Conveyor with container ejector

Claim 2

In combination, an endless conveyor having inlet and outlet termini and having a plurality of interconnected open-bottom receivers, rotatable means at the termini for entraining the conveyor and providing upper and lower runs, power means for driving the conveyor and rotating the rotatable means, each receiver being shaped for receiving a container therein on the upper run and carrying the same to the outlet terminus, a container ejector rotatably mounted about an axis adjacent the outlet terminus for lifting the containers from the receivers, the container ejector including a plurality of shoes mounted a preselected fixed radial distance from the axis and each arranged for moving into a receiver during rotation of the container ejector while remaining said preselected fixed radial distance from the axis, and when at the top of its rotation each shoe having an upper surface disposed at an angle to the receiver and extending upwardly toward the outlet terminus of the conveyor whereby the upper extremity of the shoe first enters the receiver and lifts the outlet end of the container.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 wherein the rotatable means at the outlet terminus is coaxial with the container ejector and connected thereto so that they rotate in unison.

Claim 4

In a machine for advancing containers along a longitudinal path, the combination of: a longitudinally extending endless conveyor having inlet and outlet termini and including a plurality of open-bottom receivers shaped for receiving at least one container and arranged with ends in juxtaposition, pivotal interconnecting means at each juxtaposed end and having a lateral portion adjacent the lower edges of the receivers and extending beyond each side of the receivers, first and second means at the respective outlet and inlet termini and adjacent the receiver sides for engaging the lateral portions and entraining the conveyor over the first and second means, means for driving one of the first and second means thereby advancing the conveyor, a plurality of generally equally spaced rack teeth rigid with each receiver and adjacent the upper edge thereof, a mechanism engaged with the spaced teeth and driven thereby with the movement of the conveyor, a container ejector at the outlet terminus and rotatably mounted about an axis thereat for lifting the containers from the receivers, the container ejector including a Plurality of shoes mounted a preselected fixed radial distance from the axis and rotatable with said first means at the outlet terminus for moving into the receivers to eject the containers from the receivers while remaining said preselected fixed radial distance from the axis, and each shoe having an upper surface disposed at an angle to the receiver and extending upwardly toward the outlet terminus of the conveyor when at the top of its rotation.

Claim 5

In a machine for advancing containers along a longitudinal path, the combination of: a longitudinally extending endless conveyor having inlet and outlet termini and including a plurality of open-bottom receivers shaped for receiving at least one container and arranged with ends in juxtaposition, pivotal interconnecting means at each juxtaposed end and having a lateral portion adjacent the lower edges of the receivers and extending beyond each side of the receivers, first and second means at the respective outlet and inlet termini and adjacent the receiver sides for engaging the lateral portions and entraining the conveyor over the first and second means, means for driving one of the first and second means thereby advancing the conveyor, a plurality of generally equally spaced rack teeth rigid with each receiver and adjacent the upper edge thereof, a mechanism engaged with the spaced teeth and driven thereby with the movement of the conveyor, a container ejector at the outlet terminus and rotatably mounted about an axis thereat for lifting the containers from the receivers, the container ejector including a Plurality of shoes mounted a preselected fixed radial distance from the axis and rotatable with said first means at the outlet terminus for moving into the receivers to eject the containers from the receivers while remaining said preselected fixed radial distance from the axis, and each shoe having an upper surface disposed at an angle to the receiver and extending upwardly toward the outlet terminus of the conveyor when at the top of its rotation.

Claim 6

In combination, an endless conveyor having inlet and outlet termini and having a plurality of interconnected open-bottom receivers, the receivers having laterally spaced sides and longitudinal ends in juxtaposition, the conveyor including pivotal means for pivotally interconnecting the juxtaposed ends of the receivers, rotatable means at the termini for entraining the conveyor and providing upper and lower runs and including a pair of laterally spaced star wheels at the outlet terminus for engaging the pivotal means, power means for driving the conveyor and rotating the rotatable means, each receiver being shaped for receiving a container therein on the upper run and carrying the same to the outlet terminus, a container ejector disposed between the star wheels, means mounting the star wheels and the container ejector for rotation in unison about a common axis, the container ejector including a plurality of shoes fixed in relation to the axis and each arranged for moving into a receiver to lift the container therefrom during rotation of the container ejector, and when at the top of its rotation each shoe having an upper surface disposed at an angle to the receiver and extending upwardly toward the outlet terminus of the conveyor.

Claim 7

In combination, an endless conveyor having inlet and outlet termini and having a plurality of interconnected open-bottom receivers, the receivers having laterally spaced sides and longitudinal ends in juxtaposition, the conveyor including pivotal means for pivotally interconnecting the juxtaposed ends of the receivers, rotatable means at the termini for entraining the conveyor and providing upper and lower runs and including a pair of laterally spaced star wheels at the outlet terminus for engaging the pivotal means, power means for driving the conveyor and rotating the rotatable means, each receiver being shaped for receiving a container therein on the upper run and carrying the same to the outlet terminus, a container ejector disposed between the star wheels, means mounting the star wheels and the container ejector for rotation in unison about a common axis, the container ejector including a plurality of shoes fixed in relation to the axis and each arranged for moving into a receiver to lift the container therefrom during rotation of the container ejector, and when at the top of its rotation each shoe having an upper surface disposed at an angle to the receiver and extending upwardly toward the outlet terminus of the conveyor.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 4 including a rotatable shaft at the axis of the star wheels and container ejector which are mounted thereon for rotation therewith, and wherein the power means has a driving connection to the shaft to thereby drive the conveyor.

Claim 9

In combination, an endless conveyor having inlet and outlet termini and having a plurality of interconnected open-bottom receivers, rotatable means at the termini for entraining the conveyor and providing upper and lower runs, power means for driving the conveyor and rotating the rotatable means, each receiver being shaped for receiving a container therein on the upper run and carrying the same to the outlet terminus, the container having a peripheral flange at the top for supporting the container on the upper surface of the receiver, a container ejector rotatable mounted about an axis adjacent the outlet terminus for lifting the containers from the receivers, the container ejector including a plurality of shoes fixed in relation to the axis and each arranged for moving into a receiver during rotation of the container ejector, and when at the top of its rotation each shoe having an upper surface disposed at an angle to the receiver and extending upwardly toward the outlet terminus of the conveyor and including a pair of fingers disposed above the conveyor at the outlet terminus for receiving the containers as they are ejected from the receivers, the fingers being disposed one at each lateral side of the ejected container for engaging the underside of the flange, and the fingers being inclined downwardly from the conveyor so that the container slides thereon.

Claim 10

In combination, an endless conveyor having inlet and outlet termini and having a plurality of interconnected open-bottom receivers, rotatable means at the termini for entraining the conveyor and providing upper and lower runs, power means for driving the conveyor and rotating the rotatable means, each receiver being shaped for receiving a container therein on the upper run and carrying the same to the outlet terminus, the container having a peripheral flange at the top for supporting the container on the upper surface of the receiver, a container ejector rotatable mounted about an axis adjacent the outlet terminus for lifting the containers from the receivers, the container ejector including a plurality of shoes fixed in relation to the axis and each arranged for moving into a receiver during rotation of the container ejector, and when at the top of its rotation each shoe having an upper surface disposed at an angle to the receiver and extending upwardly toward the outlet terminus of the conveyor and including a pair of fingers disposed above the conveyor at the outlet terminus for receiving the containers as they are ejected from the receivers, the fingers being disposed one at each lateral side of the ejected container for engaging the underside of the flange, and the fingers being inclined downwardly from the conveyor so that the container slides thereon.