Pan inverting apparatus and method

Apparatus for inverting pans, trays or the like, which comprises:

• an input endless belt for engaging pans to be inverted;
• a revolving pan wheel located at the discharge end of said input endless belt and including a plurality of structures defining pan receivers opening radially outward to define the periphery of said pan wheel;
• each of said pan receivers including a substantially straight bottom wall, a top wall having an inner portion parallel to and spaced from said bottom wall and an outer portion extending away from said bottom wall to define a widened entrance to the pan receiver, and an end wall interconnecting the inner ends of said top and bottom walls;
• pan stop means positioned adjacent the input endless belt and synchronized with rotation of the pan wheel for selectively releasing each pan for advancement by said belt into one of the pan receivers for rotation with the pan wheel to effect inversion;
• and
• an output endless belt mounted adjacent the pan wheel and opposite the input endless belt for engaging and advancing inverted trays from the pan wheel.

Apparatus for inverting pans, trays or the like, which comprises:

• an input endless belt for engaging pans to be inverted;
• revolving pan wheel located at the discharge end of said input endless belt and including a plurality of structures defining pan receivers opening radially outward to define the periphery of said pan wheel;
• each of said pan receivers including a substantially straight bottom wall, a top wall having an inner portion parallel to and spaced from said bottom wall and an outer portion extending away from said bottom wall to define a widened entrance to the pan receiver, and an end wall interconnecting the inner ends of said top and bottom walls;
• pan stop means positioned adjacent the input endless belt and synchronized with rotation of the pan wheel for selectively releasing each pan for advancement by said belt into one of the pan receivers for rotation with the pan wheel to effect inversion;
• an output endless belt mounted adjacent the pan wheel and opposite the input endless belt for engaging and advancing inverted trays from the pan wheel;
• a pair of pan guide members mounted in adjustably spaced relationship above said input endless belt;
• first photosensor means for detecting a pan positioned against said pan stop means for advancement into the revolving pan wheel;
• a timing wheel mounted for rotation with the pan wheel and including a plurality of slots therein each corresponding to one pan receiver;
• and
• second photosensor means mounted in cooperative relationship with said timing wheel for sensing a predetermined rotational position of each pan receiver in the pan wheel;
• said pan stop means being responsive to both the first and second photosensor means.

For placement in a path of pans moving at an original rate of pan conveyance, apparatus for inverting pans, which comprises:

• a pan wheel mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis;
• means for effecting a predetermined rate of rotation of said pan wheel;
• said pan wheel comprising a pair of spaced apart side members and a plurality of structures defining pan receivers extending between said side plates and opening radially outward to define the periphery of the pan wheel;
• each of said pan receivers being defined by a first surface extending inwardly from the periphery of the pan wheel, a second surface having an outer portion converging inwardly away from the direction of pan wheel rotation and an inner portion spaced and parallel to the first surface, a third surface extending perpendicularly from the inner end of the second surface toward the first surface, a fourth surface extending outwardly from the end of the third surface, and a fifth surface sloping outwardly in the direction of pan wheel rotation and connecting the fourth surface with the inner end of the first surface;
• a timing wheel mounted for rotation with the pan wheel;
• said timing wheel including a plurality of spaced, radially arranged slots each corresponding to a pan receiver;
• an input conveyor for receiving and advancing pans to be inverted toward the pan wheel;
• pan stop means located along the input conveyor for selectively halting advancement of pans by the input conveyor;
• first photosensor means for sensing the presence of a pan in engagement with the pan stop means;
• second photosensor means in association with the timing wheel for sensing a predetermined rotational position of each pan receiver;
• said pan stop means being responsive to the first and second photosensor means to release pans for chambering into the pan wheel so that said pans are rotated to effect inversion;
• and
• an output conveyor for engaging and advancing inverted trays out of said pan receivers;
• said input and output conveyors having linear rates of speed a predetermined factor greater than the original pan conveyance rate.

Apparatus for inverting pans, trays or the like, comprising:

• revolving pan wheel means including structures defining a plurality of pan receivers;
• input means responsive to rotation of the pan wheel means for engaging and selectively advancing a pan to be inverted into one of said pan receivers for rotation therewith through approximately a one-half revolution to effect inversion;
• and
• output means for engaging and advancing inverted pans out of the pan wheel means;
• wherein the pan wheel means comprises:
• a shaft mounted for rotation;
• a pair of side plates secured in spaced relation to said shaft;
• structure extending between said side plates and defining a plurality of pan receivers opening radially outward about the periphery thereof;
• each of said pan receivers includes a pair of main walls;
• and
• one of said main walls has an inner portion substantially parallel to the other of said main walls and an outer portion diverging away from said other main wall, said divergent outer portion being a top wall when adjacent said input means and a bottom wall when adjacent said output means.

Apparatus for inverting pans, trays or the like, comprising:

• revolving pan wheel means including structures defining a plurality of pan receivers;
• input means responsive to rotation of the pan wheel means for engaging and selectively advancing a pan to be inverted into one of said pan receivers for rotation therewith through approximately a one-half revolution to effect inversion;
• and
• output means for engaging and advancing inverted pans out of the pan wheel means;
• wherein the pan wheel means comprises:
• a shaft mounted for rotation;
• a pair of side plates secured in spaced relation to said shaft;
• structure extending between said side plates and defining a plurality of pan receivers opening radially outward about the periphery thereof;
• and
• a layer of cushioning provided on the inside surface of each of said pan receivers to aid in the retention of pans and to abate noise.