GB2208837A

GB2208837A - Transfer device between two endless conveyors

Info

Publication number: GB2208837A
Application number: GB8818290A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Poul Erik Damkjaer
Original assignee: BAELTIX MASKINFABRIKKEN AS; Maskinfabrikken Baeltix AS
Current assignee: BAELTIX MASKINFABRIKKEN AS; Maskinfabrikken Baeltix AS
Priority date: 1987-08-24
Filing date: 1988-08-01
Publication date: 1989-04-19
Also published as: DE3827443A1; DK439787D0; FR2619797A1; GB8818290D0

Description

1 2208837 TRANSFER DEVICE FOR USE BETWEEN TWO ENDLESS CONVEYORS

The invention relates to a transfer device for use between two endless conveyors and of the kind described in the introduction to claim

Such transfer devices are known in various embodiments for use by the transfer of objects from one conveyor belt to another, for example as disclosed in US patent specification no. 1,175,204, where bottles are transferred from one conveyor belt to another via a transfer device. This type of transfer can only be set up if the objects have a relatively large base so that they do not overturn because of the openings between the belts and the transfer device.

When it is a question of transfer between two chain link conveyors with ribs arranged on the upper side of the chain links, transfer from one conveyor to the next may be effected by using a dead plate with fingers extending in between the ribs of the chain links so that there will be no openings at the place of transfer and thereby preventing the objects from overturning during transfer. On the other hand, the objects will stand still on the dead plate if following objects do not push them further on towards the next conveyor. The last objects of a series will always remain standing on the dead plates and cause inconvenience, for example in the form of operational stops since the automatic object counter will establish that not all objects have arrived. It is therefore not possible to start sending a new series of objects through the system before this has been completely emptied, for example by manually moving the stopped objects forward and past the counters.

2 It is the object of the invention to provide a conveyor system preventing objects- from standing still on dead plates or the like between conveyors which transfer system must be arranged in such a manner that the objects are safely transferred at a straight line from conveyor to conveyor even if the objects are relatively small.

is This is achieved by designing the transfer device according to the invention as disclosed in the characterising part of claim 1. Since the transfer bars of the transfer device extend from one conveyor to the other, no objects will stand still thereon or at the intermediate areas between the transfer device and the conveyors thereby always ensuring that any object which is carried onto the conveyor system will also be conveyed all the way to the desired final position. No openings will be formed at the transfer device causing objects to overturn neither on the transfer device proper nor at the intermediate areas between the transfer device and the conveyors.

If the transfer device according to the invention is designed as disclosed in the characterising part of claim 2, it is possible to obtain a desired speed of transfer of the transfer device, for example a speed of transfer corresponding to that of the conveyors without openings being formed at the intermediate areas. The transfer device will also function when at a standstill since the upper edge of the cross member and the parallel ribs have the same function as a dead plate and it is thereby possible contrary to sideways transfer to transfer objects at a straight line from conveyor to conveyor.

By designing the transfer device according to the invention as disclosed in the characterising part of v 3 1 5 1 claim 3, tractive force will automatically be transmitted to the transfer device directly from one of the conveyors so that special drive mechanisms are not required but simply a coupling so that the transfer device may be started and stopped according to requirements. This will simplify and reduce the cost of the transfer device as well as the mounting thereof.

By designing the transfer device according to the invention as disclosed in the characterising part of claim 4, it is possible to activate the transfer device entirely independently of the conveyors.

A conveyor system as disclosed in the characterising part of claim 5 will ensure that the system is emptied fully automatically without any interruptions since the transfer device will start as soon as there is not a sufficient number of following objects to ensure a continuous conveyance.

