Can end separator-conveyor

A conveyor system for handling a stack of can ends in face-wise engagement with the axes of the individual ends making up said stack being disposed generally longitudinally to a given path of movement for said ends, and for separating individual can ends from the stack and conveying said ends along said path while maintaining separation of the individual can ends and the generally longitudinal disposition of the can end axes, said conveyor system comprising;

• receiving means for receiving a stack of can ends in face-wise engagement;
• a pair of confronting conveyor members positioned substantially parallel to each other and disposed along and defining said path of movement for the can ends, said conveyor members being spaced apart to engage the edges of the can ends at diametrically opposed locations;
• drive means for imparting linear movement to each said conveyor member and the can ends gripped thereby;
• and retarding means disposed intermediate said receiving means and said conveyor members for frictionally engaging the can ends to impart spacing between the individual can ends as they are engaged by said confronting conveyor members for movement along said path.