GB802228A - Improvements in and relating to article handling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

802,228. Roller conveyers. MATHEWS CONVEYER CO., Ltd. April 25, 1957, No. 13151/57. Class 78 (1). Apparatus for assembling articles, e.g. cartons, conveyed in single line into pairs arranged side-by-side comprises a guide 20, a transverse pusher 40 and a retractable stop 92, Fig. 6. The guide directs the cartons to a position in front of the pusher and the stop retains them in this position. When a row equal in length to the pusher is completed, the latter is actuated and pushes them to the position shown in Fig. 7. While this movement is taking place a stop 41 connected to the pusher arrests oncoming cartons. The pusher is then retracted and a second row of cartons forms in front of it, Fig. 8. On completion of this row the stop 92 is withdrawn and the cartons resume their movement along the conveyer. The apparatus is shown in plan in Figs. 1, 1A as applied to a power-driven roller conveyer. The guide 20 is pivoted at 22 and can be swung into the position shown in broken lines by a fluid-pressure actuated motor when it is desired to use the conveyer for wider cartons which cannot be placed side-by-side. When in this position it actuates switch 30 to put out of action all devices associated with the pairing of cartons. The rollers 36 in the vicinity of the pusher are inclined slightly to the direction of movement in order to direct the cartons into contact with the plate 38 of the pusher. The cartons are retained on the conveyer by rollers 18, 66. A shaft 70 carries fingers 82 which are moved upwards between the rollers 36 to raise the cartons above the rollers as the pusher transfers them. Fluid-pressure actuated motors 50, 78 operate the pusher and shaft 70, respectively. The pusher comes into action when a switch 62, Fig. 1A, has been actuated a predetermined number of times by passing articles. The transfer of the articles causes actuation of a switch 84, and this switch in combination with the switch 62, causes withdrawal of the stop 92 after a second row of articles has accumulated in front of the pusher. A switch 104 at the side of the conveyer is actuated by articles leaving the accumulation area to render inoperative the transfer mechanism.