Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for Dividing and Esti- mating Weights of Substances from Given Quantities and Filling Packages therewith.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Dec., 1886
Complete Left, 5th Aug., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 14th Oct., 1887
Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for Dividing and Esti-
mating Weights of Substances from Given Quantities and Filling
Packages therewith.
I, THOMAS CUTHBERT BELL of 16 Claremont Road in the City and County of
Newcastle upon Tyne in the County of Northumberland, Commercial Traveller, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to Machines or Apparatus that work by hand for
dividing and estimating Weights of Substances from given quantities, and filling
packages therewith (commonly called Blocking Packages) such substances being
granular or powdered, as cocoa tea coffee starch rice washing powders and all goods
generally sold in packets, and is principally intended as an improvement upon the
Machine described in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me, and bearing
date the 10th day of April A.D. 1884, No. 6211, although the present improvements
in part or whole may be adapted to other machines or purposes.
The invention patented and numbered as above is described as being " An Improved
Packet Blocking or Packing Machine for spices cocoa starch, and similar substances,"
and consists of a square Frame, divided by partitions into divisions wherein the papers
or bags to be filled and packed are placed. These divisions being movable as follows:-
To the partitions which run from right to left of the Frame and work in a groove
or space on each side, are fixed small partitions some to back and some to front
alternately.
In the front part of the Frame (within) is left a space to allow the divisions or
partitions to work backwards and forwards, when it is desired to liberate the
packets.
The long divisions or partitions being coupled together at the ends in the grooves
or spaces by cord running inside of an india-rubber tube.
Steel rods running through the divisions from back to front of Frame, keep them in
their true position.
The Filler is composed of a perforated plate or floor with sides under which the
Frame is placed. The holes or perforations in the floor of the Filler are a little less
in size than the packets to be filled to insure precision in filling.

page_text: Two sheets of paper being placed over the holes in the Filler before the material to
be packed is put in it, thus hindering the material going through into the packets
until it is evenly spread over the surface, after which the papers are drawn away and
the packets thus filled by the material falling through the holes.
In cases where the goods have to be weighed singly, above and around the holes in
the floor of the Filler, are walls forming as it were funnels for the reception of each
quantity to be packed in each packet.
The object of the present invention is chiefly intended as an improvement on the
above Patent by securing greater accuracy in dividing and estimating the goods, and
in compressing the material in the packets, and simplifying, and improving various
parts of the machine.
In cases where the weights are estimated by simply placing the substance upon the
papers covering the holes in the Filler, and then drawing away the papers it is found
that this mode is not sufficiently accurate as some packets get more than their share
while others have not a sufficiency.
To overcome this difficulty the walls (described in Specification of previous Patent)
forming funnels for the reception of goods that are weighed singly, will be extended
to all machines.
These receptacles or funnels will be of such a capacity as to hold only the quantity
of stuff required for each package.
And in order to secure a correct- quantity to each receptacle or funnel, a sieve
exactly fitting the Filler inside, and resting upon the tops of the receptacles or funnels
will be used, Through which the material will fall, by this means the fall will be broken
and the stuff fall evenly and lightly into the receptacles funnels or divisions. Thus
guaranteeing an equal spacific gravity of the material, and secure accuracy in weight
by measurement of capacity.
These sieves will vary in the size of the meshes according to the nature of the stuff
to be packed.
The sieve is then removed and the material streaked or spread over the tops of the
receptacles or funnels by means of a scraper which fits in and corresponds with the
beveled sides of the top of the Filler.
This streaker or scraper is as follows:-The top of the Filler being beveled inwardly
down to the sieve, the streaker will be beveled to correspond, and thus ride evenly
from right to left and vice-versa on the beveled sides and top edge of the Filler, to
within about one inch above the receptacles or funnels.
