Method and apparatus for processing container ends
US5597284A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 8, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jan 28, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 8, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65B5/068
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An assembly is provided for processing container ends received from at least two sources by loading the container ends into trays and stacking the trays. The assembly has a transport device capable of engaging sticks of container ends in a pick-up area and providing the sticks to a plurality of corresponding loading areas such that sticks from different sources are placed in different loading areas. Sticks are provided to the pick-up area by supply subassemblies which receive continuous arrays of container ends from the sources, separate the arrays into sticks, and provide the sticks to the pick-up area. The tray loading subassembly is further capable of engaging and transporting an empty tray from a stack of empty trays to the loading areas such that a stack of trays may be formed. Once the desired stack of trays is formed, a discharge subassembly transports the stack from the loading area to a discharge area for subsequent removal and transport to a desired location.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.