Patent ID: 6319347
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: A61F,B65G,B65H,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for taking discrete parts travelling at a first speed in a first direction, and transferring the discrete parts to a receiver travelling at a second speed in a second direction, said method comprising the steps of:a) providing a rotatable transfer assembly, and at least one transport head mounted on the transfer assembly, for taking the discrete parts onto the at least one transport head in a taking zone, and for transferring the discrete parts to the receiver in a transfer zone;(b) taking the discrete part onto the at least one transport head in the taking zone wherein a leading edge of the discrete part is oriented at a first angle with respect to the first direction of travel;(c) after taking the discrete part onto the at least one transport head, (i) rotating the rotatable transfer assembly about a first axis oriented in a third direction transverse to, and disposed in a plane parallel with, the first direction, at a variable angular velocity such that the at least one transport head travels at a first surface speed which substantially equals the first speed of the discrete part as the discrete part is taken onto the at least one transport head in the taking zone, and travels at a second surface speed which substantially equals the second speed of the receiver as the discrete part is transferred to the receiver in the transfer zone, and (ii) rotating the transport head about a second axis which is radial to the first axis intersecting the first axis and extending outwardly therefrom, to thereby orient the leading edge of the discrete part at a second angle measured with respect to the second direction of travel of the receiver in the transfer zone, different from the first angle; and(d) transferring the so rotated discrete part to the receiver in the transfer zone.