Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2~3~8~
Case 3730
APPARATUS FOR DISPENSTN~ PARTICU~ATE MATERIALS
~A~KGROUND OF THE INVENTION
4 This invention generally relates to an apparatus for
dispensing materials; and more specifically, to an
6 apparatus for dispensing a predetermined volume of
particulate material from a hopper using a rotary feed
:` 8 mechanism.
With one well known type of material dispensing
10 apparatus, a rotary feed mechanism, which may be an
auger, a pump or a.similar rotational member, is
12 positioned in or above an opening in the bottom of a
vertically disposed hopper; and this feed mechanism is
14 rotated by a prims mover, such as an electric motor, by
means of a clutch-brake mechanism that connects the
16 driving shaft of the motor to the driven shaft of the
feed mechanism for a preselected number of revolutions;
18 and this control is accomplished either via a device that
counts the number of revolutions of the feed mechanism,
20 or via a timing device that causes the clutch~brake
mechanism to rotate the feed mechanism for a given period
22 of time.
Material dispensing apparatus of the above~described
24 general type are disclosed, for example, in U.S.
Patents 4,805,673 and 4,696,326 and U.S. Reis~ue
26 Patents Re24,079 and Re23,888. Apparatus of this general
: type may b~ constructed and operated to dispense a preset
`. 28 volume of material with a reasonable degree of precision
. , .
- 2 - 2~3 ~ g ~ ~
because the volume of material dispensed by each
2 revolu~ion of khe rotational member can be determined
with a corresponding reasonable degree o accuracy.
4 It would be very desirable, though, to simplify the
design and operation of these dispensing apparatus. For
6 example, these prior art dispensing apparatus include a
relatively complicated clutch-brake mechanism that must
8 be engaged to start rotation of the rotary feed member,
and also to stop that feed mechanism after it has rotated
10 a given number of revolutions. In addition, these
dispensing apparatus commonly include an intermediate
12 shaft located between the drive shaft of the prime mover
and the driven shaft of the rotary feed member. This
14 intermediate shaft is selectively connected to ~he shaft
of the rotary feed member by the clutch-brake mechanism,
16 and connected to the drive shaft of the prime mover by a
pulley and belt. Elimination of the clutch-brake
18 mechanism and the above-discussed intermediate shaft of
; these dispensing aparatus, as well as the need or any
20 type of shaft rotatio~ counter mechanism, would
substantially simplify the design, construction,
22 operation and maintenance of these material dispensing
apparatus.
24 In addition, because of the enormous number of
dispensing operations that may be performed by individual
26 dispensing apparatus, it would be highly desirable to
improve the accuracy with which these apparatus dispense
28 material. To elaborate, a single dispensing apparatus
might be used to fill up to 85,000 or higher receptacles
30 in one day; and, at this rate, over the course of a year,
that apparatus would dispense material up to 2.0 million
32 times or higher. If each receptacle, on average, is
filled with just 5 grams more material than is necessary,
34 the total amount of needless overfill over the course of
2~0~3~
-- 3 --
a single year would amount to over 100 million grams or
2 higher of product.
Efforts to improve the dispensing accuracy of these
4 apparatus are complicated by the fact that in many, or
even most instances, the parameter of real interest is
6 the weigh~, no~ the volume, of the material dispensed
from the apparatus. This is because in many instances,
8 the material filled into the receptacles is ultimately
sold to the consumPr by weight, not volume. Thus, in
10 order to fill a one-pound coffee can with one pound of
coffee, for example, the filling apparatus must dispense
12 a particular volume of coffee that will have a weight of
one pound. The weight of the material dispensed is equal
14 to the product of the density and the volume of that
material. Variations in the density of a material, due
16 to factors such as temperature and humidity, will result
in a given volume of material having different weights,
18 however; and these factors that affect the density of the
dispensed material can and often do change within a
20 relatively short time.
Various efforts have been made to increase the
22 accuracy of dispensi~g apparatus of the type described
above; and, for example, such efforts are described in
24 the previously mentioned U.S. Patents 4,805,673
and 4,696,329. the former reference discloses improving
26 the dispensing accuracy of the apparatus by carefully
controlling the rate at which material is supplied to the
28 feed hopper. The latter reerence disclosed improving
the dispensing accuracy of the apparatus by providing
30 that apparatus with a feedback control system that
adjusts the number of revolutions made by the rotary feed
32 means to compensate for product density changes and the
like. While these prior art attempts may improve the
34 accuracy of the dispensing apparatus, they typically have
concomitant disadvantages, such as a significant increase
~ 4 - ~J~
in the cost and complexity of the dispensing apparatus.
