Patent GB-680037-A (GB)
Title: Cell case partition assembling machine
IPC: B31B11/00
Filed: 1950-05-01
Abstract: 680,037. Partitions for boxes. MAYHEW, J. H. May 1, 1950 [May 7, 1949], No. 10685/50. Class 18 A machine for assembling cross partitions (Fig: 1) for use in cases or boxes, comprises a series of holders mounted on a circular conveyer and adapted in one position to receive a number of parallel partitions whereafter the conveyer is rotated to reposition the holders to enable tnem to receive further partitions fed crosswise to the first partitions, and which interengage with the first partitions. Back stops are associated with the holders which may be adjusted to enable partitions of different depths to be received by the holders, the back stops forming part of the ejector mechanism for removing the assembled partitions from the holders. The mechanism for feeding the partitions to the holders comprises members which are reciprocated beneath a stack of partitions and which on each forward stroke engage the lowermost partition and direct it towards the holders. The circular conveyer comprises a frame 9 mounted on a hollow shaft 6 and intermittently rotated through angles of 90 degrees by mechanism operated from an electric motor. This mechanism includes a quadrant and pinion, the quadrant being racked by the pinion and having its motion transmitted to the shaft 6 by a one way drive mechanism. Stops are provided for ensuring correct angular movement of the shaft 6 and conveyer 9, and a brake 85 is provided which is correspondingly operated at the end of each quadrant movement to engage the rim of the conveyer 9 and to further assist in stopping rotation of the conveyer 9. The conveyer is provided with four groups of holders 14, each group comprising a number of horizontal and vertically disposed rows, and each holder being formed of four outstretched spring fingers having their ends splayed to facilitate reception of the partitions. The holders are horizontally and vertically adjustable to enable various shaped partitions to be accommodated. Parallel with one series of rows of holders, back stops 28, also serving as part of the ejector mechanism, are positioned. These stops, which comprise rods 29, extend across one series of rows of holders and are engaged by the front edge of the partitions fed to these holders to limit their movement into the holders. The end of the rods are secured in a bar 31 slidably mounted on rods 32 against the action of springs 36, the position of the rods being limited by collars 35 adjustably secured to the rods 32 engaging the bar 31. Two positions A, B of a group of holders of the conveyer ensures assembly of the partitions and at a third position C the completed assembly is ejected from the holders by the back stops 28 being moved towards the receiving end of the holders. To facilitate this the end, of an arm 99 is in alignment with the third position C of the group and is mounted on a shaft 98 which is reciprocated longitudinally to bring the end of the arm 99 into contact with the bar 31 and to urge it against the springs 36. In this way the back stops are moved to eject the completed partition assembly from the holders, and they fall on to a continuously moving conveyer belt which delivers them into a shoot. The mechanisms for feeding the partitions to the holders when they are in the positions A and B are somewhat similar except that three partitions are fed to the holders when they are in the position A and five partitions are fed in the position B. The tables 125, 126, 127 are provided in the position A and correspond to the three horizontal rows of holders of a group on the circular conveyer. A stack of partitions is supported by each table and is positioned thereon by laterally adjustable upright posts 144, 145, the post 144 being of T section and interengaging with one of a number of slots which extend across the partition from the rear edge (Fig. 39). The tops of the tables 125, 126, 127 are formed with channels in which slide pusher bars 189 having pivoted pawls 192 (Fig. 38). The bars 189 are reciprocated so that the end of the pawls 192 engages the rear end of the lowermost partition and urges it towards or into the holders of the conveyer 9. Upon its reverse movement the pawl is depressed and passes below the next partition until it reaches the end of its rearward stroke. To guide the partitions spring loaded blades 214 (Fig. 35) are provided on top of the table beneath which the partitions pass, a catch 221 being secured to each blade and which engages the end of a partition after it has been projected from its stack and prevents any possible reverse movement. The position of the stacks on the tables can be varied by adjusting the fore and aft position of the posts 144, 145 which are connected to blocks 137, 140 slidable on rails 139, 146 to enable their lateral displacement to be achieved and which rails are themselves secured to blocks 136 which are also slidable forwardly and rearwardly on rails 133. The partitions fed to the holders in the position A are disposed horizontally but upon the conveyer 9 rotating through 90 degrees into the position B, the partitions which were fed at the position A are now disposed vertically. In this position the holders receive the partitions from the tables 128 ... 132 which are mounted horizontally and adjacent the holders in the position B. Five rows of holders extend horizontally in the example shown, the five tables 128 ... 132 being of similar construction and having similar mechanism for delivering the partitions to that supporting and feeding partitions in the position A. At the position B, however, the partitions are fed with the slots facing forwardly so that the slots of the two partitions interengage and form the completed assembly. To enable partitions of various sizes to be assembled on the machine the tables are adjustable vertically away from each other so as to increase the distance between each partition. This is achieved by supporting the tables on screwed rods having opposite hand threads and rotated through gearing from an electric motor as desired. The tables are also displaceable vertically as a whole so as to adjust all of the tables vertically simultaneously to bring them into alignment with the holders of the conveyer 9. Partitions of various thicknesses may be fed by the machine. Specification 656,497 is referred to.