Filling apparatus with feed diverter

An apparatus for selectively feeding a stream of material along first and second pathways comprising:

• a) a deflectable, curved weigh pan having an upper inlet end for receiving a continuous flow of material, a lower outlet end for discharging the material along a first pathway, and an inwardly curved surface having a given radius of curvature between said inlet and outlet ends;
• b) a material flow diverter adjacent having an inlet end adjacent said pan outlet end and a pivotal outer end, said diverter having a lowered position beneath said first pathway, and a raised position intersecting said pathway, said diverter including a lower surface to engage said material and divert said material to a second pathway when said diverter is in the raised position;
• c) a deflection measurement means for continually measuring the deflection of said pan;
• d) a controller to receive deflection measurement information from said measurement means and transmit an actuation signal when a given weight of material corresponding to a target weight has crossed said pan;
• and
• e) an actuator to pivot said diverter about said diverter outer end between said first and second positions responsive to receipt of an actuation signal from said controller.

An apparatus for selectively packaging solid particulate material comprising:

• a) a solid particulate material feeder having a feeder discharge end;
• b) a material guide having a guide inlet end and a guide discharge end for guiding material from said feeder along a feed pathway;
• c) a deflectable, curved weigh pan having an upper inlet end for receiving a continuous flow of material along said feed pathway, a lower outlet end for discharging the material along a first discharge pathway, and an inwardly curved surface having a given radius of curvature between said inlet and outlet ends, the radius of curvature at said inlet end being substantially perpendicular to said feed pathway;
• d) a material flow diverter adjacent having an inlet end adjacent said pan outlet end and a pivotal outer end, said diverter having a lowered position beneath said first discharge pathway, and a raised position intersecting said pathway, said diverter including a planar substantially horizontal surface tangential to sand pan outlet end when said diverter is in the lowered position, and a curved lower surface to engage said material and divert said material along a second discharge pathway when said diverter is in the raised position;
• e) a transducer for continually measuring the deflection of said pan;
• f) a controller to receive deflection measurement information from said measurement means and transmit an actuation signal when a given weight of material corresponding to a target weight has crossed said pan;
• and
• g) an actuator to pivot said diverter about said diverter outer end between said first and second positions responsive to an actuation signal from said controller.