GB647980A - Can arranging conveyor mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

647,980. Endless-chain conveyers. CHISHOLM-RYDER CO. OF PENNSYLVANIA. Feb. 19, 1948, No. 4964. Convention date, May 23, 1944. [Class 78 (i)] Cans are spaced into groups as they are fed to an elevator, which conveys the groups to a predetermined height, where the cans of each group are discharged into a plurality of lines equal to the number of cans in the group. Shafts 31, 36 are journalled in side plates 20, 21 which have slots 30 at their upper ends for vertical adjustment of bearings 32 of shaft 31. A pair of endless chains passed around sprockets 34, 35 on shafts 31, 36 are joined at intervals by rods 43 to provide spaces slightly greater than a can diameter. Shaft 31 is continuously rotated by a motor, not shown. A pair of vertically disposed U-shaped guides 40, Fig. 10, guides the chains on the conveying run. Cans are fed into a shoot 51 hinged at 52 to the framework and pass to a flexible strip of fabric 53 which is supported by curved guides 56 and hinged at one end 54 while the other end is supported by springs 60 adjustably secured to the framework for varying the tension. Rods 43 engage between the cans while the flexible strip 53 resiliently supports cans which may be forced down owing to irregular feed causing them to fall vertically below a rod 43. The cans are spaced into groups during feeding by a pair of cams 70, Fig. 12, which are secured to the shaft 36 and proportioned so that after a predetermined number, e.g. six, of cans has passed it blocks the next space between rods 43, preventing entry of a can, the following space receiving the first can of the next group. The groups are elevated between plates 27 and 66, Fig. 12, until each can is opposite one of the discharge shoots which consists of lips 73 from which extend flexible plates 74 receiving the ends of angle iron tracks 75. Plate 27 terminates at the first shoot and a pair of doors 81, Fig. 7, is placed above it. Guide plates 79 are situated at the sides of the discharge openings. On a group of cans reaching the position of alignment with the openings, a series of push plates 107, Fig. 3, pivotally mounted on shafts 106 in the frame are operated by a pair of cams 99 secured to the shaft 36 which through follower rollers 100 raise a pair of bars 97 slidably mounted in brackets 98, Fig. 1, on the outside of plates 20, 21. Outwardly projecting pins 96 on bars 97 engage levers 87, 88 pivoted at 91 so that their remote ends 89, Fig. 7, move vertically downwards in inclined slots 85, 86, Fig. 7, in the doors 81. This forces the doors apart. At the same time inwardly projecting pins 108, Fig. 3, on bars 97 engage arms 105 secured to the shafts 106, causing the push plates 107 to eject the cans. A roller 110 may be placed against the flexible member 53, Fig. 1, to ensure the cans passing into the space between plates 27 and 66. The apparatus may be used in an inclined position, in which case push plates 107 may not be required.