Dispensing – Weighing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-02
2001-09-11
Jacyna, J. Casimer (Department: 3751)
Dispensing
Weighing
C141S248000, C177S065000, C177S090000, C177S091000, C177S094000, C177S102000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286717
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a product supply apparatus for a product providing device such as a weighing system according to the preamble of claim
1
.
When filling empty packages such as bags, deep drawn cups, boxes or the like, for example for producing ready-to-serve meals or the like, the operating speed of modern packaging machines is so high that it is hardly possible, in the short time available, to reliably supply defined product quantities obtained for example by weighing, counting, time-controlled metering or the like, to the packaging containers to be filled.
In order to provide the product quantities to be filled into the packaging containers a corresponding number of conventional filling balances or a combinatorial type weighing apparatus, for example, is used. In both cases weighed product quantities available in spacially separate weighing receptacles of the corresponding conventional balances or of the combinatorial weighing apparatus must be supplied to the feeding position of the packaging machine. Typically, this is obtained by means of product feeding devices in the form of chutes or collecting hoppers of suitable slope. The weighed product quantity discharged from the weighing receptacles is spreaded after falling onto the chute or onto the wall of the collecting hopper.
Document EP 0 113 586 B1 discloses a product supply apparatus for a product providing device, in this case for a weighing system in the form of a combinatorial weighing apparatus, according to the preamble of claim
1
. In the product supply apparatus disclosed therein the two collecting receptacles are fixedly mounted above the feed opening of the product receiving device of the packaging machine. Each of the two collecting receptacles comprises two longitudinal walls, one of the two walls swinging relative to the other in direction of the center axis of the feed opening for opening the collecting receptacle for discharging a weighed product quantity into the feed opening of the packaging machine. In the closed state of the collecting receptacle the longitudinal walls define a downwardly tapering interior the space. For emptying a collecting receptacle its swinging longitudinal wall is swung inwardly to a position above the center axis of the feed opening. The weighed product quantity available within the collecting receptacle is accelerated by gravitation. The discharged product quantity is further subject to an acceleration action transversely to the acceleration by gravity, effected by the sloping fixed longitudinal wall. Thus, the product quantity is spread apart already during the discharge from the collecting receptacle.
Owing to the large cross-section of the feed opening of the packaging machine it is further necessary to taper the opening cross-section of the product receiving device of the packaging machine for filling a packaging container having a smaller opening. This requires a further contact of the weighed product quantity with the wall of the product receiving device of the packaging machine and thereby causes a further spreading of the product quantity. But even in case that there is no taper of the opening cross-section of the product receiving device of the packaging machine the transverse acceleration forces the product quantity discharged from the collecting receptacle into contact with the wall of the product receiving device of the packaging machine and thereby spreads the product quantity.
However, this spreading of the product occurring when discharging the weighed product quantity from the collecting receptacle or by the contact of the product quantity with the product receiving device of the packaging machine, respectively, limits the maximum filling speed of the packaging machine.
Document CH 428 543 discloses a product supply apparatus for a product providing device comprising a first product feeding apparatus having a corresponding first collecting receptacle and a second product feeding apparatus having a corresponding second collecting receptacle, the collecting receptacles each having a closure at their bottom. The product supply apparatus supplies product quantities provided by the product providing device to a product receiving device consisting of a plurality of feed hoppers circulating on a circle below the product feeding devices. A collecting receptacle is opened at the time when one of the circulating feed hoppers is placed therebelow. The further circulating feed hopper is emptied at a time when the discharge opening of the feed opening, having a closure flap, is aligned with the opening of a packing to be filled. A product receiving device receiving corresponding quantities from several product feeding apparatus is not disclosed.
Document DE 38 23 329 C2 discloses a weighing receptacle with a double closure flap having a substantially pointed shape along its longitudinal axis.
It is the object of the invention to provide a product supply apparatus of the generic type which avoids spreading the product.
This object is achieved by a product supply apparatus according to claim
1
.
Further developments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 308322 (1884-11-01), Moyers
patent: 346852 (1886-08-01), Koch
patent: 616863 (1898-12-01), Richards
patent: 657178 (1900-09-01), Nickerson
patent: 819881 (1906-05-01), Hager
patent: 1881859 (1932-10-01), Mulendore
patent: 4616722 (1986-10-01), Moran
patent: 4874048 (1989-10-01), Kawanishi et al.
patent: 428 543 (1967-07-01), None
patent: 38 23 329 C2 (1990-11-01), None
patent: 0 113 586 (1988-06-01), None
Dike Bronstein Roberts & Cushman
Jacyna J. Casimer
Multipond Wagetechnik GmbH
Neuner George W.
LandOfFree
Product-discharging device for a product supply system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Product-discharging device for a product supply system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Product-discharging device for a product supply system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2508532