Can lid downstacker mechanism
AssigneePreferred Machining Corporation
InventorsRoger L. Kobak, Clinton W. Rutledge
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dual downstacker apparatus has adjacent can lid feed chutes for advancing lids one at a time into alternate ones of the pockets or recesses on a starwheel which is continuously rotated beneath the chutes; and the delivery of lids can be interrupted through one of the chutes without interrupting advancement through the other of the chutes.
Claims15
In downstacker apparatus for sequentially dispensing can lids from adjacent stacks of lids into a series of receivers advancing beneath said stacks, the improvement comprising:
- a plurality of generally upright can lid feed chutes, each said chute retaining one of said stacks of can lids therein;
- lid feed means at a lower end of each of said chutes for advancing a lid from the lower end into registry with one of said receivers;
- guide means cooperating with each of said receivers in advancing each said can lid away from the lower end of each said chute to another station for treatment or handling;
- and
- synchronizing means for synchronizing activation of said lid feed means for advancing one of said lids from the lower end of each of said chutes at the same time into registry with alternate ones of said receivers.
In apparatus for sequentially feeding can lids to a rotating starwheel having circumferentially spaced, can-lid receiving recesses at spaced intervals around its outer peripheral edge, the improvement comprising:
- a housing;
- a pair of upright can lid feed chutes in closely spaced, parallel relation to one another in said housing, each said chute retaining a stack of can lids therein;
- guide means for guiding said can lids from a lower end of each of said chutes into one of said can lid-receiving recesses, said guide means including an arcuate guide plate at the bottom of said housing in substantially horizontal alignment with said starwheel;
- lid feed means at the lower end of each said chute for advancing a lid from the lower end into registry with one of said recesses;
- and
- synchronizing means for synchronizing activation of said lid feed means whereby to advance one of said lids from the lower end of each of said chutes at the same time into registry with alternate ones of said recesses.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.