GB819212A - Improvements in or relating to the manufacture of biscuits - Google Patents

Abstract

819,212. Wafer sandwich making machines. BAKER PERKINS Ltd. Oct. 25, 1957 [Sept. 27, 1956; July 25, 1957], Nos. 29570/56 and 23619/57. Class 28 (1). Apparatus for use in the manufacture of wafer sandwiches comprises a wafer separating table made up of a number of narrow strips and a mechanism for periodically moving the strips laterally from a receiving position disposed close together, in which they receive cut sandwich blocks, to a spaced position, in which the files of sandwiches are removed endwise, and back again to receive a further cut block. Wafer sandwich blocks 10 are fed in succession on to a stationary platform 11 by a conveyer 12 and on reaching position A they are moved alternately to left and right through cutters 14 from which they are fed in two parallel columns by alternately operating pushers 15 through cutters 16. The blocks are then pushed at positions B and C on to identical wafer separating tables 17 consisting of strips 18 (1 to 9, Fig. 2), the width of each being equal to one file of sandwiches. The tables then move laterally to positions D and E and the strips separate to separate the files of sandwiches. Each cut block is pushed on to its separating table by the immediately preceding cut block as it leaves the cutter, i.e. block 10A has been pushed to its position by block 10B and block 10E will push block 10D to position C as it leaves the cutters. Tables 17 are moved alternately from positions B or C to positions D or E and the sandwiches are transferred alternately from these positions to a belt conveyer feeding an enrober. The strips 18 of the two tables 17 are moved by a pair of levers 21, 21A connected by a cross-bar 22 and each connected to the individual strips 18 by links 23. Retractable guides may be provided between adjoining strips 18, Fig. 3 (not shown). The disarrangement of contracting sandwiches of adjacent blocks may be prevented by separating the blocks, e.g. B and A before the separating table operates. As shown, Fig. 4, a conveyer 19 comprises a transversely extending angle section 28 fixed to a pair of adaptor links 29 each attached to a driving chain 27. A trailing plate 33 is pivoted to section 28 and carries its free end rubber pads 34 which are controlled by a cam 35 engaging a roller 37 carried by a block 38 welded to plate 33 to engage the end rank 1e of sandwiches to pull the block clear of the sandwiches in the succeeding block so that the leading edge of block 2a comes to rest at y whereas the edge of rank 1e comes to rest at x. In one embodiment, Fig. 5, each wafer separating table is constituted by channel section trays alternate trays 18B at the same level as the base-plate 11 of the cutting unit and the remaining trays 18A being at a common higher level. The lines of blocks are guided by a system comprising a pair of side members 39 joined by a cross-member 40 with a holding down tongue 41 disposed above each file of sandwiches proceeding towards the lower trays 18B and channel guides 42 disposed above the sandwiches proceeding towards the higher trays 18A on ascending ramps 43. When the files of sandwiches have been fed on to the trays these separate and then the files are pushed by an overhead flight conveyer on to the band conveyer 20, ramps 44 being provided to conduct the sandwiches down to the level of conveyer 20. Separation of the fiiles of sandwiches in successive blocks is ensured in the files on the upper trays by the leading sandwiches tipping over peaks 45 on ramps 43. The sandwiches on the lower trays are given a push by curved extensions 46 on ramps 43 as the trays separate. Projecting tongues 47 on the trays engage guide slots 48 in the machine frame to ensure that the trays remain parallel as they move to and fro. Alternatively, each ramp 43 may lead to a horizontal platform 49 aligned with an associated tray 18A, the ramp 43 and tray 49 having a pair of continuous side guides 52, one of which has a curved extension 53 which operates similarly to extension 46. Rods 50, 51 control the sandwiches passing to the lower and upper trays respectively. In this arrangement, the trays are linked by links 23 to two pairs of operating levers 21, 21A joined by cross-members 22. The trays are moved by a cam driven by the cutter pusher mechanism and coacting with a follower on a pivoted bell-crank by adjusting link 61 to one of the members 22. The chains 27 of the overhead flight conveyer, driven by a chain drive 62, carry two cross-members 63 having alternately short and long fingers 64 which engage the sandwiches in trays 18A, 18B to push them down the delivery ramps 44 on to conveyer 20. In a modification, Fig. 15, links 23 are connected only to the two extreme trays and compression springs 65 disposed between adjacent trays urge them apart. In a further modification, Fig. 16 (not shown), only one link 23 is provided and adjacent trays are connected by horizontal lost motion studs. Specification 785,436 is referred to.