GB1324994A - Apparatus for feeding can ends - Google Patents

Abstract

1324994 Feeding can-ends on endless conveyers LINEAR MACHINE CO Ltd 1 Oct 1970 [3 Oct 1969] 48617/69 Heading B8A A feeding apparatus for can ends includes a column-holding means 12 (Fig. 1) for location of an upright column from the leading end of which the can ends are fed one at a time in succession to machinery (not shown) e.g. for closing cans, conveyer means for carrying a supply of upright stacks of the can ends for replenishing the column, means for positioning each stack of can ends in turn on top of the diminished column from the conveyer means, and control means responsive to the height of the column for operating the conveyer means to feed a stack to enable the positioning means to locate the stack on the column. 1st embodiment (Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 6c).-The conveyer means comprises vertically spaced belts 25, 25 (removed from the apparatus as shown in Fig. 4), trained around pulley wheels 17 and carrying an endless series of stack holders. The latter each consist of three vertical rails 27 spaced by brackets 28 (by which they are secured to the belts 25) so as to locate a stack of the can ends. An alternative C-shaped plastics holder (Fig. 10, not shown) may be used. The bases of the stacks are supported on a rollerway 15. The conveyer is moved after each stack is fed from a position above the column 12, by the action of a pneumatic cylinder 21 in association with a free-wheel sprocket drive 23a to the shaft of the pulleys 17, 17. Indexing is controlled by a pneumatic cylinder 20 coacting with a recessed plate 18. In operation, when a stack is being fed from the column 12 (by means not shown), the height of the stack held by the conveyer above the column eventually diminishes to a point at which its top releases an operating member 35 of a switch 33. This activates the cylinder 20 so as to release the indexing hold on the conveyer. A further drop in the stack operates a switch 34 which activates the cylinder 21 to move the conveyer one step thereby positioning a fresh full stack over the column. 2nd embodiment (Figs. 7, 8, 9).-The stacks are carried between opposed endless belts 46, 46. The upper belt 46 has projecting heads 61 each of which engages the top end of an associated full stack. The belts 46, 46, are driven by a pneumatic cylinder 52 and associated free wheeling sprockets. The stacks are positioned by vertical members 53 carried by vertically spaced horizontal rails 54. Each stack is successively fed to a position above the column 12 in which it is positioned by two spaced fixed vertical rods 42, 42, and two rods 43 which are outwardly movable by cylinders 44, 45. The movement of the latter are controlled by the action of a switch 62 activated when the top of the stack drops below it. When it drops below a switch 63, the conveyer drive is actuated so as to feed a full stack into the feeding position. (For Figures 3, 4, 6c and 9 see next page.)