BE550776A - - Google Patents

Description

       

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   The present invention relates to a mechanism for advancing articles or to a mechanism for advancing containers and more particularly to a mechanism for moving containers from and to filling machines or the like.



   The advancement of bottles and cans, regularly between various machines in a bottling station, presents appreciable difficulties, particularly when advancing bottles or cans from a machine which delivers them at high speed, at high speed. other machines operating at significantly lower speeds.

   For example, if a filling machine has a capacity such that it can fill and close about 400 containers per minute, but the shaking, labeling or packaging machines, or the double-lid pasteurizer which is supplies the containers from the filling machine have a processing capacity of about 200 containers per minute, the single line of containers that comes from the filling machine can be evenly divided or split into two lines of containers to deliver them to the agitating machines , labellers or packers.

   The problem of container division becomes more acute with the increasing speeds of the machines used in present day bottling plants because high speed moving containers can be easily deteriorated or damaged by contact with one. the other, and can be easily knocked over.



   The aforementioned problems have been raised in speaking of containers, but the embodiment of

 <Desc / Clms Page number 2>

 
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 the inventive described da. = c yes saxt. # ::. ". #. exposed for.- a mechanism to be processed C3-1-1 = -." drinks * it being understood that the invented ssg eï.o .'.- îveent sp.llc & Dle to the treatment drticl .. sutr.3 qu ..- d .. recipient .'-. ; which are of the forms ot d * - :. J.ln - ;: v .'.- "r.t'BSc Des eônsc ..-, .- :: r --- ii-- .wqv. * to pieivi for the mampulatiuïi of 1 ":, ';,:. * .---- # - co ..- ri% .rfen1; 1 -: <;: 'nt-ically to deal with- # - "-". RiçïiCQ ss ùsplç & nt> at high speed lim.':.'.'. ---'- 's-; ; -.- *;

   i.?U>- -? # psr les lh oi-xU5.:T. aujovï'ri-iîiui cu other equipc-asnt's <: iQ & <- -tallations of ease in boom: C., C '.. "is mentioned above, the bottles u lc-Icî-d s'- .vo prone to be: - deteriorated or damaged ps: -i.:?, 'lu :: r :?; i-sfer-ï -> t ce désa- "
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 vantage is the cause of? â: ... = ɯy de r'3bui,;, 8 of container simply. because {, :: 1 .: "; t :: i. ', or i 1" appearance of the container after fill-pe. Lc'3:) (t .... t. ;;: ill3 and receptacles which are of relatively low weight and. Of sensitive height have a small surface area due to b? Zt; and therefore are not stable as one . might desire it when transferred st? 3t3; 'â: i ¯ unique there unc. -' -'pltJ. "pl 1 ..



  C1. '' 3 of lines $. '' Lc.s, .Éâ ± ..i. ':; ; 'R¯ "- r {' 1J." J "sr! 1 (-; ntE; to large
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 linear speeds.
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  L & presented 3ß .. x .., x provides a mechanism to transfer zïi:: -: f.-É: ë r¯7.: C articles with respect to two sets of extinguished trBnC'l: '' - Y ' G3:! ¯U'8 one of which is arranged to process by ;; i; 'm't 0 more than 7 items than the other
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 be.
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 7., TY>:. -.F'v ¯..l. = ". A ..": (':' :) èUZ6 also a rlêcr2.nis-
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 me yes can transfer 'z: 3 .-.' ¯ ¯. ¯¯..¯ ....,. , des "G '..', - d .. ... ';, 3' is de-
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 placing in L1 {.. (; line or series to a multiplicity of lines or. series with a: "? ât.:.: '.,: t possibility to deteriorate, ao reverse or dt \ crs0: r' ls articles.



  1!; J; Furthermore, 1 $ pr4ce & c inveritioa provides a m-

 <Desc / Clms Page number 3>

 single channel for transferring items from a single power source to multiple lines on a slower transport mechanism, where items that are divided are separated or moved apart from each other until they are are placed in separate lines on the conveyor elements which take them back.



   The present invention also provides a transfer mechanism which will positively divide a row of containers into a multiplicity of rows. In other words, at the point of division or loss of the lines of containers, the containers are positively transferred to one line or the other so as to avoid contact, jamming or breakage at the point of. division.



   In the drawings: - Figure 1 is a plan view of the transfer or sharing mechanism with the housing of the drive transmission for the control of the transfer, and the feeders, indicated in dotted lines; - Figure 2 is a section of the invention taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1 but parts of which are in elevation; FIG. 3 is a section of the invention taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1, the control transmission housing and other parts of the device being shown in elevation; Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the transfer spider shown in Figure 2; FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of one of the transfer braces showing the movement of the container which is ejected from a recess of the brace;

   - Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 3;

 <Desc / Clms Page number 4>

 
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 (rice (the ...> ar "j is vxa.:;. i '4,)) 0.:. crankcase enlarged cylinder: air 1 # .-' ,, s.,. -:,: ...] s ::. 11 transfer donations;
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 the figure is, ..: - cut c.e 1 -Ope of the air cylinders i'ci goes according to 1 &: 'Y3? & -o figure 7; - figure 9 6-.?t - .¯- d9 l! @ .. / 'Lcpe use cylinders i..a.7..¯ ..., living the Hp 9-9 f1 figure 7;

   figure i.0 if i r.a me agr-aadio of $ or- air valve for one of the transfer braces looking up from below
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 - figure 11 is nco shots- enlarged of the air valve made onS.-7E.rt line 11-11 of figure 10, and - fiaura 12 is a '.us' schematic of the transmission d3 * a- ',.' 'I'. 'Â' or do ooiaîisnde in the transmission housing mv, s, w.9k '.

