Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Jan., 1897-Accepted, 22nd May, 1897
I, WILLIAM EMERY NICKERSON, of 1722 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge,
Massachusetts, United States of America, Chemist, 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 :-
My invention relates to an apparatus adapted to automatically weigh out
granular or other substances into quantities of uniform weight, introducing the
same into cans or other receptacles; and also to present the empty receptacles
for filling, to settle the charge of material therein, and finally to transport them to
the place where the sealing up, labelling and other operations are performed.
My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which :-
.
Fig. 1 is a general view in front elevation, of my novel apparatus, excepting that
a vertical driving shaft connected with a rotating table and also a can-delivering
chute or race-way are removed, and shown in other figures, since they would
otherwise obscure other parts."
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a chute or race-way, which serves to deliver empty.
cans to a rotating table.
Fig. 3 is a view in plan of the same, explanatory of its action in delivering cans
to the table.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a pair of friction driving disks used in rotating a
table.
Fig. 5 shows a weighing machine in front elevation, and connected therewith,
a novel feeding apparatus, consisting of first, an oscillating approximately
measuring supply bucket and second, a peculiar feed-wheel adapted to deliver a
small and even stream of material, the feeding apparatus being represented partly
in front elevation and partly in vertical section.
Fig. 6 represents a cross section of a conveying spout connected with the feed-
wheel.
Fig. 7 shows detached a part of the mechanism connecting the supply bucket
with the weighing machine.
Fig. 8 shows the feeding apparatus in plan, a portion of a hopper connected with
the feed-wheel being represented as broken out.
Fig. 9 is a vertical cross section of the feed-wheel.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an actuating wing-piece forming a part of the
weighing machine, and shown detached.
Fig. 11 is a plan of a portion of my apparatus, including a rotating table;
travelling aprons, rapping device and can-delivering chute or race-way.
Fig. 12 is a view in detail relating to the same subject as Fig. 3.
Fig. 13 represents partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section, a
rotating table having pivoted can-holding beams and a latch device, and also a part
of a travelling apron and supporting parts.
Fig. 14 shows, partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section, a portion
of Fig. 13, but with a can holding beam in the position which it tends to take when
holding a filled can.
Fig. 15 shows, partly in front elevation and partly in vertical section, travelling:
aprons or conveyors and other parts, including a device for tightening one of the
aprons, and also a ranning device

page_text: Fig. 16 18 a view, partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section, of a
portion of the matter disclosed in Fig. 15.
Fig. 17 shows, partly in front elevation and partly in vertical section, driving and
tightening gear for the main travelling apron.
Fig. 18 shows diagramatically in plan, the mode of operation of a safety
attachment.
Fig. 19 is supplementary to Fig. 18, showing the parts in another position.
Fig. 20 is also supplementary to Fig. 18 in a similar manner to Fig. 19.
Fig. 21 is a view in side elevation (agreeing with Fig. 18) of a device for stopping
the weighing machine if the cans are not properly presented, a portion of the
rotating table with can-holding beams, being shown at the lower part of the figure
and a feeding device for the weighing machine at the upper part.
Fig. 22 represents a part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 21, in a different
position (viz. with a can missing from a can-holding beam) and agrees
with Fig. 20.
Fig. 23 is an enlarged view in side elevation, of a part of the mechanism shown
in Fig. 21 and especially illustrates a clutch mechanism and clutch latch.
In the drawings M (Figs. 1 and 5) represents a weighing machine adapted to
weigh material which is supplied to it, in the manner of a delivery nearly in mass
of the greater part of the charge, the remainder being made up by a small and
continuous stream. Twin bucket machines having an oscillating chute adapted to
swing from one bucket to the other are particularly adapted to be fed in this way.
As the weighing machine here shown is not novel and as its construction is not
herein involved excepting in a general way, and since the machine itself is
introduced mainly in order to disclose a complete apparatus, a brief description of
it will suffice. The weighing machine M as shown consists essentially of two
alternating weighing buckets M' and M² suspended from opposite ends of a
centrally balanced weighing beam, the latter not being visible in the drawings.
Two alternating weights M³ and M* one for each bucket, are so arranged that
cach weight serves alternately to oppose the charge of its respective bucket, and
then to impel the delivery chute (partly visible at M") from the filled to the
empty bucket.
A co-operating system of arms and latches serves to mechanically
connect these parts but is not visible in the drawings. Each of the weighing
buckets M and M2 is provided with discharge doors and latches (shown at M'
and M and M and M respectively) which allow the escape of the charge through
the hoppers M' and M as cach bucket descends under its full load.
In connection with such a weighing machine, as has just been described, I have
two independent feeding devices. The first N¹ acts quickly, and consists of an
approximately measuring supply bucket having trip latches, which will receive a
quantity of material somewhat less than the required weight, and upon the release
of the latches, discharge it, nearly in mass, into the weighing machine proper.
The second feeding device N consisting preferably of a grooved wheel and attached
parts, delivers a small continuous stream of material directly into the weighing
machine proper, adding gradually and regularly, to the mass already delivered to
it from the first feeding device, until the proper amount has been received,
whereupon the mechanism for discharging the weighing machine acts, tripping the
latches of the first feeding device or supply bucket through a suitable mechanism,
aud causes a discharge from the said bucket; and the operation is repeated.
