Article counting and grouping apparatus
First Claim
1. In an apparatus for counting and grouping articles, including a discharge end through which the articles are discharged in consecutive groups, each having a predetermined number of articles;
- a first conveyor means carrying the articles in random distribution;
a second conveyor means having a plurality of parallel-arranged counting channels;
transfer means for advancing the articles onto the counting channels from said first conveyor means;
counting means associated with each counting channel to monitor, from a zero count, the total number of articles passing the counting means in the second conveyor means to determine article groups having a predetermined number of articles; and
a third conveyor means having pusher assemblies associated with each counting channel for cyclically taking over the conveyance of the articles from the second conveyor means at a location which is downstream of the counting means as viewed in the conveying direction of the articles;
the improvement comprisinga. an arresting device disposed downstream of said counting means, said arresting device having an operative position in which it blocks advance of the articles to said discharge end of said apparatus;
said arresting device having an inoperative position in which it allows passage of the articles to said discharge end;
said arresting device being operatively connected to said counting means for placing said arresting device in its operative position when an article group that passed said counting means has articles of less than the predetermined number and for placing said arresting device in its inoperative position when the article group blocked by it has reached said predetermined number; and
b. a switch-over device disposed in the travelling path of said pusher assemblies;
said switch-over device having an operative position in which it sets said pusher assemblies into a withdrawn state;
in the withdrawn state said pusher assemblies remain out of contact with the articles during a conveying cycle;
said switch-over device having an inoperative position in which it allows said pusher assemblies to remain in an advanced state;
in the advanced state said pusher assemblies contact and convey said articles during a conveying cycle;
said switch-over device being operatively connected to said counting means for placing said switch-over device in its operative position when an article group that passed said counting means has articles of less than the predetermined number and for placing said switch-over device in its inoperative position when the article group blocked by said arresting device has reached said predetermined number.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for counting and grouping articles has a discharge end through which the articles are discharged in consecutive groups, each having a predetermined number of articles; a first conveyor carrying the articles in random distribution; a second conveyor having a plurality of parallel-arranged counting channels; a transfer arrangement for advancing the articles onto the counting channels from the first conveyor; a counter associated with each counting channel to monitor, from a zero count, the total number of articles passing the counter in the second conveyor to determine article groups having a predetermined number of articles; and a third conveyor having pusher assemblies associated with each counting channel for cyclically taking over the conveyance of the articles from the second conveyor at a location which is downstream of the counter as viewed in the conveying direction of the articles. The apparatus further includes an arresting device which, in the event an incomplete group is present in the counting channels, blocks the advance of the articles towards the discharge end and a switch-over device which sets the pusher assemblies into a withdrawn, inoperative state in the presence of such incomplete group. The arresting device allows the articles to proceed and the pusher assemblies are placed into their normal, article-engaging state when, as sensed by the counter, the incomplete group -- by continuing conveyance on the second conveyor -- reaches the predetermined number of articles.
8 Citations
5 Claims
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1. In an apparatus for counting and grouping articles, including a discharge end through which the articles are discharged in consecutive groups, each having a predetermined number of articles;
- a first conveyor means carrying the articles in random distribution;
a second conveyor means having a plurality of parallel-arranged counting channels;
transfer means for advancing the articles onto the counting channels from said first conveyor means;
counting means associated with each counting channel to monitor, from a zero count, the total number of articles passing the counting means in the second conveyor means to determine article groups having a predetermined number of articles; and
a third conveyor means having pusher assemblies associated with each counting channel for cyclically taking over the conveyance of the articles from the second conveyor means at a location which is downstream of the counting means as viewed in the conveying direction of the articles;
the improvement comprisinga. an arresting device disposed downstream of said counting means, said arresting device having an operative position in which it blocks advance of the articles to said discharge end of said apparatus;
said arresting device having an inoperative position in which it allows passage of the articles to said discharge end;
said arresting device being operatively connected to said counting means for placing said arresting device in its operative position when an article group that passed said counting means has articles of less than the predetermined number and for placing said arresting device in its inoperative position when the article group blocked by it has reached said predetermined number; andb. a switch-over device disposed in the travelling path of said pusher assemblies;
said switch-over device having an operative position in which it sets said pusher assemblies into a withdrawn state;
in the withdrawn state said pusher assemblies remain out of contact with the articles during a conveying cycle;
said switch-over device having an inoperative position in which it allows said pusher assemblies to remain in an advanced state;
in the advanced state said pusher assemblies contact and convey said articles during a conveying cycle;
said switch-over device being operatively connected to said counting means for placing said switch-over device in its operative position when an article group that passed said counting means has articles of less than the predetermined number and for placing said switch-over device in its inoperative position when the article group blocked by said arresting device has reached said predetermined number. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
- a first conveyor means carrying the articles in random distribution;
Specification