US588168A - Apparatus foe - Google Patents

Description

8 Sh-eets- Sheet 1.

W E. MCKERSUN. APPABATUSPOR FILLING PACKAGES.

(210 Model.)

N0, 588,168. Patented Aug. 17,1897.

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- 8 Sheets-Sheet 2.

!-Nn Model WE, NIOKERSGN. APPARATUS FOR PiLLING PACKAGES.

Patented Aug 17,1897.

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(No Model.)

' 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 NIGKERSON. APPARATUS FOR FILLING PACKAGES,

Patented Aug. 187, .1897

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lvk/ap 'fmg & Sheets-Shet 4. W E. NL'CKEBSON. APPARATUS FOB.- FILLING PACKAGES.

N0 Model.)

Patented Aug. 17, 1897.

WWW a -(No Model.) 8 SheetsSheet 5.

W E. NIGKERSON. APPARATUS FOR FILLING PACKAGES.

\NITPIEESEEI (N0 Modl.) ssneets-sheet 7. r W. E. NIGKERSON. APPARATUS FOR FILLING PACKAGES.

Patented Aug. 17,1897.

g V v 1,0 .Avu. MN 1 8 8 m N v A, i A 3 M m I J; N R 1 g a M O WIIIYII 6 8 Q N w in iv M UNITED STATES- PATENT TVILLIAM EMERY NIOKERSON, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TQTHE XEW ENGLAND 'WEIGIITNG MACHINE COMPANY, OF BOSTON,

MASSACHUSETTS.

APPARATUS FOR FiLLiNG PACKAGES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 588,168, dated August 17, 1897.

Application filed February 11, 1897. Serial No- 622 994| QNo model.)

To all whom it may coltcci'lb:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM EnERv NICK- ERSON, of Cambridge, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented anew and useful Improvementin Apparatus for Filling Packages, of which the following, taken in connection with tl1eaccompanying dra\\"ings, is a specification.

My invention relates to apparatus to be used in filling, transporting, and registering packages and for compressing the material therein. It is especially adapted to operate in connection with ai'itomatic weighing-machines.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a general view in perspective of my apparatus and includes, essentially,-a rotating table having balanced arms bearing package-holding cages, said table having also latch devices and a vertical driving-shaft; also, mechanism attached to the ceiling, consisting of friction-disks for driving the table, a clutch device for operating a compressingplunger, and related parts; further, a receiving-apron, with its suppofling-framework and driving-gear, adapted to receive filled and compressed packages from the cages of the rotating table, and, lastly, an inclosed removing-apron, with its framework, driving-gear, inclosing case, doorways, and registering devices: A weighing-machine of an ordinary type is also included to show its relation to the rotating table. Fig. 2 is a View in perspective of a rotating table having balanced arms, a nu niber of which are removediu order to more fully disclose the construction. Fig. 3 is a view in elevation of the principal tableholdiug latch, parts of. the tabl e and of its pedestal and 'a balanced arm being included to show the relationof the latch thereto. Fig. dis an elevation of a secondary tableholding latch and related parts. Fig. 5 is a view enlarged, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a part of the rim of the table, showing one of the contact-pins adapted to engage with the table-latches and also a latchroller. Fig. 6 is a perspective view, enlarged, of one of the balanced arms and packageholding cages and shows portions of a device for expelling the filled packages from the cage. Fig. 7 is also a perspective view of a balanced arm and package-holding cage, but-from a different point of View. Fig. 8 is a view in horizontal section cut across on the line as a:- of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of two package-holding cages, a compressing-plunger, and a cage-closing door, the latter being 7 in the open position; also, the end of a traveling apron upon which the filled packages are expelled from the cages. Fig. 10 is a View similar to Fig. 9, excepting that the cageclosing door is in the closed position and the compressing-plunger downward within. the cage. Fig. 11 is a slightly-enlarged view, partly in plan and partly in horizontal section, showing the relation of the package-holding cage and a door, the latter being in the open position. Fig. 12 is similar to Fig. 11, ex-

