Patent GB-475670-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to conveyor systems
IPC: B65G47/48
Filed: 1936-06-13
Abstract: 475,670. Conveyers. D. M. June 13, 1936, No. 16565. [Class 78 (i)] In a conveyer system wherein trays, containers, &c. are supported on a pair of parallel chains and a plurality of sets of removal mechanism are disposed along the conveyer track and are adapted to be actuated by means associated with the trays, &c., means are provided adjacent each set of removal mechanism adapted to be operated by each to effect actuation of a selector member which is adapted thereafter to move into contact with an element associated with the tray, the arrangement being such that if the tray has reached the selected station, an electric circuit will be closed which will effect actuation of a removal mechanism adapted positively to push the tray off the conveyer in a direction transverse to the direction of movement. As each tray 12 reaches a discharge station it operates a switch 13 and effects the energization of a solenoid 15. In consequence a member 16 carrying pins 17 is moved towards an apertured disc 18 attached to the tray. The number of pins and their disposition are different at each station, and for discharge at a particular station a disc with apertures corresponding in number and arrangement to the pins there is attached to the tray at the commencement of its journey. If the pins 17 enter the apertures in the disc, a circuit is closed which energizes a solenoid 19 controlling a valve in an air supply pipe 22. The admission of air to the cylinder 23 forces out a piston 24 attached to a pusher 25 which removes the tray from the conveyer. If the pins do not coincide with the apertures, the tray travels along the conveyer until it arrives at a station where coincidence occurs. The movement of the pusher 25 operates a switch 28 to de-energize the solenoid 19, and thereby cut off the supply of compressed air and connect the cylinder 23 to exhaust. A spring returns the pusher to its initial position. After each contact of the pins with a disc, the solenoid 15 is de-energized and the switch 13 returned to inoperative position. The trays may be discharged over a hinged flap 27 into a shoot or bin 26, or on to a roller-way conveyer 29, Fig. 4, which delivers to another endless-chain conveyer 30. The flap may form part of the side walls of the conveyer casing and be lowered by the movement of the pusher. A number of conveyers may be arranged one above another, as shown in Fig. 4, or the arrangement may be such that trays can be transferred from one conveyer to any one of a series of conveyers arranged at a lower level. A stop 31, Fig. 4, is moved into operative position when the conveyer 30 is occupied. The pushers may be actuated by solenoids instead of by fluid pressure, and may move vertically instead of horizontally. In the latter case they are provided with rollers to support the trays. The rollers may be driven to remove the trays, or inclined so that the trays are discharged by gravity. In a modification, the trays are carried by a conveyer to a flight elevator from which they are transferred to storage racks at selected levels by mechanism similar to that already described. If the selected rack is full, the operation of the transfer mechanism is prevented. Switch actuated means may be provided for removing a tray from a preselected rack and returning it to the conveyer.