2 Moreover, even given these improvements, it is believed
that still further improvements can be made and would be
4 highly beneficial.
.
6 SUMMARY OF THE_INVENTION
It is highly desirable to provide a relatively simple
8 apparatus for dispensing predetermined volumes of
particulate materials.
The present invention is to provide apparatus for
dispensing predetermined volumes of particulate material,
12 of the type in which a feed mem~er is rotated inside a
vertically disposed hopper, that operates effectively
14 without any separate brake or clutch mechanism to control
movement of the feed member.
16 Further, this invention is to use a stepper motor to
rotate a feed member of a material dispensing apparatus,
18 of the type in which the feed member is rotated inside a
vertically disposed hopper, to discharge predetermined
20 volumes of material therefrom.
Additionally, the present invention is to control
22 precisely the weight of particulate matarial dispensed
from an apparatus of the type that discharges
24 predetermined, adjustable volumes of material.
By this invention, an apparatus is provided for
26 dispensing particulate material, comprising a supply
hopper for holding a supply of the material, and
28 including an inlet for receiving the material and an
outlet for discharging the material, and rotary feed
30 means e~tending into the hopper and supported for
rotational movement therein to discharge material from
32 the hopper through the outlet thereof. The apparatus
further comprises a stepper motor connected to the feed
34 means to rotate that feed means; and control means
connected to the stepper motor to actuate that motor at
- s ~ 8t,~
each of a multitude of times to discharge a preset volume
2 of material from the hopper an through the outlet
thereof. The stepper motor may be used ~o achieve very
4 precise control over movement of the rotary feed means,
resulting in a corresponding very precise control over
6 the amount of material discharged from the supply
hopper. Moreover, by using a stepper motor, it is
8 unnecessary to provide any type of clutch-brake mechanism
between the rotary feed means of the dispensing apparatus
10 and the prime mover for that rotary feed means. Still
further, the stepper motor means, eliminating the need
12 for any intermediate shaft, and any associated pulley or
pulley belt, between the prime mover and ~he rotary feed
14 means of the dispensing apparatus.
Preferably, the dispensing apparatus is used with a
16 conveyor mean~ that is used to carry a multitude of
receptacles past the hopper outlet to receive the
18 material discharged therefrom. With this preferred
embodiment, the control means of the dispensing apparatus
20 includes sensing means to sense, and to generate a start
signal, when one of the receptacles reaches a given
22 location on the conveyor means, and a processing system
connected to the sensing means to receive the start
24 signal therefrom and to start the stepper motor in
` response to receiving that start signal. In addition,
26 prefera~ly the control means further includes weighing
means to weigh each receptacle after it has received
28 material discharged from the hopper, and to generate a
weight signal indicating the weight of the discharged
30 material in each receptacle; and the processing system is
also connected to the weighing means for receiving the
32 weight signal therefrom, and for adjusting the preset
volume of material dispensed from the hopper each time
34 the stepper motor is actuated to maintain the weight of
. ..
- 6 - ~3
the material discharged into the receptacles
2 substantially equal to a given value.
Furtber benefits and advantages of ~he invention will
4 become apparent from a consideration o~ the following
detailed description given with reference to the
6 accompanying dra~lings, which specify and show preferred
embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIO~ OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a di~pensing
apparatus according to this invention.
12 Figure 2 is a schematic view of the motor and one
embodiment of a control means, of the dispensing
14 apparatus of Figure 1.
16 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED ~BODIMENTS
Figure 1 illustrates apparatus 10 for dispensing
18 particulate material and, generally, comprising supply
hopper 12, rotary feed means 14, stepper motor 16 and
20 control means 20. Preferably, control means 20 includes
sensor 22, weighing means 24 and processing system or
22 unit 26. the preferred dispensing apparatus 10
illu trated in Figur~ 1 also comprises an agitator
24 assembly 30 including hub 32, blades 34, agitator
motor 36 and a support colum~ 40. Figure 1 also shows
26 conveyor means 42 and receptacles 44.
Hopper 12 is provided for holding a supply 46 of the
28 material to be dispensed, and the hopper includes
inlet 50 for receiving that material and outlet 52 for
30 discharging that material. The hopper may be made of any
suitable material and may have any suitable shape. As
32 shown in Figure 1, the hopper has the general shape of an
inverted truncated cone, with the top edge of the hopper
34 forming inlet 50 and the bottom edge of the hopper
forming ou~let 52. A support assembly (not shown) may be
- 7 ~ 3~
:.
connected to the hopper to hold it in a given location,
2 and a filling spout 54 may be provided to help conduct
the particulate material into the hopper.