7 cepting that the door is in theclosedposition. 7o

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of mechanism consisting of a pair of friction-disks for driving the table, a continuously-rotating clutchwheel with a clutch-latchaud crank for operating the compressing-plunger, and other related parts. Fig. 14 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section,

of the friction-disks for driving the table and of a clutch mechanism for operating the compressing-plunger, showing the relation of the parts, the clutch being out of engagement. Fig. 15 is an elevation of the clutch. shown in Fig. 14., but in the engaged or operative pos'ition. Fig. 16 is a side elevation showing centering-stops adapted to exactly locate'the compressor-crank after each of its movements. Fig. 17 is a view in plan ofa portion of the rotating table from which all the balanced arms have been removed excepting the. one which is in position under the compress- 9o mg-plunger, and also showing the end of the receiving-apron and the contour-piece used in connection with mechanism on'the cages for expelling the filled packages." Fig. 18 is a view, mostly in vertical section, disclosing the manner of driving and tightening the aprons. Fig. 19 is a view, partly in plan and partly in horizontal section, showing a removing-apron with portions of its inclosing case and also entrance doorways and doors; mo

and registering devices. Fig. is an elevation of a registering mechanism and locking jdev -ice as seen from within the casing of the removing-apron. Fig. 21 is aplan of the registering mechanism. Fig. 22 is a view in locking device used in connection with the elevation of the registering mechanism and is lnpou a pedestal and is provided with a latch similar to Fig. 20, excepting thatapackag'e is passing by it. r

--My improved apparatus has for abasis a otating table which is' suitably mounted Zwhich prevents its rotation exceptat proper intervals, as hereinafter described. This table has a seriesot' balanced arms pivoted s; upon its edge or rim, each armqarj'ying up.on

table causing each cage in turn to stop diter working in connection with a rectly beneath the aforesaid discharge-aperture. Y

Upon a discharge of the weighing-machine into the cage located beneath it the balanced arm corresponding thereto is'depressed at its outer end, causing, by suitable mechanism, the trippingof the table-latch and consequent movement of the table, bringing the next cage in succession underneath the dischargeaperture of the weighing-machine. hen a cage? has advanced the proper distance beyou'd the discharge-orifice of the weighing- .machine, it is found to rest upon a platen and to be opposite an automatic door, the latcompressing-plnnger, whereby the open side of the cage is closed while the material in the package within it is being compressed to the proper bulk by the plunger. Both the automatic door and compressing-plunger are operated by a crank connected with a clutch mechanism, the latter being thrown in an out of engagement by means of projections attached to that one of the pair of frictionplates whichis in rigid connection with the table. hen by the rotation of the table the cage which was under the compressing-plunger makes its next movement in succession, it is brought over a moving receiving-apron; and during the movement the packagein the cage is expelled therefrom and set upon the apron by means of an expelling mechanism located at the back ofthe cage and which will be hereinafter fully-described.

When the filled packages have been placed upon the receiving-apron, (which may be of any desired length, but preferably of such that a number of labelersorother operatives may sit along the sides suflic'ient to handle the packages which the table delivers,) they move along in front of the labelers, preferably seated at narrow benches attached to sides of the frame supporting the apron.

who are These benches are not represented in the drawings, as they would obscure the other parts. When the packages have been labeled or otherwise scaled up, they are placed upon a removing-apron, whichis inclosed within a casing, the packages being introduced through made to pass through registering devices,so that the number of packages handled by each doorways in the sides,'.and are operative is duly recorded. This removingapron is adapted to convey the packages through drying-rooms or otherwise to such places as may be devoted to-putting them into boxes or other operations.

My apparatus, as herein illustrated'and described, is expressly adapted to handle pasteboard cartons or boxes, sometimes called shells, such as are used for holding small uniform weights of prepared cereals, starch, washing-powders, or other articles. of commerce. By suitable modification of the cages, however, various styles of packages may be handled. Ishall therefore use the word carton as'standing for any sort of receptacle which might be used for the purpose.

I will now proceed to describe the various parts of my apparatus in detai In the drawings, A, Fig. 1, represents an automatic weighing-machine of any suitable type, adapted to successively deliver charges of uniform weight. As the construction of this machine is not involved in the following specification and claims, it is not necessary to further describe it.

A rotating table, which is designated by B an which may be seen in whole or in part in igs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 17, is mounted upon its pedestal B by means of; the vertical shaft B The movements of the table are controlled by the latch O, which is shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 and is pivoted upon the pedestal B" by two bolts, one of which is shown at C. The latch C is counterbalanced by the weight C and thereby kept normally in contact near its outer end C with the rim of the table B,

iig. 3.

