Machine for distributing groups of workpieces to different destinations

A machine for distributing groups of workpieces among different destinations, said workpieces having elongate stems topped by enlarged heads, comprising:

• a turntable inclined at an acute angle to the horizontal and provided with a multiplicity of peripheral recesses each adapted to receive one of said workpieces;
• drive means for intermittently rotating said turntable to align said recesses successively with a loading point confronting an elevated edge of said turntable and with a plurality of unloading points confronting a depressed edge of said turntable;
• feed means terminating at said loading point for emplacing a series of workpieces in a generally upright position, suspended by their heads from the upper turntable surface, in recesses successively aligned therewith;
• a guard rail paralleling the periphery of said turntable between said loading point and said unloading points for retaining said workpieces in said recesses;
• a plurality of guide channels for the heads of said workpieces, said guide channels being provided with head-supporting surfaces lying substantially in the plane of said turntable and extending from said unloading points to respective destinations of workpieces entrained by said turntable from said loading point;
• and
• discharge means operatively linked with said drive means for concurrently transferring a plurality of workpieces, received in recesses halted at said unloading points, to the corresponding guide channels for conveyance to their destinations, said discharge means including an arcuate barrier forming a continuation of said guard rail between said turntable and said guide channels, pneumatic actuating means connected to a source of compressed air for temporarily withdrawing said barrier upon a halting of said turntable in a position of alignment of a workpiece-holding recess with each of said guide channels, and a set of nozzles connected to said source of compressed air for driving the workpieces from said recesses into said guide channels.