Patent GB-1185991-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Apparatuses for Transferring Articles
IPC: B65B35/04
Filed: 1967-03-08
Abstract: 1,185,991. Endless conveyers. A. SERAGNOLI, E. SERAGNOLI and M. C. SERAGNOLI [trading as SOC. IN ACCOMANDITA SEMPLICE DI ENZO SERAGNOLI ED ARIOSTO G.D., SERAGNOLI]. 8 March, 1967 [6 May, 1966], No. 40267/66. Heading B8A. An article transfer apparatus comprises a reciprocating pusher 66, 66<SP>1</SP> to transfer articles from an incoming conveyer 59, 59<SP>1</SP> to an outgoing conveyer 64 and a store 45, 45<SP>1</SP> whereby articles may be stored or released to smooth out the supply and demand of the respective conveyers. The articles moving on the conveyer 59, 59<SP>1</SP> are passed beneath a sensing element (112) (Fig. 3, not shown), which causes a microswitch (MC1) to open when a row of articles has formed against a stop 70, 70<SP>1</SP>, which is subsequently raised by energization of an electromagnet 76, 76<SP>1</SP>. The articles are advanced against a stop 69, 69<SP>1</SP>, after which the pusher 66, 66<SP>1</SP> is moved forward by means of a roller 47, 47<SP>1</SP>, to which the pusher is connected via linkage, engaging in a groove 46, 46<SP>1</SP> in a cam 20, 20<SP>1</SP> mounted on a main shaft 15. The articles are pushed beneath a roller 68, 68<SP>1</SP> onto an elevator 44, 44<SP>1</SP> against a plate 92, 92<SP>1</SP> which is cammed upwards by a cam 21, 21<SP>1</SP> on the main shaft 15 engaging a roller 79, 79<SP>1</SP>. The articles still on the conveyer 59, 59<SP>1</SP> are held stationary by the transverse edge of the pusher 66, 66<SP>1</SP>, during a dwell in the movement of which the plate 92, 92<SP>1</SP> is cammed downwards, whereupon the pusher 66, 66<SP>1</SP> is moved further forward to push the row of articles onto the conveyer 64 leading to a wrapping machine, the motor (M) of which is started by the articles engaging a microswitch (MC). The pusher 66, 66<SP>1</SP> is then returned to the edge of the elevator 44, 44<SP>1</SP>, moved forward again a short distance, stopped and finally returned to its starting position. If articles are absent on the conveyer 59, 59<SP>1</SP>, the microswitch (MC1) is closed energizing the electromagnet 76, 76<SP>1</SP> to lower the stop 70, 70<SP>1</SP> across the conveyer 59, 59<SP>1</SP>. The microswitch (MC1) is actuated each time an article is passed beneath the sensing element (112) but due to a capacitor (C 3 ) the stop 70, 701 remains lowered until a complete row of articles has accumulated. With the microswitch (MC1) closed, an electromagnet 101, 101<SP>1</SP> is energized to open tooth elements 95-96, 95<SP>1</SP>-96<SP>1</SP> allowing a layer of articles in the store 45, 45<SP>1</SP> to fall onto the elevator 44, 44<SP>1</SP>, the plate 92, 92<SP>1</SP> being cammed upwards to align the articles. After lowering of plate 92, 92<SP>1</SP> the row of articles is moved onto the conveyer 64 by the pusher 66, 66<SP>1</SP>. When the store 45, 45<SP>1</SP> is empty a microswitch (108) is actuated by sensing members 104-105, 104<SP>1</SP>-105<SP>1</SP> to cause the wrapping machine to stop. If the wrapping machine is inoperative, an electromagnet 32, 32<SP>1</SP> is energized causing its armature 33, 33<SP>1</SP> to engage a groove 36, 361 in a cam 18, 18<SP>1</SP>, which is displaced on the main shaft 15 to cause a roller 38, 38<SP>1</SP>, mounted on a rod 40, 40<SP>1</SP> connected to the elevator 44, 44<SP>1</SP>, to be engaged within a groove 37, 37<SP>1</SP> of a cam 19, 19<SP>1</SP>. The articles resting on the elevator 44, 44<SP>1</SP> are thus raised into the store 45, 45<SP>1</SP>, after completely filling of which a microswitch (109) is actuated by a sensing member 106, 106<SP>1</SP> to cause the supplying machine to stop. Microswitches (MC2-MC6) actuated by cams 23-28 keyed on the main shaft 15, participate in the cyclic operation of the apparatus.