IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR FILLING REGULATING THE QUANTITY AND COMPRESSING PACKETS OF POWDERED SUBSTANCES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Davis of Hill Top West Bromwich in the County
of Stafford Land and Mine Surveyor for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR FILLING REGULATING THE QUANTITY AND COMPRESSING
PACKETS OF POWDERED SUBSTANCES
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Davis at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th October 1883.
THOMAS DAVIS of Hill top, West Bromwick in the County of Stafford Land and
Mine Surveyor,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR FILLING REGULATING THE
QUANTITY AND COMPRESSING PACKETS OF POWDERED SUBSTANCES
"
This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for filling regulating the
quantity and compressing packets of powdered or granulated substances of various
kinds for mercantile purposes.
The apparatus consists of a framework of vertical posts screwed or fastened
together by horizontal connections running from front to back posts on either
side at top and bottom of the said framework which bottom connections above
mentioned are further strengthened with metal straps
Attached to the said front vertical posts and running horizontally from right to
left of the same is a ledge of sufficient width and thickness to support a hopper or
receptacle for certain or any powdered substance. In the said ledge are cut holes
of such size and shape the thickness of same and of such number as shall
correspond exactly with the number and section of the tubes forming part of the :
said hopper
On the face of each of the tubes aforesaid is an opening cut out the thickness
of the material of which the tubes are made and of such length and width as to
admit of certain stoppings being worked in and out of such holes the section of the
tubes aforesaid. These holes are situated at such height in the tubes as to admit

page_text: of a certain computed quantity only resting therein between this point and the
bottom of each, of the said tubes.
To each hole of these tubes inside is provided a door which opens inwardly as
the stopping goes in for computing the quantity of powder waiting to be discharged
from the tube and shuts with the weight of powder descending to the bottom of
the tube in the act of withdrawing the stopping from each of the said tubes thus
preventing the powder while falling from being shed.
A rod is simultaneously provided with stoppings attached at such distances upon
the same to admit of closing the bottom of each of these tubes previous to the
powder descending. This said rod with stoppings attached for the bottom of the
tubes aforesaid works in direct unison with the upper rod by means of a bracket
at either end to each of which brackets aforesaid is fastened a lever at such a
distance as will cause the upper stoppings to be closed while the lower stoppings
are open to allow the computed weight of powder in each tube to descend into
certain packet cases below and vice versa.
These packet cases are fixed immediately under the said tubes and of such
corresponding number so as to receive the powder and are thus described.
In each of these packet cases is a slit on one side only and situated at such
height from the bottom of each case and of sufficient width as to admit of a spoon
or other contrivance being placed under each of the packets for lifting two at once
when ready for fastening up.
At the top of each of these said packet cases and on either side is provided a lid
working on a hinge so as to swing to and fro of width and strength as required
To each set of packet cases is provided a framework to which certain closures
are fastened in number agreeing exactly with lids to each packet case aforesaid and
at such height from the frame and at such distance from the packet cases as may
be required for strength sufficient in closing the lids aforesaid so as to neatly fasten
up the top of each packet containing the powder. This framework is made so as
to slide easily up and down when required.
Affixed to the said back vertical posts and running horizontally from right to
left of the same is a beam of such width and strength as required. Underneath
this beam aforesaid is a metal bar of such width and thickness as to admit of presses
being screwed or fastened thereon at such distances as to allow the centres of the
same to fall immediately under the centres of the packet cases when used for
pressing also of such number and at a moderate distance above the tops of the said
packet cases so as to give them absolute freedom in traversing to and fro. This
metal bar is fastened to the under part of the said beam by a spring or springs of
such strength as to allow a pressure sufficient on the said powder as its specific
gravity may require. This metal bar with the presses attached is worked by means
of a handle or handles fastened to a lever which is fixed at such a point of the
instrument for pressing as to cause the same of its own weight to rest clear of the
metal bar aforesaid and only to touch the said metal bar when moved by the hand
or hands for pressing.
