GB1170054A - Improvements relating to Conveying Systems - Google Patents

Abstract

1,170,054. Endless conveyers. MOLINS MACHINE CO. Ltd., and D. W. MOLINS. 15 Feb., 1967 [17 Feb., 1966], No. 7095/66. Heading B8A. [Also in Division G1] A conveyer is adapted automatically to pick up a full container 2a of cigarettes and deposit an empty container 2b at a container loading station 13-18 and is adapted at a container unloading station 19-21 to deposit a full container and pick up an empty container. Detector mechanisms comprising a strain gauge (not shown) at 87, 97 and 107, operate only in response to the passing of full containers. Each mechanism generates a signal depending on the weight of a tray. Similar mechanisms 27, 37, 47, 57, 67, 77 operate only in response to the passing of empty containers. The detectors may also be operative in response to a visual code in the form of black bars 38 painted on a white disc. This ensures that the output of particular cigarette-making machines 13-18 is delivered to selected ones of cigarette packing machines 19-21. Until a detector mechanism is activated by a container, the latter will continue circulating the conveyer. When, for example, a carrier 12 of the conveyer supporting an empty container approaching the loading station 13 activates detector mechanism 27, a deflectable portion 29 of a guide rail 28 is moved to the position shown in dot-dash lines (Figs. 2 and 5). This causes the carrier 12 to swing about a pivot 31 of the conveyer carrier and causes the tray to be engaged with a stop on a table 33 of the loading station 13. During the swinging-in movement, the tray is also turned through 180 degrees (about an approximately vertical axis) due to the action of a twisted camming portion 32 of a conveyer hanger as it engages a falling part of the rail 28. This reversal is necessary because a container which is to be picked up at a station, has to be engaged on the leading prong of a carrier 12, while the latter has to be turned before arrival at the destination station, to a trailing position, to permit disengagement. Instead of having deflectable rail portions 29, the detector mechanisms when actuated at a station, may cause a platform (40) (Fig. 6, not shown) to be extended and thereby to result in loading or unloading. In a further modification (Fig. 7, not shown), a cable 45 is actuated by a detector to lift or lower a hanger 12 to effect a picking up, or setting down, respectively, of a container.