IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMATIC WEIGHING AND PACKAGE FILLING APPARATUS
Year: 1882

page_text: This Specification was, upon the 20th day of August 1886, amended under
Sections 18 to 21 of the Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act, 1883.
[The Amendments are shown in erased and italic tume.]
LETTERS PATENT to William Thomas Whiteman of N° 7 Staple Inn in the
County of Middlesex Patent Agent for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN AUTOMATIC WEIGHING AND PACKAGE FILLING APPARATUS " Communi-
cated to him from abroad by Clement Coleridge Clawson of Raleigh in the
County of Wake and State of North Carolina in the United States of
America Manufacturer
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Thomas Whiteman
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st October 1882.
"
WILLIAM THOMAS WHITEMAN of No 7 Staple Inn in the County of Middlesex
Patent Agent "IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMATIC WEIGHING AND PACKAGe filling
APPARATUS [Communicated to him from abroad by Clement Coleridge
Clawson of Raleigh in the County of Wake and State of North Carolina in
the United States of America Manufacturer]
This invention has reference to an apparatus for automatically weighing
granular or pulverulent material of all kinds such as spice coffee rice hominy
sugar tapioca tobacco and the like and for filling packages with a definite weight.
of such material.
As an automatic weighing scale the apparatus is of that class in which a gate
controlling the flow of matter from a hopper is operated by the tilting of the scale
beam under the weight in the scale pan or on the scale plate.
The first part of the said Invention has for its object to reduce to a minimum
the friction of parts which interferes with the delicacy of weighing operations.
A gate sliding in guides or ways as heretofore ordinarily employed develops
considerable friction which demands proportionate power to overcome and which
moreover renders the gate liable to become fixed and thus fail to operate. Beside
the sliding gate a flat gate suspended at the ends of depending links has also been
employed but this is open to the objection that the gate in closing is obliged
slightly to rise.
hopper. In the present invention
the difficulty is overcome by supporting the gate on an upright or nearly upright
•
•

page_text: lever arm fulcrumed below instead of above. The upper surface of the gate is
preferably also made to conform approximately or exactly to the arc in which it
moves. The action is improved by arranging the fulcrum some distance in the
rear of the mouth of the hopper instead of directly below it so that the gate will
be inclined downward towards the front and thus will be less liable to carry back
with it any of the material being weighed.
In the present invention also friction between the operating device connected
with the scale beam and the gate or its support is obviated by securing the lower
end of the gate supporting arm to the scale beam so that they form as it were one
structure movable about the fulcrum of the scale beam as a common centre. This
new construction is moreover most compact and durable and affords little
opportunity for getting out of order. Herotofore the gate has always worked in
contact with some part of the mouth of the hopper either with the guides in
which it moves or as in the case of the swinging gate above referred to with the
lower edge of the hopper's mouth.
In the present invention the gate is made to work out of contact with although
in close proximity to the walls of the hopper's mouth and it is preferred to secure
the gate supporting arm to the scale beam in such a manner that the position of
the gate relatively to the mouth of the hopper may be adjusted
The second part of the invention has for its object to avoid interference with
the weighing operation by grains of the material getting between the front of the
gate and the opposite wall of the hopper.
This difficulty is most likely to occur with large grains of a form not spherical
such as coffee for example. The difficulty is overcome by placing opposite-the
front end of the gate a brush of bristles wire or other suitable material in which
the grains may embed themselves. The other walls of the mouth may be and
preferably are of metal. The gato does not make contact with the brush
although in close proximity thereto. It may be observed that heretofore bristles
have been used around the mouth of the hopper in order to make with the gate a
close joint attended with little friction and that this construction is not covered
by the present invention. The said brush is so secured as to be capable of being
readily removed.
The third part of this invention has for its object to adapt the same apparatus
for use with a variety of substances; by enabling the opening through which the
material is delivered to be altered in size as desired. Different materials require
for the best operation to be delivered through openings of different size coffee for
example requires a larger sized opening than rice.
A bushing removably secured in the mouth of the hopper is preferably employed
to enable the change to be made. This bushing is provided with an opening of
the proper size for the article being weighed and can be removed and replaced by
a bushing having a different sized opening when a change is desired It is obvious
that a slide above the gate of the weighing scale could be used for the same
purpose.
The fourth part of this invention consists in the arrangement below the gate of
a small spout the better to guide the material into packages. In some cases it is
preferred that the spout be cut away on one side so as to cause the matters passing
through it to be delivered toward that side.
The fifth part of this invention has for its object to provide devices for keeping
the supply gate closed after a full package is removed until a fresh package is
placed in position and for then permitting the supply gate to be opened
automatically. A latch operated by the package is employed for this purpose.
This latch is held out of engagement with its catch so long as the package is on
the scale pan or plate but when the scale pan is depressed and the package
removed it automatically engages the catch. The replacement of the package
releases the latch and if the package be empty the scale weight raises it and the
scale pan and opens the supply gate.
The sixth part of this invention consists of certain attachments to the scalo päh

page_text: or plate for supporting the package and for causing any overflow to be delivered
upon the table supporting the scales. The said attachments consist of gauge
plates a stop and a shoot.
The gauge plates are secured to the scale pan by screws passing through slots in
the said plates the relative positions of which plates can thus be so adjusted as to
leave between them the space required for the package to be filled. The stop consists
of a bar secured to the scale pan for one side of the package to bear against and
the shoot consists of an inclined plate secured to one of the gaugo plates the object
of the said shoot being to prevent any overflow from lodging on the scale pan.
The seventh part of this Invention consists of means for tapping the package so
as to shake down the material delivered thereinto.
The arrangement of mechanism for this purposo consists of levers lying one on
each side of each package to which levers vibratory motion is given by ratchet
wheels and springs the teeth of which wheels engage with projections or
tappets on the said lovers the acting ends of which levers are by preferenco
detachably secured to the other parts and provided with pads. The said ratchet
wheels are secured to vertical shafts or spindles so arranged as to be capable of
being raised and lowered and the said wheels have inclines formed on them which
inclines when the wheels are raised force the levers apart and hold them out of
action. Motion is communicated to the ratchet wheels by means of friction gear.
The raising of the said ratchet wheels is effected by a cain with which the lower
ends of the shafts or spindles of the ratchet wheels engage.
The eighth part of this invention consists in combining a number of automatic
weighing scales and a supply hopper with means for insuring at certain intervals
the positive closing of the supply gate should the weighed material be insufficient
to close it as may sometimes be the case by reason of foreign matters in the
material or from other causes. The closing of the supply gates is effected by the
engagement with the scale beams of arms adjustably secured to the shafts or
spindles carrying the ratchet wheels of the tapping arrangement herein before
described. The tilting of the scale beams and the closing of the gates are thus .
effected by the cam which throws tlie tapping arms out of action.
The scales herein before described are mounted on a table to which rotatory
motion is given by means of toothed gearing the said table working on a pedestal
which supports a stationary vertical shaft to the upper part of which are secured
an automatic lubricator or oil cup and arms carrying stirrers which project down-
ward into the hopper herein before referred to which is annular and is carried by a
hollow column surrounding the stationary vertical shaft herein before referred to
and secured to the table carrying the scales which hollow column also supports a
table on which the tapping arrangements are mounted. Oil passages are formed in
the stationary vertical shaft herein before referred to by which the oil passes to the
different parts of the machine requiring lubrication the drippings being collected
in an annular cup formed within a friction ring secured to the base or pedestal of
the machine by contact with which friction ring friction wheels secured to tho
lower ends of the ratchet wheel shafts or spindles herciubefore referred to are
caused to revolve when the machine is in action

