US2439883A

US2439883A - Article traying machine

Info

Publication number: US2439883A
Application number: US476780A
Authority: US
Inventors: Carl A Brown
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1943-02-22
Filing date: 1943-02-22
Publication date: 1948-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 1965-04-20

Description

April 1948- c. A. BROWN :TAL

ARTICLE TRAYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 22, 1943 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 iii wmw m m ZN M F. D Nm R m by I Their- A't't'or'neg.

April 9 c. A. BROWN arm. 2,439,883

ARTICLE TRAYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 22, 1943 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 l\ Q Q 0 g 1 O a kg 0 z 0 Q \5 i Mg. & o F N k u :3 m q ID w k I g i 911 I E g (\2 N w. m if: Q S -1- S S *1 I T" m Q 00 Q co & Q :3] R R a g Q g N \Q N lnven'tor's.

[3 3 Cart A. Brown, N Frank B. Van Sickle, Dec. By,

Doris M. Van Sickle, Admrx., by ,W/

Their AWcornea April 0, 1948. c. A. BROWN EI'AL 2,439,883

1 ARTICLE TRAYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 22. 1943 7 Sheets-Sheet s Fig 3.

lnventorst Carl A. Brown, 1

57 Frank B. Van Sickle, Dec. B5,

Doris M. Van Sickle, Adm1- Their A'htor'ne April 20, 1948. c. A. BROWN EIAL ARTICLE TRAYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 22, 1943 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 B X 1% WDA S Q wmmw nA m wm m .maNV B s n. er Hm bgj Their A't't'or'neg.

April 20, 1948. c. A. BROWN ErAL' ARTICLE TRAYING- MACHINE Filed Feb. 22, 1943 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Inventor's CarL A. Brown, Frank B. Van SickLe, Dec. B

Doris V Sickle, Admrx.,

Their A't'torneg.

April 0, 1948. c. A. BROWN ETAL 39,883

ARTICLE TRAYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 22, 1943 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Fig lnven'bors fax CGT'L A. Brown, wg fw Frar k B. Van Sicklefiec. By, [M DOT'IS M. Van SickLe, Admrx, W \M/ Patented Apr. 20, 1948 anrrcm mama meme Carl A. Brown, Chardon/Ohlo, and Frank B. Van Sickle, deceased, late of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, by Doris M. Van Sickle, administratrix, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, assignors to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application February 22, 1943, Serial No. 476,780

9 Claims.

Our invention relates to automatic apparatus for placing articles in trays and more particularly to automatic apparatus for placing bulbs for thereof which must be placed in trays to enable the handling, inspecting, frosting and storing of the bulbs to be carried out efficiently. The bulbs are presented on a relatively Wide moving belt and must be placed in a plurality of rows of openings in trays in an upright position. The bulbs cover almost the entire top surface of the belt and are provided in such quantities that trays are required to carry them from place to place either manually or in conveyor systems, etc.

An object of our invention is to provide apparatus for receiving a constant stream of disarranged bulbs, orientating said bulbs and thereafter placing them at selected positions in a tray.

Another object of our invention is to provide apparatus for automatically placing large quantities of bulbs into trays at a very high rate of speed.

Another object of our invention is to provide apparatus for automatically placing glass bulbs of different sizes and shapes in trays with negligible breakage and in a ready and satisfactory manner. Although all glass bulbs have a generally bulbous portion and an extended neck portion, they vary considerably and are very'difiicult to handle, particularly in large numbers, where many may be broken by striking against one another. The satisfactory manner of operation also depends on the ability of the machine to operate both at slightly and greatly varying speeds as the speed of manufacture of a bulb is often varied slightly whereas different bulbs are often manufactured at greatly different speeds.

Still another object of our invention is to provide automatic apparatus for orientating considerable numbers of bulbs into a common position, for advancing a succession of trays toa receiving or loading station and for inserting the neck portion of said bulbs into openings in the trays Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the remaining portion of said machine, which portion coordinates the movements of the bulbs and trays and subsequently places the bulbs in the openings of the trays; Fig. 3 is a plan view partially broken away of the bulb receiving portion of the machine; Fig. 4 is a perspectiveview of one of the bulb guides and adjacent partitions; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the bulb feed and storage chain; Fig. 6 is an elevation of a portion of the discharge end of the feed and storage chain, the bulb slide rails, and other apparatus at the bulb placement station X (Fig. 2) with the support bearings in the side frame and other portions thereof broken away; Fig. 7 is a vertical section along line l-l of Fig. 1 of the forward end of the tray conveyor; Fig. 8 is an end view partially broken away of the tray advancing means taken from a section through the tray conveyor along line 8-8 of Fig. 2; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the tray advancing chain and the support bar therefor; Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the tray filling end of the machine with a portion of the drive means broken away; Fig. 11 is a view of the opposite end of the bulb escapement wheel from that shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 12 is a plan view of the tray filling end of the machine with a center portion and other top portions broken away; Fig. 12A is a vertical section through the escapement wheel adjusting bar along line l2A--l2A of Fig. 12; and Fig. 13 is a view of the opposite end of the bulb placement wheel from that shown in Fig. 2.