The table 13 is provided on the inner side of its rim with stop-pins D D, one of which is shown enlarged in Fig. 5. These pins D D are adapted to engage successively on their cylindrical sides, at their lower ends, with the flat endof the roller 0 mounted on the latch G, and thereby to step, unless otherwise infiuenced, the rotation of the table B, Fig. 3. The pins D D, Fig. 5, are so mounted in their sockets as to be free' to turn by the jar of ordinaryuse, whereby they present continuously new surface of contact to the end of the roller C and thus prolong their period of wear. They are held from rising in their sockets by the plugs D' D, Fig. 5. The balanced arms, E E, which are pivoted upon the rim of the-table B, as shown at E Fig. 3, carry oi: their outer and broadened ends the cages F E and upon their inner ends the counterweights E E Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 17. The counter-weights E E are made sufficiently'heavyto hold down the inner ends of their respective arms E E when the corresponding cages F F are empty or contain only empty cartons, but to allow the outer or cagebearing ends of the arms to descend whenever a load has been discharged into the carton in the respective cages.- 'The stop-pins D D, which are equal to the arms E E in number, are so arranged on the table 13 as to stop the rotation of the table whenever a cage containing an empty carton comes under the discharge-orifice of the weighing-machine, Fig. 3. Each of the arms E E is provided with a small roller or wheel upon its under side and near its outer end, of which one is shown at E, Fig. 3. These small rollers E are adapted. upon a depression of the cagebearing ends of the arms E E, to come in contact with the outer end G of the table-latch C and force it downward, thereby disengaging the roller 0 from the respective stop-pin D, thus allowing the table 13 to rotate until the succeeding cage comes beneath the discharge-aperture of the weighing-machine, whereupon the succeeding .stop-pin engages with the latch-roller C and the table is again brought to rest.

The cages F F are constructed in the following manner, Figs. 0, 7, and 8; The back side F of the cage, or that which is toward the center 01' the table, is rigidly attached to its corresponding arm E. The side F Figs. Yand 8, is also rigidly attached to the arm E, and at the same time to the side 1*", and upon both the sides F and W, at the top, is securely mounted the funnel F its bottom end, Fig. 8, being slightly set away from the sides F and F in order to allow the upper ends of the flaps of the cartons to project a little between it and the sides of the cage. Another side of the cage 1*, Figs. (5, 7, and 8, is hinged to the side l at F 137 and is free to swing outward a shortdistance in order to allow casyintroduction and expulsion of the carton. The outward movement of the side F is limited by a stop-piece F, which projects downward into an .elongated slot in the flattened end of the arm E. This slot is'partiallyshown in plan in Fig. 11 and designated by EH For convenience in introducing the carton the side of the cage F is held normally open by the light spring F attached to the funnel F. I

hen a cage containing a filled carton has moved into the second position beyond that under the weighing-machine, it is brought over the pivoted platenG, Figs. 2, 4, 9, and 10, being in the meantime raised from its depressed position by the upwardly-slant-ing arms G G, which are attached to the platen and are visible in plan in Fig. 17 only. The

platen G is pivot-ed upon the edge of a transverse extension H Fig. 4 of the horizontal arm Il, said arm extending from the top of the pedestal B to the vertical supporting-rod I, being attached to the latter by means of the hubll and suitable set-screws, Figs. 2, 4, 9, and 10. The platen G is pivoted as shown in order that it may conform to the flattened parts of the arms E E, which form the bottoms of the cages F F. The platen G isadapted to support each cage in turn during the compressing of the material in the carton held by the cage.

J is a compressing-plunger attached to the plunger-rod J, the latter being connected with the compressor-crank J by means of the connecting-rod J and guiding-bar J, Figs. 1, 13, and 16, and also 2, 9,'and 10. A rotation of the crank .1 causes the plunger .1 to enter the carton which is within the cage which is located over the platen, Fig. 10, and press down the material therein. The guiding-bar J", Fig. 1, when the crank J and plunger J are in their upper or normally stationary po sition, supports the vertically-movable rod J 5 by means of the rigidly-attached collar .1, Fig. 1. As soon as the plunger descends a short distance, allowing thereby the rod J to also descend, the door K, which is actuated by the said rod .1 is closed against the cage which is over the platen G.

The door K supports the carton while the material within it is being compressed, Figs. 2, 0, 10, 11, 12, and 17. The rod J is connected with the door K by means of links K K and hub K, Figs. 9 and 10, ii'rsnch a way that when the rod J and guiding-bar J are in their highest position the door K is held open or away from the cage, as in Fig. i); but when the rod J is allowed to descend to the limit of its movementviz., until the hub K rests on the support K -the door K is pressed against the cage, closing the latter, as in Fig. 10, the embracing arms K K holding the cage securely and causing the movable side F to close upon the carton, as shown in Figs. 10, 12, and 17. The rod J slips loosely through the guiding-bar J Fig. 1,

and only descends a short distance in closing the door K. After the rod J has descended to the limit of its movement, which is regulated by the hub K and support K Figs. 9 and 10, the guiding-bar J and attached part-s continue to descend to the full stroke of the plunger J. The rod .1 is again lifted up and the door K thereby opened by the guidingbar J" acting on the collar J, Fig. 1, when near the upper end of the return or upward stroke. The door K is pivoted by means of the arms K K ,.Figs. 9 and'10, upon the supporting-piece K attached to the vertical supporting-rod I. The embracing arms K K of the door 18. are preferably provided with the IIO friction-rollers K K Figs. 11 and 12, which act upon the contour-piece F? of the side F and the contour-piece F of the movable side of the cage F in closing the latter.