The top of the streaker being formed of wood, a piece of sheet steel will be inserted
vertically in the centre of its under side to project below the wood, and arranged so as
to graduate to the exact gauge or length required, when this is ascertained the steel
will be fixed by inserting pins in each end, and every successive batch will be streaked
by it.
The material before being placed in the Filler is weighed in a large scoop provided
for the purpose upon an ordinary scale. Thus no more stuff than is required to fill
the number of packets in the Frame is put into the Filler at one time.
The body of the Filler is a square box containing the receptacles, funnels or
divisions.
The under part of the Filler will be formed of four legs and the perforated floor
resting thereon. The legs will be continued above the perforated floor to about half
the hight of the upper portion of the Filler, with a cross bar at the sides connecting
each two side legs together, and forming a case into which the top of the Filler
will fit.
The perforations in the floor fixed to the legs on the underside will be the exact size
of the holes at the bottom of the receptacles in the upper portion of the Filler gradually
widening around each hole to a sharp ridge, so that the stuff when escaping from the
receptacles may fall down the sides into the papers.
Regarding the construction of the receptacles or funnels in the upper portion of the
Filler. The lower or delivery parts will be the exact dimensions of the bottom of the
holes in the perforated floor, gradually increasing in width to the hight of from

page_text: one third to one half of the full hight of the receptacles or funnels. The remaining
portion will be straight (and formed of any material to insure strength and economise
space) so as to impede too great a rapidity of delivery by breaking the fall.
The box containing the receptacles or funnels when placed in position will rest upon
four slight elevations above the perforated floor so as to admit between it and upper
portion of the Filler, two pieces of thin sheet steel, or any other suitable material,
which will be substituted as an improvement in place of two sheets of paper mentioned
in Specification of previous Patent. These will be drawn away to right and left and
liberate the stuff in the upper portion of the Filler.
Finger handles will be fixed to each outside end of these pieces of steel by which
they will be drawn out. This improvement is necessary as when the material is thrown
into the Filler the sheets of paper are forced down and bag into the holes of the lower
floor, thus impeding their being drawn out.
Between the upper portion of the Filler and the perforated floor will be a bow
spring extending from front to back, fixed to the bottom of the upper portion of the
Filler, and resting upon the floor so that when the two sheets of steel are required to
be inserted in their position, this spring will throw the upper portion of the Filler up,
thus widening the space between and allowing the steel to be easily inserted.
This however need not be the case in every machine, as the sheets of steel, or other
material that may be used will not be drawn out completly, only sufficiently to uncover
the holes to allow the stuff to fall into the packets.
This spring is also necessary in packing some substances, as it will be required to
give the upper portion of the Filler a rebounding motion in order to get the funnels to
deliver their contents.
At the right and left hand side of the upper portion of the Filler two finger springs
will be fixed to the cross pieces between the legs, so as to keep the upper portion of the
Filler in its place when pressed down, when these springs are let go the upper portion'
of the Filler will spring up widening the space.
In the Frame which contains the papers to be filled will be fixed a lock handle.
This handle being fixed to the first of the moving divisions, will lock on the inside
of the outside frame, thus keeping the divisions in their place, while the packets are
being filled, and the ends fastened or folded down.
When the packets are finished the handle will be drawn forward through a hole in
the front of the outer Frame, bringing with it the partitions or divisions, it is then
locked on the outside of the Frame and by this means keep the divisions open while
the packets slip out.
"In the ends of the long partitions running from right to left which move in the
grooves or spaces, is a cord running in an india rubber tube."
This cord and tube will in some cases where it is necessary be substituted by a chain
to draw the partitions forward.
Interlaced with the links of this chain between each division, will be a piece of
elastic to keep the chain from hanging down and getting entangled with the
partitions.
In the space at the right and left of the Frame, wherein the partitions move, will
be placed between the partitions, pieces of wood to correspond with the small
partitions running from back to front. This being necessary to fill up the space in
the sides of the Frame when the divisions are closed, and present a flat side for
the packets to rest against. These will be fixed to the partitions from the front.
