US2663482A - Automatic ice cream filler - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 22, 1953 P. GILBERTY AUTOMATIC ICE-CREAM FILLER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 27, 1952 GILBERT) m m m m Dec. 22, 1953 P. GILBERTY 2,663,482

AUTOMATIC MEI-CREAM FILLER Filed Oct. 27, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

PAUb GILBERT) Dec. 22, 1953 P. GILBERTY AUTOMATIC ICE-CREAM FILLER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 27, 1952 INVEN TOR.

GILBERT) AI'IJF/Vi) PAUL P. GILBERTY AUTOMATIC ICE-CREAM FILLER Dec. 22, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 27, 1952 G 1 LEE RT) AMJ/F/VE) 2 Q Q n w m & gn 1 P J MNIINMNI 1 7 K/ A 4 Dec. 22, 1953 P. GILBERTY 2,663,482

AUTOMATIC ICE-CREAM FILLER Filed Oct. 27, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 8e 7 INVENTOR.

Z6 lily/5. PAUL CILBERTY Patented Dec. 22, 1953 AUTOMATIC ICE CREAM FILLER.

Paul Gilberty, Roslyn Heights, N. Y., assignor to Dairymat Corporation, Long Island City, N. Y., a. corporation of New York Application October 27, 1952, Serial No. 316,959

This invention relates to dispensing apparatus for semi-solids such as ice cream, whipped butter. cheese, lard or the like and more particularly to a portable flush-type filler adapted to be mount.- ed above a moving belt conveyor carrying corrtainers to be filled and b low a tube continuously supplying the semi-solid being dispensed.

In the present practice of flush filling icecream containers, the operator holds an empty container below and against a horizontal plate having an opening through which the ice-cream flows from above, the container being held in position until the operator feels the pressure exerted by the product in the container, which indicates that all the air has been displaced from the container and that the same is flush filled. The operator then wipes the container across the bottom of the plate and at the same time puts another container below the opening in the plate. .Infeeling, the pressure exerted by the product in the container to thereby indicate when the same is flush filled, the operator must hold the con.- tainer under the plate until a minimum, of 12 ounces of pressure is exerted by the product.

It is accordingly a principal object of the pres, ent invention to provide a device which will make an automatic flush fill of the container, providing mechanically the same movements that the hand operator goes through, but getting a more uniform fill in less time and operating with less back pressure against the feeding line, the pres ent invention operating with 4 ounces of back pressure, resulting in less overrun being lost than is the case with hand filling.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device of the above type which is made entirely of stainless steel and which when mounted will permit one girl to flush fill and cover the same amount of product as is now being done by three girls using the hand method, and which is designed for continuous-flow flush filling.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a flush type filler bearing the above objectsin mind which isentirel-y automatic in operation and in which there are no adjustments for the operator or plant engineer to-make with the exception of installing and occasional replacement of certain of the parts to be hereinafter described.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a flush type filler bearing the above objects in mind which may be thoroughly washed as it is entirely constructed of stainless steel with the exception of one of theparts, this part being water-proof.

For further comprehension of the invention and 'of'the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had'to thefollowing description and accompanying drawings, and to theappended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set :forth.

14 Claims. (Cl. 226F99) In the accompanying drawings forming a ma.- terial part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a top, front perspective view of a flush type filler embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top, rear perspective view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view thereof.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along line .fifld of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is. a fragmentary end view of a part of the present invention, shown partly in section, and showing part of the means for operating a micro switch included in the device.

Fig. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the filler.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary top plan view of the filler and showing the device in one extreme longitudinal position.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a part of the invention showing one of the gripper fingers i n p n po ition and showing a .Qircuitvbreahmg a n an noperativ p $i Q1 Fig. 9 is a View similar to Fig, 8 showing fur.- ther parts of the device including. the means fo opening and closing the gripper fingers, the lat.- ter in shown in an open posi ion. and show ns. a po t of the .fee er mechanism for indi eating when the containers are flush filled.

Fig. 10 is a perspect v Vi w of a ntainer p d to be used w t p e e t inv ntion.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig, 3 and show.- -ing the circuit-breaking cam in an operative p rsition.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fi '9 but showing the gripp r fin ers in a close posi ion- Fig. 1.3 is a front .elevational view of part of the. means for operating the micro switeh shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 14 is .a fragmentary front elevational view of the micro-switch showing a portiono-f a pilot lamp connected thereto.

Fig. 1.5 is a front elevational view, partly in section, showing a motor and arrangement ,of gears for automatically operating the filler of .Fi s. 1 to 14.

Referring more in detail to the drawing in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown ,a rectangular base plate .Hl mounted above a conveyor ;belt, not shown, .of the type currently used in ice-cream dispensing mechanisms and which moves a series ,of containers 5}} .(see Fig. l0) therealong in intermittent motion.