Beside the primary latch C the table B is provided with a secondary latch L, which 1o the arm H. When the rod J descends to its tached to the vertical shaft N, acts as a back 5 C, with a contact-roller L and is maintained normally in engagement with a stop-pin D by the springs L L, Figs. 4, 9, and 10. The outer end of the latch L is located beneath the lower end of the vertically-m ovable rod J which operates the-door K and slides looselythrough lowest position, Fig. 10, its lower end comes in contact with the outer end of the latch L and depresses the latter, forcing its contactroller'L out of engagement with the respective stop-pin D of the table B. The tunetion of the latch L is to check the movement of the table independently of the latch 01 and prevent the embarrassmentof the plun- J and connected parts in case thelatch 0 should fail for some reason to properly stop the table.

The latch 'L is so adjusted with regard to the latch C that the table upon a movement is stopped first by the latch L, ,but only slightly before it would otherwise have been stopped by the latch G. Then upon a descent of the plunger J and consequent descent of the rod J the latch L is tripped or forced out of engagement, as showh, and the table slightly advances and comes to rest against the latch O. The latch L,however, is not tripped in these movements until the plunger J has begun to enter the cage and the latter has become gripped by the embracing arms K K of the door K, whereby the plunger J is prevented from descending otherwise than in the cage. description that the function of. the latch L is precautionary only, and that while its use is desirable it is not indispensable to the full operation of the apparatus. The roller 0 of the primary latch G and the roller L of the secondary latch .L are not usedas rollers in the ordinary meaning, as their contact with the stop-pins D D is made on their flat ends and not on their cylindrical sides. They are used because their gradual rotation when in use continuously presents fresh surfaces of contact to the stop-pins D D, and their ends may be reversed when one is worn.

Each of the cages F F is provided with an expellingdoor M, Figs. 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, and 17, located at the back of the cage, on its inner side, and hinged on one of its vertical edges to the back F of the cage, as shown at M, Fig. 8. This door M is adapted by swinging upon its hinges to push out the filled and compressed packages when thecage has come into the properposition. Movement is given to the door M by means of the swinging arm N, vertical shaft N, arm N and pin N Figs. 6, 7, and 8, operating in connection with the contour-piece N mounted\ upon a support.

external to the table,

in this case the apronframe, Figs. 2 and 17.

The short arm N, at-

It will be'seen from the above stop to prevent the shaft N and attached parts from moving too far backward. After expelling-a package the door' M is returned to its normal position by means of the spring M Figs. 6 and S.

Motion is given to the compressor-crank J ,Fig. 13, by means of the shaft 0, upon which are loosely mounted the gear 0,

the gear 0 and the clutch-wheel P, the two gears mentioned and the clutch-wheel P, however, being firmly connected to each other, while free to run together on the shaft 0. Continuous motion is imparted to the gears O and O and the clutch-wheel P by the gear 0 which meshes into the gear 0 and is driven by the shaft 0 and the pulley 0 The gear 0 drives the gear 0 which through the shaft 0 and beveled pinion 0 causes the frictionplate Q, provided with the circular beveled rack Q and weights Q to continuously rotate about the vertical shaft 13 of the table '13. The continuously-rotating friction-plate Q rests upon the friction-plate Q, which is firmly attached to the vertical shaft B Between the friction-plates Q and Q (see Fig. 14) is a washer Q of wood or other suitable substance.