The chain and elastic, or cord and tube will pass through these pieces of wood or
chocks.
The ends of the partitions in the space, and the chocks will ride upon steel rails
placed midway in the space above and below so as to keep them in their situations.
An arrangement by which the material is compressed in the packets is provideḍ
as follows.
A flat piece of wood of the required thickness according to the size of the machine,
the dimensions of which will correspond with the top of the Filler just above the
receptacles or funnels, and will form the base into which long round pieces of wood

page_text: shaped like office rullers will be fixed, being of sufficient length to extend from their
base to within about one inch of the bottom of the packets.
These pieces of wood to correspond in number to the funnels in the Filler, and the
packets in the Frame.
This will form the upper portion of the Packer or Compressor.
The under portion of which will rest upon the tops of the funnels is formed as
follows.
A duplicate piece of wood, of the last mentioned flat piece, having holes through it
to correspond in size and number to the round pieces of wood or packers in the
upper portion of the Packer, through which the packers will work, these holes acting
as a guide.
This duplicate piece of wood will have four round pieces of wood similar to above
pieces, fixed to it, but working in an opposite direction to the other round pieces,
and working through four holes in the top piece of flat wood to which the packers are
attached.
The four round pieces being secured by a frame at top shaped like an Oxford
picture frame.
On each of these four pillars a spiral spring will be placed to facilitate an up and
down motion of the packers by the operator.
This Packer will be suspended from the ceiling above the Filler, by means of
cords, weights, and pulleys, and when not in use can be thrown up out of the way.
One or several Frames can be used to each Filler, according to the requirements
of those using the machines or apparatus.
Dated this Sixth day of December 1886.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery or Apparatus for Dividing and Esti-
mating Weights of Substances from Given Quantities and Filling
Packages therewith.
I, THOMAS CUTHBERT BELL, of 16 Claremont Road, in the city and county of
Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the county of Northumberland, Commercial Traveller, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention has reference to machines or apparatus that are worked by hand for
dividing and estimating weights of granular or powdered substances from given
quantities, and for filling packages therewith, cocoa, tea, coffee, starch, rice, and
washing powders may be mentioned as examples of such substances as well as other
goods of a like nature which are generally sold in packets, the object of the present
invention being to provide further improvements on the packet-blocking or packing
machine described in the Specification of Letters patent granted to me No. 6211 dated
the 10th day of April 1884.
The invention consists in providing the frame of the said packet-blocking or packing
machine with chains instead of cords for connecting and operating the partitions
thereof and with an arrangement of lock handle for securing the partitions in their
closed position; in constructing the filler above the perforated floor with partitions
forming measuring compartments and having tapered sides; in the employment in
combination with the "filler" of a removeable sieve adapted to be fitted therein for
the purpose of breaking the fall of the material as it is poured into the filler thereby
ensuring an equal distribution of the material in the said measuring compartments;
in the use between the lower edges of the said partitions and the perforated floor of
the "filler" of sheet metal plates in place of sheets of paper which I formerly used
above the perforated floor and which were objectionable on account of their liability to
sagg into the perforations of the floor thereby hindering or preventing their with-
drawal; in providing a spring or springs between the upper portion and the perforated
floor of the "filler for allowing a vibratory motion to be given to the said upper
portion to ensure the "filler" delivering the whole of the material into the envelopes,
finger springs or catches being provided for keeping the two parts of the "filler'
together; in the employment of a striker or scraper for levelling and properly
distributing the material in the measuring compartments; in the construction and use
with the packet-blocking or packing machine of an apparatus for ramming or com-
pressing the material after it has been introduced into the envelopes; and in the use
of a device for simultaneously pressing a number of the ends of the packages after
they have been folded or closedy
In order to enable my invention to be fully understood I will proceed to describe

page_text: the same by reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a packet-blocking
or packing machine constructed substantially in the manner described in my said
former specification and shewing my present improvements in and connected
therewith.