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent nica
by the said William Thomas Whiteman in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 30th April 1888.
•
"
WILLIAM THOMAS WHITEMAN of N° 7 Staple Inn in the County of Middlesex
Patent Agent "IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMATIC WEIGHING AND PACKAGE FILLING
APPARATUS a communication to me from abroad by Clement Coleridge
Clawson of Raleigh in the county of Wake and State of North Carolina in
the United States of America Manufacturer.
This invention has reference to an apparatus for automatically weighing
granular or pulverulent material of all kinds such as spice. coffee rice hominy
sugar tapioca tobacco and the like and for filling packages with a definite weight
of such material.
As an automatic weighing scale the apparatus is of that class in which a gate
controlling the flow of matter from a hopper is operated by the tilting of the scale
beam under the weight in the scale pan or on the scale plate.
The first part of the said Invention has for its objeet In automatic weighing
apparatus it is important to reduce to a minimum the friction of parts which
interferes with the delicacy of weighing operations. A gate sliding in guides or
ways as heretofore sometimes employed develops considerable friction which
demands proportionate power to overcome and which moreover renders the gate
liable to become fixed and thus fail to operate. Beside the sliding gate a flat gate
suspended at the ends of depending links has also been employed but this is open
to the objection that the gate in closing is obliged slightly to lift or compress the
matter in the hopper. Other arrangements have been proposed in which the
element of friction was minimized, but such arrangements have other incidents
which impair their utility. In the present invention the difficulty is overcome by
supporting the gate on an upright or nearly upright lever arm fulcrumed below
instead of above. The upper surface of the gate is preferably also made to conform
approximately or exactly to the arc in which it moves. The action is improved
by arranging the fulcrum some distance in the rear of the mouth of the hopper
instead of directly below it so that the gate will be inclined downward towards
the front and thus will be less liable to carry back with it any of the material
being weighed.
In the present invention also friction between the operating device connected
with the scale beam and the gate or its support is obviated by securing the lower
end of the gate supporting arm to the scale beam so that they form as it were one
structure moveable about the fulcrum of the scale beam as a common centre. This
new construction is moreover most compact and durable and affords little
opportunity for getting out of order. Heretofore the gate has always sometimes
worked in contact with some part of the mouth of the hopper either with the
guides in which it moves or as in the case of the swinging gate above referred to
with the lower edge of the hopper's mouth, but in my improved apparatus, (as in
some prior apparatus) In the present invention the gate is made to work out of

page_text: contact with although in close proximity to the-walls of the hopper's mouth and it
is preferred to secure the gate supporting arm to the scale beam in such a manner
that the position of the gate relatively to the mouth of the hopper may be adjusted.
The second part of the invention has-for-its object To avoid interference with
the weighing operation by grains of the material getting between the front of the
gate and the opposite wall of the hopper, which This difficulty is most likely to
occur with large grains of a form not spherical such as coffee for example, The
difficulty-is-over-come by placing I place opposite the front end of the grate a
brush of bristles wire or other suitable material in which the grains may embed
themsolves, as has been heretofore done in some instances. The other walls of the
mouth may be and preferably are of metal. The gate does not make contact with
the brush although in close proximity thereto. It may be observed that heretofore
bristles have been used around the mouth of the hopper in order to make with the
gate a close joint attended with little friction and that this construction is not
covered by the present invention. The said brush is so secured as to be capable of
being readily removed.
The third part of this invention has for its object To adapt the same apparatus
for use with a variety of substances by enabling the opening through which the
material is delivered to-be is altered in size as desired. Different materials require
for the best operation to be delivered through openings of different size. Coffee for
example requires a larger sized opening than rice.
.
A bushing removably secured in the mouth of the hopper is preferably employed
to enable the change to be made. This bushing is provided with an opening of
the proper size for the article being weighed and can be removed and replaced by
a bushing having a different sized opening when a change is required. It is
obvious that a slido above the gate of the weighing scale could be used for the
same purpose.
The fourth part of this invention-consists in the arrangement I arrange below
the gate of a small spout the better to guide the material into packages. In some
cases it is preferred that the spout be cut away on one side so as to cause the
matters passing through it to be delivered toward that side.
The fifth Part of this invention has for its object to provide devices for keeping
the supply gate closed after a full package is removed until a fresh package is
placed in position and for then permitting the supply gate to be opened automatically.
A latch operated by the package is employed for this purpose. This latch is held
out of engagement with its catch so long as the package is on the scale pan or
plate but when the scale pan is depressed and the package removed it automatically
engages the catch. The replacement of the package releases the latch and if the
package be empty the scale weight raises it and the scale pan and opens the
supply gate.
The sixth part of this invention consists of Certain attachments are applied to
the scale pan or plate for supporting the package and for causing any overflow to
be delivered upon the table supporting the scales. The said attachments consist of
gauge plates a stop and a shoot.
The gauge plates are secured to the scale pan by screws passing through slots in
the said plates the relative positions of which plates can thus be so adjusted as to
leave between them the space required for the package to the filled. The stop
consists of a bar secured to the scale pan for one side of the package to bear against
and the shoot consists of an inclined plate secured to one of the gauge plates the
object of the said shoot being to prevent any overflow from lodging on the
scale pan.
The seventh Part of this invention consists of means for tapping the package so
as to shake down the material delivered thereinto.
The arrangement of mechanism for this purpose consists of levers lying on each
side of each package to which levers vibratory motion is given by ratchet wheels
and springs the teeth of which wheels engage with projections or tappets on the
said levers the acting ends of which levers are by preference detachably secured to

page_text: the other parts and provided with pads. The said ratchet wheels are secured to
vertical shafts or spindles so arranged as to be capable of being raised and lowered
and the said wheels have inclines formed on them which inclines when the wheels
are raised force the levers apart and hold them out of action. Motion is commu-
nicated to the ratchet wheels by means of friction gear. The raising of the said
ratchet wheels is effected by a can with. which the lower ends of the shafts or
spindles of the ratchet wheels engage.
.
The eighth Part of this invention consists in combining a number of automatic
weighing scales and a supply hopper with incans for insuring at certain intervals
the positive-closing of the supply gate should the weighed material be insufficient
to close it as may sometimes be the case by reason of foreign matters in the
material or from other causes. The closing of the supply gate is effected by the
engagement with the scale beams of arms adjustably secured to the shafts or
spindles carrying the ratchet wheels of the tapping arrangement hereinbefore
described. The tilting of the scale beams and the closing of the gates are thus
effected by the cam which throws the tapping arms out of action.
The scales hereinbefore-described aro mounted on a table to which rotary notion
is given by means of toothed gearing the said table working on a pedestal which
supports a stationary vertical shaft to the upper part of which are secured an
automatic lubricator or oil cup and arms carrying stirrers which project downward
into the hopper herein before referred to which is annular and is carried by n
hollow_column surrounding the stationary vertical shaft herein before referred to
and secured to the table carrying the scales which hollow column also supports a
table on which the tapping arrangements are mounted. Oil passages are formed
in the stationary vertical shaft herein before referred to by which the oil passes to
the different parts of the machine requiring lubrication the drippings being
collected in an annular cup formed within a friction ring secured to the base or
pedestal of the machino by contact with which friction ring friction wheels
secured to the lower ends of the ratchet wheel shafts or spindles hereinbefore
referred to are caused to revolve when the machine is in action
Having thus described the nature of this invention I will proceed to describe
the manner in which it is to be performed reference being had to the accompanying
drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon. The same letters and
figures of reference indicate the same parts in the several Figures of the drawings.
Figure 1 is a central vertical section of the machine or complete apparatus
Figure 2 a plan of the tapping devices Figuro 3 a perspective view of the ratchet
wheel Figures 4 and 5 respectively views of a weighing scale with attachments
Figure 6 perspective view of mouth piece Figure 7 perspective view of small spout
Figure 8 plan of stirrer frame and Figure 9 detail view of stationary cam.
A is the base of the machine frame or as hereinafter called the pedestal Ban
upright stationary shaft having its lower end tapered and set (and koyed if
desired) in a socket in the pedestal Ca rotary table supported by and turning
upon the top of the pedestal Da bollow column bolted at the foot to the revolving
table and at the upper end fitting around the upright stationary shaft which forms
a journal therefor E an annual annular hopper fixed to and supported by the
hollow column D F a spider frame attached to the stationary shaft B and
provided at the outer end of each arm with a stirrer that projects into the annular
hopper and has a brush at its lower end and G a series of weighing scales.
The table C has a hub a that surrounds the cylindrical head b of the pedestal A
and an internal flange c that rests upon the top of the said head. Near the circum-
ference of the table is an annular depending flange d to which the annular bevel
gear e is bolted. Motion is imparted to the table in the direction of the arrow
through the bevel gearf and the horizontal shaft H that is journaled in bearings
in the brackets g and is driven by a belt running on the pulley h. The table C is
faced with a marble slab C' so as to give it a smooth surface that may easily be
kept clean

