US1252022A - Dispensing apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

W. PA'TTON.

DISPENSING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED June. 1916.

' 1,252,022., Patented Jan. 1,1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET I. .Z'z 1.

Vfitnasises: Inventar r a Z W. PATTON. DISPENSING APPARATUS.

APPLSCAHON man 1uLY28. I916.

Patented Jan. .1, 1918.

MZ'Wassea:

W W WA W. PATTON.

DISPENSING APPARATUS. 7 APPLICATION FILED IULY28| I916.

1,252,022; Patented Jan. 1,1918. I

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Witnesses. v v lavage/tor Mm. flima Attorney.

W. PATTON.,

DISPENSING APPARATUS.

APFLICATtON FILED JULY28. 1916.

1,252,022. I PatentedJau1.'1,1918'.

5 SHEETSSHBET 5- B9 MK Attorney.

UNITED sTA'rEs PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM IATTON, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOB. TO THE PATTON IBIN & FIXTURE COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

DISPENSING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters latent.

Patented Jan. 1, 1918.

Application filed July 28, 1916. Serial No. 111,865.

To all whom it may concern:.

Be it known that I, WILLIAM PATTON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dispensing Apparatus, of which the following isa specification.

My invention relates to dry measurers, and its object is to facilitate accurate measurement of quantities of granular materials or similar commodities with regard to their weights and specific gravities as well as to their values or prices; being an improvement upon my invention disclosed and claimed in my Patent No. 1,193,180, of Au-' gust 1, 1916.

My invention consists of the combination of parts, and of the details of construction and arrangement of parts as will hereinafter be more fully described and claimed.

In the drawin Figure 1 is a rout perspective view of 'a set of bins provided with my invention; 7

Fig. 2 is a the same;

Fig. 3 is a general perspective view of my invention from the rear of the bin as in Figs 2, considerably enlarged, and with parts of the bin omitted "and other 'parts of the device inside the bin indicated by dotted lines;

Fig. 4 is another rear view but with all but a small top part of the rear plate broken away to clearly disclose the rear end construction of the dispensing apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section partial rear perspective view of of the apparatus on a plane correspondingto the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig.6 is a plan view of the device with the hopper and connecting parts omitted.

In the example of the use of my invention as herein shown, a bin 1 is provided, which may be of well known construction with transparent sides in its upper part for dis-' playing the contents, and a bottom section 2 below, which contains the sloping bottom or hopper 3 with a downwardly projected out let neck 1 through which the contents of the bin-may be discharged. It'will be understood that any suitablepontainer for the commodity. may have an outlet similar to across the rear thereof. 'This allows the bin to benarrower; which is a great advantage in affording economy of space in stores, because the bin is best made of a length from front to rear about the same as the width'of the counter from front to rear, and for the most desirable capacities a bin of this length need not be very wide.

As indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, I prefer to make the bin 1 with two compartments and with one of my improved dispensing apparatus for each compartment. With; the new arrangement above alluded to, the twocompartment bin need be but very little wider than would be a single compartment provided with my device as previously constructed. I

The dry-measuring device, as exemplified making up a framework of rectangular general formation. The end 7 is at the rear of the :bin, and the other end of the frame work is held together by upper and lower struts 8 and 9'. The upper edges of the sides 5 and 6 are flat, and form a runway for the slide 10, which has its upper and lower sides. smooth, and is held down-by rabbeted strips 11 screwed to said upper edges .and overlapping the rabbeted edges of the slide. The end 7 is set in forwardly from the rear ends of the sides 5 and 6, and its upper part slopes downwardly and backwardly into a spout 12, the. use of which herein, comprises sides 5 and 6 and an end 7 will be later described. Mounted upon the strips 11, over the slide inlet neck 13.

The apparatus is mounted to be slid backwardly out of the bin 30 as to, give .ready access to its mechanism, for adjustment or 10, is a rectangular aeeaoaa repairs. As here shown, a pair of supporttiondisclosed and claimed in my co-pending 5 ing bars 14 are fixed in thelower part of the bin longitudinally thereof from front to rear, and extension bars 15 slide upon the tops of the bars 14, having, under their front ends, heads 16 embracing the bars 14 and forming stops against complete withdrawal of the bars 15 when these heads strike the brackets 17 and 18 that support the rear ends of the supporting bars 14 in'the bin.

The framework has lugs 19 fixed on its bottom and straddling the extension bars 15, which latter have at their ends stops 20 that cause the extension bars 15 to slide out with the apparatus, after which the apparatus may be lifted 0d the bars 15.

The inlet neck 13 makes sliding tongue and-groove connection with the neck 4 of the hopper 3 when the framework is slid into place in the bin. In order to close the neck 4 when the framework is to be slid out of the bin, this neck is provided with an auxiliar f slide 21 that is normally pulled out of t e neck 4 forwardly, and is supported in'that position by an arm 22 extending forwardly from one side of the neck 4.

To properly discharge the contents of the bin'down through the neck 4 into the space between the sides of the framework, where it is measured as will hereinafter be described, I prefer to provide an agitator in the neck 4. As here shown, this comprises a shaft 23 running longitudinally of the interior of the neck 4 from front to rear,and having bearings 24 and 25 in the front and rear ends, respectively, of the neck 4, and havinga series of radiatin tervals throughout its lengt inside the neck. In front of its bearing 24, this shaft 23 has fixed on it a bevel gear 27, and meshing with this is a bevel gear 28 on a shaft 29, having a bearing 30 in the arm 22, outside which it has fixed on it a spur gear 31, meshing with arack 32 running parallel wlth the runway of the slide 10, and with its fiont end fixed to said slide, and supported and guided at the rear by a guide 33. Thus, pulling the slide 10 forwardly-to open communication between the hopper 3. and the space. inside the framework, will cause a rotationof the shaft 23 and an agitation, by the teeth'26, of the commodity which might otherwise clog the neck 4, especially if it be a finely pulverized substance.

