GB2146967A

GB2146967A - Conveyor with holding means for strips

Info

Publication number: GB2146967A
Application number: GB08422551A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Luigi Pazzaglia
Original assignee: Cefin SpA
Current assignee: Cefin SpA
Priority date: 1983-09-26
Filing date: 1984-09-06
Publication date: 1985-05-01
Also published as: GB8422551D0; DE3432506A1; GB2146967B; IT8305000V0

Abstract

The conveyor for automatically moving strips from a shearing machine to a can body forming-welding machine comprises two consecutive belts (4) and (5). The former is horizontal, while the latter is inclined and articulated with respect to the first belt (4), the runs thereof (4a) and (5a) on which and by which, respectively, the strips are moved being provided with strip attraction magnets placed adjacent to the opposite surface of the belts of the said conveyor to that facing the Strips to be moved. Alternatively, the strips may be retained by suction means. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved conveyor for automatically moving strips The invention relates to an improved conveyor for automatically moving strips, in particular strips made of metal.

Metal strips are, as is known, formed by cutting suitably dimensioned sheets with the use, for example, of twin rotary shears that subdivide the tinplate into rectangular strips that are sent on to a machine on which they are utilized, namely a formingwelding machine that transforms the strips into can bodies.

The usefulness is obvious of linking, by means of a suitable automatic conveyor, the two machines in question so as to prevent personnel having to be used for the monotonous and tiring tasks of collect ing the strips produced by the first machine, moving the said strips to the second machine, and then putting the said strips into the said second machine.

To cater for the foregoing requirement, devices have already been invented for linking the machines in question. The said devices are, however, complex and create operating problems since both the machines and the conveyor have to be adapted for the various strip sizes, and since it is necessary to achieve speeds that are high.

Problems with metal strips are, in fact, that they are of the most varied sizes and that they are particlarly light. The latter factor renders necessary, if it is wished to operate at high speeds, special precautions aiming at preventing the said strips from being projected outside the conveyors or undergoing deformation. With the present art, it is, therefore, necessary for the strips to be locked on opposite sides throughout the movement phases.

The situation is obviously unsatisfactory, also taking into consideration the fact that, in view of the reduced financial value of the elements moved, the full equipment has to be kept at a reduced cost level.

The general object of the invention is to devise an improved conveyor for automatically moving metal strips which, though having a structure that is particularly simple and economical, is suited perfectly to the above mentioned transportation requirements.

One object, in particular, of the invention is to devise a conveyor which, with simple means, is able to give maximum stability to the strips being moved.

Another important object is to devise a conveyor so constructed as to allow easy strip charging and discharging operations, without any hindrance resulting from the overall volume of the transportation structure.

The said objects, and others too that will become more apparent hereinafter, are substantially achieved with the improved conveyor according to the invention for automatically moving metal strips, characterized by the fact of comprising at least two consecutive belts, the first of which extending essentially in horizontal planes and provided with means for receiving the said strips, and the second extending in inclined planes and articulated with respect to the former, as well as provided with discharge means, on which the runs that handle the material to be moved are provided with means for attracting the strips that are placed adjacent to the opposite surface of the belts of the said conveyor to that facing the strips.

On the said first belt of the conveyor, the means of attraction are positioned in the region of the top run that has the task of directly supporting the said strips, while on the second belt that is downstream with respect to the first belt, the said means are placed in the region of the bottom run.

Advantageously, in the case of strips made of magnetic material, the said means of attraction are constituted by a plurality of magnets carried by a plate immediately adjacent to the surface of the said belts.

Further characteristics and advantages will become more apparent from the description of one preferred embodiment for the improved conveyor, illustrated purely as an example on the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure shows, in a perspective view, how the conveyor according to the invention, linked directly to the machines with which it operates, can be constructed; Figure2shows, in a diagrammatic way, the fundamental structural elements of the conveyor according to the invention.

With reference to the said figures, the conveyor forming the subject of the invention is shown globally at 1. In the embodiment illustrated, the conveyor is provided to link a machine 2 constituting twin rotary shears that subdivide the tinplate into rectangular strips, to a second machine 3 that transforms the strips into can bodies.

Furthermore, in the case described herein, the conveyor 1 comprises two belts, the first of which is shown at 4 and the second at 5.

Both the conveyor belts 4 and 5, placed consecutively in such a way as functionally to define one unbroken transportation line, are provided with means for attracting the strips, positioned in the region of the runs 4a and 5a on which and by which, respectively, the strips are moved.

More precisely, the said means are constituted by permanent magnets when the metal strips to be moved have magnetic properties, and by ordinary vacuum air pipes when the strips are anti-magnetic.

The presupposition is that magnetic strips are by far the most frequent, and in this case the magnetization is achieved by a plurality of megnets carried by plates 6 located immediately adjacent to the opposite surface of the belts of the said conveyor to that facing the strips to be moved.

