GB707411A - A machine for cutting and filling confectionery articles - Google Patents

Abstract

707,411. Rotary conveyers. EGERTON, W. E. May 30, 1952 [June 5, 1951], No. 13258/51. Class 78 (1) [Also in Group VI] A machine for cutting and filling confectionery articles comprises a first' conveyer mechanism adjacent which is mounted a cutter arranged to sever the whole of the upper portion of each article from the lower portion thereof a filling material dispensing device to deposit filling material on to the lower portion and a second conveyer mechanism to displace the upper portion from the lower portion before filling and replace it afterwards. The first conveyer mechanism comprises a platform 6, having receptacles 7 to support confectionery articles, mounted on a shaft 8 in a bearing 9 intermittently rotatable through a Geneva motion. The latter comprises a wheel 10 on shaft 8 having slots 10a in which engage pins 11a on a platform 11 mounted on a shaft in a bearing which is rotated, through gears by motor 15. Rotary cutter 23 is mounted on driving shaft 14. The second conveyer mechanism comprises arms 26, a stationary cam ring 27, an arcuate platform 28 and plate 29 secured to the upper surface of platform 6 which supports pillars 31 in which slide shafts 32, integral with arms 26, having, at their lower ends, cam follower wheels 33 to engage cam ring 27. The dispensing device comprises two piston and cylinder assemblies 33, 34 of which the cylinders 36 are supplied from funnels 35. Each piston 37 is mounted on a piston rod 38 passing through a disc bearing 39 at one end of cylinder 36 the other end of the latter communicating with discharge pipe 40. The pistons 37 are operated through the rods 38 which are adjustably secured to links 46 carrying pins 46a engaging link 45 pivoted to shaft 42, sliding in block 43 and carrying pin 41 which engages channel 11b on the underside of Geneva platform 11. A clutch mechanism operated by handle 51 disconnects link 45 from pin 46a when required. Each receptacle 7, Fig. 1 has a loose base plate 62 having a pin 61 extending through the base of the receptacle to engage cam track 60 to raise the articles out of the receptacles and to engage cam track 77, adjustable through a linkage by knob 90, to control where the article is cut. An ejector arm 76 is mounted on shaft 74 and through shafts and linkages is operated to rotate each time platform 6 comes temporarily to rest. In operation, articles are fed into the receptacles, severed by knife 23, the upper portions are lifted by arms 26, two different sorts of filling are deposited on the lower portions from funnels 35 and the articles are ejected from the machine by an arm 76. Alternatively an endless belt conveyer may be used and a fixed knife blade may be used instead of rotary cutter 23. The Provisional Specification describes a similar apparatus in which the second conveyer comprises a central hub from which arms radiate to support the top portions, these arms being raised and lowered by cam followers on the arms engaging a stationary cam ring.