To receive the commodity and measure it, I provide, between the rear end parts of the sides 5 and 6, adjacentto the end 7, means to form a normallyeinpty measuring compartment, with an'end adjustable to create and define an empty mea space in this compartment, and means associated there with to vary the size of this measuring space proportionally atall adjuents of'the adyustahle end. Broadly, it is the combteeth 26 at inapplication above referred to; but specifically somewhat less complicated than the specific example of the aforesaid application. 7 1 The inner surfaces of these rear end arts of the sides 5 and 6 and of the end are made smooth, and the side 6fhas a discharge opening in it which is normally closed by a 1 discharge door 34. Mounted between these smooth parts is the bottom 35, whichslopes down toward the discharge opening and is adjustable up and'down while making intimate contact with said smooth sides. Next to 'the side 6, this bottom 35 has an-apron 36, so that when the bottom is adjusted above the bottom of the discharge opening, this apron covers the part of the opening below the edge of the sloping bottom.

The sides 5 and 6, end 7 slide 10, and bottom 35 thus form five sides of the measuring space. A flexible curtain 37 has its upper end fixed to the rear end of a carriage 38 that is slidable forwardly and rearwardly I on horizontal guides 39 and 40 on the inner surfaces of the sides 5 and 6, respectively. 1 prefer to make these guides of triangular "cross-section to fit in grooves of corresponding formation in the sides of the carriage 38, so that the parts of the guides under the inlet neck 13 will permit thecommodity to readily slide bfl" into themeasuring space.

, Also, to prevent clogging of the commodity between the rear 'end of the carriage 38 and the end .7, I prefer to space the rear ends 41 of these guides 39 and 40 a short distance forwardly from the ends 7, so that .the commodity will pass down through the space thus left, when pushed OK the ends of I the guides 39 and 40 when, the carriage is brought back. 7

The lower end of the curtain 37 is supported by a yoke 42, which has a\ho'rizontal part 43 extending back over the bottom 35,

and an upright part 445 that embraces and is guided by a column 45;, fixed in and proecting down from the carriage 38' far enough forward to clear the front end of. the bottom 35 when the carriage is in its rearmost position. The rear endv of this yoke 43 has fixed on it a-smooth end-plate 46 that extends downandhas its lower edge closely fitting the entire widthof the sloping bottomp35. To maintain thisjrelation, the front end of the bottom 35 is extended down and has fixed. in it two forwardly extending guide bars 47,- which are embracedkby tubular extensions 48 on .theyoke 42'. -Thus,

the yoke may slide up and down on the coluinn 45 of the carriage, and may slide forwardly and rearwardly withits end plate 46 hearing closely on the sloping bottom 35 by virtue of its support on the bars 47.;

Near the forward end of theiyoke 42 its top is raised above the rear part and supports a plate 49 that forms a rearwardly extending arm having, .at its rear end, a sheave-bar 50 which has a convex side presented downwardly and rearwardly. The flexible curtain 37 is brought down under this sheave-bar 50 and pulled forwardly in the space between the rear part of the top of the yoke and the arm or plate 49. The end of the curtain 37 in this space is held between narrow bars 51, which have connected to them, midway of their lengths across the curtain, a flexible member or cord 52, that runs back through an opening 53 in the raised forward part of the yoke top and passes downwardly over a pulley 54 supported on a forward extension 55 at the top of the yoke. The lower end of this cord 52 is connected to the upper; end of a tension spring 56, the lower end of which is connected to the lower end of the column'45 that is fixed to the carriage 38; being, as

' here shown, indirectly connected by being hooked into an openlng in a brace 57 that has its lower end fixed to the lower end of said column and its upper end fixed to the forward end part of the carriage 38, this brace being for the purpose of reinforcing the column 45. The upper edge of the end plate 46 is made concave, so as to fit closely enough against the flexible curtain 37, where it passes around the sheave-bar 50, to prevent leakage of commodity between these parts.

With the above construction, when the bottom 35 is adjusted upwardly or downwardly, carrying the yoke 42 up or down with it, the curtain 37 will always be stretched tightly from the rear end of the carriage 38 to the upper edge of the end plate 46.by virtue ofthe yielding tension exerted upon it'by the spring 56. This end, thus formed by the curtain 37 and plate 46, is thus adjusted forwardly and rearwardly to vary the length of the measuring space; while it permits the bottom 35 to be adjusted up and down to compensate for variations in specific gravit of different commodities without altering this adjustable end from its required plane conformation.

At the same time, there are comparatively few parts to this group, and only one joint added to those at the top, bottom and sides of the adjustable end. The flexible curtain 37 may be woven of fine metal wire or strong closely woven canvas; in either instance giving bet-- ter service if both upright edges, which must make close contact with the smooth surfaces of the slides 5 and 6, are selvages.

The bottom 35 is guided in its upward and downward adjustment by means of an upright channel 58 which it has extending down and fitting on an upright guide 59 fixed to the inner surface of the lower rear 64 that is journaled in a bracket 65, and in abearing 66 in the end 7. The bracketis fixed in the inner surface of the side 5, and has a forward extension 67 in which the nut 61 is joumaled and held against downward and upward movement by the gear 62 above'and by a flange 62' on the nut below the extension 67.

