Article feeding system for parallel-operating machines

In a system for feeding spaced, serially arranged articles to a plurality of article processing machines operatively connected to the system and including a plurality of normally, simultaneously operating article processing first machines and a standby article processing second machine for assuming the operation of a non-operating first machine;

• the improvement comprising
• (a) a plurality of first article aligning apparatuses, one associated with each said first machine;
• (b) a second article aligning apparatus associated with said second machine;
• (c) a first conveyor means extending from each said article aligning apparatus to the respective first and second machines for supplying serially arranged articles to the respective first and second machines from the article aligning apparatus associated therewith;
• (d) an article deflecting means operatively connected with each said first article aligning apparatus;
• each said article deflecting means having a first position for routing the articles on the associated first article aligning apparatus to the associated first conveyor means and a second position;
• (e) a second conveyor means extending from each said first article aligning apparatus to said second article aligning apparatus;
• in said second position of said article deflecting means the articles on the associated first article aligning apparatus being routed to the associated second conveyor means;
• said second conveyor means including
• (1) a collecting conveyor having an inlet and an outlet that extends to said second article aligning apparatus for feeding articles thereto;
• (2) a plurality of buffer conveyor means extending from each said first article aligning apparatus to said inlet of said collecting conveyor for feeding articles to said collecting conveyor from that first article aligning apparatus were the associated said article deflecting means is in its said second position;
• said buffer conveyor means include a first and a second buffer conveyor belt associated with different first machines and extending parallel to one another to the respective said article separator;
• said first and second buffer conveyor belts being of unlike lengths;
• the shorter buffer conveyor belt being wider than the longer buffer conveyor belt;
• (f) article separators arranged at an outlet of each buffer conveyor means and having a first position for routing the articles from the respective buffer conveyor means onto said collecting conveyor and a second position for routing the articles from the respective buffer conveyor means away from said collecting conveyor;
• and
• (g) actuating means for individually moving each article deflecting means into one of its said positions.

In a system for feeding spaced, serially arranged articles to a plurality of article processing machines operatively connected to the system and including a plurality of normally, simultaneously operating article processing first machines and a standby article processing second machine for assuming the operation of a non-operating first machine;

• the improvement comprising
• (a) a plurality of first article aligning apparatuses, one associated with each said first machine;
• (b) a second article aligning apparatus associated with said second machine;
• (c) a first conveyor means extending from each said article aligning apparatus to the respective first and second machines for supplying serially arranged articles to the respective first and second machines from the article aligning apparatus associated therewith;
• (d) an article deflecting means operatively connected with each said first article aligning apparatus;
• each said article deflecting means having a first position for routing the articles on the associated first article aligning apparatus to the associated first conveyor means and a second position;
• (e) a second conveyor means extending from each said first article aligning apparatus to said second article aligning apparatus;
• in said second position of said article deflecting means the articles on the associated first article aligning apparatus being routed to the associated second conveyor means;
• said second conveyor means including
• (1) a collecting conveyor having an inlet and an outlet that extends to said second article aligning apparatus for feeding articles thereto;
• (2) a plurality of buffer conveyor means extending from each said first article aligning apparatus to said inlet of said collecting conveyor for feeding articles to said collecting conveyor from that first article aligning apparatus where the associated said article deflecting means is in its said second position;
• (f) separate drive means connected to each said buffer conveyor means;
• (g) energizing means for energizing the respective said drive means when the respective said article deflecting means assumes its said second position;
• (h) actuating means for individually moving each article deflecting means into one of said positions;
• (i) a separate sensor arranged at each said buffer conveyor means in the vicinity of said inlet of said collecting conveyor for responding to the articles moving past on the respective buffer conveyor means;
• and
• (j) a control circuit connected to said sensors, said drive means and said actuating means;
• said control circuit including
• (1) first control means for de-energizing the respective said drive means upon movement of the associated article deflecting means from said second position into said first position provided the respective sensor has not yet responded to articles advanced on the associated said buffer conveyor means;
• (2) second control means for de-energizing the respective said drive means upon movement of the associated article deflecting means from said second position into said first position provided all articles on the associated said buffer conveyor means have moved past the sensor.