Apparatus for positioning articles

Claim 2

Apparatus for positioning articles comprising: first and second movable means adapted to engage said articles to be positioned, said first and second movable means including a pair of arms movable toward and away from one another for grasping articles therebetween; rotary means providing lateral support for said articles actuating means for causing said first and second means to be moved in a predetermined manner for engaging articles to position the same and for causing movement of said article along a predetermined path while retaining said position; and means to impart rotation to said articles during at least a portion of said predetermined path.

Claim 3

Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pair of arms are simultaneously movable to affect said grasping of said articles therebetween.

Claim 4

Apparatus of claim 2 wherein said actuating means includes linkage means for causing movement of both of said arms.

Claim 5

Apparatus of claim 3 wherein said actuating means also causes movement of said article prepositioned within said pair of arms and of said linkage means along said predetermined path.

Claim 6

Apparatus of claim 4 wherein said linkage means is caused to simultaneously move both of said arms under the influence of a drive means.

Claim 7

Apparatus for positioning glassware, comprising: first and second arms movable between open and closed positions, a portion of each of which includes a roller adapted to engage and secure glassware against a rotatable disc; linkage means for causing both of said arms to be moved between said open and closed positions; first actuating means connected with said linkage means for causing said linkage means to move said first and second arms between said open and closed positions; second actuating means for moving said glassware along a predetermined path while said first actuating means maintains said first and second arms in said closed position with said rollers against said glassware, whereby the glassware is rotated by said disc during at least a portion of the movement along said predetermined path.

Claim 8

Apparatus for positioning glassware, comprising: first and second arms movable between open and closed positions, a portion of each of which includes a roller adapted to engage and secure glassware against a rotatable disc; linkage means for causing both of said arms to be moved between said open and closed positions; first actuating means connected with said linkage means for causing said linkage means to move said first and second arms between said open and closed positions; second actuating means for moving said glassware along a predetermined path while said first actuating means maintains said first and second arms in said closed position with said rollers against said glassware, whereby the glassware is rotated by said disc during at least a portion of the movement along said predetermined path.

Claim 9

Apparatus of claim 6 further including input means for directing glassware to a receiving station wherein said glassware is engaged by said first and second arms, discharge means for moving glassware after said glassware has moved along said predetermined path, and timing means connected with said actuating means and said input means and discharge means for causing said glassware to be delivered to said receiving station and removed by said discharge means as said arms are moved from said open to said closed position at said receiving station and from said closed to said open position at said discharge means.

Claim 10

Apparatus of claim 6 wherein said linkage means causes simultaneous movement of said first and second arms for substantially equal distance between said open and closed positions.

Claim 11

Apparatus for positioning and rotating glassware, comprising: input means for directing glassware to a receiving station; first and second arms having rollers positioned thereon movable between an open and closed position and adapted to engage said rollers against said glassware at said receiving station by moving from said open to said closed position; a curved surface against which said glassware is secured by said arms; linkage means between said first and second arms for causing both oF said arms to be moved simultaneously and substantially equal distances between said open and closed positions; first actuating means connected with said linkage means for causing said linkage means to move both said first and second arms between said open and closed position; second actuating means for moving said glassware along a predetermined path from said receiving station to a discharge station while rotating said glassware against said curved surface as said first actuating means maintains said first and second arms in said closed position in engagement with said glassware; discharge means for removing said glassware from said discharge station after said glassware has moved along siad predetermined path and said first actuating means has caused said first and second arms to be moved from said closed to said open position; and timing means connected with said actuating means and said input means and discharge means for causing said glassware to be delivered to said receiving station as said first and second arms are moved from said open to said closed position to engage said glassware at said receiving station and for causing said glassware to be removed at said discharge station after said glassware has been moved along siad predetermined path by said second actuating means with said first and second arms being moved from said closed to said open position at said discharge station.

Claim 12

Apparatus for positioning and rotating glassware, comprising: input means for directing glassware to a receiving station; first and second arms having rollers positioned thereon movable between an open and closed position and adapted to engage said rollers against said glassware at said receiving station by moving from said open to said closed position; a curved surface against which said glassware is secured by said arms; linkage means between said first and second arms for causing both oF said arms to be moved simultaneously and substantially equal distances between said open and closed positions; first actuating means connected with said linkage means for causing said linkage means to move both said first and second arms between said open and closed position; second actuating means for moving said glassware along a predetermined path from said receiving station to a discharge station while rotating said glassware against said curved surface as said first actuating means maintains said first and second arms in said closed position in engagement with said glassware; discharge means for removing said glassware from said discharge station after said glassware has moved along siad predetermined path and said first actuating means has caused said first and second arms to be moved from said closed to said open position; and timing means connected with said actuating means and said input means and discharge means for causing said glassware to be delivered to said receiving station as said first and second arms are moved from said open to said closed position to engage said glassware at said receiving station and for causing said glassware to be removed at said discharge station after said glassware has been moved along siad predetermined path by said second actuating means with said first and second arms being moved from said closed to said open position at said discharge station.

Claim 13

Apparatus for positioning glassware, comprising: first and second arms adapted to move simultaneously for engaging glassware therebetween; actuating means including linkage means between said first and second arms for effecting said simultaneous movement of said first and second arms for substantially equal distances between open and closed positions for center positioning of said glassware, rollers positioned on said arms to bear against said glassware and a curved surface against which said arms urge said glassware.

Claim 14

Apparatus for positioning glassware, comprising: first and second arms adapted to move simultaneously for engaging glassware therebetween; actuating means including linkage means between said first and second arms for effecting said simultaneous movement of said first and second arms for substantially equal distances between open and closed positions for center positioning of said glassware, rollers positioned on said arms to bear against said glassware and a curved surface against which said arms urge said glassware.