Patent ID: 6435333
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
An adjustable unit for the unscrambling and lined up delivery of empty lightweight containers comprising:a receptacle (1) adapted to receive in bulk said containers (A), said receptacle having a bottom (2) on which said containers (A) accumulate, said bottom (2) having a peripheral portion (3) spaced from a lateral wall (4) of said receptacle thus defining a gap (5) through which the containers (A) can pass; a plurality of adjacent compartments (6) arranged in vicinity of said peripheral portion (3) and connected to a first structure (7) so that said compartments travel along a closed circuit, each compartment (6) adapted to receive one only container (A) in a lying position and oriented with an open end (A1) adjacent to a leading or trailing side, with respect to a direction of said traveling, each of said compartments having an open bottom delimited by arrangements (11 and 12) for supporting the open end (A1) of the container (A) said trailing side having a stop arrangement for the bottom of said container (A); a plurality of discharge chutes (8) associated with said first structure (7), each discharge chute (8) arranged below each of said compartments (6) to receive said containers (A) being oriented in an upright position as they fall, and said chutes transferring said containers (A) in an upright position and in a lined up arrangement onto a downstream equipment; and a supporting stationary floor (9) interposed between said open bottom of said compartments (6) and said discharge chutes (8), said stationary floor being provided with a gap (10) providing a fall of said containers (A); wherein each arrangement for supporting said open end (A1) of each container (A) adjacent to said leading side of each compartment (6) is formed by an elongated member (11) to be shifted within the compartment in order to accommodate for container size wherein all of the elongated members (11) are connected to a second structure (14) that is adjustable with respect to said first structure (7) so that all of the compartments (6) are adjusted simultaneously.