Apparatus for measuring and dispensing particulate material

Claim 2

Apparatus for measuring and dispensing particulate material comprising, a general frame; a container having an outlet passage in a lower portion thereof; means to place particulate material in the container; flexible support means between the container and the frame; an elongated member movable relative to the outlet passage in the lower portion of the container, said elongated member having a measuring compartment formed therein, said measuring compartment having a predetermined volume; downwardly diverging walls in said measuring compartment; means to move the elongated member between a first position wherein the outlet passage is closed and a second position wherein particulate material may pass through said outlet passage; and vibrator means associated with the container arranged to urge particulate material toward the outlet passage in the lower portion of the container.

Claim 3

The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the flexible support means comprises resilient elements connected between the frame and the container such that the container is free to vibrate relative to the frame.

Claim 4

The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the container has an inclined bottom to direct particulate material toward the outlet passage.

Claim 5

The combination called for in claim 1 with the addition of agitating means in the container to maintain the particulate material in a loose, uncompacted condition.

Claim 6

The combination called for in claim 4 wherein the agitating means comprises a shaft rotatably journaled in the container; protrusions on the shaft; and means for rotating the shaft.

Claim 7

The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the container has an opening in an upper portion thereof, and the means to place particulate material in the container comprises, a conveyor arranged to deposit material through the opening in the upper portion of the container.

Claim 8

The combination called for in claim 6 with the addition of means associated with the container to stop the conveyor when a predetermined quantity of particulate material is in the container.

Claim 9

The combination called for in claim 7 with the addition of a disengageable actuating means to drive the conveyor; and wherein the means to stop the conveyor when a predetermined quantity of particulate material is in the container comprises sensing means in the container arranged to disengage the actuating means when a predetermined quantity of material is in the container.

Claim 10

The combination called for in claim 6 with the addition of a storage vessel having an outlet passage in a lower portion thereof, said outlet passage in the storage vessel being arranged to deposit material on the conveyor.

Claim 11

The combination called for in claim 9 with the addition of means to vary the size of the outlet passage in the storage vessel.

Claim 12

The combination called for in claim 9 with the addition of means to prevent compaction of particulate material in the storage vessel.

Claim 13

The combination called for in claim 11 wherein the means to prevent compaction of particulate material in the storage vessel comprises, a shaft rotatably journaled in the storage vessel, protrusions on the shaft; and means to rotate the shaft.

Claim 14

The combination called for in claim 1 with the addition of means to vary the volume of the measuring compartment.

Claim 15

The combination called for in claim 1 with the addition of a movable wall in the measuring compartment; and means to move the wall to vary the volume of the measuring compartment.

Claim 16

The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the elongated member is constructed of plastic material.

Claim 17

Apparatus for measuring and dispensing particulate material comprising, a general frame; a container having an outlet passage in a lower portion thereof; a first conveyor movable relative to the frame; means for dispensing particulate material on the first conveyor; a second conveyor movable relative to the frame arranged to receive particulate material from the first conveyor and to dispense said particulate material into the container; drive means operably connected to the first conveyor; drive means operably connected to the second conveyor; flexible support means between the container and the frame; closure means movable relative to the outlet passAge in the lower portion of the container; means to move the closure means between a first position wherein the outlet passage is closed and a second position wherein particulate material may pass through said outlet passage; and vibrator means associated with the container arranged to urge particulate material into the outlet passage in the lower portion of the container.

Claim 18

Apparatus for measuring and dispensing particulate material comprising, a general frame; a container having an outlet passage in a lower portion thereof; a first conveyor movable relative to the frame; means for dispensing particulate material on the first conveyor; a second conveyor movable relative to the frame arranged to receive particulate material from the first conveyor and to dispense said particulate material into the container; drive means operably connected to the first conveyor; drive means operably connected to the second conveyor; flexible support means between the container and the frame; closure means movable relative to the outlet passAge in the lower portion of the container; means to move the closure means between a first position wherein the outlet passage is closed and a second position wherein particulate material may pass through said outlet passage; and vibrator means associated with the container arranged to urge particulate material into the outlet passage in the lower portion of the container.

Claim 19

The combination called for in claim 16 wherein the second conveyor moves at a speed different from that of the first conveyor.

Claim 20

The combination called for in claim 16 wherein the second conveyor moves faster than the first conveyor.

