| 摘要 |
A rake conveyor (A) for incrementally advancing containers on an article loading machine is disclosed which includes a linkage assembly (34) having a pair of generally parallel linkage bars (36,38) between which a plurality of pivotal dogs (C, 44, 44a) are carried. An air cylinder (58) actuates the rake linkage assembly (36, 38) by a connector (66) connecting the piston rod (60) of the air cylinder to the linkage bars (36, 38). The linkage bar (38) moves relative to the bar (36) at the onset of the forward stroke of the rake to cause the dogs (44) to pivot outward to a container engaging position prior to their forward movement. Motion limiting elements (80, 82) limit the pivoting movement of dogs (44) on the return stroke to a linear movement. Positioning elements (E) are provided in the form of positioning blocks (90, 92, 94, 98) which stop the containers at selected positions along the conveyor as is necessary for processing and loading the containers. Advancement by the rake conveyor (A) imparts a sufficient force to the containers that the positioning blocks are pivoted to a release position allowing advancement of the containers past the positioning blocks on the forward advance stroke of the rake conveyor.
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