the make and break lever
to break the circuit, and re-sets the latch, a medium with a make and break device
through which force is transmitted from said source of energy to the mechanism
for closing the gate, a lever connected with said make and break device having
a spring which tends to keep the circuit closed, and a latch device which holds the
circuit open, the latch being released by the tipping of the scales when a package

page_text: is filled, the circuit then becoming closed, and the reciprocating rod moving to
close the gate, a lever connected with the reciprocating rod which when the gate
closes, actuates the make and break lever to break the circuit and re-set the latch,
substantially as described.
20. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a reciprocating
rod which opens and closes the feed gate, a source of energy which supplies power
to reciprocate said rod, an automatic package carrier, a medium with a make and
break device through which force is transmitted to close the gate, a lever connected
with said make and break device having a spring which tends to keep the circuit
closed, a slide rod 12 and a link connecting the make and break lever with said
slide rod, a cam stud having pivoted thereto an arm which bars the forward
movement of the slide rod and prevents the closing of the make and break device,
a cam-lever mounted in the package carrier which lifts said cam stud and the bar
whereby the slide rod is free to move forward under the bar and the make and
break lever spring is effective to close the circuit, guides between which a package
passes before reaching the scales, one of said guides being pivoted at the entrance
end and spread by the package as it moves toward the scales, pivoted arm i which
prevents the lifting movement of the stud 7 until a package enters the guide-way,
intermediate mechanism actuated by the package in passing through the guide-way
which releases the arm and leaves the stud free to rise by the action of the cam
lever, and the circuit to be closed, whereupon the reciprocating rod opens the feed
gate, a push pin carried with the reciprocating rod and actuating the make and
break lever to open the circuit, retracting the slide rod 12 and allowing the cam
stud k to return to its first described position, and a spring which moves the arm i
back to its first described position, substantially as described.
21. In a weighing and package filling machine, an intermittently moving carriage,
a series of package moving fingers fixed on shafts having bearings in the carriage, a
cam lever fixed on each of said shafts, a movable stud with which said cam levers
engage, mechanism set in operation by the movement of said stud, which opens
the feed gate, a cam track on which the cam lever rides before engaging with the
stud and during the engagement, a spring which holds the cam lever on the track,
and causes the shaft on which the cam lever and finger are fixed to rotate slightly
backward and remove the finger from contact with the package when the cam lever
passes from the cam track, substantially as described.
22. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a weighing
scale, a main scale beam having one arm which sustains the load and another arm
which sustains the weight, an auxiliary beam pivoted independently of the main
scale beam and having one end engaged by the weighted arm of the main scale beam
and lifted by it when the latter is tipped by a load, a gate which controls the flow
of goods to the scales, mechanism which closes said gate when the scale beam tips, a
source of energy and a medium with a make and break device through which force
is transmitted from said source to operate the gate-closing mechanism, a pivoted
lever to one arm of which is pivoted the make and break device of the gate-closing
circuit, a spring which tends to hold the make and break device closed, a latch
which holds the lever from yielding to its spring, the tipping of the scale beam
operating to trip the lever and allow the make and break device to close the circuit
and thereby close the gate, substantially as described.
23. In a weighing and package filling machine, an intermittently moving package
carrier which carries a package to the scales and withdraws from contact with the
package while the package is being filled, and then removes the filled package from
the scales, substantially as described.
24. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a continuously
revolving driving ring which drives the package carrier, a package moving ring,
mechanism for automatically locking the package moving ring to the driving ring
and unlocking them intermittently, a series of package moving fingers attached to
the package moving ring, and a stationary package supporting table on which the
packages are moved by said fingers to the scales, substantially as described.

