Abstract: A bifurcated bracket carries two powder dispensing assemblies. Each assembly includes a powder reservoir and a rotatable screw received within a compliant silicone sleeve. The outer diameter of the screw is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the sleeve such that the screw blade maintains direct contact with the sleeve wall as the screw is rotated. The bracket is sequentially moved to align each assembly with containers in two arrays. Each array of containers is situated in a tray. The trays are manually positioned on independent scales which generate signals that are a function of the sensed weight of each array. To fill each container, the screw in the aligned assembly is rotated at a high rate for an initial period and then at a slower rate. The scales are operational only during the slower rate period. Assembly movement and screw rotation are computer controlled.

Abstract: An apparatus for precisely weighing and bagging solid particulate materials in which a carousel is mounted on a vertical axis intermediate a material dispenser and a weighing device such as a load cell. A series of sheet metal material collectors, pivotally mounted on the carousel to receive material dispensed thereto, are indexed around to a series of dispensers and then to a bagging station where they are tilted to discharge material thereon.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system for continuous delivery of a measured flow of liquid to a processing apparatus comprising a reservoir (10) for holding a bulk supply of the liquid and an intermediate vessel (12). A first pump delivers liquid form the intermediate vessel to processing equipment at one rate. A second pump (13) delivers liquid from the reservoir to the intermediate vessel of a second much faster rate. A monitor device (14) continuously monitors the weight of the vessel and controls the first pump accordingly to deliver the required weight of liquid at the required rate to the processing equipment. The monitoring device determines when the weight of liquid in the intermediate vessel has reached a minimum position to initiate operation of the second pump (13) to refill the vessel and a further device terminates operation of the second means when the liquid level in the vessel reaches a maximum position.

Abstract: A chain conveyor is provided having a more precise measuring/metering capacity and simpler construction. At least one measuring section, preferably a measuring bridge, is located between the inlet opening and outlet opening of the housing, and is supported by at least one force measuring device. The conveyor chain is guided along the measuring bridge on guiding elements which are fixed at the sides. The measuring bridge may be arranged with flexible intermediate elements such that the bridge is decoupled, resulting in the chain forces being compensated as the force measuring device is impinged upon.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing or counting apparatus having a dispensing feeder and weighing hoppers is provided to achieve superior article transport by suitably controlling the operating parameter of the dispensing feeder. The combinatorial weighing or counting apparatus of the present invention includes a dispensing feeder 4, a plurality of weighing hoppers 7, a weighing device 11, and a DF operating parameter calculating unit 22. Articles to be weighed are supplied to the dispensing feeder 4. From the dispensing feeder 4 the articles are supplied to the weighing hoppers 7. The weighing device 11 is a means for detecting the weight of the articles on the dispensing feeder 4. The DF operating parameter calculating unit 22 is a means for controlling the amount of articles that are discharged from the dispensing feeder 4, based on weight information from the weighing device 11.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing measured quantities of particulate material includes a tubular duct arranged so that an air stream in the duct carries material along the duct and a row of hoppers each for containing the material to be dispensed; the hoppers being connected to the duct so that material can be dispensed from the hopper to the duct. A separator container is provided in the duct such that the material in the duct carried by the air flow passes to the separator container. A centrifugal separator section is provided in the container for separating the material from the air flow to deposit the material into the container while the air flow is discharged from the container. The container is mounted on legs with load cells for weighing the deposited material while the material is maintained in the separator container and the air lock valve are controlled so as to continue to discharge the material up to a predetermined weight and to halt the discharge when the predetermined weight is reached.

Abstract: A granular material supply system has a granular material supply unit and a granular material feed unit. The granular material supply unit delivers a granular material through an inlet formed in a pressure case included in the granular material feed unit onto a conveying device disposed in the pressure case. The conveying device conveys the granular material to an outlet formed in the pressure case to feed the granular material through the outlet into a granular material using apparatus. The granular material supply unit, and the pressure case of the granular material feed unit can be immovably installed. Therefore the granular material supply system can be formed in a closed system without placing any special joints, such as expansion joints, in a line connecting the granular material supply unit and the pressure case and in a line connecting the pressure case and the granular material using apparatus. Only the conveying device needs to be disposed in the pressure case.

Abstract: A grain flow measuring system for a flow rate of grain moving along a grain flow path. The grain flow measuring system includes a frame, a load cell, a flow conditioning portion, and a flow measuring portion. The frame is mounted with respect to the grain flow path. The load cell is mounted to the frame. The flow conditioning portion is attached to the frame. The flow conditioning portion has a first baffle located along the grain flow path. The flow measuring portion has a second baffle and a third baffle that are located in series along the grain flow path. The second baffle and the third baffle deflect grain moving along the grain flow path and thereby causes the flow measuring portion to engage the load cell.

Abstract: A metering device comprises a scale barrel, a weight part, and a shut mechanism. The scale barrel is composed of a stationary box plate and a movable box plate pivotally connecting with each other. At least a weighing platform is provided at an inner side of the movable box plate. The weight part is disposed at a lateral side of the scale barrel to measure the weight of weighed substances sent into the scale barrel. The shut mechanism is disposed at an outer side of the movable box plate and has a moving rod to open or close the movable box plate. When the movable box plate is in a state of closing, weighed substances can be received in the scale barrel. When the weight of weighed substances in the scale barrel reaches to a predetermined value, the movable box plate may open pivotally to admit the weighed substances entering a packing bag.

Abstract: A metering machine for pasta is described comprising a channel for the finishing of pasta, a shovel for the support of the pasta that flows in said finishing channel, a shovel for the metering of the pasta. The supporting shovel and the metering shovel are transversally insertable in the finishing channel and disinsertable from it in alternate way. The metering shovel and the supporting shovel are mechanically connected with each other so that a single driving device provides to their simultaneous and alternate transversal insertion and disinsertion.

Abstract: An automatic product weighing machine, for food products having two buckets radially arranged in two concentric paths on a horizontal plane, with frames having an intermediate cross-member, each of which loosely houses a pair of buckets joined to the frame by pairs of flexible, resilient and parallel straps. Two radially aligned weighing apparatuses are respectively arranged below two buckets at the weighing area. Rollers at the free ends of the frames and on two sides of the buckets, stand on respective track sectors, and the buckets are lifted in the sector of the weighing area. Control metering of products to be delivered into buckets comprise of displaceable laminar belts.

Abstract: A weigh feeding apparatus has a plurality of compartments to hold a material that is fed into the compartments and a scale for weighing the material held in the compartments. The compartments are configured to revolve about an axis at a substantially constant rate and the scale is configured to produce a signal determined by the weight of the material held in the compartments. The signal is capable of being used to control the rate at which material is fed into the compartments.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously producing constant weight portions of semi-solid matter, such as bread dough, from a large mass through a dividing mechanism whereby variations in the weight of each portion are minimized by providing a signal proportional to the weight of a dough portion, or group of dough portions in order to automatically adjust the rate at which dough is fed to the dividing mechanism.

Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of material delivered during a material transfer. This method includes the steps of inputting a target amount for a material to be delivered from a source location to a target location, updating the target amount during the delivery of the material using a predictive model-based algorithm, and updating the predictive model-based algorithm based on process performance data using a recursive least-squares procedure. An adaptive selection algorithm which is used to determine whether at least one previous predictive model-based algorithm parameter should be replaced with at least one new predictive model-based algorithm parameter in order to adapt the predictive model-based algorithm in response to a process change. A method for overlapping a delivery of at least one independently measured material with a delivery of a main material during a material transfer process.

Abstract: A device for metering dosed quantities of pulverulent products having a tank for storing the pulverulent products and a tubular duct extending to the tank. The tubular duct has a metering component for measuring the pulverulent product in the tank. The tubular duct serves to transport the product to a loading opening in the tank to a discharge opening. The outlet opening is combined with a blocking component that can be positioned on command between a blocking position and an open position.