4 Rotary feed menas 14 e~tends into the hopper and is
supported ~or rotational movement therein to discharge
6 material ~rom tha hopper, through the outlet thereof.
The feed means can be a ver~ical or horizontal auqer or
8 the feed means can also be a pump. The embodiment of the
rotar~ feed means illustrated in Figure 1 is an auger
10 comprising top and bottom shaft sections 56, 60 and
mounting member 62, which is located between and connects
12 these two shaft sections together. Bottom shaft
section 60 includes a central sha f t portion and a blade
14 portion which helically extends around the central
portion, from adjacent the lower end of the shaft
16 section, to a position adjacent the auger mount. Shaft
sections 56 and 60 are preferably aligned with each oth~r
18 and are coaxial with ths a~is of hopper 12.
As illustrated in Figure 1, the auger comprises two
20 separable shaft sections that are connected together by
member 62. Alternatively, ~ one piece auger shaft may be
22 used. In addition, other types of rotary feed means are
known in the art and may be used in apparatus 10; and,
24 for instance, a screw rotor may be used instead of an
auger.
26 Conveyor means 42 e~tends beneath the outl~t of
hopper 12, and is provided to carry a multitude of
28 receptacles 44 past the hopper to receive the material
discharged therefromO Preferably, the conveyor means
30 carries the receptacles one at a time past hopper
outlet 52; and after a receptacle has received a preset
32 volume of material from the hopper, the conveyor means
automatically carries the receptacle to weighing
~` 34 maans 24, discussed below. Many convsyor means are well
known and wid-ly employed in tha art for indexing
: ' .
.
` - 8 - 2~0~
.
individual receptacles beneath a hopper outlet, and any
2 suitable conveyor means may be used in the practice of
the present invention.
4 Many different types of receptacles may be used with
the present invention, and for instance, receptacles 44
6 may be large or small, and they may be bags, bo~es or
cans. Also, the receptacles may be moved continuously
8 past the hopper outlet as material is being discharged
therefrom; or the receptacles may be moved underneath the
10 hopper outlet, held there for a period of time while the
receptacles receive material from the hopper, and then
12 transported from beneath the hopper outlet.
Stepper motor 16 is connected to the rotary feed
14 means to rotate that feed means to discharge material
from the hopper and into the receptacles moving beneath
16 the hopper. A stepper, or stepping, motor is a dc motor
that may be used to achieve very precisely controlled
18 rotary movement of a drive shaft. With reference to
Figure 2, a stepper motor comprises a rotatable rotor 64,
20 a multitude of stator windings 66 positioned around the
rotor, and a controller 68, which typically is or
22 includes a microprocessor. The controller generates a
train of pulses that are transmitted to the stator
24 windings in a given sequence, and each of these pulses
causes the motor rotor to rotate through a specific
26 angular displacement. As long as the train of pulses
continues to be transmitted to the stator windings, the
28 rotor increments one step per pulse. Rate of pulses
control acceleration, deceleration and ultimate
30 velocity. Once these pulses are terminated, the motor
rotor quickly comes to a stop and is locked in a fi~ed
32 position. Stepper motors are currently availahle with
; resolutions -- that is, the number of equal angular
34 displacements of the rotor -- of from about 4 to more
than 25,00/0 steps or more per rotor revolution.
. ~
. ~ .
.,
9 ~ 3 '~
With reference again to Figure 1, the output shaft of
2 the stepper motor is prefPrably directly connected to
auger shaft S6, for example by connecting member 70. In
4 particular, there is no brake or clutch mechanism located
between th~ auger shaft and the stepper motor output
6 shaft. Moreover, with the present invention, there is no
need for any intsrmediate shaft ~etween the motor drive
8 shaft and the auger shaft, nor is there any need for any
type of pulley assembly to rotate such an intermediate
10 shaft.
Stepper motor 16 may be supported in position in any
12 suitable manner; and, as shown in Figure 1, preferably
the output shaft of the stepper motor is aligned with the
14 auger shaft 5~. Any suitable stepper motor may be
employed as long as there is adquate torque as in
16 apparatus 10. Preferably, though, the stepper motor is
compatable with a microprocessor controller and has a
18 resolution which ranges from about 2,000 to 25,000 or
more increments per revolution. For example, the stepper
20 motor may be one of a series of motors, referred to as
; the PK 130 series, sold by Parker.