page_text: 25. An electrical contact mechanism consisting of a cup composed of two sections
of conducting material insulated from each other and from the base and having
outwardly flaring interior walls, and a plunger of non conducting material having a
tapering collar of some conducting material which snugly fits in said cup,
substantially as described.
26. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a continuously
revolving driving ring, a package moving ring, mechanism for automatically
locking the two rings together and unlocking them whereby the two rings move
together until a package reaches the scales when the two rings become unlocked, a
detent which restrains the package moving ring from movement while the package is
being filled, and mechanism which releases the detent and allows the two rings to
again become locked and move together after the package is filled and removed,
substantially as described.
27. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a continuously
revolving driving ring, a package moving ring, a series of spring seated pins on one
of the rings, a series of sockets in the other ring, and mechanism which causes one
of the spring pins to enter one of the sockets and lock the two rings together and
cause them to travel together until a package reaches the scale pan, when the two
rings become unlocked, a detent which stops the package ring from further movement
while the package is being filled, and mechanism which then releases the detent and
allows the two rings to again become locked and move together, substantially as
described.
28. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a continuously
revolving driving ring, a 'package moving ring below the driving ring, a series of
sockets in the driving ring, a series of spring seated locking pins in the package
moving ring which come into alignment with the sockets during the revolution of
the driving ring, a spring-actuated push-plug which aligns with the locking pins in
turn as the package ring revolves, a detent which holds down said push-plug while
a package is on the scales being filled, mechanism actuated by the tipping of the
scales which removes the detent from the push-plug, a spring which then actuates
the push plug to thrust one of the locking pins into a socket in the driving ring, a
track plate which holds the locking pin to its engagement so that the rings move
together during a part of a revolution until another package reaches the scales, at
which time the locking pin leaves the track plate and the rings become unlocked
and a detent which at the same time stops the revolution of the package ring,
substantially as described.
29. In a weighing and package filling machine the combination of a reciprocating
rod which opens and closes the feed gate, a continuously revolving driving ring
which drives the package carrier, a package moving ring below the driving ring, a
series of sockets in the driving ring, a series of spring seated locking pins in the
package moving ring which come into alignment with the sockets during the
revolution of the driving ring, a spring-actuated push-plug which aligns with the
locking pins in turn as the package ring revolves, a spring-controlled lever which
holds back the push plug while a package is on the scales being filled, a shaft on
which said lever is fixed, a lever 3 also fixed on said shaft, mechanism which slides
the reciprocating rod and closes the gate when a package is filled, a booked cam
lever pivoted to an arm on a shaft attached to said reciprocating rod which, when
the gate is opened by the reciprocating rod, engages with a stud on said lever³,
and which when the gate closes pulls the lever from engagement with the push
plug, a spring, which then actuates the push-plug to thrust one of the locking pins
into a socket in the driving ring, a track plate P which holds the locking pin to its
engagement so that the two rings move together during a part of a revolution until
another package reaches the scales, at which time the locking pin leaves the track
plate and the rings become unlocked, and a stop lever p, pl, fixed on a rock-shaft
which is actuated by the push plug through intermediate mechanism to remove its
restraint when the rings are locked, and which is actuated by the locking pin
through intermediate mechanism as it travels over the track plate to return to its

page_text: position in readiness to stop the package ring when another package is on the scales,
substantially as described.
30. The combination of a reciprocating rod, a source of energy which supplies
power to reciprocate said rod, mechanism which moves said rod, a medium with a
make and break device through which force is transmitted from said source of
energy to the mechanism for reciprocating the rod, a pivoted angle bar lever to one
arm of which is pivoted the make and break device, a spring which tends to hold
the make and break device closed, a lever fulcrumed at a point between its two ends,
pivoted at one end to the reciprocating rod, and carrying a spring-seated push pin
at its other end, the push pin lever operating to turn the make and break lever on
its pivot and open the circuit when the rod reciprocates in one direction, the make
and break lever spring turning it back again and closing the circuit when the rod
reciprocates in the reverse direction and withdraws the push pin from its engagement,
substantially as described.
31. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a hopper, a
weighing scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a recipro-
cating rod which opens and closes said gate, a source of energy which supplies
power to reciprocate said rod, mechanism which moves said rod in a direction to
open the gate and mechanism which moves said rod in a direction to close the gate,
a medium with a make and break device through which force is transmitted from
said source of energy to the mechanism for opening the gate and a medium with a
make and break device through which force is transmitted to close the gate, a
pivoted angle bar lever to one arm of which is pivoted the make and break device
of the gate closing circuit, a spring which tends to hold the make and break device
closed, a catch attached to the scale beam which holds the angle bar from yielding
to its spring, and a lever fulcrumed at a point between its two ends and pivoted at
one end to the reciprocating rod and carrying a push pin at its other end, the
tipping of the scale beam operating to trip the angle bar and allowing it to yield to
its spring, thereby closing the circuit through the gate closing medium whereby the
reciprocating rod moves to close the gate, and turn the push pin lever which then
operates to lift the make and break lever and open the circuit again, substantially
as described.
32. In a weighing and package filling machine, the combination of a feed hopper,
a weighing scale, a gate which controls the flow of goods from the hopper, a
gate-opening and a gate-closing solenoid, having cores connected with each other
and with the gate, a source of electrical supply, an electrical circuit through each
solenoid, a contact mechanism forming a part of each circuit, a package moving
ring, a continuously revolving ring which drives the package moving ring, mechanism
for automatically locking the two rings together and causing them to move together
until a package is moved to the scale pan and then unlocking them and stopping
the package moving ring, mechanism which is actuated to close the contact in the
gate opening circuit when the package moves to the scale pan, allowing the gate
to be opened, intermediate mechanism operated by the sliding core of the solenoid
which opens said contact again before the gate-closing solenoid becomes operative,
mechanism actuated by the tipping of the scales when the package is filled which
closes the contact in the gate-closing circuit, allowing the gate to be closed, inter-
mediate mechanism operated by the sliding core of the solenoid to again open said
contact, and mechanism for again locking the two rings together whereby the filled
package is removed from the scales and an empty package is brought to the scales,
substantially as described.
Dated this 10th day of March AD 1896
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97 Newgate Street, E.C., Agent for Applicants.