Improvements in Machines for Weighing and Dividing Dough or other Substances.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Weighing and Dividing Dough or
other Substances.
I, ALEXANDER MORRIS MELVIN, Charles Street, Saint Rollox, Glasgow, in the
County of Lanark, North Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
A
This invention consists of an improved apparatus or machine for automatically
weighing & dividing dough or other substances into pieces of equal weight. One
modification of my improved apparatus consists of a cylindrical vessel having a
hopper to receive the dough at the feed end & is fitted with a screw or worm
which revolves & carrying the dough from the feed end delivers or forces it
through the opposite end of the vessel into a hollow arm or spout. This spout
is not rigidly attached to the vessel beforementioned but is connected by means
of a tube consisting of india rubber or other flexible material so that its outer
end is free to rise & fall as may be required. This flexible tube passes through
metal rings of an oval or oblong shape placed at sufficient distance apart to keep
the flexible tube in a similar shape when the dough is passing through it. This
renders the tube more flexible in one direction than another & these rings are
so placed on the flexible tube which connects the spout to the cylindrical vessel
that the spout will have the least resistance to rise & fall at its outer end. On
each side of the inner end of the spout an arm projects & carries a pin which
rests on a socket similar to an ordinary scale beam. These two pins being in a
line with each other form the fulcrum from which the outer end of the spout
rises & falls & they are fixed at a point where their position will give the
least movement to the flexible tube connecting the spout to the vessel.
counterweight is attached by means of a lever fixed to the spout & projecting
on the opposite side of the fulcrum & of sufficient weight to counterbalance the
weight of the spout when filled with dough & also the weight of the piece to be
cut off. The outer end of the spout is bent so as to deliver the dough vertically
downwards. The dough passes along through the spout & hangs at its outer
end until a sufficient quantity is collected to overcome the counterweight on
lever when it pulls down the outer end of spout thereby bringing into action
a sliding knife placed under the outer end of spout & which cuts off the dough
hanging therefrom. Immediately the dough is cut off the spout rises into its
original position by means of the counterweight until the dough again accumu-
lates at outer end of spout & the cutting operation is repeated. The quantity
of dough required to be cut off is increased or diminished by moving the counter-
weight along the lever away from or nearer to the fulcrum. The movement of
sliding knife is derived from a cam fixed on a revolving shaft driven by belt or
gearing from the worm shaft or main shaft of machine. This cam by means of
a pivotted lever drives a pusher bar backwards & forwards continuously. This
pusher bar slides loose on under side of sliding knife. A projection at one end
of the pusher bar works free in a slot in the sliding knife which is formed so as

page_text: to allow the pusher bar to work without shifting the sliding knife when same
is back clear of the dough hanging at outer end of spout. When both
pusher bar & sliding knife are full back, holes in each are formed so as to come
exactly opposite or together. A slip bolt is fastened near to outer end of spout
& pivotted so as to allow the lower end to swing in same direction as sliding
knife. When the dough accumulates & pulls down outer end of spout this slip
bolt is placed so as when falling with spout it passes through the two holes in
sliding knife & pusher bar thus engaging the one with the other & the knife being
driven through the dough cuts it off at the moment when a certain weight has
collected at outer end of spout. Immediately the dough is cut off, the outer end
of spout rises & carrying with it the slip bolt pulls it out of the holes in the
sliding knife & pusher bar the latter pulling back the former to its original
position by means of the projection on the pusher bar beforementioned. The
pusher continues to move by itself until the accumulation of dough at outer end
of spout pulls it down again & the operation of cutting off is repeated. To
simplify the description only one spout with its cut off apparatus is described but
two or more spouts may be applied to one cylindrical vessel with worm or screw
to force the dough through them & having each a similar cut off apparatus as
already described.
Another modification of my improved apparatus may be applied in which the
lever & counterweight are replaced by an ordinary counter scale or similar weigh-
ing machine. One end of this scale is placed underneath the spout to receive
the dough & is linked to the outer end of spout so that both move together.