   C .k isi> 4fi.F Referring; in Figures 1 to 3 the apparatus which is illustrated therein comprises an ocuron-fitting device
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 Container closers or mechanism generally indicated by the numeral 10 which represents a first conveyor means and conveyors 12 and 14 which represent a second conveyor means or pick-up and discharge means. The crown-setting or container closing mechanism 10 is suitable.
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 Usually placed near the outlet of a rotary pleating machine (or shown) is driven to rotate at a speed which.:; r>;

  and .. 3 'containers which move through it the same linear speed as they had when they were brought to and on the filling machine. In others

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 terms, the crown-setting or container closing mechanism can cap or close as many containers per minute as are supplied by the filling machine with which it is associated, although it has fewer platforms to receive containers because it rotates at a faster speed than the filling machine.

   Although the first transport means are designated in the present embodiment as a crown-setting or container closing mechanism delivering containers to the transfer or divider mechanism, it is of course within the scope of the invention to using an endless chain type conveyor to advance the containers, or the device could be used to receive containers from machines other than filling machines. The transport members 12 and 14 are of the endless chain conveyor type, formed of flat plates and suitably mounted to the upper surface of a table-like structure 16, parallel and spaced apart from each other. .

   The elements 12 and 14 are arranged to transport containers delivered by the crown setting or container closing mechanism 10 to separate the agitating, labeling and packaging machines.



   In the arrangement discussed, the containers are fed in a single line or series by the crown-setting mechanism 10, directly to a transfer or divider mechanism generally indicated by 18, where they are positively directed in separate lines or series over. conveyor elements 12 and 14. The linear speed of the containers on the take-up transport elements 12 and 14 is somewhat slower than the linear speed at which the containers are

 <Desc / Clms Page number 6>

 
 EMI6.1
 provided by the mach: i.'1e rcrt [itive P ',), 2, I'; "!."} #:>, - # crowns 10.



  In other words if the e.¯ = a.rx pc.;. :: ', 1;.: 3 :) of crowns
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 has a peyaettsnt capacity of fcra.vr- 1-.GQ containers per minute, the capacity o..3 transporting elements j.2 and 14 will be 200? / - 5 copy s ps-r minu-
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 you.
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  The mechanism 1.- ûīn, orur or this transfer of articles is io.jt the. ? <# * oc -.-? 3pe:!? R.r? ? /; # la strtve had table 1 vt. shout .## :-. : '. ¯.- # - -a' evr.î.rili'as transfer; ;? 0 and; ':'.-.- #. '#: - ##; '--.- x d? -Will be worth this crî.C -, "-. '-.'.". "-''.-.'- '" .-, # - <:. 36, C ha cards crcir.illjn ... v: ¯ ./. FïV -.... <-.... # es is provided dn rto: '. # '- # -. #, -.> #>. # .--: ....-; ¯ # -.j -; - "o.? *> -: .- al so ;. arranged, for 5r: - ;;. R--.:-- ' r- # ;;> -.- ¯ # ::.;. j #. # vc; "-? - 7.v, I .. half (": 1.:.:. container .. 5¯, ri . \.; -? .. -, ... - "- :.> i: - w -." ;. rj: 'bls.35. intended for ep.tr ... = in'r c: . "# ¯ ..- 7, ¯ -...-. .Or .t: L5 ::: r :: a 20 sfc 22 with their loe-5s sri rr- '" ".. = līT, #; = ;: '? ". -" - had 33 resulting in ±:.; ri). 'ic :. "., M o :: -, G¯.'; çnî.r 2k. e: - 2- 'with laurs l: -s; r- :. -; -. ----. /...-.nt ds :: .. c. (. = 20 c-.t '. ;; - "", -; ";.;:

   of i-th 30 is foreseen near C1e the 3or ''.'.-, '#. # -, # .- #' --- ##; - '#; i ## ->:;. : ;; e; tr of ccar-onnss 10 and is arranged for-r vv.idf / v. # - ¯ -,: -! ¯ # # .rt-ri:,.: q sa r.-jiîo issued , in read lo -; ## ::; = - #. # #: -, - # 2 4 transfer spider 22. 1 .'-; .'- :. c ".-. #:" - vf- ¯ curved ct is finished near uno positic- .-. "j.e & l.ss of spider 22 are aligned-rc .. # - c -. \ 1o? sb of 0 -'- chick 20.



  32 at f 4: -? '.-.-; / ¯ -f -. , - cb-s c. chick of a croicillc- of tr & nsf..r.:. <ya., 2 (": the-other sn so that the direction da aplao .. -, ': #, z rsaip?.? nts ssra dtt} ri11i ... born after knowing-'v-iaô 1 ?. '* - d.'..-'. sicn 7- against *> the figure C i; -; '. y: .j - -. -:. # -.:.,:. i nz z -STtle d'B3

 <Desc / Clms Page number 7>

 crosses 20 60 22 there is provided a guide member 34 in the form of a wedge, having tip A in the middle position with respect to the crosses 20 and 22. The purpose of the guide elements 34 is to cooperate with the ejector members 32 for guide the items that are shared the 24 and 26 delivery braces.



   A more detailed description of the transfer mechanism or divider of its control and the associated structure will follow herein as well as a detailed description of the. operation of the device.



  For now, the operation of the device can be briefly described as follows: After the containers have been filled on a rotary filling machine or the like 9 they are transferred to the crown setting or container closing mechanism 10 where they are closed. linear speed of the containers on the crown-laying, or container-closing mechanism, is the tern as the linear speed of the containers moving on the rotating fill and this speed as mentioned is about 400 containers per minute After that a container has been closed, it will be guided by the guide 20 in compartments which succeed one another on the spider or transfer disc 22,

   this disc rotating at a speed which will give the containers which it transfers ;, a linear speed substantially the same as the linear speed of the containers moving on the crown setting mechanism, or container closing mechanism. The containers are transferred by the spider 22 to a position @, as shown in FIG. 1, the guide 30 cooperating to hold the containers in the recesses 28 of the spider 22. At point X, the cooperating recesses of the spiders 20 and 22 are in position. alignment and subsequent movement of the container

 <Desc / Clms Page number 8>

 
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 will be done ü .: .1.,: ;; rot "t '' i '-les dey: -; (n:. (i, 5.11ons.