Mounted upon the shaft 0, Fig. 13, but not rigidly attached to it, is an arm-P, carrying the clutch-latch P, the latter being adapted to engage with the continuously-rotating clutch -wheel P, Figs. 13, 14, and 15. The arm P causes the shaft 0 to rotate whenever the clutch-latch P is in engagement with the clutch-wheelP by means of the piece P which is rigidly attached to the shaft 0, its bifurcated parts P P embracing one end of the arm P. The parts' P P' of the piece P are provided with elastic pads P P of rubber or other suitable substance, Fig. 14, which relieve the shockeaused by the operation of the clutch mechanism. The clutch-latch P is provided, Figs. 14 and 15, with a fiat spring P and the connecting-links P P which serve the purpose of maintaining the clutch-latch either in or out of engagement, according as it has passed the critical or dead point of pressure of the spring P and links P P Fig. 14 shows the clutch-latch out of engagement, and Fig. 15 in engagement, with the continuously-rotating wheel P. The clutchlatch P swings upon a pivot P inserted in the arm P. The clutch-1atch P is further provided with a short arm P, which serves to throw the latch in and out of engagement by contact with the projections Q located upon the lowerfriction-plate Q, the latter always turning with the table 13. These projections Q Q are so located with reference to the clutch-latch P and balanced arms'E E of the table B that whenever the table moves in bringing afresh cage under the compressorplunger one of these projections comes in contact with the arm P of the clutch-latch just before the movement of the table is stopped by the table-latch.

This throws the clutehlatch P into engagement with the continuonsly-rotat-in g cl utch-wheel P,as shown in Fig.

15.. This causes the clutch-latch I, with the arm P and bifurcated piece P and in consequence the shaft 0 and COIIIPIGSSOPClfl-Ilk J to make a rotation until the arm P of the clutch-latch P again comes in contact at the end of the rotation with the same projection Q which forced the latch into engagement, but on the other side ofthe projection and of the arm I, forcing the clutch-latch P out of engagement with the continuouslyrotating clutch-wheel F and bringing the latch mechanism, shaft 0, and compressor-crank J to a stop in the-position from which it started. During this movement the compressor-shank J has caused the plunger-J to descend and rise again, compressing theimatcrial in the carton underneath it, and the door K to move forward and close the cage and then to open again on the upward movement of the plunger. v

The crank J Fig. 1G, is exactly centered and normally held at rest in its upper position by the movable stop-pieces R R, pivoted at R and R respectively, to the fixed supportingpiece R and held in position against the respective stopsR and R by the spring R The exact centering of the compressorcrank J in its position of rest is important, in order that the arm P of the clutch-latch P may always occupy a definite place between each movement in regard to the projections Q Q on the friction-plate Q.

Loosely mounted on. the vertical drivingshaft B of the table l3, Figs. 2 and 3, is. the stop-piece B", which projects over the inner ends of the balanced arms E E and prevents a depression of the cages F F at all points excepting on the side next the discharge-aperture of the weighing-machine.

There is a notch B in the stop-piece B, Fig. 3, on the side toward the weighing'inachine, which allows a movement of the arms E E when they are in that position. The stoppiece B is prevented from turning with the table by the arm B, which extends to and looks into the guiding-arm J Figs. 1 and 2.

W'hen a cage leaves the position under the plunger, it moves over the end of a receivingapron S, Figs. 1, 2, .1, 10, and 17. This apron runs over the roller S, mounted in a supporting-frame S Fig. 1'7, and is driven by a series of rollers at the opposite end of thosupporting-frame S which will be hereinafter fully described.

S is an arm attached to the frammvork S, Fig. 17, extending to near the compressorplateu, which serves to support the filled cages .ble in Fig. 1.

as they move over toward the end of the apron. During this last-named movement the pin N Figs. 6 and 7, mounted upon the arm N Fig. 1.7, moves along the contour-piece N Fig. 17, and by turning the vertical shaft N, Fig. 6, and arm N causes the door M of the cage to l push out the filled carton upon the apron S, 1 as indicated in Figs. 9 and 10.

G"er the supporting-frame S of the receiving-apron S is mounted, Fig. 1, a second supporting-frame T, which serves to carry the i roller T and driving mechanism for a second or removing apron T, Figs. 1 and 19. This apron T serves to remove the packages after they have been labeled or otherwise scaled up. It is inclosed in a casing in order that no packages may be placed upon it except through the doorways T T which are provided with the centrally'hung doors T T, Figs. 1 and 19. The removing-apron T is made, preferably, of a width equal to at least three times the width of the package tobe transmitted in order that the packages may not become blockaded.

