Article handling device

An article handling device for handling identical articles having one end that is thicker than the other end entering the device along a supply path containing a plurality of identically aligned articles wherein the leading end of each article is of the same thickness, comprising:

• a frame;
• means on said frame defining an entry path for receiving a single continuous stream of identically aligned articles from the supply path;
• means on said frame defining an exit path laterally spaced from said entry path for receiving a single and intermittent stream of joined together pairs of said articles wherein the leading end of a first article has been reversed relative to the leading end of a second article in the exit path;
• article reversing means intermediate said entry and exit paths for reversing the leading end of said first article relative to the leading end of said second article in the exit path, said article reversing means having an inlet means for receiving a further one of said articles from said entry path and an outlet means for facilitating an egress of said first article whose leading end, when said first article leaves said outlet means, has been reversed from the leading end of said second article as said further article simultaneously enters said inlet means, said article reversing means further including a housing member and rotator means for rotating said housing member about an axis of rotation, said housing member having first and second chambers therein, said first chamber being alternately aligned with said inlet means when said second chamber is alternately aligned with said outlet means and vice versa;
• shuttle means for simultaneously effecting a shifting of at least said second and said further articles laterally from said entry path and at least said first article from said outlet means of said reversing means, said first and said second articles being transferred directly to said exit path whereas said further article is transferred directly to said inlet means of said reversing means;
• and
• control means for effecting a reversing of the leading end of said further article while said first and second articles exit said device along said exit path.