APPARATUSES FOR TRANSFERRING DISCRETE ARTICLES

摘要

The present disclosure is directed to a transfer assembly for transferring discrete articles from or to a moving carrier member. The transfer assembly comprises a frame defining a rotation axis. The frame comprises a track having a circumferential shape surrounding the rotation axis. The transfer assembly comprises transfer members movably engaged with the track, each having a transfer surface. The transfer assembly comprises a wheel engaged with the frame and configured to rotate about the rotation axis. The wheel is engaged with the transfer members. As the wheel rotates about the rotation axis, the transfer members circumnavigate about a path about the rotation axis in correspondence with the track. The shape of the track causes the transfer surfaces to move radially relative to the rotation axis while the transfer surfaces are maintained a substantially constant distance away from the moving carrier member at the point of discrete article transfer.

主权项

1. A transfer assembly for transferring discrete articles from or to a rotating carrier member, the transfer assembly comprising:
a rotation axis; a track comprising a circumferential shape surrounding the rotation axis; and a transfer member, wherein a portion of the transfer member is movably engaged with the track, wherein the transfer member comprises a transfer surface on an end of the transfer member most distal from the rotation axis, and wherein the transfer surface is configured to receive one of the discrete articles; wherein the transfer member circumnavigates about a path about the rotation axis in correspondence with the track; wherein the shape of the track causes the transfer surface to move radially inwardly and radially outwardly relative to the rotation axis while the transfer surface is maintained a substantially constant minimum distance away from the rotating carrier member at the point of discrete article transfer; and wherein a portion of the track adjacent to the rotating carrier member extends more radially outwardly relative to the rotation axis than an adjacent portion of the track.