Thermoplastic melting apparatus with a level indicator
First Claim
1. Apparatus for converting solid thermoplastic material to molten thermoplastic material, comprising:
- a tank for receiving solid thermoplastic material;
melting means connected to said tank for melting the solid thermoplastic material to form molten thermoplastic material;
pump means mounted upon said tank for pumping molten thermoplastic material out of said tank;
drive means mounted independently of said tank;
linkage means drivingly connected between said pump means and said drive means, said linkage means transmitting a drive force from said drive means for operating said pump means;
pivot means connected to one side of said tank for permitting pivotal motion of said tank;
a load cell connected to said tank and being spaced from said pivot means, said load cell being effective to sense said pivotal motion of said tank and provide a corresponding measurement of the quantity of thermoplastic material carried within said tank; and
said pivot means being positioned relative to said linkage means so as to isolate said load cell from forces operating said pump means.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A thermoplastic melting apparatus comprises a tank pivotally mounted upon bearings within the interior of a housing having a top cover. A load cell is mounted beneath the tank opposite the bearings which is effective to sense pivotal movement of the tank as it is loaded with and/or emptied of thermoplastic material, and to produce a signal which indicates the quantity of thermoplastic material within the tank. The load cell is isolated from dynamic forces produced by drive linkages which operate pumps associated with the tank, by positioning the pivot axis of the bearings in the same plane as the force produced by the drive linkage. The lid of the tank is isolated from the top cover of the housing to prevent the transmittal of forces to the tank from objects placed on the top cover of the housing or the like.
56 Citations
10 Claims
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1. Apparatus for converting solid thermoplastic material to molten thermoplastic material, comprising:
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a tank for receiving solid thermoplastic material; melting means connected to said tank for melting the solid thermoplastic material to form molten thermoplastic material; pump means mounted upon said tank for pumping molten thermoplastic material out of said tank; drive means mounted independently of said tank; linkage means drivingly connected between said pump means and said drive means, said linkage means transmitting a drive force from said drive means for operating said pump means; pivot means connected to one side of said tank for permitting pivotal motion of said tank; a load cell connected to said tank and being spaced from said pivot means, said load cell being effective to sense said pivotal motion of said tank and provide a corresponding measurement of the quantity of thermoplastic material carried within said tank; and said pivot means being positioned relative to said linkage means so as to isolate said load cell from forces operating said pump means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. Apparatus for converting solid thermoplastic material to molten thermoplastic material, comprising:
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a housing having an interior formed with an open top, said housing having a top cover for opening and closing said interior; a tank mounted within said interior of said housing, said tank being formed with an interior adapted to receive thermoplastic material, said tank having a lid for opening and closing said interior; connector means for mounting said lid of said tank to said cover of said housing so that said lid is isolated from forces applied to said cover in a direction toward said interior of said tank; melting means connected to said tank for melting the solid thermoplastic material therein to form molten thermoplastic material; pump means communicating with said melting means for pumping molten thermoplastic material; drive means having linkage drivingly connected to said pump means, said linkage producing a drive force for operating said pump means acting between said drive means and said pump means; pivot means connected to one side of said tank for permitting pivotal motion of said tank, said pivot means having a pivot axis located in a plane containing said drive force produced by said linkage; a load cell connected to said tank and being spaced from said pivot means, said load cell being effective to sense said pivotal motion of said tank and provide a corresponding measurement of the quantity of thermoplastic material carried within said tank. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification