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

Claim 9:
10. An apparatus for use in delivering cup-like containers to a container receiving path of a packaging station, the apparatus comprising:
a first infeed tower and a second infeed tower, each of the first infeed tower and the second infeed tower having, respectively:
a stationary upper segment and a movable lower segment, wherein the movable lower segment is movable between a load position, in alignment with the stationary upper segment for receiving cup-like containers from the stationary upper segment, and an unload position, in alignment with the container receiving path for delivering cup-like containers to the container receiving path;
a transfer gate controllable to block feed of cup-like containers from the stationary upper segment down into the movable lower segment;
an outlet gate controllable to block feed of cup-like containers down out of the movable lower segment;

a control system configured for controlling movement of the lower tower segment of the first infeed tower and the lower tower segment of the second infeed tower such that the lower tower segment of the first infeed tower and the lower tower segment of the second infeed tower are movable independently of each other.