The two belts have tasks that are different: the first belt 4, that extends in a horizontal direction, is provided with means for receiving the strips, while the second belt 5, that is oblique and articulated with respect to the former, is provided with the discharge means. Both the belts 4 and 5 can be controlled by one single variable speed motor 7.

In detail, placed at the exit of the strip producing machine 2 is a frame that supports the first belt 4.

With the said belt, the run that is rendered active is the top run on which the strips are directly sup ported.

The belt can be made of canvas, plastic or another suitable flexible material and the magnetic effect is, as previously stated, generated by magnets carried by the underneath plate 6. Alternatively, the attraction effect is achieved through a pipe positioned beneath the belt, in proximity there with, and provided with apertures for the discharge of air which, passing through the belt, holds by suction the strips.

At the sides of the said top run of the belt 4 are placed two plates which, with a variation in the dimensions of the strips, can be displaced or, if necessary, be substituted in such a way as to constitute, at the sides of the belt, two surfaces coplanar there with and suitable to support and allow the sliding motion of the strips.

Two walls 8 are provided for the lateral guiding of the strips. The belt, the flanking plates and the walls 8 can be positioned through devices in themselves known.

The said means for receiving the strips comprise blocks 9 spaced suitably for the width of the strips, and these guide the said strips to the exit of the machine 2 on which they are produced, in such a way as to drop correctly onto the belt.

In order to regularize the dropping action, it is also possible to raise or lower the level of the said belt with respect to the blocks 9.

The second belt 5 has been studied particularly to achieve easy discharge of the material moved thereon. It is, in fact, constituted by one or preferably two parallel, coplanar, bands, the bottom run of each of which is, as shown in Figure 2, the run that is rendered achieve. The strips are restrained underneath by a bar 10 formed, in the case of need, by a number of sections, one extremity of the said bar being directly consecutive to the first belt 4, while the other terminates, in a way that is simple, precise and devoid of obstacles, at a point where a magazine 11 is provided on the second machine 3.

When the strips leave the active part of the first belt, they are drawn forward by the active part of the second belt and thus flow towards the said magazine, where the dropping action can be rendered regular by further suitably arranged blocks.

Through sensors, the said magazine controls opportunely the said variable speed motor 7 and thus regulates the speed and the eventual pauses in operation of the belts of the conveyor.

By means of easily displaceable spacers, the two belts can be brought, without difficulty, one towards or one away from the other, and the second pivotally connected belt can be suitably raised, for example using a pneumatic cylinder, in order to gain access to the magazine 11 of the second machine 3.

Thus the conveyor according to the invention achieves the objects proposed.

The strips can, in fact, be moved with the utmost stability despite the simplicity of the structure.

Furthermore, the particular combination of two belts with opposite positioning of the active part thereof makes possible the realization of extremely simple and functional charging and discharging means.

All parts may be substituted with others that are technically equivalent, while the materials used, as also the shapes and sizes thereof, may be any depending upon the requirements.

Claims

1. Improved conveyor for automatically moving strips, characterized by the fact of comprising at least two consecutive belts, the first of which extending essentially in horizontal planes and provided with means for receiving the said strips, and the second extending in inclined planes and articulated with respect to the former, as well as provided with discharge means, on which the runs that handle the material to be moved are provided with means for attracting the strips that are placed adjacent to the opposite surface of the belts of the said conveyor to that facing the strips.

2. Conveyor according to Claim 1, characterized by the fact that on the said first belt of the conveyor, the said means of attraction are positioned in the region of the top run that has the task of directly supporting the said strips, while on the second belt that is downstream with respect to the first belt, the said means are placed in the region of the bottom run.

3. Conveyor according to Claim 1, for moving strips made of magnetic metal, characterized by the fact that the said means of attraction are constituted by a plurality of magnets carried by a plate immediately adjacent to the surface of the said belts.

4. Conveyor according to Claim 1, for moving anti magnetic strips, characterized by the fact that the said means of attraction are constituted by suction air pipes provided with apertures through which the air passes, pointing underneath and adjacent to the surface of the belts.

5. Conveyor according to Claim 2, characterized by the fact that the said first belt has, at the sides thereof, two plates coplanar with the said belt and suitable to support and allow the sliding motion of the strips.

6. Conveyor according to Claim 2, characterized by the fact provision is made for the first belt to have, at the sides thereof, two walls to guide laterally the strips being moved.

7. Conveyor according to Claim 2, characterized by the fact that the said second belt is defined by two parallel, coplanar, bands that are side by side and can be brought one towards the other, and alternatively one away from the other, in order to suit the spacing thereof to the dimensions of the strips.

8. Conveyor according to Claim 2, characterized by the fact that the said belts are operated by means of a variable speed motor, and by the fact that the said motor is controlled by sensors placed in the region of a magazine on a strip utilizing machine, the said magazine receiving directly the said strips from the said second belt.