GB993426A - Apparatus for cartoning electric lamp bulbs - Google Patents

Abstract

993,426. Packaging-machines. AYERS & GRIMSHAW Ltd., and C. F. HARTNOLL. Oct. 31, 1962 [Nov. 21, 1961], No. 41601/61. Heading B8C. An apparatus for cartoning electric lamp bulbs has a table 1 intermittently rotated by an indexing mechanism to turn it through 45 degrees on each movement, whereby eight arms 3, with lamp supporting jaws, are caused to remain stationary opposite working stations A, B, C, D, and in four idle positions E, F, G, H. The table is driven by an electric motor through an hydraulic speed gear coupled by an electrically controlled clutch to a reduction unit and thence to the index driving mechanism, and also to a main driving shaft. The clutch is energized by the arrival of a lamp at station A and turns the index mechanism and driving shaft through one complete revolution to effect one complete cycle of operations. A lamp 12 with its cap 14 downwards is fed to the machine by a conveyer 13, and is caught at A by closed jaws 15 which then rotate to the idle position E where they remain whilst cartoning operations are performed on other arms. The lamp is then carried to B where a strip of cuffs 16 is fed to the machine by a push-and-pull rod mechanism, and one of these cuffs is applied to the lamp as a plunger depresses it and the jaws 15. A knife 19 severs the leading cuff from the strip when it is in the lamp receiving position. The lamp is then carried via position F to station C, whilst clamping elements 20 engage the cap 14 below the cuff and the jaws 15 are opened. The opening and closing of the clamping elements and jaws is effected by push rods engaging with cams on the centre pillar 24. At Station C a carton, which has been taken from one of two magazines holding flattened cartons 26 and opened by being forced into a frame 34 by a suction plate 27, is plunged over the lamp by a suction carriage 36 mounted on a plunger. The lamp then moves to position G and thence to station D as the clamping elements 20 open leaving the cartoned lamp supported by fingers 38 opposing the cuff 16. At D an ejector mechanism with " pick off " heads 43, 44 each with pinch fingers 45 lifts the cartoned lamp from the machine and rotates through 180 degrees in a vertical plane to deposit the lamp on a receiving table or shoot. To provide added protection for the bulbs the head 44 also rotates axially through 180 degrees whilst carrying a carton, thus depositing the cartoned lamps to face in alternate directions on the receiving table. The arm proceeds to idle position H as the jaws 15 close and rise, before commencing a new cycle of operations.