Patent ID: 8939272
Filing Date: 2015-01-27
Classification: B65B,B65G

Abstract:
1. An article orienting machine for elongate articles, said machine comprising: an endless first conveyor by which articles are conveyed with a first predetermined spacing, said elongate articles having their main axes arranged transverse to the direction of movement of said conveyor; at least a first and a second wheel on which the conveyor is supported; a first drive means arranged to rotate one of the wheels on which the conveyor is supported; and opposed pairs of holders attached to said endless conveyor at said first predetermined spacing, each pair of holders being arranged to contact and support an elongate article at opposite ends thereof while the article is received and released by the article orienting machine, wherein the machine is arranged to orient said articles at regular intervals, where the articles to be oriented are arranged with a second predetermined spacing, which second spacing corresponds to a whole multiple of the first predetermined spacing, equal to at least twice the first predetermined spacing, that each article to be oriented is rotated about said main axis located in a plane parallel to the first endless conveyor and transverse to the direction of movement of said conveyor, that at least one of each pair of holders supporting opposed ends of an article to be rotated comprises a drivable member arranged to cause the article to rotate, and that each drivable member is arranged to rotate said article over a predetermined angle.