초록 ▼

Apparatus and method for automatically transferring articles from a continuously movable conveyor to a work station, and return, the transfer apparatus comprising a carriage mounted alongside the conveyor between the latter and the work station and for reciprocating movements along a path parallel t

Apparatus and method for automatically transferring articles from a continuously movable conveyor to a work station, and return, the transfer apparatus comprising a carriage mounted alongside the conveyor between the latter and the work station and for reciprocating movements along a path parallel to the movement of the conveyor. The carriage has two article support portions, one of which is adapted to receive an article from the conveyor and move it into the work station, and the other of which is adapted to receive an article from the work station and return it to the conveyor. The conveyor is provided with means for stopping selected articles carried by the conveyor to enable the transfer of articles from and to the conveyor to be effected. The movements of the carriage are controlled in such manner as to ensure the presence thereon of an article in readiness to be transferred to the work station prior to the completion of work performed on a preceding article in the work station.

대표청구항 ▼

In material handling apparatus of the kind including a conveyor for conveying articles along a continuous path extending toward, alongside, and beyond a work station located adjacent one side of said conveyor and between the ends of said path, means forming a pathway leading into and out of said wor

In material handling apparatus of the kind including a conveyor for conveying articles along a continuous path extending toward, alongside, and beyond a work station located adjacent one side of said conveyor and between the ends of said path, means forming a pathway leading into and out of said work station, and means upstream from said work station for shifting articles off and to said one side of said conveyor, the improvement comprising support means independent of said conveyor and said pathway at said one side of said conveyor for receiving an article shifted off said conveyor and supporting such article in an initial position upstream from said pathway while others of said articles continue to be conveyed along said path; means for transferring such article from said initial position to a second position in register with said pathway; means for moving such article from said second position into said work station via said pathway; means for returning said transferring means to said initial position following movement of such article into said work station, thereby enabling said support means to receive another article from said conveyor while the first-mentioned article is at said work station; and means for returning such first-mentioned article from said work station to said conveyor between the ends of its path. A method of transferring articles from a conveyor having a continuous article supporting run extending to, alongside and beyond a work station adjacent said conveyor, and return, said method comprising moving articles on said conveyor in succession along said run; interrupting movement of said articles and moving a first selected article off said conveyor run between the ends of said run; continuing the movement of others of said articles along said run following the movement of said selected article off said run; positioning said first article in register with a pathway extending into said work station; moving said first selected article in a direction leading into said work station via said pathway; interrupting movement of said others of said articles along said run and moving a second selected article off said conveyor run between the ends of the latter and supporting said second selected article in a rest position out of register with said pathway while said first selected article is in said work station; continuing the movement of others of said articles along said run following the movement of said second selected article off said run; moving said first selected article in the opposite direction leading out of said work station via said pathway; moving said second selected article from said rest position into register with said pathway following movement of said first selected article out of said work station; moving said second selected article into said work station via said pathway; and returning said first selected article to said conveyor run between its ends.