Patent GB-553925-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for the grading or sorting of irregularly shaped articles, such as containers, bottles, jars and the like
IPC: B07C5/12
Filed: 1942-01-21
Abstract: 553,925. Fluid-pressure servomotor-control systems. WEBSTER, A. H. Jan. 21, 1942, No. 878. [Class 135] [Also in Groups XIX and XL] Comprises mechanism for testing simultaneously the diameter, height and profile of irregularly shaped articles such as containers, bottles &c., such mechanism putting other mechanisms in operation to select and eject bottles conforming in all respects to prescribed standards. The conveyer a consists of a slat chain having plain links c with links d interposed at intervals provided with upstanding fingers e adapted to engage behind bottles b and push them. A series of feeler arms f ... f<SP>9</SP> are mounted freely on a vertical spindle g and engage along the bottle to the iullest height. The levers are connected by pivoted links h to the short arms i of a series of bell-crank levers mounted loosely on a vertical spindle k. The long arms m of the bell-crank levers are in contact with the ends of plungers n slidably mounted in a valve block o. Each plunger is maintained in contact with its lever m by a spring p, Counter-pressure levers s ... s<SP>9</SP> loose on a vertical spindle t, and with arms u . . . u<SP>9</SP> acted upon by springs maintain the bottles against the pressure of the levers f ... f<SP>9</SP>. The inner ends of plates x form stops for the levers u. The valve body is longitudinally divided into two parts 2, 3, Fig. 4, ground to provide a tight joint and slotted to provide an air communication between an inlet 5 and an outlet 6. Parallel bases receive the plungers n<SP>1</SP> to n<SP>9</SP> each of which has an annular groove 8 at a suitable point in its length so that when the grooves all align with the passage 7 air can pass freely through the valve box. The mechanism is adjusted by temporary spacing collars mounted on the stop rod 10 so that the grooves 8 coincide with the slot 7 when the levers f ... f<SP>9</SP> engage along a standard bottle. Connecting links h of the proper lengths are fitted, and the stop plates are adjusted so that there is a slight gap between the free ends of the arms u and plates. Ejecting mechanism.-Normally a lever 12 on a shaft 13 lies parallel with the conveyer, a catch 17 engaging a pivoted latch 19. When a correctly dimensioned bottle passes, air passing to the pipe 6 enters a box 21 and presses a diaphragm to move the rod 20 against the influence of a spring in the box to push back the latch 19 whereupon the spring 28 moves the lever 12 to the position shown to deflect the bottle on to another conveyer. A lug 30 on the conveyer engages a cam 16 to restore the lever which in moving operates a lever 32 to move the stem 35 of the release valve to relieve the air pressure in the chamber 21. In a modification, the sliding members have contacts which when the members are in correct position become connected in series to close the circuit of a relay operating the ejecting mechanism. Again, weight of the bottle may be variable and in that case a sliding member would be moved into alignment when the weight is correct. In the case of a bottle translucency may be a factor and the bottle may pass through a light beam which operates a selenium cell to cause movement of the sliding member.