page_text: Upon the table are placed the weighing scales G say four in number although
there may be less or more.
In the bottom of the hopper there are as many openings as there are scales on
the table. The scales are alike and the description of one will suffice for all The
scale pan the beam and the scale frame are of any ordinary or suitable
construction.
Attached to the scale beam just back of the fulcrum is the arm I to the upper
end of which is fastened the gate 11 that controls the delivery of the material from
the hopper. Under each of the openings in the bottom of the hopper is a mouth.
piece K. Between this mouth piece and the bottom of the hopper is formed n
recess for the removable bushing i which is provided with a hole of the size
adapted to the material being weighed. By loosening the screws k that secure the
mouth piece to the hopper the bushing can be taken out of its recess and a new
one placed in its stead.
The openings in the bushing and the mouth piece aro preferably segments equal
in area to about two thirds of a circle but they may be circular or of other shape.
A depending lip or flange of metal surrounds the opening except at the front
(the straight side of the segmental opening) where its place is taken by the
brush m which is removably held in position its ends fitting in recesses in the lip
or flange l. The said lip or flange and the brush form the walls of the hopper's
mouth. Their lower edges lio in a plane inclined to the horizontal to the same
degree as the supply gate 1¹ when closed. This supply gate works out of contact
with but in close proximity to the said edges. The arm I is preferably made
adjustable so that the proper relation of the gate to the hopper's mouth may readily.
be secured. As shown the end of the arm fits in a socket piece n attached to the
scale beam and is held in place by a set scrow n' by loosening which the arm may
be moved up or down. The adjustinent may be secured in other ways for example
the arm could be scrow threaded and provided with jam nuts above and below the
socket or it could be tapped directly into the socket or instead of making it
adjustable in its sockets the arm could be made in two or more parts connected by
a coupling which permits the elongation or contraction of the said arm as required.
Owing to the considerable length of the arm I and the small angle through which
it moves the path of the gate I is approximately a straight line and a flat plate
may without inconvenience be used for the gate but if desired a plate with the
upper surface covered curved to conform exactly to the arc in which it moves may
be employed.
A small spout p is preferably secured under the mouth piece. As shown the
spout has slotted ears p¹ that are slipped behind the heads of the screws k. It
also has a small internal projection p that bears against the brush m and retains
it in its recesses. The spout is contracted toward the delivery end. At the
bottom one side is cut away so that the material will be delivered toward that side
the reason for this lies in the shape of the ordinary cartoon or packages and will
be hereafter explained. This side delivery may not always be desirable and the
shape of the spout may be altered as required. The spout is of advantage in
collecting the material after it has passed the gate and also in furnishing a housing-
to the gate I' and hopper mouth 2 m.
Upon the scale pan or plate K¹ the gauge plates L L' are fastened by a thumb
screw o̟ tapped into the scale pan or plate and passing through slots in the foot
flange q' of the gauge plates so as to permit the latter to be adjusted nearer to or
father from each other. Thus the exact space required to receive the cartoon or
package M may be left between the said plates. Å stop prevents the cartoon or
package being pushed too far back. The gauge plate L is provided on its outside
with a shoot L inclined inward toward the centre of the table. Its object is to
deliver any overflow clear of the scale and well back on the table.
The latch N is pivotted at a to the cross bar r that is bolted or riveted to the
scale pan. At its lower end the said latch is adapted to engage the fixed catch P
(formed by a long beaded screw tapped into the scale frame) and at its upper ond

page_text: .
•
is provided with a contact piece to be struck by the cartoon or package when
inserted so as to press back the upper end of the latch and hold the lower end
away from the fixed catch. At each scale are tapping devices as follows. To each
of the brackets Q two tapping arms R are pivoted as indicated at u (Fig. 1) where
the said arms cross like the blades of shears. Their front ends are adapted to
receive the cartoon or package between them. Preferably the said ends u¹ are
made separate from the body of the tapping arms and are bolted thereto. and
preferably also they are provided with pads u³ for striking the sides of the cartoons
or packages. They are or may be made of thin steel plates so as to be slightly
flexible or elastic. The rear ends of the tapping arms embrace between them the
ratchet wheel S and have each a tappet w that engages the teeth of said wheels.
A spiral tension spring T connects and tends to draw together the ends of the
tapping arms. By turning the wheel S the inclined faces of the teeth act against
the tappets w and spread apart the tapping arms the teeth then escape from under
the tappets and the spring T exerting its power draws together the tapping arms
which give a light quick blow simultaneously upon opposite sides of the cartoon
or package.
Each ratchet wheel S (there being one for each scale) is fixed on an upright
rotary spindle U journaled in one of the brackets Q and in the rotary table C. At
the lower end of said spindle U is a bevel friction pinion that travels over the
friction gear W that is bolted to the pedestal A.
The spindle U and pinion a being carried around with the table C and the
apparatus supported thereby and the gear W. being stationary it is obvious that
the spindle with the ratchet wheel S will be revolved rotated by the friction
between the said pinion and gear.
The wheel S as shown is not a plain ratchet but has at the bottom of the space
between every two teeth an inclined plane y. By lifting the said wheel S these
planes will act upon the tappet w and spread apart the tapping arms holding them
in that position till it-is-again dropped down.
The spindle U is made capable of a longitudinal movement in its bearings. A
stationary cam X (shown bolted to the friction gear W) (See Figs. 1 & 9) is placed
in the path in the lower end of the said spindle so that when it reaches and is
carried over the said cam it will ride up the inclined surface and raise the ratchet
wheel S spreading apart the tapping arms.
This lifting of the spindle U also disengages the pinion ≈ so that the rotation of
the wheel S ceases. After passing the cam the spindle U and wheels S are allowed
to descend the pinion again engages the friction gear W and the rotation of the
wheel S and the vibration of the tapping arms again commences. A weight S' on
the upper end of the spindle U aids in holding it down.
By the operation therefore of the cam X the tapping apparatus is at each
rotation of the table C automatically thrown out of action for a certain interval
and then automatically caused to resume.
The purpose of this is to give opportunity for the attendants to remove a full
package and place an empty one in its stead.
Sometimes the tapping is not necessary and then the arms are held apart by the
wire fingers pivoted to the bracket Q so that the revolution rotation of the
wheel S has no effect upon them.
The lifting of the spindle U by the cam X is also utilized to insure the positive
closing of the gate at each revolution of the table. For this purpose a device &¹ is
secured by a set screw on each spindle U just below the scale beam. The device
is of such size as to extend under the beam. In the normal working of the machine
the two are not in contact but if for any reason the scale pan should not be
depressed when the cam X is reached the spindle U being then lifted the device 2¹
strikes the beam raises it and closes the gate I
Upon the top of the upright shaft B is an automatic oiler Y of any know or
suitable construction. Formed in the shaft are oil passages that deliver the oil
- between the shaft and the bearing of the column D. The oil then flows down the

page_text: shaft B inside the hollow column lubricates the bearing of the table C and is finally
caught in the drip cup formed by the gear W.
The operation of the machine or apparatus is as follows
The scales being all latched down so that all the gates I¹ are closed and the
proper bushings i being placed and secured in the recesses therefor and the gauge
plates L'L' being adjusted the proper distance apart from for the packages to be
filled and the scale weights being adjusted on the beam the hopper E is filled to
the proper depth say one third with the material to be weighed and packed and
the machine is started. The table C being revolved rotated the scales are succes-
sively made to pass the attendant who is stationed in front of the cam X. As
they come opposite him he places a cartoon or empty package M between the
gauge plates LL¹ until stopped by the stop r. He is careful to place the side of
the cartoon which has no flap adjacent to the gauge plate L that is provided with
the shoot L. This makes the opposite side which has the longest flap face the
mouth of the spout p. This mouth has been made at one side in order to deliver
the material away from the open or flapless side. The cartoon or package as
it is inserted strikes and pushes back the contact piece t vibrating the latch N
and releasing it from the fixed catch P. The scale pan with its cartoon or
package does not however rise immediately because the spindle U is still raised
by the cam X and the device a¹ upholds the scale beam keeping the gate I'
closed.
•
As the spindle U is gradually allowed to descend the gate I opens and allows
the material to descend through the spout p into. the cartoon or package. The
descent of the spindle U brings the pinion x into contact with the friction gear W
and the said spindle and the ratchet wheel S commence to revolve. If the tapping
devices are not held apart by the fingers the arms Rare vibrated by the wheel S
and spring T and tap on the sides of the cartoon so as to shake down the material
delivered thereinto. The taps being light and taking place simultaneously on
opposite sides of the cartoon or package interfere little or not at all with the
weighing operation. As soon as the proper quantity of material has passed into
the cartoon or package the scale pan is depressed tilting forward the arms I and
gate I and stopping the delivery of materials. The weight of the said arm and
gate being thrown out of the perpendicular aids in closing the gate. As the latter
has only to work against the material it encounters but little resistance and is
easily closed.
Should a grain be caught between the gate and the front wall of the hopper's
mouth the said wall being formed of the brush m yields and does not prevent the
closing.
After the delivery ceases the tapping continues until the spindle U is again
raised by the cam X when the full package is removed and a fresh one put in its
place. As soon as the full package is removed the latch N immediately drops into
engagement with the catch P and if the attendant should neglect to insert an
empty cartoon it would continue to hold down the scale and keep closed the gate
until released by the insertion of a fresh cartoon or package. Should the attendant
not remove a full package its weight would of course keep the gate I' closed.
Sometimes it may happen that the gate will not close under the action of the
weight of the material on the scale. In such case the cam X as it lifts the
spindle U raises the scale beam and closes the gate it will be seen therefore that
the closing of the gate once in a revolution of the table is insured irrespective of
the condition of the material in the scale pan. Should there be an overflow of
material from the cartoon the shoot L² delivers it clear of the scale back upon the
marble top C of the table C. The annular hopper E being carried round with
the table C and the stirrer frame F being attached to the stationary shaft B it is
obvious that the stirrers agitate and keep level the material in the hopper and that
the openings in the hopper will be swept by the brushes on the ends of the stirrers
as they pass under said brushes