And it is further provided that in order to ensure the centres of the presses
falling directly upon the centres of the packets of powder aforesaid a guide or
guides shall be attached to the under part of the beam herein before mentioned
passing through a hole or holes of required size in the metal bar aforesaid that the
steady transit downward and upward of the presses may contribute to forming &
well shaped packet.
Between each of the two front vertical posts aforesaid and resting horizontally
upon the same is a drum.
Also between each of the two back vertical posts aforesaid is a drum in like
position both of which work in unison by means of a band or bands placed round
them of such number and thickness and at such distance apart as may be required
and worked by a handle which is fastened on to the front drum aforesaid.

page_text: Also screwed or fastened on to these straps aforesaid and at certain intermediate
distances are strips of wood or other metal or material upon which each set of
packet cases is placed for traversing and which said packet cases may be lifted on or
off the said strips as required. By the use of the said handles and bands these
drums are made to revolve so that when one set of packet cases are directly under
the tubes of the hopper being filled another set of packets are being pressed ready
for taking out of the cases and finishing
It is also provided that any number of rows of packet cases may be filled at
once from the corresponding number of tubes on the hopper aforesaid and the same
number of rows of presses also used in connection herewith.
This machine or any part thereof may be made of any material size strength or
to any length.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Thomas Davis in the Patent Office on the 10th April 1884.
THOMAS DAVIS of Hilltop West Bromwick in the County of Stafford Land and
Mine Surveyor
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR FILLING, REGULATING THE
QUANTITY AND COMPRESSING PACKETS OF POWDERED SUBSTANCES
"
This Invention relates to improvements in apparatus for filling regulating the
quantity and compressing packets of powdered or granulated substances of various
kinds for mercantile purposes.
And in order that my invention may be clearly understood and readily carried
into practice I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the drawings
hereto annexed the nature of each view or figure being written thereon.
The apparatus consists of a framework of vertical posts a a¹ screwed or fastened
together by horizontal connections a¹ a¹ running from front to back posts on either
side at top and bottom of the said framework which bottom connections above
mentioned are further strengthened with metal straps a³.
Attached to the said front vertical posts a and running horizontally from right
to left of the same is a ledge as of sufficient width and thickness to support a
hopper or receptacle 6 for certain or any powdered substance. In the said ledge a³
are cut holes of such size and shape the thickness of same and of such number as
shall correspond exactly with the number and section of the tubes 6¹ forming part
of the said hopper b.
On the face of each of the tubes 61 aforesaid is an opening 6 cut out the
thickness of the material of which the tubes 61 are made and of such length and
width as to admit of certain stopping instruments c being worked in and out of
such holes the same internal section of the tubes 6' aforesaid. These holes b* are
situated at such height in the tubes 61 as to admit of a certain computed quantity
only resting therein between this point and the bottom of each of the said
tubes 6¹.
To each hole 6 of these tubes 6' inside is provided a door or flap moving on a
hinge at the top of the flap which opens inwardly as the stopping instrument c
goes in for computing the quantity of powder waiting to be discharged from the
tube 6 the flap shutting with the weight of powder afterwards descending to the
bottom of the tube b¹ in the act of withdrawing the stopping instruments c from
each of the said tubes 6' thus preventing the powder while falling from being shed.
The stopping instruments c and c¹ are fixed at the required distances on horizontal
rods which are attached to vertical rods cat each end which rock upon centres
or pivots cat each end. Stopping instruments c¹ are attached at suitable
distances apart to close the bottom of each of the tubes b¹ previous to the powder
descending. The rod with stopping instruments c¹ attached for the bottom of the
tubes 6 aforesaid works in direct unison with the upper rod by means of a bracket
at either end to each of which brackets aforesaid is fastened the lever or rod c² at
such a distance as will cause the upper stoppings to be closed while the lower
stoppings are open to allow the computed weight of powder in each tube 6¹ to
descend into packet cases d below and vice versa.
The packet cases d are fixed immediately under the tubes 61 and of such
corresponding number as to receive the powder and are thus described.
