Patent ID: 6161677
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A tube loading system comprising:a various belt;a motor drive for moving said vacuum belt;a vacuum applicator for applying a vacuum to one side of a portion of said vacuum belt in order to hold a tube having an open end, a lengthwise direction and a side wall on an opposite side of said portion of said vacuum belt;a pin chain having a plurality of pins spaced therealong for receiving the open ends of the tubes thereon, said pin chain being positioned adjacent said vacuum belt; anda delivery device for supplying said tubes in sequence to said portion of said vacuum belt in a position such that the side wall of each tube is held by said vacuum on said portion of said vacuum belt with the lengthwise direction of each tube being substantially parallel with a moving direction of said vacuum belt and as said belt moves, each said tube is deposited on a respective pin of said pin chain.