Abstract: A metering machine for pasta is described comprising at least one channel for the roughing of the pasta, a shovel that is transversally insertable in said channel in order to meter the pasta, a cylinder with radial cavity rotatable between a position for the support of the pasta present in said channel and a position for the collection of the pasta in said radial cavity, at least one basket for the collection of the pasta output by said cylinder and a weighing device for the pasta being collected in said basket. The cylinder is made rotate around an eccentric axis that is arranged in such a way that said cylinder when in position of support is at a higher level than the one in which it gets when in said position for the collection of the pasta.

Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of material delivered during a material transfer. This method includes the steps of inputting a target amount for a material to be delivered from a source location to a target location, updating the target amount during the delivery of the material using a predictive model-based algorithm, and updating the predictive model-based algorithm based on process performance data using a recursive least-squares procedure. An adaptive selection algorithm which is used to determine whether at least one previous predictive model-based algorithm parameter should be replaced with at least one new predictive model-based algorithm parameter in order to adapt the predictive model-based algorithm in response to a process change. A method for overlapping a delivery of at least one independently measured material with a delivery of a main material during a material transfer process.

Abstract: A drink-blending machine (10) includes an ice-shaving unit (11) and a blender assembly (12). The ice-shaving unit (11) is adapted to transfer ice from a bin (15) to the pitcher (18) of the blender assembly (12). A weighing mechanism (31) includes a deflection beam (33), one end of which carries the pitcher (18). The deflection beam (33) includes a strain gauge (34) which provides a signal proportional to weight to a control circuitry box (30). In operation of the machine (10), a quantity of liquid is placed in the pitcher (18) and dependent upon the weight of ice or liquid-to-ice ratio predetermined by depressing a selected button (44), ice from the ice-shaving unit (11) is transferred to the pitcher (18) until the predetermined weight of ice is received by the pitcher (18).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dispensing articles into a container or basket and for controlling the dispensing mechanism to more accurately, efficiently, and intelligently dispense the desired articles with less damages to the articles. The dispenser includes a primary storage location which can take the form of a bulk storage hopper, an accumulator storage location into which the dispensed articles are transferred during the dispensing of the articles. A reversing drum and a flexible, resilient diverter are configured and arranged to reduce article breakage and/or to transfer different types of articles. The drum is also designed to provide a self-alignment between the drum and a motor shaft when the drum is mounted onto the drum motor shaft. A load/weight sensing/measuring assembly accurately and intelligently weighs the articles in the accumulator by an adaptive weighing method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dispensing articles into a container or basket and for controlling the dispensing mechanism to more accurately, efficiently, and intelligently dispense the desired articles with less damages to the articles. The dispenser includes a primary storage location which can take the form of a bulk storage hopper, an accumulator storage location into which the dispensed articles are transferred during the dispensing of the articles. A reversing drum and a flexible, resilient diverter are configured and arranged to reduce article breakage and/or to transfer different types of articles. The drum is also designed to provide a self-alignment between the drum and a motor shaft when the drum is mounted onto the drum motor shaft. A load/weight sensing/measuring assembly accurately and intelligently weighs the articles in the accumulator by an adaptive weighing method.

Abstract: A combination weighing and counting apparatus includes a plurality of vibrating feeders (1) arranged and mounted on a support frame and adapted to be electrically powered from an alternating current source to transport articles, a plurality of weighing hoppers (28) for measuring respective weights of the articles (M) supplied from the vibrating feeders (1), and a combination selecting device for combining weights or numbers of the articles supplied to the weighing hoppers and for selecting a combination of the articles (M) which falls within a tolerance range. To minimize vibration of the support frame so that any undesirable reduction in weighing accuracy can be suppressed, there is provided a feeder drive control device (42) for driving the neighboring vibrating feeders (1) at a driving phase opposite to each other.

Abstract: A product supply apparatus for a weighing system (3) for supplying a weighed product quantity (4, 5) to a product receiving device (7) of a packaging machine (8) is formed to prevent spreading of the supplied product quantity when discharging from a collecting receptacle (11, 12) and falling through the product receiving device (7).

