| 摘要 |
<p>The apparatus orients flaccid material such as hose blanks having toe ends (T) and bulkier welt ends (W) while they are being conveyed from a supply point to a receiving point, such as to ensure that blanks arriving at the latter are all received e.g. toe ends first. The apparatus has first (4) and second (6) suction conduits in communication with an outlet (8), the first conduit (4) having an inlet (10) to which hose blanks are successively presented. Orientation determining means (12, 19-22) sense which end of a blank enters the inlet (10); if a toe end is sensed, the hose is permitted to travel unhindered to the outlet (8). If, however, a welt end is sensed at the inlet (10) suction is created in the second conduit (6) and the welt end is temporarily drawn into the second conduit. While the welt end is thus located, suction in the first conduit (4) causes the toe end to be drawn therealong, past the second conduit (6) and toward the outlet (8). In this way the hose blank is turned end-for-end, and on relieving the suction in the second conduit (6) the blank is freed to travel toe first through the outlet to the receiving point. <IMAGE></p> |