The inclosing case of the removing-apron is preferably constructed in the following way: At regular intervals along the framework T are attached the vertical iron standards T T, having two vertical grooves and which show when out across horizontally a section like the letter H, Fig. 1f The vertieal grooves of the standards T T are adapted to allow the introduction vertically of wooden frames or panels, the frames sliding inthe grooves like a window-sash in its casing and appear therein in horizontal section, as shown in Fig. 19. Two kinds of frames are shown, 'l and T T which are arranged alternately along each side of the framework T and also in such a manner that the frames T T are located opposite the frames T T, Fig. 19. The frames '1 T are represented in the drawipgs as ordinary windew-sash, but might consist of a wooden panel orothersuitable material. The framosT T on the other hand, are adapted to receive and support the frames T S T of, the doorways T T and also the casings U U of the registering devices. The top of the main casing is made in an ordinary manner, not needing especial illustration, by simply laying stringers across the tops of opposite standards '1 T V and boarding over the whole. The construction shown enables the casing and its connected parts tobe readily put together or taken to pieces.

Mounted within the casing U, Figs. 19, 20, and 22, is a vertical shaft U. This shaft carries near its lower end the three-arm turnstile U The shaft U carries also the small pinion, U which meshes into the suitablyproportioned gear U, the latter being connected by the shaft with a train of gears such as are used for registering in ordinary gas-meters, and are here designated as a whole by U, the/face of the dial being visi- Vertical partitions T T, curved at one end and shown in horizontal section in Fig. 10, are suspended from the top T T as shown, for the purpose of' preventing the packages placed upon the removingapron T through one doorway from interfering with the registering mechanism connected with other doorways. The doors T"T are designed to render the turnstile U U inac of the casing before each of the frames I cessible from their respective doorways, and

thereby prevent tampering with the registering device. The doors are held normally in their open position by the springs T T '5 Fig.19.

In Fig. 19, :1: indicates a package which has been placed upon theremoving apron T through one of the doorwaysT and is being moved by the apron toward the turn-stile U 10 package which has passed the door T (the latter having swung back to its normal position) and which is acting upon the turnstileU whichit will leave inthe position shown by the turnstile on the opposite side of the apron.

In connection with the turnstile U is a locking device adapted to prevent the rotation of the turnstile, excepting when a package is actually going through, Figs. 20, 21, and 22. It consists of a small horizontal shaft U which is provided with the bent arm'U and the dependent arm U all being monnted-upon a'suitable support attached to the frame T The arm U engages with the projections U U on the small disk U Y the latter being firmly attached to the vertical shaft U. This device prevents the turn stile from rotating unless the arm U Fig. 22, is raised but of engagement ,with the projectionsU U by the action of a passing package on the dependent arm U", as shown in Fig. 22.

Fig.18 shows,in vertical section,the method of driving and tightening the aprons,- both the apron S and the apron T being driven in the same manner. The roller 5 is free like S, Fig. 17-th at is to'say, it does not act to drive the belt, but siinply to support it. It allows the apron to be run closely to the edge of any apron at right angles to it for the transfer of packages. The driving of the apron is accomplished by running it, as shown, around the rollers S S, S", and S whichare all suitably geared together anddriven'at the,

same speed. The slack of the apron is taken up and tension thereon maintained by the weighted tightened roller S mounted upon a suitable frame. The light canvas belts,which are bestadapted for use as conveyinggtprons,

have Very little adhesion to thetsurface of a driving roller or pulley espeoi ally when covered with flour or other powders; ",The use of the powerful driving" mec ani m herein shswn and described is therefore very desirab e. 1

I will now brieflydescribe the operation of the apparatus. The cartons, generally delivered in the collapsed or flattened form, are quickly shaped up and placed inthe cages by the operator, who is seated beside the table. W hen the weighing-machine discharges a load into the carton in the cage directly beneath it, the corresponding balanced arm which supports the cage is depressed at its outer end, and the table-latch is thereby dis-- engaged.- This allows the table to rotate by means of its friction-driving plates until the On the other side of the apron, 1 represents a next cage is brought 'under the weighing'-ma chine, and in this manner at each discharge presented to be filled. Each partial rotation of the table induces other movements, notably that of the compressing-plunger, which is next to be considered. Each time the table advances a step---viz., from one cage to the succeeding oneit brings a filled carton over the platen and under the compressingplunger. At the same time one of the projections on that friction-disk which is'rigidly connected with the table throws the clutch- 8o latch into engagement with the coptinuously rotating clutch-wheel, as shownffin Fig. 15. This causes the compressor-crankto makea single rotation and the compressing-plunger carton and cage beneath it, and in so doing causes the door to close the open side of the cage upon the descent of the plunger and to open again onits return or upward stroke. At the end of the rotation the clutch is thrown; 99' out of engagement by coming in contact with the other side of the projection on the fric-p tion-plate which threw it in, as shown in Fign 14, and the compressor-crank is held and exactly located by the spring-stops, as shown in Fig. 16'. I Another movement which takes place at -each advance of the table is that of expelling from its cage and placing upon the receivingsor-plunger. This is accomplished by the panying registering device for each operative, and as this kind of work is usually what is known as piecework the labor of checking off the amount the operatives do becomes very simple. 1 20 he removing-apron may deliver the co'mpleted packages to other conveyors or take them through dryingapparatus or otherwise,

as desired.

