Patent ID: 11884437
Assignee: RENNCO LLC
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. An apparatus for use in delivering cup-like containers to a container receiving path of a packaging station, the apparatus comprising:
an infeed tower having:
an upper tower segment,
a lower tower segment,
an upper inlet end for receiving cup-like containers into the upper tower segment,
a lower outlet end for selectively feeding cup-like containers from the lower tower segment to the container receiving path,
wherein the upper tower segment includes a lower transfer end and the lower tower segment includes an upper transfer end,
wherein the lower tower segment is movable between a load position and an unload position,
wherein, in the load position of the lower tower segment, the upper transfer end of the lower tower segment aligns with the lower transfer end of the upper tower segment for receiving cup-like containers from the upper tower segment, and the lower outlet end is offset from the container receiving path,
wherein, in the unload position of the lower tower segment, the lower tower segment is moved out of alignment with the upper tower segment so as to position the lower outlet end over the container receiving path;
an upper transfer gate having a closed position for retaining cup-like containers in the upper tower segment and an open position for allowing cup-like containers to pass down out of the upper tower segment;
a lower outlet gate having a closed position for retaining cup-like containers in the lower tower segment and an open position for allowing cup-like containers to pass down out of the lower tower segment;
wherein the lower outlet gate is connected for movement with the lower tower segment between the load position and the unload position.