GB700975A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus for loading articles into receptacles - Google Patents

Abstract

700,975. Shoots and hoppers; pneumatic transfer apparatus ; endless conveyers ; load engaging devices. ELECTRIC & MUSICAL INDUSTRIES, Ltd. Sept. 25, 1950 [Sept. 24, 1949], No. 24572/49. Classes 78 (1) and 78 (4). [Also in Groups XVII and XXIII] A machine for loading articles into receptacles comprises a plurality of discharge passages along which the articles are conveyed, stops arranged to arrest articles in the passages to isolate predetermined numbers of articles in the passages from the remainder, means actuating the stops to permit the isolated articles to be discharged from the passages, and means for locating a receptacle to receive a batch of discharged articles. As shown, zinc cans for electric dry cells are fed by a belt conveyer 53 towards a curved shoot 10 formed of a flat base plate on which are mounted a plurality of T-section partitions forming nearly closed passages. The cells are guided into these passages by further fixed partitions 54 extending over the belt and adjoining the upper ends of the passages, a transparent hinged cover 54<SP>1</SP> being provided at this point. The passages are continued downwardly by a corresponding set of vertical tubes 17 ending in a correspondingly perforated cross-bar 13 and further by a second corresponding set of tubes 16 which terminate at their upper ends in perforations in a cross-bar 12 spaced from the cross-bar 13 by a gap in which a plate 15 is reciprocable to close or open all the passages simultaneously. Each tube 17 is drilled at the back with a hole 23, Fig. 2, spaced just over the height of a can above the plate 15. A tube 24 welded in hole 23 provides a support in which a plunger, consisting of a rod 26 and a disc 25 resiliently held against a pin 28 passing through rod 26 by a spring 26<SP>1</SP>, is mounted for sliding by means of a tubular extension of the disc 25. One end of rod 26 is provided with a head 27 while the other end projects freely beyond disc 25. All the discs 25 are movable in opposite directions by means of two cross-bars 29, 31 engaging opposite faces of the discs, the bar 29 being cut away at parts 30 to accommodate the ends of'rods 26. Cross-bars 29, 31 are rigidly connected by brackets 32 and the whole assembly'29, 31, 32 is carried by one end of a pair of sliding bars 33 whose other ends are rigidly secured to the plate 15 by means of pillars 34. The structure 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 15 is linked to a crank assembly acted upon in one direction by a. spring 42 and in the other direction through a link 49 by depression of a foot pedal such that upon an operator depressing the foot pedal plate 15 is moved to block the discharge passages and the plunger heads 27 are moved clear of the passages thus allowing cans to drop on to the plate 15 in columns one above the other in the tubes 17. When the foot pedal is released spring 42 causes the plungers 27 to try to force their way between the lowest cans in the tubes 17 standing on the plate 15 and the next higher cans. If this is impossible the disc 25 slides on the rod 26 and the spring 26<SP>1</SP> presses the head 27 into frictional engagement with the next higher can.. At the same time plate 15 moves to free the lowest cans standing on the plate and these are received in a tray positioned by the operator on slides 5 between guides 6, one of which may be adjustable, or may have an adjustable part associated with it, to suit the width of the tray. The cans are received in a row, preferably in holes in a tray consisting of three perforated superposed sheets, the lowest sheet having holes smaller than a can diameter, for inspection purposes. The tray is positioned to receive a number of rows of cans by locating it against one way vertical spring plungers 7 in the slides 5. Alternatively the operator may be dispensed with and replaced by an intermittently advanced conveyer whose drive controls operation of the plate 15 and plungers 27. Instead of being vertical, tubes 16, 17 may be horizontal and the cans acted on by a pneumatic system of which tubes 16, 17 may form a part. For placing rows of cans on the belt 54 from a box a manually operated set of expanding V-clips 64, Fig. 5, may be used, the clips being mounted on a bar 62 carried by a handle 63 and being pressed into the cans to lift them. For releasing the cans on to the belt 53 a lever 72 is depressed which causes the lowering of a bar 66 relative to bar 62, the bar 66 being engaged with the upper limbs 65 of the clips whereby the clips are compressed and the cans released.