Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Measuring and Delivering given Quantities of Material, and for Feeding Paper for Packing the same.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Sept., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 15th June, 1898-Accepted, 16th July, 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION,
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Measuring and
Delivering given Quantities of Material, and for Feeding Paper
for Packing the same.
I, HENRY RICHARDSON, of 166, Oxhill Road, Handsworth, Staffordshire,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
Usually the method adopted for automatically telling off given quantities of
material has been by weighing mechanism which has been made to cut off the
supply when a given weight has been reached. In such machines however it is
found that with very light material such as for instance with fine light powders
the desired accuracy cannot be readily attained, inasmuch as the balancing does
not give a sufficiently quick cut off, and it is therefore to remedy this objection that
I have made this my invention.
Now it is evident that in dealing with any given material or mixture that if the
same is consistent in specific gravity throughout the bulk, any number of equally
measured off portions will each be of the same weight as the others, and therefore
having ascertained the exact volume required to give the required weight it will
only be necessary to provide that such shall be successively accurately measured off.
A machine constructed according to this my invention consists broadly as
follows:-The various parts are mounted or carried upon or from a suitable frame,
within which is provided a travelling band, which is carried over two drums, and
whose upper part lies horizontally and serves as the table upon which the material
is delivered. One of these drums is comparatively large in diameter, and further
serves to carry forward the wrapping up paper, as hereinafter described. Above
this band is mounted the feed hopper, within which is rotated a vertical spindle
having at its lower cylindrical nozzle an arm and a down-hanging clearance blade
which travels around the surface of the walls of the nozzle and thus not only
feeds the material into the nozzle but also prevents any tendency to clog to its
sides and ensures a quick fall or discharge at the right moment. This vertical
spindle may be driven by bevel gearing through a horizontal spindle upon which
latter at the side of the frame is the driving pulley.
Beneath the hopper nozzle is carried an intermittent revolving adjustably
measuring device consisting of a cylindrical pulley like body preferably with
upstanding flanges at its two edges. In the body of this cylinder is a circular
radial hole which forms the measuring chamber. This hole is carried nearly
through to the opposite exterior surface, and in it is a movable end or false bottom
which is adjustably operated by a screw from the opposite side so that the chamber
may be increased or diminished in capacity as may be desired. The mouth of
this chamber, when in its upward direction coincides with the nozzle of the hopper,
and when in its downward direction, discharges on to the paper which is placed
upon the band. At the side of this measure cylinder is an involute spring whose
one end is secured to the cylinder, whilst its other end is continuously being wound
up from a rotating spindle sleeve, which is driven by pulley at the side of frame.

page_text: The cylinder is held in check against the forwarding action of the spring by means
of a pawl carried from the frame engaging with one or more diametrically disposed
teeth upon or in conjunction with the said cylinder. At stated intervals this pawl
is lifted and quickly allowed to fall so that having been released from the one
tooth it should fall in time to permit only of a semi-circular movement of the
cylinder by reason of its catching against the following tooth. This lifting of the
pawl may be effected by a stud or cam upon the driving pulley or its equivalent.
A second pawl may be used in the opposite direction to prevent any tendency to
back movement. Encircling the cylinder is a device whose lower part forms a
shoot, and its sides embrace the cylinder, whilst its upper part forms a sleeve which
is passed on to the nozzle of the hopper. The underside surface of this sleeve
is accurately made to fit upon the circumferential surface of the cylinder, so as
to give a clean cut off at the forward movement of the said cylinder. Preferably
the weight of this device rests upon the cylinder.
The operation of the parts thus far described are somewhat as follows:-The
material is fed from the hopper into the nozzle parts. It will be observed that
as the measuring chamber reaches its point to receive its charge, it does so with a
shock owing to its sudden arrestation by the pawl. This shock serves the most
useful purpose of ensuring the material being shook and discharged into the said
measuring chamber. The pawl
again released to permit of a half turn, when
again by its similar sudden stoppage the material is now discharged downwards,
the embracing band at the side of the cylinder preventing such discharge until it
has reached the shoot.
