GB1246737A - Aligning packages - Google Patents

Abstract

1,246,737. Re-arranging and turning articles on an endless conveyer. AVERY PRODUCTS CORP. 13 Nov., 1969 [5 Dec., 1968], No. 55673/69. Heading B8A. Apparatus for arranging in single file and uniform orientation on a moving surface a plurality of similar flat workpieces 10, 10a that are being carried by the surface in double file with the orientation of the workpieces in each file being uniform within the file but the orientation of the workpieces 10 in one file being angularly removed from the orientation of the workpieces 10a in the other file by a given angular distance, including a translating carriage 25 in which is mounted a down-up vacuum pick-up head 51, 51, for oscillatory rotation through the angular distance, means 28 for translating the carriage between a pick-up station (R.H. position on belt 13, Fig. 2) and an unloading station (L.H. position, Fig. 2), a rack 60, 60 adjacent the path of translation of the carriage for rotating the vacuum head 51, 51 through the angular distance as the head translates, means for momentarily depressing the vacuum pick-up head at the loading station to engage the package, means to apply vacuum to the pick-up head when the momentary depressing means is actuated, and means to release the vacuum and reverse the carriage translating means when the translating head reaches the unloading station. Operation.-A package 10a, by tripping a limit switch 60 energizes a timing relay (63) (Fig. 6, not shown). This results in energization of a solenoid (68), thereby reversing fluid pressure valve (72) (Fig. 5, not shown), thereby applying pressure to a cylinder 57. The ram 58 of the latter is pushed down, so as to engage and push down a spindle 36 which carries the pick-up heads 51, 51. Valves (90) and (77) are also operated as the result of tripping the switch 60. The former causes vacuum to be applied from a source (75) to the heads 51, 51. The latter causes fluid pressure to be applied to a cylinder 28 which moves the carriage 25 on guide rods 23, 24. A gear 45 fixed to the head 51, 51 is thereby rotated by engagement with a rack 60. The package 10a is thus rotated through 180 degrees into the same orientation as the packages 10. When the package 10a is in position above the axis of the row of packages 10a, probe 80 on the carriage, operates a switch 71. This reverses the valve (90) so as to exhaust the suction at the gripper 51, 51, and the package is dropped. The circuitry is such as to cause the carriage to return and the cycle recommences.