Conve or b lts. carryi o ta e s th r a ons in intermittent motion are .well known in the 'art and form no part of the present invention. and'have not therefore beenshown in the draw.- s- Such o veyor lt ay e ro ded with an automatic container dispenser supplying empty containers as fast as they are filled, or the containers may be placed manually upon thezbelt by the operator.

The base plate It is mounted above the conveyor belt in a substantially horizontal direction and is spaced above the belt a sufficient distance to permit the containers to pass below the plate below its central longitudinal axis, this mounting being done in any suitable manner.

The plate it is slightly wider than the diameter of the containers and carries a shaft ll along each longitudinal edge in spaced relation to said plate, the shafts H being rigidly secured by suitable brackets 69 surrounding the ends thereof and fastened in conventional manner to the top of the plate at each corner, as shown in Fig. 1. It will be noted that the shafts H are spaced slightly outwardly of the longitudinal edges of the plate it and slightly above the same, for a purpose which will be hereinafter described. It will also be noted that the longitudinal axes of the shafts H are substantially parallel to the moving path of the containers, the shafts extending the length of the base plate II.

A downwardly extending flange I2 is integrally formed along each longitudinal edge of the plate H at the central portions thereof, said flanges along their central portions continuing down- Wardly and being bent inwardly whereby to provide a pair of inner edges [3 adapted to contact the side walls of the containers as with the upper rims 6| thereof intermediate the bottom of the plate and said inner edges with the inwardiy bent portion of the flange !2 being adapted to support the rims of the containers, in a manner to be hereinafter described.

The plate H] is provided along its central longitudinal axis with an elongated slot it extending completely therethrough, said slot extending from an imaginary line joining the midpoints of said inner edges IE to a point slightly beyond the end of the inner edges on one side thereof, substantially as illustrated in Fig. 6, whereby said slot will overlie the open mouth of a container having its rim disposed intermediate the undersurface of the plate and the inwardly extending portions of flanges i2 and will extend longitudinally beyond the mouth of this container to overlie the mouth of a second container following the first container and in point contact therewith along the conveyor belt, said containers being so positioned by means to be hereinafter described.

The plate i9 is further provided with an'opening extending completely therethrough alongside one longitudinal edge of the slot 14 and adapted to be above the mouth of the first container mentioned above, for a purpose to be hereinafter referred to.

Elongated cylindrical sleeves l6 are mounted upon each shaft H intermediate the brackets 60, the sleeve extending substantially one-half the length of the shafts I I and being adapted to slide longitudinally therealong between the obvious limits of the brackets Be, as well as being capable of rotation angularly relative to the shafts II.

A pair of finger members I! are rigidly secured to bottom of each sleeve It in transverse alignment with each other, substantially as illustrated in Fig. 6, said finger members joining the sleeves It on one side and adjacent to the longitudinal midpoints of said sleeves and extending downwardly therefrom at right angles to the longitudinal axes of said sleeves, said fingers H continuing inwardly at right angles to their respective body portions and parallel to the plate m below the flanges I2, at right angles to the inner edges I3 of said flanges.

A second pair of finger members I3 are rigidly secured to the bottom of each sleeve It; in transverse alignment with each other, substantially as illustrated in Fig. 6, said fingers joining the sleeves H5 at one end and extending downwardly thereform at right angles to the longitudinal axes of said sleeves, the finger members l8 continuing inwardly at right angles to their respective body portions and parallel to the plate it) below the flanges 12, at an inclined angle at the inner edges i3 of said flanges, extending outwardly from the first pair of finger members l2.

Each of the finger members H and I8 is provided with an integrally formed head [9 at the free ends thereof, each of said enlarged heads on the side remote from said fingers presenting a Vertical plane surface disposed at an inclined angle to the inner edges it, the four heads l9 collectively being adapted to engage the first container referred to above below its rim at four points.

Second and third pairs of finger members H" and iii are similarly disposed on the other end of the sleeves It, in symmetrical relation to said first and second pairs, and are provided with enlarged heads is adapted to engage the second container referred to above at four points below its rim, the geometric centers of the sets of enlarged heads is and |9 being of an inch closer to each other than the actual centers of the first and second containers referred to above placed together, with the result that the containers are pressed together at that point in the middle where they pass under the slot 1 3.

A first pair of cylindrical brackets 26 are mounted on each of the shafts H adjacent the sleeves It at one end and adapted to slide therealong, a second pair of cylindrical brackets 2| being similarly mounted at the other end of the sleeves H3.

The brackets 23 and 2! on each shaft H are connected by elongated arms 22 extending the length of the sleeves as parallel thereto and bent inwardly at each end, substantially as illustrated.

A pair of transverse, aligned arms 23 are rigidly secured at one end to the inner sides of the brackets 25 and extend inwardly across the top of the plate Hi to terminate above the longitudinal center of the plate where they are joined by a bearing 24 rigidly secured to their inner ends.

