GB1173617A - Method of and Apparatus for Cutting and Sorting Glass. - Google Patents

Abstract

1,173,617. Endless conveyers. ASAHI GLASS CO. 21 Dec., 1966, No. 57173/66. Heading B8A. [Also in Division C1] Continuous glass sheet on a conveyer A is cut into sheets of predetermined sizes (by means not described) which are then delivered according to size to stations (1) to (10) (Fig. 1, not shown) on one of a plurality of branch conveyers (7), (B1 and (B2). A computer 16 is associated with a pulse generator 13 and counter 14 and coincidence circuits 15, 17 and 18, respective to the conveyers (7), (B1) and (B2), and thereby controls the operation of a transfer mechanism (Fig. 7) between the conveyer A and the selected branch conveyer. The transfer mechanism comprises a series of apertures 42 for pneumatic jets for supporting the sheet, and an endless transfer conveyer 43. The cut sheets 23 are then measured on the branch conveyer at 24 (Fig. 6) and in conjunction with a pulse generator 31, counter 26, coincidence circuit 27, and size measuring limit switch 25<SP>1</SP>, for measuring each sheet at the appropriate loading station (10). The sheets are then transferred to predetermined stations (1)-(10). The transfer is effected by suction members 79 (Fig. 9) carried by a head 72 mounted on an overhead trolley 53. By energization of a motor 65, the head 72 after picking up a sheet deflects to an inclined position (dot-dash lines) and deposits it on a rest 30 of the station (1)-(10). Certain of the suction members 79, viz. (a) and (b) (Fig. 11, not shown) are extendable or retractable under differential air pressure applied on either side of a piston and cylinder device. Each of other members (c), (d), (e), (Fig. 12, not shown), however has a cylinder end wall 85 which retracts under differential pressure when suction is applied to the lifting head 79. This results in the members (c), (d), (e), retracting under suction to a greater extent than the members (a), (b).