For moving the slide 10, a shank 68 is fixed on the top of the slide near its front end and extends out over the side 5. The lever 69 extends up along the side 5 and has a fulcrum 70 fixed to said side. The upper end part of this lever 69 has a longitudinal slot 71 receiving the shank 68; and the lower end part adjacent to the bottom of the side 5 has a longitudinal slot 72 which receives the pin 73 fixed in a hub 74, through which extends the forwardly and rearwardly running inlet and discharge rod 75 in such .a manner as to turn in the hub but with pins 76 and washers 77 at front and rear of the hub compelling it to move with the rod 75 when For moving the adjustable end forwardly and rearwardly to vary the length of the measuring compartment, thecarriage 38 has,

' fixed on it lower side next to the frame side 6, a rack 79 running from the front endof the carriage a suflicient distance backward to, cause the maximum required forward movement of the carriage 38 by the rotation of a pinion 80 that meshes with the rack and is fixed on a shaft 81 having a bearing 82 in the side 6 and having fixed on it, outide the frame, a bevel gear 83 in mesh with a bevel gear 84 fixed on a shaft 85 that runs from the front to the rear of the bin and is journaled in brackets 86 fixed on the side 6 near its top, with end-pla limited by collars 87.

The discharge door 34 has lugs 88 extend- Thus, if the-rod 75 ed outwardly and upwardly from its upper part and embracing the shaft 85, and is thereby hinged to swing outward and upward from the discharge opening in the side 6.

' 1'5 completely forward and holding the slide in closing position, it is in position for en- Shut Near its lwttom m111d its rear side; thisi door 3 1 has a rearwardly extendin t 90 fitting in the end part of an operating bar-91- which lies across the rear of the end 7 and is guided and supported by a stirrup 92 and a finger 94 has a hub 95 by which it is fixed on the inlet and discharge rod 75for.

- turning therewith as well as sliding rearwardly and forwardly therewith when'said rod is slid in this way to operate. the slide 10 as above described. This finger 94 .is so located on this rod 75 that, when the rod is I gagement with the rear edge of the down-- ward projection 93 of the operating bar 91.

If the rod 7 5 is turned toward the operating bar 91 as permitted by its hereinbefore'described connection with the lever 69, it willcausethe finger 94 to push on the operating 5 "bar 91 and push the discharge door 34: outwardly and upwardly, and thus permit discharge ofthe' commodity from the sloping bottom '35 outthrough the discharge opening inthe side 6.

" As, is best seen in 5,-t he rear end of tame back of the upper the slide 10 is made to projectda Cihortfdiiiorwar e e o t e end 7 in its completely closed position; this 35 1 tioned tothe width of the finger 94: that by the time the rear end of the slide 10 passes being defined by the'engagement of the hub bracket 78; This projection is so proporforwardly' away from said edge-of the end f 7 on. ag rearward movement of the rod 75,

11 this rodoutof position-for engagement wlthv the finger 9.4 will havebeen carried back by the projectiona93'of the-operating bar 91;

l and this condition will continue to exist throughout] all further forward movement of the slide; 10, since thefinger-9d will bedrawn'farther back away from the operat .ing'fber. -'llh1'1s','while the rod 75 is used for opening either the inlet slide 10 or the discharge door 34, it cannot be used to open the doorwhile the inlet is open. 'llhus there 1s anefiective. guard against any continuous. .passage of; commodity from the hopper 3 v through and out of the measuring compartment during in measuring operation, which" continuous passage, if allowed to occur, would result "in overwei ht.

' While, it is desirah e to provide this guard, it is also desirable to be able to conveniently and quickly cause a continuous discharge from the hopper 3 out through the door 34, as for emptymdgthe bin for receiving a difi'erent commo ity. Eorthis purpose, an auxiliary finger 96 1s ,pivoted on a stud 97 fixed in and rearwardly ofv a mechanism entirely distinct from that usedto cause the consecutive inlet and dis- .charg teeth throughout forward travel of the slide the finger 94 with the rear guide a cross piece 106, supported on the stri s 11 venience in understanding the present ap- -turning of the rod in direction to open intense may finger 96 bearsagainst an upward "projection 98 on the operating bar 91. Thus,

a'fcontinnousinlet' and discharge are permitted only. by an intentional manipulation 7 e. If the slide 10 is started backward before it has had its rear end brought forward to the adjustable end or curtain 37, wherever 75 this end may have been adjusted to, the full inlet of commodity will be interfered with,

and-this be very likely to result in underweight. "lloinsure against this, a ratchet Y bar-99; is fixed on the lower part of the car- 89 riage 38 from front to rear, with upwardly presented 'teeth'pitched forwardly, and the. slide 10 has a rearwardly projected pawl 100' yieldably held down to engage with these 10 relative to the ratchet bar 99 until the front end of the slide strikes a stop bar 101 fixed across the carriage 38 near the front end thereof; At this juncture, a lug 102 on the ratchet bar, higher than the teeth 99, 99 raises the pawl so that a nose 103, which it has projecting forwardly, permits a detent 10d to swing rearwardly over it under spring pressure and thus hold the pawl away from the teeth 99 during the return 95 rearward movement of the slide 10. To cause this detent 104 torelease this pawl at the beginning ofthe next opening of the slide 10, a hook 105 swings up and down, on m at opposite-sides, and has an inclined ront end so that it will slide over and engagewith partof the detent projecting upward and hold this art back and thus swing the lower end of t e detent forward upon for- 105 ward movement of the slide 10. This con struction is fully described and claimed in my .hereinbefore referred to patent, and is briefly described as above merely for conno plication;

A rearwardly rojected foot 107 on the bottom of the en 7 has its side 108 next to the rod 175 and-finger 94 broadened from top to bottom except adjacent to theend' 7 where broadened side 108 is brought close enough.

to the inner side of the fingerr94 to prevent the discharge door 34, except when the finger 9d is in position to push on the operating bar 91 and thusopen the door as hereinabove described. By thus forming a uard against a any futile turning of the rod 5 in this direction, the operator may be'sure that he has opened the discharge door if he has been able'to turn the rod 75 in this direction.

