Closure-handling apparatus

Claim 2

Closure-handling apparatus adapted to handle slightly tapered closures open at their larger ends and wherein the closed end is heavier than the open end comprising, in combination, a rotary carrier mounted to rotate in an inclined plane, means for depositing randomly arranged closures into the lower end of said carrier, said carrier having radially arranged pockets directed angularly downwardly and outwardly with respect to the face of the carrier, said pockets shaped to receive the closures with the smaller and heavier end bearing against the outer end of the pocket, a chute having an entrance opening at the upper end of said carrier adapted to receive the oriented closures, those closures carried by a pocket and assuming a position other than an oriented position having portions thereof extending above a position assumed by an oriented closure, and means extended into the path of the unoriented closures arranged to engage and turn the latter to a position such that the heavier end will fall by gravity against the outer end of the angularly arranged pockets in an oriented position.

Claim 3

Closure-handling apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the engaging means comprises at least one stationary bar extended into the path of a closure carried by a pocket in other than an oriented position.

Claim 4

Closure-handling apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the engaging means includes a plurality of stationary bars extended angularly in the path of a closure carried by a pocket in other than an oriented position, and wherein at least one of said bars is adapted to engage and remove a closure nested in an oriented closure.

Claim 5

Closure-handling apparatus adapted to handle slightly tapered closures open at their larger ends, and wherein the closed end is heavier that the open end, comprising, in combination, a rotary carrier mounted to rotate in an inclined plane, means for depositing randomly arranged closures to the lower end of said carrier, said carrier having radially arranged pockets formed therein shaped to receive said closures, a chute having an entrance opening at the upper end of said carrier adapted to receive those closures assuming a desired position of orientation in said pockets, means for manipulating those closures received in the pockets in other than a desired position of orientation to cause them to assume an oriented position, said manipulating means comprising a plurality of stationary bars extended angularly in the path of a closure carried by a pocket in other than an oriented position, said bars causing each closure to change its position in its pocket, and means for urging the oriented closures radially inwardly and upwardly out of their pockets while guided in said chute. 5 Closure-handling apparatus comprising, in combination, a rotary carrier mounted to rotate in an inclined plane, means for delivering closures to the lower end of said carrier, said carrier having pockets formed therein to receive said closures, a chute having an entrance opening aT the upper end of said carrier adapted to receive those closures assuming a desired position of orientation in said pockets, and means for manipulating those closures received in the pockets in other than a desired position of orientation to cause them to assume an oriented position, and a deflector for dislodging a closure jammed in a pocket.

Claim 6

Closure-handling apparatus adapted to handle slightly tapered closures open at their larger ends, and wherein the closed end is heavier that the open end, comprising, in combination, a rotary carrier mounted to rotate in an inclined plane, means for depositing randomly arranged closures to the lower end of said carrier, said carrier having radially arranged pockets formed therein shaped to receive said closures, a chute having an entrance opening at the upper end of said carrier adapted to receive those closures assuming a desired position of orientation in said pockets, means for manipulating those closures received in the pockets in other than a desired position of orientation to cause them to assume an oriented position, said manipulating means comprising a plurality of stationary bars extended angularly in the path of a closure carried by a pocket in other than an oriented position, said bars causing each closure to change its position in its pocket, and means for urging the oriented closures radially inwardly and upwardly out of their pockets while guided in said chute. 5 Closure-handling apparatus comprising, in combination, a rotary carrier mounted to rotate in an inclined plane, means for delivering closures to the lower end of said carrier, said carrier having pockets formed therein to receive said closures, a chute having an entrance opening aT the upper end of said carrier adapted to receive those closures assuming a desired position of orientation in said pockets, and means for manipulating those closures received in the pockets in other than a desired position of orientation to cause them to assume an oriented position, and a deflector for dislodging a closure jammed in a pocket.

Claim 7

Closure-handling apparatus comprising, in combination, a rotary carrier mounted to rotate in an inclined plane, means for delivering closures to the lower end of said carrier, said carrier having pockets formed therein to receive said closures, a chute having an entrance opening at the upper end of said carrier adapted to receive those closures assuming a desired position of orientation in said pockets, and means for manipulating those closures received in the pockets in other than a desired position of orientation to cause them to assume an oriented position, a deflector for dislodging a closure jammed in a pocket, and an air jet directed radially inwardly for removing such closure from the pocket.

Claim 8

Closure-handling apparatus comprising, in combination, a rotary carrier mounted to rotate in an inclined plane, means for delivering closures to the lower end of said carrier, said carrier having pockets formed therein to receive said closures, a chute having an entrance opening at the upper end of said carrier adapted to receive those closures assuming a desired position of orientation in said pockets, and means for manipulating those closures received in the pockets in other than a desired position of orientation to cause them to assume an oriented position, a deflector for dislodging a closure jammed in a pocket, and an air jet directed radially inwardly for removing such closure from the pocket.

Claim 9

Closure-handling apparatus comprising, in combination, a rotary carrier mounted to rotate in an inclined plane, means for delivering closures to the lower end of said carrier, said carrier having pockets formed therein to receive said closures, a chute having an entrance opening at the upper end of said carrier adapted to receive those closures assuming a desired position of orientation in said pockets, and means for manipulating those closures received in the pockets in other than a desired position or orientation to cause them to assume an oriented position, and an air jet directing a stream of air radially outwardly to assure that an oriented closure is fully seated in its pocket prior to entering said chute

Claim 10

Closure-handling apparatus comprising, in combination, a rotary carrier mounted to rotate in an inclined plane, means for delivering closures to the lower end of said carrier, said carrier having pockets formed therein to receive said closures, a chute having an entrance opening at the upper end of said carrier adapted to receive those closures assuming a desired position of orientation in said pockets, and means for manipulating those closures received in the pockets in other than a desired position or orientation to cause them to assume an oriented position, and an air jet directing a stream of air radially outwardly to assure that an oriented closure is fully seated in its pocket prior to entering said chute

Claim 11

Closure-handling apparatus comprising, in combination, a rotary carrier mounted to rotate in an inclined plane, means for delivering closures to the lower end of said carrier, said carrier having pockets formed therein to receive said closures, a chute having an entrance opening at the upper end of said carrier adapted to receive those closures assuming a desired position of orientation in said pockets, and means for manipulating those closures received in the pockets in other than a desired position of orientation to cause them to assume an oriented position, said chute including inner and outer rails between which the closures in their pockets are guided, said rails shaped to urge the oriented closures inwardly out of their pockets and onto the face of the carrier during rotation of the carrier.

Claim 12

Closure-handling apparatus comprising, in combination, a rotary carrier mounted to rotate in an inclined plane, means for delivering closures to the lower end of said carrier, said carrier having pockets formed therein to receive said closures, a chute having an entrance opening at the upper end of said carrier adapted to receive those closures assuming a desired position of orientation in said pockets, and means for manipulating those closures received in the pockets in other than a desired position of orientation to cause them to assume an oriented position, said chute including inner and outer rails between which the closures in their pockets are guided, said rails shaped to urge the oriented closures inwardly out of their pockets and onto the face of the carrier during rotation of the carrier.

Claim 13

Closure-handling apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the rails are supported on a bottom plate, the closures being guided up onto said bottom plate, and an air jet directing a stream of air into said chute to facilitate passage of the closures through the chute.

Claim 14

Closure-handling apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein a portion of said chute is shaped to turn the closure 90 *to prevent the same in an upright position in said chute.