Weighing scales – With weigher loading or unloading means
Patent
1998-04-09
2000-09-05
Gibson, Randy W.
Weighing scales
With weigher loading or unloading means
209592, 209645, 177105, 177108, G01G 1900, G01G 1700, B07C 516
Patent
active
061146366
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to an apparatus for automatically weighing small products in a continuous cycle, in particular filled gelatin capsules or tablets. In the following description reference will, for the sake of convenience, be made solely to gelatin capsules. It should be understood, however, that the apparatus according to the invention shall also be protected with respect to checking the weight of tablets or of any other product that involves similar requirements. The apparatus in question may, for example, be applied industrially to select capsules from those batches which have been rejected on account of defects detected by statistical weight checking systems associated with the machine that fills and closes the said capsules. Apparatus of known type essentially operate with an intermittent and reciprocating motion that is relatively slow and inaccurate on account of the considerable vibrations generated by the reciprocating components.
The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks with a continuously operating device whereby the capsules are fed in single file and taken up one at a time by a wheel which is fitted with reference teeth, with each tooth supporting one capsule, and has suction holes so as to retain the said capsules. When the capsules reach or are about to reach a position above suitably shaped associated weighing heads, the suction that holds them against the wheel is turned off and the said capsules fall, positioning themselves correctly on the said heads, aided in part by the halting action exerted by the teeth in front. The capsules deposited on the heads are weighed and are then discharged by the pushing action of the wheel teeth which place the next capsule on the said heads. A chute collects the capsules ejected from the weighing heads and a deflection plate, controlled by the central processing and control system, separates capsules of the correct weight from those to be rejected. Several apparatus of this type are placed next to each other so as to obtain high production rates.
Additional characteristics of the invention and the advantages derived therefrom will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example in the figures of the two appended plates of drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view, with some parts in section, of the apparatus;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic front view, with some parts in section, of the same apparatus.
From the figures it may be seen that the capsules 1 to be weighed are fed in bulk into a hopper 2 that projects from a supporting structure 100 (FIG. 2) and has a straight horizontal aperture 3 at the bottom through which passes a parallelepipedal plunger 4, of known type, with a double-bevelled top and a plurality of evenly spaced vertical holes 5 having a diameter such that the capsules can travel through them when the latter are arranged in single file and their longitudinal axis is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the holes. The plunger 4 is associated with vertical guide 6 fixed to the structure 100, and is connected known drive actuator 7 which impart a straight reciprocating motion that is relatively slow and of an amplitude such as to facilitate insertion of the capsules into the holes 5. So as to ensure that the capsules are clean when they reach the holes 5 in which they are lined up one behind the other, at least part of the sloping wall of the hopper on to which the capsules are fed is perforated in the manner indicated by the reference numeral 8, so that dust and small impurities, such as for example pieces of broken or open capsules, can be discharged and collected in a vessel 9 that can be removed for periodical cleaning or connected to a suction means, which is not shown.
The lower ends of the holes 5 abut coaxially against associated cylindrical helical springs 10 which are made of steel or other suitable material, have an internal diameter essentially equal to that of the said holes 5 and are fixed, via their upper ends,
REFERENCES:
patent: 3775941 (1973-12-01), Bross
patent: 4172380 (1979-10-01), Ansaloni
patent: 4593778 (1986-06-01), Konishi et al.
patent: 4926359 (1990-05-01), Konishi et al.
patent: 5852259 (1998-12-01), Yanase
Amaroli Sergio
Cane Aristide
Consoli Salvatore Fabrizio
Fattibene Arthur T.
Fattibene Paul A.
Gibson Randy W.
I.M.A. - Industria Macchine Automatiche - S.p.A.
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