The finger 94: also has a downwardly prohas, projecting up, an additional bearing 112 for the stem 64 used to adjust the bottom 35. p

The back of the compartment in which the dry measuring apparatus is located in the lower section 2 of the bin is composed of a plate 113 which is fastened to the rear end of the foot 107 with an opening registering with a socket 114 formed in the rear of the bearing 112, and the end part 115 of the stem 64 is squared to receive a key for turning the stem.

This plate 113 also has an opening with a tube 116 extending forwardly around the I shaft 117 of the auxiliary finger 96, which has a collar 118 bearing against the front end of the tube 116 and holding the finger 96 and its shaft forward on their stud 97, and the rear end part 119 of the shaft 117 is also squared to receive a key, which may be the same one used to turn the stem 64.

The inlet and discharge rod 75 extends through an opening in the' plate 113 and has a handle 120 for'sliding it-or turning it.

The shaft 85 extends through the plate 113, and fixed to the front side of the plate around this shaft is a friction disk 121. A coiiperating friction disk 122 is fixed on the front end of a tube 123 around the shaft 85, which tube extends through the disk 121 and plate 113, to slide longitudinally of the shaft 85 within limits permitted by a pin 124 fixed in the shaft and extending out into a short slot 125 ir. the-tube just outside the .plate 113. A knurled lmob 126 is fixed onthe front end of the tube 123, and a spring 127 is coiled around the tube between the knob and the plate 113, so that the disk 122 on the tube is normally held backward against the disk 121. The pin 124 in the slide 125 will not permit the shaft 85 to turn without turning the disk 122, the friction of which with-the disk 121 will hold the shaft 85 and all of the parts-operatively connected therewith, includlng the adjustable end or curtain 37, from moving except when the knob 126 is pushed forward to lessen this friction.

To indicate the adjustment of the adjustable end at the rear, a pointer 128 is fixed on the rear'end of a hub 129 that extends through a bearing 130 in the plate 113 and turns on a stud131 fixed in and projecting back from the end 7. This pointer 128 swings over a scale 132 on the rear side of the plate 113 near its top, which scale can he graduated to indicate weights and values. Preferably, the part of the pointer 128 over the scale 132 forms a frame for a small glass plate 133, on which is etched a line 134 inproper position to accurately indicate upon the scale 132 the location of the adjustable end. The pointer 128 is caused to move in constant ratio to the movement of the adjustable end by means of a segment gear 135 projecting up from the hub 129 and meshing with a small pinion 136 turning with the shaft 85.

To indicate the adjustment of the adjustable end at the front of the bin, a pointer 137 is fixed on a short shaft 138 (Fig. 3), extending back through a bearing in the front of the lower section 2 of the bin, and having fixed to it a segment gear 139 in mesh with a small pinion 140 upon and turning'with the shaft 85, This gear and pinion unmesh to allow withdrawal of the apparatus from the bin.

To indicate the adjustment of the bottom 35, a stud 141 is fixed to the bottom and extends out through a slot 142 in the end 7 and a slot 143 in the plate 113, carrying a pointer 144 along an upright scale 145.

Since the slide 10 projects only a short distance back from the upper front edge of the end 7, communication is always left open between the hopper 3 and the spout 12; so that this spout 12 will always contain some of the commodity. Moreover, the space left behind the slide 10 avoids clogging of the slide at the rear termination of its stroke,

as disclosed and claimed in my patent hereinbefore mentioned. To further avoid clogging where the slide 10 meets the end 7, the rear end of the slide is preferably beveled upwardly as ShOWIl, so that it readily cuts through the commodity in this region.

The purpose of the spout 12 'is to facilitate the admission of minute additional quantities of commodity to the charge after it has been measured and discharged from the apparatus, in case the charge is found to be deficient. When the main measured charge passes from the discharge door, it goes into a chute 146 that runs along the exterior of the side 6 and inclines down- I tainer may be on a scale,or the commodity may be discharged from the spout. into the pan of the scale; in either case verifying the measurement by actual weighing. The spout 12 also discharges into the chute 146 when its small door 148 is opened upwardly,

swinging on a hinge 149. I

This opening is effected by ,means of a small crank shaft 150 that extends through the upper part of the spoutjust below the hinge 149, with its crank 151 engaging the under side of the door where it extends slightly past the front side of the spout. The door is normally held closedby a spring 152 mounted on the to of the end part of the spout. The era shaft 150 extends backward through the plate 113, preferably into a housing 153 on'the rear slde of the plate, and has a finger piece 154: fixed to 1t inside this housing, to which access is had by turningthe ring 155 around the housing by engagement of the finger with a small lug 156 on said ring, which exposes an opening 157 in the housing through an openin 158-. in the rin A sllght pressure on the piece 154, y the finger inserted through the opening thus exposed,'will open the door 148 the slight distance to permit the very small quantity of additional commodity to pass down into the-chuteand thence to the main body of the commodity which has been discharged into the container or scale pan.

