US3708053A

US3708053A - Shuffle feed mechanism

Info

Publication number: US3708053A
Application number: US00140865A
Authority: US
Inventors: E Anderson
Original assignee: Brex Corp
Current assignee: Brex Corp
Priority date: 1971-05-06
Filing date: 1971-05-06
Publication date: 1973-01-02
Anticipated expiration: 1990-01-02

Abstract

This mechanism comprises a shuffle feed mechanism having two sets of longitudinally extending serrated members forming a grid or bed, at least one of the sets of being movable longitudinally with respect to the other so as to progress articles from pocketto-pocket or valley-to-valley along the length of the mechanism by pushing of the articles upwardly along an inclined wall of a V-shaped notch and over the apex so as to slide or roll down into the next notch. The sets of shuffle members are elevated at their discharge ends with the outer shuffle members being at a quarter elevation so as to provide a transverse trough-like configuration to cause single filing of articles progressed therethrough. Also the shuffle feed mechanism includes barrier means extending longitudinally so as to confine the articles to a narrow path along which only a single article can be fed.

Description

United States Patent [191 Anderson 51 Jan. 2, 1973 [52] U.S. Cl ..l98/30, 198/219 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65g 25/04, B65g 47/26 [58] Field of Search ..l98/30, 33 AA, 219

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,992,331 Smith ..198/219 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS U.S.S.R ..19s 219 Italy ..198 219 Primary ExaminerEdward A. Sroka Attorney-Allen & Chromy [57] ABSTRACT V This mechanism comprises a shuffle feed mechanism having two sets of longitudinally extending serrated members forming a grid or bed, at least one of the sets of being movable longitudinally with respect to the other so as to progress articles from pocket-to-pocket or valley-to-valley along the length of the mechanism by pushing of the articles upwardly along an inclined wall of a V-shaped notch and over the apex so as to slide or roll down into the next notch. The sets of shuffle members are elevated at their discharge ends with the outer shuffle members being at a quarter elevation so as to provide a transverse trough-like con figuration to cause single filing of articles progressed therethrough. Also the shuffle feed mechanism includes barrier means extending longitudinally so as to confine the articles to a narrow path along which only a single article can be fed. 1

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INVENTOR EARL R. ANDERSON B Y 444 my 4% ATTORNEYS SHUFFLE FEED MECHANISM DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 776,682 filed Nov. 18, 1968 now abandoned.

The present invention concerns shuffle feed mechanism of the type having longitudinally extending shuffle members arranged in sets, at least one set of which is movable with respect to the other, and relates more particularly to improvements providing for single filing of articles carried along by the shuffle feed.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a shuffle feed mechanism employing longitudinal shuffle members, and in which the articles carried through the shuffle feed are placed in a single file as they progress along so as to be discharged as a single file, one by one, in timed relation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shuffle feed mechanism of the above character in which the active feeding members and their serrated surfaces disposed at a lower elevation than the other set of serrated members when the members have their V- notches aligned transversely.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a shuffle feed of the above character in which articles are discharged as a single file in timed relation and in which an auxiliary file or files of articles are maintained at either side of the single file being fed so as to be in place to occupy any vacancy in the single file feed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shuffle feed mechanism having longitudinal shuffle members providing a trough-like configuration extending longitudinally of the shuffle feed members, the mechanism preferably also including a barrier or barrier means at one or at both sides of the shuffle feed mechanism so as to effect single filing of articles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shuffle feed mechanism having longitudinalshuffle members with notched or serrated upper faces arranged in sets, one set being stationary and the other set being movable generally parallel to one wall of the teeth of the stationary set and in their retracted position extending halfway up the adjacent face of the stationary set.

The above and other objects of the invention are attained as described in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shuffle feed mechanism embodying the instant invention and providing for delivery of a single file in timed relation;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken in the plane indicated by the line 3-3 in FIG." 2;

FIGS. 9 through 12 are schematic operational views which illustrate the progression of an article from one pocket to another;

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the shuffle mechanism includes a base 10 upon which respective

side frame members

12 and 13 are mounted, these

members

12 and 13 being connected at both ends by respective cross members 14.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the shuffle feed members include a set of stationary notched orserrated shufi'le members 21 which are secured between the

side frame members

12 and 13 on respective stationary cross shafts 16, the shuffle feed members 21 being six in number and being suitably apertured at 22 to be held in position by these shafts. The apertures 22 are placed at different vertical positions in the shuffle members at the discharge end to elevate the discharge end of certain of the members with respect to the feed end. As seen in FIG. 4 there are two central stationary feed members 21a, two intermediate stationary members 21b with their discharge ends at a higher elevation than the members 21a and two side stationary members 210 with their ends at a higher elevation than the members 21b so as to form a troughlike configuration extending longitudinally from the discharge end and gradually fading out toward the feed end as shown where all the members have the holes 22 at the same position so as to be vertically positioned the same. Thus, the transverse pockets formed by the V-shaped serrations at 23 (FIG. 3) are straight across without a center trough at the feed end of the apparatus. The pockets 24 at the discharge end of the mechanism are formed transversely as troughs.