The principal steps of operation of the machine shown in the drawing include the separation of the bulbs 20 received from the conveyor belt 2! into a plurality of rows corresponding to the rows of openings in the trays and, at the same time, the orientation-of said bulbs 20 to corresponding positions. These operations are performed by the apparatus at the left of Fig. 1 and result in the placing of the bulbs 20 between the moving belts of the feeding and storage means 22 which advancesthe bulbs 20 to the right end of the machine shown in Fig. 2. In this latter portion of the machine, apparatus is provided for releasing single bulbs 20 from each of the rows simultaneously and for placing said bulbs 2|! into the openings in the trays. 23 during the course of the movement of said trays 23 through the machine. The trays 23 enter the machine at a point below the bulb conveyor 2 I at the left end thereof and are advanced through the machine first by a conveyor belt 24 shown in Fig. 1 and then by the apparatus 25 shown in Fig. 2 which adapts the motion thereof to the operation of the adjacent bulb release and placement apparatus. Separate electric motors are provided for driving the various portions of the machine.

The bulbs 20, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, are introduced in the left end of the machine by means of the conveyor belt 2| and usually cover almost the full top surface thereof. The conveyor belt 2| extends to a position adjacent the feed roll 26 which is rotated in a clockwise direction causing said bulbs 26 to be fed immediately against the assembly comprised of the discs 21 which, in turn, divide them into a plurality (ten) of courses of movement. The roll 26 is located below the conveyor belt 2| and agitates the bulbs 20 so forcefully that they are virtually tossed into the disc assembly by the rotative movement of the roll 26 and are separated from each other somewhat so that they usually do not contact one another. The peripheral portion of the discs 21 is thin, whereas the center portion is relatively thick and the bulbs 28 which readily pass between adjacent discs 21 roll and move about until they are orientated into alignment with the space between the discs 21 and rest on the converging sides thereof. The disc assembly which includes the hub formed by a plurality of drums 28 is rotated at a relatively rapid rate so that the bulbs 20 contacting the discs 21 are quickly advanced and are removed from the path of succeeding bulbs 20. As shown in Fig. 3, the discs 21 are separated by the rings 29 and, together with the drums 28 of the hub and the end plates 36 at opposite sides thereof, are clamped into a unitary assembly by the tie bolts 3|. A shaft 32 which extends completely through the assembly provides for the support thereof by its engagement with the brackets 33 on the girders 34 of the frame on opposite sides of the machine and provides for the rotation of the assembly by the drive means (Fig. 1) comprising pulley 36, belt 31, pulley 38, speed reducer 39 and the electric motor 46. The roll 26 is also turned by the shaft 32, the drive being provided by the pulley 4| (Fig. 3) on the end of said shaft 32 at the far side of the machine and the belt 42 which runs in a suitable groove 43 in the roll 26. Extending arms 44 of the brackets 33 support the opposite ends of the roll 26. In this particular instance both the discs 21 and the covering 45 over roll 26 are made of rubber so that the slippage between the bulbs 20 and these parts, the noise created by the engagement of the parts with the bulbs 28, and the breakage of the bulbs 28 are reduced to a minimum. These latter advantages are realized partly because the discs 21 are somewhat flexible. The speed of operation of the machine and consequent speed of rotation of the discs 21 often cause the bulbs 20 to be thrown upward against the cloth screen 46 which is carried by the frame 41 of pipes held by the arms 44 of brackets 33. The bulbs 20 are prevented from rolling outward awayfrom the endmost discs 21 by shields (corresponding to that shown at 48). In this particular instance the bulbs 28 are still at a fairly high-temperature, having been taken from an annealing oven by the conveyor belt 2|, and it is preferred that a source of compressed air be connected to frame 41 and a series of openings be made in the under side of the

cross members

49 and 50 thereof to allow cooling jets of air to play on the discs 21 to prevent them from reaching a high temperature and consequently deteriorating.

The bulbs 20 are carried along with discs 21 until the rotation thereof brings them into contact with the belts whereupon they are separated from the discs 21 and, while still retaining their ten separated courses of travel, are carried into the adjacent feed and storage means 22. The bulbs 28 come to rest on the belts 5| in a substantially horizontal position and are not correspondingly orientated as the open neck or bulbous portion may be foremost in its course of movement, but in either instance are carried with the belts 5| until the bulbous portion passes over and comes to rest on adjacent feed belts 52. In this manner all bulbs 28 are caused to rest in similar vertical positions between feed belts 52, which correspond in number to the discs 21 and therefore provide corresponding (ten) courses or channels of movement.

