Packaging machine with sampler

Aug. 1, 1967

E. L. DODD

3,333,648

PACKAGING MACHINE WITH SAMPLER

Filed Aug. 12, 1954

Sheets-Sheet i

<img file="US3333648A_D0001.tif" />

ATTOR’/YEY

Aug. 1, 1967

3,333,648

E. L. DODD

PACKAGING MACHINE WITH SAMPLER

Filed Aug. 12, 1964

Sheets-Sheet s

<img file="US3333648A_D0002.tif" />

Fig. 2

INVENTOR.

Edmund L. Dodd ^BY /i rroK/YEY

Aug. 1, 1967

E. L. DODD

3,333,648

PACKAGING MACHINE WITH SAMPLER

Filed Aug. 12, 1964

Sheets-Sheet 3

<img file="US3333648A_D0003.tif" />

INVENTOR.

Edmund L.Dodd

BY »

ATTGWEY

Aug. 1, 1967 E. _L dodd 3,333,648

PACKAGING MACHINE WITH SAMPLER Filed Aug. 12, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet 4

<img file="US3333648A_D0004.tif" />

Fig. 4

SIGNAL LAMP

<img file="US3333648A_D0005.tif" />

RESET

GROUP 1-8

MON-SELECTIVE INST. REJECT

SIGNAL LAMP θ.

SELECTIVE GROUP 1-3

PBi PBz. PBs PBa PBs PB&amp; PB? PB8

SELECTIVE

INVENTOR.

Edmund L. Dodd ^BY

ATTORNEY

3,333,648

E. l_. DODD

PACKAGING MACHINE WITH SAMPLER

Aug. 1, 1967

Filed Aug. 12, 1964

Sheets-Sheet s

<img file="US3333648A_D0006.tif" />

47ΎΟΑ(7Ύ£Ύ

3,333,648

Aug. 1, 1967

E. L. DODD

PACKAGING MACHINE WITH SAMPLER

Filed Aug. 12, 1964

Sheets-Sheet 6

<img file="US3333648A_D0007.tif" />

αγγορνευ

Aug. 1,.1967

Filed Aug. 12, 1964 el. dodd 3,333,648

PACKAGING MACHINE WITH SAMPLER

Sheets-Sheet 7

<img file="US3333648A_D0008.tif" />

<img file="US3333648A_D0009.tif" />

<img file="US3333648A_D0010.tif" />

i-----1

P'Blo I

<img file="US3333648A_D0011.tif" />

<img file="US3333648A_D0012.tif" />

A----158

<img file="US3333648A_D0013.tif" />

Group Non Selective

<img file="US3333648A_D0014.tif" />

-11^/216

<img file="US3333648A_D0015.tif" />

CR₂ 210 ---------if------PBu Reset --1(——Q.....I . 0~—---—212

<img file="US3333648A_D0016.tif" />

Fig. !O

INVENTOR.

Edmund L.Dodd

ATTOEWEY

United States Patent Office 3,333,648 _____ Patented Aug. 1, 1967

3,333,648

r.-.j PACKAGING machine with sampler Lamund L. Dodd, Quincy, Mass., assignor to Pneumatic scale Corporation, Limited, Quincy, Mass., a corporation or Massachusetts

Filed Aug. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 389,126

Claims. (Cl. 177—55)

This invention relates to a packaging machine and more particularly to an automatic filling or weighing machine for forming and depositing predetermined loads into successive containers.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improved packaging machine of the character specified having a plurality of load forming or weighing units arranged to deposit their loads into successive containers associated therewith and in which provision is made for diverting or separating preselected containers from a normal discharge path to a second path for the purpose of checking the loads formed by a particular filling or weighing unit for statistical product control of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved rotary filling or weighing machine having a plurality of continuously moving load forming or weighing units arranged to deposit their weighed loads into successive, containers moved along therewith and in which provision is made for preselectively diverting or separating a container or group of containers from a normal discharge path to a second path for the purpose of checking “Lr ^formed.^by a particular single unit or group of filling or weighing units for statistical product control of the machine.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to Provide a novel and improved filling or weighing machine ot the character described characterized by novel control means for selectively diverting from a normal discharge path to a second path a single container; successive single containers; or a group of containers associated with a particular load forming or weighing unit or units for the purpose of checking and recording the accuracy of the particular unit or units for statistical purposes.

