Patent ID: 6077028
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A rotator for holding and rotating a container from a first position to a plurality of different locked positions for servicing, the rotator comprising:a main frame;a cradle frame attached to the main frame to allow relative rotation between the cradle frame and the main frame;container securing means attached to the cradle frame for removably securing the container to the cradle frame;rotating means connected to the main frame and the cradle frame for causing the relative rotation between the main frame and the cradle frame from a first position where the cradle frame and the main frame are substantially parallel to a plurality of different positions, the rotating means supplying a motive power sufficient to cause the relative rotation when the container is secured to the cradle frame; andlocking means connected to the main frame and the cradle frame for holding the cradle frame and the container at a selected one of the different positions with respect to the main frame, wherein the locking means comprises a first plate attached to the main frame, with the first plate having at least one first hole formed therein, a second plate attached to the cradle frame, with the second plate having a plurality of holes formed therein, and a pin for insertion into the at least one first hole of the first plate and a selected one of the plurality of holes of the second plate for locking the cradle frame at a selected position.