Patent Publication Number: US-6336258-B2

Title: Process for can delivery and removal at a textile machine

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application is a Divisional Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/290,810, filed Apr. 13, 1999 U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,257. 
    
    
     The present invention concerns a procedure for the transport and placement of empty and full cans using can magazines and can carriers, and also concerns an apparatus for executing the procedure. 
     Conventionally, for the bringing of empty cans to the filling head of a draw frame, and for the reception of the filled cans in the draw frame, roller conveyors are provided (RIETER-High Capacity Stretch Works RSB 951). The cans to be filled in that method must be taken off from a transport wagon by an operating person, and set upon the roller conveyor. When this is done, because of the required inclination of the roller conveyor, the cans, especially upon being set upon that end of the roller conveyor remote from the draw frame, must be lifted to a relatively high elevation. In the same way, the full cans must be taken off a roller conveyor and placed upon a transport wagon. This method of procedure is thus labor and energy intensive. 
     Further, from AT 343 047, a device for the supply of a preparatory machine with cans for a spinning works is known. At the beginning, empty cans stand on a transport wagon, and subsequently slide onto a guiding track which leads to a draw frame. The cans, after the filling process, are pushed onto an additional transport wagon by means of a chain with grab arms. For each can, respectively, a grab arm is provided. After the unloading of the first transport wagon, it is moved on further by means of a pushing apparatus. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that the grab arm must insert itself each time between two cans. The cans, for this action, must be exactly positioned as to the distance between them. This alignment is not always possible in the every day work of a spinning factory. 
     For the pushing of the transport wagons, these must have pivotable wheels. 
     This is disadvantageous upon manually pushing the wagons, because the pivoted wheels make the wagon too hard to steer. Also, the pushing apparatus is very highly stressed because of the engendered torque which arises from the pushing of the wagon. This stress is the cause of a high degree of wear and tear on the pushing apparatus. As a result, the pushing apparatus must be very ruggedly designed. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     All these disadvantages being considered, a primary purpose of the invention is to create a procedure and an apparatus, which eliminate such difficulties. 
     Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     These purposes of the invention, so defined, may be achieved by a procedure for the transport of empty cans to a filling station of a textile machine which produces material in bands and the placement of filled cans in a full can magazine, from which the filled cans are removed. In the procedure, a specified number of empty cans is on a can carrier in the empty can magazine of a band producing textile machine. A can to be filled is taken from the can carrier to a filling station from whence the filled can is transported to a just emptied can carrier, which carrier is to be found in the full can magazine. This carrier, after being loaded by a specified plurality of filled cans, is taken out of the full can magazine. The can carrier in the empty can magazine, which carrier in the mean time was emptied, is transported by means of at least a partial lifted crossover which is essentially free of torque damage, into the full can magazine which has just become unoccupied. Since the can carrier remains adjacent to the draw frame or to some other band producing textile machine, while the cans are being filled and the cans after the filling are deposited directly on a can carrier, the work to be carried out in regard to the delivery and removal of the cans to and from the machines by the operator is substantially reduced. The labor and power intensive transfer of two empty cans from the can carrier on a roller conveyor, or, the related removal of full cans from a roller conveyor and the transfer of these heavy cans onto a can carrier may be dispensed with. 
     A procedural method of restraining in position the can carrier in the empty can magazine and/or in the full can magazine in position is particularly advantageous in order to increase safety measures associated with the transfer of an empty can to a band producing textile machine, or with the removal of a filled can from a band producing machine. 
     For smooth operation, it is necessary to separate the bringing in of a can carrier to the filling head and the related removal of a can carrier from the output device of the filling head from the in and out transport of can carriers to and from the draw frame. In accord with the invention, there has been provided an additional wait-position which serves as a buffer for the can carrier. 
     Principally, a can carrier from an empty can magazine, this being the source from which empty cans are routed to the filling head, may be brought into a buffer position from which, upon call, the carrier may once again be removed. The purpose of removal may be to bring the carrier into the full can magazine. 
     If, however, in a start-up situation, a full can carrier finds itself in the empty can magazine and an empty can carrier finds itself in the full can magazine, then a procedure in accord with the present invention is particularly advantageous. At the very moment when in the empty can magazine the can carrier becomes empty, and also the can carrier in the full can magazine becomes full, the procedure allows that an exchange of the can carrier in the empty can magazine as well as in the full can magazine may be carried out. 
