US1580498A - Machine - Google Patents

Description

April 13 1926.

L. L. KNOX :1 AL

I PORTIONING MACHINE Original Filed May= 27.

1922 5. Sheets-Sheet 1 April 13', 1926.

L. L. KNOX ET AL PORTIONING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May 2'7, 1922 WIi'NESS fly/7004114 April 13, 1926.

L. L. KNOX .Er' AL PORTIONING MACHINE- Original Filed May 27, 1922 5 S heet's -Sheet z m TNESS f WYM/Z 1% I VEIYTORS f -w "4' AT ORNEY- I 1 1,580,498 L; L. KNOX ETAL Ponnqnins' MAcHiNE Original Filed May 27, 1922 5 sheets-Sheet 4 NV YTORS' aid g,

A iril 13 1926. 1,580,498

L. L. KNOX ET AL PORTIONING MACHINE Original Filed May 27, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Apr. 13, 1926.

UN [TED SJTFATES I ER KNOX, 0 BELLEV NQW AM, L WIS. QE- B E BUB H; ENN

PATENT armor-i. H

LV NIA PQRTION'ING MACHINE.

Application filed May- 27, 1922; Serial N o, 56 L-,117: Renewed September 17, 1 925:

To allwhomc't may concern:

Be it known that we, Lori-Inn- 111. KNOX; and lViLLIAM LEWIS, citizens of the. United States, and residing, respectively, in. the borough. of Bellevue and; city 0t Pittsburgh, inthe county of Allegheny andStatej view is the adaptation of such. machines to automatic action whereby they may be used in connection with cafeteria. orself-service. restaurants, and the removal of a. portion from the dispensing position. will actuate the machine. so that another portion will: be presented in such dispensing position.

For. the accomplishment oti'this purpose we have devised; a. machine. characterized by coacting portion. forming mechanisms and portion delivery mechanisms,- so. arranged that the removal; of. av portion PR8". sented. by the delivery mechanislii will: a-ctu' atethe portion. forming mechanism: to. pro-1 duce. a. fresh portion and. deposit; it.- on\ the delivery mechanism andthe portiondelivery mechanism to. present. a. fresh portion, at; the point of delivery.

Thus we show apparatus comprising means for forming. the. individual. portions;- for supplying the empty butter. platesto. re.-. ceive the portions so formed. and. delivery. means which. present: the loaded. plates for.- consumption, all; of. said; means. being so, interrelated and. actuated, that a removah of the loaded plate from the. delivery position will cause another loaded plate. to. be ad vanoed. into its place while another portion. is formed by theportioning means and; an. empty plate supplied to receive. the. same.

Te prefer to make the machine iii-multipleform, so that when ones-ide of. themachine or set of coacting mechanisms; have. been. exhausted, another set is automatically put into operation, giving an, opportunity for refilling the first set, which. will: in turn. be brought into operation when. the second set is exhausted; thus alternate operation being continued. indefinitely...

For the purpose of effecting the alternate. or successive operation ot the sides or sets of apparatus comprising. the machine we have inventech a new electric switch.

(Dther novel: features. of construction and arrangement of partswill appear. from: the followingdescription. v I

In the accompanying drawings, which-are. however merely intended to illustrate the principles of our invention without-limitingthe scope of: the. same to the. construction shown, Fig.- 1-: is. an incomplete. plan view. of a portioning machine embodyingthe principles; Fig.2is a section, taken. alongc line. II..II; in. Fig. lot the machine with. certain. parts omitted; Fig. .8.is a. rear end;

of the machine, partly sectioned to more;

clearly show the construction, Fig. 4. is. an enlarged detail looking fromthe-rearofrth-e. machine. and: showlngthe: construction. of

-thedelivery.mechanismyFig. 5".is a side viewof: the same; Fig. 6 is a broken-enlarged.

longitudinal; section showing the. front; end; of onset; the dispensing mechanisms; Fig. 7 is a. front View of the same; Fig. 8 is an enlarged: detail showing the mounting of. the ring gear: ofi one. of. the. portioning;

chines omthe bottomicasting; FigJQiisaidia-Q 'gIw3J11l11flt'lC-VlW of": the-wiringcircuits; Fig. "10 is an enlarged incomplete front elevation showing tlie automatic reversing mechanism for the duplenmachine; Fig. 1k is a detail in plan. View of; the-samegiFig. 1 2 is1 a. detail showingthe timing gear. and? crank; Fig. 116;

is-a.sectio11.take11 along the line.XIII+XII I" inFig; 14', and Fig. 14 is=a.brokenside eleva tion showing. amodified. form of'a-utomatic switch. at the outer end of: the dispensing mechanism.

In the. drawings, wherein we. have illus.-. trated a. practical embodiment of the prin,-, ciples of our invention, we show. a. multiple machine comprised: of two. sets of: mechanism, each set consisting ofi'nieans. for sever-.

ing individual portions to. form. a bar on bars of; butter; means for. supplying empty. butter plates to receive the portions. dis: charged by the portion. forming. means, and meanstor delivering. the filled. plates ,inl turn to. the dispensing.- position, the operation of;- allof said: means. being. synchronized and. contr0lled,',so that the. removal; of -the filled: butterplate from the dispensing position. actuatesalllz of; said. means; and the two-sets.

