GB1466681A - Article handling system - Google Patents

Abstract

1466681 Feed mechanisms GENERAL ELECTRIC CO 5 July 1974 [17 July 1973] 29915/74 Heading F3C An article storage and feed system comprises laterally spaced-apart channels 14, Fig. 3, each channel having a number of articles such as cartridges therein, first means for concurrently engaging each of the number of articles in any one of the channels and for sequentially extracting a train of the articles of uniform pitch, second means, coupled to the first means, for translating the first means to each of a number of extraction stations in sequence, each of the latter being adjacent a respective one of the channels, and control means, coupled to the second means, for automatically actuating the second means. The channels 14 are stationary. The control means counts the number of extraction operations per channel of the first means. Each channel 14 has means for precluding transverse movement of the stored articles and for permitting longitudinal movement thereof. The first means is a shaft 56, Figs. 1 and 2, having a helical flute which, when the shaft is rotated, translates the engaged articles. The second means includes travelling supports 52, 54, Fig. 3, which support the shaft 56 also transverse supports which carry the supports 52, 54 along a path which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the channels. The transverse supports comprise spaced-apart shafts 28, 32, each of the latter having a helical cam track with a cycle equal to the space between adjacent channels 14. Each cycle has successive portions of rapid advance, no advance and rapid advance. The supports 52, 54 each have a cam follower 60, Fig. 2, engaging the respective helical cam track. Rotation of the shafts 28, 32 effects transverse translation of the supports 52, 54 and, consequently, the shaft 56. A screw-threaded shaft 50, Figs. 1 and 3, is rotated about an axis which is transverse to the channels 14 by a counter and drive system 40 and drives the shaft 56 via a gear 72. A sprocket is carried by the supports 52, 54 for receiving articles in sequence as extracted by the shaft 56. A movable endless chain of geneva elements receives articles in sequence from the sprocket. The output of the geneva elements is coupled to the second means which comprises the travelling supports 52, 54 and the shafts 28, 32 and the input to the geneva elements is synchronized with the shaft 56. The articles may each be provided with a "T"-shaped projection which is received in a "T"-shaped transverse opening in the channel 14. In another embodiment a first shaft, having a helical flute, is movable transversely and feeds a second shaft, having a helical flute, which, in turn, feeds an endless conveyer chain.