GB1233580A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,233,580. Transferring articles between conveyers; shrink packaging. LERNER MACHINE CO. Ltd. 29 Jan., 1970 [1 Nov., 1968], No. 51882/68. Headings B3A and B3C Apparatus for conveying a collection of articles 5 to be wrapped into a shrink wrapping machine comprises a first conveyer 9 at the downstream end of which is a transfer table 8, means to stop the conveyer 9 when the collection of articles is delivered on to the table, means to move the table 8 away from the end of the conveyer 9 in the direction of conveyance, when the conveyer 9 has been stopped, and means 11 to move the collection of articles off the table in a direction normal to the run of the conveyer 9. As the collection of articles is moved by the table 8, it operates a pressure sensitive switch 19. In the embodiment of Figs. 2 and 3, the transfer table 8 is mounted on guide tracks 41, 43, for horizontal reciprocal movement towards and away from the conveyer 8 under the action of a fluid operated piston and cylinder assembly 21<SP>1</SP>, 23<SP>1</SP>. The table 8 includes a clamp plate 69 operable by a jack 79 to clamp the collection of articles immediately following the operation of the switch 19. The latter also initiates the stopping of the conveyer 9. The plate 69 carries flanges 71, 73, 75, 77 (Fig. 3) which serve to guide three rows of the articles 5. The height and lateral position of the clamp plate 69 are adjustable on pillars 57 and rods 109. The pusher 11 of Fig. 1 is replaced by a pusher bar 105 mounted at 103 on a carriage 97. The latter has rollers 99 running on rails 95. A blade 89 is downwardly projected so as to retain other articles 5 immediately following the collection to be transferred. The collection of articles may include a plurality of articles either on their own or standing in a tray 6 (Fig. 1). It may also include a single article in a tray. As the collection of articles is discharged from the table 8 it is pushed into a curtain of heat shrinkable thermoplastic wrapping material which is thereby wrapped around them and a pair of sealer bars 4 are operated.