By keeping the finger piece 15d inclosed in the above manner except when it 1s to be used, tampering by children or others is guarded against. This precaution is desirable in connection with this particular outlet means because it is a dlrectly operated means, whereas the main discharge door 34-.

can discharge commodity only after the used with an-actually weighing device or not, it is possible to so adjust the apparatus that it is possible to dispense commodities with greater accuracy than when the actually weighing device is depended upon alone.

The arrangement of two apparatus in a single him with the spouts 14? adjacent to. as shown in Fig. 2, is especially.

each other, convenient where an actually weighing scale is used in connection with the dispensing ap-- paratus.

- Constructed as above described, when it desired to weigh out a quantity of a commodity, the knob 126 is pushed forward,

' lessening the friction between the disks 121 and 122, which allows the shaft 85 to be turned freely, thus moving the adjustable end forwardly and creating a'measuring compartment in the device ready to receive the commodity. 'llhe extent of this forward movement-[is indicated'by the pointer 128 swinging over the scale 132, and the move- "xnent is stopped when the pointer lies, at the gen IQ? antenna mark on the scale indicating the weight of the commodity desired.

This having been done, the handle 12Q=is pulled out toward the operator, which pulls the slide 10 from under the neck 4. 'This pull on the handle 120 is continued until stopped by the engagement of the front end of the slide with the stop bar 101, upon which and not before, the pawl 100 isdisenga ed from the teeth 99; whereupon the hand e 120 may-be pushed 1n again, return-' ing the slide 10 under the inlet neck 4:. During this interval the required amount of commodity will have entered the measuring space or compartment that was tormed'by adjusting theadju'stable'end and now when this quantity of commodity has been completely outed from the main body of commodity, the finger 94 has again comeinto position for engagement with the operating bar 91. Then. a twist upwardly and out-.

wardly on the handle 20 pushes open the discharge door' 34, allowing the measured quantity of commodity toslide out into the chute 146 and be discharged from the spout 147 into a bag or other containerin which the commodity is to be dispensed, or, where the scale is used, into the pan in the scale.-

If the scale be used and the amount of commodity discharged is not quite enoughto, make .up the desired weight as indicated on the scale, the housing 153 may be opened,

giving access to the small lug 156, which. When pushed by the finger will open the door 14.8 of the spout 12 slightly, permitting the desired additional small quantity. oficommodity to pass into the chute 1 1 b andjinto the scale' pan until the dicated on the scale.

Should it be desired to empty the bin; en-

required weight is intirely, the knob 126 is manipulated-untilthe adjustable end is moved forward asfar as it will go, or far enough to give it a wide open;

through the apparatus; then the handle .120 is. pulled out as far as it will go, which afi'ords a wideopening through the neck 4 from the bin down into the measuring apparatus; then the key is applied to the rear end part 119 of the shaft 117, turning this shaft and causing the auxiliary finger 96 to e open the discharge door 44. Byflthis means the discharge door is held open until the-entire quantity or commodity is "discharged fi'om the bin.

. Where a new lot of commodity it put into the bin varying in specific gravity from'that contained therein, or if for any reason the specific'gravity of the commodity in the bin varies, the bottom 35 is raised or lowered by applying the key to the end part of the stem 64. This adjustment of the bottom is indicated roughly by the pointer ltd traveling along the upright scale 145; but of course the exact adjustment of the hot tea tom is ascertained by measuring out quantities of the commodity and weighing them on a scale until the actual weight agrees with the weight indicated by the pointer 128 of the apparatus.

Should it be necessary to have access to the mechanism, all that is necessary is to close the auxiliary slide 21 and take out the screws that fasten the plate 113 to the sides of the bin and then draw the entire apparatus bodily from the bin, this being very readily done on account of the support provided by the supporting bars 14 and extension bars 15. When the apparatus has been drawn entirely out, it may then be readily lifted off the extension bars and taken to any place Where it will be convenient to make the necessary adjustments or repairs.

While I have illustrated and described my invention in considerable detail, it will be understood that numerous modifications are possible, and therefore I do not limit myself to such illustration and description, but what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In dispensing apparatus, a normally empty measuring compartment comprising a bottom, an'end adjustable over said bottom in said compartment from rear to front and from front to rear of the apparatus while said compartment is empty, to create and define an empty measuring space in said compartment, and inlet means and discharge means for the empty measuring space thus created and defined.

2. In dispensing apparatus, a normally.

empty measuring compartment comprising a bottom, and an end adjustable over said bottom in said compartment from rear to front and from front to rear of the apparatus while said compartment is empty, to-

create and define an empty measuring. space in said compartment, inlet means and discharge means for the empty measuring space thus created and defined, means accessible outside the rear of the apparatus for adjusting said adjustable end, indicating means outside the front of the apparatus, indicating means outside the rear of the apparatus,

and means whereby said means for adjust-.

ing said end operates both of said indicating means.

.create and define an empty measuring space in said compartment, inlet and cut-ofi' means for admitting, under the action of gravity, a commodity to the empty measuring space thus created and defined, discharging means distinct from said adjustable end, operating in a plane substantially .at right angles to the line of adjustment of said end at one side thereof, for discharging the commodity from said measuring space under the action of gravity, and means for discharging the commodity from said discharging means at the rear of the apparatus.

4. In dispensing apparatus, a normally empty measuringv compartment comprising means to prevent concurrent operation of said inlet and cut-off means and discharging means.