   Cepep-
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 dant, at point X, on, -: 3: -.;:. t "rc cjjJut-;. '¯' ¯'.a particular must take so afe-cra ::; 'G.llSZe-, 6:.}.? one or the other
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 be transport elements 12 and 2.l ': must be positively determined. To achieve Ü'3C "; '. Ejector means 32 GCti? .1? Lt: P2âii. I; li c":. J. "7 :: üipi6;: nt fans a lodge or the autro o-is; i ('.c.-1) J,!,: .. f: ;; o ;;'" t: .¯ :. -0garding to eject it,: .. w ..; ¯y: - - :. i;. ± t'cr) (, :(: i;. "0c: ti0! 1 or 1 '" ,, 1.1-
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 be.

   In other t6r, <. ".: shaved it, ejected from one of the boxes cooP ''; 1 '' ':' :: '-1. ;;; ci'3i & .iI2 oas 20 & t 22
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 while remaining in the utr5 lodge of the spider To keep the container in the lodge of a particular spider once the- ,: no yen éjJ! ct'-lr5 s # lt disengaged from the container, lorgsr? a ;; - îd, 3 3 'wedge-shaped cooperates with the cross members f 1) c: 2.2 * The container, once its path has been determined, is transported by the particular spider or transfer disc to the spider or cooperative rescue record
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 As mentioned above! 1 {1l3n,: ..:

   the two delivery birds mounted opposite each other 9 24 and 26, are also arranged to rotate at the speed as the crosses 20 and 22 and with their boxes facing each other, respectively, with the cross boxes 20 and 22.



  The delivery braces 24 and 26 will transfer the containers to the more slowly moving transport elements 12 and 14, and these in turn transfer.
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 return the containers to the machine which carries out the following operation, such as agitating, 4r.iquet368 and packing.

   As will be explained later in the description, ejector means 32 are provided on each spider so as to cause containers advanced in succession to the spiders 20 and 22 to be transferred alternately to the transport elements 12 and 1 @.

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 of '2;' : .LJSl'JJLT0 As best seen in ± - ':,' - "6.3 1 and 2, the structure in: table form 16 is provided with suitable supports bzz ':: ¯), i rua support little close to the same level 2.0 1.:;. worktable of mechanism 10 for placing # jovi-cnnes or closing the; réc1.pien: i :;

  so21es raaapOi'tsurs elements 12 and 14 which are of the fine sense chain type, are suitably mounted at the top of the structure.
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 ro in table 16D so that the upper surface of the chain conveyor is level with the surface of the .s '.-: 2':

  Î.a. table (figure 3) It will be noted that the transport internent 12 is driven by a wheel
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 d9 control gear 389 which is suitably connected by a transmission (not shown) to a rOUG dU @ ngre = naso do main conveyor control 40 carried below the table structure 160 L8 transport element they- is driven from similarly by a transmission connected to the drive wheel. main pipo.

   The bzz.0 gear wheel is mounted on a shaft 44 rotatably mounted below the table in the chairs 42 A chain wheel mechanism 47 for a slip clutch chain conveyor is mounted to engage 1 * end of the 'shaft 44 and turn it, so as to turn the control gear 40.

   A suitable power source (not shown) can be used to turn chain wheel 46 by a conventional type of chain drive. If either of the conveyors 12 or 14, shown in
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 figura 1 slips, the sliding chain wheel clutch mechanism is disengaged from the shaft 44 on which
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 is mounted the main drive gear wheel 40 and thus no damage will occur to the elements of the conveyor or its control

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 The crosses of transf -7i t -, 22, which are rotatably mounted on the surface, 1 - ¯ - ,, jeurc- of the table structure 16, assuming one to the other,

   are each mounted in a different way. Referring first to the croisillor 20, or. Note that in Figures 2 and 4 a carrier bearing 48 is rigidly fixed above the table structure 16 by means of bolts 49 or the like. The bearing bearing 48 is agen. ced to receive the outer ring of a ball or roller bearing assembly 50. The lower end of a vertical shaft 52 is carried by the inner ring of the bearing 50, as shown in 51, and can rotate relative to it. to the support bearing 48 and to the table structure 16.

   The transfer spider 20 is keyed to the rotating vertical shaft 52 by a key member indicated by 54 in Figure 4. The upper end of the shaft 52 is received in a bearing 55 mounted in a gear housing. drive 56 carried above the table 16, as shown in Figure 2.



  A more detailed description of the control gear housing and its associated elements will be given below.



   Referring now to Figure 3, it will be appreciated that this table-like structure 16 is provided with a downwardly hanging boss 60 having a vertical bore 62 extending therethrough. A bushing 63 is provided in the bore 62 of the boss 60. A main drive shaft 64 for the transfer and delivery crosses extends upwardly through the bearing 63 into the boss 60 and to its end. upper received in a bearing (not shown) mounted in control gear housing 56.

   The main drive shaft 64 is arranged to be supported at its end.

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 under the tube-like structure 16 in any suitable bearing cellar (not shown) * In addition, the drive shaft 64 is provided with a gear wheel 65 which is arranged to be rotated by a gear train. gear controlled by the column of the mechanism 10 of the rotary crown setter pu container closure.



  As best seen in Figure 3, the drive shaft 64 has its upper part of a reduced diameter to accommodate the transfer spider 22. The transfer spider 22 is keyed to the shift shaft. commanded 64 by a key indicated - seen 660 Each of the delivery growths 24 and 26 is supported by the substantially identical table-like structure 16 As best seen in Figure 2, a cellar member 68 is rigidly supported on the table-shaped structure 16 by means of bolts 70 or the like Two of these collars 68 are provided,

    one being in longitudinal alignment with the bearing collar 48 while the other is in longitudinal alignment with the drive shaft 64.



