Abstract:
A conveyor system includes an elongated vacuum plenum having an interior defined between upwardly and downwardly facing surfaces between opposing ends. A slot defining a portion of a conveyor path is formed in the plenum and extends from one end of the plenum at the upwardly facing surface toward the other end and the downwardly facing surface. A plurality of conveyor modules forming part of an endless loop are received in the slot and move along the conveyor path. At least some of the modules have at least one opening in fluid communication with the interior of the plenum. An object disposed on at least one of the modules is held against the at least one module by a vacuum in the interior of the plenum as the at least one module moves along the conveyor path from the upwardly facing surface toward the downwardly facing surface.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a transfer apparatus for transfer to and/or from a processing machine, in particular an internal lacquering machine, for processing cylindrical containers with or without a closed bottom, in particular made of aluminium or steel, wherein the processing machine comprises a holding dial provided with holding elements for holding the cylindrical containers, to a processing system including such transfer apparatus and to a corresponding transfer method and it is an object of the present invention to provide such transfer apparatus, which allows for transferring cylindrical containers with or without a closed bottom to a processing machine the holding elements of which having radially and tangentially fixed positions relative to the holding dial and being equally distributed with a first mutual pacing on a circle with a reduced need for maintenance and/or cleaning.
Abstract:
Apparatus (150) for orientating articles A comprising a transfer mechanism (114) for transferring articles at a transfer speed, a sensor for determining the orientation of an article being transferred, an article orientation mechanism (112) moveable at a second speed different to said transfer speed and an engagement mechanism operable to selectively engage an article with the article orientation mechanism in response to information collected by the sensor wherein the article is moved to a desired orientation.
Abstract:
An endless conveyor belt comprises a number of links which are each coupled to an adjacent link by means of a hinge. Added to each link is a carrier which has a discrete, flat first carrying surface which consists of the outer surfaces of a number of mutually coupled plates extending with second mutual intermediate spaces in longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt, wherein corresponding plates of adjacent links lie in the same plane. In the second intermediate space there fits a row, extending in transverse direction, of fixedly disposed fingers which extend in longitudinal direction and form a discrete, flat second carrying surface which, at the position of co-action with the first carrying surface, lies in the same plane as this first carrying surface, which fingers are disposed at the end of the active part of the conveyor belt and can take over for further transport objects fed by this conveyor belt in sliding manner while being pushed by objects fed by this conveyor belt.
Abstract:
A system for storing cylindrical containers includes multiple container guides positioned parallel to each other. In one embodiment, each container guide includes upper and lower track rails comprising left and right bearing surfaces and a track separator. The track rails guide containers placed on either side of the rails from a receiving area on the upper track to a dispensing area on the lower track. The system may also include a frame that receives and supports the container guides and thereby provides one or more storage shelves capable of storing containers such as cans on a first-in first-out basis in a compact manner. Each container guide may include a plurality of frame mating elements that mate the container guide to the frame and enable the container guide to bear a load.
Abstract:
Conveyor systems and methods for transporting articles, such as containers, using the conveyor systems are provided. The conveyor systems include a lubricious liner adhesively attached to a surface of a conveyor or an article for transport on the conveyor, such that the liner is disposed between the article and the surface. The lubricious liners facilitate the transport of the articles by the conveyor systems.
Abstract:
A system and method for packaging oriented containers in a container carrier wherein a plurality of containers are fed into an orienter device for orienting a container in a desired rotational position prior to placement in a container carrier. The orienter device includes a reader for determining an initial orientation of the container; a control system for determining a shortest rotational distance from the initial orientation to the desired rotational position between a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction; and a chuck engaged with the container and in communication with the control system for rotating the container the shortest rotational distance to the desired rotational position.
Abstract:
A vending machine incorporates a product support and dispensing system including an oscillator and an adjustable bail cap. The oscillator is pivotally mounted at a lower portion of one of a plurality of stack areas provided within the vending machine. The oscillator includes a product retention zone having first and second staging regions, each of which has upper and lower holding elements for retaining a product containers in pre-vend positions. The adjustable bail cap is detachably secured to the oscillator and includes an arcuate intermediate portion adapted to selectively support the product containers. The adjustable bail cap can be selectively repositioned to allow the product support and delivery system to accommodate a wide range of container sizes.