GB2062568A

GB2062568A - Apparatus for transferring metallic objects between conveyors

Info

Publication number: GB2062568A
Application number: GB8033270A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Anchor Hocking LLC
Current assignee: Anchor Hocking LLC
Priority date: 1979-10-15
Filing date: 1980-10-15
Publication date: 1981-05-28
Also published as: IT8049893A1; IT1188957B; DE3038960A1; AU6327480A; CA1164899A; IT8049893A0; NL8005656A; BE885703A; FR2467156B1; JPS56127514A; FR2467156A1; AU535426B2; GB2062568B

Abstract

A transfer apparatus is described which transfers a group of metallic articles such as closure covers or the like 3 from a first conveyor 2 moving in one direction at one speed to a second conveyor 6 moving in a different direction at a different speed. The transfer means includes magnetic pick-up devices 9 carried by an orbitally moving bar 8, the devices 9 engaging the articles on the one conveyor, and a speed adjusting means for adjusting the article speed to that of the second conveyor. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for tranferring metallic objects between conveyors The present invention relates to means for transferring a group of articles in an article manufacturing operation from one conveyor to another. More particularly, it relates to a means for efficiently and effectively transferring articles from a straight line conveyor moving at one speed in one direction to a row conveyor moving in a differing direction and at a differing speed.

In the manufacture of metallic objects including closure caps and the like, certain steps in the manufacture require a transfer of the articles from one conveyor to another. Such transfers have previously been accomplished, for example by physically engaging the articles with guides or plungers or other transfer means to push or guide the articles from one conveyor to the other.

Certain articles are transferred only with considerable difficulty by these prior devices, and in particular, relatively flat articles are not effectively transferred by known apparatus.

Additionally, present transfer devices do not handle articles with wet or uncured gaskets or coatings on their surfaces without damaging them. A closure cover which is relatively flat and which also has a ring-like gasket on its upper surface and which is normally transferred during cap manufacturing from a single line conveyor to an oven row conveyor while the gasket is still liquid is illustrated, for example, in United States Patent No. 3,913,771 dated October 21, 1975.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved means for transferring metallic articles from one conveyor to another.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for transferring metallic articles from a single line conveyor to a row conveyor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for transferring relatively flat and metallic articles from one conveyor to another conveyor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for transferring closure portions including an uncured liquid gasket from one conveyor to another conveyor associated with a gasket curing oven.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for transferring articles from a conveyor having a certain speed and direction to another conveyor having a differing speed and/or direction.

Accordingly the present invention provides a transfer apparatus for transferring magnetically engageable articles from one conveyor to another comprising means for movably supporting a plurality of electro-magnets; means for moving said supporting means on a path from one conveyor to the other and back arranged to move it at the speed and in the direction of said one conveyor when at said one conveyor and at the speed and in the direction of said other conveyor when at said other conveyor; and circuit means for energising said electro-magnets for the portion of the path of the supporting means from said one conveyor to said other conveyor.

The transfer apparatus of the present invention provides for an effective and rapid transfer of such articles from one conveyor to another and particularly from single line conveyors to row type conveyors.

Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparent upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a top plan view of article transfer apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the transfer apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical elevational view partially cut away of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the transfer apparatus illustrating the transfer of the articles from the straight line conveyor to a row conveyor.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view illustrating the transfer of artciles from the straight line conveyor to the row conveyor.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view illustrating the magnetic pick-up means in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the electrical circuit for the transfer apparatus.

The transfer apparatus 1 will first be described generally with particular reference to Figs. 1 and 2. In these figures a single line conveyor 2 is illustrated carrying a row of metal closure cap covers 3 with uncured plastic gaskets 4. The conveyor 2 carries the covers 3 to a transfer position adjacent to a curing oven 5 having a wide row conveyor 6. The cap covers 3 are transferred by the mechanism of the present invention from the single line conveyor 2 in rows 7 onto the more slowly moving row conveyor 6 for the gasket curing oven 5. The row conveyor 6 moves relatively slowly so that each of the covers 3 thereon is subjected for a sufficient curing period to the oven curing temperature.In order to feed an adequate supply of the cap covers 3 to the row conveyor 6 from the single line conveyor 2, it is necessary for the single line conveyor 2 to move more rapidly than the row conveyor 6. The transfer means of the present invention periodically moves a group of the cap covers 3 from the end of the single line conveyor 2 to a position on the row conveyor 6 where the cap covers 3 form a lateral row across the conveyor 6. In order that this transfer may be made with continuously running conveyors, the transfer apparatus engages a group of cap covers 3, moving at a given speed on the single line conveyor 2 in one direction and transports these cap covers 3 to the row conveyor 6 where they are moved in a differing direction and at a slower speed.The transfer operation is performed by a magnet support bar 8 mounting a plurality of spaced magnets 9 with one magnet 9 provided for each cap cover 3. The electromagnetic magnets 9 are energised under the control of a rototimer 10 coupled to the transfer mechanism to lift the cap covers 3 from the single line conveyor 2 at the desired position and to thereafter release them as a row 7 on the row conveyor 6. The magnet support bar 8 for the magnets 9 is mounted on a pair of rotating crank arms 11 on bearings 12 which move the magnet support bar 8 from a position over the single line conveyor 2, as illustrated in Fig. 1 to a position over the row conveyor 6 as illustrated in dash-dot lines in Figs. 1 and 5.The movement of the magnet support bar 8 is synchronised with the conveyor 2 movement by using a common drive and in addition, its path of movement and speed are controlled by the crank arms 11 as will be described more fully below, to provide the necessary changes in the magnet 9 speed and direction of movement for smooth transfers. The cap covers 3 on the conveyor 2 are equally spaced having been fed onto the conveyor 2 by a spacing star wheel or other spacing means at the cover compound applying or other cover processing machine.

