Patent GB-847658-A (GB)
Title: Device for detecting and rejecting off-size articles from a stream of articles
IPC: B07C5/10
Filed: 1956-10-19
Abstract: 847,658. Photo-electric control systems. IGRANIC ELECTRIC CO. Ltd. Oct. 19, 1956 [Jan. 16, 1956], No. 31879/56. Class 40(3). Apparatus for use with a counting and stacking mechanism to detect and reject over-size articles from a stream of articles feeding such mechanism comprises two spaced light-beams and two photo-electric relays operable by the breaking of such beams by articles in the stream, a solenoidoperated article-diverting mechanism movable to a position to divert articles from the stream, and a control circuit including the photo-relays for controlling the energization of the solenoid when the light beams are simultaneously broken by an over-size article, to divert such article from the stream; the. stream may also be continuously diverted for a selected time on the occurrence of a jam (i.e. overlapping) of articles at the stacker. As shown, Figs. 1, 2 magazines 33 are fed in double stream from collators 10,11 via conveyers 12, 13 to belt conveyers 14, 15 and thence to stackers 22, 23 via reject stations comprising horizontal wire belt conveyers 16, 17, 20, 21 and inclined wire belt conveyers 18, 19. Two pairs of photo-relay and light source assemblies E, F, and EE, FF are positioned relative to belts 16, 17 so that vertical light beams between the sources and the photo-relays associated with each belt are interrupted consecutively by correctly sized magazines. An oversize magazine interrupts both beams together, thereby energizing a solenoid 36 or 37 to move a pivoted vane 34 or 35 to a horizontal position so that the oversize magazine is diverted on to a transverse conveyer 26 or 27. A jam occurring on belt 20 or 21 deflects a roller 38 or 39 to operate a jam detector switch 40 or 41 which diverts both streams of magazines, while keeping the counting sections of stackers 22, 23 energized so that the count is not lost, and no warm-up period is necessary when the jam has been cleared. Control circuit. Fig. 3. When starting switch 144 and jam switches 154 are closed, relay A is energized and power is supplied to an alarm 42 and, via transformers, to photo-relays P, PP, located at stackers 22, 23 respectively, and to their associated lights Lt. When P, PP warm up they operate to energize relays B, BB (which lock up) C, CC, D and DD. This opens the alarm circuit and energizes relay M to supply power to motor 28 and via contacts m7, m9 to energize motors 30, 31, and motor 29 respectively. Counting and stacking operations are performed by apparatus BC1, BC2, controlled by photo-relays P, PP, which release when their light-beams are interrupted by a magazine, deenergizing relays C, CC, D, DD. Finally, clear switch 152 is opened to reset the counters, and the stackers are stopped by opening switch 150. Oversize detection and diversion. An oversize magazine on belt 16 interrupts the beams to photo-relays E, F together; both relays are released completing a circuit via contact e2, f2, for a relay G which pulls up and energizes solenoid 36 to move vane 34 to the "divert" position, relay G remaining locked until the magazine leaves the beam of F. Oversize in the other stream is detected and dealt with in a similar manner by corresponding relays. Jam detection. An overlapping of magazines on conveyer 20, for example, raises roller 38 to close switch 40. When magazines next break beams of photo-relays E, EE, contacts e2 and ee2 close to energize relays H, HH, and, when beams of F, FF are cut, relays G, GG come up to divert the streams of magazines, and relays J, JJ come up to lock up G, GG and continue the diversion when E, EE, F, FF are re-energized. Jam switch 154 is opened; relay M drops back and stops motor 28; relay N is energized through contacts j5 or jj5 to maintain circuits to motors 29, 30, 31. Resetting. When the jam has been cleared, switch 154 is closed; relay M comes up; motor 28 starts again and lights Lt are re-illuminated. Reset switch 43 is closed; relays K, KK are energized, releasing relays J, JJ. When magazines enter the beams of F, FF, relays K, KK release, and when beams F, FF are re-established, relays G, GG release, de-energizing solenoids 36, 37 and thus restoring vanes 34, 35 to their inclined positions. Specification 763,621 is referred to.