  Each of the collar elements 68 has a bore 69 which passes through it downwardly and which is adapted to receive the lower ends of the vertical support shafts 72. The shafts 72 are keyed to the collar elements 68 by means of a pin 74 or more. analogue radiantly waiting. The upper end of each of the shafts 72 is provided with a peripheral groove 76 which receives a set screw 78 provided in the drive gear case 56. In other words, the drive gear case 56 is. supported above the table-shaped structure 16 by the shafts 72 fixed by means of the locking screws 78 cooperating with the grooves 76 in the ends of the shafts 72.

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   As mentioned previously, the arrangement to support the two braces @. delivery 24 and 26 are substantially the same, therefore, the description of the spider 24 shown in Figure 2 will supersede the spider 26. The delivery spider 24 is rotatably supported in a bearing 80 mounted at the top of the collar. 60 and surrounding the shaft 72.



  An additional bearing 82 is provided through spider 24 and shaft 72. Spider 24 is provided with an upwardly extending cylindrical sleeve portion 84 with a flange at its upper end. A flanged sleeve member 86 is bolted to the flange 85 and extends upward into the drive gear housing 56. A drive gear 88 is bolted above the sleeve 86, as shown at 89. .



   Suitable oil passages 90 are provided in the lower end of the fixed support shaft 72 and collar 68 so that the bearings 80 and 82 can be lubricated. Oil passages 92 are provided in the upper end of shaft 72 for lubricating bearing 93 between the shaft and the control gear 88.



   Control gear wheels 94 and 94 'are keyed at the upper ends 52 and 64, respectively, and are enclosed in the control gear housing 56. A control gear wheel 88' is mounted to it. upper end of a sleeve 86 'which supports the delivery spider 26.

   Referring now to Figure 12, which shows the planed gear. Silently to drive each of the transfer and delivery crosses, it will be noted that a pair of idle gear wheels 96 'and 98' are interposed between the control gear wheels 94 'and Sa *. The wheels

 <Desc / Clms Page number 13>

 
 EMI13.1
 el z GL ..!. '# J: lges folios lJ!' ênFiH1 \ <iIJ11r. \ ecs will do that. wheel d2 control gear 8.1.:F '\ ,; {) 1.'. ' r (at the same speed but in the opposite direction as the control wheel 94 1- O'i "<'O": - <the j ",,' 1" ".J; <:" g ' "" 1 ') r .., i>: lastly c9.>; - tums by the control gear wheel o'; "1 '' '; ,,).



  ...... vo; :: .... c -.... V ...... c ..



  1, o mOF. '. ;; Li10nt of rotation is transferred from the wheel d il 8 ,,! G: "E! Nagc: ds control 882 to the wheel el gearing of irFi3% i" 9d to 3 by a 6J train including idler pinions 89 and 91 Between the gear wheels of cm1ïlQaD., l 6 $ and 94 is interposed a third pair of wheels id Lâg'93û! , folios 96 and which in their turn transmit 1-3 rotational movements of 1s wheel C Ç 1. ', z 3ag de COmil8.nde & 8 il If. ronc el engr0l1age control 94. ' To pass bÍ: i.ëV0 ": Ct,; (; en '' .J. '' 62 G a: 6 $ .tlrc'.Xa, ir crosses of t '.' 9w''w '' 'r 0i do deliverance, the shaft d.;: M.trē5: nemen.t main 64. os-ft rotated by an external source of energy previously mentioned.

   The rotation of the shaft 64 causes the transfer spider 22 as well as the control gear wheel 91 to turn counterclockwise to the clockwise direction shown by the arrows in the figures. 1 and 12 The rotation MOV65üt is transmitted simultaneously to the G2oi5il10S dG delivery bzz. And 26 and to the;

   spider of 'g:' c.t't: i'9 ± 5 eu Ej7en C a 3âg. '' planetary fadel.g supported in lu Gú ['G gear transmission 569 En d9au *' ;;:; ' : '(.,: J w4.'é¯ V the sise in rotation of the wheel 94 by the t: 2;' ê.;: ±: -. C: UG1'lgrenages described previously will produce at the same tC08 the rotation of the comasende wheels 3 $ 8 and 94th L c ('# sêqlvanc0 the deliverance spider 26 and the
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 transfer spider 20 are rotated clockwise
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 guilles d8tm <s shows while the 'trans cross "21 !, GEt turned in the opposite direction to that of the needles'

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 them of a Watch.



   On the shafts 52 and 64 @ of the upper surface of the table 16 and form part of @ transfer spiders 20 and 22 there are the uc flanges; adjustment in time / 100 and 102 of the crosses.



  Although the flange 100 is slightly different in shape from the flange 102, silos each function for the same purpose. Each time adjustment flange which points its respective tr @ nafert spider is provided with arcuate slots through which bolts such as bolts 106 shown in figure 4, are passed, which are screwed into the casing. air cylinders 108 of the spider.

   By loosening; With bolts 106, the relative position of the transfer braces can be adjusted so that their pockets can be brought into view accurately with or with the co-operative delivery brace pockets.



   As shown in Figure 2, the delivery spider 24, which is identical to the delivery spider 26, is composed of an upper disc member 110 and a spaced lower disc member 112 which is connected thereto by making body by a collar or body 114. The spider 24 has an inwardly extending flange 116, which is integral with the upper disc member 110 which is received by the flange 118, and bolted. to this, at the lower end of the cylindrical sleeve 14.



   EJECTOR MECHANISM. The transfer braces 20 and 22 are of different construction from the delivery braces 24 and 26 in that each of the transfer braces must be provided with ejector means 32. Like the transfer disc 20 and the transfer disc 22 are

 <Desc / Clms Page number 15>

 Substantially of the same construction except for their attachment to shafts 52 and 64, a detailed description of only one of the transfer discs will be given. Referring now to Figures 2, 4 and 8, it will be noted that the transfer disc 20 comprises the air cylinder casing 108 and upper and lower disc members 120 and 122, respectively.

