US2711275A - Means for filling cans - Google Patents

Description

J1me 1955 H. w. BARTLETT MEANS FOR FILLING CANS 4 She ets-Sheet 1 Filed June 25, 1951 #439010 4a 6%ZQ7AE77',

INVENTOR. 6

June 21, 1955 H. w. BARTLETT 2,711,275 MEANS FOR FILLING CANS Filed June 25, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

June 21, 1955 Filed June 25, 1951 H- w. BARTLETT 2,711,275

MEANS FOR FILLING CANS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Application June 25, 1951 Serial No. 233,353

10 Claims. (Cl. 226-2) The present inventionrelates to improved means and techniques for filling cans with comestibles such as peach halves.

The present invention contemplates the provision of improved means whereby peach halves traveling on an endless belt are conveyed laterally therefrom onto a trapdoor which is automatically opened to allow a peach half to fall into a can, the can beingautomatically replaced with an empty can-after a predetermined number of peach halves are dropped into the can.

In general, the present apparatus is related to the peach half sorting apparatus describedand claimed in my copending applications, Serial No. 80,865, filed March ll, 1949, and Serial No. 233,2j32,filed June 23, 1951, in which photoelectric means are used to classify peach halves at a relatively high rate in accordance with their degree of ripeness. The presentinvention contemplates means whereby the peach-halves may bedispensed into cans at a commensurate relatively high rate.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide improved apparatus and techniques of this character for dispensing a predetermined number of comestibles, for example, peach halves, into a can automatically and at a relatively high rate withcornplete automatic operatron.

A specific object of the present invention is toprovide improved apparatus of this character which serves to fill the cans with each halves, h peach'halyes being all disposed in the can with the pit cavity or cup facing downwardly in the can. l

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved can filling apparatus of this character in which a peach half is placed on two horizontalsliding gates, with the peach half straddling thejoint between the gates, so that when the gates are slid to open position the peach half is allowed to fall cup downwardly into a can disposed below such gates. g a a Another specific object of the present. invention is to provide an improved can filling apparatus of the character mentioned in the two receding paragraphsin which the gates are moved relatively rapidly in relationship to the inertia of the peach half, so that the oriented position of the peach half is not appreciably disturbed, whereby such peach half is assured of falling with its pit cavity, orcup facing downwardly into the can; .l

Anoth r specific object of the present invention-is to provide improved apparatus of this character inwhich counting means are incorporated for controlling the feeding of an empty can in o position below the aforementioned gates after a predetermined number of peach halves are allowed to fall in succession from the gates.

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus or machine of this character in which successive dispensing of peach halves into a can is assured by the provision of novel peach half guide means. i

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide an'ir'nproved apparatus'or machine of this charac 7 2,711,275 Patented June 21, 1955 ter which incorporates a novel paddle wheel construction for moving peach halves laterally from a continuously moving. belt, the paddle wheel construction being such that it is capable of performing its function even though there may be a relatively large variationin the size of the peach halves.

Another p cific object of the present invention is to provide an improved-apparatus or machine of this character which includes a combination of means sensitive both to the presence of a peach half and/or thepresence of a can for effecting automatically successive movements of a predetermined number of peachhalves into a can, and for automatically feeding a new can into a receptive position after ,a previous can has been filled with such predetermined number of peach halves;

The features of the resent invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. 'This invention itself, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view showing apparatus embodying features of the present invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are sectional views taken substantially on the lines 2-2 and 3-3 of Figure 1; v

Figure 4 is a view in elevation of a portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 2 and corresponds to a view taken in the direction indicated by the lines i -4 in Figure 2; 7 Figures 5 and 6 are sectional viewstaken substantially in the direction indicated by the lines 5--5 and16-.-.6 in

Figure 1;.

Figure 7 is a wiring. diagram showing in schematic form the electrical control circuit useful in obtaining auto.- matic operation of the machine shown in the previous figures;

Figure 8 is a simplified diagram of the circuit shown in Figure 7 f0r more clearly illustrating the sequential operation of the circuit elements of Figure 7 and related apparatus. I Y

Figure 9 shows a modified arrangement for moving the cans, this'fi gure showing the apparatus essentially in side elevation. Figure 10 is-a top-plan view taken generally in the direction indicated by the lines 10-10 ,in' Figure 9.