The wrapping paper is carried upon a roll from which it is carried over a good
portion of the aforesaid comparatively large drum and upon the upper surface of
the travelling band. This paper requires to be fed forward intermittently, which
is done as follows:--At a suitable point above the periphery of the drum is carried
a weighty roller which may ride upon the drum, but free to be lifted upward
therefrom. The paper passes between such roller and the band which is upon the
drum. Side flanges are made upon the drum upon which the roller rides so as to
lift its surface quite clear of the paper, but at given intervals such flanges are cut
away so that the roller now falls with its weight revolvingly resting upon the
paper, the friction of which is sufficient to carry it forward with the motion of
the drum, but when such friction is removed by the lifting of the roller, the paper
ceases to travel with the drum.
Instead of the weighted roller being used in conjunction with the cut away
portions of the flanges as described I may use a roller or rod lying transversely
across the paper on the drum, whose ends travel in a segmentally shaped slot in the
frame at the sides of the drum. Within the drum is now placed a magnet or
magnets in such a manner that the cross rod shall thereby be held on to the
paper and travel with the drum as far as the slots permit. The continued advance
of the magnet however with the drum leaves the rod to fall back to the bottom of
the slots again ready for a repeat action, during which interval the paper ceases
to travel.
Provision is now made for cutting off the paper at these stated intervals.
Near to the discharging shoot is placed a guillotine knife, actuated by suitable
mechanism which shall at the right moment shear off the paper which has been
fed beneath the shoot. This knife is placed tangentially to the shear bed, has an
inclined cutting action and is further made of a springy character so that it binds
or presses against the said shear bed during cutting movement, thus ensuring a
clean cut.
Dated this 14th day of September 1897.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicant's Agent.

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Measuring and
Delivering given Quantities of Material, and for Feeding Paper
for Packing the same,
I, HENRY RICHARDSON, of 166, Oxhill Road, Handsworth, Staffordshire,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
Usually the method adopted for automatically telling off given quantities of
material has been by weighing mechanism which has been made to cut off the
supply when a given weight has been reached. In such machines however it is
found that with very light material such as for instance with fine light powders,
the desired accuracy cannot be readily attained, inasmuch as the balancing does
not give a sufficiently quick cut off, and it is therefore to remedy this objection that I
have made this my invention.
Now it is evident that in dealing with any given material or mixture that if the
same is constant in specific gravity throughout the bulk, any number of equally
measured off portions will each severally be of the same weight as the others, and
therefore having ascertained the exact cubical volume required to give the required
weight it will only be necessary to provide that such shall be successively
measured off.
To explain more clearly what I mean by constant specific gravity, take for
instance any light powder such for illustration as flour:-Now in a very large body
of it, the substance at the bottom would be heavier per cubic inch than that at
the top, by reason of the pressure due to the superincumbent weight of the material,
and therefore the specific gravity per cubic inch is not constant throughout. One
of the chief features of this my invention is therefore to dispose of the material
prior to its delivery into the measuring chamber, in such a manner, that it shall
be freed from any superincumbent weight and measured in as free and normal
or constant condition as possible, so that exactly equal measurements shall give equal
weights.
-
In order to more clearly explain this my invention, I have appended hereunto
illustrative drawings upon which are figures and numbers of reference similar
numbers referring throughout the several views to the same thing or part, and in
which:-
Fig. 1, is a general side view of a machine constructed according to this my
invention, giving a general idea of the disposition of the main parts of the
mechanism.
Fig. 2, is an enlarged part sectional side view (on line A-B Fig. 3) showing
the hopper, and feeding and measuring mechanism.
Fig. 3, is a front sectional view (on line C-D Fig. 2) showing similar parts.
Fig. 4, is a view of the measuring device showing the locking or retaining
mechanism, as seen when the chamber is open to receive its charge.
.
Fig. 5, shows similar parts as seen when discharge is taking place.
Fig. 6, is a detail view of the feeding chamber mechanism, showing the method
of charging.