In each of these packet cases d there is a slit on one side only and situated at
such height from the bottom of each case and of sufficient width as to admit of a
spoon e or other contrivance being placed under each of the packets for lifting two
of them at once when ready for fastening up.

page_text: At the top of each of the packet cases d and on either side a lid f (laying open
whilst the case is filling) is arranged working on a hinge so as to swing to and fro
and of width and strength as required.
To each set of packet cases d a framework g is provided to which springs h for
closing the lids fare fastened corresponding in number with the lids fto each
packet case d and at such height from the frame g and at such distance from the
packet cases d as may be required for strength sufficient in closing the lids f so as
to neatly fasten up the top of each packet containing the powder. The framework g
is made so as to slide easily up and down when required.
Affixed to the back vertical posts a and running horizontally from right to left of
the same is a beam a of such width and strength as required. Underneath this
beam a' is a metal bar i of such width and thickness as to admit of pressers j
being screwed or fastened thereon at such distances as to allow the centres of the
same to fall immediately under the centres of the packet cases d when used for
pressing also of such number and at a moderate distance above the tops of the said
packet cases so as to give them absolute freedom in traversing to and fro. This
metal bar i is fastened to the under part of the said beam by a spring or springs i
of such strength as to allow a pressure sufficient on the said powder as its specific
gravity may require. This metal bar i with the pressers attached is worked by
means of a lever j¹ which moves on a centre fixed at such a point for pressing as
to cause the same of its own weight to rest clear of the metal bar i and only to
touch the metal bar i when moved by the hand or hands for pressing.
And it is further provided that in order to ensure the centres of the pressers j
falling directly upon the centres of the packets d of powder a guide or guides / is
attached to the under part of the beam a passing through a hole or holes of
required size in the metal bar i that the steady transit downward and upward of
the pressers may contribute to forming a well shaped packet. is a fixed stop to
serve as a buffer to the bar i to prevent the springs having any undue strain.
To meet all requirement of different shaped pressers used for the corresponding
shaped packets, being applied for use on the same bar-the said pressers shall be
fastened on by means of a nut so as to remove and replace at convenience.
Between each of the two front vertical posts a and resting horizontally upon the
same is a drum m.
Also between each of the two back vertical posts aforesaid is a drum m¹ in like
position both of which work in unison by means of a band or bands m² m² placed
round them of such number and thickness and at such distance apart as may be
required and worked by a crank handle m³ which is fastened on to the front
drum m
Also screwed or fastened on to these straps and at certain intermediate distances
are strips of wood metal or other suitable material upon which each set of packed
cases d is placed for traversing and which said packet cases d may be lifted on or
off the said strips m* as required. By the use of the handles m³ and bands these
drums m are made to revolve so that when one set of packet cases d are directly
under the tubes b₁ of the hopper 6 being filled another set of packets & are being
pressed ready for taking out of the cases and finishing.
It is also provided that any number of rows of packet cases d may be filled at
once from a corresponding number of tubes 6' on the hopper aforesaid and the
same number of rows of pressers j also used in connection there with.
This machine or any part thereof may be made of any material size strength or
to any length.
In order that a large number of packets may be filled in the same time and
presses as quickly a table n is arranged and fixed on the same level as the top of
the bands m² and within such a convenient distance from the drums m as to allow
them to revolve freely. The tables n are supported by brackets n' attached to the
vertical parts a. Between the two drums m m³ another table n³ is arranged upon
the same continuous level to allow the different trays of packet cases horizontal

page_text: transit between the filling and pressing processes. This needle table n³ is sup-
ported by brackets resting on a bar n³ fixed between the posts a thereby further
strengthening them.
Having thus described the nature of my invention and the manner of carrying
the same into practice I would remark that I make no claim to any of the parts
separately which are well known and in common use But what I claim is :-
The improved arrangement and construction of apparatus for filling, regulating
the quantity and compressing packets of powdered substances by a combination of
instruments and parts arranged to act substantially in the manner and for the
purpose herein before described and represented in the drawings hereto annexed.
In witness whereof I the said Thomas Davis have hereunto set my hand and
seal this Fifth day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and eighty four.