'ards 9. The bottom and top castings are provided with alined circular openings. 1O

of mechanisms being so interrelated that when a set or side of the machine has been emptied, the other set or side of the machine is automatically put into operation.

Each set or side of the machine is comprised of three main elements or mechanisms, a portioning mechanism, a butter plate supply mechanism, and a dispensing mechanism which spots the empty butter plates in turn to receive the severed portions and presents the filled plates in turn at the dispensing portion.

Thus in Fig. 1, one side of the machine is composed of the portioning mechanism A, the butter plate supplying mechanism or stack B and the dispensing mechanism C, while the other side of the machine con prises the corresponding mechanisms A B and C We will first describe the butter portion mechanisms illustrated.

The form of portioning mechanism shown is the type of portioning mechanism which forms the subject matter of our patent application Serial Number 560,7 85, filed in the United States Patent Oiiice on May 13, 1922-, wherein the same is more fully shown and described.

Generally speaking the same is of the following character.

1 is a container which may conveniently be of porcelain or enameled iron or wood, having a removable lid or lids 2, a bottom discharge opening 3, and an access opening in its front closed by the vertical sliding door 4.

In the duplex machine shown in the drawings the two containers 1 of the two portioning mechanisms A and A are integral with a space between them for the refrigerant tank.

5 is a bottom casting horizontally supported in the bottom of the container, as on horizontal ledges 6 and the top of cross partition 7 8 is a top casting supported from the bottom casting, as by the vertical standis a ring gear provided with radial teeth, and which is rotatably mounted on the bottom casting 5, as by being journaled on the annular lip 11 of said casting surrounding the circular aperture therein.

12 is the dispensing tube shown as of square cross sectional shape, but which may ring gear 10. To the lower end of the tube therefrom.

12 is fixed the splitter member 15 by means of which the lower end of the bar of butter, as it is extruded from the tube, is split or divided longitudinally into a plurality of bars or rods of less cross sectional size. Thus in the case of a square dispensing tube, the splitter may be provided with a cruciform internal par ition 16 whose top is formed of knife edges, thus splitting the protruded end of the bar of butter into four smaller bars.

lVhen the dispensing tube 12 is mounted in the portioning machine, the plate 1.4: rests on the gear 10, being held in proper relation thereto by the dowel pin 17 depending from the plate 141 into a suitable socket in the gear 10, and also by the vertically disposed rod 18 fixed in the gear 10 and which extends upwardly through a vertically disposed hole in "the plate 14:. Said rod acts as a guide for the insertion and proper positioning of the dispensing tube and the parts attached thereto. It is evident that the dispensing tubeand its associated parts will rotate with the gear 10.

19 is the piston fitting in the tube 12 and rotating therewith, said piston being fixed on the lower end of a screw shaft 20 which is screwed through a threaded bore 21 in a bar 22 which is disposed above the tube and diametrically of the axis of the latter. The ends of the bar 22 are down-turned and provided with the outwardly extending trunnions 23 which seat between the concentric flanges 24 and 25 of the cam plates 26 which are pivotally mounted eccentrically of their flanges on standards 27 extending upwardly from the top casting 8. The cam plates are provided with a connecting bail or V-shaped handle 28 by means of which the cam plates may be swung in unison to raise or lower the piston in the tube, or to permit the insertion of the trunnions between said flanges 24 and 25, or the removal of the trunnions After the bar or bars of butter are inserted into the tube, the piston is let down on top of the butter and the trunnions are inserted between the flanges of the ele vated cam plates. The cam plates are then swung to force the piston downwardly on the butter, thus properly compacting the same in the tube, the'ca-pacity of the splitter orifices, or that of the discharge end of the tube where no splitter is used, being reduced below the normal cross sectional capacity of the tube to provide the necessary resistance to eiiiect such compacting. Such preliminary compacting is desirable to insure uniformity in the thickness of the severed portions.

Below the splitter member is located the portion slicing member 29 which may be a wire stretched tautly and radially of the axis of the splitter.

It is evident that the rotation of the gear 1O willzcause the 'butter to be extruded: below the splitter inthe form of four; small: bars, the'ends. of which will, be sliced off; in turn, to'form individual pontionswhich,will successively. drop down through the discharge aperture 3 in the floor of the container: 1.

Therefore a quanter rotation ofithe gear 10 will produce and discharge an, individual portion.

The gear 10 is driven by a pinion inthe upper end of anintermittently, driven shaft 31 vertically journaled in the frame otthe machine.

lVe, of course, do not limit ourselves to the use of the type of; portioning mechanism illustrated, inasmuchv as any type of portioning mechanism which will produce the severed portions as required, may be provided,

anism is abuttenplate supply mechanism.