In generaLthe apparatus shown herein serves to produce the following results. Peach halves P resting on an endless belt, 10, which travels in the direction indicated by the arrow 11 in-Fignre 1,. passin succession under a ,stationarily mounted but springisupported peach hall: guide 12 (Figures land 2) to a position where the motion of such-peach halves is arrested by engagement of the leading peach half with the Engagement of the peach half with the microswitch 13 causes rotational movement of the paddle wheel 14 a fractional part of a revolution to engage and move the peach half P laterally from the belt 10 onto the sliding gates 15, 1.6, the gates '15, 16 serving as a trapdoor and the stationary but resiliently mounted peach half guide 17 (similar to the guide 12) serves to position such peach half centrally over the abutting edges the gates v15, 16. After a peach half isthuspositioned on the gates 15, 16, they are caused :to slide to iopen post tion to allow the peachhalf originally resting thereon to fall into the can C positioned directly under the gates. After .a predetermined number of peach halves are allowed to fall in succession into such can C, the next succeeding can "C is shoved into receptive position upon automatic operation of the hydraulically operated piston 18. All of these operations are performed automatically, using the control shown in Figure 7. I

' More specifically, the belt 10 is driven at a constant microswitch 13 (Figure 1");

linear speed by conventional means, and since such means are conventional they are not shown herein. The peach halves, after being scanned photoelectrically by means described and claimed in my aforementioned patent applications, are disposed on the endless belt with their pit cavities or cups facing downwardly. In order to assure single file movement of the peach halves between the arms of the paddle wheel 14 and adjacent switch 13, there is provided the resiliently mounted peach guide 12.

The paddle wheel construction 14 is fioatingly mounted on the constantly rotating shaft 20, and such paddle wheel construction is normally prevented from rotating with the shaft by engagement of the escapement pawl 21 (Figures 3 and 6) with the escapement wheel 22. The shaft 20 is driven at a constant speed by conventional -means and is supported for rotation in the spaced bearing members 20A, 208 (Figure 1), such bearing members 20A, 20B being mounted on brackets 29D, 20E. By such engagement of the pawl 21 with the wheel 22, the quill shaft 23 which mounts such wheel 22 and the outside members 14A, 14B of the wheel 14 is prevented from turning. The constantly rotating shaft 20 carries a disk 24 which is in engagement with the friction disk 25 by means of the coil compression spring 27, such friction disk 25 being mounted for free rotational move- -ment on the quill shaft 23 but being pressed by such spring 27 into engagement with one face'of the wheel 22. For this purpose the coil compression spring 27 has one of its ends abutting the annular shoulder 28 on the shaft 20 and the-other one of its ends abutting the quill shaft 23. By this expedient, even though the shaft 20 rotates, the quill shaft 23 remains stationary so long as the pawl 21 is in engagement with the escapement wheel 22; however, when such engagement is broken, as occasioned by the solenoid actuated mechanism described later, the quill shaft 23 rotates with the shaft 20 a fractional portion of a revolution determined by the angular spacing between adjacent teeth on the escapement wheel 22.

The paddle Wheel construction 14 comprises relatively movable elements, one of the elements being,

on the one hand, the outer members 14A, 143, each of which is keyed to the quill shaft 23 as indicated in Figure 3, and, on the other hand, the inside paddle wheel elements 14C, 14D freely fioat on the quill shaft 23 but are interconnected through the prestressed torsion spring 29 to the outside element 14A. One end of the pring 29 is anchored to the element 14A and the other end of the spring 29 is anchored to the element 14C. To limit movement of the elements 14C, 14D, occasioned by the prestressed spring 29, a stop member 30 is provided, such stop member .30 being fastened to the ring 31 which in turn is keyed to the quill shaft 23. The stop 30 engages the innermovable element MD. The general purpose of this paddle wheel construction, in which the elements 14C, 14D are spring biased withrespect to the outside elements 14A, 14B, is to perform the desired functions of the paddle wheel even though there may be a relatively large variation in size of different peach halves.

The peach half under the paddle wheel 14 abuts the movable element 13A of the microswitch 13, the microswitch 13 being mounted on the bracket 32, which in turn is mounted on the stationary frame 33. In this condition the motion of the peach half is arrested by the switch member 13A and the continuously moving belt 10' slides with respect to such stationary peach half. The

frictional force developed, however, between the stationary peach half and the traveling belt 10 is sufiicient to cause actuation of the microswitch 13. When this condition occurs, i. e., the microswitch 13 is actuated, the paddle wheel 14 is rotated a fractional portion of a turn determined by the angular spacing of the teeth on the escapement wheel 22 (Figure 6) to cause the paddle wheel 4 mounted at each one of its ends.