page_text: Access for cleaning the hopper may he had between the arms of the stirrer
frame F or the shaft B could be prolonged so as to allow the said frame to be
lifted
Modifications may be made in the details of construction without departing from
the spirit of my invention and portions of the invention may be used separately.
For example a very useful small machine can be made by combining the weighing
scale and hopper with their appendages. In such case the hopper would not be
annular but square or other ordinary form in plan or horizontal section.
The mechanical tapping devices driven by suitably formed shaft could be
combined with such a machine or they could be omitted and so also a cam for
insuring the closing of the gate at definite intervals or for throwing the tapping
devices out of action The large machine shown could be modified by making the
table and hopper stationary and the stirrer frame cam and cupped friction gear
rotary but in this case the advantage of having a series of scales passing in
succession a given point so that an attendant could look after them all without
changing his position would be lost.
Instead of using an automatic latch adapted to be released by contact with the
inserted cartoon or package a latch that would engage itself whenever the scale
pan is depressed could be employed tlie said latch being disengaged by hand. The
scale pan adapted to receive a cartoon or package and hold it in an upright
position could be used in connection with an automatic gate closing mechanism of
an ordinary or suitable construction instead of the improved mechanism described.
The removable bushing or its equivalent for enabling the delivery-opening-in
the-hopper-to-be-enlarged-or-diminished as required could be used with other
measuring or gauging appuratus than that which measures or gauges by-weight
to-suit with that which measures and gauges-the-charge by bulk.
So also many other changes could be made and the invention in whole or in
part still be employed.
Having thus described-the-nature of the said Invention of "Improvements in
automatic weighing and package filling apparatus" and the manner-in which the
same is to be performed I wish it to be understood that I make no claim to any
of the subordinate intigers of my improved apparatus except when used in
automatic weighing and package filling apparatus, but subject to this limitation
I claim as the said invention: the improvements hereinbefore-described all and
several-to-wit.
First The upright lever arm fulcrumed at its lower end and the gate supported
and operated by said arm in combination with a hopper and weighing scale
substantially as described.
Secondly-The combination with a hopper of the gate and the upright lever
arm carrying said gate and having the fulcrum at its lower end and to the rear of
the hopper's mouth substantially as described.
Thirdly The combination with-a-hopper of the gate carried by a lever-arm-and
adjusted to work out of contact with but in close proximity to the wall of the
hopper's mouth-substantially as described.
Fourthly The combination-with-a-hopper-and-a-gate-carried by a-lever-arm-of
means as explained for adjusting the position of the gate with respect to the
hopper's mouth-substantially as described.
Fifthly The combination with a hopper of a gate carried by a lever arm and
having its upper--surface--curved--to--conform-to-the-are--in-which-it-moves
substantially as described.
Sixthly Thirdly-The combination with a hopper and a weighing scale of the
lever arm-secured to and carried by the scale beam and the supply gate supported
and operated by said arm substantially as described.
Seventhly Fourthly-The combination of the hopper weighing scale lever arm
supported and operated by the scale beam gate supported and operated by the
lever arm and the adjusting means substantially as described.

page_text: Eightly Fifthly-The combination with a hopper and weighing scalo of the
gate and the upright supporting arm fulcrumed at its lower end and arranged to
fall forward out of the perpendicular when the scale is overbalanced substantially.
as described.
apparatus for
Ninthly The combination with--a-hopper-and--an--automatic
gauging the material delivered from said hopper of means as described indepen
dent-of-said apparatus-for-regulating the size of the opening in the bottom of the
hopper-substantially-as-described.
Tenthly-The--combination with the hopper weighing soule and gate of the .
removeable bushing or its equivalent as specified placed between the said gate-and
the body of the hopper substantially-as-described.
Eleventhly The hopper having-its-mouth formed on one side by a brush-and
on the others by a metallic-lip or flange and combined with a gate adapted to
operate as described.
Twelfthly The combination with the hopper and gate of the brush-removably
secured at the front of the hopper's mouth substantially as described.
Thirteenthly The combination with-a-hopper having the front wall of its-mouth
formed of yielding material such as the bristles of a brush of n-gate carried by a
lever-arm-and-adjusted to work out of contact but in close proximity to the walls
of said-mouth substantially as described.
Fourteenthly The combination of the hopper-the weighing scale the gate
controlled by said-seale-and-the-spout-below-the-gate-substantially as described.
Fifteenthly In-an-apparatus for filling cartoons or packages such as shown-the
spout-of-the-form described adapted-to-deliver the material-to-one-side substantially
As-set-forth.
Sixteenthly Sixthly-The combination with an automatic weighing scale adapted
for cartoons or packages as hereinbefore described of a latch for holding the scale
pan depressed with the supply gate closed substantially as described.
Seventeenthly Seventhly--The combination with an automatic weighing scale of
the latch for keepping the supply gate closed adapted automatically to be released
by the insertion of a cartoon or package substantially as described.
Eighteenthly The combination with the seale--pan or plate of the adjustable
gauge-plates substantially as described.
Nineteenthly The--seale--pan-or plate provided with gauge--plates and--stop
substantially-as-described.
Twentiethly Eighthly-In a package filling apparatus the combination with a
weighing scale of a shoot for delivering any overflow clear of the scale substantially
as described.
Twentyfirstly Ninthly-The weighing scale gauge plates and stop in combination
with the latch provided with a contact piece substantially as described.
Twentysecondly Tenthly-The combination of the hopper, weighing scale, lever
arm gate, gauge plates, and latch, substantially as described.
Twentythirdly Eleventhly-The combination with weighing and package filling
apparatus of mechanical tapping devices for shaking down the material in the
cartoons or packages substantially as described.
Twentyfourthly The combination with a weighing seale of mechanical-devices
for tapping the cartoon-or-package-on said seale substantially-as-described.
Twentyfifthly Twelfthly-The combination with the tapping arms.adapted to
receive a cartoon or package between their front ends of mechanism for vibrating
said arms so that they strike the cartoon or package at the same time on opposite
sides substantially as described
Twenty-sixthly Thirteenthly-The combination of the tapping arms ratchet
wheel and spring substantially as described.
Twenty seventhly The tapping arms having the front or operating--endo
detachably secured to the body of the arms substantially as described.

page_text: Twenty-eighthly The combination with the weighing-and-filling-apparatus and
the tapping devices of means for throwing or keeping the latter out of action
substantially as described.
Twenty ninthly Fourteenthly-Tlie combination with a rotatory supporting table
and rotary hopper of a series of automatic weighing scales each having a gate
controlled and operated directly by the weight in the scale pan substantially as
described.
Thirtiethly Fifteenthly-The combination of the rotary supporting table rotary
hopper and series of automatic weighing scales having each its scale pan or scale
plate adapted to receive a cartoon or package substantially as described.
Thirty firstly An automatic weighing seale having a seale pan or plate-adapted
to-receive-and-support-in-an-upright-position-a-cartoon-or-package-substantially as
described.
Thirty-secondly Sixteenthly-The combination with an automatic weighing
scale having a gate controlling the delivery from a hopper of an automatic
mechanism such as a cam and connection for insuring the closing of the aforesaid
gate at intervals irrespective of the quantity of material in the scale substantially
as described.
Thirty thirdly Seventeenthly. The combination with a package filling apparatus
and tapping devices of automatic mechanism such as the cam and connections for
throwing said devices out of action substantially as described.
Thirty-fourthly Eighteenthly-The combination with the rotary table and hopper
automatic weighing scales and tapping devices of a stationary gear for operating
said devices and a stationary cam for throwing the same-out of action substantially
as described.
: Thirtyfifthly Nineteenthly-The combination with the tapping arms, of the
operating wheel carried by a longitudinally moveable spindle and having ratchet
teeth for vibrating said arms and surfaces inclined to the vertical for spreading
and holding apart the arms substantially as described.
Thirty-sixthly Twentiethly-The combination of the pedestal, the table
supported by and revolving upon said pedestal, the upright stationary shaft the
stirrer frame carried by said shaft, the upright column carried by the table,
and the hopper carried by the column substantially as described.
Thirty-seventhly The cup shaped gear wheel adapted-to-serve-both-as-an-oil
eup-and-a-gear-wheel substantially as-described.
Thirty-eighthly The-combination of the pedestal-the-revolving--table--the
upright-shaft-provided with oil-passages the oiler on top-of-said-shaft and a drip
eup surrounding the base of said shaft and the hub-of-said table substantially as
described.
Thirty-ninthly Twenty-firstly-The hereindescribed weighing and package filling
apparatus comprising the following elements in combination to wit the table the
weighing scales supported thereon, the hopper, the attachments to the scales
including the latch, and the supply gates, the tapping devices, the gearing for
operating the same, and the cam and its connections, all substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
In in what I th
ML
XX7LA