A second movable set of longitudinal shuffle feed members 26 (FIGS. l-4) is provided which are mounted for relative reciprocation with respect to the stationary shuffle feed members along an inclined path substantially parallel to one wall of the V-notch in the stationary shuffle feed members. This movable set of shuflle feed members 26 is carried by respective crossshafts 27 supported at their ends in respective slides 28 which travel in inclined slots 29 in the

side frame members

12 and 13.

The slots 29 are disposed substantially parallel to the rearwardly facing walls 23b of the stationary shuffle members. In the same way the apertures 25 in the movable shuffle members are disposed at different locations so as to elevate the discharge end of these movable shuffle members 26 in the same manner as described with respect to the stationary shuffle members 21.

The two actuating slides 28 (FIG. 1) on each side are connected by a strap 31 which is carried at its end by pivoted at the upper ends to the adjacent one of a pair of arms 3301 the bell cranks 34 pivotedon respective shafts 36 carried in the side frame 12. Each bell crank has a depending arm 37, and both the depending arms are connected by a strap 38 pivoted thereto. Strap 38 is connected by an actuating link 39 to a gear 41 mounted on a cross shaft 42. The gears 41 mesh with respective pinions 43 secured to a cross drive shaft 44 so that as the drive shaft 44 is rotated the gears 41 through the links 39 and the links 38 cause the bell cranks 34 to reciprocate, and through the

links

32 and 31, cause the slides 28 to travel up and down in the slots 29 at either side of the frame to operate the movable shuffle members.

The movable shuffle members 26 (FIG. 4) include a center member 26a, two similar members 26b secured at either side thereof and having their upper edges beveled inwardly at 51, these two

members

26a and 26b being separatedby the stationary shuffle members 21a. Between the

stationary shuffle members

21b and 21c there is a pair of movable shuffle members 260, also having their upper edges beveled at 51, and at either side of the members 21c there are a second pair of movable members 26d.

As seen in FIG. 4 the members 26d are higher than the members 260, the members 26c are higher than the members 26b, and the members 26b are higher than the center member 26a at the discharge end of the apparatus so that the trough-like configuration of the shuffle feed bed or grid is continued by both the movable shuffle members as well as the stationary shuffle members. Referring to FIG. 5, the advancing face of 56 of each shuffle feed member 26 is disposed parallel with the rearward face 57 of the V-notch 58 of the stationary shuffle feed members 21 so that the cross notches formed by the shuffle feed members are unobstructed transversely of the machine, and if a single layer of articles such as walnuts, for example, are placed on the shuffle feed mechanism at the feed end, a transverse row or plurality of these members can be positioned in each pocket or notch. The bed of the shuffle feed mechanism at the feed end is horizontal in a crosswise direction and changes gradually to a trough shape (FIG. 4) at the discharge end. This is done by gradually elevating the shuffle feed members at the discharge end from the center outwardly. This structural arrangement of the shuffle feed members in effect provides a trough-like gate means which tends to enforce single filing of articles of the selected size range. This action of the bed is aided by the barrier means 61 as described later.

It will be seen also that the top edge 56 of a movable shuffle feed member 26 only comes up approximately one-half of the distance of the top edge of the rearward face 57 of a stationary shuffle feed member notch, this amount being sufficient to perform the advancing function and to move an article over the adjacent apexes of the stationary feed members and into the'next notch or pocket.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 the shuffle feed members 260 of the movable set have intermediate their length a barrier portion or wall 61 at either side of the path and this barrier portion is formed with an inclined lead face 610 which is beveled toward the center, a second lead portion 61b which extends upwardly to the full height of the barrier so that articles tending to travel toward the outer portion of the wall adjacent to side wall portion 62 will be retarded or forced inwardly to enforce a single file relation of the articles being fed along the shuffle feed mechanism.

If desired, only one of these barrier members may be provided and as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 8, for example, this barrier member may be a simple partition 81a which is inserted between adjacent pair of the shuffle members at a desired location so as to ride on and travel with the shafts 27 to provide a barrier for a desired length along the path and enforce the single filing of articles therethrough. If desired, a single file can be formed to either side of a centrally placed barrier so that two single files will be delivered by the shuffle feed mechanism.