The belts 5| which provide for the transfer and final orientation of the bulbs 20 extend about the rings '29 located between each of the discs 21 and between the feed belts 52 to the idler drum 53 which turns on the shaft 54 held by the brackets 55 on the girders 34 of the frame of the machine. The rotation of the rings 29 creates the movement in the belts 5| which pass along a channel in the guide plates 56 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) and between the partitions 51 in the course of their movement from between the discs 21 to a position between the feed belts 52. The guide plates 56 function as supports for the belts 5| and prevent them from being wedged between the discs 21 and belts 5| in certain instances. The partitions 51, on the other hand, confine the bulbs 20 to the course of movement and prevent them from rolling from the belts 5| so as to become disarranged and separated from their means of movement. Both the guide plates 56 and the partitions 51 are mounted on the transverse bar 58 held by the brackets 59 carried by the girders 34 at opposite sides of the machine.

The bulbs 28 are now held by the belts 52 of the feeding and storage means 22. which belts 52 are in alignment with the discs 21 and which are of such a width that the bulbous portions of said bulbs 20 rest on the belts 52 on opposite sides thereof, whereas the neck portions extend down therebetween. Each belt 52 is comprised of a chain 60 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5) which extends about a sprocket 6| adjacent said discs 21 at the left end of the machine and a second sprocket 62 adjacent the tray filling apparatus at the right end of the machine and provides a series of fibre blocks 63 attached to the links thereof which butt against each other forming a smooth continuous surface for carrying the bulbs 20. The sprockets 6| and 62 which are mounted on the

shafts

64 and 65 respectively, the former of which is held by the brackets 66 on the side girders 34 of the frame and the latter of which is pivoted in bearings (like that shown at 61, Fig. 6) in the side frames 68 and 69, are separated a considerable distance so that a comparatively lengthy section of the belt 52 is presented and so that a goodly number of bulbs 20 are held thereby at all times. All belts 52 are advanced by rotation of the sprockets 6| and 62, which are turned by the sprocket 16 on the end of shaft 65 adjacent side frame 68 and are moved independently of all other apparatus by means connected thereto through the chain 1|. The chain 1|, as shown in Fig. 2, passes over the idler sprockets 12 and 13 attached to the side frame 68 and a sprocket driven by the electricmotor 14 and moves the belts 52 so rapidly that the bulbs 20 are carried away from the left end thereof as soon as they are received. In this way the bulbs 29 can not interfere with the movements of each other or be broken by contact with each other. The movement of the belts B2 slides them along the U-shaped bars I5 (Figs. 1, 2 and 5) which are mounted on the uprights I3 extending from the cross members ll of the frame between the girders .34 and finally carries said bulbs 28 against the parts of the wheel I8 which control all further movements thereof.

Since the bulbs 20 are not divided equally between the ten different courses of movement defined by the belts 52 at all moments and are received at irregular intervals as shown, a considerable reserve supply thereof is provided on the belts 52 in order that a bulb 28 will always be in position to be released by the wheel I8. This reserve supply is in motion at all times but at a slower rate than the movement of the belts 52 and is not disturbed by the difference in motion as the belts 62 present a smooth preferably wax surface which permit them to slide below said bulbs 20. U-shaped guides 13 which are mounted over the reserve bulb supply on a cross bar 88 between the side frames I58 and 89 prevent the bulbs. 28 from climbing over each other and moving out of position. It is preferred that an operator be stationed at the side of the machine adjacent the feed and storage belts 52 to check on the distribution of the bulbs 20 between the ten diiferent courses of travel, as it may be necessary to clear broken bulbs which have been accepted by the machine and correct other conditions that are interfering with the proper distribution therein. It may also be necessary to remove, manually, incorrectly positioned bulbs 28 which have been thrown over the discs 21 and onto the belts 52 and move bulbs 20 from between one set of belts 52 to another on occasion. The return lengths of the belts 52 which extend between the lower edges of the sprockets BI and 62 are supported at intervals by the rollers 8i and 82 (Figs. 1 and 2) which are held by the bearing blocks 83 attached to the under side of the girderstt on oppositesides' of the machine. In order that the machine be adapted to handle various sizes of bulbs and to operate at the sometimes slightly difierent speeds of operation of the apparatus advancing the bulbs thereto, it is preferred that the electric motor 18 be of an adjustable speed type and that means be provided for adjusting its speed as desired.