The description of the feeding devices is as follows:-Mounted above the
weighing machine proper, Figs. 1, 5 and 8,' and connected with it by a suitable
connecting pipe, is a case Q, the front side of which is partially broken away
in Fig. 5 in order to show the supplementary supply bucket F, here shown
in vertical section, and having the compartments F and F which are separated
from each other by the partition F³. The bucket oscillates upon pins projecting
inwardly from the wall of the case Q, one of which is shown at F.
The compart
ments of the bucket F, are each provided with outlet apertures, F and F respectively
and preferably but not necessarily with the doors F7 and F. These doors

page_text: naturally swing away from the apertures F and F when these apertures are in
their lower or discharging position, and against them when in their upper or loading
position. The doors F and F may be dispensed with by making the floors of the.
bucket F to project further beyond its side walls than is represented in the
drawings, or by causing the bucket to oscillate further, or by both these means.
The floors F and F of the compartments of the bucket are made upon such a
slant preferably, that when a compartment is in its upper or loading position, its
floor is approximately horizontal, and when said compartment is in its lower or:
discharging position, its floor is at such an angle of inclination as to permit material
to freely slide out and fall into the weighing machine proper.
Centrally above the supply bucket F, is mounted the hopper Q' having the
supply pipe Q, said pipe being preferably adjustable in a vertical line and serving
to deliver material into the bucket F. The lower end of the pipe Q is but a little
above the top of the partition F³, so that when the compartment of the bucket:
which is uppermost, has become filled, the flow of material is stopped by its
accumulation in the said compartment, up to the discharge end of the pipe, so that
no further flow can occur until a movement of the bucket lowers the filled com-
partment, and brings the other and empty compartment beneath the pipe. The
amount of material which the supply bucket F will deliver, can be regulated by
raising or lowering the end of the pipe Q, or by increasing or diminishing the
height of the partition F³, or by both these means.
The bucket F is so balanced upon its axis of oscillation that, (the uppermost
compartment being filled and the other empty) it tends to oscillate, but is maintained
with the filled compartment uppermost, until a discharge is required, by the
latches and which are pivoted to the side of the bucket at f and have shoulders,
one of which is shown at f³, adapted to engage with the holding or latch rollers f
and f. The latches f and fare tripped or loosened, i.e. lifted off their rollers
when required, by the arms f and f respectively, located underneath them and
pivoted upon the shafts and f which extend through the side of the case Q and
bear on their outer ends the arms 10 and ƒ". The arms f10 and f" are connected
by the pull-wires I and 1' to the arms J and J (Figs. 5 and 7) which are fixed
upon the shafts J' and J³, said shafts carrying the wing-pieces J and J', located
beneath the discharge apertures of the weighing machine. Upon the discharge of
a load from the weighing machine, the impact of the falling material against the
wing-pieces J and J throws them alternately downward, and acting thereby
through the arm J' or J, wire I or II, arm f10 or f" and arm f°, or f', causes the
respective latch for f¹ to trip or be loosened, whereby a fresh quantity of material
having a weight somewhat less than that of a full load for the weighing machine
proper, is caused to fall from a compartment of the bucket F, into the weighing
machine.
I will now explain the particular method by which I prefer to feed the slow
continuous stream of material, which, after the weighing machine proper has
received a charge from the supply bucket above described, adds by small and
regular increment to such charge already delivered to the weighing machine,
sufficient material to make up the weight required. U is a hopper shown in full
in Fig. 7, and in part, in plan, in Fig. 8, and which is suitably supplied with the
material to be weighed. The bottom of this hopper is provided with a discharge
outlet and is fitted to the feed-wheel U₁, located immediately underneath it. The
feed-wheel U is shown in vertical section in Fig. 9 and is provided with a groove U³..
A check piece U³ (Fig. 5) extends from the rear side of the hopper U into the
groove U and prevents the escape of material in that direction. The feed-wheel U¹
is mounted on a shaft which is housed in the frame U. The wheel U¹ is made to
rotate in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 5) by means of the pulley c¹ and a pinion
and gear, the latter being shown at co (Figs. 5 and 23).
The upper end of the conveying spout, or trough V, preferably having a V shaped
cross section, (Fig. 6) is fitted by means of a tongue piece V₁ to the groove U³ of ;
the feed-wheel U¹, in such a manner that the material received by the groove
"
'

page_text: through the discharge aperture in the bottom of the hopper U will regularly and
evenly flow over it and along the spout. I have found by experiment that au
inclined trough or spout of V shaped cross section has the greatest capacity for
equalizing and maintaining equal, a stream of granular material. The incline of
said trough should be such that the material delivered to it will pass evenly
downward and actuated partly by gravity and partly by the impelling action of
the feed-wheel U₁, flow slowly and regularly into the weighing machine.
.
The trough V is adjustably connected to the frame U by means of a link. V,
and a swinging yoke V, said yoke extending on each side of the wheel U¹ and
being pivoted on its shaft. The yoke V' is adjustably held in position by a sliding
clamp V and a rod V attached to the lower part of the frame U. By the above
described method of connecting the trough V to the frame work Ut, I am enabled
to adjust the said trough to any desired position or angle.
