US3542185A - Methods of separating articles - Google Patents

Description

United States Patent [54] METHODS OF SEPARATING ARTICLES 2 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

52 us. Cl. 198/33, 214/152, 193/43 [51] Int. Cl 865g 47/24 [50] Field of Search l98/33R1,

20 /0b /00 A9 /0b [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,149,595 8/1915 Pipe et a1 214/8.5(E) 2,657,812 11/1953 Fox 2l4/8.5(E-) 2,760,679 8/1956 Chadderton et al.. 198/33(.1)X 3,042,181 7/1962 Rise 198/33(.1) FORElGN PATENTS 348,854 10/1960 Switzerland l98/33(.l)

Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Frank E. Werner Attorneys-PU. Winegar, RP. Miller and Don P. Bush ABSTRACT: Methods of separating interconnected articles such as, for example, coil-type springs having entangled intermeshed convolutions. Coil-type springs having entangled intermeshed convolutions are fed vibratorily' axially to the entrance of a suction tube whereafter the entangled springs. are drawn through the tube and propelled at a high velocity and in a random position against a target surface which causes the entangled springs to oscillate to facilitate the spreading apart and working of the convolutions of the springs so that the springs work free of each other.

@2 5 W MILE-g Patented Nov. 24, 1970 3,542,185

Sheet 5 of 3 1 METHODS OF SEFARATING ARTICLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to methods of separating articles and 5 more particularly relates to methods of separating interconnected articles.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the manufacture of various types of products, numerous component parts are assembled to form the products. Frequently, the component parts are pretreated and handled prior to assembly with the other component parts of the associated products. During the pretreating and handling of the component parts, the parts frequently cling undesirably in such a way that a separation process is required to separate the clinging parts before the parts can be assembled with other componentparts of the products.

Spiral articles, such as coil-type springs, are frequently utilized as a component part in many types of products. One type of product utilizing coil-type springsis communications protector units such as the unit disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,319,316, issued to .I. B. Geyer on May 16, 1967. In the assembly of the communications type protector unit, individual coil springs are assembled with other elements to provide resilient features required for the proper functioning of the protector unit. Various methods of assembling the coil springs with the remaining elements of the protector units are utilized including manual and automatic loading operations. Frequently, in pretreating and handling, the coil springs become entangledand cling together in such a way that the convolutions of one coil spring are captured between the convolutions of another coil spring thereby necessitating a separating operation before the springs can be assembled with the remaining elements of the protector units.

Manual separation of theentangled springs is extremely difficult, time consuming, tedious and results in a costly operation where a large volume of product is to be manufactured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Another object of this inventionis to provide new and improved methods of untangling spiral articles.

Still another object of this invention is to provide new and improved methods of separating spiral articles having entangled convolutions.

A further object of this invention is to provide new and improved methods of setting up oscillations in groups of spiral articles having entangled intermeshed convolutions.

A still further object of this invention is to provide new and improved methods of lubricating groups of entangled spiral articles and then setting up oscillations in the spiral articles so that when the entangled spiral articles are oscillating, the con-v volutions thereof spread apart to facilitate relative movement i between intermeshed lubricated convolutions of the groups of entangled spiral articles.

A method of separating entangled spiral articles includes the step of setting up oscillations in the articles so that con- 'volutions of the articles are expanded and compressed rapidly to facilitate the separation of the articles. In addition, the

spiral articles can'be flexed about their axes to further facilitate the separation of the articles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other objects and features of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description thereof when read in conjunction with accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view showing a spiral article of the type which articles which may be separated in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for separating groups of entangled spiral articles in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial front view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 with parts broken away to illustrate the separating of groups of entangled spiral articles;

FIGS. 6 through 9 are partial horizontal sectional views of the apparatus of FIG. 4 showing various sequences in which a group of entangled spiral articles are separated;

FIG. 10 is a partial vertical sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 showing the separation of a group of entangled spiral articles; and

FIG. 11 is a partial vertical sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 showing the separation of a group of entangled spiral articles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to FIG. 1, a spiral article, such as a coil spring, designated generally by the reference numeral 10' forms a portion of an assembled product such as a communications protector unit shown in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,319,316. After a plurality of the springs 10-10 are manufactured, the springs are then tumbled through a plating operation and packed closely in a container (not shown) whichis transported to an assembly station (not shown) where an operator assembles the springs with other associated components of the protector units. Due to the tumbling operation and the close packing of the springs 10-10 in the container, random groups of the springs, for example a pair of the springs 10a and 10b as shown in FIG. 2, become entangled and cling together in such a way that adjacent portions of successive convolutions of the spring 10a become intermeshed and captured between adjacent portions of successive convolutions of the other spring 10b,

Referring now to FIG. 3, occasionally, three springs 10c 10d and 10s become entangled, with some of the convolutions of the spring 10d becoming intermeshed and captured between some of the-convolutions of the spring 10c and other convolutions of the spring 10d becoming intermeshed and captured between some of the convolutions of the spring 102. Before any of the springs 10-10 can be assembled with associated components to form the protector units, the groups of entangledsprings must be untangled.