14 to move the peach half laterally from the belt 10 onto the aforementioned gates 15, 16. The gates 15,

16 have spaced edges thereof slidably supported on the stationary frame members 35, 36, respectively, and are slid to open position by the electromagnetically operated means described now.

The solenoid 37 (Figure 5) shown in its deenergized condition serves, when energized, to slide the gates 15, 16 away from each other to thereby allow a peach half originally resting on the upper surfaces of such gates 15, 16 to fall into a can C (Figure 2). For this purpose, while the coil carrying framev of the solenoid 37 is mounted on the stationary bracket 38, the solenoid armature 37A is'connected through the pivoted link 39 to one end of the bell crank 40. Theintermediate portion of the bell crank 40 is pivoted about pivot pin 41 on the stationary cross bar 42, and the other end of bell crank 40 is connected through the pivoted link 43 to the slidable gate 16. The other gate 15 is connected through link 44 to one end of the lever 45, an intermediate portion of the lever 45 being pivoted on stationary pivot pin 46, while the upper end of lever 45 is connected through the elongated arm 47 to an intermediate portion on the bell crank 40, such arm 47 being pivotally Thus, upon movement of the solenoid armature 37A upwardly against the action of tension spring 15A the gates 15, 16 slide away from each other. V e

- It is noted at this time that a normally closed limit switch 48 (Figures 1 and 5) mounted on the stationary bracket 38 is actuated when the solenoid 37 is energized. For this purpose, a projection 50 on the bell crank 40 engages and moves the switch actuating member 48A. Similarly, when the-solenoid 37 is deenergized, i. e., the armature 37A is in its lowermost position, the bell crank 40 engages the switch actuating member 51A of the microswitch 51. The microswitch 51 is a normally open one, but because of engagement between the bell crank 40 and member 51A, the microswitch 51., a limit switch, is caused to be closed. The microswitch 51, while indicated in dotted lines in Figure 5, is-shown in its structural relationship to the other elements in Figure l. 7

Figures 2 and 4 show an arrangement for feeding empty cans into a receptive position for receiving peach halves dropped in succession from the gates 15, 16. The cans C are fed by gravity or otherwise in the direction indicated by the arrow 53 in Figure 4, and the movement of the foremost can C is arrested by its engagement with theswitch actuating member 54A of the microswitch 54 which is mounted on the bracket 55. After a can has been filled, the can abutting the switch member 54A is shoved by the pusher plate 56 which is attached to the movable piston 18. The plate 56 is provided with a rearward extension 56A which passes through aligned stationary guides 58, 59. Upon actuation of 'the piston 18, by application of fluid pressure to the cylinder 18A, the pusher plate 56 is moved from its full line position shown in Figure 4 to its dotted line position shown in this Figure 4. In such dotted line position the can C is moved to peach half receptive position. The flow of fluid to the piston cylinder 18A is controlled electrically by the means described later.

It is noted that once the can C is filled, actuation of the piston 18 results in shoving of the filled can out of position, and movement of an unfilled can into position, the table 60 upon which the filled cans rest having sufficient area to accommodate a sufficient number of filled cans. The cans C on the table 60 after being filled may be transported by means not shown herein to a conventional can sealing machine.

It' is noted that the apparatus depends for its operation moved from the full line position to the dotted line posi tion to accommodate diiferent size peach halves. The peach guide 17 assures passage of only one peach half and is supported on the free'ends of the cantilever supported spring elements 17A,'17B, the upper ends of which are anchored to the stationary'trame member 61. The other peach guide 12 may be supported in the same manner .as peach guide 17.

The apparatus described above is operated automatically in predetermined timed relationship under the influence of the control circuit illustrated in Figure 7 and in more simplified form in Figure t r The piston cylinder assembly 18., 18A is of conventional construction and may be of the type wherein a spring (not shown) returns the piston 18 to its full line position shown in Figure 4 when the pressure is released in the cylinder 18A. Also, conventionally, the flow of fluid under pressure to the cylinder 18A may be controlled by what is termed the can change solenoid 62 in Figure 7. It will thus be understood that when the can change solenoid 62 is energized the piston 18 is moved from its full line position shown in Figure 4 to its dotted line posi' tion, and that upon subsequent deenergization of the solenoid 62 the piston 18 is automatically returned to its full hne position shown in Figure 4. As observedin Figure 7, and described in more detail hereinafter, a socalled count relay coil 64 is connected in parallel with the winding 37B of the solenoid 37, sothat these two elements, namely 37B and 64, are energized simultaneously. The relay coil 64 forms a part of a conventional adjustable stepping relay which functions to actuate the so-called count switch 65 after, .and only after, the relay coil 64 has been energized a predetermined number of times; in this case eight times correspondingto eight peach halves in one can. It is understood that stepping relays of this character, including coil 64 and switch 65, are conventional, and for thatreason a detailed description of the same is not considered necessary. I

