Patent GB-656829-A (GB)
Title: Stock distributing systems
IPC: B65G1/137
Filed: 1946-01-24
Abstract: 656,829. Dispensing articles stored on conveyers. SKILLMAN, T. S. Jan. 24, 1946, No. 19246/49. Convention date, Feb. 24, 1945. Divided out of 656,771. [Class 116] A system for dispensing article: of different kinds comprises ar electrically-controlled article-issuing device for each kind of article, a selector device operable in accord ance with the code allotted to any article, a selective switching arrangement controlling the circuits of the respective article-issuing devices, a register adapted to store codes selected by the selector device and to transmit corresponding codes to the selective switching arrangement and a register control circuit determining the intervals at which the register transmits codes. An article-issuing device comprises a stock bin 101 in which is a conveyer belt on which articles of one kind are stored and a release mechanism to couple the normally stationary conveyer belt to a power drive. The release mechanism includes an electromagnet which, when energized, causes a flexible steel wheel to mesh with a continuously rotating driving wheel. In Fig. 4, four selector devices or key sets 120, 122, 124 and 126 are shown, each with a register 121-127. Lamps 128-131 light up when the registers associated therewith are free. The selector devices and registers are connected to the selective switching arrangement by a group of leads 140. Each stock bin has a code number consisting of two digits, and a key set, e.g. 120 has keys which put earth on one or more of five wires, a different combination of the five earths being used to indicate each digit. There are two groups of five relays in the register for each stock bin and one group records the first digit of the code and the other group records the second digit. The connections from the key sets are moved to a fresh pair of groups of five relays when the next code number is to be recorded by an automatic switch. When all the groups of relays in the register have been operated and the register has therefore stored all the codes it can, one of the lamps 132-135 lights up. The register control circuit includes leads 136-139 and a register, e.g. 121 is discharged on a signal through a lead, e.g. 136. Each pair of relays storing a code then places earth on those two of the ten leads 140 which correspond to the code and the selective switching arrangement operates accordingly. When the lead 140 corresponding to the first digit in the code is earthed it operates one of a group of relays in the selective switching arrangement, each of which in turn controls another group of release relays, and the operation of this relay closes contacts in the circuits of the release relays it controls without completing their circuits and changes over contacts to connect the leads 140 to the release relays instead of to the relays in the controlling group. When the lead 140 corresponding to the second digit in the code is earthed it completes the circuit of one of the release relays whose circuits have been partly closed and that relay operates with the result that the conveyer belt in the selected bin is put in motion. Continuously travelling belts 102 pass across and below the openings of each horizontal row of bins and convey the released articles to shoots 105 from which they fall on to another travelling belt 106 which conveys them to waiting receptacles 109-112. The articles are directed to one of these four receptacles by guides 113 above the conveyer belt and just clearing it. These guides are held by supports 114 and can be turned to lead the articles to the desired receptacles by mechanism which comprises a main shaft 115, a constantly rotating shaft 117. a clutch magnet 118, a clutch arm 119 and a flexible gear wheel 116. When the clutch is operated it pushes a pin out of one of four holes in the wheel 116 and allows this wheel to flex into engagement with the wheel on the shaft 117 resulting in a sweeping movement of the guides 113. This movement is controlled by a relay 148 which operates the clutch mechanism 118 and is co-ordinated with the movement of the belt 102 by a member 143 on the belt which strikes a contact 144 and operates the relay 148. 143 also acts as a dividing member to sweep all the goods along to the shoot. The arm of a switch 142 is turned over an arc of segments by the shaft 115 and when the guides 113 are directly opposite a receptacle the arm 142 makes contact with an earthed segment so that the relay 148 is short-circuited and releases the clutch mechanism which causes the pin to enter one of the holes in the wheel 116 so that articles impinging on the guides will not move them. Another switch arm 141 turns with the shaft 115 and, when the guide 113 is positioned, connects one of the leads 136- 139 from one of the registers to a contact operated by a relay 147. The member 143 continues to travel and operates a contact 145 then operating tne relay 147. The relay 147 locks over a contact 146 and, through its other contact already mentioned, places earth on one of the leads 136-139 and causes one of the registers to discharge as described. The discharging of the register is ended by the member 143 operating the contact 146 and so releasing the relay 147. Since all the continuously travelling belts 102 are geared together the member 143 and associated relays are necessary for one belt only. An indicator may be included to show when a register is full, and a cancel key to cancel the last selected code marked on a register. A valve recorder may be operated by a register to show the quantities and prices of articles selected by the codes. The register can be designed to send out different codes from those put into it, and to block the release of certain codes. There may be a number of conveyer belts and release mechanism in each bin to increase its capacity. The conveyers may be dispensed with and the articles stacked in a vertical column with a trip lever at the bottom and may then be released by gravity. The selector device, stock bins and delivery position may be widely separated. More than one selector device may be used with one register. Specifications 411,463, [Group XXXIX], 656,827 and 656,828 are referred to.