The release and-placement of the bulbs 23 into the trays 23 is dependent on the advancement of said trays 23 through conveyor 23 located below the discs 21 etc., at the left end (Fig. 1) of the machine and the tray advancing apparatus 25 below the right end (Fig. 2) of the feed and storage belts 52. A source of trays providing a constant supply thereof must be connected to the end of the conveyor 24, which source in this particular instance is a conveyor (not shown) having considerable length so as to afford storage for a considerable number of trays 23 and therefore provide a ready source for the great number required. Common speeds of operation require that eight to fifteen trays 23 be provided every minute. The guide rails 86 of conveyor 24 can, if desired, be continuations of similar rails of the source of trays 23 and as shown in Fig. 7 provide slide ways for the angular bars 81 along opposite sides of the trays 23. The

bars 81 extend completely around the fiat plate 88 of the trays 23 which must advance into the present machine until the bar 87 along the forward edge engages and is pulled along by the moving belts 8989. As shown in Fig. 1, each belt 89 passes around an idler pulley 90 on the stub shaft 8| extending from the bracket 92, passes along to the shoe 99 which raises it into the path of movement of the bars 81 of the trays 23 and passes around a driven pulley94 (Figs. 2 and 8) on the driven shaft 95 under the right end of the machine. The brackets 92 are fastened to the bars 96 by bolts extending through slots therein and can be adjusted along said bars 96 to tighten or loosen the belts 89-89. The guide rails 83, in turn, are fastened together by the cross-bars 91, 98 and 99, the first two 97 supported by the rod IIII carried by brackets I02 at opposite sides-of the base I03 of the machine and extends between corresponding brackets I (only one being shown), on opposite sides of the end of said base I03, which support the girders 33. A roller I35 on a pin I88 on each bracket I08 provides an intermediate support for the lower span of the belts 89.

The tray advancing apparatus 2'5 as shown in Figs. 2 and 8 provides guide rails Ill'l similar to those of the conveyor 24 for supporting the trays 23 and also provides cams I'M-I08 in the direct line of movement of the bar 8l on the front and back edges to control the movement thereof. The guide rails Ill'l are stationary members being attached at intervals to the side frames 68 and 69 by the blocks I08 (indicated in dot-dash lines in Fig. 8) and provide inclined slide ways for carrying the trays 23 into operative relation to the bulb escapement and placement apparatus rotation of the cams I 88-408 which are attached to the pulleys 9494 on the driven shaft 95 carries the notches IIB into position to receive the bar 87 at the front edge of the tray 23 so that the belts 89-89 can advance it beyond the cams Hill-498. Normally, one tray 23 will butt tightly against another and the bars 81 at the back and front edge of succeeding trays 23 will pass into the notches III) of the cam I08 automatically so that no interruptions will occur in the movements of the trays 23. If a tray 23 becomes separated from the succeeding tray 23 or is introduced at the incorrect time, the bar 81 at the front edge will butt against the raised portion of the cams I08--III8 which stop it from moving momentarily. Such trays 23 are prevented from being forced over the raised portion of the cams lim -I08 by the downward pressure of the roller III which is mounted so as to rest on the top surface thereof and which is weighted down by the blocks II2 attached to the, bearing blocks I I3 on the spindles extending from opposite ends thereof. Slotted arms IM engaging the. end spindles of roller III and attached to, the guide rails I'I at opposite sides of the machine limit the movement of the roller III to a substantially vertical direction. The adjacent ends of the driven shaft 95 is journaled in the bearing blocks II which rest on the inclined surfaces provided by the base plates II8.

At the same time, the notches 'I I0 in the cams I08 are turned into position to receive the bar 81 at the edge of a tray 23, two dogs Ill and H8 on each of a pair of chains I I9 extending between sprockets I20 and I2I on shafts 85 and I22 respectively are carried into positions in front and behind said bar 81. These dogs II! and H8 now control the movement of the trays 23 as there is only suilicient space between them for the bars 81 at the back and front edge of abutted trays 23 and advance said trays 23 through the movement of the chains II8 which in turn are driven from the electric motor I23 in combination with the bulb eseapement and placement means by the driving mechanism within the gear case I24 (Fig. on side frame 89. As indicated in dotdash lines, the shaft I'2I is driven in combination with other apparatus of the machine from a lay shaft I25 within the gear case I24 through worm gears I28 and I21, which shaft I25 extends nearly the full length of the case and is driven at reduced speed through the worm gears I28 and I29 by the shaft I30 of the electric motor I23. Each dog II'I-I I8 is fastened to ears (Fig. 9) extending from a link in the chain II9 and rests on corresponding ears of an adjacent link during the intervals it is following the straight course of movement between sprockets I and I2I. Stationary slide bars I3I clamped to the rods I32 and I33 extending between side frames 88 and 89 of the machine provide a rest for the .top straight portions of the chains II9 so that they follow the course of movement of the trays 23 at all times. In this particular instance, the electric motor I23 is the adjustable speed type and is caused to operate at a speed which will advance the trays 23 and operate other portions of the machine at a sufficient rate to care for all the bulbs 20 received by the machine. The trays 23 are advanced continuously at a uniform rate of speed and present a succession of openings I09 at the loading station X as said openings I09 are arranged at regular intervals along the tray 23. Succeeding trays 23 provide othersimilarly grouped openings I09 and form an endless procession thereof as the first and last openings I09 of adjacent trays 23 are spaced the same distance as those in the mid portion of a tray 23. The openings I09 are also divided into longitudinally extending rows corresponding in number (ten) to the courses of movement of the bulbs 20 held by the feed and storage belts 52.