5. In dispensing apparatus, a normally empty measuring compartment comprising a bottom, and an end adjustable over said bottom in said compartment from rear to front and from front to rear of the apparatus while said compartment is empty, to create and define an empty measuring space in said compartment, inlet means and discharging means for the empty measuring space thus created and defined, means accessible outside of the rear of the apparatus for operating said inlet and cut-o means or said discharging means alternatively, means to prevent concurrent operation of said inlet and cut-off means and disohargin means, and another means accessible outside the rear of the apparatus to operate said discharging means independently of and concurrently with the operation of said inlet and cut-off means. i

6. In dispensing apparatus, a normally empty measuring compartment comprising I a bottom, and an end adjustable over said bottom in said compartment from rear to front and from front to rear of the apparatus while said compartment is empty, to create and define an empty measuring space in said c0m artment, inlet and cut-off means for admitting, under the action of gravity, a commodity to the empty measuring space thus created and defined, discharging means distinct from said adjustable end, operating in a plane substantially at right angles to thefline of adjustment of said end at one side thereof, for discharging the commodity-from said measurin space under the action of gravity, means %ordischarging the commodity from said discharging means outside the rear of the apparatus, means accessible outside of the rearof the apparatus for operating said inlet and cut-off means or said discharging means alternatively, and means to prevent concurrent operation of said inlet and cut-ofi means and discharging means.

7. In dispensing apparatus, ensing 7 mechanism, an inclosure in which said dispensing mechanism is i'n'closed, bar fixed inside saidinclosure, an extension bar mounted on said supporting bar, and means supporting said'dispensing mechanism on said extension bar for withdrawal of said dispensingmechanim from said inclosupe. d1

8. n dispensing apparatus 'spensing mechanism, an inclosure in which'said dispensing mechis inclosed, a supporting bar fixed inside said inclosure, an extension bar mounted on said'supporting bar, and

means supporting said dispensing mechanism'on said extension leap for withdrawal of said dispensing mechanism from said-inclosure, and a plate forming one side of said inclosure but attached to and withdrawable with said mechanism. j

9. In dispensing apparatus,

dispensing mechanism,

an inclosure in which said dis- .pensing mechanism is inclosed, a support- 'mg bar fixed inside said inclosure, an extension bar mounted on saidsupporting bar,

and means supporting said mechanlsm on said extension bar for withdrawalof said dispensing mechanism from said inclosure, a

tachablefconnection, an .,inclosure to which said supply meansisattached, a supporting bar fixed inside sald inclosure, an. extension bar mountedon saidrsupporting bar, and

means supportin said frame on said extension bar for witgdrawal ofsaid frame and connected parts from said inclosure.

V 11. In dispensing apparatus, a frame, and dispensing means supported by said frame, supply means with which said tachable connection, an inclosure to which sald supply means is attached, a supporting bar mounted on said supporting bar, means supportmg said frame on said extension'ba'rbar fixed Inside said inclosure, an extension for withdrawal of said frame and connected parts from said inclosure, and a plate formmg one sideof said inclo sure but attached to and withdrawable with said frame and connected parts. g

12. In dispensing apparatus, a frame, and dispensing means supported by said frame, supply means with which said fre has detacha le connection, an inclosure to which saidsuppiy means is attached, a supporting a supporting frame has dc incense barfixed inside said inclosure, an extension bar mounted on said support bar, and.-

fixed to said sides, a bottom having its edges closelyadjoining the inner surfaces of said-sides andend, a main slide slidable along the upper edges of said sides and over said end, means defining a measurin compartment between said sides, end, sli e and bottom, discharging means for said compart ment, supply means above said main slide, a neck interposed between said main" slide and said supply means, attached to said frame and making close detachable connection with said supply means, an auxiliary slide to close said neck, an inclosure to which said supply means is attached, a supporting bar fixed with said sides, an extension bar mounted on said supporting bar, and means supporting said frame on said extension bar for Withdrawal of said frame and connected parts from said inclosure. I

14. In dispensing apparatus, upright sides,

inside said inclosure parallel,

an upright end; fixed to said sides, a bottom havlng its edges closely adjoining the inner surfaces of said sides and end, a slide slidable along the upper edges of said sides and over said end, supply means above said slide, a neck interposed between said slide and said supply means, an agitator operatively mounted in said neck, means connected to said agitator and operatively engaging with I said slide to operate the agitator when the main slide is operated, an adjustable end defining said slide, and means for dlscharging commodity from said compartment.

15. In dispensing apparatus, a frame composedof upright sides and an upright end fixedto said sides, a bottom having its edges closely adjoining the inner surfaces of said sides and end, supply-means above said main slide, a neck interposed-between said main slide and said supply means, attached to said frame and making close detachable connection with said supply means, an auxiliary slide to close said neck, an adjustable end defining a measuring compartment under said main slide, and means for discharging commodity from'said compartment.

16. In dispensing apparatus, a frame composed of. upright sides and an upright end .fixed to said sides, a bottom havmg its edges a measuring compartment under end, a main slide slidable along; the upper edges of said sides and over sai rat closely adjoining the inner surfaces of said sides and end, a main slide slidable alon the upper edges of said sides and over sai end, supply means above said'main slide, a neck interposed between said main slide and said supply means, attached to said frame and making close detachable connection with said supply means, an auxiliary slide to close said neck, an agitator operatively mounted in said neck, and means connected to said agitator and operatively engaging with said main slide to operate the agitator when the main slide is operated, an adjustable end defining a measuring compartment under said main slide, and means for discharging commodity from said compartment.