     The air cylinder shell 108 which is the body of the crisscrosses is provided with a peripheral groove or recess 124 at its upper surface into which the upper disk member 120 is adapted to fit. lower disc member 122 fits the lower surface 126 of the casing. air cylinders 108. An annular retaining ring 126 having a multiplicity of tapped holes is adapted to receive a bolt 130 passing downwardly through the upper disc member 120, 1? air cylinder shell 108 and lower disc member 122.



  If it is necessary to make a change to make room for containers of various sizes, the disc elements 120 and 122 can be replaced with disc elements of the desired dimensions by simply removing the bolts 130 to retain the disc. ring 126.



   As mentioned earlier, the cross. 20 is supported by the shaft 52 by means of the time adjustment flange of the spider 100, which is keyed on the shaft 52 as indicated at 54. The time adjustment flange 100 is specific to be received in the annular cutout or recess portion 132 provided in the underside of the air cylinder shell 108.



   Each transfer spider 20 and 22 is

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 provided in the alternating compartments with an ejector end 134 having a double acting piston 136 mounted therein for reciprocating motion. The piston member 136 has a centrally connected piston rod 138 which is adapted to pass through the outer end of the cylinder 134 into the recesses 28 of the transfer braces. At the end of the piston rod 138 is mounted a rubber buffer element 140 or the like, which is suitable for touching the containers in the chamber and ejecting them from the chamber.

   Suitable gaskets 142 are provided in the outlet end of cylinder 134 to provide a watertight seal. around piston rod 138 to prevent leakage of pressurized air.



   Referring to Figure 5, which shows the movement of the ejector means 32, as the transfer spider 20 rotates, it will be appreciated that the cylinders 134 in the air cylinder shell 108 are placed such that they form a angle with the radius of the cross passing through the center of a housing receiving containers 28 with which the cylinder is associated.



  Accordingly, the ejector member 140 mounted at the end of the piston rod 138 will move outwardly into the housing in a direction disposed rearwardly with respect to the direction of rotation of the spider.



  It will also be noted from Figures 1 and 5 that when the elé. If the ejector 140 is in its fully retracted position and the recesses of the spiders 20 and 22 are in co-acting alignment, the ejector member will cooperate with the container at a point forward of a radius of the spider 20 passing through the center of container and lodge.

   This prevents the container which is pulled along the table-shaped roture 16 by the crosses.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 17>

 
 EMI17.1
 "'l-lons 20 and i2 Q),!,! ce paints M his transfer of sliding ae'c.c; i? - and of' - 'ë'crc stuck or jammed between ejector2 Û.j ,. ::. ' bzz. st the point A of 1 "guide element 34, In repoX" "..- ..: 1h of nonve.9.t-l. .1 figure 5 on g "G. Will mark that qE; l1d 2. 0jectV '\, i ,: is;

   GOIn, plet, 0; J. has extended 'il1. deployed C (; -! he shown in the dotted position; ';: J the ejector touches the l "' éG: tpi6i." '\:; 11 back of a radius of the passing spider p1: ".') . ester of the housing In addition, the receptacle in this position will lose contact with
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 féjectsnr 140 and will be guided by the spider 22 (not shown in figure 5} and the guide element 34.



    Note that in Figure 6, which is a
 EMI17.3
 view taken along line 6-6 of figure 3 the 4.. ''.? % l.r dres 13V of 1 "casing of air cylinders 108 of spider 22 are arranged just reverse of cylinders 134 of spider 20.

   In other words, the cylinders 134 'and their pistons and ejectors must function on a container in the same way as the cylinders and ejectors of the spider 20, so as to obtain.
 EMI17.4
 ning the same end result <> Otherwise 3 the air cylinder shell and spider disk 22 are substantially similar to the air cylinder shell and spider disks 20.



   Referring now to Figures 6-7 and 8, the air cylinder shell 108 is provided with an upper surface which is annular and chamfered, sum indicated at 144. Each cylinder 134 is provided with a lumen 146 at its end. front end and a light 148 at its rear end. Lights 150 and 152 are provided on the chamfered annular surface 144.

   Lumen 150 is connected to lumen 148 by means of a vertical passage 154 extending downward into the posterior end of the cylinder chamber.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 18>

 134. The lumen 152 is connected in open communication with the lumen 146 by means of a pass 156 extending downward from the lumen 132 and then horizontally to the anterior end of the cylinder 134 where it is connected. communicates with the light 146.

   Accordingly, air can be drawn through lumen 150 to lumen 148 to cause piston 136 and its pedestal rod 138 to extend or deploy outwardly into recess 28 of spider 20. On the contrary, when deliriously retract the ejector element 140 from the chamber, air is supplied to the anterior side of the piston through passage 156 and lumen 146. Air from the other side of the double-acting piston. 136 can be sucked back through passage 154 back to the atmosphere as will be explained later in the description.



   Above the crosses 20 and 22 and co-operating with the air cylinder casings 108 and 108 'are fixed air valve members 158 and 158', respectively. The valve members 158 and 158 'are substantially identical and provide a means for supplying compressed air to one side or the other of the pistons of each of the transfer cross-members in a determined time ratio. was discussed earlier in the description. Referring now to Figures 2, 4, 10 and 11, it will be noted that the lower surface 160 of the air valve member 158 is complementary to the chamfered upper surface 144 of the valve casing. air cylinders 108.

   As a result, a close match can be obtained between the fixed air valve and the rotating casing of the air cylinders of the transfer spiders.



   As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the air valve member 158 is prevented from rotating due to its

 <Desc / Clms Page number 19>

 rigid connection to the pressurized air duct 162. To maintain a tight seal between the surfaces 160 and 144 of the air valve member and the air cylinder shell, respectively, a bearing retainer 166 is mounted. on shaft 52 and is adapted to be pressed down by means of a spring 168 placed between the upper surface of the bearing retainer and an air valve spring pressure plate 170.



