Closure-handling apparatus

Claim 2

Closure-handling apparatus comprising, in combination, a rotary carrier mounted to rotate in an inclined plane, means for depositing closures at the lower end of said carrier, said carrier having radially arranged 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 maneuvering those closures not initially accepted by a pocket to cause them to assume a position such as to be received by a pocket, said means for maneuvering the closures comprising air jets directed to cause the closures to assume a radial position with respect to said carrier.

Claim 3

Closure-handling apparatus comprising, in combination, a rotary carrier mounted to rotate in an inclined plane, means including a hopper for depositing closures at the lower end of said carrier, said closures comprising elongated, relatively narrow and slightly tapered cylindrical closures having a substantially uniform distribution of weight throughout its length, said carrier having closely spaced, radially arranged 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, an upright retaining band disposed about said carrier, and means comprising a pair of spaced air jets for maneuvering those closures not initially accepted by a pocket to cause them to assume a position such as to be received by a pocket.

Claim 4

Closure-handling apparatus comprising, in combination, a rotary carrier mounted to rotate in an inclined plane, means including a hopper for depositing closures at the lower end of said carrier, said closures comprising elongated, relatively narrow and slightly tapered cylindrical closures having a substantially uniform distribution of weight throughout its length, said carrier having closely spaced, radially arranged 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, an upright retaining band disposed about said carrier, and means comprising a pair of spaced air jets for maneuvering those closures not initially accepted by a pocket to cause them to assume a position such as to be received by a pocket.

Claim 5

Closure-handling apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the spaced air jets are disposed adjacent the lower end of saiD carrier a substantial distance inwardly from said retaining band, said jets arranged when viewed in plan to direct streams of air laterally toward said retaining band.

Claim 6

Apparatus as defined in claim 2 which includes a curved rail spaced inwardly from said retaining band and spaced upwardly from the face of said carrier a distance such as to permit passage thereunder of those closures which lie on their sides.

Claim 7

Apparatus as defined in claim 2 which includes a deflector arranged in the path of a closure assuming a reversed position in its pocket, said deflector arranged to move such closure radially inwardly, and an air jet disposed immediately beyond said deflector for entirely removing the closure from its pocket.

Claim 8

Apparatus as defined in claim 2 which includes a pair of air jets disposed at a point preceding the entrance to said chute and adapted to remove improperly positioned closures including: those closures which are not fully seated in their pockets and therefore assume a raised position; and those closures which assume a position bridged across a pocket and engaged between closures in adjacent pockets.

Claim 9

Apparatus as defined in claim 2 which includes means for removing improperly positioned closures from their pockets, and radially extended flights movable with said carrier for retaining those closures removed at the upper end of the carrier and for releasing the same at the lower end of the carrier.

Claim 10

Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein each pocket has an open bottom portion, and a stationary cam disposed beneath the carrier shaped to elevate the lower end of each closure, said chute provided with guide rails between which the closures are received during such elevation for guiding the closures up and out of their pockets and onto the face of the carrier.

Claim 11

Closure-handling apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein a portion of said chute is shaped to turn the closure 90 to present the same in an upright position in said chute.

Claim 12

Closure-handling apparatus as defined in claim 9 which includes at least one air jet disposed to assist passage of the closures through the chute.

Claim 13

Closure handling apparatus particularly adapted for handling relatively narrow and slightly tapered closures which are greater in length than in diameter and which have a substantially uniform weight distribution throughout their lengths, in combination, a rotary carrier mounted to rotate in an inclined plane, said carrier having radially arranged pockets formed therein to receive closures deposited at random on said carrier, and air jets for maneuvering those closures not initially accepted by a pocket to cause them to assume a radial position to roll into one of said pockets.

Claim 14

Closure handling apparatus particularly adapted for handling relatively narrow and slightly tapered closures which are greater in length than in diameter and which have a substantially uniform weight distribution throughout their lengths, in combination, a rotary carrier mounted to rotate in an inclined plane, said carrier having radially arranged pockets formed therein to receive closures deposited at random on said carrier, and air jets for maneuvering those closures not initially accepted by a pocket to cause them to assume a radial position to roll into one of said pockets.

Claim 15

Closure handling apparatus as defined in claim 11 which includes a guide chute adapted to receive those closures assuming a desired position of orientation in said pockets, and means for moving the closures out of their pockets to be guided by said chute.