     For the carrying out of the procedure, an apparatus in accord with the invention for the supply of empty cans to a filling station of an band operating textile machine and for the placement of filled cans into a full can magazine, from which the filled cans are removed. The apparatus provides a supply mechanism for the empty can magazine with the aid of which the cans that find themselves on a can carrier in a can magazine are singly deliverable to the fill station. An elevated crossover system for transfer of an empty can carrier from the empty can magazine into the full can magazine is also provided, wherein the crossover apparatus lifts up, at least partially, the can carrier and/or transports it over free of torque damage. The acceptance apparatus for respectively one can carrier and its slip restraining facility, as well as regarding run-in as run-out from the filling head, leads to an easing of the labor. By means of the advantageous development of both the empty and full can magazines having a slip restraining facility, a greater degree of safety is assured by the transfer of a can to or from the band operating textile machine. 
     Advantageously, by allowing the crossover apparatus to be movable underneath the can carrier, a particularly space saving embodiment of the invention has been achieved. 
     So that not every time, that the can carrier on the feed side of the filling head, has yielded all its empty cans to the filling head, in other words, the can carrier on the discharge side of the filling head is filled with full cans, the operating person or a transport apparatus stand ready with a new can carrier with empty cans or must be ready for the taking away of the can carrier with filled cans, additional unit positions which serve as buffers for the can carrier are advantageously developed. 
     This development makes possible the setting of a can wagon with empty cans in readiness, or the taking away of a can carrier with full cans, independently of the continual operation of the filling procedure. The adjacency of the hold positions of the empty can and the full can magazines as particularly advantageous in consideration of space relationships as for the manipulation of the can carrier. 
     The empty cans must be conducted to the filling station. So that an ejection apparatus for the individual cans on their side remote from the filling station can take hold, a run-up ramp extending to await position may be provided. 
     In order to carry out the transfer of can carriers from one hold position into another position in an especially simple way, using the movable crossover apparatus is particularly advantageous. After a can carrier has been taken away on the pick-up side of the draw frame, and thereby requisite space has been created because of the removal of the can carrier, now all can carriers on the draw frame are moved in common to a hold position. 
     Principally, the can carrier may be designed in an optional manner, for instance, as a pallet. Nevertheless, the use of can wagons may show itself to be of value. In such a case, a design of the can carrier as a can was on the orientable casters may be advantageous since the pivotable casters may be pulled along during the transfer of the can wagon from one to the next hold position for general availability. 
     Independently as to whether only one end of the can carrier, or the entire can carrier is lifted for the switching of the same from one place to another, the development that allows the crossover apparatus to interact with a guide, vertically adjustable with a lift apparatus especially in the form of an inflatable hose has shown itself to be particularly a practical improvement. 
     For a simple and safe manipulation of can handling during the presentation of the can to the filling head, or during the retrieval of the filled can from the filling head, the design of the invented apparatus using guides and installable slip restrain devices is advantageous. 
     According to the purpose of the application, cans of various sizes may be placed in service. Thus, for instance, cans with diameters ranging between 250 to 600 mm are common. In order not to have to build different equipment for each size of can, the empty can magazine can possess an installable guide to accommodate the width of the can carrier. In this manner, a basic design has been created, wherein by means of a simple readjustment, that is, the adding or removal of guide elements, a fit may be made for the desired can size. 
     In order to assure that the can carrier crossover transfer can only be carried out, when a number of preliminary conditions have been met, it is advantageous to use monitoring devices in the empty can and full can magazines. 
     For the easing of can manipulation by pushing the cans where the can carrier is concerned, it is advantageous if the can carrier possesses guide and slip restraint means to keep the cans in an orderly row. 
     The procedure and the apparatus in accord with the present invention avoid the power consuming and accident hazards related to the run-in to the filling head of the draw frame and can handling at the Removal Station of the filling head. Moreover, excessive wear and tear at these positions is prevented, such as is unavoidable on the setting of cans onto roller conveyors. The invention is also independent of the shape of the can and the procedure finds application not only using round cans, but also in connection with flat or rectangular cans. 
     The concept of “rectangular can” is not to be limited as it is understood, but is to encompass all shapes of cans. These cans may exhibit a large or small cross-sectional size, independent of the shape of the cross-section. In other words, the concept of the can is independent as to whether or not the ends are constructed by a circular cross-section or the ends conform to straight lines of the walls. Further, the acceptable can shape is independent of the size of possibly provided curvature radii at the transition from a side wall to the bottom of the can. 
