GB1404343A - Magnetic directing mechanisms for articles - Google Patents

Abstract

1404343 Separating by weight HI-SPEED CHECKWEIGHER CO Inc 9 June 1972 [9 June 1971] 27128/72 Heading G1W [Also in Division B8] Article carriers 36 slidably supported on rods 20 of an endless chain conveyer are controlled by a magnetic device 10, Figs. 1, 2, which includes a pair of selectively operable electromagnets 56 and a pair of elongated permanent magnets 54 which provide guide surfaces 68 for rollers 42 of the carriers 36; the diameter of the rollers 42 corresponds to the spacing between upstream surface portion 78a of the electromagnets 56. The spacing between surfaces 68a of the permanent magnets 54 is such that, if the electromagnets 56 are not energized, a roller 42, together with its carrier 36, continues to pass centrally of the magnets 56, 54. Energization of one or other of the electromagnets 56 causes a carrier to move laterally in the region of the magnets 56 and then to continue thus due to the action of one or other of the magnets 54. Depending on the operation/non-operation of the electromagnets 56 the carriers 36 move to regions A, B or C at the delivery end of the conveyer. The magnets 56 may be controlled by any suitable device but as shown, a weighing apparatus having a conveyer 82 determines to which region articles on the carriers are delivered. Those carriers which are deflected to regions A or B are centralized by engagement of their rollers 42 with elongated cam elements 48 during the return run of the carriers. In modifications, Figs. 6, 7 (not shown), by providing further downstream electromagnets and permanent magnets, articles from a single input line may be separated into four or five output lines. In a further modification, Fig. 9, the downstream diverting electromagnets of (Figs. 6, 7) are replaced by pneumatically operated separators 100 which, when their piston-rods 104 are extended, cause the engaged roller 42 to break away from the magnet 54. In Fig. 10, a rotary solenoid 102 of a separator 100' has an L-shaped arm 106' for engaging a roller 42. The separators of both embodiments are adjustably mounted on bars 110, 110'. In a still further embodiment, Fig. 11, carrier conveyer 200 is used to bring into a single output line three input lines 202a-c. The conveyer 200 is identical to that of Fig. 1 except that it is inverted and the electromagnets 56 are used to divert carriers on their lower, return run to line 202a or line 202c. Groups of carriers may be used to support each article and gates 210, 212 may be used to form groups of the articles. An electrical memory unit 220, a cam timer (224) and a control circuit (222), Fig. 12 (not shown), control the device 10 and the gates 210, 212 in timed sequence.