Apparatus and method for container filling
First Claim
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1. A container filling apparatus comprising:
- a platform for supporting an object to be weighed;
a cantilever beam having a fixed end attached to a rigid support and a movable end attached to the platform, wherein the cantilever beam includes a surface located between the fixed end and the movable end;
an optical load cell for measuring the deflection of the cantilever beam, wherein the optical load cell includes a light emitter projecting a light beam onto the surface of the cantilever beam and a reflected light detector receiving a reflected light from the surface of the cantilever beam; and
a control system for using the measured deflection of the cantilever beam to calculate a weight of the object supported by the platform.
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Abstract
A container filling apparatus for dispensing, weighing and automatically filling a container with a predetermined weight of material. The container filling apparatus includes an optical load cell for measuring the weight of an object. A microprocessor controls the dispensing, weighing and automatic filling of the container.
61 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A container filling apparatus comprising:
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a platform for supporting an object to be weighed;
a cantilever beam having a fixed end attached to a rigid support and a movable end attached to the platform, wherein the cantilever beam includes a surface located between the fixed end and the movable end;
an optical load cell for measuring the deflection of the cantilever beam, wherein the optical load cell includes a light emitter projecting a light beam onto the surface of the cantilever beam and a reflected light detector receiving a reflected light from the surface of the cantilever beam; and
a control system for using the measured deflection of the cantilever beam to calculate a weight of the object supported by the platform. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for filling a container, the method comprising:
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providing a platform for supporting an object to be weighed;
providing a cantilever beam having a fixed end attached to a rigid support and a movable end attached to the platform, wherein the cantilever beam includes a surface located between the fixed end and the movable end;
providing an optical load cell for measuring the deflection of the cantilever beam, wherein the optical load cell includes a light emitter projecting a light beam unto the surface of the cantilever beam and a reflected light detector receiving a reflected light from the surface of the cantilever beam; and
providing a control system for using the measured deflection of the cantilever beam to calculate a weight of the object supported by the platform.
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13. A method comprising:
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providing a cantilever beam having a platform attached thereto and a surface located between a fixed end of the cantilever beam and a moveable end of the cantilever beam;
applying a light to the surface of the beam;
measuring a deflection of the surface of the beam using the light; and
using the deflection to automatically fill a container positioned on the platform.
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14. A method for filling a container, the method comprising:
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providing a container for filling;
providing a filling apparatus having a platform, a cantilever beam having a first end attached to a rigid support and a second end attached to the platform, wherein the cantilever beam includes a surface located between the first end and the second end;
an optical load cell for measuring a deflection of the surface of the cantilever beam, wherein the optical load cell includes a light emitter projecting a light beam onto the surface of the cantilever beam and a reflected light detector receiving a reflected light from the surface of the cantilever beam, a control system for using the measured deflection of the surface of the cantilever beam to calculate a weight of the object supported by the platform, a tank for storing a material, and a valve for controlling the flow of the material from the tank to the container.
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15. A method for filling a container, comprising:
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placing an empty container on a platform attached to a movable end of a cantilever beam;
weighing the empty container using an optical load cell for determining a deflection of the cantilever beam;
filling the container to a predetermined level, wherein the level is determined using the optical load cell;
placing a control system in an automatic mode;
removing the full container;
placing an empty container on the platform;
placing the control system in an automatic fill mode for automatically filling the empty container to the predetermined level; and
pressing down and releasing the platform to place the control system in the automatic filling mode. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification