Measuring and packaging machine

Oct. 13, 1953

2,655,291

J. C. ROUNDTREE

MEASURING AND PACKAGING MACHINE

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Oct. 13, 1953 j. c. roundtree 2,655,291

MEASURING AND PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Jan. 4, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2

FIG-3-

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Patented Oct. 13, 1953

2,655,291

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,655,291 MEASURING AND PACKAGING MACHINE John Carl Roundtree, Pampa, Tex.

Application January 4,1952, Serial No. 264,990

Claims.

My invention relates generally to an improvementin apparatus for measuring and discharging fluent material into individual containers or receptacles.

While my device is intended:for use in volumetrically measuringrand bagging crushed ice, it will be apparent that any fluent material may be handled, such as sugar,flour,- grain, commercial fertilizer or any small objects in a mass, capable of flowing in a stream under the influence of gravity,

The primary object of any invention? is tai pro* vide a simple, inexpensive and durable measuring and packaging njaghijie designed to receive fluent material from supply_t hopper by gravity flow and selectively to measure any one of a Plurality of predetermined quantities, of such material and discharge the .same through a spout into a bag or similar type of receptacle.

Another pbj ect of; my invention¹ is · to- provide a measuring arid packaging machine of the above type adaptable for either - hand qr power operation, wherein any convenient 'method of presents ing receptacles to be filled may be- employee!.

Referring to the drawings,¹ wherein a preferred embodiment of iffy, invention, is: shown, and 'in which like elements are identified by similar nu^ merals throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is. a side. vipw-ofmy machine, partly in section, showing themechanism.f or·,controlling nipvem.ents of my measuring- drum. ; ’ ' i4gurp 2js a. plan/view.of the machine-of/my invention...

Figure 3 isairpqt vieyv, partly in: section, of my measuring and packaging machine..

Figure .4 is A PerspeGtiye view of the . elements cpntrplling the movement of the measuring· drum slipwn ip operative position..

Figure 5. is. a perspective view of the elements of Fig.. 4 shpwn jn their inoperative ppsition.

Figure fl is .an end. elevation of a portion of the measuring drum controlling mechanism showing certain, struptural cletails, and..

Figure 7 is.'a plan view of the elements shown in Fig.6. . . ,

With reference to Figures 1,.2 .and 3, tpe genergl arrangement of my machine includes a supply hopper A, a measuring, chamber B,_ a. disr· charge spout C and a. control unit D forming an integral assembly adapted to be suspended from ceiling or wall structures (not shown), by. four supporting rpds 5 secured to frame members 6 and 7 mounted on. either end of the measuring chamber B.

The - supply hopper A, of any conventional (CI. 222—181) shape is preferably- formed of sheet metal, and as shown, comprises a front wall 10, a rear wall (2 and side walls 14 and 16 secured together by any suitable fastening- method, such as- welds, 5 rivets or the like. If desired, the hopper may be provided with a closure 18 hinged at 20 for preventing the entry of foreign substances or- material into the space occupied by the product to be packaged. Certain installation requirements 10 may necessitate separate supporting structures for the supply hopper, however, I have mounted the same on the upper side or top of the supply chamber B, the apex-13 of the hopper A being received within a measuring chamber- supply ¹³ opening 15 and secured as by the welding 17 and 19.

A cylindrical outer casing 30 having end wall sections 32 and 34 forms the- closed measuring chamber B being supported in a¹ horizontal posi-^!i tion by frame members 6 and 7 carried by the four supporting, rods 5. These frame members are secured ta the end walls of the measuring chamber by welding indicated by numerals 36' 37, 38 and 39.

Within the measuring chamber B is an inner drum 40, having end walls 42 and 44, and supported by stub shafts 46 and 48 for oscillating or rotating movements. These stub shafts 46 and 48 are secured to the center of the end wall struc₃₀ tures of the inner drum 40 being anchored to strengthening ribs 41 and 43, located bn the inner surface of such end walls, and are extended outwardly passing through openings 50 formed in the- chamber B to permit journalling in split35 collar bearings 52 and 54 'Carried by the respective frame members 6 and 7. In this maimer the inner drum 40 is supported by the frame elements 6 and 7 for oscillating or rotating movement about its longitudinal axis within the ₄₀ chamber B.

It will be noted by reference to Figure 1, that sufficient clearance 45 is provided between the inner drum 40 and the measuring chamber casing 30 to allow free movements of the former within ₄₅ the latter. As shown, the apex 13 of the hopper extends a short distance within the chamber B^rproviding-a smaller clearance at this point effecting a seal agairist the passage of minute particles of material into the annular space be50 tween the drum 40 and the casirig 30 of the measuring chamber B.