  The pressure exerted on top of the bearing retainer 166 can be adjusted by providing a second air valve pressure plate 172 placed above the pressure plate 170. The pressure plate 172 is rigidly connected to the shaft 52 by means of a pin 174. Around the periphery of the plate 172 are provided several downwardly hanging studs 176 which have their lower ends which extend through the plate 172 and bear on. the top surface of the plate 170. Locknuts retain studs in their fixed position.

   If it was desired to increase the pressure of the air valve member 158 on the air cylinder shell 108, it would simply be necessary to release the locknuts 178 and unscrew the studs 176 downwards so as to Move the plate 170 away from the plate 172 and thereby compress the spring 168. As the plate 172 rotates with the shaft 52, the ends of the studs 176 are preferably rounded so that they give rise to friction. minimum on the upper surface of the pressure plate 170.



   The pressure on the fixed air valve member 158 caused by the pressure plate 170 and the spring 168 is exerted by the bearing retainer 166 by means of a thrust bearing 180 having its upper characteristic.

 <Desc / Clms Page number 20>

 the lower surface resting against the lower surface of the bearing retainer 166 and resting against a push ring 182. The lower surface of the push ring 182 bears against the upper surface of the bearing. fixed air valve member 158.



  The arrangement just described may rotate due to the frictional contact of the studs 176 with the pressure plate 170, and therefore this rotation will be taken up by the bearing 180, and therefore there will be a minimum friction between the thrust ring 182 and the downwardly hanging sides of the bearing retainer 166.



     The fixed air valve member 158, as best shown in Figures 10 and 11, is provided with semi-annular lights elongated on the narrowed walls of its lower surface 160. On the wall sloping towards the bottom. Within the surface 160 there is provided a relatively short semi-annular exit light 186, as well as a relatively long semi-annular pressure light 188. The outwardly sloping wall of the bottom surface 160 is provided with a relatively short semi-annular pressure lumen 190 and a relatively long semi-annular exit lumen 192.



  A side inlet port 194 is provided in the side wall of the air valve member 158 for connection to the pressurized air supply duct, erect, 162. The port 194 is communicated with each of the ports. lights 190 and 188 through a passage 196, as shown in Figure 10, so that these lights will be supplied with compressed air as well. A second passage 198 is provided in the body of the air valve member 158 and this passage communicates with the ports 186 and 192. In addition to communicating with the ports 186 and

 <Desc / Clms Page number 21>

 
192, smoothing 198 also communicates with a light
200 in the side wall of the air valve member 158, this lumen providing the outlet of the air valve to the atmosphere.



   Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, which show the transfer spider air valve member superimposed on the air cylinder casing member, it will be noted that when the lumen 152 in the rotating casing of air cylinders is in common ..cation with the lumen 188 in the air valve member 158, compressed air is supplied from the air valve member to the front side of the piston, thus making the piston and its ejector member are retracted.



   In this position, lumen 150 of air cylinder casing 108 will be in communication with lumen 192 on air valve member 158 and, thus, so. as the piston is moved back into the cylinder the air will be discharged from it through passages 154 and 198 to the outlet port 200. As an organ, the ejector is ejected only for a small portion of the cylinder. As the transfer spider rotates, ejection of the piston occurs when lumen 150 is in communication with lumen 190 on the air valve member 158 and lumen 152 is in communication with lumen. light
186.

   During this short portion of the rotation, pressure is given behind the piston causing it to expand as air on the front face is expelled through passages 156 and 198 to atmosphere. As previously mentioned, an air duct 162 is rigidly connected to each of the air valve members 158 and 1581 to the ports 194. The conduits 162 extending from each air valve member are rigidly attached to the valves by a bracket 204. , as shown

 <Desc / Clms Page number 22>

 in figure 3. The conduits 162 are reborn. enter one
 EMI22.1
 T-junction 206 where. they have a ma \ -: - common 208 which leads to a suitable source of compressed air (; - ,. on Non- entered).

   210 air filter and pressure regulator
212 are provided in conduit 208 for filtering and measuring air to the air valves. A suitable pressure gauge 214 is also mounted in conduit 208 at a convenient location on the apparatus so that the operator at a glance can determine if the desired amount of pressure is being supplied to the components. air valves on each of the transfer cross members.



   Referring to the arrangement of the device, as best shown in Figure 1, it will be appreciated that the curved introduction guide member 30 may be bolted to the table structure 18 as shown. at 216. Curved guide elements at the outlet 218 and 220 are provided on the outlet side of the cross-braces.
Transfer ions 20 and 22, respectively. The guide members 218 and 220 will cause the containers to be transferred but remain in the slots of the individual transfer crosses to be ejected therefrom when the container comes into contact with the pockets of the delivery crosses 24 and 26.

   As previously mentioned, to further aid in dividing or partitioning the containers which are transferred by the crosses 20 and 22, the wedge-shaped dividing member 34 having a vertex A is placed between the outlets of the crosses.
20 and 22. The guide member 34 is carried by a support chair 222 hanging downwardly from the control gear housing 56. The support chair 222 may be attached to the gear housing 56 in any convenient manner. for example by means of bolts 224.



   Internal guide rails 226 and 228

 <Desc / Clms Page number 23>

 are provided on the exit side of the delivery braces 24 and 26 and extend near the inner side of each of the transport elements 12 and 14. The outer side of each of the transport elements 12 and 14 is provided with a safety barrier 230 placed near the exit of the delivery braces 24 and 26. The barriers 230 are hinged at their anterior end, as indicated at 232, and are urged inward by a suitable spring 234. This arrangement provides a safety device. for the release of the containers, from the dividing mechanism in case they are stuck on the exit side of the dividing mechanism.

   If jamming occurs on one of the transport elements 12 or 14, the pressure of the containers builds on that particular transport element and will cause the gates 230 to pivot in the open direction. The containers which are delivered from the transfer and delivery braces will then move outward on the table structure 16. A pivoting guide plate 236 is provided immediately in front of each of the safety gates 230. The pivoting guide plate 236 will swing away from the guide rails 226 and 228 on its pivot 238 if a jam occurs and will activate a mechanism 240 which will stop the movement of at least the divider mechanism 18.