With these general objects in view and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the packaging machine and. in the various structures, arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly defined in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention:

, FIG. 1 is a plan view of a rotary weighing machine embodying the present invention;

, _f^Bi^GL²J^{s a side} elevation of the same as seen from the left m FIG. 1;

FIG- .3 is a plan view detail of the container discharge mechanism showing the container diverting mechanism associated therewith;

FIG- 4 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in FIG. 3 as seen from the line 4—4 of FIG. 3·

FIG. 5 is a plan view detail of a distributor forming a part of the present control means;

.^G 6 1® ^a side elevation of the same showing the disrtibutor in cross section as seen from the line 6—6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of timing mechanism to be referred to;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the same shown partly in cross section as seen from the line 8—8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front elevation of a push button panel for actuating the selective control means; and

FIG. 10 is a wiring diagram illustrating the selective control mechanism.

In general, the present invention contemplates a packaging machine, herein illustrated as a multiunit rotary automatic weighing machine having a plurality of continuously moving load forming and weighing units, where5 an provision is made for first forming a plurality of measured bulk loads and delivering the same to the load receiving members of successive weighing units and for thereafter delivering a drip stream to the continuously moving weighing units to complete the weighed loads 10 which are then deposited into containers moved along therewith.

. In the operation of such automatic weighing machine it is the practice to check weigh at random selected of the filled containers discharged from the machine at predeter15 mined test intervals for the purpose of production control to assure that the containers are consistently provided with uniformly weighed loads within the limits of allowable tolerances from a predetermined weight. On the one hand, if too much material is deposited into successive containers it will result in a substantial loss to the producer and, on the. other hand, if too little is deposited into successive containers the consumer receives less than he paid for. While modern high speed weighing machines are designed, to be initially adjusted to produce extremely accurate weights and have provision for rejecting under and overweight containers, they very rarely have to be readjusted once they are set for a particular weight. However, in practice it is desirable to keep a record of such weights not only as a safety precaution in the event of any malfunction of the machine but particularly for statistical weight control to conform with government regulations as to uniform weights of packaged products.

In practice, in a multiunit high speed weighing machine 35 °* · *^ype Pirated wherein the weighing units are in ^c°ⁿfamous motion to produce filled containers at the rate of about one hundred and sixty a minute, it has been difficult to determine which weighing unit produced the load deposited m a particular container selected for check ₄₀ weighing.

In accordance with the present invention provision is made for enabling the operator to selectively withdraw or separate from the containers being discharged those containers which received their load or loads from a par45 rt^cul.^ar weighing uit or units so that the performance of the. individual weighing units may be tested or checked This is accomplished automatically by means under the control of the operator arranged to divert from a normal discharge path into a separate path those containers which ₅₀ received their loads from a particular weighing unit. Thus, in practice, the operator may actuate a control associated with a particular weighing unit, such as weighing unit #1 which will effect automatic separation of the container associated therewith during one cycle, and also containers 55 associated therewith during successive cycles, if desired Likewise, the operator may actuate one or more of the controls associated with any of the remaining weighing units to effect diversion into a separate path of the container or containers associated with a particular weighing ₆₀ unit or units. The present control mechanism is also arranged. to divert successive containers in a group or set comprising one container from each weighing unit starting with #1 during one cycle or rotation of the machine and to automatically discontinue diversion of the con05 tainers when the last one of the group has been diverted.

Provision, is also made for diverting successive containers indiscriminately for checking the overall performance of the weighing units. Thus, in operation it will be seen that the weighing performance of a particular weighing unit 70 ^or group of units may be selectively tested whereby the task of check weighing and statistically recording the accuracy of production of the machine is greatly facilitated.

3,333,648 naled in a gear box 48. The drive shaft is provided with a helical pinion 50 in mesh with a helical gear 52 fast on the central shaft 32.

The containers 22 are delivered to the machine in a line from a supply thereof by a conveyor 60. The containers are engaged by a helical feed screw 62 arranged to space the containers to be received in spaced cutouts or openings 64 in a rotary intake and transfer disk 66, the cutouts 64 being shaped to engage successive containers. The transfer disk 66 cooperates with a guide plate 67 and is arranged to transfer successive containers onto successive pockets 68 which support the containers 22 in alignment with their respective weighing units 18 during their travel in a circular path. The filled containers are likewise transferred from successive pockets 68 back onto the conveyor 60 by a rotary discharge disk 70 having spaced openings 72 shaped to engage the containers being discharged. The rotary intake disk 66 is mounted fast on the upper end of a vertical shaft 74, and the rotary discharge disk 70 is likewise fast on the upper end of a vertical shaft 76. The shafts 74 and 76 are arranged to be rotated in timed relation to the operation of the machine through a gear train 78 which includes a gear 80 fast on the central shaft 32; an intermediate gear 82; and spaced gears 84, 86 in mesh with the intermediate gear and with gears 88, 90, respectively, which are fast on the vertical shafts 74, 76. The container supporting pockets 68 are supported by brackets 92 attached to a rotary disk 94 which is connected to rotate with the central shaft 32.