B or B The same is shown as of the following construction.

35 is a vertically disposed, tube supported by the platform36 which isin turn supported by the vertically disposed leg plates 37. The platformvis provided with an. aperture registeringwith the bore-of the tube 35- and below. which depends the bottom tube 38 which is ineffect a continuation or" the tube 35. The walls of the tube 38- are provided with three equal spaced apart vertically disposed slots 39 into which project the cog-- wheels 40, ll and42 rigidly mounted on the shafts 43; 44 andfi, respectively, said shafts being horizontally journaled' insleeve beaningsAG secured to the tube. One end of. the shaft 43 is provided with a beveled gee-r47 which meshes with abeveled gear 4t8- on the end of the shaft 4%. while a similar beveled gear- 49 on the other end of the shaft 44; meshes with a likegear 50 on the shaft 45.

The other. end of the shaft 45 is provided with a worm gear 51' which meshes with a worm'52on the upper end of a driven shaft 53 vertically journaled in the frame. Thus the cog wheels 4O, 41 and 4:2 rotate in unison and at the same speed. c

The butter plates 5& fit in the tube 35 and arestacked in the tubes 35 and; 38, the bot-- tom plate ofithe stack being supported by the teeth of the three cog wheelsdO, a1 and lQ, thecogsor teeth-of the latter being designed and spaced so that when the co'gs are turned a distance equal-to that between adj acentteeth centers, the; bottom plate is droppeddown through the. tube 38 and the stack of'plates settles. until the next plate above-is caught and supported by the cogs.

lVe provide means whereby the butter' plates as they are dropped in turn from the stack 111echanis-m,l3- or 13- are received and? inturn spotted under, the dischargeopening 3 of the portioning mechanism, A. or A to be loadod, andl are then advanced to the dispensing position. One of such means is provided for each side of the machine and designated as G or C and shown as ofv thefollowing construction. I

55 represents apair, of parallel, horizontally disposed rails which are preferably of wood and supported by the legs 56. ,Said rails extend from beneath the plate stack mechanism and theportion forming mechanism to the front of the machine, and have their adjacent faces beveled, as shown, so that the butter plates are properly supported thereon. v

5. represents a pair: of horizontally dis-i posed slide bars'which, are mounted in spaced relation on the axles 58 whose outer endsare provided with rollers 59 running on thetrack rails 60 boltedto the inner sides of the legs 56 below the rails 55. 61 are-links whose lower ends are pivotally mounted on the axles 58 betweenthe bars 57 thus;

spacingsaid bars apart. The upper ends of said links have pivotally attached by the shafts. 62 to their opposite ends the pairof pick-up bars 63* which may be raised or lowered inv relation to the slide bars- 57 by swinging ,the links 61. Stops 64: carried by the bars 5T prevent thelinks 60 from swinging forwardly beyond their vertical positions, so that the pick-up. bars (33 may be moved, forwardly and upwardly, and rearwaizdly and downwardly relative tothe slide bars 57'. The-intermediate link (llis recessed, at its upper end to permit the pitman rod (35to be pivoted to the corresponding shaft (32. The rear end of the pitman rod. 65is pivotally connected to the wrist; pin G6 eccentrically mounted on the outer face of; thedisk 67 rigidly mounted: on a, horizontally journaled shaft 68 whose other end is pro vided with a beveled gear 69 meshing with a similar gear 701011 the driven: shaft 53.

It is evident that the rotation of the disk 6'? will alternately raise the pick-up bars (33 and then advance the same in unison with the slide bars 57', and? depress the pick-upbars and then cause them to retreat in unison with slide bars. The bars 63 are pro vided. with upwardly extending projections or studs 71 having their-centers-spaced apart a distance equal to the distance-of movement of! the slide, bars,v said: projections being"; intended: to engage from the rear the butter plates on the rails 55,50 that said plates may 1 be lifted by the pick-up bars and moved forwardly. To insure the pick-up bars being elevated before they are advanced, we provide a weigh 72 eccentrically pivoted to one of the legs 56, and having an upwardly e: tending projection which is in the path of the finger T l depending from one of the slide bars 57 and pivoted to ng out of the vertical towards the front of the machine only. Thus when power is applied to force the bars 63 forwardly, the weight retards the movement of the slide bars until the pick-up bars have been raised to pick up the plates and sufiicient force is exerted by the links 61 against the stops 6 1 to cause the linger 7% to force the weight aside. During the retreat of the slide bars the finger 7 1 trails idly over the projection 73. To cause the pick-up bars to be first depressed to deposit the plates on the rails 55 before the slide bars are moved rearwardly we provide a similar weight 75 and striking linger 76 which operate in the reverse direction.

l) and D represent the two alined driv ing shafts horizontally journaled trans versely of the machine in housings 77 and each provided with a beveled gear 78 meshing with a beveled gear 79 on the lower end of the shaft 53. The outer ends of the shaft D and D are each provided with a beveled gear 80 meshing with a similar gear 81 on the rear end of a horizontally disposed shaft E or E running to the front of the machine and each provided with a beveled gear 82 which meshes with a similar gear 83 on the lower end of the shafts 31.

