GB268956A - Improvements in device for feeding cherries and other articles - Google Patents

Abstract

268,956. Schuler, F. M. March 30, 1926. Feeding articles from hoppers and shoots.-A device for feeding nuts, cherries &c. to a mold in candy making machines comprises a hopper the bottom of which has a number of holes arranged in rows and movable plates above and below the holes which alternatively cover and uncover them to allow escape of the articles. In one construction Figs. 3, 4, pairs of slats 13 and 19 are slidably mounted above and beneath the hopper bottom for each row of holes 12. The upper slats are connected by converging links 14 to a fixed bar at one end and a movable bar 16 at the other end, and the lower slats 19 are connected by diverging links 20 to the same bars, so that movement of the bar 16 simultaneously actuates the slats so as to close the upper and open the lower end of the holes 12 or vice versa. In a modification, Fig. 6, two grid members 34, 40 are independently moved by handles 36, 43, stops being provided to indicate the limiting positions. The upper closing members are disposed so as not to entirely close the holes in order to avoid severing the articles under treatment. An agitating device in the form of a reciprocating frame 37 may be made to act as an agitator. The underside of the top grid may be formed with cup shaped recesses 56<b>, Fig. 9.