Referring to FIGS. 9 through 12, four successive operational views are shown using only a single stationary shuffle member and a single movable shuffle member to enable easier understanding of the operation of the shuffle feed. In FIG. 9 the movable shuffle feed member is substantially fully retracted and one walnut is shown in one feed notch which is formed by both the

shuffle members

21 and 26 in FIG. 9. It will be noted that the shuffle member 26 has its article advancing face 26a offset downwardly with respect to the similarly disposed face 21a of the stationary shuffle feed member 21, the height of the article advancing face 26a which is active being sufficient to effect the advance of the walnut 70. Referring next to FIG. 10, the movable shufi'le member 26 has completed its advancing movement and has transferred the walnut 70 over the apex 210 of the adjacent tooth of the stationary member 21 so that the walnut 70 is resting against a supporting face 26b of the movable shuffle member 26. Referring to FIG. 11 the movable shuffle member 26 has started its retracting movement so that its face 26b is being withdrawn from under the walnut 70 in the usual manner of a shuffle feed mechanism, the center of gravity of the walnut '70 being to the right of the apex 210 of the stationary shuffle member 21. Referring to FIG. 12 the movable shuffle member 26 is shown restored to the same position as shown in FIG. 9 and the walnut 70 has been advanced one full step.

In operation of the entire mechanism referring to FIGS. 5 through 7, an excess of walnuts 70 are provided at the feed end of the equipment, and as the movable shuffle members reciprocate, these walnutswill tend or try to progress over the next adjacent notch, if this notch is full of walnuts, they will merely move around and fall back in position waiting a space to fall into the next succeeding notch in the direction of feed. When two side by side walnuts 70, as indicated at 70a in FIG. 4, arrive at the partition 61, they will be retarded and usually the centermost walnut will be progressed into the trough between the two partitions 61 as seen in FIG. 2, confining the walnuts to a single row. The outside walnut, in some cases, will be disposed slightly ahead of the centermost walnut and in these cases the outside walnut will be progressed first. The walnuts which are in excess of the amount required to provide a single file article-by-article feed simply move around in their position rolling and tumbling against each other until they are free to fall into a space. As seen in FIG. 5, for example, the walnut 70b has progressed ahead of the walnut 70a which is in an elevated position resting on the walnut 70b. Upon the next stroke of movement when the walnut 70b is moved forwardly as indicated in FIG. 7, the walnut 70a will fall into the notch behind to continue the single file relation.

With the above construction it has been found almost impossible to effect a double feed of walnuts, and if an ample supply of walnuts is maintained in the feed end, it is almost equally impossible to have a vacant space, or notch, in the feed mechanism, although this will-occur when fewer walnuts are present in the feed end of the apparatus so that a walnut is not always presented to a notch or pocket.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is apparent that the invention is capable of variation and modification of the form shown so that the scope thereof should be limited only by the proper scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a shuffle feed mechanism, a plurality of longitudinally extending feed members arranged in sets extending from a feed end to a discharge end of the mechanism and forming a bed for supporting and feeding fruit and vegetable articles thereover, said members having serrated upper edges forming upwardly opening V-shaped notches in each member, said notches being transversely aligned in one relative position of said sets and providing transversely disposed article holding pockets, means mounting said respective sets for reciprocation relative to each other in a direction sub stantially parallel to one wall of the V-shaped notches to advance an article from pocket to pocket by pushing or rolling an article up the said one wall of a V-shaped notch and over the adjacent apex so that it is free to roll or slide down the opposite wall of an adjacent V- shaped notch, said mechanism including gate means formed by the relative positioning of a plurality of said members between the feed end and the discharge end of the mechanism to effect a single file feed at the discharge end, said plurality of said members disposed in elevated position relative to others of said members adjacent said discharge, and said plurality having substantially the same elevation as said other members adjacent the feed end.

2. In a shuffle feed mechanism, a plurality of longitudinally extending feed members arranged in sets extending from a feed end to a discharge end of the mechanism and forming a bed for supporting and feed ing fruit and vegetable articles thereover, said members having serrated upper edges forming upwardly opening V-shaped notches in each members, said notches being transversely aligned in one relative position of said sets and providing transversely disposed article holding pockets, means mounting said respective sets for reciprocation relative to each other in a direction substantially parallel to one wall of the V-shaped notches to advance an article from pocket to pocket by pushing or rolling an article up the said one wall of a V-shaped notch and over the adjacent apex so that it is free to roll or slide down the opposite wall of an adjacent V- shaped notch, means mounting at least certain of said members in elevated position at one side of a single file path of said feed mechanism, and means for maintaining an auxiliary supply of articles on said certain members to effect a gravity feed of an article from said supply toward said path upon occurrence of a vacancy in said path.

3. In a shuffle feed mechanism as recited in claim 2 in which said certain members are inclined upwardly from the feed end to the discharge end of the mechanism.

