April 7, 1953 M.

KNoBEL 2,634,082
WEICHING MACHINE
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Patented Apr. 7, 1953
2,634,082

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,634,082
WEIGHWG MACHINE
Max Knobel, Arlington, Mass., assignor to Pneu
matic Sca-le Corporation, Limited, Quincy,
Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts
Application October 29, 1948„Serial No. 57,150
9 Claims. (Cl. 24S-_48)
l 2
This invention relates to a weighing machine. mechanism of a magnetic type will be de
lThe invention has for an object to provide a scribed.
weighing machine of novel construction capable Referring now to the drawings, the invention
of performing the weighing cycle in an extremely is herein illustrated as embodied in an automatic
rapid manner and with increased accuracy. net weight weighing machine of the type illus
With this general object in view and such oth trated and described in the United States patent
ers as may hereinafter appear, the invention con to S. R. Howard, No. 2,364,902, issued December
sists in the weighing machine hereinafter de l2, 194e, adapted to permit two weighing opera
scribed and particularly defined in the claims at tions to be performed during each cycle of opera
the end of this specification. tion, íirst a primary or bulk load weighing oper
In the drawings illustrating the preferred em ation, and then a ñnal or drip load weighing
bodiment of the invention, Fig, l is a side eleva operal‘ion, As herein shown, the illustrated ma
tion of a weighing machine embodying the pres chine comprises a storage hopper le for the bulk
ent invention; Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram for the supply of the material to be weighed and from
embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1; which the material ñows by gravity into an in
Fig. 3 is an end View of the Control mechanism, dividual material feeding hopper, indicated gen
as viewed from the right of Fig. l; Fig. e is a side erally at l2. The material feeding hopper l2 is
elevation of the present weighing mechanism il provided with a rotary drum I4. by which the
lustrating a modified form of control mechanism material is fed through the hopper to be re
embodying the present invention; Fig. 5 is a simi 20 ceived hy a receptacle IS disposed upon the
lar View _illustrating a further modification of weighing end of a scale beam indicated gener
control mechanism embodying the present in~ ally at lll. In the operation of the machine
vention, and Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view, in when the receptacle tà has received its final load
cross-section, of a unit forming a part of the con» it is arranged to be opened to release its mate
trol mechanism shown in Fig. l. rial which is then permitted to flow through a
In general, the invention contemplates the pro funnel or guide chute 2li into a carton 22 dis
vision of a weighing machine designed to per posed therebeneath. The cartons are supported
form the weighing cycle with more accuracy and upon conveyor belt 2e which is arranged to con
in a more rapid manner than prior comparable vey the cartons from a supply thereof into a
weighing machines of which I am aware. In ac position beneath the funnel 2d to receive the ma
cordance with the invention the weighing ma terial, as illustrated in the Howard patent above
chine is provided with a scale beam and with a referred to.
control mechanism responsive to minute deflec The material feedingl hopper i2 may and pref
tion of the scale beam of the order of from one erably will comprise the hopper illustrated and
to ten thousandths ci“ an inch, arranged. to ini described in the Howard Patent No. 2,3%,902 to
tiate the operation of an instrumentality when which reference may be had and which com
the scale beam has been thus deilected into a prises a duplex hopper divided longitudinally to
predetermined. position. Depending upon the form two passageways through which the mate
type of weighing machine, the instrumentality rial passes to be delivered into the receptacle I6.
whose operation is thus initiated by such minute 40 Only one side of the hopper is herein illustrated,
movement of the scale beam, may for example the other side being similar in construction and
take the forni of an indicator as in a check operation, the parts being disposed directly be
weigher, or it may take ‘the form of mechanism hind the illustrated parts, and for purposes oi’
for controlling the operation of feeding material the present description different numerals have
in a stream upon the scale beam. Preferably the 45 heen applied to corresponding parte of each side
scale beam is heavily spring- loaded to have a of the hopper, the two separate passageways be
high natural frequency ci vibration, and which ing indicated by the numerals 28, Si). Each pas
is dedected a small amount when the prede sageway is provided with its individual gate 32,
termined weight of material is delivered thereon. both of which are arranged to be opened to
Such a scale beam lends itself to extremely rapid permit material to be fed to the scale receptacle
deflection of from one to ten thousandths oi an i6 at the beginning of each cycle of operation.
inch. The control mechanism. may take the .iorin During the weighing cycle each gate is arranged
of a pneumatic control mechanism responsive to to be closed independently of the other, one gate
such minute scale beam deflections or a light being closed at the end of the primary or bulk
sensitive control mechanism, or of a control Cl Ul load weighing period and the other gate being
 2,684,082
3 4
closed at the end of the ñnal or drip load weigh
ing period. The gates 32, 34 are held in their
open position during the Weighing cycle through
connections to electro-magnets 36, 38 forming
part of a circuit diagrammatically illustrated in 'Ll terial being withdrawn from the supply hopper.
