Adjustable can end counting apparatus

摘要

An apparatus (20) for moving a series of disk-like articles (29), such as can ends. The apparatus includes an article moving assembly ( 26, an article counting system (96) and an article separating assembly (106). The article moving assembly includes an adjustment assembly (56) for adjusting the article moving assembly to accommodate a range of can end diameters moving through a path of travel (22). The can end counting system includes a sensor (100) which detects the rotation of a component of the can end moving assembly. The sensor is coupled to a control device (98) which receives sensing information from the sensor to determine the number of can ends passing through the end moving assembly. The separator assembly includes a blade (116) attached to an actuation assembly (114) . The blade is inserted a sufficient distance to contact an edge portion (127) of an article and the actuation assembly moves the contacted group of articles by moving the blade member. The blade member includes a contoured tip (132) which generally corresponds to a contour of the edge portion of the article thereby minimizing the contact and the possibility for interfering with the integrity of the can end surfaces.