From the description thus far it will be seen that successive containers 22 transferred onto successive pockets 68 of the machine are provided with accurately weighed loads as they are carried around in a circular path and that thereafter the filled containers are transferred back onto the conveyor to be discharged from the machine. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the filled containers 22 transferred from the pockets 68 onto the discharge end of the conveyor 60 normally are free to be released from the openings 72 of the discharge disk to pass along the conveyor 60 between guide rails 96, 98. However, when the operator actuates the selective control mechanism to be described, to effect separation of one or more selected containers from the discharge line, in accordance with the present invention, provision is made for clamping the selected container in its discharge disk opening 72 to hold the same in engagement with the disk until the container passes off the edge of the conveyor 60 and is guided between rails 100, 102 into a separate path where it is

Referring now to the drawings, the present invention is illustrated as embodied in a rotary multiunit automatic weighing machine of the general type shown and described in the United States patent to Thomas P. Howard, No. 2,868,375, issued Jan. 31, 1959, wherein a plurality of measured loads are formed and delivered to a weighing unit associated with each measuring chamber, the final or drip load being thereafter delivered directly into the weighing units to complete the weighed loads which are subsequently deposited into containers being moved along with the weighing units.

In general, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a generally circular non-rotating material, feeding compartment 10 is arranged to receive material by gravity from a supply hopper 12. The compartment 10 is arranged to divert the material into successive rotary measuring chambers 14 wherein the bulk loads are formed and subsequently delivered into the receptacles 16 of weighing units 18 associated therewith. After the bulk loads are delivered the drip loads in the form of continuous streams are delivered through the open measuring chambers 14 directly into the weighing receptacles. Subsequently, the weighed loads are discharged through guide funnels 20 into successive containers 22, being moved along with their respective weighing units.

The measuring chambers 14 are telescopically adjustable, the upper portions thereof comprising a plurality of flanged tubes 24 supported in and depending from a rotary disk 26 which forms the bottom wall of the compartment 10. The lower portion of each measuring chamber 14 may comprise a corresponding tube 28 telescopically fitted about the upper tube 24 and supported in a rotary disk 30 secured to a continuously rotated central shaft 32, the telescoping connection imparting rotary movement to the upper portions of the chambers 14 during the operation of the machine. The upper rotary disk 26 may be supported for vertical adjustment relative to the lower disk 30 to adjust the volume of the chambers. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6, the rotary disk 26 is provided with a plurality of rollers 27 arranged to engage a track 29 carried by an annular supporting member 31. The annular member 31 is supported by upstanding rods 33 threadedly engaged in sprockets 35 which are connected by a chain 37. Manual drive connections to the chain indicated generally at 39 are provided for rotating the rods 33 to effect simultaneous adjustment of all of the chambers when required. Each measuring chamber 14 is provided with a bottom closing shutter indicated generally at 34, and in the operation of the machine succes- , _ _ sive measuring chambers are filled at which time the 50 automatically released onto a second conveyor 104 to be shutters are closed, the shutters being thereafter opened to deposit the loads into their respective weighing receptacles.

The illustrated weighing units indicated at 18 comprise check weighed by the operator.

A clamping mechanism, indicated generally at 106 in FIGS. 3 and 4, is associated with each opening 72 in the .... ........... ...._____o___________________ _____4. rotary discharge disk 70, and each clamping mechanism cantilever spring weighing beams cooperating with pneu- 55 includes a normally latched clamp arm 108 pivotally matic pressure responsive control units of the type dis- ' ' ' closed in the Howard patent, above referred to, and which are capable of rapid and accurate weighing performance during the continuous movement of the weighing units.

mounted at 110 and which when unlatched is urged by a spring 112 into clamping engagement with its container to clamp the same to the disk. Each pivoted clamp arm ________u_______„_________________ ______ 108 has a second arm 114 provided with a notched end Each weighing receptacle 16 is provided with a bottom 60 116 arranged to be engaged by the endof^a spring urged closure gate indicated at 36, which is normally main- ’ ” tained in its closed position, provision being made for opening the gate 36 of successive receptacles at a predetermihed time in the cycle after the weight has been made latch arm 118 pivotally mounted at 119. The clamp arm 108 is arranged to be unlatched to effect gripping or clamping of its container, as described, by a solenoid operated ______________ _________________ _________ movable cam piece 120 arranged to be moved into the to effect discharge of the weighed loads through the fun- 65 path of a roll 122 carried by the second, arm 124 of the nels 20 and into the container 22 associated therewith.

