Improvements in automatic feed mechanism for granular or pulverulent material

摘要

577,401. Hoppers. AVERY, Ltd., W. & T., and PAGE, A. E. May 3, 1944, No. 8322. [Class 78 (i)] In mechanism for feeding granular, etc. material to automatic weighing apparatus, a tiltable hopper or baffle is mounted between the main bulk supply hopper and a vibratory dribble feed plate and is moved in accordance with the movements of the weighbeam to change the path of the material so that the unobstructed flow is changed to a dribble feed. The tiltable hopper c is mounted between the supply hopper a and a shoot d which delivers to the weigh hopper b. The hopper c is pivoted at el and is connected by a link e to the piston rod f of a pneumatic cylinder g. The valves regulating the supply of air to this cylinder are controlled by the movements of the weighbeam on which the hopper b is mounted. When the air supply is cut off by the movement of the weighbeam, the hopper c moves from the position shown in broken lines to that shown in full lines in which latter position the material x forms a seal between the dribble feed plate i and the hopper outlet c1. The plate j is supported by leaf springs k and is vibrated in the manner described in Specification 556,748. The pipes h, h1 through which the air flows to and from the cylinder g are connected in series with, or form branches of, the pipes m, m1 of the actuating mechanism of the plate j.