I claim '1. In an apparatus for filling packages, a rotating table having balanced arms, said arms being provided'with cages adapted to hold packages to be filled, and said table having a latch device operated by said balanced r30 arms as described and said latch being adapted to prevent the rotation or said table until released by a discharge of material into a package held by one of the said cages, and

of the weighing-machine a fresh cart-on is 70 a single stroke (down and up again) into the 85 apron the filled and compressed carton which .100 "has just leftthe position under the compresexpelling-door at the backtof the cage, which ing device. There is a doorway and accomlatch I, said latch being adapted to be 1 l tiall'y asand for the purpose set forth. l l

ass,

means for causing the rotation of said table I when the said latch is released; in combination with a compressing device adapted to operate in unison with the movements of the i said table, a door actuated in unison with 1 said compressor and adapted to close each cage in due order and support the packages for compression and necessary connecting parts, substantially'as and for the purposei set forth.

2. In an apparatus for filling packages, a 1 rotating table having balanced arms, said arms being provided with cages adapted to hold packages to be filled, and said table having a latch device operated by said balanced i arms as described and said latch being adapted to prevent the rotation of said table until released by a discharge of material into a package held by one of the said cages, and I means for causing the rotation of said table when the said latch is released; in combination with a series of expelling devices one for each cage, adapted to expel filled packages from said cages and necessary connecting parts, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In an apparatus for filling packages, a rotating table having balanced arms and a latch device cooperating with said arms substantially as described and means for rotati ing the said table upon the releasing of said latch; in combination with a compressingplunger and means for operating the same in unison with the movements of said 'table, a secondary table-latch adapted to be released i by amovement of the said compressingplunger and necessary connecting parts, subt stantially as and for the purpose set forth. 1

t. In an apparatus for filling packages, a rotating table adapted to present packages to be lilled and mechanism for controlling the movements of said table, the projections Q Q and the disk Q, said disk rotating with the said table; in com bination with the clutchthrown in and out of engagement by said projections substantially as described, the shaft 0 and suitable mechanism for connecting said latehwith said shaft, the continuously-rotating clutch-wheel l, the compres- 2 sor-crank J the compressing-phinger J and necessary connecting mechanism, substan- 5. In an apparatus for filling packages,a clutch mechaaism adapted to operatev a compressing-plungerand consist-ing of the following parts; the latch P the continuously-rotating clutchnvhcel l, the spring 1, the links l 1 1", necessary connecting mechanism and means for forcing the latch l in and out of engagementas required, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

1;. In an apparatus for filling packages, a clutch mechanism adapted to operate a compressing-plunger and consisting of the following parts; the latch l", the cottin iously-rotating clutch-Wheel l, the shaft 0, the latchi holding arm 1 loosely mounted on the said shaft, the bifurcated arm P rigidly attached to the said'sh-aft and embracing an end of the arm P and the rubber coneussionpieees P P necessary connecting mechanism and means for forcing the said latch P in and out of engagement as required, substantially as and for the purpose set forth,

7. In an apparatus forfilling packages, in combination, the compressor -crank J the stop-pieces R R, the spring-i RF, a suitable supporting-frame and necessary connecting mechanism, whereby the said cranlcJ, is exactly located and held in position after each of its movements, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In an apparatus for filling packages, in

combination, a rotating table with suitable regulating mechanism, the vertical drivingshaft 13 the continuously-rotating frictionplate Q, the friction-plate Q, rigidly attached to the said shaft B and having the projections Q Q the latch P adapted to engage with the said projections and be thrown in and out of engagement thereby and having a spring adapted to hold it in or out of engagement as placed, the arm P adapted to support the latch P the shaft 0,,upon which the arm P is loosely mounted, the bifurcated arm P having rubber concussion pieces adapted to embrace the arm? and being rigidly attachcd to the shaft 0, the continuously rotating clutch wheel P, loosely mounted upon the said shaft 0, the compressor-crank J the connecting-rod J the plunger-rod J, the plunger J,and necessary con necting mechanism, all operating together substantially as described and for the purpose set forth. I

9. In an apparatus for filling paekages,-the rotating table B and suitable drivingand con trolling mechanism and the balanced arms E l); in combination \vit-hthe stop-piece B having a notch 15" as described and also having the arm connected with some external stationary part for preventing the stop-piece B from turning with the table, the vertical driving-shaft i upon which the stop'piece, B is side F and necessary connecting parts, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

11. In an apparatus for filling packages, the

cage F having the tixed'sides F and F, the

hinged side F and the funnel F; in eombi-' nation with the expelling-door M and mechanism adapted to operate the said door M, sub stantially as and for the purpose set forth.

