GB1379884A - Handling of biscuits - Google Patents

Abstract

1379884 Batching biscuits BAKER PERKINS DEVELOPMENTS Ltd 8 Dec 1972 [31 Dec 1971] 61021/71 Heading B8S Biscuits to be batched for packing are fed along a conveyer (not shown) to a magazine 2 with a vertical portion 3 where they pass between front and rear clamping plates 15 and between a fixed guide 30 and an adjustable guide 31. The column of biscuits is supported on a platform 36, shown ghosted 36<SP>1</SP> in its upper position, which descends a distance corresponding to the batch required to the full line position shown. At this stage the clamping plates 15 are brought into operation together with a pusher 38 having an upper end defined by a plate 39 having a slightly rounded corner 40. The separation of the batch is controlled by a yieldably mounted member having a rounded engaging surface in the form of a roller 45 (see Fig. 2) which is free to turn and is mounted adjacent the bottom of the guide 31 between a pair of vertical rods 50 also supporting the guide 31. The rods 46 are carried by parallel links 54, 56 pivoted at 55, 57. The end position of the roller 45 shown is controlled by an adjustable stop-bolt 62. Before the start of the movement right to left of the pusher 38 the lowermost part of the roller 45 is just below the top of the pusher 38 and the weight of the parallel linkage is taken by stop 61. When the pusher 38 moves the roller 45 applies a resistance to the movement of the uppermost biscuit through the weight of the parallel linkage. If the feed is sufficiently positive the roller 45 rides up over the biscuit, no longer resisting its movement, but applying downward pressure ensuring its transfer with the rest of the batch. If, however, the feed is insufficient to lift the roller 45 the rounded edge 40 slips under the biscuit which is thus not fed with the batch transferred to container 66 and thence to receptacle 67. Instead of being provided with a rounded corner 40 the operative face of the pusher 38 at its uppermost portion may be formed with receding steps each of vertical thickness slightly greater than the average thickness of a biscuit (not shown). The last few biscuits at the top of a batch automatically register with the steps of the pusher 38 as it moves forward, being pressed against the steps by the action of the roller 45 which is raised progressively by each successive biscuit as it passes under it. The topmost bisucit is thus registered with the final step ensuring clean separation.