Weights are placed on opposite side of scale to counterbalance the spout when full
of dough & also the weight of dough required to be cut off. The cut off apparatus
already described may be applied in a similar manner, but the sliding
knife would have a scraper fixed to it which would sweep the
dough off the scale at the same time as when sliding knife severs
the dough from the spout. Instead of applying a flexible tube to connect the
spout to the cylindrical vessel the outer end of spout may obtain a free up &
down movement by fixing at the delivery end of cylindrical vessel a tee shaped
nozzle to deliver two streams of dough in opposite directions. Over the ends
of this tee shaped nozzle is fitted sufficiently loose to allow free movement in one
direction another jaw shaped nozzle having two passages to come opposite the
ends of the tee shaped nozzle & which convey the dough therefrom in two semi-
circular streams which unite into the inner end of spout to which the jaw
shaped nozzle is fixed. On each side of this jaw shaped nozzle is a fixed pin
resting in a socket similar to that in a scale beam. These pins form the fulcrum
from which outer end of spout rises & falls & they are placed so as the point of
fulcrum will come opposite the centre of two passages formed by tee nozzle. Both
ends of tee nozzle being of same diameter the pressure of dough is equal on
either side & undue friction is thereby prevented. Another application of my
improved apparatus for dealing with dough or other material not sufficiently
tenacious to hang from the spout before being cut off consists in arranging the
outer end of spout to bend upwards & forming at the exit a flange or platform
all round so that the material would collect on this platform until sufficient weight
was accumulated when the outer end of spout would fall & bring into action a
revolving knife which would cut off the required weight of material which would
at same time be swept aside by a scraper attached to knife. The spout being then
relieved of the weight of piece cut off would rise to its original position until
sufficient material would accumulate causing outer end of spout to fall & repeating
cutting off operation. If required a cylinder or box with suitably fitted piston or
similar apparatus may be employed to force the dough through the rising &
falling spout instead of the cylindrical vessel with worm or screw beforementioned.
Dated this 17th day of December 1898.

page_text: Improvements in Machines for Weighing and Dividing Dough or
other Substances.
ALEXANDER MORRIS MELVIN, 28, Charles Street, Saint Rollox, Glasgow, in the
County of Lanarkshire, Engineer, 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:―
A
This invention consists of an improved apparatus or machine for automatically
weighing & dividing dough or other substances into pieces of equal weight. One
modification of my improved apparatus consists of a cylindrical vessel having a
hopper to receive the dough at the feed end and is fitted with a screw or worm
which revolves & carrying the dough from the feed end delivers or forces it
through the opposite end of the vessel into a hollow arm or spout. This spout
is not rigidly attached to the vessel before mentioned but is connected by means
of a tube consisting of india rubber or other flexible material so that its outer
end is free to rise and fall as may be required. This flexible tube passes through
metal rings of an oval or oblong shape placed at sufficient distance apart to keep
the flexible tube in a similar shape when the dough is passing through it. This
renders the tube more flexible in one direction than another and these rings are
so placed on the flexible tube which connects the spout to the cylindrical vessel
that the spout will have the least resistance to rise & fall at its outer end. On
each side of the inner end of the spout an arm projects and carries a pin which
rests on a socket similar to an ordinary scale beam. These two pins being in a
line with each other form the fulcrum from which the outer end of spout
rises & falls, and they are fixed at a point where their position will give the
least movement to the flexible tube connecting the spout to the vessel.
