Abstract:
An improved blow-off system wherein compressed air directed through a nozzle is used to eject individual cans from their support pins, wherein the nozzles move in synchronized manner with the individual cans such that the ejection operation is accomplished without need to stop or slow the processing equipment. The blow-off system has a sprocket, such that the sprocket of the blow-off system can be substituted for an idler or drive sprocket found in the pin chain conveyor system of the processing equipment. Multiple blow-off nozzles are disposed radially from a central distribution manifold, with each nozzle being operated by a dedicated valve. As the cans pass around the sprocket for 90 to 180 degrees, the nozzles are aligned with each can over this entire arc. If a defect is noted such that the can needs to be ejected, the individual nozzle associated with the defective can is activated.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an article elevator for moving lightweight open ended containers from a first level to a second level vertically spaced from the first level. The article elevator includes an input section at the first level for receiving container bodies. An elevator section is positioned for receiving container bodies from the input section. A discharge section is located at the second level for receiving container bodies from the elevator section. A plurality of arms is movably mounted above the input section, the elevator section, and the discharge section. Each of the arms moves a group of container bodies from the input section over the elevator section to the discharge section so that successive groups of container bodies are moved to the discharge section from the input section.
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 including 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 lower track may include a concave depression proximate to the dispensing area that retains a first container at a lower relative position, thus enabling the first container to act as a stopping mechanism to subsequent containers placed in the system. 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.
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:
An air conveyer 12 is provided for receiving an uppermost container group elevated by a lift device and transporting the container group horizontally. A pushing device 23 is provided for pushing the uppermost container group onto the adjacent airflow conveyer 12 by contacting the container group at one side thereof and moving horizontally toward the other side. A forward-fall preventive device 24 is provided to be switchable between a closed state for lying forwardly in a pushing direction of the container group, as the pushing device 23 moves horizontally, to be capable of preventing a forward fall of containers, and an open state for opening a forward position in the pushing direction of the container group when the container group rides the airflow conveyer 12 to enable a discharge of the container group. A speed varying mechanism 62 is provided for varying a relative speed between a transport speed of the airflow conveyer 12 and a pushing speed of the pushing device 23.
Abstract:
Apparatus for storing and dispensing cylindrical articles to a transport line located alongside the apparatus comprising a storage unit which is mounted for vertical movement and is provided with a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically spaced shelves which are inclined towards the transport line and a transfer unit located between the shelves and the transport line having a member mounted for vertical movement between blocking and unblocking position with the member blocking the exit from the aligned shelf when in blocking position and freeing the exit when in unblocking position to permit transfer of an object from the shelf onto the surface thereof and which is adapted to effect transfer of said object from the surface thereof when the adjacent portion of the transport line is free, and means controlling vertical movement of the shelves responsive to the absence of an object on a shelf aligned with the transfer unit, said means being responsive to contacts to reverse the movement of the shelf when in its upper position and in its lower position and to control shelf movement by an increment corresponding to the spaced relationship between the shelves in the absence of an article on the aligned shelf.
Abstract:
A device for transporting objects, preferably containers, along a transport path. A control unit is configured to operate the device in a first operating mode and in a second operating mode. In the first operating mode and in the second operating mode the objects are transported in each case by pairs which are formed in each case from one of the first movement devices and one of the second movement devices. In the first operating mode, the pairs are formed such that the first movement device is positioned in a direction of the transport path upstream of the second movement device of the respective pair. In the second operating mode, the positioning is reversed. The device advantageously makes it possible for different objects to be able to be transported without a mechanical adjustment relative to the format and for a relatively small spacing to be able to be achieved.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a processing station with a container conveyor, a discharge apparatus including a discharge star with a carrier for transporting the containers, a discharge device arranged around the discharge star and defining a discharge curve for guiding the containers, a container inlet arranged at an end of the discharge device for receiving the containers, and a container outlet arranged at a second end of the discharge device for discharging the containers. The discharge device includes a discharge edge at the first end arranged in a region of the container conveyor such that, in the operating state, the container is received by the discharge edge into the container inlet, and the discharge star is rotatable such that the container is transported by the carrier on a guideway delimited by the discharge curve and the discharge star from the container inlet to the container outlet.