~2 Conrol means 20 is connected to the stepper motor to
actuate that motor at each of a multitude of times, to
24 rotate rotary feed means 14 to discharge a preset volume
of material from the hopper and into one of the
26 receptacles 44. A variety of specific procedures may be
used to determine when the stepper motor is actuated to
28 start a material discharge period. However, with the
preferred embodiment of this invention, the control
30 means, specificaly sensor 22, senses and generates a
start signal when one of the receptacles 44 reaches a
32 given location along the conveyor means. This start
signal is transmitted to processing syst~m 26 of control
34 means 20: and in response to receivinq that signal, the
processing system actuates the steppar motor.
~3~
Preferably, the above-mentioned given loca~ion is
2 reached before the receptacle 44 is directly beneath the
hopper outlet; and processing system 26 starts the
4 stepper motor a preset length of time after receiving the
start signal from sensor 22, with this preset length of
6 time being chosen so that the receptacle is directly
beneath the hopper outlet when the stepper motor starts
8 to operate. On the other hand, the stepping motor may be
pre-started depending on ma~erial ~low or feed
10 mechanism. Alternatively, sensor 22 may generate the
start signal and transmit that signal to the processing
12 system when one of the receptacles 44 is directly beneath
the hopper outlet, and the processing sys~em may start
14 the stepper motor to discharge material rom the hopper
immediately, or substantially immediately, upon receiving
16 the start signal from the sensor.
Sensor 22 may comprise any suitable device capable of
18 generating a signal when a receptacle 44 reaches a given
location. For e~ample, with referen~e to Figure 2, the
20 sensor may comprise a light source 72 located on one side
of the conveyor means, and a photo activated or photo
22 responsive electronic element 74 such as a photo
transistor, located on the other side of the conveyor
24 means. The light source is directed toward element 74 so
that when no receptacle is between source 72 and
26 element 74, a current is conducted through ele~ent 74 at
a first level; but when one of the receptacles 44 comes
28 between source 72 and element 74, the receptacle blocks
the latter element from the light emitted from the light
30 source, and as a result, current is conducted through
element 74 at a second level. Numerous other position
3~ detecting devices are known in the art and may be used in
: the practice of the present invention.
34 Sensor 72 is of considerable utility because it
inhibits, or ideally prevents, feed means 14 from
'"
:`
- 11- 2~308~
. .
.
discharging material from hopper 12 unless a
2 receptacle 44 is beneath the hopper outlet. With priox
art particle dispensing apparatus, occasio~ally product
4 is discharged from the supply hopper without any
receptacle beneath it; and, for this reason, these prior
6 art apparatus commonly have a bin or basket to receive
particles discharged from the hopper under these
8 conditions. Typically, the product received in the bin
or basket is then returned to the supply hopperO
10 Sensor 22 eliminates the need for such a bin or basket
and the associated labor, further simplifying the design
12 and operation of apparatus 10.
Each time the stepper motor is actuated, that motor
14 rotates feed means 14 to dispense a predetermined volume
of material into a receptacle 44 beneath the hopper
16 outlet. However, as previously mentioned, in many
instances the material being filled into receptacles 44
18 is ultimately sold to the consumer by weight, not
volume. The weight of a predetermined volume of material
20 may vary over ~:ime, depending upon a number of factors
such as temperature and humidity. In order to keep the
` ` 22 weight of the material dispensed into receptacles 44
constant, or at least within a decired range, over time,
24 it may be desirable to provide control means 20 with
? feedback means to vary the predetermined volume of
!;`'' 26 material discharged from hopper 12 when the stepper motor
is actuated. One such feedback means is illustrated in
28 Figure 1 and comprises weighing means 24.
The weighing means is provided to weigh each
30 receptacle after it has received material discharged from
the hopper, and to generate a weight signal indicating
, 32 the weight of the discharged material in each
i receptacle. Preferably, conveyor means 42 automatically
34 carries each receptacle 44, one at a time, to the
weighing means after the receptacle has received the
,:
- 12 - ~ J~
preset volume of material from the hopper, and the
` 2 weighing means generates a respective one weigh~ signal
indicating the weight of the discharged material in each
4 receptacle. Any suitable weighing means may be used in
the practice of this invention; and, for e~ample, the
6 weighing means may be an electronic scale or strain
gauge, which generates an output signal representative of
8 the weight of an item placed on the scale. Moreover,
conveyor means 42 may carry the receptacles to and th~n
lO from the weighing means in any suitable manner.
Preferably, though, each receptacle is stationary on the
12 weighing means for at least a brief period of time while
the receptacle is weighed and the above-mentioned weight
14 signal is generated.
