Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
Apparatus for weighing and blending fluent materials, comprising: means defining a support frame; a plurality of chambers for receiving fluent materials; means coupling said chambers to said frame; a pipe having a passage therewithin; said chambers being radially arrayed about said pipe; and conduits communicating said passage with said chambers; wherein said coupling means comprises load beams; each of said chambers has one of said load beams fixed, at a first end of each beam, to said chamber, said load beam extending from such chamber perpendicularly; each of said load beams penetrating said pipe; second ends of said load beams being fixed to load cells; said load cells being fixed to said frame; each of said load beams having prescribed counterweights secured thereto adjacent said second ends thereof; means coupled to said frame defining a blending tank; and means for communicating fluent material from each of said chambers to said blending tank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
Apparatus for weighing and blending fluent materials, comprising: means defining a support frame; a plurality of chambers for receiving fluent materials; means coupling said chambers to said frame; a pipe having a passage therewithin; said chambers being radially arrayed about said pipe; and conduits communicating said passage with said chambers; wherein said coupling means comprises load beams; each of said chambers has one of said load beams fixed, at a first end of each beam, to said chamber, said load beam extending from such chamber perpendicularly; each of said load beams penetrating said pipe; second ends of said load beams being fixed to load cells; said load cells being fixed to said frame; each of said load beams having prescribed counterweights secured thereto adjacent said second ends thereof; means coupled to said frame defining a blending tank; and means for communicating fluent material from each of said chambers to said blending tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus for weighing and blending fluent materials, according to claim 1, wherein: said pipe has a plurality of gusset-type brackets fixed thereto and extending perpendicularly therefrom; each of said brackets has a depending limb with a slot formed therethrough; said load beams traverse said slots; and knife-edge bearings are interposed between said load beams and said limbs, pivotably to support said load beams thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus for weighing and blending fluent materials, according to claim 1, wherein: said communicating means comprises conveyors opening at a first end thereof into one of said chambers, and opening at an opposite end thereof into said blending tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus for weighing and blending fluent materials, according to claim 3, wherein: each of said chambers has a lowermost opening which confronts said first end of the conveyor associated therewith; and valving means is interposed between said lowermost opening of each said chamber and said first end of said conveyors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus for weighing and blending fluent materials, according to claim 4, wherein: said conveyors are motor-driven augers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus for weighing and blending fluent materials, according to claim 1, wherein: said frame has a plurality of vertical members; one of said members is hollow; said one member has an opening, adjacent one end thereof, for coupling thereto a source of vacuum pressure; and the end of said one member, opposite said one end, is in fluid communication with said passage in said pipe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus for weighing and blending fluent materials, according to claim 1, wherein: each of said chambers has an inlet port formed therein; and a fluent material feed conduit is through-coupled with each of said inlet ports of said chambers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus for weighing and blending fluent materials, according to claim 1, wherein: each counterweight has a weight which counterbalances the weight of the chamber with which it is associated and all components pendent from and attached to such chamber.