Abstract: A metering machine for pasta is described comprising at least one channel for the roughing of the pasta, a shovel that is transversally insertable in said channel in order to meter the pasta, a cylinder with radial cavity rotatable between a position for the support of the pasta present in said channel and a position for the collection of the pasta in said radial cavity, at least one basket for the collection of the pasta output by said cylinder and a weighing device for the pasta being collected in said basket. The cylinder is made rotate around an eccentric axis that is arranged in such a way that said cylinder when in position of support is at a higher level than the one in which it gets when in said position for the collection of the pasta.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for producing a stream of bulk material, which device is designed so that bulk material is introduced through a pipe axially into a rotating pot. Owing to acceleration and centrifugal force the bulk material moves toward the edge region of the pot and fills the entire pot up to the axial inlet. In the edge region of the pot a blade disposed on a non-rotating part of the pot dips into the rotating material cake in the opposite direction to the rotation thereof, so leading the stream of bulk material out. The device can be used wherever bulk materials have to be measured and metered. The device is flanged directly onto the outlets of existing silos.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for dispensing liquid paint components from their original containers into a paint receptacle according to a paint formula to form a liquid paint mixture. The dispensing system comprises a dispensing apparatus for dispensing the liquid paint component from its original container, and an apparatus for controlling the dispensing apparatus. The dispensing apparatus includes a mechanism for releasably receiving the original container of the liquid paint component, and a mechanism for dispensing the liquid paint component from its original container into the paint receptacle. The dispensing apparatus further includes a force applying mechanism for preventing leakage of the liquid paint component. The control apparatus includes a weigh cell and a control module coupled to the weigh cell and the dispensing mechanism. The weigh cell supports the paint receptacle to determine the weight of the liquid paint component dispensed into the paint receptacle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a height measurement apparatus for determining volume/density of wood chips on a conveyor. Such structures of this type, generally, employ the use of contacts that ride on top of the pile of wood chips in order to more accurately measure the volume and density of the wood chips.

Abstract: A drink-blending machine (10) includes an ice-shaving unit (11) and a blender assembly (12). The ice-shaving unit (11) is adapted to transfer ice from a bin (15) to the pitcher (18) of the blender assembly (12). A weighing mechanism (31) includes a deflection beam (33), one end of which carries the pitcher (18). The deflection beam (33) includes a strain gauge (34) which provides a signal proportional to weight to a control circuitry box (30). In operation of the machine (10), a quantity of liquid is placed in the pitcher (18) and dependent upon the weight of ice or liquid-to-ice ratio predetermined by depressing a selected button (44), ice from the ice-shaving unit (11) is transferred to the pitcher (18) until the predetermined weight of ice is received by the pitcher (18).

Abstract: A method for weight blending of granular materials comprises at a remote site generating a command for desired operation of granular material weight blending apparatus; encoding said command into transportable time-stable machine readable tangible storage media; transporting said media to a bar code reader operatively connected to said granular material weight blending apparatus; scanning the tangible media having the command encoded thereon to read the command; and providing the read command as input to a in microprocessor operatively connected to said granular material weight blending apparatus for regulating operation of the same.

Abstract: A system for accurately dispensing controlled amounts of viscous material. The system includes a pressurized supply of the viscous material, a dispenser connected with the pressurized supply and a feedback control for ensuring that a discrete dispensed amount corresponds closely to the desired dispensed amount for a particular application. The different methods of feedback control include changing pressure of the pressurized supply after measuring a dispensed amount and comparing the dispensed amount with a stored value representing the desired amount. Another manner of feedback control includes changing an air operating pressure associated with the dispenser. A third type of feedback control includes adjusting the duration that the dispenser is maintained on to dispense the viscous material. Each of these types of feedback control are preferably used in succession, as necessary, to ensure that the desired amount of viscous material is discharged from the dispenser.