Processing system 26 receives each weight signal from
16 the weighing means; and in response to these signals,
adjusts the length of time over which stepper motor 16
18 operates each time that motor is actuated. Processing
system 26 may be programme~ in various speci~ic ways in
20 order to do this. For instance, the processing system
may be provided with upper and lower weight values, and
22 the processing system may compare each weight signal from
weighing means 24 with these upper and lower values. If
24 one weight signal is below that lower given value, the
processing system increases the number of pulses to
26 operate the stepper motor, to increase the volume, and
weight, of material dispensed into the receptacles; and
28 if a weight signal from the weighing means is greater
than the upper ~iven value, the processing system is
30 greater than the upper given value, the processing system
decreases the pulses to the stepper motor, to decrease
32 the volume and weight of material dispensed into the
receptacles~ Control acceleration, deceleration and
34 ultimate velocity of motor can be controlled to prevent
0 8 '~ ~
- l3 -
slippage of product by controlling the rate that the
2 pulses are applied to the motor. This Pffects weight.
In many applications, th~ density of the material
4 discharged from the hopper tends to increase over a given
period of time; and under these circumstances, the
6 operation of processing system 26 may be simplified by
only comparing each weight signal from weighing means 24
8 to a given upper weight value. When a weight signal from
the weighing means is above that given weight value, the
10 processing system decreases the number of pulses the
stepper motor operates, which is directly proportional to
12 the units of angular displacement o~ the motor, to
decrease the volume and weight of material discharged
14 into the receptacles.
Processing system 25 is illustrated in greater detail
16 in block diagram form in Figure 2, and g~nerally this
system includes microprocessor 76, memory section 80, and
18 input means 8~ such as a keyboard. Preferably, the
,processing system also includes a control/display
20 panel 84 and a printer 86. Microprocessor 76 can be
programmed to monitor and direct a multitude of functions
22 of apparatus 10 or motor 16 by those o~ ordinary skill in
the art. Operator inputs are transmitted to the
!24 microprocessor via module 90, which also translates
operator oriented inputs from ~eyhoard assembly 82 into a
26 form usable by the microprocessor. Likewise, interface
assembl~ 92 converts prompts and other messages generated
28 by microprocessor 76 into operator/readable form for
display panel 84.
The microprocessor receives inputs from other
portions of apparatus 10, such as sensor 22 and weighing
~2 means 24, either directly or via one or more input
modules means 94. The microprocessor also genexatss
34 control output signals that are transmitted to motor
controllex 68, either directly or via an output module.
~30~
- 14 -
Memory unit 80 is used to store data, commands and other
2 information required by the microprocessor or by the
operator to ca~ry out various function~. A power
4 supply 96 is connected to processing system 26, and this
supply may be any conventional power supply that converts
6 input power in the form of 120 volts or 240 volts ac
current into a dc voltage suitable for the system
8 electronics.
Processing system 2S is provided with information
10 which will enable it to determine the pulse of units of
angular displacement, rate of acceleration, deceleration
12 and ultimate velocity may be changed to meet the fill
time requirements. The stepper motor 16 must be operated
14 to dispense a given volume of material from the hopper.
This information may be determined, for e~ample, from a
16 look up table stored in memory section 80, or from a
program stor~d in microprocessor 76.
18 Control/display panel 84 is used to display
information relating to the status-of apparatus 10 and
20 other information to an operator, and by means of which
an operator may provide various inputs to the processing
22 system. The display panel may also servie to verify
inputs entered by an operator, or to display instructions
24 to an operator to prompt or assist the operator in
providing necessary inputs. Printer 86 may be connected
26 to microprocessor 76 to provide printed output of the
data shown on the display panel, or other desired data.
28 Input means 82 is provided and used by an operator to
enter commands and data needed by the processing system
30 and to otherwise permit the operator to communicate with
the processing system. System 26 may also include start
32 and stop buttons (not shown) for initiating and
terminating operation of apparatus 10.
34 With reference again to Fi~ure 1, agitator
assembly 30 is a conventional assembly used to agitate or
~ ~ e~
-- 15 --
mi~ the makerial inside hopper 12. In a conventional
2 manner, hub 32 of assembly 30 is mounted on auger shaft
section 6Q fQr independent rotation relative thereto.
4 Motor 36 is connected to the agitator hub by a
conventional pulley sub-assembly, and rotation of the
6 agitator hub rotates blades 34 to mi~ the product in the
hopper. Support column 40 is provided ~o support
8 motor 36; and this column may also be used to support, or
to help support, hopper 12, feed means 14 and stepper
10 motor 16.
The present invention may be used to dispense a ~ery
12 wide range of particulate materials. For instance,
material 46 may be food particles, either homogeneous or
14 inhomogeneous. Material 46 may also comprise, as
`~ additional e~amples, flour, coffee, grains, dry bulk
16 chemicals, or powder or pelletized resins.