, Referring now to FIG. 4, an apparatus, designated generally by the reference numeral 11, for separating the groups of entangled springs 10-10, is supported on a table, designated generally by the reference numeral 12, and includes a vibratory feeder, designated generally by the reference numeral 13.

The apparatus 11 further includes a feed tube 14 and a target cylinder 16 which is attached to and extends vertically through an aperture 15 (FIG. 5) in a portion of the horizontal surface of the table 12. A cover 17 is positioned on top of the target cylinder 16. The tube 14 is attached at one end thereof to the exit end of a feed track 18 of the vibratory feeder 13,. The other end of the tube 14 is positioned within a port 19 (FIG. 5) formed in the target cylinder 16 so that the bore of the tube communicates with the bore of the cylinder.

The tube 14 is formed with a branch tube 21 which converges with and extends angularly from the tube in a direction away from the target cylinder 16. The bore of the branch tube 21 communicates with the bore of the tube 14 through a port 22 (FIG. 5) formed in an intermediate portion of the bore wall of the tube 14.

A supply of compressed air (not shown) is connected to the free end of the branch tube-21 so that when compressed air is released from the supply, the air flows through the branch tube and into the portion of the tube 14 which extends between the tube 21 and the target cylinder 16 and is further directed toward and exits into the cylinder. A pan 23 is positioned removably under the table 12 so that a portion of the pan is located beneath the target cylinder 16.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in the operation of the apparatus 11, the springs 10-10 are deposited into the vibratory feeder 13 and are fed substantially axially successively onto the track 18 and include the groups of entangled springs 10a and 10b (FIG. 2) and entangled springs 10c, 10d and We (FIG. 3). The passage of the compressed air through the branch tube 21 and the portion of the tube 14 extending between the port 22 and the target cylinder 16 develops a suction at the entrance end of the tube adjacent to the track 18. As each of the individual springs ll0 and the groups of entangled springs, for example springs 10a and 10b, exits from the track 18 and enters the tube 14, the individual springs and groups of entangled springs are drawn into and moved rapidly and in random orientation through the tube towardthe target cylinder 16.

As the individual springs l0l0 and the groups of entangled springs 10a and 10b and 10c, 10d and 10e travel through the tube 14, the individual springs and groups of entangled springs are accelerated in random position through the tube and exit from the tube in random orientation into the target cylinder 16 at a velocity of approximately 65 feet per second. After exiting from the tube 14, the individual spring 1010 are propelled through space along a path in alignment with the axis of the tube toward a target portion 20 of the bore wall of the target cylinder 16 which is substantially opposite the port 19 and subsequently engage the bore wall and fall, by gravitation, into the pan 23.

Referring now to FIG. 6, as previously noted, the groups of entangled springs 10a and 10b (FIG. 2) exit from the tube 14 in a random orientation. Frequently, the groups of entangled springs 10a and 10b are propelled toward the target portion 20 of the target cylinder 16 in such an orientation that one or both of the springs [00 and 10b eventually strike the target portion of the target cylinder violently randomly, for example substantially in a broadside position along the length of the springs. The groups of entangled springsl0a and 10b, which strike the target portion 20 of the target cylinder 16 substantially broadside, are flexed to conform substantially to the curvature of the bore wall of the target cylinder.

By virtue of the propelling movement of the group of entangled springs 10a and 10 through the tube 14, the propelled group of springs possess kinetic energy. When the group of entangled springs 10a and 10b impacts violently with the target portion 20 of the target cylinder 16, some of the kinetic energy possessed by the springs is transformed into potential energy of deformation and various modes of oscillations are set up in the springs. Forces are developed axially of the springs 10a and 10b and the convolutions of the springs expand and contract as the springs are deflected from the target portion of the target cylinder (FIG. 7). As the springs 10a and 10b expand and compress, some of the axial forces are transferred into lateral forces due to the inclination of opposed surfaces of adjacent convolutions of each of the springs.