Fig. 2. The circuit is arranged to be broken
through control mechanism, to be hereinafter
described, when the scale beam is moved by the
weight of the material in the receptacle during
the primary or bulk weighing period to de-ener
gize the electromagnet 35 whereupon the gate 32
is automatically closed. Thereupon, during the
continued flow of the drip stream, the scale
beam is caused to continue its movement until
the final weight is reached whereupon the cir
cuit is broken to de-energize the electro-magnet
38 at the end of the final weighing operation to
close the gate 313.
As illustrated in lî‘ig.r 1, the gate 32 which is
arranged to close the passageway 23, is pivotally
mounted Áat il@ in the hopper frame and is con
nected by a link 42 to one arm lid of a two-armed
lever rockingly mounted on a stud ¿i6 secured to
the hopper. The second arm ¿it of the two
armed lever is provided with an armature 5U of I
the electro-magnet 35. The electro-magnet 35
when energized operates to hold the gate 32 in
its open position, and when de-energized, the
gate is closed by a spring 52.
Referring now to Fig. 1, the gate Sá which is «
arranged to close the adjacent passageway 35 is
similarly mounted on a pin 5d and is connected
by a link 5B to one arm 58 of a two-armed lever
pivotally mounted on a stud Sii. rThe second arm
62 of the two-armed lever is provided with a ‘2
similar armature 64 adapted to engage its electro
magnet 33 when the latter is energized to hold
the gate 3Q open. A similar spring 66 tends to
close the gate 3d when the electro-magnet is
de-energized.
Provision is made >for rotating the feed drum
le continuously during the entire weighing cycle,
and for stopping the rotation of the drum at the
end of the drip feed weighing period through a
friction clutch drive as fully illustrated and de- -
scribed in the Howard patent referred to. As
herein shown, a pivotally mounted pawl 9i) car
ried by an extension S2 of the two-armed lever
58, B2 is arranged to engage a ratchet lt to stop
the drum at the end of the iînal weighing period. '
In operation, when the lever is reset to be held
by the electro-magnet 3B at the beginning of a
new cycle of operation, as will be described, the
pawl 9E! is rocked out of the path of the ratchet
'FB and the drum ld is permitted to rotate to feed
the material through the hopper.
IIt will be observed that the drum i4 feeds ma
terial continuously into both passageways 28, 39
during the entire weighing cycle and that when
the gate 32 is closed the material being fed into 60 dashpot i325 is secured to the underside of the
the passageway 28, during the final part of the
weighing cycle, is permitted to accumulate there
in so as to form Ia bulk load to be released into
the scale receptacle lâ at the beginning of the
succeeding weighing operation.
From the description thus far it will be ob
served that the feed drum ld is arranged to be
„ continuously driven during the weighing cycle to
feed material from the supply hopper IG through
the compartments 23, 39 of the feed hopper l2 70 the resonant beam system that the time for the
and that the gates 32, 3d of the hopper are ar
ranged to be independently operated to permit
one gate to be closed when a predetermined bulk
load has been deposited into the weighing recep
tacle and to permit closing of the second gate 75 ond or less. With this construction, it will be
when the ñnal load has been introduced into the
weighing bucket i5. As illustrated in Fig. l, an
adjustable gate 95 is provided above the feed
drum lli in order to control the amount of ma»
Referring now particularly to Fig. l, the scale
beam generally indicated at i3, comprises in ef
fect a spring loaded balance system particularly
designed to perform the weighing cycle in a fast
and accurate manner and, as herein shown, com
prises a rigid beam member id@ provided with a
flexible fulcrum comprising a strip of thin spring
steel H32 disposed at right angles to the beam
and connected between a lug i Se depending from
the mid-portion of the beam and a lug H66 up
wardly extended from a base member §68. lA
pair of compression springs iii? disposed sub
stantially equidistantly on either side of the flex
ible fulcrum is interposed between the base mem
ber and the underside of the beam §66, the
springs l i3 being retained in suitable sockets and
initially compressed to provide considerable ten
sion in the steel strip E62 thus forming a spring
loaded resonant balance system having a rela
tively high frequency of vibration preferably ap--
proximately in the order of five to fifteen cycles
per second so that the deflection of the beam
when a weight is added to one end thereof is
relatively small to provide a relatively rapid ac
tion during the weighing operation.
