Patent GB-1242869-A (GB)
Title: Bobbin handling system
IPC: B65H67/06
Filed: 1969-06-11
Abstract: 1,242,869. Conveying bobbins. LEESONA CORP. 11 June, 1969 [12 June, 1968], No. 29603/69. Heading D1F. An automatic system for handling bobbins comprises supply means 16 operable for discharging units of predetermined quantities of bobbins, utilization means 29 for receiving the units of bobbins, conveyor means having containers 20 for receiving the units from the supply means and for delivering the units to the utilization means, and control means 94 to effect the transfer of bobbins. The control means provides a signal when a container is to be filled and another signal when the supply hoppers 18 of the supply means 16 contain the predetermined quantity of bobbins to be processed, and means responsive to the two signals to open the hopper 18 to deliver bobbins to its container 20. The control means also provides a signal when a container 20 is carrying bobbins to be processed and another signal when the hoppers 30 of the utilization means 29 require bobbins, and means for delivering bobbins from the container 20 to the hopper 30 in response to these two signals. The processed bobbins are delivered from the utilization means 29 to hopper 32 and are then delivered to the empty containers 20 to be carried to a receiving station 28. The waste on the bobbins can then be stripped off and the bobbins reused. Each container 20 carries a control means 94 which comprises a block 116 in which rods 96, 122, 124, 126 and 128 are slidably mounted. The rods 122 provide a separate code for each type of bobbin to be processed and engage appropriate switches 130 in a housing 132 provided at each rotation. The rod 96 is an operating rod to engage latches to release bobbins from the hoppers and containers. The rod 124 indicates the presence of bobbins to be processed, while the rod 126 indicates the presence of bobbins which have been processed. The rod 128 indicates that the container is empty. Each housing 132 is provided with a valve controlled cylinder 140 with independent pistons operating rods 142 to pivot levers 144 so that cams 150 can slide the rods 96, 124, 126 and 128 between active and inactive positions according to the station at which the housing 132 is positioned. In use, the code rods 122 and empty container rod 128, which are in the active position, close switches in the housing 132 at the supply means. If the associated hopper 18 contains the predetermined quantity of bobbins to be processed a switch is closed to complete a circuit to vent the valve 2SV to move the positioning levers. Thus the rod 96 and the bobbins to be processed rod 124 are moved to the active position and the empty container rod 128 is moved to the inactive position. The container moves on to the hopper 18 and the rod 96 engages a latch on the hopper to deliver bobbins from the hopper into the container. A cam 98 then moves the rod 96 back to its inactive position. The container with the bobbins to be processed moves on to the utilization means 29. The identification rods 122 and rod 124 close switches on the appropriate housing 132. If the hopper 30 requires bobbins a switch is closed to complete a circuit to vent the valve 2SV and operate the positioning levers 144. The rod 96 and the rod 126 for processed bobbins are moved to the active position and the rod 124 is moved to the inactive position. The container moves on to the hopper 30 and the rod 96 engages a lever to open the container and deliver the bobbins to be processed to the hopper. With the rod 96 still in the active position the container moves on to a hopper 32 containing processed bobbins. The rod 96 engages a latch on the hopper 32 to open the same and deliver the processed bobbins to the container. A cam 98 then moves the rod 96 to the inactive position. The container with the processed bobbins then moves on to a bobbin receiving station 28. The rods close switches at the housing 132 and the positioning levers are operated to move the rods. The rod 96 and the empty container rod 128 are moved to the active position and the processed bobbin rod 126 is moved to the inactive position. The rod 96 engages a lever to open the container and deliver the bobbins to the station 28. A cam 98 returns the rod 96 to its inactive position.