US2788884A - Conveyor tables for glass washing machines and the like - Google Patents

Description

. l I Qu April 1957 w. H. BARRIE 2,788,884

CONVEYOR TABLES FOR GLASS WASHING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed March 30, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 [HIP April 16, 1957 w. H. BARRIE CONVEYOR TABLES FOR GLASS WASHING MACHINES AND THE. LIKE Filed March 30, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 am nrry H Y n April 16, 1957 w. H. 2,788,884

CONVEYOR TABLES FOR GLASS WASHING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed March 3 1955 BARRIE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 l an arr'ia a A 2,788,884 Patented AP 1957.

CONVEYOR TABLES FOR GLASS WASHING MACHINES AND THE LIKE William H. Barrie, St. Vital, Manitoba, Canada Application March 30, 1953, Serial No. 345,469

1 Claim. Cl. 198-219) My invention relates to new and useful improvements in the conveyor type of glass washing machines and more particularly in the means by which the glasses are caused to traverse the machine through the washing baths, the principal object of my invention being to provide a devicev of the character herewithin described which prevents the glasses from being chipped or broken during their passage through the machine. Y.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which, when the machine is loaded to capacity, automatically slips under the glasses without shattering or toppling same.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which insures a uniform rate of speed for theglasses passing through the glass washing section of the machine.

. Yet another object of my invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is simple to dismantle for cleaning purposes.

A still further object of my invention is to provide adevice of the character herewithin described which is relatively simple in construction, economical in operation'and otherwise Well suited to the purpose for which it is designed.

"With the foregoing objects in view, and such other objects and advantages as willv become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, my invention consists essentially in the arrangement and construction of parts all as herematter more particularly described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which: v

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the complete machine sectioned in part to show the interior thereof.

Figure 2 is a partial side elevation of the forward end of the machine, but on an elevation on the opposite side of that shown in Figure l.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the glass conveyor assembly.

Figure 4 is a vertical section through the machine looking from one end thereof. Figure 5 is a fragmentary enlarged'perspective view of half of the glass carrying assembly; Figure 6 is a fragmentary section through the view shown on Figure 3 and showing the movable element of the conveyor.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but taken through and showing the fixed element of the conveyor section.

'Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing the movable element in the uppermost position in -con trast to Figure/6 .whichshows same in the lower position. 'v Figure 9 is a side elevation of Figure 6. I In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the difierent-figures.

Conventional glass washing machines normally includemeans whereby the glasses are passed progressively through the washing element and are then deposited at the-other end ofthe machine ready" for-'use. The nor- 2 a chains or links or belts of some type and, as it is usual to passthe glasses through the machine in the inverted position, it is quite common for the belt or conveyor to catch the lips of the glasses with subsequent cracking or breaking to the glasses occurring.

This is particularly prevalent when the machine is loaded to capacity so that glasses can no longer pass through the machine, thus causing the conveyor to slip. Under these conditions it is quite common for a projecting portion of the conveyor to catch the edge of the glass and crack same.

I have overcome these disadvantages by providing a conveyor which moves the glasses through the machine in a series of small steps and which makes it impossible, even although the machine is loaded to capacity, for the edges of the glasses to be caught and broken by projecting portions of the conveyor. V

Proceeding now to describe my invention in detail, it will be seen upon reference to the accompanying drawings that I have shown in Figure 1 a side elevation of a glass washing machine consisting of a general framework 1 upon which is the conveyor table assembly collectively designated 2 and the glass washing unit 3. This glass washing unit consists of a plurality of spray heads 4 adapted to spray upon the outsides of the glasses pass ing therethrough, and further spray heads 5 adapted to spray upwardly into the interior of the glasses passing therethrough.

Within the framework 1 is a source of power in the form or" an electric motor 6 which, interalia, drives a pumping unit 7 and supplies clear Water and a cleansing solution to the spray heads as desired by means of the plurality of conduits 8 and valves 9 shown in this particular view, but as the general principles of this portion of the invention are relatively conventional, no further discussion of same is deemed necessary, except to say that glasses are loaded upon the conveyor 2 at the left hand or rear end 10 thereof, are passed slowly through the spraying or cleansing hood or unit 3, where they are subjected to the aforementioned spraying treatment, the glasses then passing to the right hand or forward end 11 of the conveyor assembly, ready for use when required. Y Y

Reference should now be made to Figures 3 to 9 inclusive which show the details of the conveying assembly which I have collectively designated by the reference character 2. This assembly comprises two main components, a fixed component collectively designated 12 and a movable component collectively designated 13. -The fixed component 12 includes a pair of side plates 14 running the length of the machine and secured to the sup-' porting framework 1, these two members being one upon each side of the machine and in spaced and-parallel rela tionship one with the other.