As herein shown, the beam member lill] is provav
vided with the receptacle or receiver E5 supported
on knife edges H2 at the weighing end of the
beam and is provided with the usual counter
weight Htl at the other end of the beam. The
receptacle is maintained in a vertical position by
a parallel link Hä connected between the lower
end of the receptacle and an arm H8 depending
from the underside of the platen i253. In order
to prevent the vibrations set up in the frame of
the weighing machine from effecting the action
of the resonant balance system, the spring loaded
scale beam unit i3 may be supported from the
platen or support 12d on compression springs 122
interposed between the platen and the underside
of the base member, the springs being main
tained in their compressed condition by bolts 124
and nuts 126 connecting the base member' to the
platen, as illustrated. >A felt spacing collar ¿28
surrounding each spring £22 and also interposed
and compressed between the platen and the base
member further assists in. damping the Vibrations
from the machine frame.
In order to damp and prevent premature and
undesirable vibratory oscillations of the beam lûià
during the weighing cycle, a dashpot i3?, is pro
vided havíng a loose fitting piston H32 moving in
oil, the piston being rigidly connected by a rod |34
to the counter-weight end of the beam itil. The
base member i138 and the rod i3d extends through
an opening E36 in the base member with clearance
to permit freedom of movement of the rod. The
dashpot is preferably so proportioned that the
65 degree of damping effected is such as to permit
deflection of the beam H30 from its initial to its
final position during the weighing cycle without
any additional oscillations. In other words, the
effective damping is so correlated with respect to
beam to be deflected from its initial to its final
position is approximately equal to the period of
one oscillation, in the present instance being of
the order of one-tenth to one-. fteenth of a sec
 2,634,082
5 6
seen that in operation, the baci: or counter-weight upper unit |42 is normally open and the Bourdon
4end ofthe scale beam |00 is initially urged down tube |48 is arranged to maintain its magnet |53
wardly by the counter~weight I I4, the end of the in a vertical position under a reduced pressure sol
scale beam preferably resting against a suitable that when the counter-weight end of the scale
stop, as will be described, and as material is in beam §00 reaches the aforesaid position a minute
troduced into the scale receptacle I5, the spring distance from the discharge orifice of the upper
loaded beam will not be deflected until such time unit |42, the pressure is increased in the Bourdon
as the weight of the material overcomes the tube |48 in a manner to be described, and the
counter-weight | I4 and the preset spring tension. magnet |53 is rocked away from its switch |50
When the predetermined Weight is reached the. 10 to open the circuit to the solenoid 38 to effect
counter-weight end of the scale beam will be de closing of the drip load gate 34.
iieoted upwardly with a uniform motion without As illustrated in detail in Fig. 6, the pneumatic
undesired oscillations and provision is made for control units |48, |42 are similar in construction
eiîecting termination of the material feed upon and mode of operation. Each comprises a con
movement of the beam through a distance of a 15 duit provided with a small discharge oriñce |58
few thousandths of an inch. In the illustrated at its discharge end and with which the ex
Weighing machine provision is preferably made tended end of the counter~weight end of the beam
for effecting the termination of the bulk stream mi! cooperates to open and close the oriiice |58.
