Cover feeding apparatus

摘要

Method and apparatus for selectively supplying and placing a generally planar cover of selected peripheral configuration over a cooperative opening for container while the container is in motion where the opening is surrounded by an outwardly directed generally horizontal cover receiving first flange means where the first flange has an upwardly extending peripheral second flange adapted to fully receive the cover within the second flange so the opening to the container is surrounded by the first flange which is adapted to receive and support the cover around the peripheral edges of the cover within the second flange including: conveyor means to move the container along a selected axis at a relatively constant first velocity with the opening upwardly directed; cover supply means to supply a cover to engage the first flange and in a direction generally parallel to the direction of travel of the container from a location above the moving container so the cover is received on the first flange means within the second flange means; cover feed means to receive the cover from the cover supply means and feed the cover onto the first flange means of the container means at a selected second velocity where the velocity component of the cover in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the container is in excess of the first velocity so the cover means engages the first flange and moves over the first flange in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the container until the leading edge of the cover engages the front peripheral second flange and the cover is fully received within the second flange. Means can also be provided to bend a portion of the leading edge of the second flange over the cover.