Rotary loading apparatus

Abstract

An induction rotary loader is mounted between a loader and a sorter for loading of articles onto the sorter, the loader may be tilted with respect to the horizontal preferably a tilting discharge tray unit. Several loading arms are connected for independent pivotal movement about a loader arm pivot unit. A spider plate is provided with a fixed rotating axis radially offset with respect to the pivot unit and includes individual coupling trunnion units which are equicircumferentially spaced and connected one each to the loading arms. As the spider rotates at a constant speed, the couplings carry the arms about their fixed axis with a varying drive position which correspondingly varies the effective length of the pivot radii for the arms with a corresponding variation in the speed of the outer end. Load supports are pivotally mounted on each arm with a support wheel riding on an outer track having a dip to automatically pivot each structure. The load moves into abutment with a forward wall prior to reaching the unloading station. A reciprocating belt of each unit is movable radially of the loader. The belt is secured at the opposite ends and passes over fixed and moving rollers permitting radial movement to drop from the belt to the sorter. A cam unit at the loading and unloading station automatically engages, or a pneumatic operator is operated, to move the moving rollers and belt. A front wall is secured to a fixed front roller and pivoted therewith between a stop position and an unloading position.