Claim 21

Apparatus for measuring and dispensing particulate material comprising, a general frame; a container having an outlet passage in a lower portion thereof; means to place particulate material in the container; an elongated member movable relative to the outlet passage in the container said elongated member having a measuring compartment formed therein; downwardly diverging walls in the measuring compartment; means operably connected to the elongated member for moving the measuring compartment in said elongated member to a first position beneath the outlet passage in the container where particulate material is dispensed from the container into the measuring compartment, and a second position in spaced apart relation from the outlet passage in the container to cause material to be dispensed from the measuring compartment.

Claim 22

Apparatus for measuring and dispensing particulate material comprising, a general frame; a container having an outlet passage in a lower portion thereof; means to place particulate material in the container; an elongated member movable relative to the outlet passage in the container said elongated member having a measuring compartment formed therein; downwardly diverging walls in the measuring compartment; means operably connected to the elongated member for moving the measuring compartment in said elongated member to a first position beneath the outlet passage in the container where particulate material is dispensed from the container into the measuring compartment, and a second position in spaced apart relation from the outlet passage in the container to cause material to be dispensed from the measuring compartment.

Claim 23

The combination called for in claim 19 wherein the elongated member is constructed of high density polyethylene.

Claim 24

The combination called for in claim 19 wherein the measuring compartment has at least one wall which is movable relative to the elongated member; and means to move the wall.

Claim 25

The combination called for in claim 19 with the addition of a vibrator operably connected to the container.

Claim 26

The combination called for in claim 19 with the addition of means in the container for maintaining the particulate material in a loose condition.

Claim 27

Apparatus for measuring and dispensing particulate material into receptacles comprising, a storage vessel having an outlet passage in a lower portion thereof; means to prevent compaction of material in said storage vessel; conveyor means movable adjacent said outlet passage to receive particulate material from said outlet passage; a container adjacent said conveyor for receiving particulate material dispensed therefrom; means to prevent compaction of particulate material in the container; means to prevent adhesion of the particulate material to the sides of the container; means to intermittently dispense quantities of particulate material from the container into receptacles; a movable conveyor arranged to carry the receptacles; and switching means associated with said conveyor carrying the receptacles, said switching means being arranged to cause material to be dispensed from the container only when a receptacle is in position to receive particulate material.

Claim 28

Apparatus for measuring and dispensing particulate material into receptacles comprising, a storage vessel having an outlet passage in a lower portion thereof; means to prevent compaction of material in said storage vessel; conveyor means movable adjacent said outlet passage to receive particulate material from said outlet passage; a container adjacent said conveyor for receiving particulate material dispensed therefrom; means to prevent compaction of particulate material in the container; means to prevent adhesion of the particulate material to the sides of the container; means to intermittently dispense quantities of particulate material from the container into receptacles; a movable conveyor arranged to carry the receptacles; and switching means associated with said conveyor carrying the receptacles, said switching means being arranged to cause material to be dispensed from the container only when a receptacle is in position to receive particulate material.

Claim 29

Apparatus for measuring and dispensing particulate material comprising, a general frame; a container having an outlet passage in a lower portion thereof; means to place particulate material in the container; flexible support means between the container and the frame; a tubular member having an inlet opening positioned adjacent the outlet passage in the container and having an outlet opening in spaced apart relation from said inlet opening; an elongated member slidably disposed in the tubular member; said elongated member having a measuring compartment formed therein; a fluid actuated cylinder having a piston movably disposed therein and a piston rod secured to the piston and to the elongated member to move the measuring compartment between positions adjacent the inlet opening and adjacent the outlet opening in the tubular member; a source of pressurized fluid alternately connectable to opposite sides of piston to move the elongated member; and vibrator means associated with the container arranged to urge particUlate material toward the outlet passage in the lower portion of the container.

Claim 30

Apparatus for measuring and dispensing particulate material comprising, a general frame; a container having an outlet passage in a lower portion thereof; means to place particulate material in the container; flexible support means between the container and the frame; a tubular member having an inlet opening positioned adjacent the outlet passage in the container and having an outlet opening in spaced apart relation from said inlet opening; an elongated member slidably disposed in the tubular member; said elongated member having a measuring compartment formed therein; a fluid actuated cylinder having a piston movably disposed therein and a piston rod secured to the piston and to the elongated member to move the measuring compartment between positions adjacent the inlet opening and adjacent the outlet opening in the tubular member; a source of pressurized fluid alternately connectable to opposite sides of piston to move the elongated member; and vibrator means associated with the container arranged to urge particUlate material toward the outlet passage in the lower portion of the container.