Brick blending apparatus

US4161368A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Keller Holding GmbH · DE

Inventor

• Alfred Batzdorff · Lansdale, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 6, 1978
• Grant date: Jul 17, 1979
• Expiry date: Feb 6, 1998

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65G60/00
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus for selectively blending rows of bricks includes a blending station having a blending area into which bricks are introduced from first and second staging areas on opposite sides of the blending area. In a preferred embodiment, the bricks are delivered by conveyors to the staging areas in spaced parallel rows. Brick transfer means are provided for each brick row in each staging area and may be selectively actuated to transfer rows of bricks into the blending area in the desired blend, the rows being moved longitudinally so as to interleave with the rows from the opposite staging area. Retractable guide means are provided to prevent interference between the oppositely moving rows of bricks. Upon retraction of the guide means, a conveyor moves the bricks from the blending area to permit the repetition of the blending operation. In a preferred form of the invention, the conveyors for delivering bricks into the opposed staging areas are supplied with bricks from a plurality of brick hacks which are deposited in hack nests alongside the conveyors. Gripper-trolleys arranged transversely of the conveyors are capable of transferring bricks from any of the brick hacks onto either c…