Automatic rotary transfer apparatus and method

摘要

An automatic rotary transfer apparatus and method for conveying a plurality of lightweight articles, such as empty bottles, at a high speed and, optionally, providing at least one additional function, such as de-flashing, trimming, or inspecting, in a single rotation of the rotary transfer apparatus. The apparatus includes a carriage ring having an outer perimeter defining a plurality of cavities spaced along the outer perimeter. Each cavity is adapted to receive a single article. A drive assembly indexes and rotates the carriage ring about a central axis of rotation and is synchronized to a continuous stream of the plurality of articles from an upstream operation, such as blow molding. The apparatus may further include a modification device, such as a de-flasher or trimmer, and an inspection station with a sensor for discharging damaged or imperfect articles, which performs the functions in a single rotation of the carriage ring.

主权项

1. An automatic rotary transfer apparatus for conveying a plurality of lightweight articles at a high speed comprising:
a carriage ring having an outer perimeter defining a plurality of cavities spaced along the outer perimeter with each cavity adapted to receive a single lightweight article of the plurality of lightweight articles, the carriage ring adapted to rotate at a speed of rotation; a vacuum device adapted to hold the single lightweight article in the respective cavity; at least one sensor to determine if the cavity is occupied by the single lightweight article or is open; and a drive assembly to index and rotate the carriage ring about a central axis of rotation, synchronized to a continuous stream of a plurality of the articles from an upstream operation, and to adjust the speed of rotation of the carriage ring based on the continuous stream of the plurality of articles, the open cavities identified on the carriage ring, and empty space on an output conveyor, wherein the carriage ring is adapted to receive each of the plurality of lightweight articles at a first position and in a first orientation traveling in a first direction and the carriage ring is adapted to discharge each article at a second position and in a second orientation traveling in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the first position, first orientation, first direction, second position, second orientation, and second direction are the same for each of the plurality of lightweight articles, and wherein the first direction and the second direction are not in the same plane.