Article transfer apparatus

A method of transferring at least one article between two carriers, said method comprising:

• providing a first partitioned carrier containing at least one article and a second partitioned carrier;
• aligning the partitions of the second carrier to be opposed to the partitions of the first carrier and oriented to receive the at least one article from the first carrier;
• positioning the aligned first and second carriers in a transfer position to provide for the rotation of the first and second carrier through a gravitational field;
• and,
• rotating the first and second carrier through said gravitational field to exert a force sufficient to transfer the at least one article contained in the first carrier to the second carrier.

An apparatus for transferring at least one article between first and second partitioned carriers, said apparatus comprising:

• a fulcrum;
• a lever arm rotatably attached to said fulcrum;
• and,
• a clamp coupled to said lever arm having a first carrier retaining portion adjacent to a second carrier retaining portion.

An apparatus for transferring at least one article between first and second carriers, said apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of fulcrums;
• a lever arm having an axle extending between and rotatably attached to said fulcrums;
• and,
• a clamp coupled to said lever arm, said clamp having first carrier retaining portion adjacent to a second carrier retaining portion.

An apparatus for transferring at least one article between first and second carriers, said apparatus comprising:

• a fulcrum;
• a lever arm rotatably attached to said fulcrum to rotate about said fulcrum;
• a rotating member rotatably attached to said lever arm;
• and,
• a clamp attached to said rotating member having a first carrier retaining portion adjacent to a second carrier retaining portion.

An apparatus for transferring at least one article between first and second carriers, said apparatus comprising:

• a rotating member;
• a clamp attached to said rotating member having a first carrier retaining portion adjacent to a second carrier retaining portion;
• and,
• a positioning device coupled to said rotating member to provide for movement of said rotating member.

An apparatus for transferring articles, comprising:

• a positioning device comprising two opposing lifts;
• a rotating member rotatably supported between said lifts;
• a clamp coupled to said rotating member, said clamp having a first carrier retaining portion adjacent to a second carrier retaining portion;
• a first partitioned article carrier removably disposed in said first carrier retaining portion;
• and,
• a second partitioned article carrier removably disposed in said second carrier retaining portion with said first and second partitions in a generally opposing relationship.