Gasket singulation and insertion apparata and methods

摘要

A gasket singulation apparatus (20) for separating one gasket (23) from a web-connected stack (24) of gaskets (23) includes a mandrel (29) for receiving the web-connected stack (24) and an arrangement of cylinders (31) which are used to support the web-connected stack (24) of gaskets (23) and to pull one gasket (23) away from the remainder of the web-connected stack (24) so as to singulate that one gasket (23). A first plurality of cylinders are used to support the web-connected stack. A second plurality of cylinders (31) are used to pierce any connecting material between the gasket (23) to be singulated and the remainder of the stack (24). Once the web material is pierced, cylinder (31) movement is effected so as to pull the selected gasket (23) away from the stack (24), allowing any connecting material to sever and thereby singulate one gasket (23) from the stack (24). Once the gasket is singulated, various insertion mechanisms are disclosed for inserting the singulated gasket (23) into a pail lid groove.