Fig. 7; is a detailed plan view of one of the hopper supporting plates hereinafter
explained.
Fig. 8, shows measuring chamber adjusting key.
A machine constructed according to this my invention consists broadly as
follows: The various parts are mounted or carried upon or from a suitable frame 9,

page_text: within which is provided a travelling band 10, which is carried over two drums
11, and 12, and whose upper part lies horizontally and serves as the table upon
which the material is delivered. 14, is a hopper in which is placed the material
which is to be measured off. The material is delivered down the pipe 14b, into
the hopper 14, and thence to the measuring chamber 15, as follows:-In the
upper part of the hopper is the vertical rotating spindle 16, carrying the arm or
blade 17, by which the material is constantly being freed so as to readily and
lightly fall down the tube 14b, into the chamber 14, which forms the hopper
proper. Within this hopper is placed the rotating spindle 18, driven by bevel gear
wheels 19, and pulley 20. Upon this spindle 18, is secured the lower one of two
pulley 20. Upon this spindle 18, is secured the lower one of two
supporting plates 21, and 22. The upper plate 22, is secured to the sleeve 23,
upon which latter is secured the bevel gear wheel 24. Thus upon the rotation of
the spindle 25, the two plates 21 and 22, are driven in opposite directions. In
these plates are similarly placed holes 26, hence the material resting above the
upper revolving plate can only pass through to the lower part of the hopper at the
moment such holes 26, are passing each other, and consequently no weight of
material above the said plates affects that which is below them. Upon this
spindle 18, is now fixed a conically shaped body 27, whose base 28, is determined
both in diameter and height to and from the opening 29, according to the cohesive
character of the material under treatment: that is to say for instance, the angle 30
formed from the periphery of the cone at 28 with the edge of the opening 29 should
be a trifle less acute than the natural gravitating angle of the material so that
there shall be a continuous but unburdened trickling of the material into the
nozzle opening 29. Here again it will be seen that the material is further sub-
jected to what I may term a freeing action from unnecessary weight pressure.
The charge is thus delivered into the measuring chamber 15.
To the vertical spindle 18, is attached the collar 31, by means of cross pin 32,
which permits of ample room for the material to pass through into the measuring
chamber 15. To this collar is secured the horizontal arm or blade 33, and the
vertical blade 34, see Fig. 6. These blades are thus rotated with the spindle 18.
The purpose of the blade 33, is that as it travels forward through the material it
leaves behind it a space, into which the material drops, which said drop furnishes
the necessary small amount of shake or disturbance to cause the material to quietly
and regularly flow thence through the opening 29, to the measuring chamber 15.
The vertical blade 34, prevents any possible clogging of the material to the sides of
the entrance to the chamber 15."
This chamber is formed in the cylindrically shaped body 35. Within it is
carried the false bottom 36, having the screwed shank 37, by which it may be
adjustably moved to increase or decrease the cubical capacity of the chamber 15.
Such adjusting rotation of the screw may be effected in any suitable convenient
manner, that shown being by having a set back face at 38, and a key 39 to
correspond thereto.
The mouth of this chamber, when in its upward direction as seen in Figs. 2, 3
and 4, coincides with the nozzle of the hopper, and when in its downward direction,
as seen in Fig. 5, discharges on to the paper which is placed upon the aforesaid
band. At the side of this measure cylinder is an involute spring 40, whose one
end is secured to the cylinder 35, whilst its other end is secured to the spindle 41,
and is thereby continuously being wound up so that it tends constantly to rotate
the cylinder 35. The said spindle 41, is driven by pulley 42, at the side of frame.
The cylinder is held in check however against the forwarding action of the spring
by means of the pawl 43, pivoted at 44, to the frame 9, engaging with diametrically
disposed projections 45 and 46; upon or in conjunction with the said cylinder 35.
