AU463563B2 - Container unloading and transferring apparatus - Google Patents

Description

24,0 38 71 This invention relates to apparatus for

separating a group of cans or the like into a single line.

are After food products or other perishable preparations of sheet steel hav- filled into tin cans (which are in fact formed sealed, ing a tin coating) and the cans or tins are hermetically in they are commonly stacked in so-called sterilizing baskets a separating sheet several horizontal layers or tiers, usually with of tins so between layers, each basket holding a large number or arranged. Several of these baskets, which are in fact square bottom panel that rectangular metal crates with a separate metal after being loaded, can move up and down inside the four side walls, in an atmosphere of steam are placed in a retort where they are held time until the heat has under pressure, for a sustained period of can and sterilized them, thoroughly penetrated the contents of the of 250°F. The cans the temperature commonly being of the order which they are inspect- must then be removed from the baskets, after and ed and labeled. Economy of production, limited floor space permit retention of full time use of equipment does not ordinarily cool enough to be comfort- the cans in the baskets until they are and ably handled. Unloading them from the baskets is difficult involving dumping exhausting labor, and procedures for unloading cans cannot be used, lest or other rough handling of the filled damaged. the cans be dented or bent or otherwise

463 5.63

24,038 F7 The invention provides apparatus for separating

a group of cans or the like into a single line comprising: a can-receiving conveyor having a receiving

end on which groups of cans are placed and a discharge end

towards which the conveyor carries the cans,

divider means for arranging the cans into

a plurality of parallel lanes at the discharge end,

-a cross-conveyor at the discharge end of the

receiving conveyor of a width to receive only a single can

from each lane at a time,

gating means at the discharge end of each

lane movable into and out of can-obstructing position, other

means alongside the cross conveyor confronting the ends of the

lanes movable between a holding position where it will provide

only sufficient clearance for a single can to be discharged

at a time from each lane and retaining them in such position

until a single row of cans has been positioned on the cross-

conveyor to a position where it clears the row of cans on the

cross-conveyor whereby they may be carried away by the cross

conveyor, and

operating means for moving said first gating means into can-obstructing position when said other means is

clear of said row of cans and moving said gating means out of

can-obstructing position when said other means returns to its

holding position.

-3- 4635.63

24,038/7 alike: In the drawings, wherein like parts are marked embodying the Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an apparatus

invention, only the parts at the front being shown; Fig. 2 is a side view of the entire apparatus; illustrated Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus

in Fig. 2; in Fig. 2 Fig. 4 is a rear view of the apparatus shown

with parts at the front being omitted; of a stop for Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view side of the machine until restraining a basket in position at one

it is to be moved into a position to be unloaded; of a control Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front elevation multi-layer load in mechanism including the raising of the

increments;

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24.038 /1 Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along lines VII-VII of

Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken. along lines VIII-VIII of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the reciprocating magnetic

unloading head used to transfer a layer of cans from the basket

to the receiving conveyor;

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the magnetic unloading

head taken along lines X-X of Fig. 9, with cans adhered thereto,

but with a portion broken away to show certain parts in section;

Fig. 10a is a front elevational view taken along the

plane of lines Xa-Xa of Fig. 9 showing the position of the cover

plate when cans are deposited on the receiving conveyor from the

magnetic head;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of the discharge end

of the receiving conveyor with the cross conveyor showing the posi-

tion of the rocker bar assembly comprising part of the gate mechan-

ism by which a single row of cans is lined up on the cross conveyor,

the view being on a larger scale than Fig. 3;

Figure 12 is a rear elevation of Fig. 11 and adjacent

parts of the machine, a portion being broken away;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along the plane of

lines XIII-XIII of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a schematic wiring diagram for the control

of the elevator; and

Fig. 15 is a schematic wiring diagram for the rocker

bar and gating mechanism.

4635.63

24.038 /71 numerals designate Referring to the drawings, wherein like embodiment of the like parts throughout, the preferred 1 at the front of which invention has a supporting frame generally as 2. is a basket-positioning means designated head 3 There is a reciprocal magnetic lead transferring At one side of the above the basket-positioning means.

basket-positioning means is a loaded basket-receiving 4, and at the other structure designated generally as designated ge- side an unloaded basket-receiving support

nerally as

The magnetic unloading head is movable horizontally a position from over the basket-positioning means to There is a over an endless can-receiving conveyor 6. end of the re- cross conveyor 7 at the rear or discharge

ceiving conveyor and a rocker bar and gating mechanism,

designated generally as 8. 1 2 and at B B The baskets, indicated in broken lines in B 3 have the containers or cans c stacked therein parallel rows, layers, with the cans arranged in several in each layer the number of layers and the number of cans Usually the machine depending on the size of the can. run on one size is set up for a more or less continuous shown of can. As an example, a typical arrangement here of ten cans each is five layers of cans, with eight rows

constituting a load. The baskets, as heretofore explained, example, as are crate-like open top metal boxes such, for No. 62998/69 filed shown in application Australian Serial

1969 and assigned to our assignee. The baskets October 29, the top have a rigid strip along each side intermediate 6 4635,63

24. 038/71

and bottom, each strip having two flanged wheels 12 thereon;

The loaded basket-receiving means 4 has a pair of

inclined rails 15 carried in a frame 14 and the rails

slope toward

7 4 635,63

2 4. 03871 of the machine. The loaded basket-positioning means at the center means with a fork-lift basket is generally placed on the receiving the rails and the basket tends truck so that the wheels 12 rest on position. To elootively to roll by gravity toward the unloading movement into the unloading restrain the basket against premature generally as 16, and shown in position, there is a stop, designated to Figs. 3 and perspective in Fig. 5. Referring particularly arm 17 with a rubber or there is a normally vertically-extending upper end, and this normally other resilient roller 18 at its free bottom edge portion of the is in position to engage the forward the rails 15. The arm 17i basket to hold it against movement along a bearing 20, the shaft is attachedbto a rotatable shaft 21 in the length of the rails extending in a direction parallel to of this shaft to which is There is an arm 22 at the opposite end rod 23, the pivotal attach- pivotally attached one end of a piston rod has a piston in a fluid ment being indicated at 24. The piston being such that when fluid pressure cylinder 25, the arrangement swing arm 22 in a clockwise pressure moves the piston rod to or stop arm 17 swings direction as viewed in Fig. 5, the abutment is clear of the basket, which down so that the cushion roller 18 by the rails may then roll down the track provided 2 there are para- In the central basket-positioning unit

llel conveyor chains 9. As the basket moves down the rails these chains which are then its leading end engages and rests on until its leading endcontacts a motor actuated to carry the basket to stop 16, when it will be second stop member 26 which is similar As the basket clears the centered under the magnetic head 3. that controls the flow of rails 15, it actuates flag switch 27 sop so that another loaded fluid to cylinder 25 to raise the

4635,63

24,038 /71 basket may be put onto the rails 15 and be ready for transfer to

the unloading position.

When the basket under the unloading head has been emptied

the chain conveyor 9 is activated which moves the empty basket into

contact with a switch 29. Switch 29 provided near the opposite end

of the chain conveyor lowers stop 16 as the empty basket leaves the

unloading position to allow the placement of a full basket under

the head 3. With the conveyor chains 9 operating, the empty basket

is moved to the left as viewed in Fig. 1 to the unloading rack

That rack has parallel rails 31 carried in a frame similar to

rails 15 that Incline downwardly away from the unloading position.

The arrangement is such tin t the chains move the empty basket

until its wheels are supported on the rails 31, and the basket then

rolls clear of the chains, coming to rest against corner stops 32.

From this position it may be easily removed by a fork lift truck.

Centered under the magnetic unloading head below the top

reaches of the conveyor chains 9 and located between these chains

is an elevator 10, which, by pushing up against the movable bottom

of the basket, will raise the load to bring the topmost layer of

cans against the magnetic head and then slightly lower to leave

that layer suspended from the head. The elevator 10 comprises a

head plate 40 and a collapsible lazy-tong type of support 41. A

hydraulic telescoping cylinder 42 is provided to collapse or

extend the support 41 and thus raise or lower the head plate

against the bottom panel of the basket.

A control means 43 is provided to actuate the chain con-

veyor 9 and discharge stpp member 26 and for effecting the required

vertical positioning of the head plate 40 of the elevator 10, and

thus the height of the cans therein. Control 43, shown in detail

4635,63

24A)38/79 in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, has a cam wheel 44, and a link belt or chi one end of which is connected by means of connecting pin 41 the cam wheel 44. The link belt 45 passes along a guide chann, around sprocket wheel 48 (see Fig. 2) and is attached at its a end 49 to the head plate 40 of elevator 10. The cam wheel 44 outer disk 50 and inner disk 51 and is secured to a rotatable 52, shaft 52 being supported by bearings 53 and 54 which are f tened to a portion of the frame 1. The control means 43 can b

adapted to regulate the height of any number. of layers of cans the basket, the illustrated embodiment being for use with five layers. outer disk 50 is provided with six arcuately-spaced laterally-projecting cams 55 which successively engage a follo 56 fixed on the machine frame. One only of these cams, 55a, h

a peripherally-projecting cam element 57 attached thereto for contact with another follower 58 disposed close to but at righ angles to follower 56. Follower 56 activates a switching devi