Other new elementsin Figure 7 include the so-called filler relay 66, the can lock relay lay 68.

The circuit shown in Figure 7 is energized with current from the alternating current source 69 having opposite terminals thereof connected to the leads A and B. It will be noted that the relay 66 includes the switch F1, F2, the switch 67 includes the switches L1, L2, and therelay 68 includes the switches C1, C2 and C3. In automatic operation of the apparatus, assume. that no can engages the switch actuating member 54A (Figures 4, 7 and 8). In such 'case,'the lock relay coil 67A is energized through the normally closed can switch 54C and the relay switch C3. Upon energization of this coil 67A the switches L1 and L2. areenergized. The switch L1 serves as a sealing switch'to maintain the coil 67A energized even though the can switch 540 is subsequently opened by a can engagingand moving the switch actuating member 54A. It is noted that the can switch 54 includes not only the normally closed switch 54C but also'the normally open switch 54D, such switch 54D being closed under this aforementioned condition, i. e., when a can is in the position shown in Figure 4;

Closure of switches 54D and L2 thus conditions the energizing circuit for the filler relay coil 66A, and in fact, such coil 66A is energized provided a peach half is at this time in position to actuate the peach switch 13. In such case, an energizing current for the coil 66A flows through the following circuit: From lead A through switch 13, through lower limit switch 51 (which is'closed at this time since member 40 in Figure 5 is in its lowermost posi tion), through relay switch L2, through coil 66A, through the normally closed upper limit switch 48 and through the can switch 54D. Upon energization of coil 66A the switches F1 and F2 are actuated. Switch F2 serves as a sealing switch in thatit short circuits switches 13, 51and L2, so that the coil 66A remains energized 67 and can change replate 6 even though any one of the switches 13, 51 or L2 is actuated.

On the other hand, closure of switch F1 results in energization of the solenoid winding 37B and count coil 64. Energization of the solenoid coil 37B results in withdrawal of the pawl 21 (Figure 6) to allow rotation of the paddle wheel assembly 14; also, energization of solenoid'winding 37B results in opening of the gates 15, 16 to allow the peach half to drop into the can. Subsequently, the upper limit switch 48 is opened to cause deenergization of the filler coil 66A. Such deenergization of the filler coil 66A of course results in deenergization of the solenoid 37B, and the gates 15, 16 are allowed to close, and further rotational movement of the paddle wheel construction 14 is prevented, thus reconditioning the apparatus for another cycle of operation'which is occasioned by closure of switch 13, which incidentally at this particular instance may already be closed;

This cycle of events continues, for example, eight times, corresponding to eight peach halves in one can, until the count switch 65 is actuated, i. e., closed. In such case, the can change relay winding 68A is energized to cause actuation of theswitches C1, C2 and C3. The switches C1, C2 are in parallel and their closure results in energization of the can change solenoid 62. Energization of the solenoid 62, in turn, causes movement of piston 18 from its full line position shown in Figure 4 to its dotted line position. At the same time, the switch C3 is opened to cause deenergization of the lock coil 67A, thereby preventing transfer of the peaches while the cans are being transferred.

The count switch 65 is subsequently opened, after an unfilled can is moved into position, and in such case the coil 68A is deenergized, causing deenergization of the solenoid 62 and reconditioning the energization circuit for coil 67A. For this purpose the count switch 65 may be of the type which is allowed to open a relatively short time interval after it has been actuated, i. e., a time sufficient to allow changing of cans. Thus, when switch C3 is allowed to assume its closed position, the lock coil 67A is energized through the normally closed can switch 540, which at this time is in its normally closed position, since no can at this time engages the switch actuatng member 54A. This results in energization of winding 67A and closure of switch L1 to reinitiate the above-mentioned cycle of events.