ñow immediately after the beam has moved one In the normal position of the beam during that
or two thousandths of an inch and for thereafter 20 portion of the cycle oi the machine in which the
terminating the drip stream after the scale has bulk. stream is being delivered into the weighing
moved one or two thousandths or“ an inch. receptacle I6, the extended end of the beam rests
Referring now particularly to Figs. l, 2 and 3, upon and closes the discharge oriñce |58 of the
the control mechanism ‘for reducing the now of unit |40. Each control unit is provided with a
the material when a bulk weight is reached and 25 restricted throat |56 spaced from the discharge
for discontinuing the ñow of material when a oriñce |58 and connected by an intervening
iinal weight is reached in response to minute chamber |54. Air under pressure is supplied to
movement of the scale beam, includes a pair of each control unit by connection of a fitting |52'
pneumatically operated conduit units |40, |42 ar with one of the pipes |54, |66 connected to a
ranged to cooperate with an extension of the 30 source oi supply of compressed air through pipes
counter-weight end of the scale beam m0. The |50, regulating valve |62 and pipe |50, as shown
lower unit |40 is connected to a pneumatically in Fig. l. Each control unit is also provided with
operated pressure responsive element, herein a fitting |54’ connected by flexible pipes |68, |18
shown as a Bourdon tube |44 arranged to operate to one end of the Bourdon tubes |44, |48. From
a magnetic switch |46, of known construction, a consideration of Fig. 6 it will be observed that
forming a part oi‘ the circuit to the bulk gate under a definite pressure, such for example
solenoid 36, and the upper unit |42 is connected as 50 lbs. per square inch, may be supplied to
to a similar Bourdon tube |48 arranged to oper the entrance end of the control unit |40 and to
ate a magnetic switch |55 forming a part of the the chamber |52 thereof, and because of the re
circuit to the drip gate solenoid 38, as illustrated sistance offered by the throat |55, the pressure
in Fig. 1. One available form of magnetic switch within the second chamber |54 and between the
comprises a pair of contacts sealed in a glass discharge oriñce |58 and throat |55 will be sub
tube and having a pool of mercury at its lower stantially lower than in the chamber |52, but still
end. One of the contacts is fixed in the mercury suñicient to operate the Bourdon tube |44 to
the other being movable into and out of the mer~ maintain the magnet |5i in a vertical position
cury to close and open the circuit under the iniiu and thus maintain the magnetic switch |45` in
ence of magnets |5i, |53 connected to and mov» its closed position. This occurs during the bulk
able with its respective Bourdon tube |44, |48. weighing period of operation when the end of the
The magnetic switches | 45, |55 herein illustrated beam closes the discharge oriiìce |58. Upon
are of the normally open type and are arranged to 50 minute upward movement of the scale beam after
be held in their lclosed position by their magnets the bulk weight has been reached, the opening
|5| , |53 when the latter are rocked into a vertical of the discharge oriñce |58, even as little as .001
position, as indicated in Fig. l. of an inch, operates to substantially reduce pres
. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the countenweight end sure in the chamber |54 and consequently in the
of the scale beam |85 is extended between the »' Bourdon tube thus rocking the magnet |5| away
upper and lower pneumatic control units |42, |45, from its switch |48 and opening the circuit to
the scale beam normally being in contact with the the solenoid 3B to close the gate 32 as above de
lower unit |40 to maintain a predetermined scribed. As shown in Fig. 1 the upper pneumatic
pressure in the Bourdon tube §44, as will be de control unit |42 is inverted and arranged to op
scribed, and to thus maintain the magnet i5! (Si) erate its Bourdon tube in a manner just the re
in its vertical position to maintain the magnetic verse of the operation of the lower unit |40. The
switch |45 in its closed position. Thus, in opera unit |45 is arranged so that during the bulk
tion, when the pressure is reduced in the Bourdon loading operation above described its discharge
tube |44, upon minute upward movement of the oriñce |58 remains open and as a result the pres
scale beam from engagement with the lower unit 65 sure within the Bourdon tube |48 is maintained
|40, the magnet i5! is rocked away from its at a lower value whereby the magnet |53 is main
switch |45 to open the circuit to the solenoid 35 tained in verti-cal position. When the scale beam
and eiîect closing of the gate 32. approaches the discharge oriñce |58 of the unit
After the bull; load gate has been ciosed in the |42, as above described, pressure is instantly in
manner above described, the drip stream con creased within the chamber |54 of such unit and
tinues to flow into the receptacle and the counter» also within the Bourdon tube |48 to thereby irn
weight end of the scale beam |05 continues to mediately rock the magnet |53 from its switch
move upwardly a minute distance until it ar |50 to open the circuit to the solenoid de-ener
rives in a position spaced a minute distance from gizing the same and thus effecting closing of the
the discharge orince 'of the upper unit §42. The drip stream gate 34 as above described. `
 2,634,082
7
In practice, the pneumatic control units may
be adjusted relative to the spring-loaded and
counter-weighted scale beam I8 so that the beam
is normally down at the counter-weight end
against the top of the unit Hi8, the upper or dis
charge end thereof serving as a stop for limiting
the'movement of the scale beam in this direction.
