Patent ID: 8490780
Filing Date: 2013-07-23
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A guide rail system for guiding containers moved by at least one conveyor, said at least one conveyor at least partially defining a path along which the containers are moved thereby, the guide rail system comprising: a plurality of contact portions, for engaging the containers, to at least partially locate the containers in preselected positions on said at least one conveyor; a plurality of adjustable point devices, for locating the contact portions in predetermined locations respectively relative to said at least one conveyor, for engagement with the containers as the containers are moved past the contact portions by said at least one conveyor; each said adjustable point device comprising an adjustment element on which at least one of the contact portions is mounted, the adjustment element being movable relative to said at least one conveyor to position said at least one contact portion in the predetermined location therefor; a drive element connected to the adjustable point devices, to locate the adjustment elements for positioning said at least one contact portion respectively mounted thereon in the predetermined locations respectively; the path comprising at least one curved segment thereof at least partially defining an arc; the drive element comprising at least one flexible shaft substantially aligned with said at least one curved segment; selected ones of the adjustable point devices being spaced apart from each other along said at least one curved segment said at least one flexible shaft being connected to the selected ones of the adjustable point devices respectively, to position the contact portions mounted thereon in the predetermined locations therefor; and the contact portions mounted on the selected ones of the adjustable point devices defining a parallel arc spaced apart from the arc; a plurality of central contact portions, for engaging closures on the containers, to at least partially locate the containers in the preselected positions on said at least one conveyor; a plurality of central adjustable point devices, for locating the central contact portions in predetermined central locations respectively relative to said at least one conveyor, for engagement with the closures on the containers as the containers are moved past the central contact portions by said at least one conveyor; each said central adjustable point device comprising an adjustment element on which at least one of the central contact portions is mounted, the adjustment element being vertically movable relative to said at least one conveyor to vertically position said at least one central contact portion in the predetermined central location therefor; a central drive element connected to the central adjustable point devices, to position the adjustment elements for vertically positioning said at least one central contact portion respectively mounted thereon in the predetermined central locations respectively; the central drive element comprising at least one central flexible shaft substantially aligned with said at least one curved segment; selected ones of the central adjustable point devices being positioned at preselected central positions spaced apart from each other along said at least one curved segment; and said at least one central flexible shaft being connected to the selected ones of the central adjustable point devices respectively, to vertically position the central contact portions mounted thereon in the predetermined central locations therefor.