From the above, itis noted that the count switch 65 is only made during the short time that the stepping relay 64, 65 is returning to its initial position after the count has been reached by the relay. This time is very short and in the order of to of a second, but is suthciently long to release the can and still short enough with respect to movement of the following empty can.

1 Thus, the count switch 65 is subsequently opened after an unfilled can is moved into position, and in such case the coil 68A is de-energized causing de-energization of solenoid 62. For this purpose the count switch 65 is of the type which is allowed to open a relatively short time interval after it hasbeen actuated, i. e., a time sufficient to allow pusher plate 56 to be moved from its full line position, as shown in Figure 4 to its dotted line position, as shown in the same figure. Immediately upon pusher 56 moving forward (moving can C to peach half receptive position), switch 54D assumes the normally open position and switch 54C resumes its normally closed position. This situation arises during the brief interval between the time the empty'ca'n is pushed into the peach half receptive position and another empty can takes its place and engages the switch actuating member 54A of the microswi-tch 54. During this period lock coil 67A is energized through switch 540 which, as before stated, has returned to its normally closed position, and this results in energization of can lock relay 67 and closure of switches L1 and L2. Immediately thereafter, as above mentioned, ainew empty can engages switch actuating member 54A,

thereby closing the normally open switch 54D to reinitiate the entire cycle of events. In this way it is assured that the filled can is removed and that an empty can takes its place, so that no fruit is dropped improperly.

If a peach half should be caught in the gates and it was down completely closed, switch 51 does not close, and hence the machine becomes inoperative. Switch 48 serves as a means for assuring complete opening ofthe gates 15, 16 with release at a minimum amount of time.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, they show an alternate arrangement for moving empty cans C with respect to the gates 15, 16. The cans C are disposed on a continuously moving endless belt 80 driven over an idler pulley 81 by the driving pulley 82. The cans C are normally prevented from moving with the travelling belt 80 by the star wheel 83, which is rotatably supported on the vertical axle 84. The star wheel 83 is normally prevented from rotating by its engagement with the solenoid operated pawl 87. The leading can C thus engages the star wheel 83 and its motion is normally arrested, because of engagement of the star wheel 83 with the pawl 87. The pawl 87 is connected to the movable core of the can change solenoid 68A, so that when the solenoid 68A is energized the pawl 87 is moved to its non-locking position to allow movement of the first can. Subsequent rotation of the star wheel 83 brings the next projection of the star wheel 83 into engagement with the succeeding can to prevent its further movement. In such arrested position, the can engages the movable switch element of microswitch 54. Such microswitch 54 includes the switches 54C and 54D and is connected as is the solenoid 68A in relationship to other elements, as shown in Figure 8.

To assure single file and periodic movement of the cans C a pair of parallel extending guides 90, 91 on opposite sides of the cans C are provided.

While the particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this: invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. ln apparatus of the character described, an endless belt, a normally stationary paddle wheel mounted above said endless belt and adapted to transfer comestibles laterally from said belt, a trap door construction disposed laterally of said belt onto which comestibles are placed by said paddle wheel construction, and means engaged and controlled by a comestible in said paddle wheel for eliecting rotation of said paddle wheel and opening of said trap door construction.

2. in an arrangement of the character described, an endless belt for conveying peach halves with their pit cavities facing downwardly on said belt, a trap door spaced adjacent said belt, said trap door constituting two slideable plates which are disposed coplanar, means for sliding said plates away from each other, means operating to move individual peach halves intermittently and laterally from said belt onto said trap door, peach half guide means between said endless belt and said operating means assuring single file movement of peach halves between said belt and said operating means, and peach half guide means between said operating means and said trap door.

3. The arrangement set forth in claim 2 in which means are engaged by a peach half for actuating said operating means and for operating said trap door. a

4. The arrangement set forth in claim 2 in which means are engaged by a peach half for actuating said operating means and for operating said trap door, means for dispensing a can below said trap door, and means for operating said dispensing means only after a plurality of operations of said trap door.

5. In an arrangement of the character described, a conveying belt for conveying peach halves with their pit cavities facing downwardly on said conveying means, a trap door construction comprising at least one horizontally moving plate disposed adjacent and laterally of said conveying means, a can table below said plate, means for dispensing cans onto said can table and below said plate, said moving plate being disposed above said can table so that a peach half resting thereon may drop onto a can on said table when said plate is moved, means for moving peach halves laterally from said conveying means onto said plate, means engaged and actuated by a peach half for operating said peach half moving means and for moving said plate horizontally, and means for operating said can dispensing means in accordance with the number of times said plate is actuated to open position.