1;. In an apparatus for filling packages, the cage F; in combination with the expellingdoor M, the arm N, the shaft N, the arm N the pin N, the contour-piece N, the spring M and necessary supporting and connecting .collar J mechanisms, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

13. In an apparatus forfilling packages, the cage F having the fixed sides F and Ffland' the hinged side F in combination with the door K having the embracing arms K K and adapted to close the open side of said cage and shut the said hinged side F and necessary supporting and operating mechanisms,

substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

14. In an apparatus for filling packages, in combination, the cage F having one open side, the pivoted door K adapted to close the open side of said cage, the links K K, the rod J guiding-bar J, plunger-rod J and necessary supporting and actuating mechanisms, substantially as and-for the purpose set forth.

15. In an apparatus for filling packages, a rotatingtable with suitable driving and regulating mechanism; in combination with the compressing-plunger J the plungerrod J, the rod J the'secondary latch L adapted to be released by a stroke of said plunger and necessary actuating and connectingparts, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

16. In an apparatus for filling packages, a rotating table having balanced arms adapted to support packages, said table having suitable actuat-ing and regulating mechanism; in combination with a compressor platen adapted to support said arms while material in the packages is being compressed, a suitably-actuated compressing-plunger adapted to operate in unison with the movements of said. table and necessary connecting and supporting mechanisms, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

17. In an apparatus for filling packages, a latch device consisting of; first, the looselymounted cylindrical stop-pin D, free to be gradually turned by the jar due to its ordinary operation and its socket; and second, the rotatablelatch-roller 0 adapted to 'make a contact upon its fiat end with the cylindrical stop-pin D, and necessary supportingand connecting mechanism, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

18. In an apparatus forfilling packages, the apron S,,the roller S and the roller 8, said rollers being adapted only to extend and. support said belt and to be turned freely by it; in combination with the suitably-mounted tightening-roller S and the driving mechanism comprising the driven rollers S ,.S", S and S said apron passing around said driven and tightening rollers substantially as sh'oivr}, the

said rollers 5 S, S and S being so connected together that each rotates in the appropriate direction with the same speedand assists the others in driving the apron, and necessary supporting and connecting mechanisms,

whereby the apron is driven with great power,

- '1 T the vertical anism,is adapted to closely approach an apron moving atright angles across it, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

19. In an apparatus for filling packages, in combination, the removing-apron T inclosed within a casing, the turnstile U the register U the doorway T the centrally-hung door T the partition T and necessaryconnecting and supporting mechanisms, substantially as' and for, the purpose set forth.

20. In an apparatus for filling packages, in combination, the: removing-aproni'll inclosed within a casing, the turnstile U the register U the doorway T the locking device embracing the dependent arm U the arm U and the disk U having -the projections U, and all necessary connection and supporting mechanisms, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

21. In an apparatnsfor filling packages,the removing-apron T having suitable supporting and driving rollers; in combination with an inclosed casing consisting of the frames grooved standards T T, the frames T T, the frames T" T having doorways-and adapted to support registering. devices, said frames T T and T T being adapted to slide in the grooves of the standards T T? as shown, a suitable, top for the whole casing, and neces ry connectingand supporting mechanisms, spbstantially as and for the purpose set forth;

22. In an apparatus for filling packages, in combination, a rotating table having suitable actuating and regulating mechanism and adapted to receive, transmit and'deliver packages, a moving receiving-apron adapted to receive packages from said table and deliver them to labelers, a removing-apron, said removing-apron be'ing inclosed in a casing having doorways through which co'mpleted packages may be placed upon said removing-apron, and said casing having also registering devices suitably arranged with referenceto said doorways, and all necess gysupporting and connecting mechanism, w ereby filled packages may be automatically placed before the labelers and after being labeled may be antomatically removed and their number recorded, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

Intestimony whereof I have signed my I name to this specification, in'the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 9th day of February, A. D. 189?.

WILLIAM EMERY NICKERSON. Witnesses FRANK G. PARKER, WILLIAM II. PARRY.

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