The material flowing in the trough V has, in some cases, a tendency to become
more or less irregular, that is, sometimes it will tend to break by sliding faster in
one portion of the spout than in another, and thereby introduce, a more or less
uneven discharge into the weighing machine. I have found that this tendency to
break or become uneven is much reduced by giving the lower portion of the trough
a slightly less angle of inclination to the horizontal than the remainder has. When
this arrangement is used, the slightly increased resistance to the flow at the lower
and less inclined part, obviates separation in the stream of material, by preventing
the portions in the lower part of the trough from running away from those portions
which are following. This difference of angle of inclination in the trough V is
shown extending from Vs to the lower end, (Fig. 5).
I will now describe that part of the apparatus which relates to the presentation
of the cans to the weighing machine and their removal therefrom. T is a rotating
table (Figs. 1, 11 and 13) mounted upon a vertical spindle T' and is supported by
the pedestal T. The height of the table is adjusted by means of the pivot screw t
located in the base of the pedestal. Upon the table are mounted a number of
pivoted can-holding beams B-B. These beams oscillate at 6-b, upon supports
attached to the top of the table as shown, and carry near their inner ends the
weights B-B¹, adapted to slide along the inner part of the beans for the purpose
of adjustment, and to be held at any desired point by set screws. The inner ends
of the beams project slightly under the cap piece T³ which prevents them from
rising beyond a limited distance. The outer ends of the beams are bifurcated or
otherwise adapted to receive and hold the cans, into which is to be introduced a
weighed charge of material from the weighing machine. The relation of the
weights to the filled and empty cans upon the beams is such, that when an empty
can is on the beam, the weight preponderates but when the charge is introduced
into the can, the weight is lifted and the can and the outer end of the beam become
depressed. The beams B-B are provided with the vertical standards B2-B
which serve to support the funnels B3-B3 by means of the holders B-B, said
holders being adjustably mounted upon the standards and secured thereto by set
screws. The table is also provided with a series of stop-pieces L'-L', one for
each arm, and with a latch L mounted upon the bracket Land adapted to engage
with the stop-pieces L'-L' in succession, thus preventing the table from rotating
until its disengagement, and then only allowing a movement from one stop-piece to
the succeeding one. The beams B-B are further provided with the drop-
pieces B-B, which upon the depression of the outer ends respectively, come in
contact with the latch L, forcing it downward and disengaging it from the respective
stop-piece, (see Fig. 14) thus allowing the table to rotate until the latch comes in
contact with the next stop-piece in succession. The table T is caused to rotate in
the direction of the arrow, whenever the latch L is disengaged, by means of a pair
of friction disks Fig. 4 the upper one of which D is driven by the belt D2 and
rests upon its complementary disk D¹, the latter being rigidly attached to its shaft.
These disks are mounted upon the vertical shaft D3 which is secured at its lower
end in the cap-piece T' and at its upper end by a suitable housing not shown.

page_text: The table T is so placed with reference to the discharge orifice m (see Figsad
and 11) of the weighing machine that when one of the stop-pieces L'L' is in?
engagement with the latch L, one of the funnels 133-B3 with its correspondings
can and arm is directly beneath said orifice, and that upon a discharge of the
weighing machine the material will fall into the can.
..:
Suitably located with reference to the table T is a main conveying belt or
travelling apron A, Fig. 11, adapted to transport the filled cans or packages to
such places as are required for labelling or other operations. S is a supplementary
conveying belt or apron, next to and extending for a limited distance parallel with,
the main apron A. This supplementary apron is used, when more than one.
weighing machine is to be operated in connection with the main apron A. By the
use of this supplementary apron with each weighing machine and rotating table,
the cans from a number of such machines, may be conveyed upon the main apron
without interference with each other. When one weighing machine only is
employed, the supplementary apron may be dispensed with and the cans received
directly upon the end of the main apron, in the same manner in which they are:
shown as entering upon the supplementary apron. The rollers upon which the:
main apron A travels, are supported by a frame work A¹, of wood or other suitable.
material, supported upon the legs A2 and having the portion A³ offset as shown,
for the accommodation of the supplementary apron S.
The supplementary apron S is driven by the main apron A in the manner shown:
in Figs. 15 and 16. The under or return part of the main apron runs over the
rollers a a (shown by dotted lines) and under the rollers ss, causing sufficient
friction upon the rollers s, s, around which the supplementary apron runs, to cause :
them to turn and thus drive the supplementary apron.
Tension is maintained on the supplementary apron by means of the tightening
rollers s¹, s¹, mounted upon the frame s2, said frame being balanced upon the arm s³.
The tightening rollers s¹, s¹, are pressed against the under side of the supplementary
apron S by means of the weights and co-operate with the roller a² to take up
'the slack.
:
The main apron is driven by the mechanism disclosed in Fig. 1 and enlarged
and shown partly in section in Fig. 17. G is a driving drum mounted upon the
shaft 9, said shaft also carrying the gear wheel g₁. The secondary shaft g³ is
provided with a pinion g³ engaging with the said gear wheel g¹, and also with the
pulley and the small secondary roller or drum G'. H' is a swinging frame
pivoted at hand provided with a weight h¹. This frame H' carries the tightening
roller H. The apron A passes around the drum G and over the small drum G¹
(whereby it is doubly driven) then under the tightening roller H and over
the idler roller a³. The circumference of the small drum G₁ bears approxi
mately the same ratio to that of the larger drun G as the pitch line of
the pinion g³ bears to that of the gear wheel g¹. The small drum is preferably
however slightly larger than the strict proportion, whereby it exerts a strong
pulling force upon the apron, after it has passed round the drum G, causing the
latter to drive thereby with great power. The tightening roller H serves to take :
up the stretch of the apron A and to maintain an even tension thereon.