   Since there is a delay between the time when there is an indication to the switching mechanism 240 and the time when the dividing mechanism 18 stops, the safety barrier 230 will open and prevent the containers from freezing. get caught in the dividing mechanism 18.



   OPERATION
The operation of the divider or sharing mechanism described so far is as follows:

 <Desc / Clms Page number 24>

 
Containers traveling on a first conveyor means, such as the crown setter 10, are received in successive compartments 28 of the transfer spider 22 which rotates in a counterclockwise direction, according to FIG. 1. The containers - patients are held in the recesses of the transfer spider 22 by means of the curved guide member 30 until the receptacles reach the point indicated in X where they are also received in coagulating spaces of the opposite transfer spider 20.

   As mentioned previously, the transfer spider 20, which turns in the opposite direction, that is to say in that of clockwise, for FIG. 1, is rotated in a time-regulated manner with respect to the spider 22, so that the boxes of the transfer braces cooperate and rotate facing each other at point X.



   When a container has reached point X, its subsequent movement must be determined positively so as to advance it either on the transport element 12 or on the transport element 14. As it is desirable to feed alternately through containers the conveyor elements 12 and 14, ejector means 32 are provided on each of the transfer crosses 20 and 22 for positively directing the containers in the proper direction. It will be appreciated that the transfer braces 20 and 22 have ejector means for each attenuated well and further that the discs of the transfer braces 20 and 22 are so arranged with respect to each other that coacting compartments facing each other will only have an associated ejector means 30.

   In figure 1 the receptacle, which is indicated by the letter C 'is shown' * ndis that it is directed

 <Desc / Clms Page number 25>

 towards the conveyor element 12 by means of the ejector 32 of the transfer crisscross 22. The container which will follow, Casera guided in the opposite direction by the ejector 32 towards the transfer spider 20. As soon as the receptacle C has passed past point X, the ejector 32 of the transfer spider 20 will extend into the recess 28 to move the container out of the recess of the spider while remaining in the recess of the transfer spider 22. The container Ç will be held in the housing of the transfer cross 22 by means of the wedge-shaped guide 30 until the container 0 reaches a position where the discharge cross 26 also embraces it.



  As mentioned previously, the spider 26 rotates in the opposite direction of the crisscross 22 and at the same speed as the spider 22 so that the boxes coact with the boxes of the spider 22 and are in alignment with them. The delivery spider 26 cooperating with the guide member 220 will cause the container [to be housed in the transfer spider 22 and direct the container to the flat top conveyor member 14. The container C 'will move like the container C but in the opposite direction between the crosses 20 and 24 towards the conveyor element 12.



   Figure 5 shows the gradual movement of container C out of housing 28 of transfer spider 20. In position D, lumen 152 is shown to come into alignment with lumen 186 of air valve member 158 while that the lumen 150 is just beginning to come opposite the lumen 190 and the air valve member 158. The compressed air being supplied by the lumen 194 will pass through the lumen 190 into the air cylinder shell 108 behind the piston organ in cylinder 134. The air on the face

 <Desc / Clms Page number 26>

 piston will be expelled through passage 154 in air cylinder shell 108 and ports 152 and 186 to atmosphere through port 200.

   As long as the ports 150 and 152 of the air cylinder shell 134 are opposite the ports 190 and 186, respectively, of the air valve cylinder, the piston and its ejector element 140 will remain extended in the recess 28 of the spider 20 Note that the lumens 190 and 186 are relatively small in length and thus the ejector member 140 will remain in its extended position for a short rotation position of the spider 20.

   As soon as the transfer spider 20 is rotated to a position E where the ejector no longer needs to be extended, the lumen 152 will come into alignment with the lumen 188 of the air valve member 158 and light 150 will come into alignment with lumen 192 so that compressed air will be supplied to the front face of the piston and thus cause the piston to move to the rear of the cylinder and remove the ejector from the housing. . Position F in Figure 5 shows the cylinder with its ejector fully retracted. The ejector will be positively held in this position until the spider is returned to position D.

   Figure 6, which is similar to Figure 5 but having divider mechanism positions omitted for clarity, shows the relative positions of the passages in the air valve 158 'and the air cylinder shell 108' for the valve. transfer spider 22. Note that the passages of the various cylinders 134 'will cooperate with the lumens in the air valve member 158' in the same manner as previously discussed with respect to Figure 5.



   The conveyor elements 12 and 14 go, res-

 <Desc / Clms Page number 27>

   pectively, transfer containers to separate agitating, labeling or packaging machines. If there was jamming in either packing machine, the containers on the conveyor member through. The particular feeding this packing machine will return to the transport member, causing the guide plate 236 to pivot on its pivot 238. This actuates. switch mechanism 240 to at least stop dividing mechanism 18 and preferably stop the particular machine supplying containers to the dividing mechanism.

   However, there may be a delay between the actuation of switch 240 and the stopping of the dividing mechanism 18. To take care of the divided containers during this delay period, the safety gate 230 will pivot around. its pivot 232 allowing the containers to be transferred to the table-like structure 16.



   It naturally falls within the scope of the invention that braces of different dimensions can be substituted for the transfer and delivery braces to receive containers of various shapes and sizes. In addition, the guide rails fixed near the delivery transport members 12 and 14 can also be adjusted to receive containers of various shapes and sizes.

** ATTENTION ** end of DESC field can contain start of CLMS **.


    

Claims (1)

. CLAIMS 1. A mechanism for advancing articles, comprising means for transferring articles traveling on a first conveyor hub, to a multiplicity of article lines on a second hub. conveyor, characterized in that it comprises a pair of rotary discs with slots, at least one of said discs being placed near the first hub-conveyor with its <Desc / Clms Page number 28> compartments suitable for receiving successive articles moving with the first conveying hub, means for rotating said discs with their pockets in alignment (facing each other) and means on each of the compartment discs, operable in sequence to positively eject the discs. articles moving from said disks, in a multiplicity of lines on the second conveyor hub, said last mentioned means ejecting an article from one of the discs while the article is carried by the other of the discs to one of the lines on the second conveying means . 2. Mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the ejector means are in alternating compartments of each of the discs for positively ejecting articles from the compartments, the ejection means in a compartment of one of the discs. being adapted to come into alignment with a compartment without an ejector of the other disc when a coacting pair of compartments of said discs are opposite, and means for individually actuating each of said ejector means after coming opposite the coacting compartments on said discs . 3. Mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ejector means are pistons which can extend into the boxes of the discs to release articles from the boxes and alternately put them in lines on the second conveyor. 4. Mechanism according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the means for ejecting the articles which are transferred are pistons on each of the discs) and capable of extending into the compartments of these discs, in suitably adjusted sequence. in time so as to eject successive articles moving by means of the disks in a multiplicity of lines <Desc / Clms Page number 29> on the second carrier. 5. Mechanism according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the ejection means comprise piston members which can extend into alternate boxes of each of said discs, the discs being arranged to rotate so that coagent boxes in look have only one of their piston organs capable of extending into it, and means to extend them. said piston members after coming opposite the wagging compartments to cause an article which is transferred by said discs to be ejected from the compartment of one of the discs while remaining in the compartment of the other disc. 6. Mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that the means for extending said piston members is air and in that the extension of said pistons is related in time to the rotation of the discs so that the pistons attack an article after the article has passed through an alignment point of coacting compartments. 7. Mechanism according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that each of the poston members is placed in the discs so as to extend into the compartments at an angle with the radius of the discs passing through the center of the compartments. 8. Mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that each of the piston members extends in the housings of the discs in a direction lagging behind the direction of rotation of the discs. 9. Mechanism according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that each of the piston members engages an article placed in coacting compartments facing the discs, in front of a radius of the discs passing through the center of the discs. lodges and where each or- <Desc / Clms Page number 30> gane piston attacks the article behind a radius of the discs passing through the center of the compartments of said discs when said piston is fully extended. 10. Mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ejector means comprise double-acting piston members, actuated by air, in each of said discs, for a.ller will extend in alternating compartments, the piston members of one of the discs extending in the compartments which coact and come opposite the compartments of the other disc which are free from piston members, means for supplying air to said piston members in a sequence regulated in the time for said pistons to be actuated and extended after an article is transferred beyond a position where it is caught in coacting compartments facing each other. 11. Mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the discs are in the form of rotor elements and in that the ejectors means comprise a cylinder for alternating boxes of each of said rotors, a reciprocating piston. -, tif in each cylinder and having an ejector member which is connected to extend into or withdraw from said compartments, said rotor elements containing passages. which communicate opposite ends of each cylinder with, vents on said rotor member, a stationary valve member cooperating with each of the rotor members and having a passage for a source of compressed air and a passage opening to the atmosphere , the vents of the passages in the rotor elements being adapted to communicate with the passages of the valve member at times controlled in time with respect to the rotation of the rotor elements so that the pistons <Desc / Clms Page number 31> tones and ejectors are extended in and withdrawn from the boxes so as to transfer the articles alternately and successively in a multiplicity of lines. 12. Mechanism according to claim 11, characterized in that means are provided in each fixed element so that the compressed air passage which is therein can first cooperate with the passages in the rotor elements. communicating with one end of the cylinders during a part of a revolution of the rotor elements and can cooperate with the passages in the rotor elements, which communicate with the other end of the cylinders, during the remaining part of the revolution of said rotor elements, the rotation of the rotor elements being such that only one piston and its ejector are extended at a time: 13, Mechanism according to claim 11 or 12 characterized in that the compressed air passages of each of the valves are connected to a unitary source of air compressed. 14. Mechanism 'according to any one of claims 1 - 13, characterized in that it comprises a guide element near the first conveyor for directing the articles which are therein in successive boxes. at least one of the disks near the first means of transport. ', 15. Mechanism according to claim 14, characterized in that the guide member is curved and extends from the first means: of transport around one of said discs to a position near a point where said discs and their boxes are opposite. 16. Mechanism according to any one of claims 1 - 15, characterized in that the second hub <Desc / Clms Page number 32> The conveyor is provided with two article transport elements to which the articles coming from the first transporter are alternately transferred. 17. Mechanism according to any one of claims 1 - 16, characterized in that it comprises a second pair of rotary discs with housings, arranged near and on the supply side of the discs mentioned first, means to rotate one of the second pair of discs with its pockets facing each other with pockets on one of the first-mentioned discs while the other of the second pair of discs rotate with its pockets facing each other. lodges of the other of the first pair of discs. 18. Mechanism according to claim 17, characterized in that a guide and divider member is placed centrally in the outlet of said pair of disks, said guide member being suitable for directing articles ejected from one or the other. on the other from the first pair of disks to the coagulant compartments of the first and second pair of disks. 19. Mechanism according to claim 17, characterized in that a guide member extends from near the outlet of the first transport means around one of said pairs of discs to a point close to the point of arrival. in alignment of compartments of the first pair of discs, and in that a guide member placed on the outlet side and centrally with respect to the first pair of discs is adapted to cooperate with said ejection means of the first pair discs, to hold articles in the compartments of either one of the first pair of discs when the articles are directed alternately to the two transport members of said second conveyor. <Desc / Clms Page number 33> 20. Mechanism according to claim 18, charac- terized in that the guide member is adapted to cooperate with the ejection means of each of the first pair of discs to hold an article in the compartment of one or more. on the other of the first pair of discs until the item is received in the compartment of each other of the second pair of discs. 21. Mechanism according to claim 17, characterized in that curved guide means are provided near the exit of each of the first pair of discs, said curved guide means being capable of guiding and stepping. Eject articles from the compartments of the first pair of discs after the articles have been divided by the piston members. 22. Mechanism for advancing and transferring articles moving in one line on a first conveyor, to a multiplicity of lines on a second conveyor, as herein described and shown in the drawings.