As material is added to the Weighing end ofthe
beam, the latter will remain at rest until such
time- as the Weight overcomes the counter-weight 10
lili and the preset spring tension of the spring
loaded scale beam. In the illustrated embodi
ment of the invention, for example, if the final
weight .to be obtained is 16 ounces, adjustments
may be made so that the beam leaves the lower
control unit |40 when approximately 14 ounces
a r'oller |86 at their connected ends adapted to
be engaged by an arm |88 to operate the toggle
linkage to eifect opening of the shutters. As il
lustrated in Fig. 1, the arm |88 is arranged to
be operated through connections from a cam |90
fast upon a one revolution cam shaft |92 jour
naled in suitable bearings in the machine frame.
A bell crank |95 pivotally mounted on a cross
shaft |96 carries a roller |98 on one arm, the
other arm being connected by a link 200 to a
lever 2|i2 clamped to a rocker shaft 204. The
operating arm |88 is also fast upon the rocker
shaft 20d so that through the connections'de
scribed the receptacle is opened to deliver the
weighed load t0 the carton disposed therebe
neath. A

has been introduced into the receptacle i6 to Provision is also made at the end of the final
effect closing of the gate 32 to 'shut olf the bulk portion of the weighing cycle for resetting the
stream feed. In the continued operation of the parts in their original position in order to enable
machine, the ñne or drip stream feed continues 20 the scale to perform another weighing cycle.
and the beam moves gradually until it approaches As illustrated in Fig. 1, the armatures l5|), |54 of
the inverted control unit i132, adjustments being the electro-magnets 36, 3S, respectively, are ar
made so that the unit |42 will effect closing of ranged to be returned into operative engage
the gate 34 to entirely and rapidly shut off the ment with their electro-magnets through con
feed of the material when the final weight of 16 nections from a cam 296 mounted fast upon the
ounces is reached. cam shaft |22. The cam 2% is arranged to co- .
As above described, the pneumatic -control units operate with a roller 298 carried by a cam lever
are so constructed that a large pressure change 2m pivotally mounted at ist and the lever 2|ß
occurs after a movement of the beam through a is connected by a link 2 |2 to an arm 2 lf3 clamped
minute distance, such as one thousandth of an 30 on a rocker shaft 2|5. The rocker shaft is pro
inch. Thus, in practice, the lower unit lili! may vided with rocker arms 2| 6, 2|8 fast thereon
be adjusted relative to the- scale beam so as to which are arranged to engage rollers 220, 222
effect closing of the bulk load gate upon move carried by the arms llii, 58 respectively to rock
ment of thebeam one thousandth of an inch and the latter on their pivots 46, 6|) to eñect the
the upper unit |42 may be adjusted to effect resetting operation. It will also be observed that
closing of the drip load gate by movement of the resetting of the arm 53 effects removal of the
beam during its last one thousandth of an inch pawl 9i! from its ratchet i3 to permit the drum
as it nears the discharge orifice of the upper unit ill to be again rotatedto feed the material. As
so that the total travel of the scale beam between previously described, the pawl 9i! is brought into
the two units need be only a few thousandths 40 engagement with the ratchet T8 at the end of the
of an inch, and in practice successful and ef?cient drip weighing portion of the cycle to discontinue
operation has been experienced with a total beam the feed of material. , y
movement of from three to eight thousandths of rï‘he cam shaft |92 may be rotated in any
an inch. The fast action thus obtained greatly usual or preferred manner preferably through
reduces the time required for completion of the ,à connections from the weighing machine driving
weighing cycle resulting in exceedingly accurate mechanism in the manner illustrated and de
weights minimizing the effect of lack of uniform scribed in the Howard Patent No. 2,364,902. In
ity of stream i'iow of the material being weighed. practice, the cam shaft is controlled by a one rev
In the actual operation of the machine there olution clutch, not shown, arranged to permit the
is no apparent delay in the rocking movement cam shaft to make one revolution at the end of
of the scale beam once it has started to move each weighing cycle to effect release of the
until both gates 32, 34 are closed through the weighed load and to reset the filling and weigh
control mechanisms described, so that, in prac ing mechanism as above described. It will be
tice, a continuous rocking movement of the scale apparent that as soon as theweighed load of
beam through a minute distance effects closing material is released from the receptacle i6, the
of the bulk load gate and then the drip load gate spring-loaded scale beam |00 will quickly return
in rapid succession in accordance with the weight to its normal or weighing position of its own
of the material deposited into the receptacle by accord, thus eliminating any scale resetting
the continuously iiowing stream, thus enabling mechanism as formerly required. , _ .
