GB818892A - Improvements in and relating to bread loaf conveying means - Google Patents

Abstract

818,892. Endless conveyers. BAKER PERKINS Ltd. Feb. 17, 1956 [Nov. 18, 1954], No. 33406/54. Class 78 (1). A conveyer arrangement for distributing successive batches of bread loaves to different slicing machines or to a collection point consists of a continuously driven feed conveyer from which the batches pass to a pivotally displaceable conveyer which is displaceable into register with each of a plurality of discharge stations from which further conveyers lead to respective slicing machines and the collection point, displacement of the displaceable conveyer being effected by means controlled by detecting devices associated with the stationary conveyer and with the further conveyers and which are responsive to the passage of batches of loaves. As shown, the batches of loaves pass through diagonal light beams 25, 26 projected from lamps 23, 24 on one side of the stationary conveyer 1 to photo-cells 27, 28 on the other side of conveyer 1, the arrangement being such that on complete batches are detected. Photo-cells 27, 28, in conjunction with further photo-cells (not shown) associated with each of the further conveyers 6, 7 and 11 and actuated by single loaves on those conveyers, control a reversible electric motor 16 effecting the pivotal movements of conveyer 2. Conveyer 2 is pivoted at 4 on a horizontal axis so that its discharge end can be moved into register with any of the discharge stations A, B or C, these being the receiving ends of conveyers 6, 7 and 11, of which conveyers 6 and 7 lead to separate slicing machines, and conveyer 11 leads to a collecting point, e.g. a rotary table. The raising and lowering of conveyer 2 is effected by an endless chain 17 secured at one point to the conveyer and passed around sprockets 19, 20, of which the latter is driven by motor 16. Alternatively a non-endless chain may be used leading from the conveyer 2 around the sprocket 20 and to a counterweight in which case the counterweight 5 may be omitted. The motor 16 is controlled by the photo-cells in such manner that when both slicing machines are operating normally successive batches of loaves are fed alternately to the two conveyers 6 and 7, but should a loaf of a previous batch still be present on whichever one of these conveyers the conveyer 2 is aligned with as detected by the photo-cell on that conveyer then conveyer 2 is moved into alignment with conveyer 11 to divert the next batch to the collecting point. Loaves are by this means diverted to the collecting point whenever one or both of the slicing machines is stopped. Exact registration of conveyer 2 with each of the conveyers 6, 7 and 11 is ensured by the inclusion in the control circuit of switches 32 located for actuation by conveyer 2 in its various positions of alignment. Further switches 31 are provided in respect of conveyers 6 and 7 each of which when actuated renders the photo-cell associated with respective conveyer 6 or 7 inoperative so that it cannot allow two successive batches to be fed to the same slicing machine. Indicator lamps may be provided to indicate the route travelled by each batch of loaves, also to indicate when and where stoppages occur. An alarm may also be provided to indicate a stoppage due to an overload.