while follower 58 operates a switching device 60 for the purpo hereinafter described. Disk 51 also has a cam 61 thereon which contacts twc the followers, follower-62 which energizes switch 63, and foll 64 which energizes switch 65. Shaft 52 also has attached thez E a grooved wheel 66, with one end of a flexible coiled spring attached thereto by fastener 68. The other end of spring 67 anchored at 69 to the frame. The spring 67 maintains a biasit

torque on the shaft 52 to keep the belt 45 taunt and prevent sagging and possible snagging of the belt 45 and to rotate tho shaft in a reverse direction when the elevator is lowering.I shaft 52 there is also a disk 70 having an axially-projectinlg cci 71 affixed to its periphery which activates a switch 72 by the with a depending leg 73 of the switch 72 that is fixed to frame of the machine. 10 4 35 6 3

24,038/7 The operation of these various cnms, followers and swit-

ches will hereafter be more fully explained in the description of

the operation of the apparatus, but it miy be explained briefly

that when the elevator is moving up, the chain 45 rotates the wheel

43 against tension of spring 67. As will be hereinafter explained,

when the elevator brings the uppermost layer of cans into contact

with the magnetic unloading head, the elevator starts to lower.

The cams 55 and follower-operated switch 59 stop the lowering after

a clearance less than the height of one can develops between the

cans suspended from the magnetic head and those in the basket.

Follower 58 and switch 60 energize the drive motor for the conveyor

chains 9 to effect removal of an empty basket to the unloading

rack. Cam 61, follower 62 and switch 63 onergize the cylinder to

remove the discharge stop member 26 from a blocking position for

such transfer. Disk or clamp 70 with arm 71 contacts leg 73 of

switch 72 when the shaft with the clamp has been rotated to a

predetermined position to latch in a relay that overrides the

follower 56 and switch 59 to allow complete lowering of elevator

and cam 61, follower 64 with switch 65 de-energizes said latching

override relay when the shaft 52 has been rotated in the reverse

direction by the descending elevator to the start position to oncei

again render switch 59 effective when the next basket is in positioL

to be unloaded.

The magnetic unloading head comprises a frame which has

top cross-frame pieces 86 and side'members 86a. On each of the

side frame nembers 86a are rollers 83 engaged in side rails

that are supported on the frame 1 to enable the head to be recipro-

cated back and forth from and into a position over the basket to be

unloaded. Such back-and-forth reciprocal travel is effected by

4635,63

2 4.0 38 /71 piston rod 84 attached to the frame of the magnetic head, and

has a piston (not shown) in cylinder 85 (Fig. 3) that is fixed

the machine frame.

The magnetic head structure comprises a deck plate 8

having structural angle sections secured thereto, and it is su

pended near each corner from rigid strips 86b extending transv

ly to and across strips 86 by bolts 89 that are secured at the

lower ends to these angle sections, and which pass up through

in the ends of strips 86b. There are compression springs 90 a

the upper ends of these bolts confined between strips 86b and

adjusting nuts 91, the arrangement providing a resilient biasi:

for the deck plate.

The magnet arrangement itself, which per se is known

the art, includes a grid structure 92 with multiple cells in wl

are permanent magnet elements 93 which are attached to the dec]

plate, while there is a stainless steel (non-magnetic) cover sl

94 under the grid and attached to it. Bolts 95 with spacing s:

thereabout are attached to the grid and pass freely through opi

in the deck plate. There are four of these bolts 95, two of wi

are seen in Figs. 10 and 10a, and the tops of which are shown

Fig. 9, the bolts passing through and depending from angle sec,

96.

There are bolts 97 extending upwardly from each end

each angle section 96 around which are cushioning springs 98, 1

upper ends of these bolts in turn passing through angle bars 9S

A supporting plate 100 extends across between bars 99. It has

vertically-positioned fluid pressure cylinder and piston unit

thereon, the piston rod of which has its lower end attached to

cross piece 103 supported on parallel angles 104 that are secul

to the angle bars 96. 19 4635,63

24, 038/71 Air or other fluid pressure is conducted to the cylinder-

piston unit 101 through a flexible hose 105. Completing this as- sembly, there is a bracket 106 mounted on one of the cross strips

86 (see Fig. 9) that carries a switch 107, the switch having an operating element that will be operated when the magnetic head

raises relative to its supporting frame. It will be seen by refer- ence to Fig. 10'that the supporting frame or carriage is confined against upward movement while the deck plate and grid work are

permitted limited movement with support pins 81 extending through

slots 86a', the pins secured to side frame members 82, while the

rollers 83 are confined within the channel-like rails

The arrangement in general is such that when cans are

raised by the elevator, the top layer of cans, pressing against

cover sheet 94, will raise the deck plate 87 and all parts carried

by it. This upward movement activates switch 107, which will re-

verse the flow of fluid to the elevator cylinder 42, starting to

lower the elevator and load of cans. The cans in the top layer will

cling to the underside of the magnetic head as illustrated in

Fig. 10 wherein, although the magnets 93 will be in contact with

cover sheet 94 a small spacing is shown for purposes of clarity.