Preferably, the brackets 59, the shafts ii, the downwardly extending flanges i2, the elongated sleeves it, the finger members H, is, H" and I8 and the enlarged heads 33 and is, the cylindrical brackets 253 and 2 i, the transverse arms 23, the elongated arms 22, and the bearing 25 are all formed of the same material as the base plate it, namely stainless steel, this material be ing likewise used for the parts to be hereinafter described.

The longitudinal axis of the bearing 24 is parallel to the shafts ii, and rotatably mounts a third shaft 25 extending outwardly of the bearing 24 at both ends for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

An operating disc 26 is rigidly secured to the rotatable shaft 25 at its end nearest the slot I4 while a hand lever 2? is rigidly secured to the shaft 25 at its other end, said operating disc and said lever preventing longitudinal displacetherewith, whereby closing of the micro-switch by the diaphragm 31 in the manner described above will light the lamp 44 and indicate to the operator that the container is flush filled and that it is time to start the first movement of the hand lever 21.

It will be noted at this point, that at the conclusion of the fourth movement which closes the finger members upon the second container, it will be necessary to again open the switch 3! to prevent the lamp 64 from being continuously illuminated, which would of course prevent it from indicating when the next container is flushfilled.

Accordingly, a third sleeve 45 is rigidly mounted on the shaft 3t and fixedly carries an upwardly and outwardly extending arm at terminating above the plate l6 adjacent one of the elongated sleeves it, substantially as illustrated, a

T-shaped cam 5! being pivotally secured to the free-end of the arm 46, It will be noted that the central portion of the cam 41 extends outwardly over one elongated sleeve It, the sleeve [6 fixedly carrying an elongated projection 48 which is adapted to slide under said central portion when said sleeve and the finger members thereon are in an open position during the third movement (see Fig. 8), and adapted to raise the central portion of the cam when the sleeve and finger members are rotated in the fourth movement (see Fig. 11)

This raising of the central portion of the cam 41 causes the arm 48 to drop, thereby rotating the shaft 34 in the opposite direction, and moving the projection 35 away from the push-button 32 to thereby open the micro-switch during the fourth movement of the hand lever 21.

Additional means in operative engagement with the micro-switch 3| to indicate when the container is flush-filled is afforded by an additional feeler mechanism to be described directly. 7

A fourth cylindrical sleeve 53 is rigidly mounted on the shaft 35, and fixedly carries an upwardly extending arm 54, said arm 55 being bent in a substantially horizontal direction and terminating adjacent the diaphragm 55 previously described. An enlarged button 58 is secured to the end of the arm 54 and is in contact with the diaphragm 55 when the projection 36 is adjacent the end of the push-button 32.

Outward movement of the diaphragm 56 will be occasioned when the ice-cream is flush-filled within the container upward to the neck 52 and all the air has been evacuated therefrom, a pressure of 4 ounces being sufficient to close the micro-switch 3! as in the case of the diaphragm 37, which operates simultaneously with the diaphragm 56.

'In operation, first and second containers are moved to their respective positions below the slot 14 by the conveyor belt, with the first container directly below the slot l4 and the rim thereof intermediate the inner edges 13 and the bottom of the plate It. The hand lever 21 is rotated in the fourth movement to close the finger members upon the two containers and to open the micro-switch. lhe continuous flow of ice-cream is started and the first container begins to fill.

The product passes through the elongated slot H; in the bottom of the plate 65 into the container. Air escapes from the first container into the second container by means of the overlapping position of the slot it along with a small amount of product after the first container is filled. The first container is filled flush. At that instant,

the microswitch 3|, operated by the button 43 resting against the diaphragm 3?, closes and thereby illuminates the pilot lamp 44. The finger members gripping the containers are then moved forward by means of the lever 2'! in the first movement to a position at the end of the plate, resulting in the delivery thereof of a smooth, flush-filled first container. When the first container is all the way forward, the lever 27 is rotated angularly in the second movement to release the first and second containers, the flushfilled first container moving along the conveyor belt to a covering table, not shown. During the first movement, the second container is brought a. forward by the closed finger members to a position directly below the slot M to take the place of the now filled first container, to be held in position by the inner edges it. A third container is brought up to the position previously occupied by the second container by the still intermittently moving conveyor belt. The container directly under the slot l4 may be further secured by a spring urged stool, not shown, positioned above the conveyor belt and below the container. Alternately, such a stool may be raised and lowered by a cam, not shown, the motion of which is synchronized with the intermittent motion of the conveyor belt. Such a stool and the inner edges I3 will hold the container under the slot I4 until the finger members are moved back in the third movement by the hand lever 21 and another container has moved in behind the container on the stool.

The finger members are then swung inwardly in the fourth movement by the hand lever 21 to grip the containers, which movement also opens the microswitch and turns off the pilot lamp 44. The container then fills until the microswitch indicates again to start the next cycle of movement.