Strips 15 are secured to these plates 14 and extend.

horizontally therefrom inwardly, they in turn supporting right-angled channels 16 which run the full length of the conveyor system. Arched brackets 17 in the form of an inverted U are secured to the horizontal flange 18 of the angles 16 in spaced relationship along the length thereof, it being understoodthat,correspondingrbrackets extend from the opposite angles so that they are-in pairs along the length of the machine, one upononeside' and one upon the other, 1

Spanning the width of the machine as illustrated in Figure 4, is a set of transverse slotted bars 19, thesebars being secured to the arched brackets 17 andext entiing at right angles from the angle channels 16/ Open-- ended slots 20 are formed within the-upper edge-ZI 'of these bars, and a plurality of what I define as longitiidi nals 22 are secured within these-slots. These longitudi mal conveyor-used for these glasses either incorporates nals are flat strips resting on edge within the-slots- 20;

. 3 said strips or longitndinals being parallel one with the other, thus forming a fixed grid as shown in Figure 5..

The movable element 13 of the conveyor system consists of a pair of angle channels 23 reversed with respect to the aforementioned angle channels '16 and situated therebelow so that the horizontal flange 24 thereof is just below the horizontal flange 18 of the angle channels 16. This angle channel 23 issupported by a plurality of strips 25 which in turn are supported by means hereinafter to be described.

Secured to the vertical flange 24 of the angle channels 23 and between each pair of arched brackets 17, are further arched brackets 26, it being understood once again that these brackets 26 are transversed' pairs, one upon one side of the conveyor system and one upon the other.

A further set of transverse slotted bars 27 span corresponding pairs of brackets 26, these bars being 'inbetween adjacent pairs of the aforementioned bars 19, and substantially in the same plane therewith. These bars are also provided with open-ended slots 23 within theupper edges 29 thereof and within these slots is socured a further set of longitudinals 39, these longitudinals being similar in all respects to the aforementioned longitudinals 22. The last-mentioned longitudinals are interspersed alternately between the first-mentioned longitudinals 22 and reference to the bars 19 will show that further slots 26 are provided in the bars 19 within which freelyrests the longitudinals 39. Also within bars 27 further slots 23 are' provided within which may rest freelythe afore-mentioned longitudinals 22, and it will be seen that the slots 20 and 23' are deeper than the slots 20 and 28 respectively, the purpose of which will hereinafter become apparent.

The transverse bars 19 and 27, together with the longitudinals 22 and 36 thus form the complete grid cable or conveyor for the movement of glasses through the machine and it will have been appreciated that the movable element consisting of the bars 27 and longitudinals 30 (which are integral) can be moved with relation to the fixed element which consists of the bars 19 and the longitudinals 22 (which also are integral).

V The movement necessary to accomplish the moving of glasses consists of first raising the movable element 13 to a plane slightly above that of the fixed element 14 and, while so raised, moving same forwardly by a relatively small amount whereupon the movable element is lowered to a plane slightly below the plane of the fixed element. The movable element is then moved rearwardly while still below the plane of the fixed element and then raised again to repeat the cycle. In other words, the

' glassesiare resting upon the fixed longitudinals 22, they are then elevated by the elevation of the movable longitudinals 30, moved forwardly slightly while still supported by the movable longitudinals 30, and then again being supported by the fixed longitudinals 22 when the movable element is lowered and returned rearwardly to its initial position. In other words, the glasses progress 7 through the machine in a series of short regular movements, the conveyor taking the form of a walking table.

The aforementioned movements are derived from the aforementioned source of power 6 and will be dealt with separately, although it must be appreciated that the movements are synchronised so that the movable element elevates while in the rearward position, and is then moved forwardly while still elevated whereupon it is lowered and then moved rearwardly.

Dealing first with the forward and rearward movement or reciprocation of the movable element, reference to Figme l will show a disc 31 upon the shaft 32 leading from the source of power. This disc has an eccentric pin 33 adjacent the perimeter thereof, which in turn supports one end of a connecting rod 34. The opposite end 35 of the connecting rod is pivotally secured to a pitman 36 mounted medially along the length thereof for rock- 7 movement upon shaft 45 which in turn is supported 7 within bearings 37 supported a cross-member 38 within framework 1.

The upper end 39 of the pitman is pivotally connected to a further connecting rod 40 which in turn is hooked over a bearing pin 41extending from a plate 42 which in turn is secured to the aforementioned vertical flange 24' of the angle channel 23;

From the foregoing it will be seen that rotation of the disc 31 causes the pitman 36 to rock backwards and for wards upon shaft '45, which in turn reciprocates the angle channel 23 to which is secured themovable element.