As the entangled group of springs 10a and 10b oscillate, the inclined opposed surfaces of adjacent convolutions of each of the springs are moved toward and away from each other so that a camming action occurs which forces the captured and intermeshed convolutions of one of the springs outwardly from between the adjacent .convolutions of the other spring. Additionally, some of the kinetic energy is transformed into energy which causes lateral flexing of the springs to occur and create forces which are directed substantially laterally of the axes of the entangled springs 10a and 10b to further facilitate the separation ofthe springs. I

Thus the setting up of the longitudinal oscillations and the lateral flexing of the springs in cooperation with the forces which are created by the momentum ofthe group of entangled springs 10a and 10b facilitates the separation of the springs (FIG. 8). Even though the springs 10a and 10b are separated, the springs continue to oscillate and flex (FIG. 9) and subsequently fall, by gravitation, into the pan 23 (FIG. The various modes of oscillations which are set up in the springs a and 1012 can be lateral as well as longitudinal. Additionally, the flexing of the springs 10a and 10b may also be lateral as well as longitudinal.

Referring now to FIG. 10, some of the groups of pairs of the entangled springs 10a and 10b (FIG. 2) are propelled from the exit end of the tube 14 so that the groups travel substantially axially of the springs 10a and substantially along the path which extends through the portion of the space of the bore of the target cylinder 16 which is in line with the axis of the tube 14 and which extends to the target portion 20 of the bore wall.

of the target cylinder directly opposite the port 19. Subsequently, the leading end of the axially propelled spring 10a engages violently the target portion 20 of the bore wall of the target cylinder 16 with such momentum that the spring 10a tends to compress toward the target portion 20 of the bore wall of the target cylinder. However, since adjacent portions of the convolutions on one side of the spring 10a are intermeshed with and encumbered by adjacent portions of the convolutions on one side of the spring 101), the spring 10a will only compress along the unencumbered side thereof.

As the unencumbered side of the spring 10a compresses, the spring 10a bends along its axis so that the portions of adjacent convolutions on the unencumbered side of the spring are urged together and the portions of adjacent convolutions on the encumbered side of the spring are spread apart. The bending of the'spring 10a about its axis results in a camming action, such as that previously described, where forces are developed to move the spring 10b laterally away from the spring 10a. Due to the momentum .of the separated springs 10a and 10b, the springs are thrust against other portions of the bore wall of the target cylinder 16 and then fall, by gravitation, into the pan 23.

Occasionally, one of the groups of entangled springs 10a and 10b, which exit substantially axially from the tube 14, does not separate upon initial impact with the target portion 20 of the target cylinder 16 because the convolutions of the springs 10a are firmly and deeply intermeshed and captured between the convolutions of the associated entangled spring 10b and the springs continue to cling together. However, as previously noted, when the entangled springs 10a and 10b strike the target portion 20 of the target cylinder 16 violently, the springs begin to oscillate in various modes in such a manner that the springs are compressing and expanding rapidly and are flexing. When the groups of entangled springs 10a and 10b oscillate and flex, forces are created in a manner such as that previously described and facilitate the separating of the springs. Thus, separation of each of the groups of the entangled springs 10a and 10b, which are propelled axially against the target portion 20 of the target cylinder 16, is assured even though the springs may not separate upon initial impact.

It is noted that if the material which forms the convolutions of the spring 10b is not thick enough to fill the void between adjacent convolutions of the spring 10a, the spring may compress axially rather than bend about its axis. However, oscillations will be set up in the springs 10a and 10b in the manner previously discussed to facilitate the separation of the springs.

The target portion 20 of the bore wall of the target cylinder 16 is concave. However, the invention is not limited to a con cave target surface and will function with any shape of target surface which will impede the travel of the propelled groups of entangled springs 10a and 10b and facilitate the flexing and oscillating of the springs 10a and 10b so that the entangled springs will separate. The cylindrical shape of the target cylinder 16, however, facilitates the confinement of the separated springs 10a and 10b so that the springs will subsequently fall into the pan 23. Further, the concavity of the target portion 20 of the target cylinder 16 facilitates the flexing of the groups of entangled springs 10a and 10b which aids in the subsequent separation of the entangled springs.

Infrequently, one of the groups ofentangled springs 10a and 10b may be clinging so firmly to each other that the springs do not separate after initial impact with the target portion 20 of the target cylinder 16 regardless of the orientation of the group of springs upon initial impact. The group of tangled springs a and l0b'is then deflected from the target portion of the target cylinder 16 and strikes another portion of the bore wall of the target cylinder. Usually,after the second impact, and with the oscillations, flexing and forces'that are occurring after the initial impact, the springs will separate in the manner previously described.