As herein illustrated, the weighing units 18 are supported by individual brackets 38 which are attached to a rotary member 40. The rotary member 40 is secured to a latch 118. The cam piece 120 is carried by one arm 126 of a bell crank pivotally mounted at 128, the second arm 130 being connected by a link to the armature of a solenoid 132. The solenoid is supported from the underside flanged hub 42 keyed to the central shaft 32. Thus in op- 70 of the platen 134 of the machine frame, and the cam piece eratioii the weighing units are moved through a circular ’ ’ * ' path in alignment with their respective measuring chambers 14. The central shaft 32 is arranged to be rotated through connections from a variable drive motor 44 whose output shaft is coupled to a drive shaft 46 jour- 75 in the wiring diagram, FIG. 10, wherein the circuit to the

120 is supported at the upper end of a vertical extension 136 which extends through an opening in the platen as shown in FIG. 4.

The solenoid 132 forms part of a control circuit shown

3,333,648 solenoid may be closed by pressing a selected control button, see also FIG. 9. Upon energizing the solenoid 132 the movable cam piece 120 will be rocked from an outwardly disposed position where the latch roll 122 will pass by without engaging the cam piece to a position inwardly of the transfer disk where the roll 122 will engage the cam piece to effect rocking of the latch and release of the clamp arm 108.

As herein shown, the notched arm 114 of the pivoted clamp arm 108 is also provided with a roll 138 arranged to cooperate with a cam 140 stationarily supported about the discharge disk shaft 76. The cam 140 is shaped to permit the clamp arm 108 to be gradually rocked after release of the latch to effect relatively gentle clamping of the container in its disk opening to prevent jarring of the contents. Thereafter, when the clamped container 22 is diverted to a position on the second conveyer 104 the cam 140 is shaped to effect outward rocking of the arm 108 to release the container and to also reset the clamp arm in its latched position as illustrated.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the present control mechanism includes a distributor indicated generally at 142 and enclosed in a casing 141. The distributor comprises a plurality of microswitches indicated generally at 144, herein shown as eight in number, corresponding to 25 the number of weighing units 18. The microswitches are arranged to be closed successively each cycle of operation by a rotary cam or contact closer 146 fast on a vertical shaft 148. The shaft 148 is rotated by a chain and sprocket drive 150 from the central shaft 32 in timed relation to 30 the movement of the containers through a rotary path. It will be understood that each microswitch 144 is associated with a particular weighing unit 18, and the weighing units may be numbered to correspond to the numbers of the associated microswitches.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the operator wishes to divert a container associated with the weighing unit #1 he may press two-way push button PB1 having upper and lower contacts to close the lower contacts at

The circuit will then be continued through lines 154, 156, and the upper contacts 155 of two-way push button PB9 to energize a relay CR3. This will effect closing of contacts CR3 in line 154 which will continue the circuit from line 154 to lines 158 and 160 to energize solenoid 132.

As herein shown, line 160 is also provided with a rotary timing switch 162 which makes eight revolutions for each revolution of the machine corresponding to the number of containers discharged each cycle or revolution. The timing switch 162 may be arranged to close the circuit in line 160 and energize solenoid 132 to release the latch arm 118 at the proper time in the cycle of rotation of the transfer disk to effect clamping of the selected container.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the rotary timing switch 162 is mounted on a vertical shaft 164 arranged to be driven from the vertical intake disk shaft 74 through connections including a chain and sprocket drive 166 to a vertical shaft 168, and a gear and pinion drive 170 172 from the shaft 168 to the shaft 164. The upper end of the shaft 164 is also connected by a shaft 174 and universal joint connections 175 to helical gears 176 for rotating the helical feed screw 62 eight revolutions per cycle to correspond to the number of weighing units and to time the feed of the containers with the arrival of the weighing units 18 and the pockets 68 into container, receiving position.

