Patent ID: 7967127
Filing Date: 2011-06-28
Classification: B29C,B65G

Abstract:
1. An adjustable star wheel rotatable about a central axis, comprising a plurality of pockets distributed around the star wheel for receiving a container therein, each pocket being defined at least in part by a pair of opposed, spaced apart fingers, each finger providing a contact surface for contacting a container when received in its associated pocket and being rotatably mounted on respective shafts extending substantially parallel to the central axis so as to be rotatable in opposite senses within a range of movement thereby adjusting the width of the pocket they define, the star wheel further comprising setting means operative to set the fingers in substantially any position within their range of movement, a toothed common drive means and wherein the fingers are provided with teeth, the common drive means and fingers being arranged with meshed teeth such that the fingers are rotatably driven by the common drive means, and wherein the teeth of one finger from each pair defining a pocket meshes with the teeth of the drive means in a rack and pinion arrangement.