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to William Thomas Whiteman of N° 7 Staple Inn in the
County of Middlesex Patent Agent for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN AUTOMATIC WEIGHING AND PACKAGE FILLING APPARATUS Communi-
cated to him from abroad by Clement Coleridge Clawson of Raleigh in the
County of Wake and State of North Carolina in the United States of
America Manufacturer
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Thomas Whiteman
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st October 1882.
"
WILLIAM THOMAS WHITEMAN of N° 7 Staple Inn in the County of Middlesex
Patent Agent
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMATIC WEIGHING AND PACKAGE FILLING
APPARATUS [Communicated to him from abroad by Clement Coleridge
Clawson of Raleigh in the County of Wake and State of North Carolina in
the United States of America Manufacturer]
This invention has reference to an apparatus for automatically weighing
granular or pulverulent material of all kinds such as spice coffee rice hominy
sugar tapioca tobacco and the like and for filling packages with a definite weight
of such material.
As an automatic weighing scale the apparatus is of that class in which a gate
controlling the flow of matter from a hopper is operated by the tilting of the scale
beam under the weight in the scale pan or on the scale plate.
The first part of the said Invention has for its object to reduce to a minimum
the friction of parts which interferes with the delicacy of weighing operations.
A gate sliding in guides or ways as heretofore ordinarily employed develops
considerable friction which demands proportionate power to overcome and which
moreover renders the gate liable to becoine fixed and thus fail to operate. Beside
the sliding gate a flat gate suspended at the ends of depending links has also been
employed but this is open to the objection that the gate in closing is obliged
slightly to rise.
hopper. In the present invention
the difficulty is overcome by supporting the gate on an upright or nearly upright
•
*

page_text: lever arm fulcrumed below instead of above. The upper surface of the gate is
preferably also made to conform approximately or exactly to the arc in which it
moves. The action is improved by arranging the fulcrum some distance in the
rear of the mouth of the hopper instead of directly below it so that the gate will
be inclined downward towards the front and thus will be less liable to carry back
with it any of the material being weighed.
In the present invention also friction between the operating device connected
with the scale beam and the gate or its support is obviated by securing the lower
end of the gate supporting arm to the scale beam so that they form as it were one
structure movable about the fulcrum of the scale beam as a common centre. This
new construction is morcover most compact and durable and affords little
opportunity for getting out of order. .Heretofore the gate has always worked in
contact with some part of the mouth of the hopper either with the guides in
which it moves or as in the case of the swinging gate above referred to with the
lower edge of the hopper's mouth.
In the present invention the gate is made to work out of contact with although
in close proximity to the walls of the hopper's mouth and it is preferred to secure
the gate supporting arm to the scale bean in such a manner that the position of
the gate relatively to the mouth of the hopper may be adjusted
The second part of the invention, has for its object to avoid interference with
the weighing operation by grains of the material getting between the front of the
gate and the opposite wall of the hopper.
This difficulty is most likely to occur with large grains of a form not spherical
such as coffee for example. The difficulty is overcome by placing opposite the
front end of the gate a brush of bristles wire or other suitable material in which
the grains may embed themselves. The other walls of the mouth may be and
_preferably are of metal. The gate does not make contact with the brush
although in close proximity-thereto. It may be observed that heretofore bristles
have been used around the mouth of the hopper in order to make with-the-gate a
close joint attended with little friction and that this construction is not covered
by the present invention. The said brush is so secured as to be capable of being
readily removed.
The third part of this invention has for its object to adapt the same apparatus
for use with a variety of substances; by enabling the opening through which the
material is delivered to be altered in size as desired. Different materials require
for the best operation to be delivered through openings of different size coffee for
example requires a larger sized opening than rice.
A bushing removably secured in the mouth of the hopper is preferably employed
to enable the change to be made. This bushing is provided with an opening of
the proper size for the article being weighed and can be removed and replaced by
a bushing having a different sized opening when a change is desired It is obvious
that a slide above the gate of the weighing scale could be used for the same
purpose.
The fourth part of this invention consists in the arrangement below the gate of
a small spout the better to guide the material into packages. In some cases it is
preferred that the spout be cut away on one side so as to cause the matters passing
through it to be delivered toward that side.
The fifth part of this invention has for its object to provide devices for keeping
the supply gate closed after a full package is removed until a fresh package is
placed in position and for then permitting the supply gate to be opened
automatically. A latch operated by the package is employed for this purpose.
This latch is held out of engagement with its catch so long as the package is on
the scale pan or plate but when the scale pan is depressed and the package
removed it automatically engages the catch. The replacement of the package
releases the latch and if the package be empty the scale weight raises it and the
scale pan and opens the supply gate.
The sixth part of this invention consists of certain attachments to the scale pau

page_text: or plate for supporting the package and for causing any overflow to be delivered
upon the table supporting the scales. The said attachments consist of gauge
plates a stop and a shoot.
The gauge plates are secured to the scale pan by screws passing through slots in
the said plates the relative positions of which plates can thus be so adjusted as to
leave between them the space required for the package to be filled. The stop consists
of a bar secured to the scale pan for one side of the package to bear against and
the shoot consists of an inclined plate secured to one of the gauge plates the object
of the said shoot being to prevent any overflow from lodging on the scale pan.
The seventh part of this Invention consists of means for tapping the package so
as to shake down the material delivered thereinto.
The arrangement of mechanisin for this purpose consists of levers lying one on
cach sido of each package to which levers vibratory motion is given by ratchet
wheels and springs the teeth of which wheels engage with projections or.
tappets on the said levers the acting ends of which levers are by preference
detachably secured to the other parts and provided with pads. The said ratchet
wheels are secured to vertical shafts or spindles so arranged as to be capable of
being raised and lowered and the said wheels have inclines formed on them which
inclines when the wheels are raised force the levers apart and hold them out of
action. Motion is communicated to the ratchet wheels by means of friction gear.
The raising of the said ratchet wheels is effected by a cam with which the lower
ends of the shafts or spindles of the ratchet wheels engago.
The eighth part of this invention consists in combining a number of nutomatic
weighing scales and a supply hopper with means for insuring at certain intervals
the positive closing of the supply gate should the weighed material be insufficient
to close it as may sometimes be the case by reason of foreign matters in the
material or from other causes. The closing of the supply gates is effected by the
engagement with the scale beans of arms adjustably secured to the shafts or
spindles carrying the ratchet wheels of the tapping arrangement herein before
described. The tilting of the scale beams and the closing of the gates are thus
effected by the cam which throws the tapping arms out of action.
The scales herein before described are mounted on a table to which rotatory
motion is given by means of toothed gearing the said table working on a pedestal
which supports a stationary vertical shaft to the upper part of which are secured
an automatic lubricator or oil cup and arms carrying stirrers which project down-
ward into the hopper hereinbefore referred to which is annular and is carried by a
hollow column surrounding the stationary vertical shaft herein before referred to
and secured to the table carrying the scales which hollow column also supports a
table on which the tapping arrangements are mounted. Oil passages are formed in
the stationary vertical shaft hereinbefore referred to by which the oil passes to the
different parts of the machine requiring lubrication the drippings being collected
in an annular cup formed within a friction ring secured to the base or pedestal of
the machine by contact with which friction ring friction wheels secured to the
lower ends of the ratchet wheel shafts or spindles hereinbefore referred to are
caused to revolve when the machine is in action

