Patent GB-606499-A (GB)
Title: Dispensing apparatus
IPC: B65G59/10
Filed: 1944-07-27
Abstract: 606,499. Dispensing cup-shaped articles. LILY-TULIP CUP CORPORATION. July 27, 1944, No. 14368. Convention date, Oct. 9, 1943. (Class 78 (i)] In dispensing apparatus of the multistack type, wherein cup-shaped articles are dispensed successively in an axial direction from a stack of nested articles and wherein when such stack has been depleted to a predetermined extent another stack, is moved into dispensing position, a plurality of vertical stacks of cups are adapted to be moved along a predetermined path to a dispensing station which is so disposed that additional stacks' can be loaded into the apparatus without disturbing the articles at the dispensing station. The stacks S, Fig. 2, of nested cups C rest on a plate 21 secured to the bottom of a turret 16 which is carried by a spindle 13 rotatably mounted in the base-plate 9. The stacks are partially received in recesses 22, Fig. 1, in the turret and are prevented from falling outwards by a casing 24. A second casing 25 containing a turret 16a is mounted similarly on the plate 9 and communicates with the casing 24. The passage of stacks from one casing to the other takes place over plates 39, 40 and from the casing 24 to the dispensing unit 2 over a plate 41 on to which they are deflected by a cam 42. The stack is supported in the dispensing unit by cam members 45 which are turned to release the lowest cup by turning an arm 46. The spindles 13, 13a of the turrets carry gears 48, 52 which are connected by gears 49, 50. The gear 52 is connected by gears 53, 55 to a gear segment 56 on a pivoted arm 57. Helical tension springs 60 connect the arms to anchorages 61 on the plate 9. An escapement wheel 62 mounted on the spindle 13a has teeth equal in number to the number of recesses 22 and is engaged by an escapement pawl 64 actuated by a solenoid 67. By this means a complete reciprocation of the arm allows two increments of movement of the wheel 62. The solenoid circuit is controlled by a switch 69, Fig. 2, which is actuated by a pin 71 adjustably mounted in the arm 72 of a two-armed pivoted member, the other arm 75 of which is adjacent to the stack in the unit. The distance between the lower end of the arm 75, which is below the upper surface of the plate 21, and the cams 45 determines the number of cups remaining in the unit at the time that a fresh stack is fed into it. In order that the arm 75 may not interfere with the downward movement of the stack, the arm 72 is locked in the raised position by a plate 76, Fig. 4, pivoted at 77 which rests on the arm 46. As this arm is moved, the plate is lowered and the arm 72 is freed. The apparatus is loaded with stacks by inserting them through a door 31 in the casing and rotating the turret by a hand-wheel 80. While this is being done the arm 46 is in the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 4, so that the switch 69 cannot be actuated. During this operation the rotation of the spindle 13a effects the tensioning of the springs 60. When nine stacks have been inserted, the arm 46 is moved to the right, Fig. 4, and the spring 74 forces the arm 72 downwards to close the switch 69 and energize the solenoid 67. Since the resultant movement of the arm 64 allows the spring 60 to turn the turret through an angular distance corresponding to one stack, a stack is transferred to the unit 2. In a modification (not shown) a single turret is used which is driven by a clock spring. In another modification the stacks rest on a table, over which they are moved by the turrets. In a further modification, four turrets, similar to the turrets 16, 16a are used. U.S.A. Specification 2,268,421 is referred to.