. Referring again to FIG. 10, it will be seen that in practice the operator may hold the contacts 152 closed for successive cycles of the machine to divert successive containers filled by weighing unit #1 onto the second conveyor 104 so that the accuracy of the performance of weighing unit #1 in forming successive loads may be checked and recorded. It will be apparent that any one of the two-way push buttons PB1 to PB8, or any com6 bination thereof may be simultaneously pressed to divert or separate from the normal discharge path to a different path those selected containers associated with a particular weighing unit or units. Thus, for example, if the performance of weighing unit #5 is to be tested, push button PB5 is pressed and held to close the lower contacts 176 in line 178, and when the cam 146 operates to close switch SSW5 to continue the circuit through lines 154, 156, and through normally closed upper contacts 155 of push button PB9 in line 156 to energize relay CR3. This will effect closing of contacts CR3 in line 154 and energization of solenoid 132, as described, to effect diversion of the container which received its load from weighing unit #5. Also, for example, two-way push buttons PB2 and PB4 may be simultaneously pressed and held so that when the cam 146 closes the circuits sequentially through switches SSW2 and SSW4 the solenoid 132 will be energized to release the associated latches 118 and permit clamping of the filled containers associated with the corresponding weighing units and to thereafter release the containers into a separate path as described.

If it is desired to test the overall performance of all of the. weighing units in the machine during a cycle of operation, provision is made for diverting a selected group . containers sequentially starting with the container associated with weighing unit #1 and ending with the container associated with weighing unit #8, at which time the diversion of containers will be automatically discontinued. As shown in FIG. 10, this is accomplished by pressing two-way push button PB9 to close the lower contacts 180 m line 182. This will also close a second set of lower contacts 184 of push button PB9 in line 153. Push button PB9 is held closed until switch SSW1 is closed by the cam 146, and at this time relay CR4 in 35 fine 153 will be energized to close normally open contacts LK4 in line 186. Holding contacts CR4 in line 188 will be simultaneously closed. Line 188 is provided with a ”°™T^y closed group signal switch SSW9 which wifi 152 in line 153 and hold the^omcVcWd Wfi°t£ 40 Zse^A^^ « &lt;*-*· - » ®W1 i„ _lim 153. oteuf and the circuit continued through lines 188, 189, 190 186,158 and 160 to energize the solenoid 132 through the timing mechanism 162. The solenoid 132 will now be 45 ^energized each time the timing switch 162 is closed, independently of successive switches SSW2 through SSW8 ^ΓνΐΛ ^{the Iln}.^{es specified t0 divert} successive containers’ until the container from the weighing unit #8 has been clamped to be diverted. At this time a second contact cam ₅₀ 192, see FIG. 6, also fast on shaft 148 and disposed above e cam 146, engages the normally closed switch SSW9 disposed above switch SSW8 to open the circuit in line 188 thus deenergizing relay CR4 and causing the normally open contacts CR4 in lines 186 and 188 to open 55 to discontinue diversion of succeeding containers. The group signal lamp W will also be extinguished at this time to indicate to the operator that the group diversion during one cycle of the machine has been completed.

Provision is also made in the present control circuit for 60 effecting instantaneous diversion of successive containers indiscriminately, if desired, for testing one or more nonselected containers or groups of containers. This may be accomphshed by pressing one or the other of push buttons PB10 m lines 194 or 196 to close the circuit directly ₆₅ through lines 158 and 160 to solenoid 132 through timing switch 162. Thus, solenoid 132 will be energized each time the timing switch 162 closes to divert successive containers indiscriminately as to which container is associated with a particular weighing unit.

As previously stated herein, weighing machines of the type illustrated by the automatic weighing machine shown m the Howard Patent No. 2,868,375 are provided with means for detecting a fault in the weighing operation and for rejecting the containers which received a load from 75 a weighing unit in which the fault was detected. Thus, for

3,333,648 viously described, push button PB9 is released after the switch SSW1 is closed, and holding circuit relay is energized to close contacts CR4 in lines 188 and 166 to permit successive containers to be diverted to form a group. It will be apparent that if a fault should occur after push button PB9 is released, normally closed contact CR5 in line 210 will remain open. In order to take care of this contingency a normally open contact CR4 is provided in a by-pass line 216 around contacts CR5. Thus, contact CR4 in line 216 will be closed when relay CR4 is energized to effect sequential group diversion of the containers from weighing units #2 through #8. The relay CR6 and holding circuit contact CR6 will also be closed to keep the fault light on until the reset button PB11 is pressed as described.

From the above description it will be seen that the present invention provides a novel and convenient control apparatus arranged to be actuated by the operator for diverting from the normal discharge path into a separate path selected filled container associated with particular weighing units for the purpose of testing the accuracy of the performance of the particular weighing units for statistical product control of the machine.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims.