Article positioning apparatus

摘要

Article-positioning apparatus including a conveyor operable to support the undersides of a plurality of articles and convey them in succession along a path and an article turning arm which may be swung between an operative position extending into a portion of the path, and an inoperative position spaced outwardly from the path. In its operative position, the turning arm frictionally engages and holds an upright side, or corner portion, of an article to produce rotation of the article about the held portion as remainder portions of the article are conveyed in a downstream direction by the conveyor. The end of the arm which projects into the path of the conveyor curves in a downstream direction permitting an article to release smoothly therefrom and continue on the path of the conveyor after it has been turned to a desired position. An elongate lifting member projects in an upstream direction from the turning arm and is operable to lift a corner portion of the article adjacent the turning arm from the conveyor to aid in holding such corner portion while remainder portions of the article are rotated thereabout as moved in a downstream direction along the conveyor.