Because of the high speed of operation of the machine, several bulbs 20 are in the process of being loaded into the trays 23 at all times, a

process which includes the release of a bulb 20 from each of the ten courses of movement along the feed and storage belts 52 and then the neck first insertion of the bulbs 20 through the openings I09 in the trays 23. The release or escapement operation is performed by a wheel I8 (Figs. 2, 11 and 12) having a plurality of blades or paddles I34 which are carried down between the last two bulbs 28 in each course of movement along the feed and storage belts 52 in succeede ing intervals and which prevent all but the last bulbs 20 from being advanced by said belts 52. The blades I34 are attached to short arms I35 pivotally mounted on pins I38 extending from hubs I3I-I3l' at the opposite ends of shaft I38 and, at the time of their first engagement with the bulbs 20, extend in a radial direction from the shaft I38. As the wheel I8 turns and succeeding bulbs 20 are separated from those in the line, the blades I34 swing up out of the path of movement of the bulbs 20 so that they are free to travel along with the feed and storage belts 52. This latter movement of the blades I34 is under the control of the cams I39 which are located on the ends of shaft I38 adjacent the hubs I31 and which are engaged by the rollers I40 on the arms I extending from the ends of said blades I34. The biasing of the springs I42 extending between posts in the hubs I31 and the arms I causes the blades I34 to be held so that the rollers I40 follow the contour of the cams I38 which do not turn with shaft I38 as they are held by the engagement of the yokes I43 with the flat portion of the bosses I44 thereof. A pin I45 attaches each yoke I43 to a bar I48 (Figs. 12 and 12A) which is held by the side frame (88 or 88) and which can be moved longitudinally therein, so as to turn the cam I39 and change the timing of the swinging movement of the blades I34, by adjustment to the clamping bolt I41 and the adjusting screw I48 (Fig. 12).

The rotation of the bulb escapement wheel I8, which is dependent on the rate 'of movement of the trays 23, originates in the lay shaft I25 (Fig. 10) of the driving means within the gear case I24 on the lower portion of the side frame 89 and is transferred to the shaft I38 supporting said wheel I8 through the vertical shaft I50 and the worm gear I5I, worm wheel I52 and stub shaft I53 within the box I54 adiaoent one end of said shaft I38. A flanged coupling I55 connects the end of the shaft I38 to the stub shaft I53 whereas the pair of bevel gears I58 and I51, the latter of which engages splines on the end of the shaft I50, connects shaft I50 and lay shaft I25.

When other sizes and shapes of bulbs 20 are being fed and different speeds of operation are being used, the escapement wheel I8 must be raised or lowered so as to operate properly. This adjustment is made by altering the position of the bearing block I58 in the slide ways provided in the guide bars I59 and I and the box I54 in the slide ways provided by the brackets I8I and I82, and is produced by manually rotating the crank I83 (Fig. 10) of means providing for the equal adjustment ofboth bearing block I58 and box I54. The crank I83 is attached to one end of a rod I84 extending between the side frames 88 and 89 of the machine and provides for the operation of corresponding means at each side of the machine which means (referring to the single instance shown) is comprised of the worm gear I85, worm wheel I88, the threaded spindle I81 and a vertically disposed rod I88. The rotation of the rod I84 and worm gear I85 causes the rotation of the worm wheel I88 and screws the spindle I81 in or outof the end of the rod I88 causing it and the box I54 which rests on its upper end to move down or up. The worm gear and wheel I85 and I88 respectively and spindle I8'I are enclosed within the gear case I89 which also functions as a guide for the lower end of the rod I88. The brackets I'I0-II0 similarly provide guiding means for intermediate portions of the rod I88. In the instance of the apparatus on the opposite side of the machine,

. 9 the bearing block I58 (Fig. 11) rests on the end of a rod I68 corresponding to the rod I68.

The operations of the escapement wheel 18 must occur at different intervals with respect to the movements of the trays 28 on occasions when smaller and differently shaped bulbs are being fed and accordingly must be capable of being adjusted through the few degrees of separation between the blades I34 thereof. This adjustment is made in the drive means for the escapement wheel 18 by manually turning the bushing "I held by the gear box I so that the screw threads of said bushing I'I'I move the sleeve I12 and the worm gear II vertically with respect to the worm wheel I52. The lead of the teeth of the worm ear I 5| turns the worm wheel I52 and the escapement wheel 18 the required amount. Notches in the periphery of the bushing III permit the bushing I'I'I to be turned more readily and permit it to be locked in place by a pin (not shown) placed in an opening in the top of the gear box I58. The drive shaft I50 holding the worm gear I5I is mounted in the bearings I13 and I19 at a fixed position with relation thereto and is therefore moved vertically therewith. During this latter movement of the. shaft I50 and that movement occurring during the vertical adjustment of the escapement wheel 18, the splines on the lower end of the shaft I50 slide in the bevel gear I51 without disturbing its position in the gear case I20.