17 In dispensing apparatus, a measuring compartment, means to define a measuring space in said compartment,'means to admit and discharge a commodity to and from said compartment, a spout to supply commodity 'independently of said compartment, a closure for said spout, means directly operating upon said closure to open it, and extending outside the apparatus, and a housing for this means, having an opening, and a closure for this opening, which must be moved before access is had to said means for opening the closure of the spout.

18. In dispensing apparatus, a normally empty measuring compartment comprising a bottom adjustable up and down, means to admit and discharge a commodity to and from said compartment, an end adjustable over said bottom to define a measuring space in said compartment, made u of a flexible curtain, and means to maintaln the tension of said curtain as said bottom is adjusted up and down.

19. In dispensing apparatus, ameasuring compartment, means to admit and discharge a commodity to and from said compartment, a fixed end tosaid compartment, an end adjustable in said compartment to define a measuring space therein, and guides for said adjustable end on the inner sides of said compartment near the means for admitting the commodity, and having their upper surfaces inclined downward between said'sides and with their ends spaced away from said fixed end.

20. In dispensing apparatus, a measuring compartment having a fixed end, a bottom.

adjustable up and down, a slide movable over said compartment to admit a commodity thereto, and means to discharge the commodity from said compartment, a carriage adjustable along said compartment under said slide, an adjustable end carried by said carriage along said compartment to create and define a measuring space therein, and being made up of a flexible curtain fixed to \and extending down from said carriage,

sheave means under which said curtain adjustable up and down, a slide movable over said compartment to admit a commodity thereto, a carriage adjustable along said compartment under said slide, an adjustable end carried by said carriage along said compartment to create and define a measuring space therein, and being made up of a flexible curtain fixed to and extending down from said carriage, sheave means under which said curtain passes, an' end plate closely adjoining said curtain and extending down to and closely adjoining said adjustable bottom, a yoke supporting said sheave means and said bottom plate, yieldable tension means on said yoke exerting a tension on said flexible curtain whereby the curtain may pass under said sheavemeans and the height of said adjustable end .may vary in accordance with the up and down adjustment of said bottom.

22. In dispensing apparatus, a measuring compartment having a fixed end, a bottom adjustable up and down, a slide movable over said compartment to admit a commodity thereto, and means to discharge the commodity from said compartment, a carriage means on said carriageto guide said yoke' up and down'with said bottom, and means on said bottom to guide said yoke along sai bottom with said carriage. 1

23. In dispensing apparatus, a measuring compartment having a fixed end, a bottom adjustable up and down, a slide movable over said compartment to admit a commodity thereto, and means to discharge the commodity from said compartment, a carriage adjustable along said compartment under said slide, an' adjustable end carried by said carriage along saidcompartment to create and define a measuring space therein, and

being made up ofa fiexiblecurt'ain fixed to and extending down from said carriage,

. curtain and extendingdown to and closely adjoining said adjustable bottom, a yoke supporting said sheave means and said bottom. plate, yieldable tension means on said yoke exerting a tension on said flexible curtain whereby the curtain may pass under said sheave means and the height of said adjustable end maysvary in accordance with the up and down adjustment of said bottom, means on saidcarriage to guide said yoke up and down with said bottom, and means on said bottom to guide said yoke along said bottom-with said carriage.

24:. In dispensing apparatus, a measuring compartment having a'fixed end, a bottom, a slide movable over said compartment to admit a commodity thereto, and means to discharge the commodity from said compartment, and an end adjustable along said compartment under said slide, a rack connected to said adjustable end parallel with its direction of adjustment, a shaft journaled on said apparatus and extending toward the front and rear thereof,.a bevel gear fixed on said shaft, another bevel gear meshing with this bevel .gear, and a spur gear turning with this other bevel gear and meshing with said rack, and handle means for turning said shaft.

25. In dispensing apparatus, a measuring compartment having a fixed end, a bottom,

a slide movable over said compartment to admit a commodity,thereto, and means to discharge the' commodity from said compartment, and an end adjustable along said compartment under said slide, a rack connected to said adjustable end parallel with its direction of adjustment, a shaft journaled on 'said apparatus and extending toward the front and rear thereof, a bevel gear fixed on said shaft, another bevel gear meshing with this bevel gear, and a spur gear turning with this other bevel gear and meshing with said rack, handle means for turning said shaft, and friction means for retarding the turning of said shaft.

26. In dispensing apparatus, a measuring compartment having a fixed end, a bottom,

a slide movable'over said compartment to admit a commodity thereto, and means to discharge the commodity from said compartment, and an end adjustable along said compartment under said slide, a rack connected to said adjustable end parallel with its direction of adjustment, a shaft journaled on said apparatus and extending toward the front and rear thereof, a bevel gear fixe'd'on said shaft, another bevel gear meshing with this bevel gear, and a spur gear turning with this other bevel 'gear and meshing with said rack, handle means from said compartment, inlet an naeaoaa for turning said shaft, a stationary disk, a disk turning with said shaft, a'spring normally pressing the disks together, and means whereby said handle means may be caused to separate said disks.

27. In dispensing apparatus, a measuring compartment having a fixed end, a bottom, a slide movable over said compartment to admit a commodity thereto, and means to discharge the commodity rfrom said compartment, and an end adjustable along said compartment-under said slide, a rack connected to said adjustable end parallel with its direction of adjustment, a shaft journaled on said apparatus and extending toward the front and rear thereof, a bevel gear fixed on said shaft, another bevel gear meshing with this bevel gear, and a spur gear turning with this other bevel gear and meshing with said rack, handle means for turning said shaft, a gear turning with said shaft, a pointer pivoted on said apparatus, a gear with' which said'pointer turns, meshing with the gear on the shaft, and a scale upon which; said pointer indicates the adjustment of said adjustable end.

