Patent ID: 6673183
Filing Date: 2004-01-06
Classification: B29D

Abstract:
Apparatus for positioning a generally hollow cylindrical carcass on a drum having a centerplane and a central shaft defining a rotational axis of the drum, comprising:first and second pluralities of positioning wheels, the wheels of said first plurality of wheels being disposed on one side of the centerplane of the drum, and said second plurality of wheels being disposed on an opposite side of the centerplane of the drum, each of said wheels of each of said plurality of wheels being mounted for rotation thereof about an axis aligned substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the drum, and including a plurality of rollers mounted in spaced apart relationship about the outer circumference of each of said wheels, said rollers being mounted for rotation about an axis oriented substantially perpendicular to said axis of rotation of their respective wheel, each of said wheels being mounted for substantially simultaneous radial positioning between first and second positions relative to the central shaft of the drum, whereby when in said first radial position, at least a portion of the outer circumference of each of said rollers of said wheels are disposed radially beyond the overall outer circumference of the drum and in position to engage the inner circumference of a carcass mounted on the drum in encircling relationship to said first and second plurality of wheels, and, when in said second position, said rollers are disposed radially inwardly of the overall outer circumference of the drum and out of engagement with the inner circumference of a carcass mounted on the drum, first and second pluralities of positioning shoes, the shoes of said first plurality of shoes being disposed on one side of the centerplane of the drum and the shoes of said second plurality of shoes being disposed on an opposite side of the centerplane of the drum, each of said shoes including a radially inwardly directed distal edge, rounded in cross section, and mounted for substantially simultaneous radial positioning between first and second positions relative to the rotational axis of the drum, whereby when said shoes are disposed in said first position, said distal edge of each of said shoes engages a respective end of said carcass in position to apply a laterally directed vectorial force against said respective end of said carcass upon radially outward movement of said shoes, and including means for substantially simultaneously adjusting the radial position of each plurality of shoes substantially equidistantly from the centerplane of said drum to thereby effect centering of said carcass relative to the centerplane of the drum, and wherein when said shoes are disposed in said second radial position, said shoes are disengaged from the carcass such that the carcass is removable from the drum.