GB971828A - Improvements in or relating to suction apparatus for feeding articles - Google Patents

Abstract

971,828. Rotary conveyers; labelling machines. MOLINS MACHINE CO. Ltd., and F. SOUTHCOTT. Dec. 13, 1962 [Dec. 13, 1961]. No. 44645/61. Headings B8A and B8F. [Also in Division B6] Labels are separated one at a time from a magazine 6, fed past a gluing roller 51, and applied to a packet P, by a rotating suction drum 1. The suction drum 1 is provided with suction stations 2-5, each comprising two pairs of suction ports. Each pair of suction ports is connected to a transverse passageway 44 by radial bores 41, 43. The passageways extend through a gear-wheel 27 secured to the drum and the two passageways associated with each suction station co-operate with one of four arcuate channels 36-39 in the face of a housing 29. The channels 36-39 extend over 270 degrees and are connected to a source of suction via valves 13-16, respectively. The valves are mounted in the upper part of the housing 29, which is stationary and urged against the gear-wheel by the springs 30. The suction ports are vented to the atmosphere, to assist in depositing the label at a poisition P, by means of apertures 47-50 in the housing 29. Each valve sleeve is apertured at 17 to communicate with a manifold 12, connected to a source of suction by tube 10. The lower end of each sleeve forms a seat 18 for a ball 19. The seat 18 and ball 19 are adapted to permit a small air leak through the valve when closed. A spring 20 normally holds the ball away from the seat and in engagement with a ring 24. The latter is slotted at 25 to allow the passage of air from below to above the ball. In the event of a suction station failing to pick-up a label from the magazine 6, the suction ports remain open to the atmosphere and the ball is urged into engagement with the seat 18 to close the valve by means at a greater air pressure on the underside of the ball. Movement of the ball may close an electrical circuit to give a warning signal. For example, the ball may have an arm, Fig. 3 (not shown), passing through a rubber bush in an opening in a valve wall, which engages the operating lever of a switch. Alternatively, the valve seat is formed of metal and in two parts separated by insulating material, the two parts forming terminals in an electrical circuit. The ball is made from metal so that on moving into the seat 18, it bridges the two parts to close the circuit. A stationary strip 56 located in a groove in the drum surface, extends at a tangent to the drum at the position P, to strip the label from the drum. Specification 942,830 is referred to.