6. In an arrangement of the character described, an endless conveying belt for conveying comestibles, a paddle wheel, a power driven shaft, means including said shaft mounting said paddle wheel above said conveying means with the rotational axis of said paddle wheel extending generally parallel with the direction of comestible travel, a trap door comprising a movable plate disposed laterally of said belt and said paddle wheel for receiving comestibles transferred from said belt by said paddle wheel, comestible guide means assuring single file movement of said comestibles under said paddle wheel, comestiblc guide means mounted above said plates for assuring single file movement of said comestibles from said paddle wheel onto said plate, means normally maintaining said paddle wheel stationary against rotation While said shaft rotates, means engaged by a comestible in said paddle wheel for coupling said paddle wheel to said power driven shaft for effecting rotation of said paddle wheel and for moving said plate, said paddle wheel mounting means including a torque spring and a rotating shaft with one end of said torque spring connected to said rotating shaft and the other end of the torque spring connected to said paddle wheel, a can table below said plate, means for dispensing a can below said plate onto said can table, and means operating said can dispensing means in accordance with the number of times said plate is moved, said moving plate being disposed above said can table so that a comestible resting thereon may drop into a can on said can table when said plate is moved. V

7. In an arrangement of the character described, an endless conveying belt for conveying comestibles, a paddle wheel, a power driven shaft, means including said shaft mounting said paddle wheel above said conveying means and with the rotational axis of said paddle Wheel extending generally parallel with the direction of comestible travel, a trap door comprising a movable plate disposed laterally of said belt and said paddle wheel for receiving comestibles transferred from said belt by said paddle wheel, comestible guide means assuring single'file movement of said comestibles under said paddle wheel, comestible guide means mounted above said plates for assuring single file movement of said comestibles from said paddle wheel onto said plates, means normally maintaining said paddlewheel against rotation while said shaft rotates, means engaged by a comestible in said paddle wheel for coupling said paddle wheel to said shaft for effecting rotation of said paddle wheel and for moving said plate, a can table below said plate, can dispensing means for dispensing a can below said plate, and means operating said can dispensing means in accordance with the number of times said plate is moved said moving plate being disposed above said can table so that a comestible resting thereon may drop into a can on said can table when said plate is moved.

8. In an arrangement of thecharacter described, conveying means for conveying comestibles, means for displacing comestibles from said conveying means, a movable fioor comprising a pair of coplanar slidable plates,

said comestibles to said displacing means and for assuring single file movement of said comestibles from said displacing means to said floor, means for positioning a comestible centrally on said pair of slidable plates, means engaged by a comestible for effecting operation of said displacing means and said sliding means.

9. In an arrangement of the character described, an endless belt for conveying peach halves with their pit cavities facing downwardly on said belt, a trap door spaced adjacent said belt, means operating to move individual peach halves intermittently and laterally from said belt onto said trap door, peach half guide means between said endless belt and said operating means assuring single file movement of peach halves between said belt and said operating means, peach half guide means between said operating means and said trap door, means engaged by a peach half for actuating said operating means and for operating said trap door, means for dispensing a can below said trap door, means for operating such dispensing means only after a plurality of operations of said trap door, said peach half moving means comprising a rotatable paddle wheel, with means normally preventing rotation of said paddle wheel, and said means actuated by a peach half comprising an electrical switch disposed adjacent said paddle wheel and engaged and actuated by a peach half in said paddle wheel.

10. In an arrangement of the character described for assuring canning of a plurality of half round comestibles with their convex sides all oriented upwardly in a can, the combination comprising, a trap door comprising a pair of coplanar slidable plates, means for sliding said plates, means feeding comestible halves intermittently to said door, means for accurately positioning a comestible half centrally on said pair of plates, and means for operating such feeding means and said sliding means in timed relationship, and means for positioning a can under said door so that a comestible half is allowed to drop into said can when said sliding means is operated.

References Cited in the fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,325,816 Waters Aug. 3, 1943 2,333,479 Grof Nov. 2, 1943 2,349,423 Harber May 23, 1 944 2,358,447 Creamer Sept. 19, 1944 2,400,484 Campana May 21, 1946 2,437,950 Gaddini Mar. 16, 1948 2,470,795 Socke May 24, 1949 2,536,249 Archer Jan. 2, 1951

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