APPARATUS FOR FEEDING ELECTRODE CAPSULES WITH TWO STATIONS HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY MIRROR IMAGE ARRANGEMENT WITH RESPECT TO A PLANE

摘要

An apparatus (10) for feeding electrode capsules (12) has two stations (14a 14b) for withdrawal of electrode capsules (12). The withdrawal stations (14a 14b) have a mirror image arrangement with respect to a given intermediate plane (P) and are situated in a peripheral zone of the apparatus (10). Two guide ducts (16a 16b) house two respective rows of electrode capsules (12). Two prechambers are provided each one being arranged between the associated withdrawal station (14a 14b) and an outlet end of the associated guide duct (16a 16b). A retractable stop pin is mounted between each prechamber and the associated withdrawal station (14a 14b) said pin when extracted blocking an electrode capsule (12) inside the withdrawal station. In order to transfer an electrode capsule (12) from the prechamber to the associated withdrawal station (14a 14b) the apparatus (10) is provided with two positioning devices (32a 32b) which can be selectively operated. Two pneumatic connections (30a 30b) are each connected to one of the guide ducts (16a 16b) so to introduce selectively and independently pressurised air flows into either one of the guide ducts (16a 16b). The pressurised air acts directly on the electrode capsules (12) contained in the chosen guide duct (16a 16b) and causes them to advance towards the respective withdrawal station (14a 14b).