GB1071742A - Improvements in or relating to article feeding systems - Google Patents

Abstract

1,071,742. Endless conveyers. MOLINS ORGANISATION Ltd., and D. W. MOLINS. Jan. 1, 1964 [Jan. 2, 1963], No. 229/63. Heading B8A. Multiple filter plugs for cigarettes are fed into boxes 21 from a pair of making machines (not shown) by a pair of feeding systems F. A conveyer belt 2a only of the left-hand feeding system is shown. The filter plugs are delivered by a fluted roller 1 at one end of a conveyer belt 2, 2a of which the other end discharges into the boxes 21. Temporary storage of a number of the plugs within the system F, as plugs continue to arrive in the system when no plugs are leaving it, e.g. when filling of a box has just been completed, is provided by a fluted conveyer belt 7 within a casing 9. A movable guide plate 5 adjacent the fluted roller 1 is normally in the position shown in full lines and plugs fed on to the roller are permitted to drop on to the belt 2 for discharge to a loader L. With the guide plate 5 moved to its alternative position shown in chain-dotted lines, the plugs from the roller 1 are diverted on to the conveyer belt 7 before being deposited on the belt 2. A guide plate 10 maintains the plugs on the descending run of the belt 7 but the plugs are compelled to leave this belt by stationary plates 11. The supply of plugs to the loader L is interrupted when.a selected number of plugs has passed a sensing device SD and counter C which control operation of the plate 5. At the time the loader belt 27 starts to rise, or a little earlier, the plate 5 of the left-hand feeding system (not shown) has been moved to its alternative position and the plugs are diverted on to the fluted belt 7. The feed of plugs from belt 2 continues until the belt 27 has been raised, to ensure complete filling of the box. The plate 5 of the right-hand feeding system is next moved to its alternative position and a closure plate 26 is moved to the position shown in chain-dotted lines. The counter C, in addition to controlling the plates 5 may control the belts 22, 27 and the plate 26. Separate interconnected counters may be used and additional sensing devices at the discharge ends of belts 2, 2a may detect pauses in supply of plugs caused by operation of the plates 5. The boxes are pushed along a support 20 by pushers 23 of an endless chain 22. To prevent uneven packing of the plugs in the boxes, the loader L includes an endless belt 27 which is normally in a lower position shown in full lines. The belt 27 continually pushes the plugs downwards by frictional contact. Before the rear end of the box becomes disengaged from the pusher 23 which is advancing it and before the upper edge of the box engages the ascending run of the belt 27 the belt is raised by drive means (not shown) to an upper position shown in chain-dotted lines. The belt, as it rises, stops feed of any plugs which may still be travelling on the belt 2a.