Patent GB-1051993-A (GB)
IPC: B65B35/04
Abstract: 1,051,993. Conveyers; regulating article feed to packaging machines. E. SERAGNOLI, and A. SERAGNOLI, [trading as " G. D." SOC. IN ACCOMANDITA SEMPLICE DI ENZO SERAGONLI & ARIOSTO SERAGONLI]. April 8. 1964 [April 9, 1963], No. 14571/64. Headings B8A and B8C. A mechanism for transferring articles 23, Figs. 1 and 2, from a machine A to a machine B comprises an intermittently advancing conveyer 29 which is supplied with the articles from the machine A and from which the articles are delivered to the machine B, a plurality of channels 40 below each of which the articles are successively stopped and which are provided with means for retaining articles therein or releasing them for delivery to the conveyer 29. and an elevator 60, Fig. 3, disposed below the articles 23 on the conveyer 29 and arranged to lift the articles into the channels 40 for storage therein. The conveyer 29 is preferably a chain conveyer having cross-pieces 31 for pushing the articles along stationary supports 32 and the articles are supplied to the supports 32 from the machine A by an endless belt 21 and are pushed from the supports 32 into a channel 77 leading to the machine B by a reciprocating member 76. The means for retaining the articles in the channels 40 or releasing them therefrom comprise teeth 41, Fig. 8, carried by spring-loaded levers 42 operable by an electromagnet 45 and pressure members 48 carried by spring-loaded levers 49 operable by electromagnets 52. The elevator 60 has pairs of fingers 62, Fig. 2, connected to an arm 61 which is arranged to be reciprocated by a spring-loaded lever 69 operated by a cam 72 but the movement of which is under the control of a toothed latch 64 operable by an electromagnet 65. The belt 21 has associated therewith a spring-loaded stop-member 34 operable by an electromagnet 37, the movement of which also operates an electric switch 39, and an electric switch 25 is provided having a member 24 operable by the articles 23 on the belt. Associated with the chain conveyer 29 is an electric switch 75 having a spring-loaded member 74 operable by the articles 23 on the conveyer and an electric limit switch 59 is provided at the top of the channels 40. In the electrical diagram, Fig. 6, are shown the switches 25, 75 and 39 and the electromagnets 37, 65, 52 and 45. Also shown are cams 105, 115 and 116 which rotate synchronously and revolve once for each movement of the conveyer 29 to operate switches 10, 118 and 119, respectively. Under control of the switch 25 is a rectifier 106 having an associated condenser 107 and an electromagnet 108 operating a switch 109, the closing of which excites an electromagnet 110b to close further switches 110a and 110, the closing of the switch 110a then separately exciting the electromagnet 110b under the control of the switch 104 and the closing of the switch 110 exciting the electromagnet 37. Contacts 111, 112 and 113 are associated with the machine B being in the position shown when the latter is running and being displaced downwards when it is stopped. In operation the articles 23 are pushed by the belt conveyer 21 into the spaces formed between the cross-pieces 31 on the chain conveyer 29 which preferably can transfer more articles than are delivered to it. When articles are no longer on the belt 21 beneath the member 24, the switch 25 is closed and the stop member 34 is projected into the path of any subsequent articles moving on the belt 21. When the belt 21 again carries articles 23 and the switch 25 is opened there is a delay due to the capacity of the condenser 107 and resistance of the circuit sufficient for the conveyer 29 to move from position I to position III, after which the switches 104, 110a and 110 are opened and the stop member 34 withdrawn only when a space on the chain conveyer 29 is available in front of the belt conveyer 29. Consequently, when the stop member 34 is in the projected position the switch 39 is closed and all the spaces below the channels 40 are empty so that the switch 75, Fig. 6, moves to the dotted position, allowing the electromagnets 45 and 52 to alternately withdraw and close the teeth 41 and, successively, to alternately withdraw and close the pressure members 48, allowing the articles in the channels 40 to be supplied therefrom to the chain conveyer. If the machine B is stopped, the contacts 111, 112 and 113 are displaced downwards so exciting the electromagnets 65 and 52, thus allowing the elevator 60 to place the articles from the chain conveyer 29 on to the teeth 41, the latter being forced apart by the articles. When the channels 40 are full, operation'of the limit switch 59 stops the machine A. In a second embodiment, Figs. 10 and 11 (not shown), the chain conveyer is replaced by an intermittently rotating disc having notches for the articles and overlying a stationary support. In a third embodiment, Figs. 12, 13 and 14 (not shown), the chain conveyer is replaced by a pusher type conveyer having a multi-toothed comb pusher which is reciprocated horizontally to move the articles and has a vertical reciprocation for inserting the teeth between the articles prior to moving them and retracting the teeth after movement of the article. The conveyer system may be duplicated so that two machines A will feed one machine B.