Patent GB-1191342-A (GB)
Title: A Machine for Unloading Trays of Articles
IPC: B65G59/06
Filed: 1967-02-06
Abstract: 1,191,342. Feeding cigarettes. MOLINS MACHINE CO. Ltd., and J. G. E. HILLMAN. 5 Feb., 1968 [6 Feb., 1967], No. 5607/67. Heading B8S. Cigarettes contained in trays 1 are introduced inot the lower tray holder 4, and the onloader, comprising two holders 4, rotates around the central discs 13 to bring the tray to the vertical position shown to feed the cigarettes down into the stationary hopper 3, whence they are discharged horizontally by endless belts 81 and 82. Hopper 3.-This is provided with horizontal platform 7 carried by two chains 65 so that the platform performs a vertical cyclic movement travelling downwards with cigarettes thereupon to allow them to fall easily into the hopper, then moving leftwards horizontally, then vertically, and finally moving rightwards horizontally to its original position. When the platform 7 travels vertical screens 59 and 60 wrapped around shaft 101 are moved so that the front of the hopper is provided with a closure despite the movement of platform 7. Tray 1.-Tray 1 is provided with side 1 and end 2 and two short sides, the top of the hopper being adapted to be closed by leaf 6. Holder 4.-Holder 4 is formed with U-pieces 17 pivoted at 20 to the member 12 of the unloader, and the holder 4 is provided with two catches. The first catch comprises bar 33 pivoted at 34 to member 12 and engaging with roller 36 carried by holder 4, the bar 33 being operated by block 39 carried by member 12. Additionally the second catch is formed by lug 22 carried by a holder 4 which co-operates with arm 25 pivoted at 31 to member 12 and operated by cam block 30 carried by the support 8 on which the unloader is mounted to turn. Leaf 6.-Leaf 6 moves horizontally in slide 42 fixed on member 12 and can be locked in either of two positions in or out. Operation.-Tray 1 is pushed horizontally, i.e. in the direction through the paper, by conveyer 10 into the bottom position shown on Fig. 3 within holder 4. It is positioned out of the vertical for the better containment of the cigarettes. Leaf 6 is then positioned over the top of the tray 1. The unloader starts to move anticlockwise. The force of movement disengages roller 36 from bar 33 so that holder 4 pivots about 20 and lug 22 is secured by lever 25 so that the tray is now in the radial position. In this position, the tray moves with holder 4 through an angle of 180 degrees till it reaches the upper position shown at which the tray stops. Platform 7 has then reached its highest point and moves forward to the right to push leaf 6 rightwards into a locked position and then itself to descend bearing the cigarettes which are contained within the tray and which move downwards with the said platform 7. At the same time the platform 7 gently presses the cigarettes below it to keep them in good position, the downward position of platform 7 being governed by feeler plate 70 which controls switches for that purpose. Finally at the bottom of hopper 3 platform 7 moves leftwards to allow all the cigarettes above it to fall upon those below it. The tray 2 has now been emptied and a new tray appears in the lower position so that the unloader is now ready for the fresh cycle.