Patent ID: 7735628
Filing Date: 2010-06-15
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A transfer system for open-ended containers and suitable for use in an automated bagging device, the transfer system comprising: a transfer member adapted to transfer the open-ended containers along a designated path in a machine direction; an orientation-adjustment portion having an orienter that is adapted to rotate at least a first portion of the open-ended containers about an axis of rotation with open ends of the containers facing in the machine direction; and a downstream receiving portion that is adapted to restrict movement of at least a second portion of the open-ended containers along the designated path, wherein said orienter is at least one roller having an axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to the machine direction, and whereby the roller imparts a rotational motion to the open-ended containers while the transfer member separately imparts machine direction motion to the open-ended containers, wherein each open-ended container has a surface configuration with a distinguishing feature that (i) allows adjacent open-ended containers to closely nest along an axial direction of the open-ended containers when the distinguishing features of the adjacent open-ended containers are rotationally aligned and (ii) prevents adjacent open-ended containers from closely nesting along the axial direction when the distinguishing features of the adjacent open-ended containers are not rotationally aligned, where the axial direction runs parallel to the machine direction, and further wherein said receiving portion and said orienter cooperate to align said first portion and said second portion such that the distinguishing feature of open-ended containers in the first portion becomes aligned with the distinguishing feature of open-ended containers in the second portion and such alignment allows open-ended containers of the first portion to become closely nested with open-ended containers of the second portion to compress a length of said open-ended containers.