US3421285A - Case packer article feed control - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 14, 1969 T. L.- BARKER CASE PACKER ARTICLE FEED CONTROL Filed June 20, 1966 Sheet INVENTOR. THEODORE LBARKER (5mm 2 6m ATTYS.

' Filed June 20, 1966 Jan; 14, 1969 T. 1.. BARKER 3,421,285

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INVENTOR. THEODORE L.E ARKER AT T YS.

United States Patent 7 Claims This invention relates to an article feed control mechanism for an automatic case packer, or the like, and more particularly to the use of a waveform beam such as a sonic or light beam to control a case packing bottle feed mechanism.

Heretofore it has been known that there have been various types of controls for conveyor line operating mechanisms, but these have incorporated mostly photocell detection and microswitches. These control mechanisrns are alfected by vibration, difficulty in positioning, and in consistency in operation under various environmental conditions. A novel, sturdy control device particularly applicable for use with case packers is needed by the art.

Therefore, it is the general object of the present invention to meet the needs of the art by providing a sonic beam control for an article case packing mechanism which is easily mounted and associated with the case packing mechanism to eliminate vibration, and environmental problems.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sonic beam control for a bottle or other article case packing mechanism where a plurality of flags interrupt the beam, and where each flag must be actuated by a respective row of bottles to make the sonic beam continuous and allow actuation of the packing mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sonic beam source which is mounted to a fixed frame, and wherein the sonic beam itself is directed by a flexible conduit onto a movable table to determine when the articles received on the table have been properly positioned for case packing operation, with the sonic beam then actuating a drive mechanism, where this set up eliminates any vibrational or environmental changes since the sonic beam source and detection mechanism is mounted in fixed relation to the frame.

Another object of the invention is to utilize a flexible rod of acrylic plastic to transmit a light beam for control of a bottle or other article case packing mechanism where a plurality of flags interrupt the beam, and where each flag must be actuated by a respective row of bottles to make the light beam continuous.

The aforesaid objects of the invention and other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds are achieved by providing in a case packer article feed control the combination of a fixed support frame, an article receiving table horizontally mounted to the frame in a limited lateral sliding relation, a plurality of limit stop means to stop the articles in predetermined relation on the table, each limit stop means having a small hole therethrough aligned with every other limit stop means, means to direct a single sound beam through the aligned holes in each of the limit stop means, flag means associated with the hole to each limit stop means and subject to contact by the articles to selectively control transmission of the sound beam through the aligned holes of the limit stop means, and means to actuate a lateral movement of the table to allow the articles thereon to drop when each of the flag means has been similarly actuated to allow complete transmission of the sound beam through the aligned holes of the limit stop means.

3,421,285 Patented Jan. 14, 1969 'ice For a better understanding of the invention reference should be had to the drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 is a plan view partially broken away showmg the relationship of the bottles on the assembling grid or table of the case packer, and the sonic beam control mechanism of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged broken away vertical cross sectional view of one of the limit stops taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged broken away side elevation of one of the flags indicating its actuated position and with its normal position being indicated in dotted lines;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged broken away side elevation of one of the flags showing the sonic beam connection and bottle relationship thereto;

FIGURE 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the overall mechanism necessary to achieve the desired control features of the invention with a sonic beam; and

FIGURE 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the overall mechanism necessary to achieve the desired control features of the invention with a light beam.

With reference to the form of the invention illustrated in FIGURE 5 of the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates generally a sonic beam control for a case packing bottle feed, and comprises a sound source 12 mounted in fixed relationship to a frame 14, and directing a sonic beam through a flexible conduit 16 to a plurality of limit stops indicated generally by numeral 18. When flags representing a part of the limit stops 18 are properly in position, as will be more fully explained hereinafter, the sonic beam travels in a substantially straight line through aligned holes in the limit stops, and through another flexible conduit 20 toa sound sensor 22. The sensor 22 is also mounted in fixed relationship to a frame 24, and is adapted to drive a positive signal switch 26, which switch 26 in turn actuates a motor 28 appropriately connected in suitable geared relationship to a sliding grid or table 30 as indicated by dotted line 32. The sliding table 30 has the limit stops 18 mounted in fixed relationship thereon, and is adapted for horizontal sliding movement in a direction indicated by the double ended arrow 34 upon actuation by motor 28. The sliding movement of table 30 causes the bottles carried thereon to drop in properly aligned relationship into a suitable case positioned therebelow in aligned relation to complete the desired packing operation, all in the manner well known by the art.