The empty cans are delivered to the table by means of the inclined chute or
raceway E (see Figs. 2, 3, 11 and 12). The row of cans upon the raceway, by
their tendency to slide downward, serves to force the last or lowest can of the row,
upon one of the beams B-B, whenever such beam is presented empty at the foot
of the raceway. The raceway is made preferably curved at the lower end, so as
to bring the lowest can into a nearly upright position. If there is a can on the
beam presented, the downward movement of the row of cans on the raceway is
checked by it, nor is there space for a can to enter between any two of the
arms B-B, and as the table rotates, the ends of the beams hold back the cans:
until an empty beam is presented, whereupon the next and lowest can is forced into
it. (See Figs. 11 and 12.)
The frame work A³ is provided with a shear arm K. which serves. to move filled.
:

page_text: cans off the beams B-B to the apron S, upon a movement of the table. This
frame work is also provided with an inclined arm O (Fig. 11) which serves, upon
a movement of the table, to successively elevate the outer ends of the beams B-B,
after they have been depressed by receiving a discharge from the weighing machine
and preparatory to moving the filled cans off the beams to the apron.
ゲ
Housed in a supporting piece (se: Figs. 1, 11 and 15) is a vertical spindle r'.
This spindle has rigidly attached to it a pulley ², and mounted upon it and
attached to a long sleeve a pulley ', which with its sleeve is free to turn
npon the spindle. Upon the upper end of the spindle r¹ is mounted a hub R,
carrying two flexible spokes R' R', preferably of leather reinforced at their outer
ends. Upon the upper end of the sleeve is attached a similar hub R and
spokes R³ R³. A belt running around the pulley and the idler and back
over the pulley causes the hubs R and R' to rotate in opposite directions, so
that their flexible spokes shall strike the sides of the cans which have just been
filled with material, thereby shaking down or settling the charge, in order that it
may not be spilled upon the movement of the cans off the beams B-B to the
apron S. The rapping device is fully operative if only one of the hubs with
flexible spokes is used but two hubs with opposite motions are more effective.
Since a discharge of material into a can causes the depression of the corre-
sponding beam, of the series B-B, and thereby the releasement if the latch L
and consequent movement of the table T, whereby an empty can is again brought
under the discharge orifice m of the weighing machine, and since if such empty
can were not presented to the orifice, the table would not move and the weighing
machine would continue to discharge upon the floor, I have provided a safety
mechanism which, in case any arm as it approaches the position under the weighing
machine is not provided with a can, will shut off the feeding, device of the
weighing machine. This safety device is shown in Figs. 1, 11 21, 22 and 23 and
its action is diagramatically illustrated in Figs. 18, 19 and 20. C¹ is a bent arm
pivoted upon a support at C2 and carrying upon its lower end the curved piece C,
which I will call a shoe. The bent arm C¹is provided at its upper extremity
with the weight C³ which tends to make its lower end carrying the shoe, swing
outward or toward the table T. The shoe C is adapted to press against and slide
along the side of the cans which are upon the beams B-B as, on the movement
of the table, they pass by it. This shoe is of such length approximately, as to
reach from the centre of one can to that of the next, and, when all the beams are
full, is prevented by the cans from swinging toward the table. It also serves
incidentally to push the cans well back into their proper positions on the beams,
if any have not been so placed. If however one or more cans are missing from
the beams, there is then no hindrance to the movement of the shoe, and impelled
by the weight C³, it will move toward the table when such empty beams pass by it.
Mounted
upon
the shaft of the feeding device N (Figs. 8, 21 and 23) are the
loose pulley c¹ and the sliding clutch piece c. The pulley c turns freely upon the
shaft when not in engagement with the clutch piece c. The clutch piece c can
slide a limited distance upon the shaft c³, but is made to rotate with it by means
of a spline and slot in the usual manner, its sliding movement along the shaft
being limited outwardly by the collar c³. The pulley c¹ is provided with two
engaging pins c4 c¹, which serve, by locking with the similar pins cc, fixed in the
clutch piece c, to cause the shaft c² to be driven whenever the clutch piece is
moved toward the pulley c'. Pivoted upon the frame of the feeding device at.c is
the clutch arm c', the upper end of which is bifurcated at e, in order to engage
with the clutch piece c as required. The clutch arm is bent at its lower end c³ so
as to project between the spokes of the wheel c¹ and securely lock it, when the
clutch c is out of engagement with the pulley c¹, in order that the feeding device N
may not be started by any possible sticking of the loose pulley c¹ upon its shaft c³.
The clutch latch e pivoted at c serves when in engagement with the clutch
arm (see Fig. 21 and dotted lines in Fig. 23) to hold the clutch piece c in
engagement with the pulley c¹. The clutch latch c¹¹ is forced out of engagement

page_text: with the clutch arm c³ (see whole lines Fig. 23) by the rod C4 which is connected
with the guiding arm C pivoted at C and with the rod C7 the latter being
attached at C³ to the arm C₁ before described.
In the plans shown in Figs. 11 and 12, some of the funnels B³-B³ are left out,
in order to better disclose some of the parts located underneath them.
