Apparatus and method for moving articles to desired locations

摘要

Apparatus for moving articles, such as lids for containers, from one location to other locations depending on processing requirements of a manufacturing operation wherein a continuous supply of lids are separated into units, each having a plurality of lids, which units are moved into a plurality of infeed stations and transferred to one of a plurality of inclined generally planar surfaces in spaced apart generally parallel relationship and wherein the lids roll over the inclined generally planar surfaces under the influence of gravity and wherein the transfer of a unit from an infeed station to one of the plurality of inclined generally planar surfaces and the movement thereover is controlled by a plurality of pivotally mounted gates. Heating means are provided for curing a heat curable coating on portions of the lids when necessary. Also, storage trays are provided so that the longitudinal axis of a plurality of lids can be aligned with the longitudinal axis of one of a plurality of compartments in the tray and the plurality of lids can be pushed into or removed from one of the compartments.