. Referring now to F IG. 3, as previously noted, occasionally an entangled group of three springs 10c, 10d and me is fed from the vibratory feeder 13 into the tube 14 and is subsequently propelled in random orientation from the exit end of the tube toward the target portion 20 of the bore wall of the target cylinder 16. Thegroup of entangled springs 10c, 10d

of the target cylinder 16 so that one of the springs, for example the spring 10a, may travel substantially axially of itself along a stream of air over the track. However, as long as the springs 10-10 continueto move past the feed shutoff device 24, the brief interruptions in the stream of air caused by the moving springs is insufficient path which is substantially in alinement with the axis of the bore of the tube or the group of entangled springs may travel so that the springs strike the target portionof the target cylinder 16 substantially broadsidesThe separation of the group of entangled springs 10c, 10d and 10a is then effected in the manner described for the separation of two entangled springs. r

Referring now to FIG. 11, as an example, when the leading end of the spring 10c of the group of entangled springs 10c, 10d and 10a engages'the target portion 20 of the bore wall of the target cylinder 16, the spring 100 is flexed laterally and oscillations in the springs develop-in the same manner as previously described .for the separation of the groups of entanto epen the ressure-operated switch.

I. the bat; up of springs 10-10 occurs in the tube 14, for example due to a binding of one of the groups of entangled springs 10a and 10b, some of the springs will stop on the track 18 adjacent to the feed shutoff device 24 and will block the stream of air, which is passing between the aligned apertures of thedevice, for a period sufficient to open the pressureoperated switch thereby stoppingthe operation of the apparatus 11. An operator can then clear the backup of the springs l0-10 by removing the group of springs which is binding in the tube 14 and start the operation of the apparatus 11 to continue the spring separation process.

Us'e' of the apparatus 11 is not limited to the separation of spiral articles such as groups of entangled springs l010. For example, other types of articles (not shown), such as flat discs which cling together along adjacent opposed flat surfaces thereof after. being treated in a plating operation or stick gled springs 10a and 10b (FIGS. 2 and 10). As the spring 100 is flexed, the spring 10d, which is further entangled-with the spring 102, is'released from the spring 100 and i s thrust free 10a is released, the secondary group eitherseparates due to the flexing and oscillations or is thrust randomly against another portion of the bore wail of the target cylinder'l6 to facilitate the continuation ofthe developed flexing and oscillations until separation of the springs 10d-and 10 e eventually occurs in the manner previously described.

' ,Tofurther enhance the separation of the groups of two and groups of entangled springs 10a and 10b and 10c, 10d and 10e are deposited randomly into a wire basket (not shown) and stance coatingthe springs. When the groups of twojand three entangled springs 10a and 10b and 100, and 10d and 102 are subsequently propelled against the target portion 20 of the target cylinder 16, the wax coating on the springs provides a form of lubrication which enhances the separation process.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a feed shutoff device, designated generally by the reference numeral 24, receives a stream of air from a feed tube 26 and directs the air across the track 18 and in a path between aligned apertures in the device. After the stream of air is'directed across the track 18, the air passes into three entangled springs 10a, 10b and '10c,'a wax substance, sucha's microcrystalline wax, isdissolved in a solvent, such as t a trichlorethane solution, to form a lubricating solution. The

an'exit tube 27 and controls a pressure-operated switch (not shown) which is included in a circuit (not shown) for operating the apparatus 11 and is closed when the stream of air together as'a result of surface tension of fluid captured between the two contiguous surfaces, may be propelled through the tube 14 and directed against the target portion 20 of the target cylinder 1 6.'As a result of differences in the momentum of the individual articles when the attached articles strike the target portion 20 of the target cylinder 16, forces are exerted on the individual clinging articles so that the articles are moved relative to each other and separation of the articles occurs.

his to be understood that the above-described arrangements are simply illustrative of the invention. Other arrangements maybe devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

1 We claim:

l. A. method of separating groups of convoluted articles where the convolution of the articles of each group are captured mutually between the convolutions of the other articles of each of the groups, which comprises the steps of:

feeding successively each of the groups of articles to be separated intoone end of an elongated passageway;

drawing successively each of the groups of the articles to be separated from the one end into intermediate portions of the elongated passageway;

accelerating successively the successively fed groups of the articles through the elongated passageway;

propelling successively the groups of the articles to be separated from the other end of the elongated passageway toward a surface so that each of the groups of articles is propelled from the elongated passageway independently of and in spaced relation from the other groups of articles to bepropelled from the elongated passageway; and

causing the successively propelled groups of articles to strike initially the surface with sufficient velocity to develop forces as a result of the momentum of the propelled articles so that the magnitude and directions of the forces which are exerted upon various segments of the articles are sufficient to move the capturedconvolutions of the articles of each group of articles from between the convolutions of each other to separate the articles.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, including the step .of

depositing a coating oflubricating substance onto the articles prior to the striking of the surface with the articles so that the I lubricating substance facilitates the separation of the articles and less force is required to be exerted upon the articles.

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