GB873337A - Improved method and apparatus for handling biscuits and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

873,337. Conveyers. PACKMAN MACHINERY Ltd. Sept. 25, 1959 [Oct. 17, 1958; Aug. 25, 1959], Nos. 33230/58 and 29081/59. Class 78 (1). Apparatus for removing metered batches of biscuits from an advancing column standing on edge comprises a transfer device 24 having teeth 25 which engage at least the rearmost biscuits of the batch and move these biscuits rearwardly as they are displaced from the column to increase their pitch to a value in excess of the average pitch of the biscuits in the column, means for withdrawing the displaced batches of biscuits in succession from the displacing device, and mechanism operative prior to displacement of each batch of biscuits to arrest and move bodily backwards biscuits situated in the column to the rear of and near to the batch to be separated. When the leading biscuit comes into contact with a stop 20 on the device 24, grippers 45 move inwardly to engage the biscuits in rear of the batch to be separated and then move rearwardly to establish a gap Y1 between the 17th and 16th biscuits. When this movement is completed, the rack 25 commences to move upwardly and the biscuits are lifted successively off the fixed track 35. As each biscuit is lifted it is shunted rearwardly to increase the pitch of the batch. As the rack rises its toe 23, Fig. 3, provides a support for the biscuits between the rack and the grippers and reduces the width of the gap between them from Y1, Fig. 2, to Y2, Fig. 3. A blast of air travelling in the direction of the arrow B, Fig. 4, maintains the biscuits in position on the rack. When the last biscuit has been raised above the rails 36, these rails move inwards to a position below the lifted batch and stops on the rails move into position to support the next batch. The rack is then lowered and the biscuits are deposited on the rails 36, Fig. 5, from which they are removed by a reciprocating plunger to a table along which they are moved by the flights of an intermittently moving endless conveyer.