Patent ID: 9457968
Filing Date: 2016-10-04
CPC Classification: B65G

Claim Text:
1. A container denester apparatus for sequentially supplying nested containers, the apparatus comprising: an indexer chassis attachable to an outside piece of equipment, the indexer chassis defining a clamshell cavity configured for the passage of a container therethrough; an indexing assembly coupled to the indexer chassis, the indexing assembly including a rack that is slidably movable relative to the indexer chassis, and positioned proximate the clamshell cavity, the rack having a rack gear defined on an edge thereof, and the rack configured to slidably move between a starting position and a dispensed position, and, at least one pinion gear rotatably positioned upon a pivot axis coupled to the indexer chassis, the at least one pinion gear meshing with the rack gear of the rack; and a rotating indexing arm rotationally coupled to at least one of the at least one rack gear, the rotating indexing arm having a lower cam profile and an upper cam profile, with the cam profiles selectively extending into the clamshell cavity upon rotation of the at least one pinion gear to which the rotating indexing arm is coupled; wherein in the starting position, a clamshell container is precluded from passage through the clamshell cavity, and, a portion of an underside surface rests upon the upper cam profile, and whereupon slidable movement of the rack directs the rotation of the rotating indexing arm to release the clamshell container and to urge a downward movement of the clamshell container to facilitate passage through the clamshell cavity, as well as to facilitate separation from an adjacent clamshell container that is nestedly coupled thereto, and wherein the indexing assembly further includes a drive assembly, the drive assembly including at least one actuator coupled to the rack, the at least one actuator configured to direct the rack between the starting position and the dispensed position, and wherein the indexing assembly further includes a first drive assembly and a second drive assembly, the rack further including an actuator tab having a first side and a second side, the first drive assembly imparting contact against the first side of the actuator tab and the second drive assembly imparting contact against the second side of the actuator tab.