Abstract: System for controlling the discharge rate of a material feeder. A weight scale connected to the material is sampled and the samples input to a digital processor. The digital processor determines for consecutive time intervals during discharge of said material, a weight loss over the time interval. The weight loss for the interval is compared with a desired weight loss which is calculated from a desired setpoint material discharge rate obtained only when the weight loss is constant and stable. The resulting error is averaged with subsequent errors to form a control signal for the material feeder. The calculation of errors over each subsequent interval increases the resolution of the control signal, increasing the ability to control discharge rates to compensate for changes in material density which otherwise affect discharge rates.

Abstract: A heated water dispensing apparatus has been described. The heated water dispensing apparatus includes a reservoir for retaining a quantity of water, a selector for selecting a temperature of water and a volume of water to be dispensed, and a controllable dispense valve for automatically dispensing water from the reservoir. The heated water dispensing apparatus also includes a weighing assembly which generates a weight control signal relating to the volume of water dispensed through the dispense valve and at least one device outlet valve for providing heated water to a remote device. The heated water dispensing apparatus also includes a controller. The controller operates the dispense valve in accordance with the weight control signal so that a selected volume of water is automatically and accurately dispensed. The controller also operates the dispense valve to prevent dispensing of water through the dispense valve before water of a selected temperature has been produced.

Abstract: Grease fed from a grease tank 10 to a metering force feeder 22 is fed into an injection cylinder 30 after the weight of the grease is precisely measured, and the total amount of the grease in the injection cylinder 30 is injected from the nozzle 34. The nozzle 34 can advance toward an electric motor 60. When the nozzle 34 advances, a first packing 50 and a second packing 52 provided on a tip-end face 34a closely contact to an outer ring 66a and an inner ring 66b of a bearing 66, respectively. In the condition, when the grease is injected from an injection hole 34b, the grease is pushed into an operation space of rolling elements 66c of the bearing 66. A grease pocket 68 is also filled with the grease.

Abstract: A granular material weighing system intended primarily for weighing gunpowder, but which is not limited to this application. A volumetric powder measure is used to simultaneously dispense a previously weighed batch of granular material into its final container, usually a cartridge case, while also dispensing a volumetrically measured initial batch of material onto a scale. The initial batch is close to but below the desired final weight. A dribbler is used to feed additional granular material until the scale indicates that the desired weight is reached. The powder measure may be a rotary drum or translating bar type, the scale may be a beam balance including a magnetic damping device or an electronic scale, and the dribbler may be any electronic or mechanical dribbler.

Abstract: Materials conveying equipment 10 includes a support structure 12. A housing 20 is mounted on the support structure 12, the housing 20 having an inlet opening 26 and a remote discharge opening. A shaftless screw conveyor 18 is arranged rotatably in the housing 20 for conveying materials from the inlet opening 26 of the housing 20 to the discharge opening of the housing 20. A gravimetric unit 16 is mounted at the discharge opening for receiving the materials.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of weighing powder/chip, in which the powder/chip can be fed from the conduit into the weighing vessel accurately and efficiently without being affected by the state of the conduit, that of the weighing vessel and that of ambient air. With the method, the powder/chip is weighed by means of the conduit arranged below a storage section and adapted to be tilted around a pivot according to a command sent from a weighing section to let the powder/chip fall through a discharge port at an end of the conduit into a weighing vessel placed on the weighing section. The conduit is tilted sequentially at least by three different feeding angles from large, small to minute to let the powder/chip fall by a large volume, a small volume and a minute volume respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for supplying a predefined quantity of bulk material to a packaging system. An amount of bulk material which closely approximates the desired package weight is discharged from a surge bin into a loss-in-weight feeder. Accurate single package weight loading of the loss-in-weight feeder yields a lower percentage of weight variance during feeder discharge than more heavily loaded feeders. In addition, the apparatus includes weight bearing springs mounted within the weighing mechanisms of the loss-in-weight feeder such that the weighing mechanisms are not damaged by overloading. The method of accurate filling of the loss-in-weight feeder prior to discharge and the spring protected loss-in-weight feeder cause package portions having optimal weight variance to be supplied for packaging.