The vertical movement of the movable element consists of a sprocket chain 43 extending from the-source of power to a sprocket wheel 44 secured upon the pitman shaft 45. Reference to Figure 2 shows the details of this portion of the drive and it will be seen that a cam 45 is also secured to shaft 45 and revolves therewith. This cam is provided with araised profile for approximately 180 degrees and bears against a roller 47 jourcalled-for rotation medially along the length of a rocker arm '48 which in t-urnis pivotally secured at the lower end thereof to a cross-brace 49. From the foregoing; it will be appreciated that rotation of the cam 46 causes the rocker arm to reciprocate at the upper end thereof in the direction of a double-headed arrow 59'. A con-' necting rod 51 extends from the upper end of the rocker arm 43 to a pin 52 which is part of the raising and loweringmechanism of the movable element'hereinafter to be described.

Two pairs of swinging links 53 and 53' are suspended for pivotal movement from bearings 54 secured to the underside of the fixed framework 55 as clearly illustrated in Figures 6 and 9. Transverse connecting rods 56 extend across the machine under the conveyor and longitudinal connecting rods 57 connect the forward and rear links 53 and 53' so that a swinging parallelogram is formed by the four links 53 and 53', the transverse connecting rods 56 and the longitudinal connecting rods 57.

Between the point of pivotal support provided by hearings 54, and the lower ends 58 of the links, is a roller supporting pin 59, supporting upon its inbored end a roller 60, it being understood that each of the swinging links 53 and 53' is provided with a roller assembly similar. The rollers 60 support the aforementioned strips 25 of the moving element of the conveyor and are positioned so that when the swinging links are in the vertical position shown in Figures 6 and 9, the longitudinals 30 of'the movable element are in a slightly lower plane than the sixth longitudinal 22. Conversely, when the links take up theposition shown in Figure l, as occasioned by the reciprocation of the rocker arm 48, the rollers 60 describe a short are and raises the entire movable element to plane slightly above that of the fixed element. In this connection it will be appreciated upon reference to Figure 2 that the connecting rod 51 is connected by means of pin 52 to the lower end of one of the swinging links 53.

The sequence of movement then is as follows. With the swinging links in the vertical position shown in Figures 6 and 9, the moving element in its rearmost position and glasses may be supported upon the longitudinal 22 of the fixed element. The swinging links arenext moved pivotally to take up the position shown in Figure l and 2, thus raising the movable longitudinal to a plane above that of the fixed longitudinal which therefore raises the glasses clear of the fixed longitudinals. While in this.

position, thus lowering the movable longitudinals to a a plane below'that of the fixed longitudinals and depositing the glasses upon the fixed longitudinals. At this point the movable element is moved rearwardly ,to again repeat the s le and urge the glassestorwudly once more.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that there is no part of the conveyor assembly which may catch the edges of the glasses as they are always supported upon the longitudinals of the fixed or movable elements. In this connection reference should be made to the relatively deep slots 20 and 28 which prevents this change of plane of the fixed and movable elements to take place.

In conclusion, if the glasses are piled in the forward collection area 11 of the conveyor system so that no more glasses can be moved forwardly, then the movable longitudinals 39 merely slip along the lips of the glasses Without damage occurring thereto.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as hereinabove described, and many apparently Widely different embodiments of same made Within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

What I claim as my invention is:

In a Walking beam conveyor structure, the combination of a stationary unit comprising a pair of spaced parallel horizontally disposed angle rails having vertical flanges fixed to a supporting frame, pairs of inverted U-shaped brackets provided on one leg thereof with lateral projections secured in opposing relation at longitudinally spaced points to horizontal flanges of said rails, a set of transverse bars extending between and secured to the other leg of the brackets in each pair, said transverse bars being provided with sets of longitudinally aligned and transversely spaced slots extending downwardly from their upper edges, and a set of longitudinal bars secured in alternate slots of said transverse bars, a movable unit comprising a second pair of angle rails disposed in spaced relation under the first mentioned rails, pairs of inverted U-shaped brackets secured by one leg thereof in opposing relation at longitudinally spaced points to vertical flanges of the second rails, a second set of transverse bars extending between and secured to the other leg of the second mentioned brackets in each pair, said second transverse bars being provided with sets of longitudinally aiigned and transversely spaced slots extending downwardly from their upper edges, and a second set of longitudinal bars secured in alternate slots of the second transverse bars, the longitudinal bars of said movable unit being slidable in slots between the longitudinal bars of the stationary unit, the slots between the longitudinal bars of the movable unit slidably receiving therein the longitudinal bars of the stationary unit, means for reciprocating the movable unit, a set of rollers supportably engaging horizontal flanges of said second mentioned angle rails, and means for raising and lowering said rollers, whereby the movable unit may be raised and lowered relative to the stationary unit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 894,424 Converse July 28, 1908 1,000,828 Lorillard Aug. 15, 1911 2,580,114 Marvin et al Dec. 25, 1951

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