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Thomas Whiteman in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 30th April 1883.
WILLIAM THOMAS WHITEMAN of N° 7 Staple Inn in the County of Middlesex
Patent Agent.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMATIC WEIGHING AND PACKAGE FILLING
APPARATUS a communication to me from abroad by Clement Coleridge
Clawson of Raleigh in the county of Wake and State of North Carolina in
the United States of America Manufacturer.
This invention has reference to an apparatus for automatically weighing
granular or pulverulent material of all kinds such as spice coffee rice hominy
sugar tapioca tobacco and the like and for filling packages with a definite weight
of such material.
As an automatic weighing scale the apparatus is of that class in which a gate
controlling the flow of matter from a hopper is operated by the tilting of the scale
beam under the weight in the scale pan or on the scale plate.
The first part of the said Invention has for its object to reduce to a minimum
the friction of parts which interferes with the delicacy of weighing operations.
A gate sliding in guides or ways as heretofore 'employed develops considerable
friction which demands proportionate power to overcome and which moreover
renders the gate liable to become fixed and thus fail to operate. Beside the sliding
-gate.a flat gate suspended at the ends of depending links has also been employed
but this is open to the objection that the gate-in closing is obliged slightly to lift
or compress the matter in the hopper. In the present invention the difficulty-is-
overcome by supporting the gate on an upright or nearly upright lever arm
fulcrumed below instead of above. The upper surface of the gate is preferably
also made to conform approximately or exactly to the are in which it moves.
action is improved by arranging the fulcrum some distance in the rear of the
mouth of the hopper instead of directly below it so that the gate will be inclined
downward towards the front and thus will be less liable to carry back with it any
of the material being weighed.
The
In the present invention also friction between the operating device connected
with the scale beam and the gate or its support is obviated by securing the lower
end of the gate supporting arm to the scale beam so that they form as it were one
structure moveable about the fulcrum of the scale beam as a common centre. This
new construction is moreover most compact and durable and affords little
opportunity for getting out of order. Heretofore the gate has always worked in
contact with some part of the mouth of the hopper either with the guides in
which it moves or as in the case of the swinging gate above referred to with the
lower edge of the hopper's mouth.
In the present invention the gate is made to work out of contact with although
in close proximity to the walls of the hopper's mouth and it is preferred to secure
the gate supporting arm to the scale beam in such a manner that the position of
the gate relatively to the mouth of the hopper may be adjusted.
The second part of the invention has for its object to avoid interference with
the weighing operation by grains of the material getting between the front of the
gate and the opposite wall of the hopper.
This difficulty most likely to occur with large grains of a form not spherical
such as coffee for example. The difficulty is over come by placing opposite the
front end of the grate a brush of bristles wire or other suitable material in which
the grains may embed themselves. The other walls of the mouth may be and

page_text: preferably are of metal. The gate does not make contact with the brush although
in close proximity thereto. It may be observed that heretofore bristles have been
used around the mouth of the hopper in order to make with the gate a close joint
attended with little friction and that this construction is not covered by the
present invention. The said brush is so secured as to be capable of being readily
removed.
The third part of this invention has for its object to adapt the same apparatus
for use with a variety of substances by enabling the opening through which the
material is delivered to be altered in size as desired. Different materials require
for the best operation to be delivered through openings of different size coffee for
example requires a larger sized opening than rice.
A bushing removably secured in the mouth of the hopper is preferably employed
to enable the change to be made. This bushing is provided with an opening of
the proper size for the article being weighed and can be removed and replaced by
a bushing having a different sized opening when a change is required. It is
obvious that a slide above the gate of the weighing scale could be used for the
same purpose.
The fourth part of this invention consists in the arrangement below the gate of
a small spout the better to guide the material into packages. In some cases it is
preferred that the spout be cut away on one side so as to cause the matters passing
through it to be delivered toward that side.
The fifth part of this invention has for its object to provide devices for keeping
the supply gate closed after a full package is removed until a fresh package is
placed in position and for then permitting the supply gate to be opened automatically.
A latch operated by the package is employed for this purpose. This latch is held
out of engagement with its catch so long as the package is on the scale pan or
plate but when the scale pan is depressed and the package removed it automatically
engages the catch. The replacement of the package releases the latch and if the
package be empty the scale weight raises it and the scale pan and opens the
supply gate.
The sixth part of this invention consists of certain attachments to the scale pan
or plate for supporting the package and for causing any overflow to be delivered
upon the table supporting the scales. The said attachments consist of gauge plates
a stop and a shoot.
The gauge plates are secured to the scale pan by screws passing through slots in
the said plates the relative positions of which plates can thus be so adjusted as to
leave between them the space required for the packago to the filled. The stop
consists of a bar secured to the scale pan for one sido of the package to bear against
and the shoot consists of an inclined plate secured to one of the gauge plates the
object of the said shoot being to prevent any overflow from lodging on the
scale pan.
The seventh part of this invention consists of means for tapping the package so
as to shake down the material delivered thereinto.
The arrangement of mechanism for this purpose consists of levers lying on each
side of each package to which levers vibratory motion is given by ratchet wheels
and springs the teeth of which wheels engage with projections or tappets on the
said levers the acting ends of which levers are by preference detachably secured to
the other parts and provided with pads. The said ratchet wheels are secured to
vertical shafts or spindles so arranged as to be capable of being raised and lowered
and the said wheels have inclines formed on them which inclines when the wheels
are raised force the levers apart and hold them out of action. Motion is commu-
nicated to the ratchet wheels by means of friction gear. The raising of the said
ratchet wheels is effected by a cam with which the lower ends of the shafts or
spindles of the ratchet wheels engage.
The eighth part of this invention consists in combining a number of automatic
weighing scales and a supply hopper with means for insuring at certain intervals
the positive closing of the supply gate should the weighed material be insufficient

page_text: to close it as inay sometimes be the case by reason of foreign matters in the
material or from other causes. The closing of the supply gate is effected by the
engagement with the scale beams of arms adjustably secured to the shafts or
spindles carrying the ratchet wheels of the tapping arrangement hereinbefore
described. The tilting of the scale beams and the closing of the gates are thus
effected by the cam which throws the tapping arms out of action.
The scales herein before described are mounted on a table to which rotary motion
is given by means of toothed gearing the said table working on a pedestal which
supports stationary vertical shaft to the upper part of which are secured an
automatic lubricator or oil cup and arms carrying stirrers which project downward
into the hopper hereinbefore referred to which is annular and is carried by a
hollow column surrounding the stationary vertical shaft herein before referred to
and secured to the table carrying the scales which hollow column also supports a
table on which the tapping arrangements are mounted. Oil passages are formed
in the stationary vertical shaft herein before referred to by which the oil passes to 1
the different parts of the machine requiring lubrication the drippings being
collected in an annular cup formed within a friction ring secured to the base or
pedestal of the machine by contact with which friction ring friction wheels
secured to the lower ends of the ratchet wheel shafts or spindles hereinbefore
referred to are caused to revolve when the machine is in action
Having thus described the nature of this invention I will proceed to describe
the manner in which it is to be performed reference being had to the accompanying
drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon. The same letters and
figures of reference indicate the same parts in the several Figures of the drawings.
Figure 1 is a central vertical section of the machine or complete apparatus
Figure 2 a plan of the tapping devices Figure 3 a perspective view of the ratchet
wheel Figures 4 and 5 respectively views of a weighing scale with attachments
Figure 6 perspective-view-of-mouth piece Figure 7 perspective view of small spout
Figure 8 plan of stirrer frame and Figure 9 detail view of stationary cam.-
A is the base of the machine frame or as hereinafter called the pedestal B an
upright stationary shaft having its lower end tapered and set (and keyed if
desired) in a socket in the pedestal C a rotary table supported by and turning
upon the top of the pedestal D a hollow column bolted at the foot to the revolving
table and at the upper end fitting around the upright stationary shaft which forms
a journal therefor E an annual hopper fixed to and supported by the hollow
column Fa spider frame attached to the stationary shaft and provided at the
outer end of each arm with a stirrer that projects into the annular hopper and has
a brush at its lower end and G a series of weighing scales.
The table C has a hub a that surrounds the cylindrical head b of the pedestal A
and an internal flange c that rests upon the top of the said head. Near the circum-
ference of the table is an annular depending flange d to which the annular bevel
gear e is bolted. Motion is imparted to the table in the direction of the arrow
through the bevel gear fand the horizontal shaft H that is journaled in bearings
in the brackets g and is driven by a belt running on the pulley h. The table C is
faced with a marble slab C¹ so as to give it a smooth surface that may easily be
kept clean
Upon the table are placed the weighing scales G say four in number although
there may be less or more.
In the bottom of the hopper there are as inany openings as there are scales on
the table. The scales are alike and the description of one will suffice for all. The
scale pan the beam and the scale frame are of any ordinary or suitable
construction.
Attached to the scale beam just back of the fulcrum is the arm I to the upper
end of which is fastened the gate 1' that controls the delivery of the material from
the hopper. Under each of the openings in the bottom of the hopper is a mouth
piece K. Between this mouth piece and the bottom of the hopper is formed a
recess for the removable bushing i which is provided with a hole of the size