In operation, at the beginning of a filling
18 operation, an operator enters an initial volume, a target
weight and a weight range into the memory of the
20 processing system or product code. Processor 76 then
determines the number of rotations of rotary feed
22 means 14 needed to dispense that given initial volume of
material into each receptacle 44. Conveyor means 42 is
24 started and receptacles 44 are placed thereon and
carried, one at a time, to a position directly below the
26 hopper outlet. As a receptacle reaches a given position
along the conveyor msans, the receptacle is sensed by
28 sensor 22, which transmits a start signal to processing
system 26. After a predetermined delay, sufficient to
30 allow the receptacle to move from that given position to
a position directly beneath the hopper outlet,
32 processor 76 transmits a start signal to motor
controller 70, which actuates the stepper motor for a
34 period of time determined by processing system 26,
specifically microprocessor 76 thereof. Ths stepper
- 16 ~ 2~3~
motor rotates feed means 14 for unit of angular
- 2 displacement and then automatically stops; and during
this period, th~ rotary feed means discharges a given
4 volume of material into the receptacle below the hopper
outlet. -
6 After the receptacle receives that volume ofmaterial~ conveyor means 42 carries the receptacle to
8 weighing means 24, which then generates and transmits to
processing system 26 a signal indicating the weight of
10 the discharged material in the receptacle. After this
weight signal is generated, conveyor means 42 transports
12 the receptacle from the weighing means and to another
given location, where, for example, ~he receptacle may be
14 automatically closed, sealed and placed in a box or
container, or otherwise prepared for shipment to a retail
, 16 outlet.
While a first receptacle is being carried away from
~ 18 the hopper, a second receptacle on th~ conveyor means
i reaches the above-discussed given location that causes
20 sensor 22 to transmit the start signal to processing
system 26; and, in response, the above-described process
22 is repeated to fill this second receptacle with material
from tha hopper.
24 As each weight signal iæ transmitted to the
processing system, that signal is compared to one or more
26 given weight values, and the processing system, as
discussed above, may either increase or decrease the
28 units of angular displacement of the stepper motor which
is actuated to maintain the weight of the material
30 dispensed from the hoper substantially constant, or at
least within a desired range, despite ehanges in the
32 density of that material.
To illustrate the effectiveness of the unit of this
34 invention, a comparison between a unit having a
clutch-brake mechanism in the feed motor and a unit of
c~ s~ ~.
- 17 -
this invention described in Figure 1 was conducted at the
2 same time in filling pouches with a bread crumb mi~ture.
A label wei~ht and the lowe~t weight permitted was
4 establshed. It is essential to obtain the label weight
in the pouch as close as possible and avoid going below
6 the lowest weight permitted for sale oF the product. The
clutch-brake unit as used here, is considered the best
8 system for filling pouches or bo~es known to be available
at this timeO The tests were conducted to fill a
~; 10 specific number o~ pouches on a continual basis without
any adjustments made during the run.
12 The following results were obtained:
. .
14 EXAMPLE I
Invention Unit
16 Clutch-Brake Un;t S;m;lar to F;qure 1
Des; red Pouch 71.00 grams 71.0û grams
18 Label We;ght
Lowest Allowable 69.75 grams 69.75 grams
We; ght Perm; tted
22 We;qht Of Pouches Filled. GramsWe7aht of Pouches Filled, Grams
73.75 72.25 71.5û 72.25 71.00 70.5û
24 73.5û 72.25 71.50 72.0û 71.9û 70.50
73.50 7Z.25 71.50 72.00 71.00 70.50
26 73.25 72.25 71.50 71.75 71.00 70.50
73.25 72.25 71.50 71.75 71.ûO 70.50
28 73.25 72.25 71.50 71.75 71.00 70.50
73.25 72.25 71.5û 71.75 71.00 70.25
30 73.25 72.00 71.50 71.75 71.00 70.25
73.0û 72.00 71.50 71.75 71.00 70.25
32 73.00 72.00 71.50 71.5û 71.00 70.25
73.00 72.00 71.25 71.5û 71.00 70.25
34 73.00 72.00 71.25 71.50 71.00 70.25
73.00 72.00 71.0û 71.5û 71.00 70.25
. . .
