Patent ID: 6179112
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A mechanism for reorienting an article from a first surface of the article to a second surface of the article as the article moves from an upstream end of the mechanism to a downstream end of the mechanism, the mechanism comprising:a primary conveyor assembly for moving the article from the upstream end to the downstream end of the mechanism, the primary conveyor assembly having a primary conveyor run defined by opposed lateral edges, the primary conveyor run supporting the first surface of the article at the upstream end of the mechanism;a transfer conveyor assembly positioned adjacent to one of the lateral edges of the primary conveyor run, the transfer conveyor assembly including a transfer conveyor run oriented at an angle relative to the primary conveyor run;a guide assembly positioned to move the article on the primary conveyor run onto the transfer conveyor run as the article travels between the upstream end and downstream end of the mechanism; anda guide member positioned downstream from the transfer conveyor run for receiving the article from the transfer conveyor run and tipping the article such that the second surface of the article is supported on the conveyor run of the primary conveyor assembly at the downstream end of the mechanism.