The gear ratios a d assemblage is such that each time the mechanisms are actuated the butter plates 5 1 are each moved forward along the rails 55 one space, a new butter plate is dropped from the tube 38 onto the rails 55, and a portion of butter is severed and dropped onto the butter plate now moved up and spotted under the discharge orifice 3 of the portioning mechanism.

The driving shafts D and D are operatively connected through clutches to the motor F, and the feed circuit of said motor has provided therein a circuit breaker at the front end of each of the dispensing means G and C which is held open by the butter plate spotted in the dispensing position at the front end of the rails 55. When said front butter plate is removed by a patron or employee of the restaurant. the motor circuit is automatically closed, actuating the mechanism which continues to operate until a butter plate is again moved up into the dispensing position at the front end of the rails, when the circuit is broken. The motor circuit and its automatic control will be later explained.

The shafts D and D are axially alined on either side of a worm shaft Set to the opposite ends of which the shafts D and D are coupled by the magnetic clutches G and G respectively. The shaft 8 1 is provided th a worm 85 which mes es with a worm on the shaft 8'? of the motor T said gearing being provided with a housing 88.

The motor circuit is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 9. Thus the feed wires 89 and 90 are connected by branch wires 91 and respectively, to the motor F, a double pole s vitch 93 being interposed in said motor circuit so as to cut out the machine entirely when desired. To one of the wires of the branch circuit, as for instance the wire 92, 18 connected the wire 9 having two branches 95 and 96 connected respectively to the magnetic clutches G and (l and also connected respectively to the second pair of magnetic clutches H and H 97 is a conductor connecting the branch wire 91 to the poles of the two single pole switches I and T The other side of the switch I is connected by a conductor 98 with the magnetic clutches H and G, while a conductor 99 connects the other side of the switch I with the magnetic clutches H and G J is a double pole timing switch interposed in the conductors 98 and 99 and adapted when thrown in one direction to complete the conductor 98 and when thrown in the opposite direction to complete the conductor 99.

Thus, when the switch J is thrown into the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10, to complete the conductor 98, and the switch I is closed, the magnetic clutch G is actuated to couple the driving shaft D with the motor F and the corresponding side A, B and C of the multiple machine is operative, while the side A B and C is cut out. On the contrary, when the switch J is thrown into its other position, completing the conductor 99, and the switch I is closed, then the magnetic clutch G couples the driving shaft D to the motor F and the side A B and C of the machine is operative and the side A, B and C is cut out.

The sin 'le pole switches I and I are each mounted on the outer end of one of the dispensing mechanisms, C or C and are thrown out by the outermost of the butter plates on the rails 55. The construction of these switches is shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 7. Thus mounted on the front rail support 56 is the block 100 of fibre or other insulating material in which are mounted the two posts 101 and 102 to which the ends of the conductors 9? and 98, or 9'? and 99, as the case may be, are respectively connected. Mounted on the inner protruding ends of the posts 101 and 102 are two spring fork contacts 103. 10 i is abrass U-shape bridge bar adapted to engage the contacts 10;) and electrically connect the same. The upwardly extending legs of said bridge bar 101 are secured to a pair of fibre or other insulating blocks 105 which are pivotally mounted the lever 10? and completely opening thereby stopping the front bllttfilfpl'tlte is removed, 1 thesprmg except the front :plate, without starting-the maohme.

between the legs Pivotally anounted on said shaft between'said blocks :is the metal throwing lever 10'? having an integral, inpwardly extending finger 108 and a toe 109.

The .toe is .connected'by a helical spring 1 10 with a cross hrace 1 11 connecting the :two blocks 105. Opposite the toc109 the lever 107 is provided with :two parallel vertical flanges 1112 between which is pivotally pinned ithe npper end of the rod 1 13 whose lower end'de-pends in "a loosely fitting guide socket 2114 .in .the block 100. A helical spring 115 :is coiled abontsaid -rod 113 219etween the flanges .112 and the block 100.

The adjacent faces-of the blocks 105 are provided with-stop pins 116 which are engaged by athe Ilever 107 when it swings counter-clockwise in Fig.6.

It is evident that when "free from 'interference the'spring 115 will throw said lever.