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:
72.75 72.00 71.00 71.50 71.00 70.00
2 72.75 72.00 71.00 71.50 71.00 70.00
72.75 72.0~ 71.00 71.50 71.00 69.75
4 72.7s 72.00 71.00 71.50 71.00 69.75
72.75 72.00 71.00 71.50 71.00
6 72.75 72.00 70.75 71.50 70.75
72.75 72.00 70.75 71.25 70.75
8 72.50 71.75 70.25 71.25 70.75
72.50 71.75 70.25 71.25 70.75
72.5~ 71.75 70.00 71.25 70.75
72.50 71.75 69.75 71.25 70.75
12 72.50 71.75 71.25 70.75
72.50 71.75 71.25 70.75
14 72.50 71.75 71.25 70.75
72.50 71.75 71.25 70.75
16 72.50 71.75 71.25 70.75
71.75 71.75 71.25 70.50
18 71.75 71.75 71.25 70.50
Cl~tch-Rrake llnit Invention Unit
Numb~r of Samples 86.00 79.00
Av~rag~ W~ight 72.02 grams 70.99 grams
22 Min;mum W~ight 69.75 grams 69.75 ~rams
Maximum Weight 73.75 grams 72.25 grams
24 St~ndard Deviation 0.80 0.53
% Ov~rfill 1.43 o
26 % DefQcts O O
( Bel ow 69.759)
28 The above comparison illustrates a standard deviation
of the invention unit to be lower than the clutch-brake
30 Unit which also has an overfill of 1.43% compared to no
overfill for the invention unit.
32
EXAMPLE II
34 Using the same e~uipment and similar filling material
as E~ample I and un~er similar conditions, the following
36 results were obtained:
`' -'~` 2n~,~g~l
- 1 9 -
Clutch-Brake Unit Invent;on Un;t
2 Des; red Pouch92.00 grams g2.00 grams
~abel We; ght
4 Lowest AllowablQ 90.50 grams 90.50 gràms
Wei ght Permi tted ~
Cl utch-Br~ke Uni t Inventi on Uni t
8Weight ûf_PQuches Filled. Grams Wei~ht of Pouches Filled. Grams
92.25 92.50 93.75 91.50 91.75 91.75
10 92.75 93.00 93.75 91.75 92.00 92.00
92.75 93.ûO 94.00 92.00 9Z .00 92.ûO
12 93.75 94.25 95.Oû 92.00 92.50 92.25
93.00 92.50 94.0û 92.00 92.00 91.S0
14 93.50 93.25 94.00 92.25 92.00 91.75
94.25 93.75 94.25 92.25 9Z .00 91.75
16 95.25 94.00 94.50 91.75 92.00 92.00
, 95.75 92.00 93.00 92.00 91.75 91.50
18 92.75 92.25 94.25 92.25 92.00 91.75
` 93.75 92.75 95.50 92.50 92.00 92.00
20 94.75 94.25 90.50 92.00 92.û0 92.00
95.00 91.50 91.50 92.25 92.00 91.75
22 91.75 93.50 gl.50 92.25 91.75 92.00
93.50 93.50 91.75 92.50 92.00 92.00
24 94.00 95.50 91.75 91.75 92.00 g2.25
95.50 92.50 92.25 92.0û 92.50 92.00
26 93.00 93.00 92.75 92.25 92.00 92.00
93.50 94.75 93.50 92.25 92.00 92.50
28 95.25 95.00 91.25 91.25 92.25 91.75
96.00 93.00 91.75 92.00 92.25 92.25
30 91.75 94.25 91.75 92.75 91.75 92.25
91.75 94.50 91.75 91.75 91.75 91.50
32 93.00 95.25 92.50 91.75 91.75 92.50
93.25 92.50 92.75 91.75 92.00 92.50
34 92.00 93.50 93.25 92.00 91.75 92.25
92.25 93.75 93.25 91.25 92.00 92.25
~ 8
- 20 -
..
. . --
92.50 94.00 ~9.75 91.75 92.25 ~3.ûO
2 93.5~ 91.50 91.75 91.75 92.50 91.75
92.75 g~ .00 92.00 92.00 92.00 91.75
`, 4 93.00 93.25 92.50 92.00 92.25 92.50
93.00 94.25 92.25 92.00 92.25 ~1.75
6 93.00 94.25 92.50 92.25 92.50 92.00
92.00 94.50 92.50 92.50 91.75 92.50
8 92.25 94.50 94.25 91.75 91.75 91.75
92.75 95.75 90.75 91.75 91.75 92.00
10 94.50 93.50 91.00 92.00 92.25 g2.00
93.00 93.50 91.50 92.00 91.75 92.00
12 93.50 94.00 92.25 91.50 91.75 92.75
93.75 94.00 9~ .75 92.00 92.75
14 94.00 92.50 92.00 92.00 92.00
94.75 92.25 92.25
16 95.25 92.50
Clutch-~rake UnitIment~n Un;t
18 Number of Samples 123.00 126.00
Av~rage W~ight 93.23 grams 92.û2 graTs
M;nimum We;ght 89.75 grams 91.25 grams
Maximum W~ight 96.00 grams 93.00 grams
22 Standard Dev;ation 1.22 0.30
% Ovorfill 1.34 0.03
24 X Def~cts 0.81 0
( ~Ql ow 90.509)
26 The above data clearly indicates the significant
improvements in the unit invention over the clutch-brake
28 unit.