4. In a shuffle feed mechanism as recited in claim 2,

in which the upper edges of said elevated serrated members are beveled downwardly toward said path iii a shuffle feed mechanism as recited in claim 1, in which said gate means comprises an elevated barrier portion of certain of said members on either side of a single tile feed path extending through said mechtinism.

6. In a shuffle feed mechanism, a plurality of longitudinally extending feed members arranged in sets and extending from a feed end to a discharge end of the mechanism and forming a bed for supporting and feeding fruit and vegetable articles thereover, said members having serrated upper edges providing transversely disposed article holding pockets, means mounting said respective sets for reciprocation relative to each other to advance an article from pocket to pocket, a first group of said pockets formed by a plurality of said members adjacent said feed end having sufficient width to accommodate a plurality of articles in side by side relation on a plurality of said members, means including a plurality of said members gradually increasing in elevation with respect to others of said members from the feed end to the discharge end and for gradually converging the flow of articles from said first group of said pockets to form a single file feed of articles ad-' jacent said discharge end, and means for operating said sets of members.

7. In a shuffle feed mechanism as recited in claim 1, in which longitudinally extending barrier means is provided in said shuffle feed mechanism to effectively confine articles to a single tile.

8. In a shuffle feed mechanism as recited in claim 1, in which said gate means comprises an upright longitudinal barrier plate supported between an adjacent pair of said feed members to control feeding of articles along said mechanism.

9. In a shuffle feed mechanism as recited in claim 8, in which said barrier plate is removably mounted and can be placed at any selected position transversely of the length of said mechanism between any adjacent pair of said longitudinal members.

10. In a shuffle feed mechanism as recited in claim 8, in which said barrier plate is located substantially centrally of said mechanism to provide a feed path at either side thereof.

Claims

1. In a shuffle feed mechanism, a plurality of longitudinally extending feed members arranged in sets extending from a feed end to a discharge end of the mechanism and forming a bed for supporting and feeding fruit and vegetable articles thereover, said members having serrated upper edges forming upwardly opening V-shaped notches in each member, said notches being transversely aligned in one relative position of said sets and providing transversely disposed article holding pockets, means mounting said respective sets for reciprocation relative to each other in a direction substantially parallel to one wall of the V-shaped notches to advance an article from pocket to pocket by pushing or rolling an article up the said one wall of a V-shaped notch and over the adjacent apex so that it is free to roll or slide down the opposite wall of an adjacent V-shaped notch, said mechanism including gate means formed by the relative positioning of a plurality of said members between the feed end and the discharge end of the mechanism to effect a single file feed at the discharge end, said plurality of said members disposed in elevated position relative to others of said members adjacent said discharge, and said plurality having substantially the same elevation as said other members adjacent the feed end.

2. In a shuffle feed mechanism, a plurality of longitudinally extending feed members arranged in sets extending from a feed end to a discharge end of the mechanism and forming a bed for supporting and feeding fruit and vegetable articles thereover, said members having serrated upper edges forming upwardly opening V-shaped notches in each members, said notches being transversely aligned in one relative position of said sets and providing transversely disposed article holding pockets, means mounting said respective sets for reciprocation relative to each other in a direction substantially parallel to one wall of the V-shaped notches to advance an article from pocket to pocket by pushing or rolling an article up the said one wall of a V-shaped notch and over the adjacent apex so that it is free to roll or slide down the opposite wall of an adjacent V-shaped notch, means mounting at least certain of said members in elevated position at one side of a single file path of said feed mechanism, and means for maintaining an auxiliary supply of articles on said certain members to effect a gravity feed of an article from said supply toward said path upon occurrence of a vacancy in said path.

4. In a shuffle feed mechanism as recited in claim 2, in which the upper edges of said elevated serrated members are beveled downwardly toward said path portion.

5. In a shuffle feed mechanism as recited in claim 1, in which said gate means comprises an elevated barrier portion of certain of said members on either side of a single file feed path extending through said mechanism.

6. In a shuffle feed mechanism, a plurality of longitudinally extending feed members arranged in sets and extending from a feed end to a discharge end of the mechanism and forming a bed for supporting and feeding fruit and vegetable articles thereover, said members having serrated upper edges providing transversely disposed article holding pockets, means mounting said respective sets for reciprocation relative to each other to advance an article from pocket to pocket, a first group of said pockets formed by a plurality of said members adjacent said feed end having sufficient width to accommodate a plurality of articles in side by side relation on a plurality of said members, means including a plurality of said members gradually increasing in elevation with respect to others of said members from the feed end to the discharge end and for gradually converging the flow of articles from said first group of said pockets to form a single file feed of articles adjacent said discharge end, and means for operating said sets of members.

7. In a shuffle feed mechanism as recited in claim 1, in which longitudinally extending barrier means is provided in said shuffle feed mechanism to effectively confine articles to a single file.