107 clockwise in Fig. 6,-and by the-engagement of ithe lever with the stop -p1ns 116 on :the blocks i105, Iforcethe bridge bar 10 into engagement with "the spring contacts 103.

lnsuch case, assuming the doiible po'le switch J to be thrown to complete il18 circuit of thezmagnetic clutch G or G yas thecase may be, the corresponding driving shaft, :19 or D will "be coupled it'o the :motor iF =and the portioning inechanism, *the plate supply mechanism and the dispensing lIlEQllflIllSIIl on that side of "the :machine will :be put into operation and will continue in operation untilithe single pole-switch 'Ior I ,-as the case may-be, is'thrownropen. I

When a butter plate :-moves into the rdisfront of the machine, as shown'in Fig."6, the :front edge or the plate will engagethe stinger 108 of and thr0w said lever into the position shown, the lever ifirst swinging without moving athe bIidg'e bar 104 .-until the tensionor' theexpansioneo't the. spring 110 will hesnflicient to 'OVBICOEHB' thB grip of the spring contacts 103, thus suddenly the switch and the mechanism. "RVhen 115 again "causes the switch to close and causes 'the machine to operate until a Jfresh butterplate assumes the =front or dispensing position. It is:evidentithatrtheremoval of the front-hutter plate only will startthe machine, but the dispensing mechanism preferably protrndes far enough 1n front of the portioning mechanisnmto expose (it nnmherofiloaded plates; but'allof said plates, may be iremoved It is als0 evident that when the switch J is thrown into the;13OSlt),0l1'llldlcniledlil F g. 10, the side ofthemach ne A, B an'd C is epent-able, while the side'of 'the machine A B and C is inoperative, but the last named side ibe' rendered operative and the first named side inoperative by it hrowingithe switdhid intoithe otherlposition. y We provide automatic means whereby whenithe one side of theimachine has'been theoretically femp'tied, ithat side of "the machine is cut "out and :the other side thrown into service. Then 'the first named; side may he refilled with butter and plates, so that when second snamed .sideof the machine is emptied, :the sfirst named side, having ibeen refilled, is ready to Eb?) automatically thrown .into operation. This alternate! operation of the :two sides of :the machine may ;be .conztinued indefinitely.

Thusthe horizontally disposedaline shafts :E and E at either side aof -'.the machine, which deliver power to 'zthe portioning mechanisms Azand A respectively, -areiex tended forwardly and lIJFOVlClBCl zat stheir .frontrend with beveled gears 1'17 and 111 7 which mesh respectively with similar s gears 118 and 11-8 on the outer end-s er :the two alinedsha'i'tsrK:and IG, respectively. :Be-

neticiclutches Hfiand YI-Iflrespectively. Thu

ithe shaft-L is rotated in one direction, -or theo'ther, inaccordance with whichzof the clutches H or 'H is engagechinasmuch as the shafts E and E xrotate in opposite/dire'ctions.

The shaft L is provided zwithaworm 119 which :meshes with a relatively largeitiming Worm gear IHOUHtfiflIOHztL shaft 1203hori- 'zontall y j ournaled in :snitable'ihousings i121 axially ofthe machine. r A

' The other endtof the 1 shaft 31-20 is sprovided witha radial crank *122- on wh0se outer end is ithe crank ipin 31 23.

124 is :a iradial arm onthe adjacentiend not a shaft 125 vjournaleddn suitable; standard housings 2126,:an'd alined with thersha ft i120. 127 represents a pair of rocking barsofinsula'ting imaterial whichare I loosely imonnted on the shaft 125 betweenthehousings 1126.

-Between the bars 1271a hub 128 is fixed on said shaft 125 and said ihnb is :provided with .a ;radially disposed xdnplex arm 129; '130 and 130 are Usshaped i'bridge'ibars of brass whosellegs are c'onn'ectedto the -ends each prnvided with times bar 133* 1'06.

which are connected with the outer end of the duplex arm 129 by helical springs 134: and 134-." respectively.

Thus when the switch J is thrown in the position illustrated in F 9 and 10, the side of the machine A, 5 and C is electrically connecteu up and ready for opera tionand the side A B and C cut out, and when the switch 5 is thrown into its opposite position side A, B and G is cut out and side A B and C is connected up.

Then the switch is in the position shown full lines in Fig. 10, the magnetic clutch H is engaged and the clutch H disengaged, and therefore the shaft is rotated in the predetermined direction, thus rotating the time gear M which starts the crank 122 to turn counter-clockwise in Fig. 10, the movement of said crank causing the pin 123 to travel around and finally pick up the arm 124: of the shaft 125, turning said arm from its position shown in full lines to its. position indicated in dotted lines in 10. The retation of said shaft, and with it the arm 129 which vlll first put tension on the right hand spring 131 and finally through spring will-pull the bridge bar 132 out of engagement with the contacts 133 and 13% while at the same time the compression of the opposite spring 131 will force the bridge bar 132 into engagement with the contacts 133" and 1343, thus interrupting the conductor 98 and thus cutting out the A, B and C side of the machine and completing the conductor 99 and connecting up the If, B and C side of the machine.

It is evident that the interruption of the conductor 98 will disengage the clutch H while the completion of the conductor 99 will engage the clutch H thus reversing the movement of the shaft L and with it the crank, so that it will travel in the reverse, or clockwise direction, from its position shown in dotted lines to its position shown in full lines and in time throw the switch back once more into the position shown in full lines, thus cutting out side A B and C of the machine and connecting up side A, B ant C.