The mode of operation of my apparatus may be briefly described as follows:-
It will be supposed that one of the buckets of the weighing machine proper
contains a quantity of material, somewhat less than the full weight required,
which has just been delivered to it by the supplementary supply bucket F, and
that the auxiliary or slow feeding device, consisting of the feed wheel U¹, trough V
and connected parts, is delivering into the said bucket of the weighing machine,
a small and even stream of material. When the required amount has collected in
the aforesaid bucket of the weighing machine, the weighing mechanism proper acts,
and the said fully charged bucket descends, the small stream of material being
simultaneously shifted over into the empty bucket of said weighing machine, by
means of a swinging chute which forms a part of the weighing machine proper
and not here described, as it is common in twin bucket weighing machines.
The descent of the loaded bucket causes it to discharge by means of appropriate
mechanisms also forming a part of the weighing machine proper, and which it is
not necessary here to describe, and the impact of the falling charge as it leaves
the weighing machine operating upon one of the wing pieces J or J', causes
through one of the pull wires I or 1', and the respective arms and latches, the
loosening or tripping of the supply bucket F, which is held by one of the said
latches with its filled compartment uppermost, the flow of material through the
pipe Q2 being stopped by the accumulation of material in the filled compartment
as hereinbefore described. Upon the loosening of the supply bucket F the weight
of the material in the upper and filled compartment causes it to oscillate, bringing
the empty compartment underneath the supply pipe, and allowing the filled one to
discharge its load into the alternate bucket of the weighing machine proper. The
auxiliary stream now makes up the full load in the said alternate bucket as before
described. The alternate compartment of the supply bucket F which has just
been presented to the supply pipe Q2, becomes full stopping the flow through the
said pipe by accumulating about the end of it as before described, and the whole
apparatus is ready to repeat the operation, but on the alternate side of the supply
bucket and the weighing machine proper.
It is evident that in my apparatus as above set forth, that the weighing machine
proper is fed by two devices, one of which delivers the greater part of the load
and then remains inactive while the other makes up by gradual increment the
exact weight required, but that neither of these devices imposes any hampering
mechanical work upon the weighing machine itself, and does not require any
outside power, as a magnet, to cause the actuation of the supply bucket. This
method allows the weighing machine proper to operate with perfect freedom and
conduces largely to accurate results.
Supposing the raceway E filled with cans, and with such of the beams B-B as
may be necessary, each holding a can, the operation of the transporting part of the
apparatus is as follows:-Upon a discharge of the weighing machine into the can
which is under the discharge orifice m, the outer end of the corresponding beam
is depressed and its weight raised until the movement is checked by the contact of
the inner end of the beam with the cap-piece T³. This movement of the beam
causes through its drop-piece B³, the disengagement of the latch L from the
respective stop-piece L'. The table T is now free to rotate through the action of
the friction disks D and D' and vertical shaft D³ until the stop-piece corre-
sponding to the succeeding beam, comes in contact with the latch L, whereupon
the table again comes to rest, having advanced the distance between two beams
and having brought an empty can into position under the discharge orifice m of
the weighing machine. During this movement the following operations have
taken place. First, by the pressure of the row of cans in the raceway E, a can

page_text: has been introduced into the empty beam which was presented at the foot of the
raceway. Second, the can just filled, has been brought within striking distance
of the rapping device R, R, etc., whereby the charge is soon settled or shaken
down in the can; and the beam, holding the aforesaid can, has by sliding up the
inclined arm 0, (Fig. 11) been elevated to the position, in relation to the table,
which it had occupied before its can was filled, and the can (shown at a Fig. 11)
is now ready to be moved upon the apron S. Third, the can which had been filled
immediately previous to the movement of the table just described, has been moved
off its beam and upon the apron S, through the action of the shear arm K, and
occupies the position shown at y (Fig. 11). At each successive movement of the
table T these operations are repeated, that is, a can is taken on from the
raceway E, an empty one brought under the weighing machine, the charge in
the one previously filled is shaken down, and the immediate predecessor of the last
mentioned, is moved off its beam and placed upon the apron S.
After a can has been moved upon the supplementary apron S, it travels with it
until it strikes the shear piece P, which causes it with a turning and laterally
sliding motion to move across upon the main apron A as shown in Fig. 11.
By means of the main apron A the can may be transported to any distance from
the weighing apparatus.
When
In the event that the supply of cans is interrupted, or if one or more are, for
some cause, missing from their respective beams B-B, the supply of material
will be shut off from the weighing machine in the following manner.
a beam holding no can comes opposite the shoe C, the bent arin C' is allowed to
swing toward the table (see Fig. 20) through the action of the weight C³, and
this movement, acting through the rods C and C+, causes the clutch latch c¹¹, to
be moved out of engagement with the clutch arm c, and the latter by its gravity
slides the clutch piece c out of engagement with the pulley c¹ thereby. stopping the
feeding device, locking the wheel c" as described, and preventing the weighing
machine thereby, from discharging material upon the floor.
. By means of the adjustable weights B'-B, the arms B-B may be so balanced,
as not to be moved by one discharge of the weighing machine, but only upon
the second discharge thereof into the same can, or only by the third discharge,
and so on, whereby multiples of the quantity discharged by the weighing machine,
may be introduced into one package. By this means, a machine whose capacity
is one pound, may be used in putting up packages of two, or three, or more
pounds.