EX~MPLE III
Using the same equipment and similar filling material
32 as Example I and under similar conditions, the following
results were obtained:
34
~'
-' - 21 ~
Cl utch-Brake Uni t~ Invent; on Un; t
2 Desi red Pouch71.00 grams 71.ûO grams
Label Wei ght
4 Lowes t Al l owabl e 69.75 grams 69.75 grams
Wei ght Permi tted
Cl utch-8rake Uni t Invent; on Un; t
8Weiqht Of Psuches F;lled. Grams W~iqht of Pouches Filled, Grams
71.20 72.5û 71.70 71.00 71.20 71.20
10 71.20 71.40 72.50 71.20 71.00 71.30
71.30 72.60 72.50 71.70 70.80 72.ûO
.~ 12 72.00 70.50 70.30 70.00 70.80 71.90
71.20 71.60 71.70 71.30 70.60 72.10
14 71.20 71.4d 72.50 70.90 71.30 71.90
71.30 71.40 70.60 71.60 70.ôO 71.70
16 73.00 72.30 71.60 71.gO 71.70 71.30
71.00 72.00 70.70 71.40 70.20 71.70
18 71.60 71.60 71.60 71.20 71.00 71.70
71.10 72.10 71.20 71.20 71.20 72.70
20 71.80 71.~30 71.20 71.30 71.00 72.~0
71.40 72.00 72.90 71.80 71.00 71.00
22 72.00 71.60 73.80 71.80 71.20 71.40
70.80 71.90 70.80 71.20 71.30 71.50
24 71.30 70.50 71.00 71.20 71.30 71.00
71.40 72.S0 71.50 71.30 71.90 71.50
26 71.90 71.00 70.20 71.7û 71.00 71.60
72.00 72.70 71.00 71.7~ 71.~30 71.40
28 71.30 71.50 71.90 71.90 71.80 71.40
71.71) 70.80 70.80 71.00 71.60 71.00
30 71.10 72.00 71.70 71.00 72.20 71.20
71.10 72.50 73.70 71.20 71.80 71.70
32 71.60 72.40 70.60 71.90 71.00 71.20
72.30 72.20 71.50 71.10 71.00 72.2C
34 70.00 72.00 73.00 71.30 71.10 71.90
72.30 7,1.20 71.40 70.70 71.30 71.00
':
:
:
2~3~83~
`~ - 22 -
~ '
73.40 71.80 70.70 71.30 71.30 71.40
2 72.10 72.50 70.70 70.90 72.00 71.50
70.20 71.40 71.40 70.60 72.0~ 70.90
4 71.30 72.80 70.60 71.6~ 72.00
69.80 71.50 70.20 71.50 71.10
6 71.70 70.80 6g.90 71.60 71.90
71,70 71.00 69.30
8 70.60 71.30 69.30
70.20 71.40 69.00
71.60 69.00
71.60 69.20
12 71.30 69.30
14 Clutch-Brak~ Un;tInvent10n Unit
Nu~ber of SamplQs 105.00 105.00
16 Averag~ W~ight 71.57 grams 71.23 grams
M~nimum Weight 69.80 grams 69.00 gra~ns
18 Maximum We;ght 73.80 grams 72.90 grams
Standard Deviation 0.76 0.70
% Ov~rfill 0.80 0.32
% Defects 0 5.71
22 (8~10w 69.759)
The ab~ve examples illustrates that the invention
24 unit produced 5.71% pouch weight defects compared to O
for the Clutch-Brake unit. In spite of these defects,
26 the invention provided a lower standard deviation and
less o~erfill than the Clutch-Braks unit. This indicates
28 that the invention unit has more precise operational
limits even when operating under higher defect numbers.
While it is apparent that the invention herein
.~ disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the goals
32 previously stated, it will be appreciated that numerous
modifications and embodiments may be devised by those
34 skilled in the art, and it is int~nded that the appended
claims cover all such modifications and embodiments as
- 23 - 20c~
fall within the true spirit and scope of the present
2 invention .
:
