METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DELIVERING A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT OF MATERIAL TO A CONTAINER

A method and apparatus for delivering a predetermined amount of material into a predetermined position on each of a series of moving trays while avoiding spillage of the product onto other portions of the trays. A conveyor lifts the material onto a shaker pan which delivers the material in an even flow on to a rotating turntable having a plurality of radially extending gutters thereon. The turntable directs the material to flow along the gutters and into a plurality of hoppers disposed at the periphery of the turntable. Once a hopper is full, any excess material falls onto a drip tray which returns the material back to a supply bin. The filled hoppers are sequentially rotated above the trays, which are moving on a conveyor, to release the material onto a predetermined area of each successive tray. A funnel disposed between the hopper and the tray facilitates delivery of material onto the tray. The funnel is lowered toward the tray to deliver material, advanced in synchronism with the tray, elevated to clear the tray and material, and then returned to its initial position.