page_text: adapted to the material being weighed. By loosening the screws that secure the
mouth piece to the hopper the bushing can be taken out of its recess and a new
one placed in its stead.
The openings in the bushing and the mouth piece are preferably segments equal
in area to about two thirds of a circle but they may be circular or of other shape.
A depending lip or flange of metal surrounds the opening except at the front
(the straight side of the segmental opening) where its place is taken by the
brush m which is removably held in position its ends fitting in recesses in the lip
or flango . The said lip or flange and tho brush form the walls of the hopper's
mouth. Their lower edges lie in a plane inclined to the horizontal to the same
degree as the supply gate I¹ when closed. This supply gate works out of contact
with but in close proximity to the said edges. The arm I is preferably made
adjustable so that the proper relation of the gate to the hopper's mouth may readily
be secured. As shown the end of the arm fits in a socket piece n attached to the
scale beam and is held in place by a set scrow n¹ by loosening which the arm may
be moved up or down. The adjustment may be secured in other ways for example
the arm could be screw threaded and provided with jam nuts above and below the
socket or it could be tapped directly into the socket or instead of making it
adjustable in its sockets the arm could be made in two or more parts connected by
a coupling which permits the elongation or contraction of the said arm as required.
Owing to the considerable length of the arm I and the small angle through which
it moves the path of the gate I' is approximately a straight line and a flat plate
may without inconvenience be used for the gate but if desired a plate with the
upper surface covered to conform exactly to the are in which it moves may be
employed.
A small spout p is preferably secured under the mouth piece. As shown the
spout has slotted ears 2' that are slipped behind the heads of the screws k. It
also has a small internal projection p³ that bears against the brush m and retains
it in its recesses. The spout is contracted toward tho delivery end. At the
bottom one side is cut away so that the material will be delivered toward that side
the reason for this lies in the shape of the ordinary cartoon or packages and will
be hereafter explained. This sido delivery may not always be desirable and the
shape of the spout may be altered as required. The spout is of advantage in
collecting the material after it has passed the gate and also in furnishing a housing
to the gate I' and hopper mouth I m.
Upon the scale pan or plate K¹ the gauge plates L L¹ are fastened by a thumb
screw 9 tapped into the scale pan or plate and passing through slots in the foot
flange g of the gauge plates so as to permit the latter to be adjusted nearer to or
father from each other. Thus the exact space required to receive the cartoon or
package M may be left between the said plates. A stop r prevents the cartoon or
package being pushed too far back. The gauge plate L is provided on its outside
with a shoot L³ inclined inward toward the centre of the table. Its object is to
deliver any overflow clear of the scale and well back on the table.
The latch N is pivotted at 8 to the cross bar that is bolted or riveted to the
scale pan. At its lower end the said latch is adapted to engage the fixed catch P
(formed by a long headed screw tapped into the scale frame) and at its upper end
is provided with a contact piece t to be struck by the cartoon or package when
inserted so as to press back the upper end of the latch and hold the lower end
away from the fixed catch. At each scale are tapping devices as follows. To each
of the brackets Q two tapping arms R are pivoted as indicated at a where the said
arms cross like the blades of shears. Their front ends are adapted to receive the
cartoon or package between them. Preferably the said ends n' are made separate
from the body of the tapping arms and are bolted thereto and preferably also they
are provided with pads u² for striking the sides of the cartoons or packages.
They are or may be made of thin steel plates so as to be slightly flexible or elastic.
The rear ends embrace between them the ratchet wheel S and have each a tappet w
that engages the teet of said wheels, A spiral tension spring T connects and

page_text: tends to draw together the ends of the tapping arms. By turning the wheel S
inclined faces of the teeth act against the tappets w and spread apart the tapping
arms the teeth then escape from under the tappets and the spring T exerting its
power draws together the tapping arms which give a light quick blow simulta-
neously upon opposite sides of the cartoon or package.
Each ratchet wheel S (there being one for each scale) is fixed on an upright
rotary spindle U journaled in one of the brackets Q and in the rotary table C. At.
the lower end of said spindle U is a bevel friction pinion that travels over the
friction gear W that is bolted to the podestal A.
The spindle U and pinion x being carried around with the table C and the
apparatus supported thereby and the gear W being stationary it is obvious that
the spindle with the ratchet wheel S will be revolved by the friction between
the said pinion and gear.
The wheel S as shown is not a plain ratchet but has at the bottom of the space
between every two teeth an inclined plane y. By lifting the said wheel S these
planes will act upon the tappet w and spread apart the tapping arms holding them
in that position till it is again dropped down.
The spindle U is made capable of a longitudinal movement in its bearings. A
stationary cam X (shown bolted to the friction gear W) is placed in the path in
the lower end of the said spindle so that when it reaches and is carried over the
said cam-it will ride up the inclined surface and raise the ratchet wheel S spreading
apart the tapping arms.
This lifting of the spindle U also disengages the pinion so that the rotation of
the wheel S ceases. After passing the cam the spindle U and wheels S are allowed
to descend the pinion again engages the friction gear W and the rotation of the
wheel S and the vibration of the tapping arms again commences. A weight S¹ on
_the upper end of the spindle Unids in holding it down.
By the operation therefore of the cam X-the-tapping-apparatus is at cach
rotation of the table C automatically thrown out of action for a certain interval
and then automatically caused to resume.
The purpose of this is to give opportunity for the attendants to remove a full
package and place an empty one in its stead.
Sometimes the tapping is not necessary and then the arms are held apart by the
wire fingers pivoted to the bracket so that the revolution of the wheel S has
no effect upon them.
The lifting of the spindle U by the cam X is also utilized to insure the positive
closing of the gate at each revolution of the table. For this purpose a device 2' is
secured by a set screw on each spindle U just below the scale beam. The device
is of such size as to extend under the beam. In the normal working of the machine
the two are not in contact but if for any reason the scale pan should not be
depressed when the cam X is reached the spindle U being then lifted the device z¹
strikes the beam raises it and closes the gate I'
Upon the top of the upright shaft B is an automatic oiler Y of any know or
suitable construction. Formed in the shaft are oil passages that deliver the oil
between the shaft and the bearing of the column D. The oil then flows down the
shaft B inside the hollow column lubricates the bearing of the tablo C and is finally
caught in the drip cup formed by the gear W.
The operation of the machine or apparatus is as follows
The scales being all latched down so that all the gates I' are closed and the
proper bushings i being placed and secured in the recesses therefor and the gauge
plates L L being adjusted the proper distance apart from the packages to be filled
and the scale weights being adjusted on the beam the hopper E is filled to the
proper depth say one third with the material to be weighed and packed and the
machine is started. The table C being revolved the scales are successively made to
pass the attendant who is stationed in front of the cam X. As they come opposite
him he places a cartoon or empty package M between the gauge plates L L' until
stopped by the stop r. He is careful to place the side of the cartoon which has no

page_text: flap adjacent to the gauge plate L that is provided with the shoot L². This makes
the opposite side which has the longest flap face the mouth of the spout p. This
mouth has been made at one side in order to deliver the material away from the
open or flapless side. The cartoon or package as it is inserted strikes and pushes
back the contact piece t vibrating the latch N and releasing it from the fixed
catch P. The scale pan with its cartoon or package does not however rise
immediately because the spindle U is still raised by the cam X and the device c¹
upholds the scale beam keeping the gate 1¹ closed.
:
As the spindle U is gradually allowed to descend the gate 1¹ opens and allows
the material to descend through the spout p into the cartoon or package. The
descent of the spindle U brings the pinion & into contact with the friction gear W
and the said spindle and the ratchet wheel S commence to revolve. If the tapping
devices are not held apart by the fingers the arms R are vibrated by the wheel S
and spring T and tap on the sides of the cartoon so as to shake down the material
delivered thereinto. The taps being light and taking place simultaneously on
opposite sides of the cartoon or package interfere little or not at all with the
weighing operation. As soon as the proper quantity of material has passed into
the cartoon or package the scale pan is depressed tilting forward the arms I and
gate 1 and stopping the delivery of materials. The weight of the said arm and
gate being thrown out of the perpendicular aids in closing the gate. As the latter
has only to work against the material it encounters but little resistance and is
easily closed.
Should a grain be caught between the gate and the front wall of the hopper's
mouth the said wall being formed of the brush m yields and does not prevent the
closing.
After the delivery ceases the tapping continues until the spindle U is again
raised by the cam X when the full package is removed and a fresh one put in its
place. As soon as the full package is removed the latch N immediately drops into
ongagement with the catch P and if the attendant should neglect to insert an
empty cartoon it would continue to hold down the scale and keep closed the gate
until released by the insertion of a fresh cartoon or package. Should the attendant
not remove a full package its weight would of course keep the gate I' closed.
Sometimes it may happen that the gate will not close under the action of the
weight of the material on the scale. In such case the cam X as it lifts the
spindle U raises the scale beam and closes the gate it will be seen therefore that
the closing of the gate once in a revolution of the table is insured irrespective of
the condition of the material in the scale pan. Should there be an overflow of
material from the cartoon the shoot L² delivers it clear of the scale back upon the
marble top C' of the table C. The annular hopper E being carried round with
the table Ċ and the stirrer frame F being attached to the stationary shaft B it is
obvious that the stirrers agitate and keep level the material in the hopper and that
the openings in the hopper will be swept by the brushes on the ends of the stirrers
as they pass under said brushes
Access for cleaning the hopper may be had between the arms of the stirrer
frame For the shuft B could be prolonged so as to allow the said frame to be
lifted
•
Modifications may be made in the details of construction without departing from
the spirit of my invention and portions of the invention may be used separately.
For example-a very useful small machine can be made by combining the weighing
scale and hopper with their appendages. In such case the hopper would not be
annular but square or other ordinary form in plan or horizontal section.
The mechanical tapping devices driven by suitably formed shaft could be
combined with such a machine or they could be omitted and so also a cam for
insuring the closing of the gate at definite intervals or for throwing the tapping
devices out of action The large machine shown could be modified by making the
table and hopper stationary and the stirrer frame cam and cupped friction gear
rotary but in this case the advantage of having a series of scales passing in

