GB765013A - Improvements in or relating to articles distributing means - Google Patents

Abstract

765,013. Distributing articles; conveyers. UNILEVER, Ltd. Feb. 21, 1955 [Feb. 19, 1954], No. 5186/55. Class 78 (1). Articles are distributed from a supply line to two or more conveyer lines by a device comprising an assembly surface arranged to receive a predetermined number of articles in a row, means actuated when said predetermined number of articles has been assembled for moving one or more of the assembled articles transversely to stagger two or more of them, and means for displacing the staggered articles transversely of the direction of the staggering movement on to the conveyer lines. In one form, Fig. 1, the articles pass from a supply line 1a (belt conveyer or gravity shoot) to a table 6 where they pile up against a stop 5a. A pressure-sensitive switch associated with stop 5a causes simultaneous actuation of pushers 7a, 8a, 9a when a line of articles has assembled whereby the pushers move from retracted positions at the side of table 6 to the positions shown, staggering the articles. A pusher 10 is then actuated to push the staggered articles into delivery lines 4a, 4b, 4c (which again may be conveyers or gravity shoots). In another form, Fig. 4, supply lines la, 1b feed articles against stops 16a, 16b which operate pressure-sensitive switches 17a, 17b when respective lines are assembled. Pushers 7a, 8a, 7b, 8b are adapted to act on the respective assembled lines to stagger articles from each assembled line on the plate 6 for subsequent delivery by a pusher 22 to delivery lines 4a, 4b of a delivery belt, a control circuit being associated with switches 17a, 17b such that the two sets of pushers 7a, 8a and 7b, 8b cannot be operated together, that set associated with the first contact to be closed operating first. Pushers 8a, 8b push articles from the respective lines against opposite sides of a stop-plate 19, whilst separate stop-plates 20, 21 are associated with the pushers 7a, 7b, the appropriate one being projected while the other is retracted. The pushers are controlled by a common cam-shaft, their followers normally being held away from the cams but being released under control of the switches to cause the pushers to perform their various movements. The control circuit is such that if the supply of articles on one line ceases, the pushers continue to act on the other line. The pressure-sensitive switches may be replaced by photo-electric cells.