A bulb 20, after being released by the escapement wheel 18, is carried along with the feed and storage belts 52 (Fig. 2) until it is brought against one of the moving fingers I15 of the placement means which controls and directs its movement to an opening I09 in the tray 23 at station X. The fingers I15 (Figs. 12 and 13) of the placement means are extending portions of the vanes I16 of the placement wheel I11 and are carried down between the feed and storage belts 52 during the counterclockwise rotation of the wheel I11 to a point where the force of the feed belts 52 and an air jet from the nozzle I18 cause the bulbs 20 to be laid thereagainst. The nozzle I18 is mounted on a pipe I19 extending from the manifold I80 which is, in turn, mounted in the side the open neck of the bulb 2o passes into the opening I09 and allows the bulb 20 to travel along with the tray 23 so that it retains its relation with the said opening I09. Finally the bulb 20 slides from the guide rails I85 to the tray 23. As in the prior instance, the nozzles I89 are mounted on pipes I80 extending from a manifold I9I which is in turn held by cylindrical blocks I82 and I 93 (Figs. 2 and 10 respectively) retained by the side frames 68 and 69 respectively. The manifold I9I is free to turn in block I92 and is positioned by the block I93 which is normally turned by the expansion of the spring I94 extending between posts in the handle I95 attached to thecylindrical block I93 and the side frame 69 so that the shoulder I96 thereof is against the stop screw I91 in the block I98 on side frame 69. Adjustment of the stop screw I91 turns the manifold I8I and redirects the air jets. In certain instances broken glass, etc., whichmay have fallen on the trays 23 and the adjacent parts of the machine and which may be interfering with the movements of the bulbs 20', can be dislodged therefrom by depressing the air jets momentarily through manual pressure on the handle I95.

The fingers I15 and vanes I16 of the placement wheel I11 are separated farther than succeeding openings I09 in the trays 23 and are caused to change their relation in the wheel I11 directly after the bulb 20 drops into the opening I09 so as not to interfere with the bulb 20 in the adjacent opening I09 in the tray 23. This action of the fingers I15 (Figs. '12 and 13) results from a corresponding movement of the vanes I16 which are mounted on arms 208 pivotally fastened-to the hubs 20I-20I adjacent the ends of the shaft 202, which movement is caused by the passage of the rollers 203 on other arms 204- extending from the ends of the vanes I16 from the high parts of the cams 205-205 located adjacent the hubs '20I-20I. The cams 205 are stationary members held in place by the yokes 206 which are frame 69 and the cylindrical block I8I and which is connected to a source (not shown) of compressed air through the block MI and pipe I82. Slots (not shown) in the flange of the block I8I permit it and the manifold I80 to be turned with respect to the clamping screws I83 so thatthe air jet may be redirected if desired. Still fur ther rotation of the placement wheel I11, after the bulb 20 is laid on a finger I15 thereof, carries a succeeding finger I15 into position behind the 'bulb 20 so that it is separated from the next bulb 20 to be advanced along the feed belts 52 and carries the bulbous portion of said first bulb '20 from the feed belts 52 to the inclined guide rails I85 which are in line therewith. The guide rails I85 are stationary members being attached to the bar I86 extending between the cylindrical blocks I81-I88 (Figs. 6 and 10) in the side frames 68 and 69 and support the bulb 20 which is moved therealong by the finger I15 of the placement wheel I1.'I. finger I15 holding the bulb 20 changes during the rotation of the placement wheel I11 until the bulb 20, which is kept thereagainst by a second The angularity of the jet' of air from the nozzle I89, is directly aligned parts of the cams 205bring the vanes I16 back to their prior position. The means of supporting and rotating the placement wheel I11 corresponds to similar means associated with the escapement wheel 18 and comprises a bearing block 206 (Figs. 12 and 13) between the guide bars 201 and 208 on side frame 68 at one end thereof and the gear box 209 (Figs. 10 and 12) between the brackets 2H] and 2 on side frame 69 at the opposite end thereof. Corresponding bolts 2I2 and brackets 2 I3 below the bearing block 206 and the gear box 209 bear the weight of the opposite ends of the placement wheel I11 and permit it to be adjusted vertically. The gear box 209 andassociated apparatus are duplications of box I 54 and associated apparatus and provide a stub shaft 11 openings I09 in the trays 23, can be adjusted by rotating the bushing 2!! on the box 209.