counterweight is attached by means of a lever fixed to the spout and projecting
on the opposite side of the fulcrum, and of sufficient weight to counterbalance the
weight of spout when filled with dough, and also the weight of the piece to be
cut off. The outer end of the spout is bent so as to deliver the dough vertically
downwards. The dough passes along through the spout and hangs at its outer
end until a sufficient quantity is collected to overcome the counterweight on
lever when it pulls down the outer end of spout thereby bringing into action
a sliding knife placed under the outer end of spout and which cuts off the dough
hanging therefrom. Immediately the dough is cut off the spout rises into its
original position by means of the counterweight until the dough again accumu-
lates at outer end of spout and the cutting operation is repeated. The quantity
of dough required to be cut off is increased or diminished by moving the counter-
weight along the lever, away from or nearer to the fulcrum. The movement of
sliding knife is derived from a cam fixed on a revolving shaft driven by belt or
gearing from the worm shaft or main shaft of machine. This cam by means of
a pivotted lever drives a pusher bar backwards & forwards continuously. This
pusher bar slides loose on under side of sliding knife. A projection at one end
of the pusher bar works free in a slot in the sliding knife which is formed so as
to allow the pusher bar to work without shifting the sliding knife when same
is back clear of the dough hanging at outer end of spout. When both
pusher bar & sliding knife are full back, holes in each are formed so as to come
exactly opposite or together. A slip bolt is fastened near to outer end of spout
and pivotted so as to allow the lower end to swing in same direction as sliding
knife. When the dough accumulates and pulls down outer end of spout this slip
bolt is placed so as when falling with spout it passes through the two holes in
sliding knife & pusher bar, thus engaging the one with the other, and the knife

page_text: The
being driven through the dough cuts it off at the moment when a certain weight
has collected at outer end of spout. Immediately the dough is cut off the outer
end of spout rises, and carrying with it the slip bolt, pulls it out of the holes in
the sliding knife & pusher bar; the latter pulling back the former to its original
position by means of the projection on the pusher bar beforementioned.
pusher continues to move by itself until the accumulation of dough at outer end
of spout pulls it down again, and the operation of cutting off is repeated. To
simplify the description only one spout with its cut off apparatus is described,
but two or more spouts may be applied to one cylindrical vessel with worm or
screw to force the dough through them, and having each a similar cut off apparatus
as already described. Another modification of my improved apparatus may be
applied in which the lever and counterweight are replaced by a counter scale or
similar weighing machine. One end of this scale is placed underneath the spout
to receive the dough, and is linked to the outer end of spout so that both move
together. Weights are placed on opposite side of scale to counterbalance the
spout when full of dough and also the weight of dough required to be cut off.
The cut off apparatus already described may be applied in a similar manner, but
the sliding knife would have a scraper fixed to it which would sweep the dough
off the scale at the same time as when sliding knife severs the dough from the
spout. Instead of applying a flexible tube to connect the spout to the cylindrical
vessel the outer end of spout may obtain a free up and down movement by
fixing at the delivery end of cylindrical vessel a tee shaped nozzle to deliver
two streams of dough in opposite directions. Over the ends of this tee shaped
nozzle is fitted sufficiently loose to allow free movement in one direction another
jaw shaped nozzle having two passages to come opposite the ends of tee shaped
nozzle, and which convey the dough therefrom in two semi-circular streams
which unite into the inner end of spout to which the jaw shaped nozzle is fixed.
On each side of this jaw shaped nozzle is a fixed pin resting in a socket similar
to that in a scale beam. These pins form the fulcrum from which outer end of
spout rises & falls, and they are placed so as the point of fulcrum will come
opposite the centre of two passages formed by tee nozzle. Both ends of tee
nozzle being of same diameter the pressure of dough is equal on either side, and
undue friction is thereby prevented. Another application of my improved
apparatus for dealing with dough or other material not sufficiently tenacious to
hang from the spout before being cut off consists in arranging the outer end of
spout to bend upwards and forming at the exit a flange or platform all round so
that the material would collect on this platform until sufficient weight has
accumulated when the outer end of spout would fall and bring into action a
revolving knife which would cut off the required weight of material which would
at same time be swept aside by a scraper attached to knife. The spout being then
relieved of the weight of piece cut off would rise to its original position until
sufficient material would accumulate causing outer end of spout to fall and
repeating cutting off operation. If required, a cylinder or box with suitably
fitted piston or similar apparatus may be employed to force the dough through the
rising & falling spout instead of the cylindrical vessel with worm or screw
beforementioned.