The transfer apparatus 1 is supported over the two conveyors 2 and 6 on a support frame, including vertical support posts 13 and a horizontal support member 14. The two cranks 11 are mounted on the lower output shafts of a pair of right angle drives 1 5 attached to the lateral support member 14. The opposite ends of the magnet support bar 8 are rotatably attached by bearings 12 to the ends of the cranks 11 and the several electro-magnets 9 are equally spaced along the length of the magnet support bar 8. The drive power for the transfer apparatus is taken from the drive system for the single line conveyor to provide for their operating in synchronism.A drive box coupled to the conveyor system is illustrated at 1 6 in Fig. 1 having an output shaft 1 7 and chain drive 18 coupled to a right angle drive 19 mounted on the transfer support member 14. The drive 19 may include a speed adjustment means for obtaining the desired synchronisation further described below. The output 20 of the right angle drive 19 is coupled to the input 21 of a Ferguson velocity variator 22. The velocity variator 22 is a commercially available device which provides for predetermined and differing rotational speeds for its output 23. In particular, the variator 22 drive is adjusted so that one complete turn provides for one full turn of the magnet support bar crank arms 11.The output 23 speed corresponding to the general position shown for the magnet bar 8 in Fig. 1, causes the crank ends 11 to be moved at a rate equal to that of the single line conveyor 2 rate. Additionally, the arrangement illustrated for the two right angle drives 1 5 and their interconnected cranks 11, causes the magnet support bar 8 to move generally in the same direction as that of the single line conveyor 2 at the article pick-up position. A coupling shaft 24 operatively connects the two right angle drives 15.

At this portion of the transfer cycle, the electrical system for the transfer apparatus as described below, is energised so that each of the individual magnets 9 is also energised and engages and lifts a closure cover 3 from the single line conveyor 2. When the magnet support bar 8 has reached the cap cover 3 release position, shown in dash-dot lines in Figs. 1 and 5, the individual magnets 9 are de-energised causing the covers 3 to be deposited as a row onto the moving row conveyor 6.

As already indicated, a principal portion of the transfer apparatus 1 comprises the individual transfer magnets 9 mounted on a row along a magnet support bar 8 which is in turn mounted on the two rotating cranks 11. The cranks 11 are driven from the right angle drive boxes 15 which are powered through the Ferguson velocity variator 22. The Ferguson variator 22 has a constant speed input 21 coupled to the drive system for the conveyor 2. It includes an internal speed adjusting means which provides for the outer ends of the rotating crank arms 11 to be moved at about the single line conveyor 2 speed when the cranks 11 are in the solid pick-up position of Fig. 1.The variator 22 is set for reducing the speed of movement of the crank arm 11 ends and the interconnected electro-magnets 9 to the speed of conveyor 6 as the magnet support bar 8 is carried to a position above the row conveyor 6 as illustrated in dash-dot lines in Figs. 1 and 5.

The remaining portion of crank rotation 11 is not critical and is done at a convenient speed so that the magnet support bar 8 and the cranks 11 make one complete revolution in the time required for the single line conveyor 2 to present a new row of caps at the pick-up position below the magnet support bar 8, and also so that the magnets 9 are moving at the conveyor 2 speed at the pick-up position.

Thus, the variator 22 is arranged so that when coupled to the two rqtating cranks 11 , the cranks make one complete revolution in the time period in which the straight line conveyor 2 moves another group of covers beneath the magnets 9 pick-up position. Additionally, the variator 22 is adjusted so that the cranks 11 while moving through the pick-up position illustrated in Fig. 1, are moving the magnets 9 at the same rate as the.

single line conveyor 2. During about the next 900 of crank arm rotation, the variator 22 is set to decelerate the magnets 9 so that they move over the row conveyor 6 at the row conveyor rate at the release point illustrated in dash-dot lines in Figs. 1 and 5. For the remaining 2700 return rotation of the cranks 11, they are accelerated at a convenient rate so that they again reach the rate of the single line conveyor 2 as they reach the pick-up position.

A preferred timing device for controlling the magnetic pick-up circuit is the rototimer 10. This is an electric switch including a cam operated contact 26 (Fig. 7) for energising the magnets 9 between the pick-up position at the single line conveyor 2 and the release position above the row conveyor 6. The cam 27 of the rototimer 10 is synchronised with the crank 11 motion by being mechanically coupled to the drive shaft 24 connecting the right angle crank drives 1 5 by gears 28 and 29.