28. In dispensing apparatus, a normally in said compartment, a discharge outlet:

cut-off means'for admitting, under the action of gravity, a commodity to the empty measuring space thus created'and defined, a lever fulcrumed on said apparatus, with one end part connected to said inlet and cut-ofl means, and an inlet and discharge rod slidable toward the front and rear of the apparatus and pivotally connected to said lever.

29. In dispensing apparatus, a normally empty measuring compartment comprising a bottom, and an end adjustable over said bottom in said compartment from rear to front and from front to rear of the apparatus while said compartment is empty, to create and define an empty measuring space in said compartment, a discharge outlet in said compartment, cut-ofi' means for admitting, under theaction of gravity, a comfmodity to the empty measuring space thus created and defined, a lever fulcrumed on in said compartment, a dischar .e outlet.

30. In dispensing apparatus, a normally empty measuring compartment comprising a bottom, and an end adjustable over said bottom in said compartment from rear to front and from front to rear of the apparatus while said compartment is empty, to create and define an empty measuring space in said compartment, inlet an cut-ofi' means for admitting, under the action of gravity, a commodity to the empty measuring space thus created and defined, a lever fulcrumed on said apparatus, with one end part connected to said inlet and cut-ofi means, an inlet and discharge rod slidable toward the front and rear of the apparatus and pivotally connected to said lever, but rotatable in its connection therewith, a discharge door to close said discharge outlet an operating bar connected to said door, and a finger fixed on said rod to push on said operating bar when said rod holds the inlet and cut-ofi means closed, and thereby open said outlet, but being moved out of position for engagement with said operating bar when said rod opens said inlet and cut-ofi means.

31. In dispensing apparatus, a normally empty measuring compartment comprising a bottom, and an end adjustable over said bottom in said compartment from rear to front and from front to rear of the apparatus while said compartment is empty, to create and define an empty measuring space in said compartment, a discharge outlet in said compartment, inlet andcut-ofi' means for admitting, under the action of gravity,

a commodity to the empty measuring space thus created and defined, a lever fulcrumed on said apparatus, with one end part connected to said inlet and cut-ofir' means, an inlet and discharge rod slidable toward the front and rear of the apparatus and pivotally connected to said lever, but rotatable in its connection therewith, a discharge door to close said discharge outlet, an operating bar connected to said door, a finger fixed on said rod to push on said operating bar when said rod holds the inlet and cut-ofi means closed, and thereby opens said outlet, but

being moved out of position for enga ement with said operating bar when said ro opens said inlet and cut-off means, and a guard with which said finger engages to prevent turnin of said rod, when the finger is out of position for engagement with said operating bar.

32. In dispensing apparatus, a normally empty measuring compartment comprising abottom, and an end adjustable over said bottom in said compartment from rear to front and from front to rear of the apparatus while said compartment is empty, to create and define an empty measuring space 66 in said compartment, a discharge outlet in said compartment, inlet and cut-ofl means for admitting, under the action of gravity, a commodit to the empty measuring space thus create and defined, a lever fulcrumed on said apparatus, with one end part connected to said inlet and cut-ofi means, an inlet and discharge rod slidable toward the front and rear of the apparatus and pivotally connected to said lever, but rotatable in its connection therewith, a discharge door to close said discharge outlet, an operating bar connected to said door, a finger fixed a bottom, and an end adjustable over said bottom in said compartment from rear to front and from front to rear of the apparatus while said compartment is empty, to create and define an empty measuring space insaid compartment, a discharge outlet in said compartment, inletand cut-ofi' means for admitting, under the action of gravity, a commoditytothe empty measuring space thus created and defined, a lever fulcrumed on said apparatus, with one end part connected to said inlet and cut-off means, an inlet and discharge rod slidable toward the front and rear of the apparatus and pivotally connected to said lever, but rotatable in its connection therewith, a discharge door to close said discharge outlet, an operating bar connected to said door, a finger fixed on said rod to push on said operating bar when said rod holds the inlet and cut-ofl' means with said operating bar when said rod opens said-inlet and cut-ofl means, a guard with whichsaid finger engages to prevent turning of said rod when the finger is out of positlon for engagement with said operating bar, and an auxiliary finger constantly in position for engagement. with said opening bar, and means to move said auxiliary fin-' ger to open said outlet independently of and concurrently with the opening in said inlet and cut-ofi' means.

34. In dispensing apparatus, a normally empty measuring compartment comprising a bottom, and an end adjustable over said bottom in said compartment from rear to front and from front to rear of the apparati s while said compartment is empty, to

create and define an empty measuring space by sliding from rear to frontand from front to rear of the apparatus, operating means for said inlet and cut-0d vmeans, a rack c0nnected to said adjustable end parallel With its direction of adjustment, 'a' shaft journaled on said apparatus and extending toward the'front and rear thereof, a bevel gear fixed on said shaft, another bevel gear meshaaeaoaa ing with this bevel gear, and a spur gear turning with this other bevel gear and meshing With said rack, handle means for turning said shaft a discharge door hinged on said shaft to close said discharge outlet, and an operative connection fromthe operating means of the inlet and cut-ofl' means to said door, whereby the opening and closing of said outlet is controlled by said operating means.

WHJLIAM PATTON.

Witnesses:

Jams N. Ramsay, CLARENCE Pnnnnw.

Images