In the 4 sheets of explanatory drawings accompanying this specification, and
which for the sake of simplifying the description, represent a machine with only
one flexible spout attached to cylindrical vessel and having different modifications
of flexible spout & cutting off apparatus but two or more spouts with similar
apparatus may be applied to the cylindrical vessel.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of machine.
Figure 2 is an end view of same.
Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of flexible spout to a larger scale.
Figure 4 is an elevation of cutting off apparatus to a larger scale.
Figures 5 & 6 are an elevation & end view of a modification of cutting off

page_text: Figures 7 & 8 are an elevation & plan of a mounication of
cutting off apparatus.
Figure 9 is a sectional plan of a modification of flexible spout.
The same reference letters in different views indicate same parts.
A, is a hopper attached to cylindrical vessel A¹, to receive the dough.
B, is worm rotating in cylindrical vessel A', to carry the dough from hopper A,
and force it along to spout D.
C, is a flexible part of spout D consisting of rubber, canvas or other suitable
material. The metal rings E, E, E, E, E, E, are oblong or oval in shape
and confine the flexible part C so that its form will give the least resistance to
allow the outlet end of spout D to rise & fall.
These rings E, are not shewn on Figure 1 to avoid confusion of detail but are
shewn on Figure 3. F, F, are levers fixed rigidly to spout D and having sliding
counterweights G, G. H, H, are pins fixed on arms projecting from levers F, F,
and rest on sockets I, I, similar in shape to an ordinary scale beam, forming the
fulcrum of movement for spout D. J is a sliding knife placed so as to move the
outlet end of spout D. K is a pusher bar moving backwards & forwards con-
tinuously by means of the vibrating lever L and rotating cam M. Projection N
on pusher bar K works free in a slot P in sliding knife J of sufficient length
to allow projection N to have free movement without striking either end of
slot P when knife J is back clear of spout 1. O is a slip bolt hinged at its
upper end to spout D, and with its lower end passing into a hole Q in sliding
knife J. A corresponding hole R in pusher bar K is placed so as to come
opposite hole Q when projection N is at back end of slot P. Y is a tension
spring to keep lower end of vibrating lever L, in contact with cam M. S & T
are bevel wheels to transmit the power from shaft U to worm B. Intermediate
shaft transmits the power from shaft U by means of bevel wheels & belt or
other suitable means to cam shaft on which rotating cam M is fixed to drive the
cutting off arrangement.
W, is a box frame to carry cylindrical vessel A', driving shaft U, intermediate
shaft V and cutting off apparatus. X, X, are fast & loose driving pulleys. In the
foregoing arrangement the dough is carried by worm B and forced along the
cylindrical vessel A', through flexible part C of spout D, and thence into spout D
at the outer end of which it collects and hangs till sufficient quantity accumulates
to overcome the counterweights G, G, on levers F, F. By moving counter-
weights G, G, away from or nearer to fulcrum I, I, the amount of dough at outlet
end of spout D may be increased or diminished. When the outlet end of spout D
falls with the accumulation of dough hanging therefrom, the slip bolt O passes
into the hole R in pusher bar K which thus drives sliding knife J across outlet
end of spout D and cuts off the dough hanging therefrom. Immediately the
dough is cut off the counterweights G, G, raise the spout 1 back to its original
position, at same time pulling the slip bolt 0 out of hole R in pusher bar K, the
projection N pulling back sliding knife J clear of spout D where it remains until
the slip bolt again descending with spout D and passing into hole R engages
the sliding knife J with pusher bar K, and the cutting off operation is repeated.