the weighing cycle to be performed rapidly with Referring now to Fig.' 4, a modified form of
out sacrificing accuracy. It will be apparent control mechanism responsive to a minute 'move- `
that the pneumatic control units I liti, |42 are self ment or impulse of the scale beam i?û comprises
cleaning thus preventing dust or other foreign in general a “balanced bridge coil circuit,” indi-I
matter from accumulating in the oriñce |58 or cated generally at 25|), arranged so that any.
other passageways. 65 movement of the counter-Weight end of the scale
At the end of the final portion of the weighing beam unbalances the magnetic ñeld of the coils>
cycle provision is made for releasing the weighed whereby a minute increment of movement ol’
loads in the receptacles to permit the material to the scale beam is magnified electrically to actuate
fall by gravity through the funnel 2i] and into the relays adapted to open the circuits to the sole
carton 22 placed therebeneath.. As herein shown, 70 noids 35, 38 successively when a predetermined
theA bottom of the receptacle comprises two shut bulk load and drip load respectively have been
ters |12, lill pivotally mountedon the receptacle introduced into the receptacle i6.
and normally held in their abutting and closed As herein shown, the balanced bridge coil cir
position by springs |16, |78. The shutters are cuit 250 includes a pair of adjustable coils 252,
connected by toggle links |80, |82 provided with 75 254 which have independent magnetic fields and
 2,634,082
between which the counter-weight end of the
scale beam is extended, the interposed end of the
scale beam serving as an armature iloatingly
mounted between the coils. The circuit is
powered by an A. C. line 25B having a voltage
regulator 25e for eliminating errors due to power
fluctuationsy and further includes a transformer
2Gb, a rectifier Qëi and a pair of relays oil diiîer
ent sensitivity 252, arranged to cooperate
with contacts 268, 2538 in the circuits for the
solenoids 36, 38 respectively.
A In the operation of the device, when the arma
ture end of the scale beam moves upwardly, it
unbalances the magnetic fields between the two
coils 2'52, 251i which produces a relatively large
unbalanced current for a very small movement or”
the armature. rilhus, in the illustrated embodi
ment of the invention, when a minute movement
of the scale beam occurs in response to a prede
termined bulk load weight, the relay 262 will be
energized at a relatively low current to open the
contacts of the solenoid 36 thus effecting
closing of the bulk load gate 32. Upon a further
gradual minute upward movement of the arma
ture end of the scale beam in response to an
additional amount of material added to the re
ceptacle it during the continued operation of
the machine, the relay 25515 will be energized at a
'relatively hie‘her current corresponding to a beam
position for 'the final weight, to open the contacts
263 of the solenoid 3S and eiîect closing of the
drip load gate Bil.
As illustrated in Fig. 5, another modification of
control mechanism responsive to a minute move
ment of the scale beam Eile for successively cut
ting off the bulk stream and the drip stream in
response to a predetermined bulk load'and drip
load respectively introduced into the receptacle
le may comprise an electrical circuit including
a light sensitive cell 2li). As herein shown, the
photo-electric cell 21o is mounted to receive the
rays from a light source 2‘l2, having a condens
ing lens 2id, the focus point of the converged
rays being arranged to pass through a relatively
small aperture 2":’6 in a shield member 218 at
tached to the stationary base plate w8, as illus
trated. A light intercepting blade 28B is mounted
on the counter-weight end of the scale beam
itil adjacent the shield member 218 and is ar 50 drip streams when the control operates, the scale
ranged to cut off a portion of the light as the
scale beam moves through a minute distance
during the weighing operation. The photo-cell
210 forms part of a circuit having a conventional
ampliñer 282 adapted to respond to variations in
the amount of light directed onto the photo-cell,
the ampliñer being connected to two relays 284,
286 arranged to open the circuits to the bulk sole
noid 35 and the drip solenoid 38 at contacts 288,
290 respectively.
In the operation of the control mechanism il
lustrated in Fig. 5, when the counter-weight end
of the scale beam moves upwardly a predeter
mined minute distance in response to a primary
load Weight, the intercepting blade 280 cuts oiï
a portion of the light rays which will effect op
eration of the relay 284 to open the contacts 288
in the circuit to the solenoid 35 to thus permit
closing of the bulle load gate. Upon a further
gradual minute upward movement of the counter
weight end of the scale beam in response to an
additional final weight amount of material added
to the receptacle I6 `during the continued opera
tion of the weighing mechanism, a further por
tion of the light rays will be cut off which will 75 viewed in its broader aspects the invention may
10
effect operation of the relay 285 to open the con
tacts 298 in the circuit to the solenoid 38 to thus
permit closing of the drip load gate.