In the said drawings figure 1, is a plan of the frame in which the envelopes or
receptacles to be packed are supported vertically, one half of the said frame being
shewn ready for receiving a supply of such envelopes or receptacles, and the other half
being represented ready for removing the finished packets therefrom; figure 2 is a
side elevation of the same when so adjusted for removing the packets therefrom;
figure 3 is a view of the same partly in front elevation and partly in longitudinal
vertical section arranged in position below the "filler" and containing a number of
envelopes or receptacles ready for being filled, the said filler being correspondingly
shewn in front elevation and longitudinal vertical section; figure 4 is a view of the
said "filler" and frame similarly arranged but represented partly in side elevation and
partly in transverse vertical section; figures 5 and 6 are respectively a side elevation
and an end elevation of a scraper by which the material to be packed is distributed
evenly throughout the "filler"; figures 7 and 8 are respectively a front elevation and
a side elevation of my apparatus for compressing the contents of the packets and
figures 9 and 10 are respectively a side elevation and an underside view of a block
which I use for pressing down the ends of the packets. Similar letters of reference
indicate similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.
a, represents the frame in which I support the envelopes in a vertical position for
filling and closing, and b, b, represent the longitudinal partitions and c, c, the short
transverse partitions which are secured alternately to the back and front of the
partitions b, of such frame; d, figures 2 and 4 represents the space or opening which
allows of the partitions b, b, being moved when it is desired to liberate the packets;
e, e, represent the steel rods which being secured to the back and front of the frame a,
and passing through holes formed in the partitions c, c, retain the said partitions in
their true position, and ensure them moving evenly; f, figures 1, 3, and 4 represents
the lock handle which is mounted on the foremost partition 6', of the frame a, and g,
figure 1, represents a rod on which the said lock handle f, is pivotted; h, represents
the hole through which the lock handle f, is moved when it is desired to release the
packets from within the frame a, and by turning the said handle transversely across
this hole at either side of the front part of the frame a, as indicated at figure 3, the
partitions b, b, may be locked either in their closed or extended positions; i, represents
a rigid handle secured to the partition 6, for enabling the partitions b, and b', to be
readily moved from one position to another; j, represents the chain which I sometimes
substitute for the cord and india-rubber tube described in the Specification of my
said Letters patent; k, k, represent the pieces of wood fitted to the ends of the
partitions b, b, and sliding on or between the rails 1, 1, in the space d, at each side of
the frame a.
As shewn at figures 2 and 3, the chain j, passes through holes formed in the ends of
the partitions b, and in the blocks k, k, and each of such partitions is secured to the
chain j, by a screw m, at each end.
The filler shown at figures 3 and 4, consists of a body n, which is removeable from
the perforated plate or floor p, and o, 0, 0, 0, are the four legs which support the floor p,
of which 7, 9, represent the perforations.
r, represents a cross bar, which is secured to the upper ends of the legs o, o, at each
end, thus forming a case into which the body n fits. The upper surfaces of the longi-
tudinal and transverse rails of the floor p are inclined so as to form sharp ridges
and thereby prevent any of the material which is being packed from resting thereon.
s, s represent the lower part of walls which divide the interior of the body or filler n
into a number of measuring compartments of known capacity; these walls ss tapering
so that the delivery openings between the lower ends thereof are of the same size as
the perforations q, g.
s¹, & represent the upper part of the said dividing walls, these parts being constructed
of metal; t represents a removable sieve which, when in position in the filler, rests on

page_text: n,
n,
a ledges near the upper edge of the filler as shewn. The size of the mesh of the
sieve t, used is in accordance with the nature of the material being packed; for example,
for tea, a sieve having a coarse mesh must be used while for corn-flour and other such
powders a sieve having a fine mesh must be employed. u, u, represent two pieces of
sheet metal which are inserted between the underside of the body of the filler and
the floor p, space being left for this purpose by supporting the said filler n, at its
corners upon four slight projections not shewn on the drawings. v, v, represent hooks
or finger handles which admit of the plates being readily drawn outwards from under
the filler n.