It should be noted that only during the first movement of the cycle described above, will the conveyor belt move, remaining motionless during the remainder of the cycle and while the cup is filling. At this time, the cam referred to above under the stool can be made to rotate and raise the stool directly under a container in position directly below the slot M, such movement being synchronized with the intermittent movement of the conveyor belt. A dispenser for empty containers, feeding the latter onto the conveyor belt from above, can also be provided, the operation of the dispenser being synchronized with the conveyor belt, so that when the belt moves forward one container, a new container will be fed onto the belt by the dispenser. Mechanisms for efiecting the desired movement of the containers from the dispenser onto the conveyor belt, at the proper time, are well known in the art and form no part of the present invention, and have not, therefore, been described in detail.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 15, there is shown means for automatically operating the filler including an electric motor 62 connected to a source of power, not shown, by wires 63 and mounted on the base plate 54 of a housing 65, the housing 65 being suitably mounted above the plate I 3 with the motor 52 directly over the bearing 24, when the latter is in one extreme position at the end of the plate l5, substantially as illustrated.

The motor $2 is provided with a drive shaft 66 extending outwardly through bearings 67 and 68 integrally formed in the housing 65, an enlarged shoulder 69 preventing inward longitudinal disshaft 257- 61B.- A. am:.10; iszrigidlymounted onthe. shaft. 55

intermediate the: bearings 61'- and .68: and; has a helica dwell. H for a purpose, to be hereinaft r referred. to

Thebearin 4 r atably mounts a modified diiier -ns froznthe shaft 55 in: its: elone ed-leng h and intheprcvisionof ashoulder. 124 which pr v nts on itudinal displacement oi heshaft rela ivevtothe aring 24; The bear.- ing Zecarries the transversearms; Z3; oneend of the shaftZE fixedly carryingtheoperating disc, 26 andvitsconnecting rods; 28.- The-other end-of th sh ft .25 rotatably moun s-amodified lev rzl' difierine from the-lev r 2! i the prov sion of a pin 1'3 at the upper end thereof adapted toridethe dwell H, substantially as illustrated;'

Directly below the bearing '68,,the h us n 65 isprovid wi hinte rally formed bear ngs. and-15 mounting shaft-'5 16 and 11;.the Shafts 16s and. i havin enlar ed hould rsifi: and .9 wh reby; o pr vent inward i placement throu h he: bearin s lon itudinallyhe inner end of theshaft 16 is provided withan enlarged sleeve 80=nreventine-outward displacement of the. haft relative to; the bearing, while the inner end of the shaft .1 fixedly arri s a ea 84 fora purpose to be hereinafter, referred to.

The outerxendszoftheshafts 55, 1E: and-W are nrovidedwith aligned ears82, 83 and 8 dapt d to mesh; with ach ther; s bsta tia ly. a illusated; whereby an ular-rotation of the. shaftfifi isytransmitted in the same direction to the gear 8'! as well as. ,to-the cam 70.

The lever 2 is rotatably mounted-on the shaft 25- and is prevented from longitudinal displacementrela-tivethereto byw enlarged shoulders 85 and 86,

A gear 81 is rigidly mounted ,gnthe outer-end of;th e shaft 25.;' and is adapted to mesh with the gear 8i when the pin Breaches the outer end of the helicaldwell H, during operation of the motor 62.

Directly below the. bearing 6-1; the housing 65 is provided with integrally formed bearings'BB', 8,9.and sllwmounting shaftstl, 92cand 93, and shafts; 9,1, 92; and 93 having enlarged'shoulders, 9,4; 95, and 9'6 whereby to prevent longitudinal displacement through their respeotivebearings in one direction; The other endof the shaft 93 fixedly carries a gear 91; preventing displacement of the shaft in the opposite direction-and receiving reverse angular, motion from the drive shaft tfi bymeans f ali n d ars 93;, 99, Midlan 1.0!, Substantiallyas illustrated. Sleeves IGZ-and I93 prevent inward n it dinal d pla ement ofthe she-H5191! al.1619

A. gear liis is rigidly mounted on the shaft 25 and'is adanted'tomesh with the: ea fiiewhen the pin 73: reaches :the inneryend oijthe helical dwellc ll, during operation of the motor 82.

The motor, EZLisconnectedtoa, source of power; not shown, in series with the microrswitch 3! .by means of the wires, 63 whereby: closing of the switch 3] will. energize the motor and auto,- matically drive the shaftea Thisrotatiomwill impart reciprocal motion to the shaftZ-fi through t cam T and t e r a ab ymounted-handle 2 1 angular motion being imparted ateach end, of the stroke and ofthedwell H by theinteraction of the gearsill and 16 3, ands! and ,8].