In prior constructions of weighing machines
mbodying electrical contacts, relays, and circuits
for operating the material feed control devices,
a substantial time interval intervenes between the
deposition ci' the predetermined weight of Ina
terial on the scale beam and the that the
control devices are operated to cut off delivery
oi’ more material upon the scale beam. The
amount of material added during this time is
substantial and is usually referred to as the
“added increment.” Variations in the uniformity
of the stream flow produce substantial varia
tions in the weight of this “added increment,”
and it is the aim of the present invention to
effect the operation of the control devices to cut
oiî the material feed as quickly as possible after
a predetermined weight has been deposited upon
the scale bean-1. The present construction of
weighing element involving the embodiment of
stiff springs to load the beam leads to the pro
duction of an extremely small displacement of
the beam when a given weight of material is
added to the weighing end or" the beam. This
small displacement is produced in an extremely
small time, and provision is made for actuating
the control devices to out off the material feed
by the above described pneumatic control mecha
nisms which are sensitive to this small motion.
it is preferred to damp the vibrations of the
resonant system, preferably to a degree substan
tially that of so-called critical damping in which
the beam deñects from its initial to its final posi
tion with substantially no additional oscillations.
With this amount of damping the time required
for the beam to deflect from one position to the
other approximates the time of one oscillation
of the beam and with the stiff spring loaded
beam the natural frequency varies from five to
fifteen oscillations per second and is preferably
of the order of ten oscillations per second, so that
the time required for completing the minute
movement of the scale beam varies from one-ñfth
to one-ñfteenth of a second or less, and is prefer
ably about one-tenth of a second.
It will also be observed that utilizing the pneu
matic control units for cutting olf the bulk and
beam is free, having opened the lower oriñce to
cut off the bulk stream and subsequently move
to near the upper orifice to cut off the drip stream,
and as a result the material feed controls are
operated immediately after the beam has been
moved by the addition of the predetermined
weights to the weighing end of the beam.
While as above described the weighing cycle
is completed in an extremely rapid manner, due
60 to the fast action of the spring loaded beam,
nevertheless it is appreciated that a small amount
of time is also consumed by the flow of air into
and from the pneumatic control mechanism when
the described increase or drop in air pressure is
being eiîected within the control unit, and ac
‘ cordingly in practice it is advisable that the size
of the control units be designed so that the vol
ume of air thus required to flow into and from
the pneumatic control units is as small as prac
ticable.
While the invention has been illustrated in
connection with a weighing machine embodying
mechanism for feeding a bull:` and a drip stream
upon the scale beam, it will be understood that
 2,634,082
ll 12
be embodied in other forms of weighing machines on either side o'f said fulcrum means and pre
in which different instrumentalities may be em loading said weighing beam; control means for
ployed whose operation is initiated and/or ter said material feeding means comprising a, pair
minated by the control mechanism sensitive to of conduit members each connected with a source
the minute deflections `of the scale beam. For Cil of air under pressure and having an orifice
example, such an instrumentality may be the therein adapted to be successively obstructed by
indicator of a check weigher, or mechanism for said Weighing beam; and means responsive to
selectively separating over and under weight changes in pressure in one of said conduit mem
packages. bers for effecting interruption of the bulk feed
Having thus described the invention, what is as said beam is moved away from obstructing
claimed is: position relative to the orifice of said one con
l. A weighing machine, comprising: a receiver; duit member, and means responsive to changes
means for feeding material to said receiver; a in pressure in the other of said conduit mem
support; means yieldably opposing movement bers for effecting interruption ofthe dribble
of said receiver relative to said support, said 15 feed as said beam moves into obstructing posi
means comprising oppositely acting spring tion relative to the orifice in said other conduit
means opposing movement of said receiver by member.
