Star wheel conveyor outfeed mechanism and method

摘要

A method and apparatus for inspection of containers including a circular star wheel conveyor having a plurality of intermediate annular inspection pockets and at least one non-inspection position. The method includes the steps of providing an outfeed stripper configured to engage a container disposed in the non-inspection position aligning the outfeed stripper inside the circumference of the star wheel conveyor and aligning the outfeed stripper with the conveyor and with the rotational path of the star wheel. Positioning an outfeed mechanism adjacent to the star wheel conveyor and operating the outfeed mechanism at a desired conveyor speed. Controlling the movement of the star wheel conveyor to align the container with the outfeed stripper and the outfeed mechanism only at the non-inspection position regardless of the number of angular inspection positions.