In operation, first and second containersare moved to their respective positionssbelow theslot M bythe, conveyor, belt, with thefirstcontainer directly belowthe. slot l4 andflthevrimuthereof intermediate thezinneri ed es; I t and. the; bottom of; he plate !iL The.- buttonied iSZPILShGdi-bY thBT operator to;drive1the motorutz until the. finger. membersic .Sf3;.0lllth&fil$ftiifil1l econd'scontainers: in the: necwementzwh automatically opensthesswitch andstonsthe mot or; ThezeOne tinuouszfioit o ieevoreazm-js' started: and the-first container beers. to; fill; The; product passesthrou h: the: elongated: slot It; inxthe: loottonnof: he: plate Ieinto;the-:firstwontainer; Air eseanes. from-zine .fiiisticontainer intoitheesecondz-container' by means. of the overlappin -posi ion iith siot alonewitir as all amountpof product-1 after; the first contain" filled; liheairstacontainerais filled 11315131. t1 nstantrthe microeswitch-fiil; operated by: the button 4e restineagainstathe diaphragm-:1 tit and by the; button: 518'; restin against the diaphragm 5!; clo es: and thereby: eliminates the DilOtKIEe-EIIP 44-: and-t activatee the shaft isettomovethe;containersand fin er-merit: bers, t0; the end of 1 the; plate: 1035' means; ofz the camzlermovingirthez pint- T3: lt will behzund rstooti thatithe 1 11113 is atithe innerzendiio'f thesdwel-l :11! at the; end of the fourthgmovernent. Thisresultfiincthedeliveryi oi-azzsmooth; flush-filled first 0011-: tain at the end-cofitheplate, .withtheesecond container now directly under the slot IE. Atthis point, thegear "83 mesheswitnsth e glearze o'zr tate :the shaft 2:5v in;the:s,econd movements-and to release the first and second containers,,- the flush-filled-firstcontainerxfildlfin .alone hem veyor belt to alcovering: ta leignfljltfihfilwnt During; the: first e.- moyement, the: s cond vemi tainer. isbronghtcforwardaby the closed-finger members .to aposi-tion: directly-below the slot, [.4 to. take the; place .ofithenowfifled first container; to be held in position by therinner, edges: liliandi if desired; snri-ngi reed; stool, notshown. A third container. is brou ht no o th p sition previously occupied by T311625 ond containeriby thee still intermittently-:moyine onveyon belte i After theishaft 275% has ;.ro tated .20 .-de re8s-,the 131111733115 moving; in theonnosi-tedimetion imthe third-imovement:.todisen etg&the" ars Mandzdl thereby stoppin w further rotat' and: twinin the fingercmembersxback totheiri-ori inalposition adjacentsitheznext' eontazinento. ifilled-i, Atthis point; the: gear: e32 meshes: th; the e r-r 91- to rotate-zthesshaitzfit 'ZOQdle Iee the: OPRQSitefli rectione tozclose: the; fins-ersmemberson; the= on= tainers; ini the: fourth: movem nt, ,Whidh move: ment; also opensathfitsmidl'q-sw'ifichz 3 I 1 .anq1:.turns ofiithe pilotzlampidcandithe motor 12% Theoone tainersthemfii'ls ,until the: IILiGlFQrSWitQhB is: again closed to start the next cycle;

Other. meehanismszmay, oi cou se e. us d'i efieet:the-.movements. ofztheashaf tzi' nd it iswnot proposed to. Iimitthe inventi n; to h p r eular arrangement set::forth.;.innF l5. Flor-example;

the: swing of vthe;fingers;members n. h Start of I the strokeand the swingin -tor: the fin e -m herszoutrattthe endtofzthezst ok may e accom-. plished by "812 hingealererz conneetediirom a-xroller ridingsaktwo lobemam. to the iaw-orscontainer fin er.- operat n a pull. ro h .th emo orone ea ina aonerevolution clutohiorlon itudinal movementof-theshaftfi,.

T0 run difierent-type.containers. it wi11, .be necessary to raise orlower theifiliingiunittoxtlie desiredheight; I

Another methodocf indica a wh n the container. is flush-fillediand which is basically-the sameas the .buttonih adedindicators shownzin thendrawin cis to. have the ice cre m fiher connected to. the. plate. I Dlibx. a 61inch length of pure stages l l gum tubing. Around this tubing would be disposed a pair of spring loaded fingers that would be connected to th microswitch in a manner similar to the button-headed indicators. As the container was filled, immediately that the product had displaced all of the air in the container, a slight pressure would be exerted on the hose causing it to expand. This expansion would in turn operate the above mentioned fingers causing the actuation of the jaws to move the container forward. Another desirable feature of this pure gum hose connector is that it eliminates the need of a surge tank to compensate for the variable pressure that will necessarily arise in that fraction of a second period when the container is filled and moved to the point where the product is released again to the following container. This pure gum hose will expand and immediately that the empty container is under it, this tube contracts again and will continue the cycles. The finger members may be replaceable to accommodate other diameter containers.