the weight of material deposited therein; and 8. In a weighing machine, a movable load re
means responsive to deflection of `said spring ceiving means; oppositely acting stili spring
means of the order of about .091 of an inch for 20 means cooperating with the load receiving means
interrupting the feed of material to said receiver. and controlling the movement of the load receiv
2. A weighing machine, comprising: a weigh ing means, the stiffness of the spring means and
ing beam; a receiver supported by said weigh the weight of the load-receiving means together
ing beam; means for feeding material into said with the weight of the load being weighed form
receiver; a support; fulcrum means mounting ing at the time of stream feed cut-off, a reso
said weighing beam for pivotal movement rela nant system having a natural frequency of vi
tive to said support; spring means interposed bration of the order of from five to fifteen cycles
between said beam and support on either side per second, damping means connected with the
of said fulcrum means, said spring means be load receiving means for damping the vibra
ing compressed and opposing rocking movement tions thereof, said spring means and damping
of said weighing beam until a predetermined means cooperating to cause the position of the
weight of material has been deposited into said load receiving means during the last part of the
receiver; and feed control means actuatable in weighing operation to essentially correspond to
response to rocking movement of said Weighing the weight of the load thereon; material feed
beam of the order of about .001 of an inch for 35 ing means for feeding material onto the load re
interrupting the feed of material to said receiver. ceiving means, means for interrupting the feed
y 3. A Weighing machine as defined in claim 2, ing of material; and sensitive control means co
which the fulcrum means is a flexible strip. operating with the load receiving means and ac
4. A Weighing machine as defined in claim 2, tuated by movement of the load receiving means
in -which the fulcrum means is a flexible strip through a distance not exceeding .001 of an inch
and the spring means comprises helical springs to actuate said feed interrupting means.
under compression and producing tension in said ` 9. In a weighing machine, in combination, a
flexible strip. ` Weighing element, material feeding means for
l 5. A-weighing machine as defined in claim 2, feeding a bulk and a drip stream to the weighing
in which the material feeding means comprises
45 element, and means controlled by movement of
a bulk feed device and a dribble feed device and the weighing element of the order of about .001
in which the control means comprises elements of an inch for controlling the operation of said
operable in rapid succession in response to material feeding means, said means comprising
movement of said weighing beam not exceed two pneumatic control units, each having con
ing a total movement of about .008 of in inch duit means through which air under substantial
for successively interrupting the bulk feed and 50
pressure may iiow, said conduit means having a
the dribble feed. reduced discharge orifice, a restricted throat por
6. In a Weighing machine, a weighing beam; a tion spaced in advance of the discharge orifice for
receiver supported by said Weighing beam; offering a resistance to the iiow of air there
means for feeding material to said receiver; a through, said pneumatic control units being
support; fulcrum means mounting said weigh 55 mounted to dispose their discharge orifices to
ing beam for `pivotal movement relative to said ward each other and in spaced relation, means
support; spring means interposed between said movable with the weighing element to open one
weighing beam and support on either side of discharge orifice and upon continued movement
said fulcrum means and preloading said weigh of the scale beam to approach the second dis
ing beam; and control means for said material 60 charge oriñce to restrict the discharge of air
feeding means comprising a pneumatic conduit therefrom, said movements effecting substantial
member having an orifice therein which is nor air pressure variation within the conduits be
mally obstructed by said weighing beam, and tween the discharge orifices and the throats of
means responsive to changes in pressure in said said control units, and mechanism actuated by
conduit member for effecting interruption of the _65 such pressure variation for controlling the mate
material feed as said beam is moved away from rial feeding means to discontinue first the bulk
obstructing position relative to said orifice. stream and then the drip stream.
7. In a weighing machine, a weighing beam; a
receiver supported by said weighing beam; bulk MAX KNOBEL. '
and dribble feed means for feeding material to
said receiver; a support; fulcrum means mount
ing said weighing beam for pivotal movement
relative to said support; spring means inter
posed between said weighing beam and support 75 (References on following page)
 2,634,082
14
REFERENCES CITED Number Name Date
The following references are of record in the 2'170'249 Mlsner ---------- -« Aug 22» 1939
me of this patent: 2,197,514 Barnes __________ __ Apr. 16, 1940
2,207,885 Howard .......... __ July 16, 1940
UNTTED STATES PATENTS 5 2,212,419 Harmon __________ __ Aug, 2o, 1940
Number Name Date 2,224,812 Flanagan ________ __ Dec. 10, 1940
628,894 Outcalt __________ __ July 11, 1899 2,264,562 Bryant ____________ __ Dec. 2, 1941
2,022,659 Fisher ____________ __ Dec. 3, 1935 2,364,902 Howard __________ __ Dec. 12, 1944
2,058,775 Cundall __________ __ Oct. 27, 1936 2,371,040 Fisher ____________ __ Mar. 6, 1945
2,071,443 Weckerly ________ __ Feb. 23, 1937 10