I have used the word "can," for convenience, to represent any sort of package:
or receptacle to be filled, including bags in supporting frames, boxes of wood or
paper board, bottles or jars.
The gist of my invention consists principally as follows:-In a feeding apparatus.
for an automatic weighing machine, a supplementary supply bucket, having a latch
mechanism adapted to hold said bucket until a discharge from it is required, said
latch mechanism being arranged to be tripped by a discharge of the weighing
machine proper, and said supply bucket being adapted to deliver to said weighing
machine, nearly in mass, a quantity of material somewhat less than a full load for
said machine, whenever released by the said latches, said supply bucket operating
in connection with a mechanism adapted to feed to said weighing machine a small
and continuous stream of material to make up the full load, whereby accuracy
combined with rapidity of weighing is secured.
In a feeding apparatus for an automatic weighing machine, and operating in
connection with a mechanism adapted to feed to said weighing machine a small and
continuous stream of material, a supplementary supply bucket, said bucket being
located over the weighing machine and underneath the end of a supply pipe, and
consisting of two compartments, and said bucket being adapted to so oscillate as to
present alternately to the end of the supply pipe, the two compartments, either of
said compartments when filled preventing further flow through the supply pipe,
blocking up the end of said pipe. with the material itself, until an-oscillation of

page_text: the supply bucket brings an empty compartment under the end of said pipe, and
said compartments having each a discharge aperture, so located that the material
will not run out when the compartment is in the upper or loading position, but will
pass out freely when upon an oscillation of the bucket the compartment is in the
lower or discharging position, and said supply bucket having latches to maintain
the loaded compartment in the upper ar loading position until a discharge from the
weighing machine proper causes the lucket to oscillate, and mechanism connecting
the said latches with the weighing machine, whereby they are tripped whenever
the said machine discharges a load.
In a feeding apparatus for an automatic weighing machine, a supplementary
supply bucket having latches adapted to be tripped when a discharge of the bucket
is required and wing pieces adapted to be acted upon by the impact of the material
falling upon them upon a discharge of the said weighing machine and thereby
through suitable connections to trip the said latches.
In the combination of a grooved feeding wheel, with a trough having a tongue
piece projecting into the groove of the wheel as described, whereby the stream of
material fed by the wheel is evenly conveyed to a weighing machine.
In an inclined conveying trough of a V shaped cross-section, opérating in
connection with a weighing machine, the V shape of the trough operating to
even or equalize a stream of granular material, whereby accuracy of weighing may
be obtained.
In an inclined feeding spout operating in connection with a weighing machine,
having a slightly decreased inclination near its delivery end, whereby the stream of
material is prevented from separating or breaking during its flow along the spout
or trough.
In a swinging yoke in connection with a feed wheel, said yoke swinging upon
the same axis as the wheel, and said yoke being adapted to support a feeding
trough in such a manner as to make it easily adjustable to any angle of inclination
without changing its adjustment to the wheel.
In a rotating table having pivoted beams adapted to support cans; and having a
latch device adapted to stop the rotation of the table as each successive beam
comes into position, and to be released by such beam upon a discharge of material
from a weighing machine into the corresponding can; and having means for
causing rotation upon the release of the latch device until stopped by the next
successive engagement of the latch.
In a rotating table having pivoted beams adapted to support cans; and having a
latch device lapted to be released by a movement of each beam in due order, said
movement being caused by two or more discharges of material into the
corresponding can; and having means for causing rotation except when held by
the latch device.
In a rotating table having pivoted beams adapted to support cans; and having a
latch device adapted to be released by a movement of each of the beams in due
order, caused by a discharge of material into the corresponding can; and having
means for causing rotation excepting when held by the latch device, said table
operating in connection with an inclined raceway, whereby an empty can is supplied
to each beam as it is presented empty at the foot of the raceway.
In a rotating table having pivoted beams adapted to support cans; and
having a shoe adapted to slide along the cans and perform a movement when an
empty beam is presented to it, said shoe being suitably connected with a mechanism
adapted to shut off the supply of material when the table is not properly supplied
with cans.
In a rapping device consisting of rotating hubs with flexible spokes, so located as
to strike the filled cans and shake down the material therein.
In a rotating table adapted to convey cans under a weighing machine; operating
in connection with a travelling apron, and a shear piece adapted to move the filled
cans, off the table as it rotates, and upon the apron.
In a rotating table having pivoted beams adapted to support cans; and having
B

page_text: a latch device adapted to be released by a depression of one of the arms caused
by a discharge of material into the corresponding can; and having means for
causing rotation excepting when held by the latch device; operating in connection
with a travelling apron and an inclined arm said arm being adapted to raise
the depressed beam up to the level of the apron as the table rotates.
In a supplementary travelling apron parallel to, and operating in connection with,
a main travelling apron; whereby a number of weighing machines may be operated
in connection with one main apron.
In a supplementary apron and a main apron; operating in connection with a
shear piece whereby the cans are moved across from the supplementary apron and
upon the main apron.
In a supplementary apron operating in connection with a main apron, the
supplementary apron being driven by the under or return side of the main
aprou, the latter being forced against the driving rollers of the supplementary
apron.
In a driving mechanism for a travelling apron, consisting of a driving drum
operating in connection with a supplementary driving drum (having approximately
the same rate of peripherial motion), and a tightener roller.
