GB1084200A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,084,200. Shoots; endless belt conveyers. AJEM LABORATORIES Inc. Oct. 1, 1964 [Oct. 3, 1963], No. 40009/64. Headings B8A and B8S. A storage and feeding device for providing a continuous supply of articles to a machine comprises a vertical elevator having a plurality of horizontally contiguous vertical elevating sections A ... E, Fig. 2, which are serially interconnected by a plurality of helical gravity tracks b ... c, Fig. 1, extending from outlets in the upper part of the elevator to inlets in the lower part, the elevator having a primary inlet shoot 2 leading to an elevating section which delivers the articles to a helical gravity track a. extending to an inlet of the elevating section A 'and an exit shoot 12 receiving the articles from a helical gravity track / extending from the outlet of the elevating section E. Articles leave the tracks a ... e and enter the elevator when the latter has spaces vacant; while on the tracks the articles are nudged and so vibrated by articles passing on the elevator, the vibration assisting gravity flow of the articles on the tracks. The elevator comprises a driven belt 6, Fig. 4, and the elevating sections are formed by horizontal flights 20 and vertical ribs 22 on the belt providing compartments 36 for the articles. The gravity tracks may have rollers and may be vibrated. The inlet shoot 2 may have a twist therein so that the articles are turned on edge when delivered to the elevator, e.g. cylinders with their axes vertical may be turned so that the axes are horizontal. The gravity tracks may be enclosed and the enclosure may be transparent. The vertical ribs 22 on the belt 6 may be replaced by ribs inside the elevator housing 4.