page_text: succession a given point so that an attendant could look after them all without
changing his position would be lost.
Instead of using an automatic latch adapted to be released by contact with the
inserted cartoon or package a latch that would engage itself whenever the scale
pan is depressed could be employed the said latch being disengaged by hand. The
scale pan adapted to receive a cartoon or package and hold it in an upright
position could be used in connection with an automatic gate closing mechanism of
an ordinary or suitable construction instead of the improved mechanism described.
The removable bushing or its equivalent for enabling the delivery opening in the
hopper to be enlarged or diminished as required could be used with other
measuring or gauging apparatus than that which measures or gauges by weight
to suit with that which measures and gauges the charge by bulk.
So also many other changes could be made and the invention in whole or in
part still be employed.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention of "Improvements in
automatic weighing and packago filling apparatus" and the manner in which the
same is to be performed I wish it to be understood that I claim as the said
invention the improvements hereinbefore described all and several to wit.
First The upright lever arm fulcrumed at its lower end and the gate supported
and operated by said arm in combination with a hopper and weighing scale
substantially as described.
Secondly-The combination with a hopper of the gate and the upright lever
arm carrying said gate and having the fulcrum at its lower end and to the rear of
the hopper's mouth substantially as described.
Thirdly-The combination with a hopper of the gate carried by a lever arm and
adjusted to work out of contact with but in close proximity to the wall of the
hopper's mouth substantially as described.
Fourthly-The combination with a hopper and a gate carried by a lever arm of
means as explained for adjusting the-position-of-the-gate with respect to the
hopper's mouth substantially as described
Fifthly The combination with a hopper of a gate carried by a lever arm and
having its upper surface curved to conform to the arc in which it moves
substantially as described.
Sixthly The combination with a hopper and a weighing scale of the lever arm
secured to and carried by the scale beam and the supply gate supported and
operated by said arm substantially as described.
Seventhly The combination of the hopper weighing scale lever arm supported
and operated by the scale beam gate supported and operated by the lever arm and
the adjusting means substantially as described.
Eighthly The combination with a hopper and weighing scale of the gate and
the upright supporting arm fulcrumed at its lower end and arranged to fall
forward out of the perpendicular when the scale is overbalanced substantially as
described.
Ninthly The combination with a hopper and an automatic apparatus for
gauging the material delivered from said hopper of means as described independent
of said apparatus for regulating the size of the opening in the bottom of the hopper
substantially as described.
Tenthly The combination with the hopper weighing scale and gate of the
removeable bushing or its equivalent as specified placed between the said gate and
the body of the hopper substantially as described.
Eleventhly The hopper having its mouth formed on one side by a brush and on
the others by a metallic lip or flange and combined with a gate adapted to operate
as described.
Twelfthly The combination with the hopper and gate of the brush removably
secured at the front of the hopper's mouth substantially as described.
Thirteenthly-The combination with a hopper having the front wall of its mouth
formed of yielding material such as the bristles of a brush of a gate carried by a.

page_text: lever arm and adjusted to work out of contact but in close proximity to the walls
of said mouth substantially as described.
Fourteenthly The combination of the hopper the weighing scale the gate
controlled by said scale and the spout below the gate substantially as, described.
Fifteenthly In an apparatus for filling cartoons or packages such as shown the
spout of the form described adapted to deliver the material to one side substantially
as set forth.
Sixteenthly The combination with an automatic weighing scale of a latch for
holding the scale pan depressed with the supply gate closed substantially as
described.
Seventeenthly-The combination with an automatic weighing scale of the latch
for kepping the. supply gate closed adapted automatically to be released by the
insertion of a cartoon or package substantially as described.
Eighteenthly-The combination with the scale pan or plate of the adjustable
gauge plates substantially as described.
Nineteenthly The scale pan or plate provided with gauge plates and stop
substantially as described.
Twentiethly In a package filling apparatus the combination with a weighing
scale of a shoot for delivering any overflow clear of the scale substantially as
described.
Twentyfirstly The weighing scale gauge plates and stop in combination with
the latch provided with a contact piece substantially as described.
Twenty secondly-The combination of the hopper weighing scale lever arm gate
gauge plates and latch substantially as described.
Twentythirdly-The combination with weighing and package filling apparatus
of mechanical tapping devices for shaking down the material in the cartoons or
packages substantially as described.
Twentyfourthly-The combination with a weighing scale of mechanical devices
for tapping the cartoon or package on said scale substantially as described.
Twentyfifthly The combination with the tapping arms adapted to receive a
cartoon or package between their front ends of mechanism for vibrating said arms
so that they strike the cartoon or package at the same time on opposite sides
substantially as described
Twenty sixthly-The combination of the tapping arms ratchet wheel and spring
substantially as described.
Twenty-seventhly-The tapping arms having the front or operating ends
detachably secured to the body of the arms substantially as described
Twenty eighthly-The combination with the weighing and filling apparatus and
the tapping devices of means for throwing or keeping the latter out of action
substantially as described.
Twenty ninthly-The combination with a rotatory supporting table and rotary
hopper of a series of automatic weighing scales each having a gate controlled and
operated directly by the weight in the scale pan substantially as described.
Thirtiethly The combination of the rotary supporting table rotary hopper and
series of automatic weighing scales having each its scale pan or scale plate adapted
to receive a cartoon or package substantially as described.
Thirty firstly An automatic weighing scale having a scale pan or plate adapted
to receive and support in an upright position a cartoon or package substantially as
described.
Thirty secondly-The combination with an automatic weighing scale having a
gate controlling the delivery from a hopper of an automatic mechanism such as a
cam and connection for insuring the closing of the aforesaid gate at intervals
irrespective of the quantity of material in the scale substantially as described.
Thirty thirdly. The combination with a package filling apparatus and tapping
devices of automatic mechanisın such as the cam and connections for throwing
said devices out of action substantially as described.
Thirty fourthly―The combination with the rotary table and hopper automatic

page_text: weighing scales and lapping devices of a stationary gear for operating said devices
and a stationary cam for throwing the same out of action substantially as
described.
Thirtyfifthly The combination with the tapping arms of the operating wheel
carried by a longitudinally moveable spindle and having ratchet teeth for vibrating
said arms and surfaces inclined to the vertical for spreading and holding apart the
arms substantially as described.
Thirty sixthly The combination of the pedestal the table supported by and
revolving upon said pedestal the upright stationary shaft the stirrer frame carried
by said shaft the upright column carried by the table and the hopper carried by
the column substantially as described.
Thirty seventhly-The cup shaped gear wheel adapted to serve both as an oil
cup and a gear wheel substantially as described.
Thirty-eighthly The combination of the pedestal the revolving table the
upright shaft provided with oil passages the oiler on top of said shaft and a drip
cup surrounding the base of said shaft and the hub of said table substantially as
described.
Thirty ninthly-The hereindescribed weighing and package filling apparatus
comprising the following elements in combination to wit the table the weighing
scales supported thereon the hopper the attachments to the scales including the latch
and supply gates the tapping devices the gearing for operating the same and the
cam and its connections all substantially as and for the purpose-set forth.
In witness whereof Itlie said William Thomas Whiteman. have hereunto set"
my hand and seal this thirtieth day of April in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
TOMNICITY
W. T. WHITEMAN
(क)