Patent GB-686728-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for segregating objects such as glass ampoules into categories according to size
IPC: B07C5/12
Filed: 1951-02-05
Abstract: 686,728. Linear-dimension gauges; separating and sorting apparatus. POKORNY, J. Feb. 5, 1951 [Feb. 3, 1950], No. 2776/51. Class 106 (ii). Apparatus for segregating objects such as glass ampoules into categories according to size comprises a caliper member or members disposed in the track of the objects to be segregated, the caliper member or each caliper member having a gauge or a plurality of gauges formed therein and adapted to be successively engaged by the objects during their travel along the track to effect a movement of the caliper member or members, the extent or nature of the movement being determined by the diameter of the objects and means whereby the movement may be utilized to effect the segregation of the objects. The apparatus may comprise a single V-shaped calliper gauge A, Fig. 1, pivoted at c to a two-armed lever D, with fixed pivot k, whose other arm is urged by a spring l<SP>1</SP> against an adjustable stop m. An article g carried on the path R may fail to enter the V and, so displace the arm D, that a contact O is closed, or it may penetrate some distance and displace the lever D to close a different contact, while an article which reaches the base of the V merely swings the gauge about its pivot without displacing the lever D and in every case the article continues along the path R and eventually escapes from the gauge which is returned by a spring l. Thus one of a number of contacts or no contact is closed according to the diameter of the object g. The calliper gauge may be stepped as shown in Fig. 3. In another embodiment the apparatus may comprise a series of discs c, Fig. 6, each with a plurality of gauging gaps b successively increasing or decreasing in size from disc to disc. Each disc a is rotatably mounted on an arm D pivoted at k and urged by a spring l against an adjustable stop m. An article carried along the path R may fail to enter a gap band cause the arm D to swing to close a contact O or it may penetrate a gap and pass on without closing a contact. An arm D<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 8, is pivoted at r to the arm D carrying the disc with the smallest gauging gaps so that when an article penetrates this gap the arm D<SP>1</SP> closes a contact s. Thus all or some of the contacts O or none of the contacts O and the contact s will be closed according to the diameter of the object. For segregation the objects are delivered on to a sloping track having several traps closed mechanically but capable of being opened by electromagnets energized when certain contacts or combinations of contacts are closed and so timed that the objects fall into appropriate containers according to their diameters, the same contacts at the same time causing luminous indications to be given of the category to which each object belongs. In a purely mechanical embodiment, Fig. 4, a plurality of rotatable plates A, each with a plurality of pear-shaped gauging gaps, are disposed in the path the ampoules g carried by a rotatable plate B over a fixed plate C with gaps h aligned with the operative gauges in the plates A. The plates A are carried by pivoted arms c urged towards the peripheries of the plates B, C by springs e whose tension may be adjusted by stop screws f. If an ampoule fails to enter a gauge it rotates the plate A at the same time pushing the arm c aside and jamming itself in the plate B so that it is carried over the hole h whereas if an ampoule enters a gauge it is free to fall through the hole h and is led down a guide i to an appropriate container.