Patent GB-1015519-A (GB)
Title: Means for intermittently conveying vials
IPC: B67C7/00
Filed: 1964-08-14
Abstract: 1,015,519. Step-by-step conveyers; rotary elevators; washing machines. W.A.SHIELDS. Aug. 14, 1964, No. 33339/64. Headings B8A and B8T. Vials are intermittently conveyed through cleaning apparatus by a pair of fixed notched bars 66, Fig. 1, and a pair of notched bars 78 having intermediate portions thereof connected to cranks 81 which are continuously rotated to impart circular movement to the bars 78 to lift the vials from the fixed bars 66 and advance the vials to successive notches in the latter. The apparatus comprises a cabinet 12 and the vials are delivered from a hopper (not shown) by a shoot 14 to recesses 15 in a pair of laterally spaced discs 16 mounted on a rotatable shaft 17, Fig. 1, the vials being retained against longitudinal movement in the recesses 15 by arcuate plates 18, 19, Fig. 6 (not shown), and against radial movement therein by a pair of rails 22. The discs 16 convey the vials through a cleaning tank 25 adjustably and removably supported by a hinged frame 26, the vials being scrubbed while in the tank 25 by reciprocated brushes 27, Fig. 6 (not shown). The vials are transferred by gravity and by the action of a stripping member 30, Fig. 5 (not shown), from the recesses 15 to recess 32 in a pair of laterally spaced discs 33 mounted on a rotatable shaft 34. The discs 16 and 33 may have fifteen recesses for one size of vial and may be replaced by discs having thirty recesses for a smaller size of vial, Fig. 8 (not shown), the discs being transversely split to facilitate replacement. The discs 16, 33 are intermittently moved by the engagement of a spring-biased pawl 56 with a ratchet wheel 57 secured to the shaft 34, Fig. 1, the pawl being mounted on a lever 53 which is reciprocated against the bias of a spring 55 by a cam 52, the latter being rotated by a motor 42 through a belt 44, a shaft 45, bevelled gears 47 and a shaft 48 to which the cam 52 is secured. To prevent backward movement of the ratchet wheel 57 a detent wheel 59 is mounted on the shaft 34 and is engaged by a roller 61 mounted on a lever 62 which is reciprocated against the bias of a spring 64 by a cam 64<SP>1</SP> fixed on the shaft 48; the roller 61 is moved out of engagement with the detent wheel 59 while the pawl 56 is advancing the ratchet wheel 57. The shaft 34 is prevented from being rotated by the pawl 56 and the ratchet wheel 57 beyond its predetermined distance by an overthrow brake 67, Fig. 2 (not shown). The shafts 34 and 17 are interconnected by spur gears 65, Fig. 9 (not shown). The bars 66 are fixedly supported on transverse members 68 and have V-shaped notches 69, the delivery end of the bars 66 having straight surfaces 72, Fig. 7 (not shown), leading to a discharge platform 73, and the vials are retained against lateral movement in the notches 69 by guide rails 74, 75; the guide rail 75 and the bar 66 nearest thereto are laterally adjustable to accommodate vials of different lengths. The movable bars 78 are rotatably supported on pins 80 of the cranks 81 which are fixed on shafts 82, the latter being driven by a chain drive from the shaft 48, Fig. 9 (not shown). The bars 78 have V-shaped notches 90, Fig. 7 (not shown), and have at the delivery end thereof vertical faces 98 for pushing the vials off the straight surfaces 72 of the bars 66 on to the platform 73. The larger vials are transferred along the bars 66 by being moved to alternate notches thereof and the smaller vials are similarly moved but in two series so that all the notches 69 are utilized. While the vials are at rest on the bars 66 they are subjected to streams of hot water passing through openings 99 in the guide rail 74 to remove the cleansing substance from the tank 25 and are then dried by being subjected to streams of compressed air passing through openings 99<SP>1</SP> in the rail 74. The vials thereafter pass to a shoot or shoots 100 from which plungers p are delivered for insertion into the vials by a rod or rods 102. The plungers p are coated with lubricant to facilitate insertions and this is removed by subsequently presenting the vials to a series of nozzles 103 which supply successively hot water, distilled water and pressurized air. Other subsequent nozzles 103 may supply successively silicon and a second quantity of pressurized air, Fig. 8A (not shown). When the smaller vials are being used the fixed bars 66 are raised by disposing shims between them and their supporting members 68.