Patent ID: 9403646
Filing Date: 2016-08-02
CPC Classification: B65G

Claim Text:
1. A dynamically adjustable product turning apparatus comprising: a framework configured to span over a conveyor that moves product along multiple lanes of a conveyor surface from an upstream side to a downstream side; a plurality of turning devices spaced along the framework and moveable between an inactive position to an active turning position within a selectable lane of the product to be turned; an actuator coupled to each of the plurality of turning devices; and computer control coupled to the actuator and to the turning devices and having a programmed pattern in memory for moving each of the turning devices along the framework and between inactive and active positions, wherein the turning devices are configured to move vertically between inactive and active positions so that the inactive position is a retracted position adjacent the framework and the active position is an extended position adjacent the conveyor surface, and wherein the framework is configured to span across the conveyor transversely to a long axis of the conveyor, the turning devices laterally moveable along the framework and transversely to a long axis of the conveyor so that a downwardly extended position of the turning devices can contact a selected portion of a front face of the product moving along the conveyor.