Patent GB-900710-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to conveyor systems
IPC: B65G47/00
Filed: 1960-10-28
Abstract: 900,710. Conveyer systems. MEYER MANUFACTURING CO., GEO. J. Oct. 28, 1960 [Nov. 2, 1959], No. 37128/60. Class 78 (1).  [Also in Group XVII] In a conveyer system for delivering articles to independent processing units, if one of the units temporarily ceases to function, the articles are delivered in full supply to each unit which continues to function. As shown in Fig. 1, processing units U<SP>1</SP>, U<SP>2</SP>, U3 comprise packing machines for assembling bottles into cartons, the bottles, supplied by a conveyer O, being taken by dividing apparatus X and delivered in equal quantities to the packing units U. Empty cartons are supplied by a conveyer Z and filled cartons are delivered on to a discharge conveyer W. Assuming first that all of the packing units U are in operation, means provided at A on the conveyer Z will release three successive cartons which are carried to stations B, C, D and then moved by serving conveyers (not shown) to stations E, F, G below the dividing apparatus X. The three cartons are then moved to stations H, J, K where they receive a charge of bottles before being delivered on to the conveyer W. In the event that a packing unit, say U<SP>2</SP>, is stopped temporarily, the carton at C is detained until the carton at D has been transferred. to station G. The carton at C is then moved on to station D and two new cartons are released at A and moved to stations B, C, respectively. Since the unit U<SP>2</SP> is still not in operation, the carton at station C will be detained while cartons at B and D will be moved to stations E, G in normal manner. In Fig. 2, only two packing units U<SP>1</SP>, U<SP>2</SP> are shown, but if more than two are provided, the unit U<SP>2</SP> represents the last of the series. Photo-electric detectors T<SP>1</SP>-T<SP>8</SP> enable the movement of the cartons to be controlled by means of stops 21a, 27, 32-36 and hydraulically-operated pushers 24, 30, 301. When a line of cartons arrives at A, it will be stopped by stop 21a until the pusher 24 moves the first of the cartons clear of the stop. This movement of the pusher occurs if the light beam of detector T<SP>2</SP> is unbroken indicating that station B is empty and if the beam of detector T<SP>1</SP> is broken indicating that there is a carton at A. The carton is then carried to B, the beam of detector T<SP>2</SP> is broken, that of T<SP>1</SP> is restored and the pusher retracts to its normal position. Pusher 30 at B then pushes the carton off conveyer Z on to the serving conveyer which supplies unit U<SP>1</SP> and the carton is returned by stops 32 at station E. When the carton is released from station B the second carton is released from station A and upon reaching B, is released to station C providing the first carton is still at station E. Otherwise, if the first carton has advanced to station H, and station E is empty, the second carton from B will go to E. The cartons advance from station to station until stations H, J and all preceding stations are occupied. When the carton at H is filled, a switch H<SP>2</SP> is actuated to remove stops 33 and the carton is able to pass on to the discharge conveyer W. On reaching station L<SP>1</SP>, the carton breaks the beam of detector T<SP>8</SP> and stops 35 are actuated to release the carton providing no other carton is on the conveyer between stations L<SP>1</SP> and M<SP>1</SP>. If there is a carton between these stations, the carton at L<SP>1</SP> will be held until the conveyer is clear between L<SP>1</SP> and M<SP>1</SP>. A filled carton at station J will not be released by stops 36 unless the discharge conveyer is clear between stations Ll and M<SP>1</SP>. A carton passing station M<SP>1</SP>, which has no stops, intercepts the light beam of a detector T<SP>9</SP>. When a carton has been released from either stations J or L<SP>1</SP> both stations are locked out until a carton passes through M<SP>1</SP>. The serving conveyers, Fig. 3, comprise a driven endless belt 38 which runs between two series of freely rotatable rolls 37, 39. The stops controlled by the photoelectric detectors comprise arms 32 which are normally urged to the " stop " position shown in Fig. 3 by the action of a spring interposed between two pistons within a cylinder 43a. When fluid is admitted to the cylinder by operation of an electrically-operated valve 44c, rack members 42 move outwardly causing the arms 32 to swing clear of the carton V. In place of the serving conveyers shown in Fig 3, devices comprising a pusher means and a smooth surfaced base-plate may be used, Figs. 5, 6. As shown, the cartons are pushed along a plate 36a by the reciprocating action of a carriage 50 supported by shafts 64, 65 which are rotatable and slidable in bearings 66, 67. Pusher arms 32a, 33a are fixed to the shafts and a pusher pad P<SP>1</SP> is mounted on the carriage 50 which is reciprocated by a fluid-pressure motor having a cylinder 30. When the carriage is in the fully retracted position, i.e. it contacts the end of the cylinder 30, a carton will be able to move from station A to station B ready to be moved to station E by the pusher Pl. Before the carriage is advanced by operation of the pusher motor, shafts 64, 65 will have been rocked, by rack and gears 57, 62 and by a fluid motor mounted on the carriage, such that arms 32a, 33a engage cartons at stations E and H. The cartons will thus be moved from station to station after which the arms 32a, 33a will be swung clear of the cartons by rocking the shafts 64, 65. The carriage and shafts are then retracted ready for a further pushing operation. The operation of electric control circuits, Figs. 4, 7 (not shown), relating to the photo-electric detectors and control of the fluid motors, is described.