Device and methods for moving an object between machines joined by a common conveyor

A device for advancing each of a plurality of objects to each of a plurality of processing positions along a linear path defined by a plurality of conveyor segments, and adapted to be carried by a plurality of cleaning machines, comprising:

• a pair of mounting brackets adapted to be carried by at least one of the machines;
• an elongated rod and rotatably carried by the mounting brackets;
• a frame structure carried by said elongated rod;
• an actuator rod rotatably carried by the frame;
• a plurality of elongated elements extending from the actuator rod and corresponding in number to the plurality of processing positions wherein each of the plurality of elongated elements is spaced a predetermined distance apart;
• orientation means for selectively rotating the actuator rod across a predetermined range, wherein the elongated elements moving from a first orientation causes the plurality of elements to intersect the path of the plurality of objects and a second orientation clear of the plurality of objects on the linear path;
• lateral movement means for selectively moving said frame and plurality of elongated elements a predetermined distance along the linear path from a first position to a second position in a forward stroke and from the second position back to the first position in a return stroke, whereby at least one of the elongated elements in the first orientation is capable of contacting the object at the first position and pushing the object from the first position to the second position;
• and
• the orientation means and the lateral movement means adapted to couple to a controller of the plurality of cleaning machines.

A method of advancing an object along a linear path to each of a plurality of processing positions, comprising the steps of:

• providing an automation assembly mounted on a plurality of cleaning machines, said assembly having a plurality of elongated arms on an actuator rod;
• positioning said plurality of elongated arms proximate to the linear path in a first orientation such that a first one of the plurality of elongated arms engages a side of the object opposite the direction in which the object is to be advanced, said actuator rod being supported on a frame mounted on a sliding and rotating elongated rod, in turn mounted on a pair of brackets adapted to be attached to said cleaning machines;
• moving the plurality of elongated arms a predetermined distance from a first position to a second position by moving a frame carrying the elongated arm relative to the plurality of cleaning machines, thereby pushing the object along the linear path from said first position;
• reorienting the plurality of elongated arms to a second orientation that is clear of the object on the linear path by pivotably rotating an actuator rod carrying the elongated arms;
• retracting the plurality of elongated arms from said second position back to said first position by moving the frame back to relative to the plurality of cleaning machines;
• orienting said plurality of elongated arms back into said first orientation by pivotably rotating the actuator rod, wherein a next subsequent one of said plurality of elongated arms engages the side of the object opposite the direction in which the object is to be advanced;
• and
• repeating the positioning, moving, reorienting, retracting, and orienting steps until the object has been pushed along the linear path to all of the processing positions.