Thus every time the crank 122 completes a movement, one side of the machine is cut out and. the other side connected up. The relative size of the time gear M and the throw of the crank 122 is such that each side of the machine is in operative conditio until the butter is exhausted from its dispensing mechanism, whereupon that side of the machine is cut out and the other side put into operation, the first named side being then replenished with butter and butter plates.

In Figs. 13 and 14 we show a modified form of make and break device for the front end of the dispensing mechanisms, to be used as a substitute for the switches I and 1?. Thus we show the rails 55 interrupted near their outer ends to permit the insertion of the floating rail sections which are individually supported by the angular spring arms 135 which are in turn mounted on the insulating block 136 by the binding bolt 13'? which may be electrically connected to the conductor 97. The block 136 may be supported by a cross bar 138 between the 139 is a bridge bar mounted on top of the block 136 and electrically connected to the conductor 98 or 99, as the case may he. lVhen no butter plate is spotted on the floating rails 55 the said rails are elevated slightly above the permanent rails 55 and the spring arms 135 are in electrical contact with the ends of the bridge bar 139, complet ing the circuits of the corresponding magnetic clutches. When a loaded butter plate is spotted on the rails 55 the same are de pressed, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, thus spreading the arms 135 and breaking their contact with the bridge bar 139., thus inter rupting the circuit. lVhen the floating rails are depressed the butter plate may be partially supported by the permanent rails, so that accidental pressure downwardly on the butter plate will be taken off the floating rails and assumed by the fixed rails.

It is evident from the foregoing that our invention is especially adapted to self-service or quick service restaurants where the supply of portions must be maintained. Con ta ct of the portions with the hands is avoided, and the portions are supplied as needed, the rate of dispensing increasing or decreasing with the demand.

The plate stack or supply means is positive in its action, a fresh plate being pre sented to the portioning mechanism for the reception of each portion produced. It is preferable that the removal of the loaded. plate presented at the front or forward position actuates the machine, thereby causing the removal of the portions in proper orcer. Of course, it is not necessary for the next person to wait until a second plate is advanced into the front position before removing the same, but the machine illustrated will be put into operation only by the removal of the front plate, and once in opcia tion, will continue in operation until a plate is advanced into the front position.

By embodying the princirflcs of our irvention in a duplex or multiple machine. the same need not go out of service for refilling, since when one side or portion of the. machine has been emptied, this side is auto matically cut out and the other side put into operation while the first mentioned side is refilled; such alternate operation and refilling being continued indefinitely. We have shown a duplex machine, but it will be understood that any number of sets of mechanisms may be provided, said sets being autoimaticully itlIIOWll into operation and :then

cutout for refilling avhen empty.

Although, for the sake aofclea-rness, -W9. have described in detail the=embodimentiof thezprincip'lcs ofour invention illustrated in the drawings, we donot wish to limit our selves thereby, but claim broadly 1. In amachine for :forming anddispensing 'individualportions of butter and similarsubstanees,the-combination of a verticallydisposed dispensing tube adaptedto contain a bar of the product to be portioned, mechanism for causing the lower end of said bar to be-extrudcd andthe extruded portion ofsaid'bar to be sliced off to form portions, mechanism forpresenting empty containers in position ,toreceive the sliced-off portions and for moving the loaded containers into a dis} 9'ensing position, and means whereby the removalof-a loaded container from the? dispensing position causes allot said'mechm nisms'to be put into operation.

2. In'amachine for forming anddispensing individual portions of butter "and similar substances, the-combination of-a vertically disposed l dispensing =tube adapted to contain a barof-the product to-be-po1.-'tioned, mechanismTor-causing thelower end o't-sald bartobe eritruded'and the extruded portion of said bar to be sliced off to form portions, mechanism for presentingempty containers in position to receive the sliced-off portions and for movingthe loaded containersinto a dispensing position, means whereby the removal ofa loaded'container from the-dis- =pensingposition automatically causes all-of said mechanisms to be put intooperation,

' and means whereby the subsequent arrival of a'loaded'containenin the dispensing 'posr tion causes said*mechanisms to cease'ogeration.

In a machine "for forming anddispensing individual portions, the combination of portion forming mechanism, mechanism for supplying "empty containers to receive the portions as theyaredischargedby the por tion "forming mechanism, mechanism tor presenting the loaded containers in the'dis pensingposition, and mcans'ivhercby the'removal of a container "i ronrthedispensing position automatically actuates all of said mei'zhanisms.

4-. Tn a-machine for forming and d ispens ing; individual portions, the combination'oli portion forming mechanism, mechanism for supplying einpty'containers to receive 'the portions as they are dischargedby the portion forming mechanism, mechanism for presenting the loaded coutainersin the dispensing position, means whereby the removal of a container from the dispensing position automatically actuatesall of said mechanism, and means whereby thepl'esentation of another container-in the dispensing position halts said mechanisms.

Ina-machine for forming anddispensing individual l-portions, the combination of portion torming mechanism, mechanism for supplying empty containers to receive thc portions as they are dischargcd by the portion forming mechanism, unechanism for presenting -:the loaded containers in :the dispensing position, "a source of operative power, and means whereby th'e'remova'l of a container from the dispensing position automatically couples said source of power to said mechanisms.