w, represents a bow spring which, as partially represented in dotted lines
at figure 4, is fixed to the underside and extends from the front to the back of the
filler and at its ends bears upon metal pieces x, a. y, y, represent finger springs
which are fixed in the ends of the body of the filler n, and the catch, of each of
which, as shewn clearly at figure 3, engages with a metal plate a², when the filler n is
in its lowermost position; when, however, the catches z are released, the filler n is forced
upwards by the spring w. 62, 6 represent handles secured to the ends of the filler n,
to enable it to be readily grasped for the purpose of shaking it by forcing it down
(the spring w serving to again raise it) when found necessary for liberating the
substance or material being packed from the measuring compartments of the said filler.
The scraper represented at figures 5 and 6 is constructed with a stock j³ the ends of
which, as shewn, are bevelled to correspond to the inclination of the sides of the
filler n and formed with shoulders 3,3 which when in use bear upon the upper edges
of the sides of the filler. The blade 2 of this scraper is formed of sheet steel or
other suitable material and is secured into the stock j, by means of pins 1² 12 or their
equivalents.
The apparatus for compressing the material which has been introduced into the
packets (which apparatus is shewn at figures 7 and 8) is constructed of a flat piece of.
wood or a stock c³ the size of which is such that it may enter the upper part of the
filler n; d d represent round pieces of wood or plungers or rammers secured in the
stock c², and the length of which is sufficient to enable their lower ends to be
moved down to within about one inch from the bottom of the packets; the number
of the plungers or rammers d², corresponds with the number of measuring compart
ments in the filler n, and consequently with the number of packets to be filled.
e², represents a block or board which, when placed in position in the filler n, rests
upon the upper edges of the walls s¹, s¹. This block or board e², as represented in
dotted lines, is perforated to allow of the plungers d², d², sliding easily through
it. 2, represent standards or pillars the lower ends of which are secured into
the block or board e³, and their upper ends pass through holes formed in the
stock c, and are rigidly secured in the frame g². h², h², represent spiral springs
which encircle the pillars f2, f, and the ends of which fit into recesses formed
in the block or board e², and in the stock c², as shewn, so that after the said stock has
been pressed by hand downwards nearer to the piece e², and then released, the
springs h2, h3, will cause the said stock c³, and plungers d³, d², to move upwards
into their normal position. This compressing apparatus is suspended from the ceiling
above the filler n, by means of cords which are secured at their lower ends to eyes or
loops,, and which, after passing over pulleys (not represented on the accom-
panying drawings) are secured at their opposite ends to counter-balances or weights.
This arrangement admits of the compressing apparatus, when not in use, being readily
thrown up out of the way of the operator. m², figures 9 and 10, represents a block
which is provided with projections n³, n², for pressing the ends of the finished
packages.
When it is desired to divide a quantity of material and pack a number of envelopes
with the material so divided, according to my present invention, the said envelopes
are arranged in the frame a, which is placed below the filler n in the manner shewn
at figures 3 and 4. The plates u u having then been inserted between the filler n and
the floor p and the sieve t having been placed in position, that is to say, resting upon
the ledges in the filler n, a given quantity of material which will fill all the
compartments in the filler n and reach a certain distance above the walls of the

page_text: compartments is poured from a scoop (not shewn on the drawings) and spread evenly
all over the sieve t; the said scoop being preferably formed with a flat delivery shoot.