Claims

Claims 6 and 7 disclose advantageous, practical embodiments therefor. The invention will be further explained in the following with reference to a preferred embodiment wherein Fig. 1 is a skeleton outline of a conveyor system utilising conveyors and transfer devices, Fig. 2 is a top view of the transfer device according to the invention, and Fig. 3 is a vertical, plane section of the transfer device shown in Fig. 2 in the direction III-III. 4 Fig. 1 schematically shows a conveyor system extending from one production unit 2 to a second production unit 3 comprising three conveyors 1 and two transfer devices 4 between the conveyors thereby creating a straight conveyor path direct from the unit 2 to the unit 3. When the production unit 2 has sent a desired number of objects of a certain kind onto the conveyor and the operator desires to send a new series onto the same conveyor, it is necessary to wait until all objects from the first series have reached the production unit 3 and have been counted there. If the transfer from one conveyor to the next takes place by means of dead plates 4, it is necessary manually to assist the last objects off the dead plates since there are no following objects to push them forwards. This will delay the conveying process as well as the production process and it is therefore desired to utilise mechanical transfer devices 4 between the conveyors 1 thereby avoiding production stops with subsequent manual intervention. The present application relates to such a transfer device which automatically transfers objects from one conveyor to the next. Figs. 2 and 3 show two conveyors 1 built up by chain links 7 with ribs 19, preferably ribs extending in the direction of transport and where the ribs comprise two mutually offset rib sections. To simplify the drawing only the chain links at the conveyor ends are shown and the following chain link 20 is only outlined. Between the conveyor ends there is arranged a transfer device 4 comprising supporting plates 8 secured to the side plates 21 of the conveyors. At either end there is a usual drive or idle station 12 P -1 i with bearings, shafts, driving wheels etc. for each conveyor.

1 From the drive station or idle station 12 of one of the conveyors a belt drive 13 is connected to a shaft 14 and from the other end of the shaft 14 a belt drive 15 is connected to a shaft 16 so that the shafts 14, 15 run synchronously and with the same direction of rotation as shown by the arrows. The belt drives are preferably tooth belts running in wedge gears with tracks and teeth corresponding to the tooth belts. In the pull or idle station there is mounted a preferably electrical control unit for connecting and disconnecting the drive wheel of the belt 13.

Between the plates 8 there is arranged a cross member 9 with grooves 10 for longitudinally extending lists or bars 11 which are parallel and extend from conveyor to conveyor and which are so long that they may reach in between the rib ends of the chain links. The shafts 14 have eccentric areas 17 through bores 18 in downwardly extending lower parts of the bars 11. The eccentric parts 17 of the shafts 14 make the bars 11 move in a closed path so that the upper edges of the bars are above the upper edge of the cross member when the bars are moved forwards in the direction of the arrow, and so that the upper edges of the bars are below the upper edge of the cross member when the bars are moved opposite the direction of the arrow. There is thereby obtained a drive which may carry objects form one conveyor to the next and in such a manner that the bars will always reach over the entire space between the conveyor ends and periodically reach in between the ribs of the chain links.

If the belt 13 instead of being led to the drive end 6 12 is led to a separate motor (not shown on the drawing), the transfer device may be started and stopped according to requirements, quite independently of the conveyors.

Starting and stopping of the eccentric movement of the bar are for example controlled by a light source 5 with a photo cell 6, see Fig. 1, said light barrier system being arranged immediately before each transfer device 4. When the light source 5 is capable of sending light to the photo cell, the transfer device will start, for example for a period of time which is long enough to ensure that the entire transfer device is emptied of objects.

7 PATENT CLAIMS 1. Transfer device for use between two endless conveyors (AI composed of chain links comprising ribs (,1AJ1 arranged at the upper side thereof in the direction of conveying, and where the transfer device (A1 comprises a number of parallel bars (Aril which may be stationary or be cyclicly movable in closed paths in such a manner that objects situated on the bars are conveyed in a desired direction, characterised in that the bars are arranged in grooves (--1-e in a cross member (-" suspended in connecting plates G" connecting the two conveyor ends (-2- in that the bars Cl--r) extend such a distance in the direction of conveying that they are capable of reaching from the ribs of the chain links of one of the conveyors to those of the other conveyor.

2. Transfer device according to claim 1, characterised in that the bars (_141 are of such length and take such a position relative to the chain link ribs that they will periodically reach in between same.

3. Transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that it comprises transverse shafts (.1-<) which are eccentric and in engagement with bores in each bar said shafts being driven synchronously by power transmission from one of the conveyor ends by means of a power transmission means (,1 and thereby move the bars.

4. Transfer device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that it comprises transverse shafts GI-C which are eccentric G1-71 and in engagement with bores in each bar said shafts being driven synchronously by power transmission from a separate 8 motor.

5. Conveyor system utilising at least one transfer device according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the transfer device is only activated when a sensing device establishes that the conveyor is not filled with objects.

6. Conveyor system according to claim 5, characterised in that the sensing device Is a light barrier system C4-,-5-T adapted to start or to connect the transfer device when the light barrier is not broken by objects on the conveyor system.

7. Conveyor system according to claim 6, characterised in that the light barrier system comprises at least one light source (," on one side and at least one photo cell (M on the other side of the conveyor and immediately before the transfer device.

8. A transfer device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A conveyor system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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