Patent ID: 6308816
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: B65C,B65G,B67C

Abstract:
A rotary orienter for moving articles into a predetermined orientation comprising:a support frame;a central column having a longitudinal axis, said column being mounted to said support frame for rotation of said column about said longitudinal axis of said column;means for rotating said central column;at least one station connected to said column for rotation with said column, said station comprising;a spindle having a longitudinal axis, said spindle being rotatably connected to said column for rotation about said longitudinal axis of said spindle, said spindle having a first end and a second end;a turntable being attached to said first end of said spindle;means for rotating said spindle being connected to said support frame and being connected to said spindle;a slip clutch mounted on said spindle and connected to said means for rotating said spindle;an indexing wheel mounted on said spindle, said indexing wheel having at least two detents formed therein;an arm having a first end pivotally mounted to said support frame and a second end extending free, said arm being engageable with said detents of said indexing wheel such that when so engaged, said indexing wheel is prevented from rotating with said spindle;at least one actuator connected to said support frame, said actuator being selectively engageable with said arm such that said arm is disengaged from one of said detents of said indexing wheel when said actuator engages said arm, whereby said turntable rotates until said arm is released by said actuator and said arm engages another one of said at least two detents;means for moving articles onto said turntable; andat least one sensor mounted to said support frame for determining the orientation of an article on said turntable, said sensor activating said actuator when the orientation of an article is not in accordance with a predetermined orientation.