Patent GB-589756-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in the feeding of buttons or discs
IPC: B29D19/06
Filed: 1945-03-30
Abstract: 589,756. Feeding sheets. MITCHELL, W. B. March 30, 1945, No. 8123. [Class 100 (i)] [Also in Group II] Apparatus for feeding blanks from a source of supply and delivering them at a pre-determined position comprises a rotary table for carrying blanks, a stationary rim extending upwardly around the table and having a slot for passage of a single blank into a pocket, and a suction head which moves downwardly, engages the blank, lifts it from the pocket, and conveys it laterally to a position for delivery by interruption of the suction. The invention is described as applied to the feeding of radio valve button blanks of glass to moulds, the blanks having been preformed with holes to receive pins subsequently inserted and sealed therein. The blanks are received on a circular rotating table 1, Fig. 2, surrounded by a stationary rim 10 which has an aperture 11 of a size to permit discharge of a single blank into a pocket 12. Compressed air is supplied through a tube 16 to blow the blanks against the edge of the rim 10, and through another tube 17 to blow a single blank through the aperture 11. Each blank is removed from the pocket 12 by one or other of the suction tubes 38, Fig. 1, which are carried at the ends of two arms 32 extending from a block 31. The block is secured to a spindle 43 which is slidably and rotatably mounted in a tubular shaft 29. The shaft 29, which is mounted in a sleeve 30, is rotated intermittently through gearing 66 and the spindle 43 is raised by a cam 44 and a bellcrank lever 45. The shaft 29 carries a plate 65 which bears against one face of the block 31 whereby rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the block. The arrangement is such that when the spindle 43 is raised a blank is removed from the pocket 12 by suction applied to one of the tubes 38, then the block 31 is swung round so that the blank is positioned over a mould 22, the suction spindle 43 is then lowered and suction is interrupted so that the blank drops into the mould. The suction tubes are subject to spring pressure in cylinders 33 which communicate through pipes 35 with bores in the block 31. The bores open to a pivoted valve plate 52 which, as shown in Fig. 9, is provided with a chamber 54 communicating with three ports 56, 57 and 58. The port 57 is always in communication through channels in the block 31 with a source of suction. The plate 52 also has two ports 59, 60, extending completely through the plate. Studs 61 are provided on the plate for engagement with tappets 58a, Fig. 1, secured to the sleeve 30, so that with the valve plate tilted to the position shown in Fig. 1, the tube 38 adjacent to the pocket 12 is subject to suction and the outer tube is open to atmosphere. The mould 22 is one of a circular series carried by a table 15a which is rotated intermittently to bring each mould to the loading position below the suction tube. Each mould is continuously rotated about its axis and comprises a body portion 18, Fig. 5, secured to a hollow shaft 21 rotatably mounted in a support 22. The top of the mould has a recess 23 to receive a blank and below the recess are bores 24 corresponding to to the holes in the blank. Locating pins 27 within the bores are adapted to be moved upwardly by means of a spindle 28, so that they project above the recess 23. The arrangement is such that in the event of a blank after being dropped from the suction tube 38 not registering with the locating pins, the blank will be supported by the pins as they rise and due to the rotation of the mould in co-operation with a stationary funnel 47 registration will eventually result.