Automatic apparatus for high speed precision portioning of granules by weight

• US 10,386,162 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2017
• Issued: 08/20/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adr International Limited
• Original Assignee: Adr International Limited
• Inventors: Pearlson, Daniel David
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W
• Application Number:
  US15/463,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20170217693A1
• Time in Patent Office: 883 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 15/44 for impelling the loads
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 33/14 comprising a screw or screws enclosed in a tubular housing
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/44 Arrangements or applications of hoppers or chutes
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/846 Star-shaped wheels or wheels equipped with article-engaging elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 65/40 Devices for emptying otherwise than from the top
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 33/02 Filling cartridges, missiles, or fuzes; Inserting propellant or explosive charges F42B33/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 33/0207 Processes for loading or filling propulsive or explosive charges in containers
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 33/0264 by using screw-type feeders F42B33/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 33/0285 Measuring explosive-charge levels in containers or cartridge cases; Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of material fed or filled F42B33/004 takes precedence; controlling the quantity of material fed in packaging B65B3/26
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 33/0292 by volumetric measurement, i.e. the volume of the material being determined before filling
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 5/16 characterised by composition or physical dimensions or form of propellant charge, with or without projectile, or powder chemical composition C06B; F42B5/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 13/04 involving dribble-feed means controlled by the weighing mechanism to top up the receptacle to the target weight
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 13/16 Means for automatically discharging weigh receptacles under control of the weighing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 13/247 Checking quantity of material in the feeding arrangement, e.g. discharge material only if a predetermined quantity is present
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 17/00 Apparatus for or methods of weighing material of special form or property determining weight by measuring volume G01F

Abstract

An automated granule portioning system includes at least one volumetric measuring chamber capable of adjusting the volume of the chamber automatically to a programmed target volume and arranged to receive a first portion of granules into the chamber to fill the target volume. A transport system automatically delivers the target volume of granules from the chamber to a weighing device. A granule metering device dispenses granules and, depending on a signal from the weighing device that the first portion of granules is below a programmed target weight, dispenses granules to the first portion to increase the weight to achieve a second portion having the target weight.

Claims

1. An apparatus for automated granule portioning, the apparatus comprising a volumetric assembly comprising at least one telescopic chamber and a gear mechanism capable of adjusting the volume of the telescopic chamber, the volumetric assembly being arranged to receive granules into the telescopic chamber to fill the volume of the telescopic chamber, wherein the granules received within the telescopic chamber are delivered to a granule cup assembly, and wherein the apparatus further comprises an inclined conveyor with compartments, cups, indentations or depressions such that only one granule may be situated within said compartment, cup, indentation or depression, to deliver individual granules to the granule cup assembly.

2. The apparatus for automated granule portioning of claim 1, further comprising a screed to remove excess granules from the top of the telescopic chamber.

3. The apparatus for automated granule portioning of claim 1, further comprising a scale, wherein the granules received into the telescopic chamber are weighed in comparison with a target weight and, in the event the weight of the granules exceed the target weight, the gear mechanism decreases the volume of the telescopic chamber incrementally.

4. The apparatus for automated granule portioning of claim 1, further comprising a scale, wherein the granules received into the telescopic chamber are weighed in comparison with a target weight and, in the event the weight of the granules is less than the target weight, the gear mechanism increases the volume of the telescopic chamber incrementally.

5. The apparatus for automated granule portioning of claim 1, further comprising a scale, wherein the granules received into the telescopic chamber are weighed in comparison with a target weight and, in the event the weight of the granules equals the target weight, the granules are released to an automatic cartridge loader.

6. The apparatus for automated granule portioning of claim 5, wherein the granules are delivered to a granule cup of the granule cup assembly for weighing, the granule cup comprising a release tab and a spring loaded hatch to release the granules from the granule cup.

7. The apparatus for automated granule portioning of claim 1, further comprising a scale, wherein the granule cup assembly is positioned on the scale when receiving granules from the inclined conveyor, until the granules in the granule cup assembly achieve a target weight.

9. The apparatus for automated granule portioning of claim 1, wherein the inclined conveyor is a screw conveyor to deliver individual granules to the granule cup assembly.

8. An apparatus for automated granule portioning, the apparatus comprising a volumetric assembly comprising at least one telescopic chamber and a gear mechanism capable of adjusting the volume of the telescopic chamber, the volumetric assembly being arranged to receive granules into the telescopic chamber to fill the volume of the telescopic chamber, wherein the telescoping chamber comprises a spring loaded chamber tube assembly.

10. The apparatus for automated granule portioning of claim 8, wherein the granules received within the telescopic chamber are delivered to a granule cup assembly, and the apparatus further comprises a screw conveyor to deliver individual granules to the granule cup assembly.

11. The apparatus for automated granule portioning of claim 8, further comprising a scale upon which the telescopic chamber is positioned, wherein the granules are received within the telescopic chamber until the granules in the telescopic chamber achieve a target weight.

12. The apparatus for automated granule portioning of claim 8, further comprising a screed to remove excess granules from the top of the telescopic chamber.

13. The apparatus for automated granule portioning of claim 8, further comprising a scale, wherein the granules received into the telescopic chamber are weighed in comparison with a target weight and, in the event the weight of the granules exceed the target weight, the gear mechanism decreases the volume of the telescopic chamber incrementally.

14. The apparatus for automated granule portioning of claim 8, further comprising a scale, wherein the granules received into the telescopic chamber are weighed in comparison with a target weight and, in the event the weight of the granules is less than the target weight, the gear mechanism increases the volume of the telescopic chamber incrementally.

15. The apparatus for automated granule portioning of claim 8, further comprising a scale, wherein the granules received into the telescopic chamber are weighed in comparison with a target weight and, in the event the weight of the granules equals the target weight, the granules are released to an automatic cartridge loader.

16. The apparatus for automated granule portioning of claim 8, wherein the granules received within the telescopic chamber are delivered to a granule cup assembly, and wherein the apparatus further comprises an inclined conveyor with compartments, cups, indentations or depressions such that only one granule may be situated within a compartment, cup, indentation or depression, to deliver individual granules to the granule cup assembly.

17. The apparatus for automated granule portioning of claim 16, wherein the granule cup comprises a release tab and a spring loaded hatch to release the granules from the cup.