| 摘要 |
Apparatus for orienting containers which have vertical seams is disclosed. The apparatus is useful in label machines where, prior to the application of labels to the containers, the apparatus orients the containers around longitudinal axes, so that the ends of labels applied to such containers are positioned adjacent to the seams. Apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a star wheel with roller bearings which permit relatively free rotation of containers positioned within the pockets of the star wheel, a container drive wheel movable between a first position where it is operable, and a second position where it is inoperable, to cause rotation of a container which is in a pocket of the star wheel and means for moving the drive wheel between the first and second positions. The apparatus further comprises a sensor operable to detect a container seam and container locking means for stopping and preventing rotation of a container when the drive wheel is moved to the second position. The apparatus further comprises control means for controlling movement of the container drive wheel between the first and second positions and, in some embodiments, for activating and deactivating the container locking means so that containers which enter the star wheel pockets with randomly oriented seams leave the star wheel pocket with seams oriented in a pre-determined angular orientation. The container locking means may comprise a magnet, preferably a permanent magnet or a vacuum mechanism.
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