-It is to be understood that the neck 52 of the filler member 51, may be connected to a rubber tube Illl, which acts as an expansion valve during the interval while the filled cup is being shifted.

In practice, instead of the pilot light 44, the

microswitch 3| may be connected direct to the motor 52.

' While'I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a semi-solid dispenser mechanism having a conveyor belt moving empty containers therealong, a base plate mounted above the conveyor belt, said base plate having a slot therethrough adapted to overlie one container and a portion of the next container, gripping means on the bottom of said plate adapted to first releasably grip the containers and then to move them longitudinally to one end of said plate, means for activating said gripping means in the aforesaid sequence, means for continuously supplying a semisolid to said slot and therethrough to a container directly thereunder, and means for indicating when the container is flush-filled whereby to control said activating means.

2. In a semi-solid dispenser mechanism having a conveyor belt moving empty containers therealong, a base plate mounted above the conveyor belt, said base plate having a slot therethrough adapted to overlie one container and a portion of the next container, gripping means on the bottom of said plate adapted to first releasably grip the containers and then to move them longitudinally to one end of said plate, means for activating saidgripping means in the aforesaid sequence, means for continuously supplying a semisolid to said slot and therethrough to a container directly thereunder, and means for indicating when the container is flush-filled whereby to control said activating means, said gripping means comprising a pair of shafts mounted along the longitudinal edges of said plate, a pair of sleeves rotatably and longitudinally slidable along said shafts, and a plurality of finger members carried by said sleeves, said finger members extending downwardly and under said base plate and being adapted to engage the side walls of the containers.

3. In a semi-solid dispenser mechan sm having a conveyor belt moving empty containers therealong, a base plate mounted above the conveyor belt, said base plate having a slot therethrough adapted to overlie one container and a portion of the next container, gripping means on the bo tom of said plate adapted to first releasably grip the containers and then to move them longitudinally to one end of said plate, means for activating said gripping means in the aforesaid sequence, means for continuously supplying a semi-solid to said slot and therethrough to a container directly thereunder, and means for indicating when the container is flush-filled whereby to control said activating means, said gripping means comprising a pair of shafts mounted along the longitudinal edges of said plate, a pair of sleeves rotatably and longitudinally slidable along said shafts, and a plurality of finger members carried by said sleeves, said finger members extending downwardly and under said base plate and being adapted to engage the side walls of the containers, and an inwardly extending flange along the longitudinal edges of said plate adapted to engage the rim of a container directly under said slot when said finger members are in an outer position.

4. In a semi-solid dispenser mechanism having a conveyor belt moving empty containers therealong, a base plate mounted above the conveyor belt, said base plate having a slot therethrough adapted to overlie one container and a portion of the next container, gripping means on the bottom of said plate adapted to first releasably grip the containers and then to move them longitudinally to one end of said plate, means for activating said gripping means in the aforesaid scquence, means for continuously supplying a semisolid to said slot and therethrough to a container directly thereunder, and means for indicating when the container is flush-filled whereby to control said activating means, said gripping means comprising a pair of shafts mounted along the longitudinal edges of said plate, a pair of sleeves rotatably and longitudinally slidable along said shafts, and a plurality of finger members carried by said sleeves, said finger members extending downwardly and under said base plate and being adapted to engage the side walls of the containers, said activating means comprising longitudinally slidable brackets carried by said shafts at each end of said sleeves, means interconnecting said brackets on each shaft, transverse arms carried by said brackets at one end of said sleeves, a bearing member connecting said arms, a third shaft in said bearing member, an operating disc rigidly mounted on said third shaft at one end, means interconnecting said operating disc and said rotatable sleeves, and means mounted on said third shaft at the other end for rotating said shaft and for moving it longitudinally along said plate.

5. In a semi-solid dispenser mechanism having a conveyor belt moving empty containers therealong, a base plate mounted above the conveyor belt, said base plate having a slot therethrough adapted to overlie one container and a portion of the next container, gripping means on the bot tom of said plate adapted to first releasably grip the containers and then tn move them longitudi-- nally to one end of said plate, means for activat-- ing said gripping means in the aforesaid sequence, means for continuously supplying a semi-solid to said slot and therethrough to a container directly acting-48a thereunder, and means for indicating whenthe container-is flush-filled whereby to control-said activating-means, said semi-solid supply-ingmeans comprising an inverted, substantially funnelshaped member mounted on-sa-id plate above said slot, the bottom-of said memberbeing shaped to surround said slot, the topof said member'being.

substantially circular, a substantially cylindrical neck secured to said top, and a semi-solid filler securedto the top of said neck and adapted tocontinuously supply semi-solid material thereto.

