GB922851A - Improvements in or relating to weigh feed mechanisms for fibrous material - Google Patents

Abstract

922,851. Hopper-feeding apparatus. REDSHAW & CO. Ltd. May 9, 1960 [Feb. 7, 1959], No. 4375/59. Class 120 (1). [Also in Group XVIII] Fibrous material is automatically fed in batches of predetermined weight, e.g. to a textile carding machine, by apparatus which includes two weigh pans one of which feeds the other. The apparatus is so controlled that the first pan is charged with somewhat less than the required batch weight, this charge being subsequently delivered as a dump feed to the second pan. The latter then has its load made up to the required batch weight, whereafter the feed is redirected to charging the first pan in readiness for the next delivery. As shown, a spiked belt 12 carries the material from hopper 10 into the first weigh pan 20 which comprises an enclosure integral with the hopper closed at its base by a counter-weighted pivoted flap 22. When this flap opens any material in pan 20 is delivered into the second pan 27 and the belt 12 feeds the second pan so long as flap 22 remains open. Feed to pan 27 is cut off, under the control of its weigh beam 28, by the closure of flap 22 of pan 20. Discharge from the apparatus is by rotation of pan 27 at a predetermined time in each weighing cycle. During such discharge the belt 12 continues to feed the first pan until, e.g., three quarters of the required batch weight has been delivered. When pan 27 returns to the position shown gate 22 is opened and the belt restarted. This sequence of operations may be controlled by electric switches or by the mechanical means shown (Figs. 2 and 3) in which 34 is a lever acted on by the pan 27 when it drops under load and 58 is the pivot of the flap 22 and comprises a shaft which turns with the flap and carries with it a lever 82 and a roller arm 56. When the upper pan has received its part load, its flap begins to open again against the resistance of its counter-weight but only to the slight extent necessary for its pivot shaft 58 to turn the lever 56 clockwise as seen in Fig. 3 until its roller 60 becomes disengaged from the raised portion 54 of lever 50. The latter then turns anti-clockwise and knocks down catch 48 to release a spring-loaded bifurcated lever 36, Fig. 2, to turn about shaft 32 and move the belt from a fast to a loose pulley. At the same time a stop 68 carried by the lever 50 moves into the path of dogs 70 carried with the belt to provide a brake thereon. When the discharged lower weigh pan resumes its receiving position it acts on the lever 34 to turn the shaft 32 and with it a member 84 which fully opens the flap of the upper pan by its action on lever 82. A lever 78 which turns with the lower pan has by this time acted on the arm 74 to raise the beam 50 thereby removing the brake on the belt and restoring the catch 48 to hold the bifurcated lever, which has turned with the shaft 32 by the interengagement of stops (not shown) carried by the bosses 42 to restore the belt drive. The beam 50 is then held in the position shown by the interengagement of pins 62 and ratchet 64 until the full feed has been made to the lower pan. When this pan drops, lever 34 returns to its original position, the counter-weighted flap of the upper pan closes and the roller arm moves back to the position shown, knocking the ratchet away but holding lever 50 to allow feed to continue by virtue of its roller 60 re-engaging lever portion 54. The apparatus may include a cam-operated catch 86, Fig. 4 (not shown), to hold the flap 22 closed during discharge of the lower pan. Specification 922,852 is referred to.