Fig. 7 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the magnet control and energising circuit 30. It is coupled to a regular 115 volt power supply 31 with a suitable switch 32, fuse 33, and indicator lamp 34. The alternating current input is converted to a 24 volt DC power supply by a rectifier 35. All of the magnets 9 are connected in parallel between DC power lines 36 and 37 which are connected to the rectifier 35 through a relay device 38. The relay device 38 has two positions under the control of the rototimer 10. For the normally open position of the rototimer contact 26, as illustrated, the two contacts 39 and 40 of the relay device 38 connect the DC power to the magnets 9 through a voltage reducing resistor 41 in a reverse direction to ensure that the magnets are de-energised at a reduced voltage in a cover release mode.The rototimer cam 27 is adjusted to set this contact 26 position when the magnet support arm 8 reaches the release position above the row conveyor 6. The rototimer 10 contact 26 remains in this open position until the magnets 9 have been moved on the support bar 8 to the solid line position illustrated in Fig. 1 above the single line conveyor 2 where the covers 3 are picked up.

At this position the rototimer contact 26 is closed moving the relay device 38 contacts 39 and 40 to the dash-dot position illustrated in Fig. 7 where the full 24 volt DC voltage is placed across the magnets 9 in a direction to energise them for picking up the metal articles or covers 3. The rototimer contact 26 and the relay device 38 remain in this position until the magnets 9 on the support bar are moved the additional approximately 900 to a release point illustrated in dash-dot lines in Figs. 1 and 5. The rototimer contact 26 is not re-opened to de-energise the magnets 9 and to release the covers 3 as the magnet support bar 9 moves on through another transfer cycle.

It will be seen that an improved transfer means has been provided with special characteristics which ensure a smooth transfer of metallic articles between two conveyors not readily transferred by present transfer devices. In particular, the transfer device provides for suitable changes in the speed and in the direction of the articles transferred. The transfer apparatus also permits a transfer of articles having easily damaged portions such as uncured or liquid gaskets or similar softer portions which would be damaged by presently known transfer devices. These improved results are obtained in a reliable and relatively simple transfer apparatus useful for operation at relatively high speeds such as 300 or more articles per minute.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A transfer apparatus for transferring magnetically engageable articles from one conveyor to another comprising: means for movably supporting a plurality of electromagnets, means for moving said supporting means on a path from one conveyor to the other and back arranged to move it at the speed and in the direction of said one conveyor when at said one conveyor and at the speed and in the direction of said other conveyor when at said other conveyor; and circuit means for energising said electro-magnets for the portion of the path of the supporting means from said one conveyor to said other conveyor.

2. A transfer apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which said moving means comprises a plurality of cranks operatively coupled to said electro-magnet support means for moving it in a circular path, and a coupling means for said cranks including a velocity variator for changing the crank speed to adjust the magnet supporting means speed successively to the speed of said one and said other conveyors.

3. A transfer apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 which is adapted for a transfer of articles from a straight line conveyor to a row conveyor and in which said electro-magnet support means is an elongated member with said electro-magnets being mounted in spaced relation to a straight line thereon, said cranks being coupled to opposire ends of said elongated member.

4. A transfer apparatus as claimed in Claim 1,2 or 3 in which said circuit means comprises a timer operatively coupled to said moving means.

5. A transfer means as claimed in Claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 in which said circuit means comprises means for periodically reversing the current flow through said electro-magnets.

6. A transfer means as claimed in Claim 5 in which the current flow in a demangetizing direction is a fraction of the magnetising current flow.

7. A transfer apparatus for transferring magnetically engageable articles from a straight line conveyor to a row conveyor comprising: elongated means for movably supporting a plurality of electro-magnets; means for mounting said supporting means for movement on a generally circular closed path from one conveyor to the other; means for driving said supporting means along said path including means for moving it at the speed and in the direction of said straight line conveyor when above said straight line conveyor and at the speed and in the direction of said row conveyor when above said row conveyor; and circuit means for energising said electro-magnets for the portion of the path of the supporting means from said straight line conveyor to said row conveyor for carrying said articles from the straight line conveyor to said row conveyor.

8. The transfer apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 in which said moving means comprises a plurality of cranks operatively coupled to said electromagnet support means, and a coupling means for said cranks including a velocity variator for changing the crank speed to adjust the magnet supporting means speed from the speed of said straight line conveyor to the speed of said row conveyor.

9. The transfer apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 in which said circuit means comprises a timer operatively coupled to said moving means.

10. The transfer means as claimed in Claim 7 in which said current means comprises means for periodically reversing the current flow through said electro-magnets.

11. The transfer means as claimed in Claim 10 in which the current flow in a demagnetising direction is a fraction of the magnetising current flow.

12. The transfer means as claimed in Claim 9 in which said timer is set for energising said electromagnets when they are centered over articles on the straight line conveyor.

13. A transfer apparatus for transferring magnetically engageable articles substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.