Upon the chain pulley 42, are fixed the pegs 47 and 48, which act upon the
lever 49, which operates the pawl 43. The point end of this lever may be held
upward by means of weight or spring action. As the pulley 42, in its rotation
reaches the position shown in Fig. 4, (it will be remembered that the cylinder is

page_text: retained against the forward pull of the spring by the pawl 43) the projection 47,
presses down the lever 49, and thereby moves the pawl 43, clear of the projec-.
tion 46, when the said cylinder is quickly moved forward. The movement how-
ever that the end of the lever 49, has been passed by the projection 47, it is suddenly
again raised (by spring or weight) so that when half a revolution of the cylinder
has taken place, the latter is arrested by the pawl 43, having presented itself in
check against the projection 45, thus holding the chamber 15, in its (inverted)
discharging position as seen in Fig. 5.
Encircling the cylinder is a casing 50, whose lower part forms a shoot 51, and
its sides embrace the cylinder, whilst its upper part forms a sleeve which is
connected up to the nozzle of the hopper 14*. The interior surface of this casing is
made to fit accurately upon the circumferential surface of the cylinder, so as to
give a clean cut off at the forward movement of the said cylinder.
The
It will be observed that as the measuring chamber reaches its point to receive its
charge, as seen in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, it does so with a shock owing to its sudden
arrestation by the pawl 43. This shock serves the most useful purpose of ensuring
the material being shook and discharged into the said measuring chamber.
pawl is again released to permit of a half turn, when again by its similar sudden
stoppage, the material is discharged downwards, the embracing metal at the
side of the cylinder preventing such discharge until it has reached the shoot, as
seen in Fig. 5.
The wrapping paper 52, is carried upon a roll 53, from which it is carried over
a good portion of the aforesaid comparatively large drum 11, and upon the upper
surface of the travelling band 10. This paper requires to be fed forward inter-
mittently, which is done as follows:-At a suitable point above the periphery of
the drum is carried a weighty roller 54, which may ride upon the drum, but
free to be lifted upward therefrom, by reason of its end pivots resting in slot hole
bearings 55, in the frame 9. The paper passes between such roller and the band
which is upon the drum. Side flanges 56, are made upon the drum upon which
the roller rides so as to lift its surface quite clear of the paper, as it now appears
in Fig. 1, but at 57, such flanges are cut away so that the revolving roller thereat
falls with its weight and rests upon the paper, the friction of which is sufficient to
carry it forward with the movement of the drum 11, but when such friction is
removed by the lifting of the roller 54, the paper ceases to travel with the drum,
or belt.
•
58, is a guillotine knife carried at the front end of the frame 59, which latter is
pivoted at 60. Pivoted at 61, is the lever 62, to which is connected the link 63,
whose other end is connected to the knife frame 59. Upon the side of the drum 11,
is fixed the roller 64, which is suitably timed in relation to the feed of the paper,
in order to operate, upon the link 63 and lever 62, so as to bring down the knife
and cut off the paper at the right time. 65, is a plate fixed to the stationary
frame, between which and the underside of the knife frame 59, is placed the com-
pressed spring 66, which raises the knife after the cut off has taken place. Prefer-
ably the knife is made of a springy character so that it binds or presses against
the face of the shear bed (beneath the paper) during the cutting movement, thus
ensuring a clean cut.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. The combination of the rotative cylinder 35, in which is formed the measur-
ing chamber 15, the spring 40, connecting it to the spindle 41, wheel 42, with
pegs 47 and 48, lever 49, pawl 43, projections 45 and 46, all substantially as set
forth and shown, and for the purposes specified.
2. The combination of the hopper 14, having the adjustable conical piece 27,
relatively arranged with the orifice collar 31, carrying the blades 33 and 34,
substantially as set forth and shown and for the purposes specified.

page_text: 3. The combination with the hopper 14", having the central rotating spindle 18,
and sleeve 23, of the perforated plates 21, and 22, substantially as set forth and
shown, and for the purposes specified.
4. The intermittent paper feed, comprising the rising and falling roller 54, with
the flanges 56, having the cut away portion 57, together with band 10, all
substantially as set forth and shown.
Dotad this 14th day of Tuno 1808
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicant's Agent, 12, Cherry Street, Birmingham.