However, the essence of the invention is believed to lie in the simplicity, flexibility, and reliability of utilizing the sound beam control for the case packer bottle feed. A more detailed illustration of the exact mechanism involved is shown in FIGURE 1. Those parts corresponding to the components of FIGURE 5 are identified with the same numerals. The grid or table 30 is divided into a plurality of longitudinally extending channels by guide plates or frames 40. Each channel is adapted to slidably receive a plurality of bottles 42 in aligned relationship. Each channel has a limit stop means 18 mounted in a substantially centralized relation at the end thereof, and each limit stop means has a flag 44 pivotally mounted thereto.

The invention contemplates that any suitable sound frequency may be used with the sound source 12 and the sound sensor 22, but one that is generally higher than is audible by human or animal ears is thought to be best. The sensor 22, of course, must be preset to detect the frequency emitted by the source 12. In usual circumstances, the source 12 and sensor 22 may be switched, as they will be substantially identical in construction. The frequency transmitted is not dangerous in any way as the acoustic energy is always less than about 10 milliwatts.

Each of the limit stop means 18 has a small hole 18a therethrough, as seen in FIGURES 24, with each of these small holes being aligned in a straight line across the width of the table. 30. The flags 44 normally hang by gravity from their pivots 46 so that the holes 18a through the limit stop means 18 are closed, as best seen in the dotted portion, or position 48 of FIGURE 3, or in the normal position indicated in FIGURE 4. However, each flag 44 has an enlarged hole 44a therethrough which is adapted to align with the holes 18a through the limit stop means 18 when the flag 44 has been pivoted in a direction indicated by arrow 50 in FIGURE 4 to its inward position as indicated by a solid line 48a in FIGURE 3. An ear 441) on each flag limits its pivotal movement by engaging the mounting block for the limit stops 18. Note the alignment between holes 44a and hole 18a as seen in FIGURE 3. The holes 44a are about twice the size of the holes 18a to eliminate the necessity of a direct alignment therebetween, and to permit the flag to swing somewhat and still allow a full transmission of the sonic beam. The flexible conduit 16, normally made from pastic, is held in close adjacent aligned relationship to the first flag 44 on one side of the table 30 by a mounting bracket 52, as seen in FIGURES 2 and 4. Short connecting guide conduits 54 pass from the opposite side of the holes 18a to close spaced adjacent relationship to the next flag 44, as clearly shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. Thus, it becomes quite obvious that the sound beam emitted by source 12 through conduit 16 can only pass through each of the holes 44a in the flags 44 and holes 18a in the limit stop means 18 when the respective bottles 42 have moved down to the ends of their respective channels thereby pivotally actuating their respective flags 44 into the aligned relationship indicated by solid line 48a in FIGURE 3. Note that the first two rows of bottles in FIGURE 1 have been so aligned, while the remaining four rows are not yet fully moved into position. Naturally, any suitable bottle feed mechanism to slide bottles in to fill each channel in the table 30 will meet the objects of the invention. However, actuation of the mechanism with the sound beam will not occur until each of the channels has been properly filled with a line of bottles to complete transmission of the sound beam through each limit stop 18.

A distinct advantage of the sound sensing system for bottle feed control is found in the fact that the sound source 12 and sound sensor 22 are both mounted in fixed relationship to respective fixed frames. This means they are free from vibration, and other loads which can easily cause failure or breakdown in a control system. The flexible conduits 16 and enable the connection to the respective flag and stop apparatus to facilitate the lateral movement of the table 30 to drop the bottles without causing any change in the transmission of the sonic beam, and overcoming any vibration problem in the fixed mounted sound source and sound sensors.

