GB1035301A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus for unstacking crates or the like piled upon one another - Google Patents

Abstract

1,035,301. Unstacking. U.D.E.C. Ltd. May 5, 1965 [May 7, 1964], No. 19105/64. Heading B8C. Unstacking.-In a machine in which the bottom crate of a stack is lowered on an elevator 178 (Fig. 1, not shown) while the remaining crates are supported by holding means 182, the operation of the holding means 182 is interrupted, when the stack is exhausted, under the control of a crate-detecting device mounted on the elevator. In the embodiment described the crates are detected by a linkage 194, 196, 197 (Fig. 3, not shown) depressed against a spring 202 by a crate to place a sector 201 in a position to operate a valve 8 during movement of the elevator: the valve 8 initiates the extension of pawls 182 engaging suitable ledges on the crates. The sectors 201 may alternatively, or in addition, operate a valve 7 initiating retraction of the pawls. The elevator is formed by the inturned lower edges 179 of vertical plates 178 guided for vertical movement effected through chains 173 from an hydraulic motor 188. When the elevator 178 has deposited the bottom crate in position to be pushed by pawls (not shown) to a delivery opening 163, the crates 178 are swung outwardly by toggles 180 controlled by a pneumatic cylinder 176 so that the elevator can be returned to engage the next orate in the stack. The proper sequence of operations is controlled by crate-detecting feelers and other feelers controlling relay valves in a pneumatic relay circuit. Manual controls permit the cycle to be interrupted at any of several points to clear a jam. Feeding in fresh stacks.-The front guide pillars 164 for the stack are swung aside about vertical axes, together with the stack-holding pawls 182, when a fresh stack is to be inserted. The guides are automatically returned to operative position when a chain conveyer has completed the movement of the stack into the machine. Subsequent stacks are stopped by lateral movement of guides 154, 155 to deflect the stack against an abutment 161. Adjustment for different sizes of crate.-The valve 8 may be rendered inoperative, and alternative valves 26, 27 at different heights brought into operation when crates of a different size are to be handled.