GB313017A - Improvements in and relating to icing biscuits and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

313,017. Macfarlane, R. F., Prescott, W. E., and Baker Perkins, Ltd. Dec. 30, 1927. Feeding articles f r o m stacks.-Relates to a stencilling machine for applying icing to biscuits, the machine having a train of biscuit carrying platforms, each carrying means for withdrawing biscuits from a vertical stack. As shown, the members 40 which support the platforms 32 are slidable in grooves in spaced guide rails 22, 23, the corners of the platforms 32 being removed at 32<b> to prevent fouling during the travel around the end sprockets 15, 31. Each member 40 is integral with projections 41 which form the ends of a link of a chain 46 passing around the sprockets. A post 40b which may be adjustable, is carried by each member 40 and serves to remove biscuits from the hoppers 47, 48. The platforms 32 are faced with sponge rubber 33 and each platform is secured to a shaft 34 carried in a sleeve 35 slidable in the sleeve 39 of the member 40. The head 43 of the shaft 34 is spaced from the top of the sleeve 35 by a spring 44 and the sleeve 35 is normally pressed downwardly by a spring 45. A roller 37 journaled on a projection 36 of the sleeve 35 contacts with a cam rail 24 lying between the rails 22, 23, thereby resiliently raising the biscuit platform 32 at the desired times. Lugs 38 prevent the roller 37 from leaving the rail 24. The platforms 32 are raised adjacent to the hoppers 47, 48 to receive biscuits removed from the hoppers, one by one, by the posts 40<b>. The hoppers 47, 48 each comprise a vertical slotted box 49 open at the bottom to permit the passage of the posts 40<b>. The lowermost biscuit of the stack 50 rests on ledges 51 having openings 52 for the escape of crumbs. The biscuit, next to the lowermost, is retained by a finger or tongue 54 vertically adjustable and secured to the hopper bv a set screw 55. When the lowermost biscuit is slid away by a post 40<b>, the next biscuit slides off the finger 54 on to the ledges 51 and is itself removed by the following post 40<b>. Guides 56 position the biscuits leaving the hopper 47 on the platforms 32.