Many of the same advantages as the sonic beam system set forth above can be achieved by using a light beam system, such as shown in FIGURE 6. In this system a light source 12a is mounted to a fixed frame 14a. A flexible acrylic resin plastic rod 16a such as Lucite made by E. I. du Pont de Nemours & C0. conducts the light beam to the flag limit stops 18a mounted to the sliding table 30a. Short sections of the same rod extend between adjacent limit stops. Another long flexible rod 20a conducts the light beam from the last limit stop to a photocell detection unit 22a which is mounted in fixed relation to a frame 24a. The unit 22a feeds a positive signal switch 26a which in turn actuates a motor 28. The motor 28 drives the table 30a in a reciprocating lateral movement indicated by arrow 34a by any suitable driving connection as indicated by dotted line 32a. Naturally, the flexibility of the acrylic resin rods 16a and 20a allow table reciprocation without affecting by vibration or other mechanical movements the delicate 4 electronic features of the light source 12a and the photocell detection unit 22a.

Naturally, in the usual arrangement of the invention, the lateral movement of the table 30 causes all the bottles arranged in the respective channels to drop into a case positioned below the table. Complete packing is accom plished in this manner. Once the bottles have dropped out, the flags swing back to their non-actuated positions, and the entire process is repeated.

Thus, it is seen that the objects of the invention have been achieved by providing a waveform beam such as a sonic beam or a light beam in association with pivotally mounted flags to indicate when the channels in a bottle packing table have been completely filled, and wherein the sound or light source and sound or light sensor are isolated from any vibration or other disturbances associated with the moving table by flexible conduits connect to the indicating mechanism to transmit the beam.

While in accordance with the patent statutes only one best known embodiment of the invention ha been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby, but that the inventive scope is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a case packer article feed control the combination of:

a fixed support frame,

an article receiving means mounted on the frame for limited movement in relation thereto,

a plurality of limit stop means to stop the articles in predetermined relation on the first named means, each limit stop means having a small hole therethrough aligned with the hole in every other limit stop means,

means to pass a waveform beam through the hole in each of the limit stop means,

flag means associated with the hole of each limit stop means and subject to contact by the articles to selectively control transmission of the beam through the limit stop means, and

control means to provide movement of the first-named means when each of the flag means has been similarly actuated to allow complete transmission of the waveform beam through all of the limit stop means.

2. A combination according to claim 1 where the flag means are pivotally mounted to the limit stop means so as to normally hang by gravity to cover the hole through each limit stop means, but where movement of the articles into the limit stop means causes pivotal movement of the flag means to substantially align a hole through the flag means with the hole through the limit stop means, and where the holes through the flag means are larger than the holes through the limit stop means.

3. A combination according to claim 1 where the means to pass a waveform beam include a sound source and amplifier mounted on one side of the frame for producing a sound beam, a flexible conduit connecting the limit stop means on said one side of the frame to the sound source and amplifier for carrying the sound beam, a sound sensor mounted in fixed relation on the other s ide of the frame, and a flexible conduit connecting the last limit stop means to the sound sensor to transmit any sound beam which has passed through all the limit stop means to the sound sensor.

4. A combination according to claim 3 where short guide conduits connect between the holes in adjacent limit stop means to enhance transmission of the sound beam.

5. A combination according to claim 2 where the flag means have an extending finger which engages the limit stop means to limit the pivotal movement of the flag means.

6. A combination according to claim 1 which includes a plurality of guide frames connected to the first-named means and dividing it into a plurality of longitudinally extending channels, with each channel adapted to slidably receive articles at one end, and having a limit stop means substantially centrally positioned in the other end.

7. A combination according to claim 1 where the means to pass a waveform beam include a light source mounted on one side of the frame for producing a light beam, a flexible acrylic resin plastic rod connecting the limit stop means on one side of the frame to the light source for carrying the light beam, 21 photocell detection unit mounted in fixed relation on the other side of the References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1959 Day et al. 5361 11/1967 Rowekamp 53-61 TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner.

R. L. SPRUILL, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A CASE PACKER ARTICLE FEED CONTROL THE COMBINATION OF: A FIXED SUPPORT FRAME, AN ARTICLE RECEIVING MEANS MOUNTED ON THE FRAME FOR LIMITED MOVEMENT IN RELATION THERETO, A PLURALITY OF LIMIT STOP MEANS TO STOP THE ARTICLES IN PREDETERMINED RELATION ON THE FIRST NAMED MEANS, EACH LIMIT STOP MEANS HAVING A SMALL HOLE THERETHROUGH ALIGNED WITH THE HOLE IN EVERY OTHER LIMIT STOP MEANS, MEANS TO PASS A WAVEFORM BEAM THROUGH THE HOLE IN EACH OF THE LIMIT STOP MEANS,

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