Product Orientor

摘要

Embodiments of a product orientor include a turner conveyor that defines conveying plan and direction for a product received thereon and that has an initial orientation relative to the conveying direction. The initial orientation is determined by a vision system that is positioned upstream from the turner conveyor. The turner conveyor is rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to the conveying plan between a conveying orientation, wherein the product is in the initial orientation, and a rectifying orientation, wherein the product is in a predetermined orientation relative to the conveying orientation. The product orientor further includes pressure plates that are movable between a retracted configuration and a holding configuration wherein the product is maintained in the predetermined orientation while the turner conveyor is moved from the rectifying orientation to the initial conveying orientation.

主权项

1. A product orientor comprising:
a turner conveyor that defines a conveying plan and that is rotatable about a rotation axis that is perpendicular to the conveying plan; the conveyor being rotatable about the rotation axis between a conveying orientation, wherein a product received thereon is in an initial orientation relative to the conveying orientation, and a rectifying orientation, wherein the product is in a predetermined orientation relative to the conveying orientation; and an immobilizing device that is movable between a retracted configuration relative to the product and a holding configuration, wherein the product is maintained in the predetermined orientation while the turner conveyor is moved from the rectifying orientation to the initial conveying orientation.