In a peculiar clutch mechanism, consisting of a loose pulley, sliding clutch piece,
clutch arm, clutch latch and connected parts.
In a rotating table for conveying cans to and from a weighing machine, the table
being rotated by friction disks as described.
In a funnel attached to a can-holding pivoted beam, mounted upon a rotating
table as shown.
In a novel tightening device for a travelling supplementary apron.
In a rapping device consisting of two hubs having flexible spokes, the hubs
rotating in opposite directions as described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. In an apparatus for the automatic weighing of material, a weighing machine
proper, and a supplementary supply bucket adapted to deliver, nearly in mass, to
said weighing machine and after each discharge of said machine, a quantity of
material somewhat less than the full load of said machine, and said supply bucket
being provided with a latch mechanism adapted to hold it until a discharge of said
supply bucket is required, and said latch mechanism being adapted to be released
by a discharge of the said weighing machine; in combination with a mechanism
adapted to feed to said weighing machine a small continuous stream of the material
to make up a full load whereby accuracy and rapidity of weighing are secured,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2nd. In an apparatus for the automatic weighing of material, a weighing machine,
and a mechanism adapted to feed to said machine a small continuous stream of
material; in combination with a supplementary supply bucket having two compart-
ments, each compartment having a discharge aperture, and said bucket being
adapted to oscillate under the end of a supply pipe, in such a manner that the flow
through the said supply pipe is stopped by the filling up of the material against the
end of the pipe when the compartment presented is full, substantially as described,
and remains stopped until an oscillation of the bucket presents the other compart-
ment to the pipe, and said bucket having latches adapted to hold it with the full
compartment uppermost until released, and mechanism connecting the latches with
said weighing machine and adapted to release said latches at each discharge of the
weighing machine, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3rd. In an apparatus for the automatic weighing of material, the combination
of the weighing machine M, having the wing pieces J J', said wing pieces being
adapted to receive the impact of the material discharged from said weighing

page_text: machine, the supplementary supply bucket F having the latches ff, mechanism
for connecting said wing pieces with said latches, and means for delivering to said
weighing machine a small continuous stream of material, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
4th. In an apparatus for the automatic weighing of material, the grooved
wheel U and the hopper U; in combination with the trough V having the
tongue V all operating as described, to feed a regular stream of material,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
'
5th. In an apparatus for feeding material to au automatic weighing machine, the
wheel U and hopper U; in combination with the trough V, said trough having
a V shaped cross-section whereby an even stream of granular material may be fed,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6th. In an apparatus for feeding granular material to a weighing machine, the
grooved wheel U¹ and the hopper U; in combination with the inclined trough V
of V shaped cross-section, said trough having a less angle of inclination at its lower
part, whereby unevenness of the stream of material is prevented, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
7th. In an apparatus for the automatic weighing of material, the grooved
wheel U¹, the hopper U and the trough V; in combination with the yoke V2
pivoted upon the same axis as the said wheel U¹, and adapted to support the said
trough in an adjustable manner, and mechanism for connecting said trough with
said yoke, and for fixing said yoke in any desired position, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
8th. In an apparatus for automatic weighing, and adapted to operate in
connection with a weighing machine; the combination of the rotating table T, the
pivoted can-holding beams B-B; said table having a latch device adapted to be
released by a movement of one of said beams, caused by a discharge of the
weighing machine; and means for causing the table to rotate upon the disengage-
ment of the said latch, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
9th. In an apparatus for automatic weighing, and adapted to operate in
connection with a weighing machine; the combination of the rotating table T,
the pivoted can-holding beams B-B, said beams being so adjusted as to require
two or more discharges of the weighing machine into their respective cans
to move them, a latch device adapted to be released by a movement of the beams
in due order, and means for causing the table to rotate upon the disengagement of
the latch device; whereby multiples of the quantity discharged by the machine,
may be introduced into a can, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
10th. In an apparatus for automatic weighing, and adapted to operate in
connection with a weighing machine; the combination of the rotating table T,
the pivoted can-holding beams B-B, a latch device adapted to be released by
a movement of the said beams in due order, means for causing the table to rotate
upon the disengagement of the said latch, and the inclined raceway E, whereby
cans may be successively and automatically placed upon the beams and presented
under the discharge orifice of the weighing machine, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
11th. In an apparatus for automatic weighing, and adapted to operate in
connection with a weighing machine; the combination of the rotating table T,
the pivoted can-holding beams B-B, the shoe C, said shoe being adapted to
perform a movement if one or more of the cans are missing, from the table, the
loose pulley c¹, the clutch piece c, clutch arm c', clutch latch c¹, arm c¹, and
appropriate connecting mechanism, whereby the supply of material is shut off from
the weighing machine when the cans are not properly presented, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
12th. In an apparatus for automatic weighing, and adapted to operate in
connection with a weighing machine, a rapping device, consisting of a rotating
hub having flexible spokes, adapted to strike the filled caus, whereby the charge is

page_text: shaken down in the cans and spilling prevented, and means for conveying cans to
and from the discharge orifice of said weighing machine, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
13th. In an apparatus for automatic weighing, and adapted to operate in
connection with a weighing machine; in combination, the travelling apron S, the
