Patent ID: 9169085
Filing Date: 2015-10-27
Classification: B21D,B65G

Abstract:
1. A system for transporting articles, comprising: a transfer starwheel assembly including one or more recesses, each recess being configured to receive an article, and each recess including a vacuum port and at least one insert formed from a compliant material, the at least one insert at least partially defining a shape of the recess, the shape of the recess corresponding to an aspect of the article; and a mounting hub assembly including a plurality of circumferential sets of vacuum openings, each circumferential set being spaced axially along the mounting hub assembly from an adjacent circumferential set, the circumferential sets of vacuum openings configured to be coupled to a vacuum source, wherein the transfer starwheel assembly is configured to be mounted on the mounting hub assembly, the transfer starwheel assembly being positioned on the mounting hub assembly to align the vacuum ports of the transfer starwheel assembly with a selected one of the sets of vacuum openings on the mounting hub assembly, the mounting hub assembly and the transfer starwheel assembly rotating so that the transfer starwheel assembly receives the article into one of the recesses at a first position and rotates with the mounting hub assembly to a second position, the article being held in the recess between the first position and the second position by the shape of the recess and the vacuum at the vacuum port in the recess.