6. In a semi-solid. dispenser mechanism having a conveyor belt moving: empty containers therealong, a base plate mounted above the conveyor belt, said base plateihaving a slot: there;- through adapted to overlie one container. and. a portion of the next container, gripping, means. on the bottom of said. plate adapted". to first releasably grip: the containers. and then to: move them longitudinally to one end of said plate, means for activating said. gripping means in the aforesaid sequence means for'continuously supplyin'g'a semi-solid to said slot and therethrough to a container directly thereunder, and means for indicating when the container is flush-filled whereby to control. said activating means, said indicatingmeans comprising a switch, said base plate having an opening. adjacent said slot, a diaphragm secured to said plate abovesaid opening means operable by said diaphragm in operative'engagement with said switch whereby to close the: same, and signaling means connected in series. with said switch.

7'. In a semi-solid: dispenser mechanism having a conveyor belt moving empty containers therealong, a base plate mounted above the conveyor belt, said base plate having a slot therethrough adapted. to overlie one container and a portion of. the next containengripping means on the bottom of said plate adapted to first releasably grip the containers and then to move them longitudinally to one end of said plate, means for activating said gripping means in the aforesaid sequence, means for continuously supplying a semi-solid to said slot and therethrough to a container directly thereunder, and means forindicating when the container is flush-filled. whereby to control said activating means, said semi-solid supplying means comprising an inverted, mounted on said plate above said slot, the bottom of. said member being shaped to surround said slot, the top of said member being substantially circular, a substantially cylindrical neck secured to said top, and a semi-solid filler secured to the top of said neck and adapted to continuously supply semi-solid material thereto, said indicating means comprising a switch, said base plate having an opening adjacent said slot, a diaphragm secured to said plate above said opening, means operable by said diaphragm in operative engagement with said switch whereby to close the same, and signaling means connected in series with saidswitch, said neck having an opening, a second diaphragm secured to said neck above said opening, second means operable by said second diaphragm in operative engagement with said switch wherebyto close the same, and means operable by said gripping means in operative engagement with said switch whereby to open the same.

8. In a semi-solid dispenser mechanism having a conveyor belt moving empty containers therealong, a base plate mounted above the conveyor belt, said base plate having a slot theresubstantially funnel-shaped member through adapted to overlie one. container and: a portion of the "next. container, gripping means on the bottom of said plate adapted to; first. releasably grip the containersandthen tozmove. them longitudinally. to one end of said. plate, means for activating. said'gripping means in.the: aforesaid sequence, means .for continuously. sup-- plying-a semi-solidto saidslot andtherethrough toa'container directly thereunder, and. means for indicating. whenthe container is flushefilled; whereby to control said activating means-,.said indicating means comprising. a micro-switch, said micro-switch including a push-button, in. operative engagement therewith, a shaft r-.o.-- tatably mounted below said push-button, a; pro, jectioncarriedby saidshaft. in contact witlrsaid push-button; said base plate having an opening; adjacent said.slot,.a. diaphragm secured to said plate aboveesaid opening, an arm rigidly carried, by said shaft,.said.arm terminating abovezsaidz diaphragm, an enlarged button secured to. theend of said. arm and in contact. with. said diephragm, and signaling means connected in series. with. said. micro-switch.

9. In a semi-solid dispenser mechanismhaving a conveyor belt moving empty containers; therealong, a base plate mounted above the. conveyor belt, said base. plate having a slot there? through adapted. to overlie one container and a portionof the next container, gripping means; on the bottom of said plate adapted. to first. releasably grip the containers and then-to move. them longitudinally to one end of said plate, means for activating said gripping means .in, the aforesaid sequence, means for continuously supplying a semi-solid to saidslot and there through to a container directly thereunder, and means for indicating when the container is flushfilled whereby to control said activating means,

said semi-solid supplying means comprising anv inverted, substantially funnel-shaped member mounted on said plate above said slot, the bottom of said member being shaped to surround said slot, the top of said member being substantially circular, a substantially cylindrical. neck secured to said top, and. a semi-solid filler. secured to the top of said neck and adapted. to continuously supply semi-solid material thereto, said indicating means comprising a micro-switch, said micro-switch including a push-button in operative engagement therewith, a shaft rotatably mounted below said pushbutton, a projection carried by said shaft in contact with said push-button, said base plate. having an opening adjacent said slot, a diaphragm secured to said plate above said opening; an arm rigidly carried by said shaft, said arm terminating above said diaphragm, an enlarged button secured to the end of said arm and in: contact with said diaphragm, and signaling. means'connected in series with said. micro-switch said neck having an opening, a seconddiaphragm secured; to said neck above said opening, a second: arm rigidly carried by said shaft, said-sec.- ond arm terminating above said second diaphragm, a secondenlarged button carried by said. second arm and in contact with said second diaphragm, and means operable by saidgripping' means in operative engagement with said micro:- switch whereby to open the same.

