GB1377423A - Vertical press apparatus with remotely controlled distributor - Google Patents

Abstract

1377423 Press for packaging tobacco F B FISHBURNE 17 Jan 1972 [27 July 1971] 2213/72 Addition to 1326246 Heading B8C A press for packing fragmentary compressible material such as tobacco into containers comprises a distributer for acting on the material as it falls through a charger 1 from a feed conveyer 47 into a container to ensure an even distribution of material within the container prior to pressing by a vertically movable ram 4. For packing in circular containers (3, Fig. 1) the distributer comprises an arcuate plate 35 which can be pivoted inwardly by a fluidic piston device 37 from a rest position adjacent the cylinder wall to an operative deflecting position. The plate 35 is mounted on posts 29 supported on a ring 19 driven over flanged rollers 15 by a pulley belt 23 so that during operation the plate 35 travels back and forth along an arcuate path between a pair of limit switches 54, (53, Fig. 3) The limit switch circuitry includes manually adjustable time relay delays (55, 56, Fig. 5) for adjusting the dwell periods at each limit of travel. After a sufficient quantity of material has entered the container, the deflector returns to rest to allow the ram 4 to pass. The ring 19 may be provided with a finger (122, Fig. 7) for tripping a two position selector switch (126) connected to manually adjustable time delay relays (117-120) so that the dwell periods and length of travel of the plate 35 may be varied. Overtravel limit stops may be provided for the plate 35. For packing in rectangular containers the distributer comprises a pair of opposed pivotable plates 204, 205 interconnected by a fluidic piston device 214 having an adjustable piston length. For operation, pressure fluid is supplied to the device 214 via a pipe 229 whilst the piston is held stationary, by a fluidic piston device 221 thus causing the plate 204 to pivot inwardly from its rest position to its deflecting position. Pressure fluid is then supplied alternately through pipes 231, 232 to the device 221 whilst pressure fluid is supplied in the device 214 so that the plates 204, 205 are caused to pivot in and out in turn. Adjustable time delay relays 244, 248 enable the dwell periods and the time of pivoting to be varied. The charger 1 is provided wth a lower end portion (7, Fig. 1) of translucent fibre reinforced polymeric material. The circuitry for all embodiments is fully described (Figs. 5-7), Fig. 8.