GB1288472A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1288472 Installations for self-service stores W POTRAFKE 10 June 1970 [10 June 1969] 28147/70 Addition to 1204416 Heading A4T The invention concerns the conveying means for the self-service stores installation of Specification 1204416. The installation has unloading positions E1, E2, a loading position B, and intermediate position U, fixed track rollers 28 conveying chains 5, 6 with projecting spigots 7, 8, abutments 24a, 24b, 24c and an endless conveying chain 2 with projecting spigots 3. Each container has attachment guides (26a), (26b), Fig.5 (not shown) and entraining elements 14, Figures 3 and 4, co-operating with pivotal guides 15, 16 connected by a rod 19 having a dog 20 in a slot 21. In use a cashier loads a customers goods into a container in the loading position and when the container is full it is lowered by the chains 2 to the bottom of the installation to a position beneath the intermediate position U, the spigots 3 then leaving the vertical gap between elements 14 and guides 15. The cashier then selects an empty container from, say, the position E1 and the chain 5 lowers it down the vertical portion of its track on to the rollers 28 and then conveys it to the intermediate position U. As it enters the intermediate position U its guides (27a) Fig.5 (not shown), engage in the guides (26a) of the previously lowered full container and the chain 2 is then operated to raise both containers until the empty container is in the loading position B and the full container in the intermediate position U. The chain 5 is then operated so that its spigots engage in the vertical gap between the elements 14 and guides 15 and the full container is conveyed to the unloading position E1. When it reaches this position the dogs 20 strike the abutment 24a, causing the guides 15 to pivot and allowing the spigots 7 to run out between the then formed gap between the horizontal surface of the elements 14 and the top of the guide 15 leaving the container ready for unloading by the customer.