Patent GB-1208444-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to the handling of biscuits
Inventor: MORTON DAVID CHARLES
IPC: A21C15/00
Filed: 1967-03-13
Abstract: 1,208,444. Endless conveyers; hoppers; packaging biscuits. BAKER PERKINS DEVELOPMENTS Ltd. 31 May, 1968 [13 March, 1967; 12 April, 1967], Nos. 11695/67 and 16897/67. Headings B8A, B8C, and B8S. Biscuits 3 are delivered from a plurality of lanes (say twelve) on an endless conveyer to a similar number of magazines 2 and are discharged from a selected number thereof, according to the required number of lanes (say ten) on to an endless conveyer 15. The unselected magazines are varied in sequence so that the average number of biscuits taken from each magazine over a period of time is the same. The biscuits 3 are withdrawn from the magazines by flights 6 pivotally mounted on a rotary wheel 9, which flights may be lowered to an inoperative position in a predetermined sequence to prevent withdrawal of the corresponding biscuit. Alternatively a pusher (55), Fig. 3 (not shown) driven in synchronism with the wheel 9 may raise the lower biscuit above the flight to prevent the withdrawal. The row of biscuits 23, with appropriate gaps therein, is then passed between a pair of converging endless belts 18, with their conveying surfaces in the vertical plane, to compact the row of biscuits into abutting relation. The biscuits are then discharged from the conveyer 15 on to a vertically displaceable platform 30, which descends in a step wise motion corresponding to the discharge of the biscuits to form stacks of say three biscuits in rows of ten. When the platform reaches its lower position a pusher 32 removes the biscuits therefrom and feeds them to two pairs of endless ropes 40, each pair being driven outwardly in opposite directions to divide the row of biscuits. A further pusher 43 feeds each half of the divided row in spaced relationship on to stationary nylon guides 46 for movement therealong by flights 45 to a packing machine. In a further embodiment Figs. 3 and 4 (not shown) the biscuits are removed from the selected magazine (2) by a reciprocating pusher (64) on to a vertically displaceable platform stacker (71) from which the stacks are removed by a further pusher (73), when the stacker is in its lower position, on to a further vertically reciprocating platform (75). As this platform (75) approaches its lower position a pair of arms (76) disposed at opposite ends of the row of biscuits and extending through a slot (77) in the platform (75) compress the row into abutting relation aided by guides (68). A structure (81) with compartments (80) and reciprocating along the path indicated at (85) then advances the row of biscuits one step on to endless ropes (87) driven as before to divide the row of biscuits. The two halves of the said row are then further advanced into the path of conveyer flights (45). In a still further embodiment Figs. 5, 6 (not shown) the biscuits are removed from the selected magazines (2) by a reciprocating carrier (102) which supports the biscuits until they are disposed over a vertically displaceable stacker platform (71) whereupon the support is withdrawn. The completed stacks are pushed, by a pusher (73), from the platform (71) to a further vertically reciprocating platform (107) wherein at its lower position pairs of arms (108A) (108B) extend into the row of biscuits prior to moving outwardly in opposite directions to simultaneously divide the row and compress the biscuits into abutting relation. At the upper position of the platform (107) a further pusher moves the spaced halves into the path of conveyer flights (45).