Patent GB-810504-A (GB)
Title: Article-transfer apparatus for example for use in electric lamp manufacture
IPC: H01J9/24
Filed: 1956-06-13
Abstract: 810,504. Electric lamp making machines. SYLVANIA ELECTRIC PRODUCTS Inc. June 13, 1956 [June 15,-1955]. No. 18314/56. Class 39(2) [Also in Group XXX]. Apparatus for transferring articles from a first machine operating with indexing motion to a second machine also operating with indexing motion wherein the rate of output articles from the first machine is liable to fluctuate and the rate of input of articles to the second machine is relatively constant, comprises a first conveyer adapted to receive articles from the first machine and a second conveyer adapted to supply articles to the second machine, both conveyers being provided with spaced holders for the articles and passing adjacent to each other at a transfer region at which there is provided means of transferring articles from holders in the first conveyer to empty holders in the second conveyer, means also being provided for transferring articles remaining in holders on the first conveyer after the holders have passed the transfer region to a storage device and for transferring articles from the storage device to holders on the second conveyer which are still empty after having passed the transfer region. The storage device may comprise a third conveyer having spaced holders for the articles. In the form shown as applied to the transfer of electric lamp mounts between a mount making machine 20, Fig. 1, indexing forward in single steps, and a sealing machine 22 indexing in double steps, the arrangement comprises a conveyer mechanism 24 receiving mounts in holders 48 from the machine 20 and feeding them to holders 120 on a second conveyer 26 at a feeding station 28, the conveyer 26 transferring mounts to the sealing machine 22 with which it moves in unison, a third conveyer 30 picking up at transfer station 180 any mounts not transferred to the conveyer 26 and a a fourth conveyer 32 which receives mounts by hand or mechanically from the conveyer 30 and feeds them to any vacant holders 120 on the conveyer 26 at the feeding station 204. The holders on all the conveyers are in the form of flat U-shaped members. The mounts are held in jaws on the conveyer 42 of the mount making machine and are transferred during each period of rest of the conveyer by a sliding arm arrangement operated by a cam from the mount making machine to the holders of the conveyer 24. Transfer of mounts on the conveyer 24 to conveyer 26 is effected by air jets supplied with compressed air through valves operated by spring loaded solenoids 158, Fig. 13. When the conveyers 24, 26 are at rest, cams 152, 150, driven from the driving mechanism of conveyers 24, 26 close switches 156, 154. The presence of mounts already on the holders 120 is detected by sensing switches 160 which break the circuit of the corresponding solenoids. Air jets operate only when all three switches 150, 152, 160 are closed. Time delay relays 162 in the circuit of each solenoid prevent abrupt cut off of the air jets. The conveyer 30 is driven by a pawl and ratchet mechanism from the drive of the conveyer 24. A continuous air jet effects transfer of mounts between the two conveyers, transfer of a mount operating a sensing switch to bring the pawl and ratchet mechanism into operation. Sensing switches are similarly provided to detect the presence of mounts in the holders 120 as these approach the transfer station 204 and, in the absence of a mount in a holder when it reaches this station, to cause an air jet to impel a mount from one of the holders on the conveyer 32 into the vacant holder. Time delay relays are simultaneously actuated to close the circuit of a solenoid serving to couple the drive of the conveyer 32 with that of the conveyer 26.