1:0.v In a semi-solid dispenser mechanism havin .a conveyor belt. moving empty containers therealong, a base plate mounted above the conveyor belt, said base plate having a slot therethrough adapted to overlie one container and a portion of the next container, gripping means on the bottom of said plate adapted to first releasably grip the containers and then to move them longitudinally to one end of said plate, means for activating said gripping means in the aforesaid sequence, means for continuously supplying a semi-solid to said slot and therethrough to a container directly thereunder, and means for indicatin when the container is flush-filled whereby to control said activating means, said gripping means comprisin a pair of shafts mounted along the longitudinal edges of said plate, a pair of sleeves rotatably and. longitudinally slidable along said shafts, and a plurality of finger members carried by said sleeves, said finger members extending downwardly and under said base plate and being adapted to engage the side walls of the containers, said activating means comprising longitudinally slidable brackets carried by said shafts at each end of said sleeves, means interconnecting said brackets on each shaft, transverse arms carried by said brackets at one end of said sleeves, a bearing member connecting said arms, a third shaft in said bearing member, an operating disc rigidly mounted on said third shaft at one end, means interconnecting said operating disc and said rotatable sleeves, and means mounted on said third shaft at the other end for rotating said shaft and for moving it longitudinally along said plate, said last mentioned means comprising a lever rotatably mounted on said third shaft, a motor connected in series with said indicating means, said motor including a drive shaft, means interconnecting said drive shaft and said lever for imparting reciprocal motion to said lever, and means interconnecting said drive shaft and said third shaft for imparting angular motion to said third shaft in opposite directions at each end of said reciprocal motion.

11. In a semi-solid dispenser mechanism having a conveyor belt moving empty containers therealong, a base plate mounted above the conveyor belt, said base plate having a slot therethrough adapted to overlie one container and a portion of the next container, gripping means on the bottom of said plate adapted to first releasably grip the containers and then to move them longitudinally to one end of said plate, means for activating said gripping means in the aforesaid sequence, means for continuously supplying a semi-solid to said slot and therethrough to a container directly thereunder, and means for indicating when the container is flush-filled whereby to control said activating means, said indicating means comprising a switch, said base plate having an opening adjacent said slot, a diaphragm secured to said plate above said opening, means operable by said diaphragm in operative engagement with said switch whereby to close the same, and signaling means connected in series with said switch, said signaling means comprising a lamp having a self-contained drycell therewithin, the switch of said lamp being in an on? position with the circuit thereof connected in series with said first switch.

12. In a semi-solid dispenser mechanism having a conveyor belt moving empty containers therealong, a base plate mounted above the conveyor belt, said base plate having a slot therethrough adapted to overlie one container and a portion of the next container, gripping means on the bottom of said plate adapted to first releasably grip the containers and then to move them longitudinally to one end of said plate, means for activating said gripping means in the aforesaid sequence, means for continously supplying a semi-solid to said slot and therethrough toa container directly thereunder, and means for indicating when the container is flush-filled whereby to control said activating means, and a spring urged stool adapted to engage the bottom of the container directly under said slot whereby to further secure the rim thereof against the undersurface of said base plate. 7

13. In a semi-solid dispenser mechanism having a conveyor belt moving empty containers therealong, a base plate mounted above the cone veyor belt, said base plate having a slot therethrough adapted to overlie one container and a portion of the next container, gripping means on the bottom of said plate adapted to first releasably grip the containers and then to move them longitudinally to one end of said plate, means for activating said gripping means in the aforesaid sequence, means for continuously supplying a semi-solid to said slot and therethrough to a container directly thereunder, and means for indicating when the container is flush-filled whereby to control said activating means, and a stool adapted to engage the bottom of the container directly under said slot, and a cam beneath,

said stool whereby to raise said stool against the bottom of the container to further secure the rim thereof against the undersurface of said base plate, the motion of said cam being synchronized with the movement of the conveyor belt. 7

14. In a semi-solid dispenser mechanism having a conveyor belt moving empty containers therealong, a base plate mounted above th conveyor belt, said base plate having a slot therethrough adapted to overlie one container and a portion of the next container, gripping means on the bottom of said plate adapted to first releasably grip the containers and then to move them longitudinally to one end of said plate, means for activating said gripping means in the aforesaid sequence, means for continuously supplying a semi-solid to said slot and therethrough to a container directly thereunder, and means for indicating when the container is flush-filled whereby to control said activating means, said semi-solid supplying means comprising an inverted, substantially funnel-shaped member mounted on said plate above said slot, the bottom of said member being shaped to surround said slot, the top of said member being substantially circular, a substantially cylindrical neck secured to said top, and a semi-solid filler secured to the top of said neck and adapted to continuously supply semi-solid material thereto, said indicating means comprising a length of gum tubing intermediate and connecting said filler and said neck, said tubing being normally partially collapsed, a pair of spring loaded fingers in contact and surrounding said tubing, a switch, said fingers being in operative engagement with said switch whereby to close the same upon expansion of said tubing, and signallin means connected in series with said switch.

PAUL GILBERTY.

No references cited.

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