Abstract: A proportioning apparatus including at least one reservoir tank (1) having an outlet port (11) for pourable bulk material and a weighing tank (3) for receiving bulk material discharged from the at least one reservoir tank, the weighing tank being arranged under the at least one reservoir tank and including a weighing cell for weighing bulk material, in which it is possible to open or close the outlet port of the at least one reservoir tank by using a shut-off device (2), and in which each shut-off device associated with a reservoir tank has a tubular housing (21) with a longitudinal axis LA, as well as a passage opening (20) for bulk material extending transversely across the longitudinal axis of the housing and with two breakthroughs (20a, 20b) extending through lateral surfaces of the housing, the outlet port of the at least one reservoir tank communicating with the passage opening, and in which a closure element (22) having a cross-section corresponding to that of the tubular housing, can be shifted inside

Abstract: A process for removing bulk material from a gastight silo. At the silo outlet (10) a container is connected in a gastight arrangement with an input valve and an output valve (12, 13) through which the container is evacuated before the bulk material is removed. In addition, a gastight membrane (20) is fitted in the container (11) in order to seal off the bulk material from the surroundings during the initial stages of the removal operation.

Abstract: A dispenser to dispense a granular material to a plurality of discrete locations, such as a tube of a reactor vessel. The dispenser includes a hopper to contain the granular material and has a discharge port to permit egress of material from the hopper. A conveyor receives material from the discharge port and transfers it to the plurality of discrete locations. The conveyor comprises a tray having a plurality of outlets spaced from the discharge port and each connectable to respective ones of the discrete locations. A barrier is interposed between adjacent ones of the outlets to inhibit transfer of material therebetween. A vibratory drive oscillates the tray and distributes the granular material uniformly on the tray. The drive induces movement of the material from the discharge port to the outlets along the tray.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container with a flexible internal part (6), particularly suitable for weighing bulk material, comprising a closure mechanism within the exit area of the internal part (6) as well as at least two partial exits (18, 19) to be charged, located at the internal part (6) for further processing said bulk material. By means of said locking mechanism, it is practicable to press at least one partial area of the flexible internal part (6) laterally from outside against a sword (14) which is located inside within the exit area of the internal part. This way, said sword (14) separates the partial exits (18, 19) from each other, whereby in each case, one of the partial exits (18, 19) is closable.

Abstract: A mobile products applicator includes a monitoring system particularly adaptable for use in selected product management applications, wherein application rates for selected products stored on-board one or more storage devices are measured on-the-go and visually reported to an applicator operator in near real-time. The mobile products applicator provides environmental advantages to all through enhanced resource management by eliminating or significantly reducing ground and/or water contamination.

Abstract: A final stage automatic weigh and count filling machine feed mechanism is described. The invention is a refinement for machinery used to produce standard quantities of piece parts for subsequent packaging. In general these machines use a series of vibrating feed trays to move a flow of piece parts from a bulk supply into a batching hopper that includes a weighing means. A precise weight is correlated with a part count for a given part. As the desired weight is approached, electronic signals are generated by the weighing means to regulate the speed of vibration applied to the trays or to terminate the vibration altogether. The refinement in the present invention is a trickle feed pan that is affixed to a mounting rail which extends up through an opening in a final stage bulk feed pan. The final stage bulk feed pan and trickle feed pan are mounted on separate vibratory drive mechanisms that are independently controlled.

Abstract: A metering device which includes a storage reservoir 3, a volumetric extror 30 introducing roughly gauged batches of material into an intermediate hopper 4, which empties periodically into a weighing hopper 1. Under the latter, rapid stabilization scales 2 record the weight of the batch contained in the weighing hopper 1. The latter is emptied onto a belt 5 at the end of a time interval proportional to the weight of the batch or of one of the preceding batches.

