Patent GB-1120913-A (GB)
Title: Article distributing mechanism
IPC: A01K43/00
Filed: 1966-08-17
Abstract: 1,120,913. Reciprocating conveyers. FMC CORP. 17 Aug., 1966 [24 Sept., 1965], No. 36745/66. Heading B8A. Eggs E1-E3 delivered from an endless conveyer 22 to a distribution apparatus are received in respective cradles P1-P3 mounted on a vertically reciprocating framework 73 whereby the eggs are lowered on to aligned pockets 90 mounted on a horizontally reciprocating carriage 92 extending centrally of the framework 73. The eggs are then transported horizontally to the extent of the travel of the carriage 92 whereupon one of the eggs E1 is deposited into an opening R1 before the remainder E2, E3 are raised by cradles 78, 79 on the framework 73 to permit the carriage to return to its original position. On further being lowered the eggs E2, E3 are again transferred to the carriage 92 to be transported further downstream. This procedure is repeated until the eggs E2, E3 have been deposited in their respective openings R2, R3 which lead to further sorting apparatus, e.g. weighing machines. Eggs E4-E6 on the endless conveyer 22 are moved by the distribution apparatus in the opposite horizontal direction to the eggs E1-E3 by substantially similar apparatus. Each cradle P1-P6 is formed by two co-operating blocks 63, 64 of P.V.C. with inwardly inclined faces to receive the eggs and each is attached to one of a pair of parallel spaced beams 70, 72 joined at their ends and connected to a drive yoke 76. Interposed between the two beams 70, 72 is the carriage 92 formed of a canvas base "Bakelite" (Registered Trade Mark) and having slots 108 therein in which run guide rollers 107 fixed to the framework of the distribution apparatus. Actuation means 110 connected to a plate 114 mounted on the carriage moves said carriage in the horizontal direction. Elongated pocket means 116, 118 and short pocket means 115, 117, 119 of V-cross-section are attached to the upper side of the carriage 92 to form the pockets 90. The short pocket means are attached to a rod 130 extending longitudinally of the carriage whereby at the extreme downstream position the carriage 92 abuts an inclined plate 142 with an arm 138 extending transverse of the rod 130 to rotate said rod and thus the short pocket means to deposit the eggs in their appropriate openings. The eggs on being transferred between the endless conveyer 22 and the distributing means abuts against a pivotably mounted "Teflon" (Registered Trade Mark) flap 40 to ensure a smooth transfer. The flap 40 is mounted on a spindle 50 connected to a cam-actuated lever 54 whereby the flap may be moved to a position clear of the eggs in synchronism with the movement of the cradles. A single drive means, Fig. 6 (not shown), drives the endless conveyer 22, the cam 62 to actuate the flap 40, and the reciprocating means for the respective carriages 92 (94) and the frameworks 73 (74) in synchronization. A shaft (232) drives a cam (234) the cam following arm (238) of which rocks a further shaft (240) which through further linkage (242), (244) provides the vertical reciprocation of the frameworks. A chain-andsprocket train (156), (154), (158), (184), (186) serve to rotate further sprockets (198), (212) having eccentric spindles (202), (214) therein to engage in a slot of an arm (204), (216) fixed at one end and attached at the other to the carriage to provide the appropriate horizontal reciprocation.