rotating table T and the shear piece K, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
14th. In an apparatus for automatic weighing, and adapted to operate in
connection with a weighing machine; the combination of the rotating table T,
the pivoted can-holding beams B-B adapted to be depressed at their outer ends
by holding filled cans, a latch device adapted to be released by the depression of
the said beams in due order, the travelling apron S, means for causing the table to
rotate upon the disengagement of the said latch, and the inclined arm O, said arm
being adapted to raise the depressed pivoted can-bolding beams upon the rotation
of the table, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
15th. In an apparatus for automatic weighing, and adapted to operate in
connection with a weighing machine; in combination, the rotating table T, the
main travelling apron A, the supplementary apron S, and means for moving the
cans from the supplementary apron to the main apron, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
16th. In an apparatus for automatic weighing, and adapted to operate in
connection with a weighing machine, the main apron A, the supplementary
apron S and the shear piece P, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
17th. In an apparatus for automatic weighing, and adapted to operate in
connection with a weighing machine; in combination, the main apron A, the
supplementary apron S, the rollers a a, and the rollers ss, whereby the
supplementary apron is driven by the under or return side of the main apron,"
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
18th. In an apparatus for automatic weighing, and adapted to operate in con-
nection with a weighing machine; in combination, the apron A, the drum G, the
small drum G', the gear g¹, the pinion g³, and the tightening roller H, all operating
together substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
19th. In an apparatus for automatic weighing, and adapted to operate in con-
nection with a weighing machine'; in combination, the shaft c² adapted to actuate
a feeding device for said weighing machine, the loose pulley c¹ mounted upon said
shaft, the sliding clutch piece c also mounted upon said shaft and adapted to be
moved into and out of engagement with said pulley, the clutch arm c² pivoted at c
and adapted to actuate the said clutch piece in and out of engagement and further
adapted when the clutch piece c is out of engagement to project between the
spokes of, and thereby to lock the wheel c10 as described, the clutch latch c¹¹, the
wheel co and appropriate connecting mechanism, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
P
20th. In an apparatus for automatic weighing, and adapted to operate in con-
nection with a weighing machine; in combination, the rotating table T, adapted
to convey cans to and from the discharge orifice of said weighing machine, the
vertical shaft D³, the friction disk D¹ fixed to the said shaft, the loose disk D
resting upon the said disk D', aud means for rotating the said disk D, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
21st. In an apparatus for automatic weighing, and adapted to operate in con-
nection with a weighing machine; in combination, the rotating table T, the pivoted
can-holding beams B-B, the funnels B³-B³, said funnels being mounted upon
said beams by suitable mechanism and adapted to transmit material into cans
placed beneath them upon said beams, said table being provided with a latch
device adapted to be disengaged whenever a can presented by said table to the
weighing machine has been filled, and means for rotating said table upon the
disengagement of said latch device, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 22nd. In an apparatus for automatic weighing, and adapted to operate in con-
nection with a weighing machine; in combination, the apron S, the rollers s s
adapted to support and drive the said apron one at each end substantially as
described, the rollers s¹ s¹ mounted in the frame and bearing upon the under or
return part of the apron S and in opposition to the roller a³, and the roller a³, the
frame adapted to adjustably support the rollers s₁s, the pivoted arms adapted
to carry the frame in opposition to the weights, and the weight st, whereby
tension is maintained on the said apron S, substantially as and for the purpose set.
forth.
23rd. In an apparatus for automatic weighing, and adapted to operate in
connection with a weighing machine; in combination, the rotating hub R having
flexible spokes R¹ R', the spindle adapted to support the hub R, and the
pulley fixed upon and adapted to drive the said spindle ; with the hub R'
having the flexible spokes R* R³, and mounted upon the loose sleeve, the sleeve
rotating upon the spindle r', the pulley fixed upon the sleeve and a suitable
supporting frame, whereby the said hubs R and R' may be rotated in directions
opposite to each other, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
24th. In an apparatus for automatic weighing, and adapted to operate in
connection with a weighing machine; in combination, the rotating table T adapted
to present cans successively to the weighing machine for filling, the main travelling
apron A, the short supplementary travelling apron S, adapted to receive cans from
the table T and deliver them to the said main apron A, and means for transferring
the cans from the table T to the apron S, and from the apron S to the apron A,
whereby the cans from several weighing machines may be delivered to one main
apron without interfering with each other, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
25th. In an apparatus for automatic weighing, and adapted to operate with a
weighing machine; in combination, the apron A, the drum G, the small drum G'
rotating in the opposite direction to the drum G and having substantially the same
peripheral speed, the gear g¹ mounted upon the same shaft as the drum G, the
pinion g fixed upon the same shaft as the small drum G', the tightening roller H,
and the idler roller a³, the said apron A passing around the drum G, over the small
drum G', under the roller H and over the roller a³, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
26th. In an apparatus for automatic weighing, and adapted to operate in con-
nection with a weighing machine; in combination, the rotating table T adapted to
convey cans to and from the discharge orifice of said weighing machine, said table
being provided with a latch device adapted to be released by the filling of a can
presented to said weighing machine and when not so released to prevent the rotation
of said table, the vertical shaft D³, the friction disk D¹ fixed to the said shaft, the
loose disk D resting upon the said disk D', and means for the continuous rotation
of the said disk D, whereby the filling of a can presentel to the weighing machine
allows the table to rotate and an empty can to be presented, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.