Apparatus and Process for Rotating Products

A conveying system comprising a product rotator and a conveyor on which is conveyed at least one rolled product in a machine direction, the conveyor comprising:

• a. a first portion on which is conveyed at least one rolled product having an axis oriented in the machine direction, wherein the at least one rolled product is partially wrapped in an open ended tube of polymer film;
• b. a second portion on which the at least one rolled product is rotated in a horizontal plane such that its axis is oriented in a cross machine direction,
• c. a third portion on which the at least one rolled product is conveyed while oriented in the cross machine direction to a sealing operation that seals the open ends of the tube of polymer film;
• wherein the product rotator comprises a rotator assembly moveably attached via a reciprocating linkage to framework positioned in operable relationship to the second portion, the rotator assembly being driven by a first motor such that the rotator assembly cycles in a closed path in a vertical plane, the rotator assembly having mounted to the linkage a second motor having a rotator cup, the rotator assembly being positioned with respect to the second portion such that upon each cycle the rotator cup contacts a partially wrapped package of rolled product throughout part of the cycle, wherein the rotator cup comprising flanges and a distance between the flanges is adjustable.

A method for rotating at least one rolled product, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a conveyor moving in a machine direction;
• b. providing in operable relationship to the conveyor a product rotator, the product rotator being mounted on a frame in operable relationship to the conveyor and comprising:
• 1. a rotator assembly moveably attached via a reciprocating linkage to the frame, the rotator assembly being driven by a first motor such that the rotator assembly cycles in a closed path in a vertical plane;
• 2. the rotator assembly having mounted to the linkage a second motor having a rotator cup, the rotator assembly being positioned with respect to the conveyor such that upon each cycle the rotator cup contacts the rolled product throughout part of the cycle, wherein the rotator cup comprising flanges and a distance between the flanges is adjustable;
• c. conveying the at least one rolled product on the conveyor while rotating the at least one rolled product by contacting the at least one rolled product with the rotator cup and reorienting the at least one rolled product in a horizontal plane.