Patent ID: 6695132
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: B21D

Abstract:
A conveyor system for can end conversion equipment, comprising at least one relatively narrow width endless belt,means supporting said belt in a loop path including upper and lower flights, means for moving said belt in a predetermined direction with an intermittent motion through predetermined increments, a plurality of nests positioned extending across said belt and extending in at least one lane longitudinally of said belt, said nests being attached to said belt along centerlines which are perpendicular to the loop path of said belt whereby each nest can traverse the portions of the loop path between said upper and lower flights, each said nest having at least one nest ring for receiving and securely holding a can end shell, the nests rings in the respective nests being aligned along said at least one lane longitudinally of said belt, said nests rings of successive nests being spaced apart a common distance which is equal to the increment of motion of said at least one belt, means for raising and lowering a section of said belt and attached nests along said upper flight of said belt during each incremental motion thereof, and means for unloading can end shells from said nests at the beginning of the lower flight of said belt.