Continuous outflow, weight-measuring blender

• US 4,222,496 A
• Filed: 01/22/1979
• Issued: 09/16/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Guardsman Products, Inc. (Sherwin-Williams Company)
• Original Assignee: Fabri-Coate Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Woldring, Bert, Start, Rick E., Parker, Cliff
• Primary Examiner(s): Spar, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Silverberg, Fred A.
• Application Number:
  US06/005,269
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 222/1, 222/14, 222/16, 222/21, 222/31, 222/41, 222/56, 222/57, 222/58, 222/64, 222/65, 222/77, 222/135, 222/145, 177/70, 417/37
• US Class Current: 222/16
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 13/32 involving photoelectric devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 17/06 having means for controlling the supply or discharge
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/24 using a single weighing apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus and process are provided for weight-blending two or more constituents on a continuous basis. In operation, the constituents are sequentially added to a weight-measuring tank connected to a weight scale with an indicator which undergoes excursion between sensors positions. The scale face has an indicator which undergoes excursion between position sensors, such as electric eyes. When the system is electrically activated, a first position sensor detects zero weight from the measuring tank and remotely calls for the pumping of the first constituent, which continues until the indicator in excursion reaches a second position indicator. Pumping of the first constituent then ceases and pumping of the second constituent commences and continues until the indicator reaches a third position indicator sensor, at which point pumping of the second constituent ceases, the bottom dump valve is activated to a ready state, and the system cycle stops until emptying of the weight-measuring tank into a blend-holding tank occurs. Constant outflow to a production facility is from the blend-holding tank. When a probe measures a predetermined remaining level of blend within the blend-holding tank, the bottom dump valve empties the weighted measuring tank by gravity flow. When the indicator reaches the zero position, the bottom dump valve closes, is deactivated, and the cycle repeats.

Claims

1. Apparatus for providing a continuous supply of a weight measured blend of at least two constituent liquids to a main production facility building, said apparatus comprising:

a free standing tower having at least an uppermost level and a level immediately below said uppermost level;

a weight-measuring tank contained within said uppermost level having at least one input and at least one output;

weighing means including a scale having an indicator undergoing excursion disposed interior said main production facility building and a weighing platform disposed in said uppermost level, said weight-measuring tank supported on said weighing platform, said weighing platform operatively connected to said scale so that said indicator undergoes excursion upon said weight measuring tank receiving increasing contents;

a blend-holding reservoir disposed in said level immediately below said uppermost level in substantial vertical alignment with said weight-measuring tank for receiving gravitationally flowing output of said weight-measuring tank;

a dump valve and included conduit between said blend-holding reservoir and weight-measuring tank for releasing said liquid constituents to flow by gravity from said weight-measuring tank whereby blended liquid constituents enter said blend-holding reservoir;

means for opening said dump valve upon said reservoir having blend content below a predetermined amount;

at least first, second, and third position indicators on the face of said scale for generating respective sequential first, second, and third output signals responsive to the excursion fo said indicator on said scale from said first position to said third position;

a first constituent liquid input system having a first pump for inputting a first constituent liquid to said weight-measuring tank;

a second constituent liquid input system having a second pump for inputting a second constituent liquid to said weight-measuring tank;

means for causing said first signal to actuate said first constituent liquid input system to input said first constituent liquid to said weight-measuring tank;

means for causing said second signal to actuate cessation of inputting of said first constituent liquid and commencement of inputting of said second constituent liquid;

first means for causing said third signal to actuate cessation of inputting from said second constituent liquid input system;

second means for causing said third signal to actuate a pumps not ready circuit to prevent actuation of the pumps upon the reverse excursion of said indicator from and between the third position to the first position; and

means connected to said first and third indicators for deactivating said dump valve during inputting from said respective first and second constituent liquid input systems, whereby partially blended constituents cannot be released to said reservoir, at least one of said position indicators on said scale being removeably attachable to said scale to generate a signal at different positions of excursion of said indicator on said scale whereby the blending of constituents in said free standing tower is remotely controlled from said scale interior of said main production facility building.