Patent ID: 6065925
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: B65B,B65G

Abstract:
Apparatus for transporting horizontally positioned adjacent stacks of lids, the apparatus comprising:a vacuum pickup assembly;means for moving the vacuum pickup assembly horizontally and vertically;conveyor means positioned adjacent the vacuum pickup assembly;a plurality of trays positioned adjacent each other on the conveyor means, each of the trays comprising a bottom member and two upwardly formed side members, each of the trays arranged for receiving a single layer of stacks of lids from said vacuum pickup assembly; anda guide member mounted on each side of the conveyor means for contacting the side members of the plurality of trays to maintain pressure on said side members as the trays move along the conveyor means;the vacuum pickup assembly having a number of longitudinally partitioned stack receivers on an underside thereof, each of the stack receivers having a baffle at each end thereof, and each of the stack receivers having vacuum ports associated therewith such that when the vacuum pickup assembly is lowered over the horizontally positioned adjacent stacks of lids the stacks of lids are lifted by vacuum into position for retention within corresponding ones of the stack receivers.