GB502182A - Improved apparatus for forming and feeding numerically uniform groups of rectangularblock-shaped articles - Google Patents

Abstract

502,182. Endless-belt conveyers; step-by-step conveyers. ROSE, A. G., and ROSE BROS. (GAINSBOROUGH), Ltd. Sept. 15, 1937, No. 25042. [Class 78 (i)] In apparatus for forming numerically uniform groups of rectangular block-shaped articles, e.g. cartons of cigarettes, and feeding the groups separately to a wrapping-machine, the articles pass along a horizontal conveyer channel to a platform which moves upwards after the precise number of articles required to form a group has been deposited thereon, and after the articles have been removed and fed to a wrapping machine, descends to its original position in alignment with the conveyer. The apparatus illustrated is adapted to form and feed groups of cartons of cigarettes, each group of which comprises two rows with five cartons in each. The cartons are placed on endless conveyer belts 29, 30 which are separated by partition 17 and run. between guides 14, 15. The belts are driven by chain-and-sprocket gearing 24, 42, 41 from a cam-shaft 21. A frame 43 slidable in vertical grooves 46, 47 is provided at its upper end with a platform 48 which consists of a series of spaced apart vertical plates 49. The frame 43 is connected by a link 55 to one arm of a bell-crank lever 5 which is pivoted on a spindle 52. The other arm of the lever carries a roller 60 which is maintained in contact with a cam 50 by the weight of the platform and frame. A frame 61 disposed near the .forward end of the con. veyer channel A is slidably mounted in horizontal grooves 64, 65 in the framework and is formed with an abutment member 66 consisting of a series of spaced apart vertical plates 67 which are adapted to pass freely between the plates 49. The frame is reciprocated by a cam 68 through a bell-crank lever 69 and link 70. A guard plate 78 is secured to flanges arranged on the guides 14, 15 and prevents the platform 48 from lifting more than the correct number of cartons as it moves upwards into alignment with the feed channel B. A carriage comprising a pair of sleeves 89, 90 slidable on rods 91, 92 and connected by a cross-spindle 99 is reciprocated by a cam 102 through a roller arm 103, a pair of arms 104, 105 and a connecting yoke 116. A sleeve 117 is rotatably mounted on the spindle 99 and carries a feeding arm 118 and a lifting arm 119. The former has depending pusher members 120, 121. A roller 122 on the free end of the arm 119 engages a slot 124 in an arm 125 projecting from'a sleeve 126 secured to a spindle 128. An arm 127 and link 137 connect the sleeve to an arm 136 on a'sleeve 134. An arm 133 mounted on the sleeve 134 carries a roller 135 which bears against a cam 132. By these means timed rising and falling movements are imparted to the arm 125, and these movements are communicated by the action of the slot 124 on the roller 122 to the arms 119, 118 and the members 120, 121. Brushes 140, 141 are arranged to bear against the cartons at the top of their vertical path and in the feed channel B.