The bulb feeding or traying apparatus is operated continuously corresponding to the regular movements of the trays 23 and fills the openings I09 thereinas rapidly as they are presented. As the trays 23 are filled, they are pushed along the rails I01 and I! by the succeeding trays 23 and pass from the machine to another conveyor (not shown) or other means which is capable of caring for them without disturbing their regular motion along the guide rails i01l 01.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In apparatus of the class described for feeding articles such as lamp bulbs comprising means for guiding a row of the bulbs along a course of movement in a suspended neck-down position, placement means for directing movement of individual bulbs along the guiding means comprising a rotatable wheel having a plurality of radially extending fingers pivotally mounted thereon, means for turning said wheel to cause the fingers to be carried between succeeding bulbs in the guiding means and to control the movements and position of the bulbs, and means for changing the radial relationship of the fingers in the wheel upon delivery of the bulbs from the guiding means.

2. In an electric lamp bulb traying apparatus, the combination of means for conveying bulbs in suspended neck-down position along a plurality of parallel horizontal courses of movement, each of said courses terminating in a downwardly inclined slide means, an escapement wheel above and adjacent the end of said courses of movement, said escapement wheel being mounted on a horizontal axis and having radially extending blades adapted to extend between the bowl portions of successive bulbs in each of said courses. a rotatable placement wheel disposed above said slide means on a horizontal axis and having a plurality of fingers for engaging the bowl portions of the bulbs in said slide means and controlling their position and movement therein, and means for turning the escapement and placement wheels in proper time relation to cause the escapement wheel to release a bulb from each of the courses to-the slide means and the placement wheel whence they are guided neck end foremost into a tray.

3. In an electric lamp bulb traying apparatus, the combination of means for supporting a row of bulbs by their bowl portions so they hang neck down and conveying them along a horizontal course of movement terminating in downwardly inclined slide rails from which they are directed neck end foremost into apertures in a tray, an escapement wheel mounted above and adjacent the end of said course of movement on a horizontal axis transverse to said course of movement, said wheel having adjustable, approximately radially extending, blades adapted to enter between the bowl portions of successive bulbs in said course of movement, means for rotating said wheel in a direction corresponding to the direction of travel of the bulbs in said course to cause successive blades on said wheel to be interposed between successive bulbs to thereby segregate and release the bulbs one at a time while restraining the remaining bulbs in the course, and means'to automatically adjust each blade, upon segregation of a bulb, in a direction which increases its angularity with respect to the next succeeding blade whereby to effect speedier release of the segregated bulb, a

rotatable placement wheel located above said slide rails on a horizontal axis transverse to the direction of movement of the bubs in said slide rails, said placement wheel having approximately radially extending fingers adapted to engage the bulbs in said slide rails to control their position and movement therein, and means to synchronize the rotation of the escapement and placement wheels to cause the escapement wheel to release bulbs to the slide rails and the placement wheel in proper time sequence.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with means for supporting a, row of electric lamp bulbs by their bowl portions so they hang neck down and conveying them along a horizontal course of movement, of an escapement wheel mounted above and adjacent the end of said course of movement on a horizontal axis transverse to said course of movement, said wheel having adjustable, approximately radially extending blades adapted to enter between successive bulbs in said course of movement, means [for rotating said wheel in a direction corresponding to the direction of travel of the bulbs in said course to cause successive blades on said wheel to be interposed between successive bulbs to thereby segregate and release the bulbs one at a time while restraining the remaining bulbs in the course, and means to automatically adjust each blade, upon segregation of a bulb, in a direction which increases its angularity with respect to the next succeeding blade whereby to effect speedier release of the segregated bulb.

5. Apparatus for loading electric lamp bulbs into trays comprising the combination of a source of disarranged bulbs, a continuously moving horizontal storage conveyor composed of a plurality' of endless belts in spaced side-by-side relation arranged to carry rows of bulbs in suspended neck-down position between adjacent pairs of belts, means between said source and said storage conveyor constructed and arranged to segregate bulbs received from said source and guide them into said storage conveyor, a tray conveyor for trays having transverse rows of apertures corresponding in number to the rows in said storage conveyor, said tray conveyor being constructed and arranged to carry said trays under and beyond the end of said storage conveyor in the same general direction in which the bulbs are moved in said storage conveyor, release means adjacent the end of said storage conveyor constructed and arranged to periodically and simultaneously release single bulbs from the rows in said storage conveyor and guide them neck-end foremost into a transverse row of apertures in a tray, and mechanism for synchronizing the operation of the bulb release means with the movement of trays in said conveyor.

