Patent ID: 6177050
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for positioning a container carried in a carrier at a predetermined centering location along a conveyor track, comprising:an operable stop mechanism, operable to stop a carrier moving along the conveyor track;a first positioning arm operably mounted on a frame adjacent the track, operable between an open position located downstream of the centering location and clear of the track to permit carriers to move past the arm, and a centering position upstream of the open position and extending across a portion of the track to contact and move a container supported in a carrier stopped by the stop mechanism to the centering location;means for selectively moving the first arm between the open and centering positions;said first arm being pivotally mounted at a rearward end for movement of a forward end thereof through a generally horizontal plane, the forward end of the first arm contacting the container when the first arm is moved to the centering position;a second positioning arm operably mounted on said frame and operable between an open position located upstream of the centering location and clear of the track to permit containers to move past the second arm, and a centering position downstream of the open position and in contact with the container in the carrier moved to the centering location; andmeans for selectively moving the second arm between the open and centering positions.