As the elevator lowers, any remaining load and the deck plate with

the suspended cans will also lower to its original position. To

separate the cans from the head when they are to be unloaded, cylinder 101 will be activated to push down on plate 103, angle

bars 96, and bolts 95, to move the grid 92 down, pressing the non- magnetic stainless steel cover plate down away from the magnets a

slight distance as indicated in Fig. 10a to break the magnetic

field between the magnets and the cans, allowing the cans to drop.

13 4635.63

24,038 f1 springs 98 will When the pressure Jn cylinder 101 is relieved, It will be seen there- return the parts to their normal position. thereon may move vertically fore that the deck plate with all parts sheet 94 and grid 92 may be relatively to the frame, and the cover plate. moved vertically relatively to the deck that there is a By reference to Fig. 9, it will be seen with a resilient arm 108a flag switch 108 on one of the rails 80 109 on the magnetic head frame that is contacted by a vertical post has pressed against this arm or carriage and only when this post operate to raise the head. to close the switch can the elevator if the magnetic head is not This prevents operation of the elevator There is a similar flag in unloading position over the basket. of travel of the magnetic switch 110 on the rail 80 near the end Fig. 2, which will reset the head frame, to the right as viewed in 108 is m xt closed the elevator controls, so that when switch was lowering the cans and the elevator, which in its last operation to again travel upward. lowering had stopped, will be operative switch 111 that is Beyond flag switch 110 there is a on the carriage as it has about tripped by actuator 110a mounted travel. This admits an impulse reached the limit of its rearward a release of the suspended cans of air to cylinder 101 to effect at the final limit of rearrar while flag switch 112 that is reached or frame is next contacted to travel of the magnetic head carriage and restore the parts to release the pressure in cylinder 101

normal position. means 6 over which the The endless can-receiving conveyor cans on its rearward travel, re magnetic unloading head carries the from the magnetic head. It ceives the cans when they are releaped 115 eness narrow belt conveyrs preferably comprises a series of

14 4635,63

24,038 71 in substantially continuous side-by-side relation forming a conveyor

unit traveling parallel with respect to the plane of travel of the

magnetic unloading head. There is a roller support 116 at the.re- ceiving end and a power-driven roller 117 at the discharge end. A motor 118 on the frame drives shaft 117 by a belt 119.

An electronic sensing device, such as a photoelectric elements 121, 121a, is disposed so as to sense when cans traveling

on the receiving conveyor 6 have passed a point beyond the travel-

ing range of magnetic unloading head 3. This sensing device prevents the magnetic head from traveling to a position over the

receiving conveyor until the area on which the cans are deposited

is clear so that if there is an accumulation of cans in the receiv-

ing area of the conveyor which would interfere with the deposit

of other cans from the magnetic head, the magnetic head is restrain-

ed from operation until the area has been cleared. After cans have passed the range of travel of the magnetic head, further cans

may be deposited on the receiving conveyor without danger of damage

to the cans or danger of accumulated cans prematurely knocking cans

off the magnetic head or any misplacement of cans.

Adjacent the discharge end of receiving conveyor 6 there are a number of spaced divider plates 122 which depend from support

bars 123 and are spaced above the belt conveyors 115 providing a

series of separate lanes 124 in which the cans arrange themselves

in single file as they are carried along by the continuously-moving

belts 115. Each of the dividers 122 has a notch 125 at its lower

end at the discharge end of the conveyor to provide clearance for

vertically-movable gate members 126 that extend up through notches

in a dead plate 127 over which the cans are pushed by the conveyor

(see Fig. 13).

4635,63

24,038/71 that is wide There is an endless cross conveyor means 7 row of cans in the direc- enough to receive and carry only a single tion of its travel. It has an upper flight 7a that is level with a longitudinally-extending dead plate 127, and which is supported on of the cross con- inverted channel section 127a. The return flight

veyor is designated 7b. along the There is a rocker bar assembly 8 extending the ends of the divider opposite side of crOss conveyor 7 from plates 130a, plates 122. It comprises a rocker bar 130 with spaced the top conveyor flight 7a but preferably of micarta, thereon above conveyor, with at a level where they will engage cans on this scallops confronting scalloped edges, the rounded recesses of the one recess being the several lanes between the divider plates, 132 are positioned on centered opposite each lane. Micro-switches one of the scalloped rocker bar 130 with each switch centered above series. recesses. These micro-switches 132 are connected in levers 133 Rocker bar 130 is attached to depending offset a rock shaft 135 which are attached at their lower ends at 134 to 4) A stop bar 137 mounted on frame member 136. (see Figs. 2 and restrict the rearward motiol is connected to the frame member 136 to 139 are provided to of rocker bar 130, and rods 138 with bumpers of rocker bar 130 by contact limit and cushion the forward movement arm assembly 8 and the with section 140 of the frame. The rocker means of a cylinder 150. gate members 126 are both operated by activated by a fluid pressure Referring to Fig. 13, a cylinder 150 151 and a slide plate 152 is source (not shown) has a piston rod 152 having a sloped cam surfac attached to rod 151, the slide plate Slot 154 153 on its upper edge and a slot 154 therethrough. guide the horizontal reciprocation cooperates with a roller 155 to

4635.63

-10 r of slide plate 152. Attached to slide plate 152 adjacent its outer end is a strut 156 which is also con-ected to a cross bar 157

attache'l to and extending between the arms 133 of rocker bar assem-

bly 8, so that reciprocating motion of slide plate 152 causes both rocker arm 8 to pivot with rock shaft 135 in bearings 135a and move

the rocker bar transversely of its length out of can holding

position back to the stop bar 137. Riding on the top of slide

plate 152 is a cam follower 160 which is fixed to the outer end of

arm 161 and which is clamped at 162 to a cross shaft 163. Near

each end of the shaft 163 is a crank 164 with an adjustable link

165 attached to the outer end (Fig. 12). These links each have their

upper end pivotally connected to a,plate 166 that is supported to

swing in a vertical arc at each side of the machine.

An angle bar 166a extends between and is secured to the

end plates 166. The gate elements 126 are secured to the vertical

flange of this angle. Spring 170 (Fig. 13) is attached at one end

by means of a threaded pin 171 to the frame and at its other end by

means of a similar threaded pin 172 to a depending lug 173 attached

to angle bar 133a that has its ends connected to levers 133. This

spring exerts a biasing force on the arms 133 for resiliently

holding them in the position shown in Fig. 13 where the rocker bar,

is moved forward to can holding position and the bumpers 139 contact

frame member 140. If the cylinder 150 is fluid pressure operated

in one direction only, the spring will also return the piston in

the cylinder when the pressure is released.

In addition to the spring 170 for urging the rocker bar

into the position shown in Fig. 13, there is a latch arrangement

for releasably locking it in that position. It comprises a lever

177 pivoted at 175a to a horizontal angle bar 175 that is fixed on

4635.63

24, 038/71 the machine frame. There is a bracket 176 depending from this

lever and a spring 174 anchored at its lower end to this bracket,

and at its upper end to angle bar 175. This spring urges the lever

on the lever up to the position shown in Fig. 13 where roller 178 restrain the contacts the horizontal flange of angb bar 133a to

bar from moving toward the right a s viewed in levers 133 and the 177a with a Fig. 13. Lever 177 has an upstanding terminal member

beveled forward edge. There is a roller 179 carried on and dependir

this beveled edge from the end of slide plate 152 which strikes to force the terminal when the slide plate is moved to the right the horizontal flange 177a down so that the roller 178 rolls under the right to correspond- of bar 133a and the arms 133 can swing to

ingly move the rocker bar. When the slide plate 152 retracts,

the latching position. the spring 174 raises the latch lever to conveyor moves With the gate elements down, the receiving plate into the hollow of the leading can in each lane of the dead 132. the rocker bar strips 130a where the cans engage switches several switches being When each switch has been so closed, the that operates an in series, an electrical circuit is closed 150a (Fig. 15) to admit fluid electro-magnetic valve indicated as slide plate 152 to the right pressure to cylinder 150 to move the rocker bar back against stop as viewed in Fig. 13, swinging the of bars 130a are clear of the cans 137, so that the scalloped edges file by the continuously- and they are then carried in a single as viewed in Figl 12. As moving cross conveyor to the right conveyor 7, the stop bar rocker bar 130 moves away from the elements i26 block the next member 166a is raised so that gate has of cans on the cross conveyor can in each lane until the line to can-restraining position. A moved out and the rocker returned on the rear frame and is switch 180 (see Fig. 11) is mounted 18 463563

24,038 71 contacted by the rocker bar 130 when the bar moves away from convey-

or 7, this switch preferably being a time switch which will cause

the rocker arm assembly 8 to return to rest position only after

sufficient time for the single row of cans to be removed from the apparatus by conveyor 7. This switch may activate fluid pressure valve 150a in the reverse direction to move the slide plate 152

to the left as viewed in Fig. 13. A second switch 181 is also pro- vided on the frame, which will prevent the actuating of switch 1801

to return the rocker arm assembly 8 to can holding position, while switch 181 is in contact with any cans. This arrangement prevents return of the rocker arm assembly to holding position in the case where cross conveyor 7 is unable to move the row of cans away onto

a take-away conveyor (not shown) that carries the cans singly to a labeling machine or other apparatus. This condition may be due to stoppage of the take-away conveyor or accumulation of cans on

that conveyor.

While the fluid pressure circuits and electrical circuits are generally conventional and comprise the use of valves or relays

and switches common to the industry, Fig. 14 discloses in simple

schematic diagram a circuit for the control of the elevator. This control as here shown comprises a 4-way valve 200 having an opera-

ting lever 201 that is movable from a central "off" position upward-

ly to admit fluid pressure through supply pipe 202 to pipe 203 into

the top of the elevator cylinder 42 while venting fluid through pipe

204 at the bottom of the elevator cylinder to vent pipe 205. There

is an electromagnet M 1 connected with the operating lever through an

armature to move the operating lever 201 upwardly from the "off"

position to lower the elevator. There is a second electromagnet M2

having an armature also connected with the lever 201 to move the

19 4635.63

24,038 p' 3 lever down to raise the elevator. A third electromagnet M is

connected to the operating lever 201 having a lost motion connect 201 with the lever such that when the magnet Ml raises the lover 3 but when as shown in this diagram, it raises the armature of M 201 down the electromagnet M is energized, it may move the lever 2

3 relative to the armature of magnet M These electromagnets are

controlled through a relay construction of a known type. It may, other for example, be a simple stepping relay or a relay of any

type. t Starting with the elevator in the lowermost position, in order to magnetic head 3 must be in position over the elevator close switch 108 and switch 110 must be closed. To initiate switch 206. Th operation, the operator pushes the "on" button of 2 pull lever 201 dowr energizes electromagnet M through relay R to cylinder 42 t and admit fluid under pressure to the bottom of the the cylinder. raise the elevator and vent fluid from the top of head 3,-it raises When the load on the elevator hits the magnetic the relay the head slightly and closes switch 107 which, through 1 2 the circuit to M to m( opens the circuit to magnet M and closes This reverse the lever 201 into the elevator lowering position. the cam disk movement of the elevator reverse the rotation of distance, switch and after the elevator has dropped just a short 3 the lever 201 back ti is actuated to energize magnet M and bring in its lowering moveme: the "off" position, stopping the elevator stopped, the magnetic With the downward movement of the elevator in so moving it head 3 is moved to the unloading position and travel to close switch 1 contacts switch 110 near the end of its the magnetic head 3 is back but the elevator cannot raise until switch 108. As soon as swit position over the elevator to close 2 will again be energized to r 108 is closed, the electromagnet M 4635,63

24,0 38 /7 elevator, but since a layer of cans has been removed from the top the load, the elevator must raise another increment higher than I did before, rotating the disk 50 to advance another cam element past the switch 59 and Its follower. Sinoe the lever 201 is i in the "down" position when the elevator is raising, the *gizing of electromagnet M3 would simply give an idle movement Lts armature because of the lost motion connection, but when the c50 reverses, due to the raising of the lever 201 and the iward movement of the elevator, switch 59 will be effective on ireverse movement to pull the lever 201 back to the neutral 'off" position. In the diagram Pl and P 2 indicate power supply s. In one of the lines, such as 207, there is a normally ed magnetic switch 208 which is supplied with power through ches 72 and 63. The switch 72 is so located adjacent drum 71 when the last layer of cans has been raised, the switch 72 operate switch 208 to open the circuit in the line 207 so that switch 59 will be ineffective to energize the magnet M3 to the downward movement of the elevator or override switch 59, the elevator will continue to the bottom where cam-operated 3h 72 will operate the magnetic switch 208 to close the lit in line 207 and the apparatus is ready for the unloading 2e next basket. When the elevator reaches its lowest position aerates switch 210 and closes a circuit to magnetically open :h 206 so that the elevator will not move up until "on" button iis switch is again pushed. As previously explained, switch Sincluded in the conventional circuit to lower the stop 28 •emoval of the empty baskets. For simplification, some of the its are shown without relays which would customarily.- be used, :his has been down for simplification and brevity, as has the lion of the more simple circuitry. 21 4635,63

24,038 171 Referring to Fig. 15, which schematically illustrates the circuit for control of the rocker bar and gating mechanism, 1 2 2 power lines are again designated P and P Line P is connecte

132 in series with the line pi through the several microswitches

on the rocker bar. When all of these switches are closed, curre 2 4 will flow from line P through electromagnet M to open fluid

supply line pressure valve 150a to admit fluid pressure from the When the rc 211 through pipe 2L2 to one end of the cylinder 150. the circuil er bar is then moved out of can-holding position and a circuil through all of the microswitches 132 are again opened,

will be closed from line P 2 through switch 181, provided that a]

end of the of the cans are clear of the lanes at the discharge 180 has close delivery belt, and provided that time delay switch 2 the circuit will then be from line P through electromagnet M

to reverse the valve 150a and move the piston of cylinder 150 ii

the opposite direction. Valve 150a is a conventional four-way

valve. be unlo: In operation, a basket B, filled with cans to on the basket-rec is placed by a fork-lift or other transporter on tracks 15. The b: ing structure 4, with its rollers 12 riding 16 and is held ket rolls down the rails until it contacts stop The stop member is m position for delivery to the elevator 10. 9, which are acti out of blocking condition and conveyor chains below magnetic by the operator, bring the basket into position 40 of elevator loading head 3 and centered above head plate 42 and the lazy The elevator is raised by operation of cylinder the top layer tong support so that the cans are raised with contact with the mag substantially clear of the basket and into switch 107 that reve head, slightly lifting the head to operate The top layer of cane the elevator which then starts to lower. 4635,63

24 0 38 /7t is magnetically suspended from the head as the rest of the load lowers. The elevator lowers slightly until further downward travel is restricted through switch 56 and the cam elements 55 on disk of control means 43. When the elevator is moving up and the cam wheel is being rotated, the operation of these cam switches does not affect the operation, and it is only when the elevator starts down- and the cam element 55 that has last passed switch 56 again engages the switch that the operation of the switch 56 will stop the eleva-

tor. The cams 55 are therefore positioned on disk 50 so that at any

level there will first be an overtravel of the cam element to last

engage the switch before the switch is effective on the reverse

rotation. The magnetic unloading head is then moved horizontally i either automatically or by manual operation of a push button by

actuating piston .85 until the unloading head is over the receiving

conveyor 6. Then the cylinder 101 is actuated to separate cover

plate 94 from magnet assembly 93, breaking the magnetic field

and depositing the entire layer of cans as a group on the receiving

conveyor 6 which carries them away from under the magnetic unload-i

ing head toward the discharge end of the conveyor, the head being

returned to a position overlying elevator 10. The sequence of raising the elevator 10, magnetically affixing cans to the magnetic

unloading head and depositing them on a conveyor 6 is repeated until

all of the layers are removed. If, however, there is an accumula-

tion of cans on the conveyor 6 that would interfere with more cans

being placed on the conveyor, the reciprocation of the head will be

restrained by sensing means such as the electric eye arrangement

121-121a previously described. When the last layer of cans has

been unloaded, the devator is again raised and shaft 52 of

control 43 will have been rotated so that switch 72-73 is

4635.63

24,038/71 activated, overr .ding follower switch 56 for complete lowering of

the elevator 10, and upon such complete lowering, switch 64-65

drops out the relay to again energize switch 55, while switch 58-6(

activates the basket conveyor chain 9, and switch 62-63 effects lowering of the discharge stop member 26 and the empty basket is removed and deposited on rails 31 of discharge rack 5, for

subsequent removal therefrom. The empty basket on removal from

chain 9 closes a switch 29 to lower stop 16 to bring another baskel

into unloading position. Upon deposition of the cans to conveyor 6, the cans are

carried thereby and fed into lanes 124 to form a single transverse

row of cans on the top reach 7a of' the continuously-operating croi

conveyor 7, the cans being held against movement by being confined

by the rounded recesses of the scalloped rocker bar 130. When eacl

recess has received the lead can from all of the lanes and all

switches 132 are activated, the gate members 126 are rcaised,

preventing further feeding of cans to the cross conveyor 7, while

the rocker arm assembly is moved transversely of its length clear 7 away of the cans to permit their travel with transverse conveyor

from the apparatus. When all cans ao a transverse row are carried

to one side of the apparatus, the rocker arm assembly 8 is returne4 so that to can-restraining position. Gate members 126 are lowered another single row of cans are lined up on the conveyor 7, the

cycle repeating as long as cans are present in all lanes. The invention has been described specifically in connec- is tion with unloading of hot sterilized cans from baskets but of uniform applicable for use with other magnetic stacked articles that can move size in baskets or receptacles having bottom panels in layers on upwarily inside the receptacle, or which are stacked

pallets or other supporting panels. The operator of the machine

24 *4635,63

24,038 171 has only to follow the operation of the machine and monitor it for

malfunction and to push buttons, and where there are separator

sheets between layers of cans, to remove these in succession as

the uppermost layer is removed.

The elevator itself in combination with the switch 107 on

the magnetic head controls the upward movement in increments of

the load while the control 43 assures limited downward travel

after each increment of upward movement, thereby providing a com-

plete indexing system for the operation. Since the cam elements

and switch 56-59 operate a valve to stop the lowering of the

elevator, that valve or its operation may also control the movement

of the magnetic head from a position over the elevator to a posi-

tion over the belt, either by fluid pressure circuits or electric

circuits. The machine as described has in effect a dual gating

arrangement in that the elements 126 control the discharge of cans

from the receiving conveyor and the scalloped rocker bar controls

their removal by cross conveyor 7. These gating means operate in

unison from the single piston and cylinder 150, but reversely to

each other so that when one releases the travel of the cans, the

other blocks the travel of other cans.

Should it ever be desirable or necessary to do so, the

cylinder 150 could be operated by a manually operated valve (not

shown) in which case the switches 132 could flash a signal to

inform the operator when a row of cans had been completed, or the

-switches could be removed or rendered inactive to enable manual

operation in the event there would be a plurality of cans, but for

some reason, there might not be cans in all of the lanes.

4635.63

Claims (4)

24.038 71 THE CLAIMS DaFING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:-

1. Apparatus for separating a group of cans or the like

into a single line comprising:

a can-receiving conveyor having a receiving end on which groups of cans are placed and a discharge end towards

which the conveyor carries the cans,

divider means for arranging the cans into a plurality

olparallel lanes at the discharge end,

a cross-conveyor at the discharge end of the re- ceiving conveyor of a width to receive only a single can from

each lane at a time,

gating means at the discharge end of each lane mova-

ble into and out of can-obstructing position, other means along-

side the cross conveyor confronting the ends of the lanes movable

between a holding position where it will provide only sufficient

clearance for a single can to be discharged at a time from each

lane and retaining them in such position until a single row of

cans has been positioned on the cross-conveyor to a position

where it clears the row of cans on the cross-conveyor whereby

they may be carried away by the cross conveyor, and

operating means for moving said first gating means into can-obstructing position when said other means is clear of

said row of cans and moving said gating means out of can-

obstructing position when said other means returns to its

holding position.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said opera-

ting means comprises a common fluid pressure cylinder and linkage

for effecting such opposition motions to the gating means and said

other means. 9 4635,63

24.038/71

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said other

means comprises a bar parallel with the cross-conveyor and located

above it at a distance to engage cans on the cross-conveyor, said

bar having a scallo6ped can-engaging end with the hollows of the

scallops being centered opposite the lanes so that when a can leaves

a lane it is received in a hollow, said bar being movable trans-

versely of its length into and out of can-holding position.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein there is an

electric switch on the bar above each hollow positioned to be

operated when a can enters the hollow above which it is positioned.

Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein there is an

electric switch on the bar above each hollow positioned to be

operated when a can enters the hollow above which it is positioned,

the switches being connected in series, and the operating means

being effective only when all switches are closed.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which both con-

veyors comprise continuously-moving belts.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said

conveyors are both continuously-driven endless belt conveyors,

and there is a means for intermittently depositing a group of

cans on the can-receiving end of the receiving conveyor.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein there is

means for rendering said last-named means inoperative if cans

accumulate on the receiving end of the receiving conveyor before

they can enter said lanes for transfer to the cross-conveyor.

4635,63

24.038 /71claim 7 in which said 9. Apparatus as defined in

can-depositing moans comprises a horizontally-reciprocable

magnetic head movable between a position over the receiving

end of the receiving conveyor to a position above a stack of

cans arranged in horizontal layers, and means.arranged to move

said stack intermittently into contact with said magnetic head

and to then lower the stack whereby the uppermost layer is

suspended from the magnetic head, means for effecting horizon-

tal movement of the magnetic unloading head between said two

positions, and means for effecting release of the suspended

cans as a group when said magentic head is positioned over the

receiving end of the receiving conveyor. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said means

for depositing groups of cans on the receiving end comprises

means arranged to successively remove layers of cans from a

stack of cans in horizontal layers, one layer at a time, each

layer comprising a group.

11. Apparatus for separating a group of cans or the

like into a single line substantially as herein described

with reference to. the accompanying drawings.

DATED this 24th day of JUNE, 1975. J. HEINZ COMPANY By its Patent Attorneys: CLEMENT HACK CO. Fellows Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia.

4635,63

24,038 J71

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