Patent ID: 6382882
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A spacing tool for use with a conveyor that conveys containers, each container having a neck ring, a neck below the neck ring, and a body below the neck, the conveyor having a pair of spaced flanges extending generally parallel to one another in a downstream direction of the conveyor, the flanges being spaced laterally from one another by a distance smaller than an outer diameter dimension of each container neck ring but larger than an outer diameter dimension of each container neck so that each container can be supported between the flanges with its neck ring in engagement with upper surfaces of the flanges, the spacing tool comprising:a spacing member having a head portion and a neck portion; the neck portion of the spacing member having an outer diameter dimension substantially equal to the outer diameter dimension of each container neck so that the spacing member can be used to calibrate the spacing between the flanges; and, the head portion being larger than the spacing between the flanges so that the spacing member can be supported with the neck portion between the flanges and with the head portion in engagement with the upper surfaces of the flanges.