6. Apparatus for loading electric lampvbulbs into trays comprising the combination of a source of disarranged bulbs, a continuously moving horizontal storage conveyor composed of a plurality of endless belts in spaced side-by-side relation arranged to carry rows of bulbs in suspended neck-down position between adjacent pairs of belts, means between said source and said storage conveyor constructed and arranged to segregate bulbs received from said source and guide them into said storage conveyor, said means comprising a plurality of pairs of tapered discs of flexible non-metallic material mounted in spaced relation on a common horizontal shaft and arranged to receive bulbs from said source at a point above assasss moved in said storage conveyor, release means adjacent the end of said storage conveyor constructed and arranged to periodically and simultaneously release single bulbs from the rows in said storage conveyor and guide them neck-end foremost into a transverse row of apertures in a tray, and mechanism for synchronizing the operation of the bulb release means with the movement of trays in said conveyor.

7. Apparatus for loading electric lamp bulbs into trays comprising the combination of a source of disarranged bulbs, a continuously moving horizontal storage conveyor composed of a plurality of endless belts in spaced'side-by-side relation arranged to carry rows of bulbs in suspended neck-down position between adjacent pairs belts, means between said source and said storage conveyor constructed and arranged to separate bulbs received from said source and guide them into said storage conveyor, said means comprising a plurality of pairs of tapered discs of flexible non-metallic material mounted in spaced relation on a common horizontal shaft and arranged to receive bulbs from said source at a point above the said shaft whereby to segregate the bulbs and carry them over in separate rows, and a plurality of endless belts around said shaft between pairs of adiacent discs and extending into the spaces between the pairs of spaced belts in said storage conveyor for carrying the segregated bulbs from said discs to said storage conveyor, a tray conveyor for trays having transverse rows of apertures correponding in number to the rowin said storage conveyor, said tray conveyor being constructed and arranged to carry said trays under and beyond the end of said storage conveyor in the same general direction in which the bulbs are moved in said storage conveyor, release means adiacent the end of said storage conveyor constructed and arranged to periodically and simultaneously release single bulbs from the rows in said storage conveyor and guide them neck-end foremost into a transverse row of apertures in a tray, and mechanism for synchronizing the operation of the bulb release means with the movement of trays in said conveyor.

8. Apparatus for loading electric lamp bulbs into trays comprising the combination or a source or disarranged bulbs, a continuously moving horizontal storage conveyor composed of a plurality oi endless belts in spaced side-by-side relation arranged to carry rows of bulbs in suspended neckdown position between adjacent pairs oi! belts, means between said source and said storage conveyor constructed and arranged to segregate bulbs received from said source and guide them into said storage conveyor, a tray conveyor i'or trays having transverse rows of apertures corresponding in number to the rows in said storage conveyor, said tray conveyor being constructed andarranged to carry said trays under and beyond the end of said storage conveyor in the same general direction in which the bulbs are moved in said storage conveyor, release means adjacent the end or said storage conveyor constructed and lease single bulbs from the rows in said storage conveyor and guide them neck-end foremost into a transverse row of apertures in a tray, said release means including a rotatable paddle wheel located adjacent and above the end of said storage conveyor on a horizontal axis so that successive paddles enter between the upper bowl portions of successive bulbs in each row of bulbs in said storage conveyor, and mechanism for synchronizing the operation of the bulb release means with the movement of trays in said conveyor.

9. Apparatus for loading electric lamp bulbs into trays comprising" the combination of a source of ,disarranged bulbs, a, continuously moving horizontal storage conveyor composed of s plurality of endless belts in spaced side-by-sid: relation arranged to carry rows of bulbs in suspended neck-down position between adjacen pairs of belts, means between said source am said storage conveyor constructed and arrange: to segregate bulbs received from said source anc guide them into said storage conveyor, a tray conveyor for trays having transverse rows of apertures corresponding in number to the rows in said storage conveyor, said tray conveyor being constructed and arranged to carry said trays under and beyond the end of said storage conveyor in the same general direction in which the bulbs are moved in said storage conveyor, downwardly inclined slide rails extending from the ends of the rows in said storage conveyor toward said tray conveyor, an escapement paddle wheel located adjacent and above the end of said storage conveyor on a horizontal axis so that successive paddles enter between the upper bowl portions of successive bulbs in each row of bulbs in said storage conveyor, a rotatable placement wheel located above said slide rails on a horizontal axis and having a plurality of fingers for engaging the bowl portions of the bulbs in said slide rails and controlling their position and movement therein, and means for turning the escapement and placement wheels in proper time relation to the movement of the trays in said conveyor to cause the escapement wheel to simultaneously release a bulb from each of the rows in said storage conveyor to the slide rails and the placement wheel whence the bulbs are guided neck-end foremostinto the apertures in a tray.

CARL A. BROWN. DORIS M. VAN SICKLE, Administratrix of the Estate 0! Frank B. Van

'Sickle, Deceased.

nsrmmncss CITED The following references are of record in the