The said sieve is then removed from the filler n and with the scraper the material
is spread evenly throughout the filler, the shoulders j³, j³ of the scraper serving to
maintain the scraper in a horizontal position and at the required height; a slight
blow is then given by the operator on the top end edges of the filler so as to cause the
substance to be more densely packed, and the surface thereof will consequently sink
down below the top edges of the walls s', s'. The plates u, u are then drawn sidewise
out from the apparatus and the contents of each compartment of the filler falls into the
envelope below. If, however, the nature of the material is such as will prevent it
from completely falling from the filler n then the said filler is released from the
case r, by pressing upon the finger springs y, y, the catches of which are thereby
disengaged from the plates a², and the said filler will be forced upwards by the
spring w, and the filler can be shaken up and down until all such material has
fallen into the envelopes below, when the filler is again locked in position by forcibly
pressed it downwards. The compressing apparatus shewn at figures 7 and 8 is then
drawn down into the upper part of the filler n, and the stock c², and plungers d², d²,
are forcibly moved up and down so that the lower ends of the said plungers d²,
compress the material contained in the envelopes. After this the compressing
apparatus is thrown upwards out of the way of the operator and the frame a, with the
filled envelopes contained therein is drawn out from under the filler n, and the upper
ends of the said envelopes are closed by hand in the ordinary manner. These closed
ends are then pressed down by means of the projections n² n² on the block m² the
spaces between which projections accomodate the upper edges of the partitions b, b
when so pressed down on to the ends of the finished packets. The partitions b, bare
then moved into their extended positions by turning the lock handle f so that it can
pass through the opening h and then drawing the fixed handle outwards. The frame a
can then be raised bodily upwards and the finished packages thereby left standing on
their ends.
.
Although I have described and illustrated the use of the improved filler, sieve and
striker or scraper in combination with the frame a and rammers it will be obvious
that they can be used independently of such frame and rammers in cases where it is
only required to estimate and divide the goods without packing the same.
Further, the present improvements may be applied in part or wholly to purposes or
machines other than those before referred to for example, the herein described arrange-
ment of lock handle for securing the partitions of the frame can be used or adapted
as a handle for other purposes as will be well understood.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. Providing the frame of the packet blocking or packing machine or apparatus
with chains for connecting and operating the partitions thereof, the said chains being
secured to the partitions by means of screws passed through the links thereof
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in figures 2 and 3 of the
accompanying drawings.
2. The herein described construction of lock handle for securing the partitions of
the frame of the packet blocking or packing machine or apparatus in their closed
position substantially as hereinbefore described and represented in figures 1, 2, 3
and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
3. The use in combination with the herein described sieve and striker or scraper of
a filler placed above the perforated floor and provided with partitions forming com-
partments of given capacities for dividing the given quantity of the substances and
having tapered sides substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and
illustrated in figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
4. The use in combination with apparatus of the construction hereinbefore described
of a removable sieve adapted to be fitted in the "filler" for the purpose and as herein-
before described and represented in figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
'

page_text: 5. The use in the manner described of sheet metal plates in combination with
apparatus of the construction herein described and illustrated at figures 3 and 4.
a
6. Providing the filler formed in two parts with a spring or springs for allowing
vibratory motion to be given to the upper portion and with finger springs or catches
for keeping the two parts together substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated in figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
7. The manufacture and use in combination with packet blocking or packing
machines or apparatus, of the striker or scraper represented in figures 5 and 6 of the
accompanying drawings.
8. The manufacture and use in combination with packet blocking or packing
machines of apparatus for ramming or compressing the material after it has been
introduced into the envelopes substantially as herein before described and illustrated in
figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.
9. The manufacture and use in combination with the herein described packet
blocking or packing machine or apparatus of the device represented in figures 9
and 10 of the drawings for simultaneously pressing a number of the ends of the
packages after they have been folded or closed.
10. The improved machinery or apparatus for dividing and estimating weights of
substances from given quantities and filling packages therewith hereinbefore described
and represented in the various figures of the accompanying drawings.
Dated the 5th day of August 1887.
G. F. REDFERN,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London,
Agent for the Applicant.
G. F. REDFERN,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London,
Agent for the Applicant.