Abstract: A device for storing a liquid or pasty product and for dispensing a given quantity of the product includes a container that contains the product. A stopper is disposed at an upper end of the container. A dip tube extends through a channel of the stopper and into the container. A sealed enclosure receives the container such that the container can be subjected to a pressure higher than a pressure outside of the enclosure. A weighing element of the enclosure measures the weight of the container when the container is received in the enclosure. A controller controls a mechanism for pressurizing the enclosure by comparing a change in weight of the container with a set value that corresponds to a predetermined quantity of product to be ejected from the container, and interrupting pressurization of the container when the change in weight of the container has reached the set value.

Abstract: An automatic liquid material metering system including a plurality of storage tanks mounted around the periphery of a rotary wheel, each storage tank having a valve port and an electromagnetic valve controlled by a control switch to close open the valve port, a pulley block system having a carriage, a lifting rack at one side of the carriage, and a horizontal slide at the top of the lifting rack, and a contact switch mounted on the horizontal slide and moved to switch on/off the control switch, an electronic scale mounted on the carriage, a receptacle mounted on the electronic scale and adapted for holding a liquid material discharged from one of the storage tanks, permitting the received liquid material to be measured by the electronic scale, and a microprocessor adapted for receiving signal from the electronic scale and input data from an input device so as to control the rotation of the rotary wheel, and the movement of the pulley block system subject to the signal and data received.

Abstract: A desired amount of liquid ("unit dose") to be dispensed from a stationary dispenser is automatically, accurately controlled by suddenly interrupting the flow of liquid being dispensed after a major portion of the unit dose has been dispensed. A portion of the lost momentum is restored and discharge of the unit dose is completed. Pressurized inert gas is used to speed up dispensing the unit dose to meet a fill-and-discharge cycle time of <2 min, preferably <1 min. The unit dose is dispensed with better than .+-.5% accuracy, preferably at least .+-.3%, without measuring either the level or the volume of the liquid in the dispenser, or directly measuring the weight of liquid dispensed. More than the desired amount of liquid to be dispensed is held in the dispenser which is charged under pressure in the range from 380-790 kPa (40 to 100 psig), at too high a velocity to establish a stable level.

Abstract: A container or hopper with a flexible weigh container as an inner member, in which the weigh container is supported through at least one weigh cell on a frame. In order to weigh-in a material to be proportioned, a throttling device is provided at the bottom end of the weigh container. To avoid complicated distributing arrangements and assure precise dosing, the flexible weigh container extends further downwardly like a hose through the throttling device and its bottom is attached to a movable spout which in turn is displaceable in such a manner that the flexible, hose-like extension of the weigh container is carried along with it so as to selectively discharge through different outlets of the container or hopper.

Abstract: In a gravimetric weighing hopper, an infeed chute on the fixed hopper frame and a removable annular wall supported by a load cell are formed with respective annular edges which are angled relative to their aligned axes or are correspondingly notched or otherwise have annular portions about at least approximately one-half of their respective annular extents which are spaced axially from their remaining annular extents to enable the removable cylindrical wall to be spaced in close surrounding relation to the feed chute during normal operation and also to be readily manipulated relative to the feed chute when necessary or desired to be removed from the hopper.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in supplying thermoplastic material such as hot melt adhesive from containers includes an apparatus for detecting and indicating when thermoplastic material or adhesive has moved out the container such that the container may be removed from the apparatus. Both force responsive and temperature responsive indicators are disclosed, along with various signalling devices, to inform an operator when the container may be removed leaving the material within the apparatus.

Abstract: A modular peristaltic pump assembly that will automatically draw, weigh and mix various expensive liquids arranged in bottles contains multiple pumping units or modules driven by a two-part peristaltic pump, the first part being a pump body intended to receive a squeezable hose and the second part being a rotor driven by a motor integral with a mobile unit to which is also joined a recipient device holding a recipient bottle intended to receive liquids drawn off successfully. Each pumping unit is open on its top to receive the rotor. The recipient device incorporates a weighing device making it possible to control the quantity of liquid introduced into the recipient bottle.