6. Ina machine for forming and dispensing individual portions, the combination'of port-ion forming mechanism, mechanism for supplying empty containers -to receive the portions as they are discharged by the por tion forming mechanism, mechanism for presenting the loaded containers .in the dispensing position, a source of operative power, means whereby the removal of a con- Htainer from the dispensing position automatically couples said sourceof power to .aid mechanisms, and means whereby the presentation of another container in the dispensing position automatically disconnects said source of power from said mechanisms.

.7. In a m'achine for forming and dispensing individual portionsgthe combination of portion forming mechanism, amechanism ifor 1 supplying empty containers to receive the portions as they are discharged byzthe vportion forming mechanism, mechanismfifor presentingthe loaded containers in turn in the dispensing :position, and means whereby the removalof a container from'thedispensing position automatically causes 'all of said mechanismsto be put into operation.

'8. In azmachine for forming and dispensing individual portions, the combination of portion forming mechanism, mechanism for supplyingempty containers to receive the portions as theyare discharged by the portion formingmechanism, mechanism for n'esenting the loaded containers in turn in the dispensing position, means whereby the ren'iova'l of a container from the dispensing position automatically causes all of said mechanisms to be put into operation, and

means whereby-the presentation of another container in the dispensing position auto matically causes the operation of said mechanisms to cease. v

9. In a machine for forming and dispensportion forming mechanism, mechanism for supplying empty containers'to receive the portionsas they are discharged by the portion iorming mechanism, mechanism for presentingthe loaded containers in turnin the dispensing position,-a source of operative power, and means Whercby the removal of a container from the dispensing position automatically connects said mechanisms to said source of power.

mg individual portions, the combination of 10. In a machine for forming and dispensing individual portions, the combination of portion forming mechanism, mechanism for supplying empty containers to receive the portions as they are discharged by the portion forming mechanism, mechanism for presenting the loaded containers in turn in the dispensing position, a source of operative power, means wherchy the removal of a container from the dispensing position automatically connects said mechanisms to said source of power, and means whereby the presentation of another container in the dispensing position automatically discon nects said mechanisms from said source of operative power.

11. In a machine for forming and dispensing individual portions, the combination oi portion forming mechansm, mechanism for supplying empty containers to receive the portions as they are discharged by the portion -forming mechanism, mechanism for presenting the loaded containers in turn in the dispensing position, a source of power, clutch mechanism adapted when engaged to connect said source of power to said mechanisms to operate the same, and means whereby the removal of a container from the dispensing position will cause said clutch mechanism to be automatically engaged.

12. In a machine for forming and dispensing individual portions, the combination of portion formin mechanism, mechanism for supplying empty containers to receive the portions as they are discharged by the portion forming mechanism, mechanism for presenting the loaded containers in turn in the dispensing position, a source of power, clutch mechanism adapted when engaged to connect said source of power to said mechanism to operate the same, means whereby the removal of a container from the dispensing position will cause said clutch mechanism to be automatically engaged, and means whereby the presentation of another container to the dispensing posistion will cause said clutch mechanism to be automatically disengage l.

1?. In a machine for "forming and dispensing individual portions, the combination of portion Forming mechanism, merhanism for suiiiplying empty containers to receive the portions as tl'iey are discharged by the portion forming mechanism, mechanism "for presenting the loaded containers in turn in the dispensing position, a source oi power, a magnetic clutch adapted to couple said source of power to said mechanisms to operate the latter, and switch in the clutch circuit, and means whereby said switch is automatically thrown open by the presentation of a container in the dispensing posi tion whereby said clutch is deenergized.

14c. In a machine for forming dis pensing individual portions, the combination oi" portion forming mechanism, mechanism for supplying empty containers to receive the portions as they are discharged by the portion forming mechanism, mechanism for presenting the loaded containers in turn in the dispensing position, a source of power, a magnetic clutch adapted to couple said source of power to said mechanism to operate the latter, a switch in the clutch circuit, and means whereby said switch is automatically thrown open by the presentation of a container in the dispensing position whereby said clutch is deenergized, and means whereby said switch automatically closes and said clutch is energized when a container is removed from the dispensing position. I

15. In a machine for forming and dispensing individual p rtions, the combination of portion forming mechanism, mechanism "for supplying empty containers to receive the portions as they are discharged by the portion forming mechanism, mechanism for preventing the loaded containers in turn in the dispensing position, a source of power, a magnetic clutch adapted to operatively connect said mechanisms to said source of power, and means whereby said clutch is automatically maintained deenergized while a container occupies the dispensing position.

16. In a machine for forming and dispensing individual portions, the combination of portion forming mechanism, mechanism for supplying empty containers to receive the portions as they are discharged by the portion forming mechanism, mechanism for presenting the loaded containers in tur in the dispensing position, a source of power, a magnetic clutch adapted to operatively connect said mechanisms to said source of power, means whereby said clutch is auto matically maintained deenergized While a container occupies the dispensing position, and means whereby when the container is removed from the dispensing position said clutch is automatically energized.

17. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of a plurality of sets of mechanisms, each set comprising mechanism for forming and dispensing portions, and automatically operating means whereby said sets successively thrown into and out of operation for the purpose described.

18. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the con'ibination o t a plurality of sets of mechanisms, each set comprising mechanism for forming and dispensing portions, a source of operative power, and means whereby at predetermined intervals one set is disconnected from said source o1 power and another set is connected to said source of power.

19. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of a plurality at sets of mechanisms, each set comprising mechanism for forming and dispensing portions, a source of power, and means for connecting said sets of mechanisms in turn to said source of power.

20. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of a plurality of sets of mechanisms, each set comprising mechanism for forming and dispensing portions, a source of power, means for alternately connecting said sets of mechanisms to said source of power, and timing means controlling the action of said connecting means. y

21. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of a plurality of sets of mechanisms for forming and dispensing portions, a source of power, means for connecting said sets of mechanisms in turn to said source of power, and timed mecha-- nism for shifting said connecting means.

22. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of a plurality of sets of mechanism for forming and dispensing portions, a source of power, shiftable means whereby said sets of mechanisms may be successively connected to said source of power, and automatic means for shifting said shiftable means at predetermined intervals.

23. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of a plurality of sets of mechanisms for forming and dis pensing portions, and automatic means for successively throwing said sets into operation.

24. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of a plurality of sets of mechanisms for forming and dispensing portions, a source of operative power, and automatic means for successively connecting said sets of mechanisms to said source of power.

25. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of a plurality of sets of mechanisms for forming and dispensing portions, a source of power, a magnetic clutch for each set of mechanisms adapted when energized to operatively connect the corresponding set to the source of power, and an automatic switch adapted to energize said clutches successively for the purpose described.

26. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of a plurality of sets of mechanisms for forming and dispensing portions, a source of power, a magnetic clutch for each set of mechanisms adapted when energized to operatively connect the corresponding set to the source of power, an automatic switch adapted to energize said clutches successively for the purpose described, and timed means for throwing said switch. I

27. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of a plurality of sets of mechanisms for forming and presenting the portions in the dispensing position, means associated with each set whereby when a portion is removed from the dispensing position the mechanisms of said set are actuated, and means whereby when a predetermined number of portions have been formed and dispensed by one of said sets, said set is automatically cut out of operation and another set is put into operation, for the purpose described.

28. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of a plurality of sets ofmechanisms for forming and presenting portions in the dispensing position, means associated with each set, whereby when a portion is removed from the dispensing position the mechanisms of the corresponding set are actuated, a source of power, a magnetic clutch for each set and adapted when energized to operatively connect said set to said source of power, and means whereby said magnetic clutches are successively energized so that said sets are put into operation successively for the purpose described.

29. In a portion forming and dispensing machine, the combination of a plurality of sets of mechanisms for forming and presenting portions in the dispensing position, means associated with each set whereby when portion is removed from the dispensing position the mechanisms of the corresponding set is actuated, means whereby when another portion is presented in the dispensing position said mechanisms are halted, a source of power, a magnetic clutch for each set and adapted when energized to 0p eratively connect said set with said source of power, and means whereby said magnetic clutches are successively energized so that said sets are put into operation successively for the purpose described.

30. In a portioning machine, the combination of a plurality of mechanisms for forming and dispensing portions, a source of power, means for connecting said mechanisms individually to said source of power, and means whereby said last mentioned means is controlled by the operation of each of said mechanisms whereby said mechanisms are successively put into operation and cut out'of operation for the purpose described.

31. In a portioning machine, the combination of a plurality of mechanisms for forming and dispensing portions, a source of power, a magnetic clutch for each of said mechanisms and adapted when energized to operatively connect its mechanism with said source of power, and means controlled by the operation of said mechanism for deenergiz- .ing its clutch andenergizing the clutch of another mechanism for the purpose described.

' 32. In aportioning machine, the combiing its clutch, and means whereby when said nation of a plurality of mechanisms for clutch is deenergized the clutch of another 10 forming and dispensing portions, asoui'ce mechanism is energized, for the purpose deof power, a magnetic clutch for each of said scribed. mechanisms and adapted When energized to Signed at Pittsburgh, Pa, this 22nd day operatively connect its mechanism with said of May, 1922. source of power, means controlled by the LUTHER L. KNOX. operation of said mechanism for deene-i-giz- WVILLIAM H. LE WIS.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,580,498, granted April 13, 1926, upon the application of Luther L. Knox, of Bellevue, and Villiam H. Lewis, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for an improvement in Portioning Machines, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 8, line 89, claim 15, for the Word preventing read presenting; and that thesaid Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the ease in the Patent Othce.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of May, A. D. 1926.

[5mm] M. J. MOORE,

Acting Gammissz'oner '0 Patents.

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