Patent ID: 11897710
Assignee: STOLLE MACHINERY COMPANY, LLC
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. A decorator assembly comprising:
a cup holder assembly structured to hold a number of tapered cups in a nested, bottom leading configuration;
a decorator mandrel turret assembly structured to rotatably support a number of said tapered cups; and
a cup transfer assembly structured to move said tapered cups from said cup holder assembly to said decorator mandrel turret assembly,
wherein each of said tapered cups includes an elongated body having a base with an upwardly depending, and outwardly tapered, sidewall,
said cup transfer assembly includes a number of feedscrew assemblies and a transfer disk;
each feedscrew assembly structured to de-nest and move a tapered cup from a nested stack of tapered cups to said transfer disk;
each feedscrew assembly defining an elongated cup path;
each said cup path having a first end and a second end;
said transfer disk including a generally circular body and a number of cup mounting assemblies;
said transfer disk body including an axial surface;
said cup mounting assemblies disposed on transfer disk body axial surface and disposed circumferentially about said transfer disk body;
each said cup mounting assembly including a distal surface;
said cup mounting assembly distal surfaces defining a distal plane;
said cup path second end disposed at a clearance distance from said cup mounting assembly distal plane,
wherein said cup transfer assembly is structured to apply a bi-directional air pressure to each said tapered cup as each said cup is disposed at said cup path second end,
each feedscrew assembly includes a blower assembly;
each said blower assembly structured to apply a positive air pressure into each said cup when each said cup is disposed at said cup path second end;
wherein said positive air pressure is structured to propel each said tapered cup toward said transfer disk,
each said cup mounting assembly includes a bi-directional air pressure assembly;
each said bi-directional air pressure assembly structured to apply a negative air pressure at each cup bottom outer side when each said tapered cup is disposed at said cup path second end;
wherein said negative air pressure is structured to propel each said tapered cup toward said transfer disk,
said decorator mandrel turret assembly includes a turret disk and a number of mandrel assemblies;
each said mandrel assembly rotatably coupled to said turret disk;
said turret disk structured to rotate about an axis of rotation;
said transfer disk is structured to rotate about an axis of rotation;
wherein each said cup mounting assembly rotates from a first position, wherein each said cup mounting assembly is disposed adjacent said cup path second end, and a second position, wherein each said cup mounting assembly is disposed adjacent said turret disk; and
wherein, when each said cup mounting assembly is disposed adjacent said turret disk, said bi-directional air pressure assembly is structured to apply a positive air pressure at each cup bottom outer side.