Automatic apparatus for high speed precision portioning of granules by weight
First Claim
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1. An automated granule portioning system comprising:
- a volumetric assembly comprising at least one telescopic chamber having a pair of chamber tubes, wherein each of the chamber tubes is affixed to a top plate or a bottom plate of the volumetric assembly, the tubes being positioned in vertical alignment, and wherein the volumetric assembly further comprises a gear mechanism capable of positioning the top plate relative to the bottom plate, thereby adjusting the volume of the telescopic chamber, the volumetric assembly being arranged to receive a first portion of granules into the telescopic chamber to fill the volume of the telescopic chamber;
a transport system capable of delivering the granules from the telescopic chamber to a weighing device, the weighing device being capable of weighing the granules and comparing the granule weight to a target weight; and
a motor, wherein the motor is capable of rotating the gear mechanism to adjust the volume of the telescopic chamber after the weighing device determines that the granule weight of the first portion is different than the target weight.
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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.
55 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An automated granule portioning system comprising:
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a volumetric assembly comprising at least one telescopic chamber having a pair of chamber tubes, wherein each of the chamber tubes is affixed to a top plate or a bottom plate of the volumetric assembly, the tubes being positioned in vertical alignment, and wherein the volumetric assembly further comprises a gear mechanism capable of positioning the top plate relative to the bottom plate, thereby adjusting the volume of the telescopic chamber, the volumetric assembly being arranged to receive a first portion of granules into the telescopic chamber to fill the volume of the telescopic chamber; a transport system capable of delivering the granules from the telescopic chamber to a weighing device, the weighing device being capable of weighing the granules and comparing the granule weight to a target weight; and a motor, wherein the motor is capable of rotating the gear mechanism to adjust the volume of the telescopic chamber after the weighing device determines that the granule weight of the first portion is different than the target weight. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification