ES438356A3 - Air cup - Google Patents

Abstract

In a centering and feeding device for a pear processing machine, e.g. of the type disclosed in Specifications 924,366 and 924,367, the pear gripping fingers are normally spring-biased outwardly and are moved inwardly to grip the pear by fluid actuated means, e.g. air, water or oil actuated means. In Fig. 2 the device 6 is pivotally mounted by shafts (44), 46 in trunnions (40, 42) on a frame 7 mounted on slides 10 attached to cross-bar 14 which moves towards and away from the pear impaling and processing structures. The stem end of a pear is placed in cone 56 when the device is in the vertical position and air is then admitted by a cam-controlled valve through a passage in pivot (44) having a narrow orifice therein to a cylinder fitted with a flexible diaphragm 54 to operate piston 52. This bears on rollers (90), 92 mounted on levers 82 and 84 respectively bolted to arms 78, 80 of yokes 70, 76 pivoted in bosses 66, 68, each yoke carrying two gripping fingers 72, 74, and biased outwardly by springs 94, 96. Adjusting screws 86, 88 are provided for centering the gripping fingers. In an alternative embodiment, three independent gripping fingers may be used. The feeding cup 6 is normally biased by a clock spring on shaft (44) to the horizontal position determined by adjustable stop 138. It is tilted to the vertical position when cross-bar 14 is withdrawn from the impaling structure by means of cam follower roller (132) attached to a crank arm (130) on the shaft 46 in contact with a J-shaped hook cam (134) (Fig. 3, not shown). The cone 56 is removably mounted on frame 7 by a quick-change feature (Fig. 5, not shown). Cone 56 has a pair of ears (112) extending sideways therefrom, each ear having a hole (114) with a slot (116) leading sideways thereto. The upper surface of the holes (114) are countersunk to mate with downwardly spring-biased cones (120) sliding on studs (122) on frame 7, so that the cap may be fitted or removed by a turning movement.