In Figures 5 & 6 which is a modification of cutting off apparatus, B¹, is a
circular knife rotating continually and fixed to upright shaft 133, which runs in
a bracket B³, swinging on an intermediate shaft B, which is driven by belt,
A pair
gearing, or other suitable means from intermediate shaft V, Figure 1.
of bevel wheels B7, & B8, transmit the power from intermediate shaft B4, to
drive the circular knife B. The action for driving the circular knife B', across
the outlet of spout I) when the dough is to be cut off is derived from a friction
clutch C. One half of clutch C, forms a driving pulley C2, which runs loose
on a shaft C3, and is driven by belt or other means from intermediate shaft V,
Figure 1. The other half of clutch C, is keyed on to shaft C³, to which is also
keyed a disc B6, with crank pin B, to which bracket B3, is connected by a link B³.
On outside edge of disc B6, a recess is formed so as to provide a stop to prevent

page_text: disc B6, revolving when trigger 04, engages this stop. Trigger C4, is pivotted
at C6, and has a striker C, hinged at one end C7, to upper end of trigger C, and
connected at other end to spout 1 by link C8. C, is a disc fixed to and revolving
with shaft B2, and having on its upper face ratchet teeth formed all round. A
compression spring D', gives the necessary friction required to drive the half of
clutch C, keyed on shaft C. The trigger C, is provided with a compression
spring A, which pushes trigger so as it will engage with the stop formed by
recess on edge of disc B¹.
In the modification shewn in Figures 5 & 6 of cutting off apparatus, when
spout D falls with the dough hanging at its outlet end the striker C³, engages
with ratchet teeth on disc C, knocking trigger 04, back clear of the stop formed
on edge of crank disc B. This allows disc B6, to revolve by means of friction
clutch C, and by means of link B5, connected to bracket B³, swings the circular
knife B', over the outlet end of spout 1 thereby cutting through the dough
hanging therefrom. The disc B°, continues to revolve until it has pulled the
circular knife B', back to its original position when trigger C4, by the compression
of spring A2, is pushed so as to fall in stop formed on edge of disc 136. Meanwhile
spout D after dough has been cut off rises to its original position, lifting end
of striker C, clear of ratchet teeth on disc C9. In Figures 7 & 8 spout D is shewn
with its outlet end turned upwards, and a flange or platform E¹, formed all
round the outlet. This allows dough which is not sufficiently tenacious to hang
from the spout D to collect till the desired quantity accumulates when the outer
end of spout D falls and brings into action by suitable mechanism a revolving
knife E, to which a scraper 13, is attached which sweeps the dough off the
platform E, at same time as knife 12, cuts it through.
In Figure 9 a modification of the flexible spout is shewn. The cylindrical
vessel A, is provided with a tee shaped outlet F1, having discharge passages
of equal diameter placed opposite to each other. Instead of employing in this
case a flexible part to connect spout D with cylindrical vessel A1, the spout D at its
inlet end is split into two semi-circular passages F2, F2, which form a jaw to
fit loosely over the tee shaped outlet F. Two pins F3, F3, rest on sockets similar
to those described in Figure 1, and form the fulcrum from which the spout D
rises and falls at outer end. The centre of movement of pins F3, F3, and centres
of passages F1, F2, F, come into alignment. The object of dividing the stream
of dough at F2, F2, is to equalize the pressure on each side and prevent undue
friction which would interfere with the free movement of spout D.
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. The arrangement of a flexible spout poised and counterweighted, through
which the dough or other substance is forced so as to accurately weigh any desired
quantity accumulating at outlet end, all as herein before described and illustrated
on accompanying drawings.
2. The arrangement of cutting off apparatus, in combination with flexible
spout, so as to cut off at the same time as accurately weigh any desired quantity
of dough accumulating at outlet end of spout, all as hereinbefore described and
illustrated on accompanying drawings.
Dated this Nineteenth day of December. Eighteen hundred & ninety-eight
ALEXANDER MORRIS MELVIN.