Iff the interior of the inner drum 40,I provide two diametrically extending angularly disposed measuring cpmpartmenta6? arid 64-of graduated, 55 cross-sectional area, each adapted selectively to

2,666,281 measure predetermined quantities of bulk material. Although I have utilized cylindrical measuring compartments space limitations or other factors such as resistance to material flow may require the same to assume elliptical, square or other forms of cross sections.

My arrangement for supporting the compartments 62 and 64 within the inner drum 40 is shown in Fig. 1, wherein suitable openings 65 are formed in the peripheral wall of the drum 40 to receive the ends of the compartments 62 and 64 the same being secured by welding, as indicated by the numeral 66.

To effect rotating or limited oscillating movements of the inner drum 40, I provide a hand wheel or belt-driven pulley 51 fixed to the extended shaft 46. The extended stub shaft 48 carries a cylindrical element 58 thereon forming a part of a control unit or stop mechanism D.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, my mechanism D, referred to above, is employed first to select the proper measuring compartment 62 or 64 then alternately to align the open upper end of the same with the supply opening 15 and subsequently the lower open end of the compartment with the discharge spout C. This mechanism is composed of a cylindrical element 58 provided with radially projecting circumferentially spaced lugs 60α, 60b, 60c and 60d and is mounted on the shaft 48. These radially projecting lugs are adapted to cooperate with pivoted stop members 70 and 72 respectfully carried by plates 74 and 76 located adjacent to and on either side of the cylinder 58. The plates mounted on the frame element 7 are each apertured as shown by numerals 78 and 79 to provide clearance for the movements of the projecting lugs 60α, 60b, 60c and 60cZ by the rotation of the cylinder 58.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 7 each stop member 70 and 72 consists of upper and lower leaf elements 80 and 82 pivotally mounted to the respective plates 74 or 76 by a fixed pin 84 and linked for simultaneous movement by a pin 86 projecting through an arcuate slot 88 formed in the plate. In Figs. 4 and 5 the stop member 70 is clearly shown in operative and inoperative positions. In the operative position the stop member 70 will engage one of the lugs projecting from the cylindrical element 58 limiting the movement of the inner drum 40 to a position aligning the desired measuring compartment 62 or 64 with the proper opening of the chamber B. It is to be understood the lugs 60α, 60b, 68c and 6 Cd are positioned at points on the surface of the cylinder 58 whereby the desired movements of the selected compartment will be obtained. In the embodiment shown lugs 60α, and 60c cooperate with the stop members 7® and 72 in their respective downward movements to control the larger compartment 62. As the drum 40 moves counter clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 1, the lug 60α engages stop member 70 placing the upper end or opening 68 of the compartment in communication with the supply opening 15 for filling the compartment and subsequently upon clockwise movement the lug 60c engages stop member 72 aligning the lower opening of this filled compartment with the discharge spout C.

Only one of the compartments will be utilized at a time and it will be noted with reference to the drawing that while the larger compartment 62 Is in use the smaller compartment 64 will not at any time be aligned with the openings communicating with the chamber B. Thus.

material will not enter the unused compartment during the time the other container is employed.

For changing measuring compartments the stop members 70 and 72 are placed in inoperative position shown in Fig. 5 and the inner drum is freely rotated clockwise through a 90° arc as viewed in Fig. 1. In this new position of the drum 40, after the stop members are swung to operative position, the movements of the smaller compartment 64 will be controlled by the lugs 68b and 60d in a manner similar to that described above for the larger compartment 62. Obviously, this larger compartment 62 will at no time be aligned with the openings communicating with the measuring chamber B while the smaller compartment 64 is employed.

In operation, movements of the inner drum, controlled by the mechanism D first selects the proper measuring compartment and aligns the upper opening of the same with the measuring chamber inlet i5 whereby material may flow by gravity through the supply hopper apex 13 into the desired measuring compartment 62 or 64.

Next movement of the drum in the opposite or reverse direction again controlled by the stop mechanism D arrests the movements of the drum whereby the lower end of the open compartment will be in communication with the discharge spout C. This spout C is flared outwardly as at 100 communicating with either compartment being used for receiving and directing material passing therethrough into a bag or other container (not shown) positioned below.

While I have shown my device as being of welded construction throughout, installations where frequent cleaning of the interior surface of the apparatus is desirable may necessitate a separable fastening for an end wall of the measuring chamber casing. In this event clamps, screws or bolts will be utilized for securing the end wall in position.

It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modification in order to adapt it to different usages and conditions and, accordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modifications within this invention as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.