GB1328278A - Method of and apparatus for depositing confections into package trays - Google Patents

Abstract

1328278 Depositing confections in trays OTTO HANSEL GmbH 6 Nov 1970 [8 Nov 1969] 52858/70 Heading B8C In an apparatus for depositing confections, particularly fancy chocolates, into package trays formed with recesses 5 moulded to the shape of individual chocolates a series of trays 4 are fed by a conveyer 3 in a direction A below a transversely orientated conveyer 6 which conveys, continuously in single file, two rows 7a, 7b of different kinds of chocolates which are guided by laterally adjustable pairs of bars 8 located above the conveyer 6 and which are intercepted by adjustable stops 9, 10. The distance b between the stops 9, 10, as well as the spacing a between the two rows of chocolates, is adjustable so that these spacings can be made equal to the corresponding distances b and a between the recesses 5 in the trays 4. Means for transferring the leading pair of chocolates from the conveyer 6 to the trays 4, at the intersection point of the two conveyers 3, 6 comprises suction pads 11a, 11b which are carried adjustably, on a common holder 12 pivoted to one end of an arm 15 the other end of which is secured to a rotatably mounted shaft 16. The arm 15 is rockable to and fro from a position above the chocolate rows to one above the tray to be loaded by means of a lever 20 and cam mechanism 18, 20 the lever 14 being movable at the same time up and down by levers 26, 27 and a cam mechanism 19, 28. As the suction pads 11a, 11b descend over the pair of chocolates adjacent the stops 9, 10, valves, associated with the cam and lever mechanisms, are operated to apply suction to the pads 11a, 11b which pick-up the pair of chocolates adjacent the stops 9, 10 and begin to transfer them toward the tray 4 to be filled. During the transfer, synchronized mechanism, not shown, rotates the pads 11a, 11b until they are in the exact angular position for reception in the recesses 5, the holder 12 being maintained in a horizontal position during the transfer by means of a parallelogram linkage 22, 25. When the pads 11a, 11b are located above the recesses 5, 5 they descend to deposit them in the recesses whereupon the suction to the pads 11a, 11b is cut off and the latter are returned to pick up another pair of chocolates. A plurality of chocolate feeder conveyers 6 with associated transfer means may be provided to eompletely fill a tray.