     Embodiments of the invention are presented in the following with the help of the drawings to provide a more complete description and explanation. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1 a ) to  1   f ) shows a first presentation of the invention in a schematic drawing; 
     FIGS. 2 a ) to  2   e ) show, in schematic style, a modified presentation of the invention; 
     FIG.  3  &amp; FIG. 4 show the preferred embodiment of the invention in plan view and profile, respectively; 
     FIG. 5 shows, in a schematic presentation, a further modification apparatus in accord with the invention in connection with two stretch lanes; 
     FIG. 6 shows the invention in a schematic presentation in connection with an arrangement of can carriers in front of the filling station in two rows; and 
     FIG. 7 shows a further modification of the invented apparatus in connection with so-called “flat” or rectangular cans. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are shown in the figures. Each example is provided to explain the invention, and not as a limitation of the invention. In fact, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. It is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations. 
     FIG. 1, with the help of which the procedure in accord with the invention is to be first explained, limits itself to a presentation of the principal, required elements for the carrying out of the procedure. 
     In FIG. 1, principally the filling station  1  a band yielding textile machine  8  (see FIG. 4) such as, a draw frame is schematically indicated in the form of a dotted circle. To the filling station, a can magazine  6  is attached, which is partitioned first, into an empty can magazine  3  for the supplying of empty cans  2  to the filling station  1  and second, into a full can magazine  4  for the acceptance of the filled cans  20  from the filling station  1 . For the supply of empty cans  2  to the filling station  1 , a supply mechanism  30  is assigned to the empty can magazine  3 . This occurs as the opposite movement of the filled cans  20  into the full can magazine  4  is activated by ejection of the full cans out of the filling station  1 . 
     The individual procedure steps are now explained in more detail with the assistance of FIG. 1 a  to FIG. 1 f . In the shown start situation of FIG. 1 a , there is found in the empty can magazine  3  a loaded can carrier  5  with a specified number of empty cans  2  thereon. At this moment, as drawn, empty can carrier  50  stands ready. With the aid of the supply mechanism  30 , the individual empty cans  2  are brought, one after the other, off of the can carrier  5  into the active zone of the filling station  1  (see arrow f 1  in FIG. 1 b ). In this zone, the can  2  is filled with fiber band. Subsequently, the once empty can moves now as full can  20  into the full can magazine  4  on the already stationed can carrier  50 . 
     FIG. 1 b  shows that point in time at which the can carrier  5  in the empty can magazine  3  is cleared of empty cans and the can carrier  50 , which is in full can magazine  4 , is loaded with the specified number of full cans  20 . At this moment, the can carrier  50  is brought out of the full can magazine  4  (see arrow f 2 ) and can carrier  50  is conducted to a band working machine (not shown) for further processing (see FIG. 1 c ). Immediately thereupon, the previously emptied can carrier  5  is taken out of the empty can magazine  3  (see arrow f 3  in FIG. 1 d ) and conducted to the full can magazine  4  (arrow f 4  in FIG. 1 e ). 
     Into the can magazine  3 , which has now become empty by the above actions, a new can carrier  51  loaded with empty cans  2  is brought (see arrow f 5  in FIG. 1 f ). This resets the procedure to the original situation in accord with FIG. 1 a  and the describe operation cycle begins anew. 
     In accord with the described and illustrated procedure, the can carriers  5 , each with an entire grouping of empty cans  2  to be transported, are simply run into the empty can magazine on the supply side of the filling station  1  of the band yielding textile machine  8  (see FIG. 4) and left there during the filling process. In this way, the operating personnel is spared very strenuous activity. They need not remove any empty cans  2  from the can carrier  5  in order to conduct them to the empty can magazine  3 . Also, they are not required to later take the filled cans  20  out of the full can magazine in order to place them on the can carrier  50 . 
     The remaining work, in the case of the previously described version of the procedure, is the bringing of the can carriers  5 ,  50 ,  51  . . . into the empty can magazine  3 , the transfer of one of the emptied can carriers  5 ,  50 ,  51  . . . out of the empty can magazine  3  into the full can magazine  4 , and the retrieval of one of those can carriers  5 ,  50 ,  51  . . . out of the full can magazine  4 . 
     However, even the transfer of an emptied can carrier  5  out of the empty can magazine  3  into the full can magazine  4  may be carried out without human involvement. How this is done is depicted in FIG. 2, as a modified embodiment shows. The emptied can carrier  5 , found in the empty can magazine  3 , is brought into the full can carrier magazine  4 , after the release of the full can magazine  4  on the direct way, that is at right angles to the delivery and retrieval direction of the can carrier (see arrow f 5  and f 2  in FIGS. 2 d ,  2   e ). The means of doing this will be described later in more detail with the aid of FIGS. 3 and 4. 
     In the case of the embodiment previously described with the help of FIG. 1, 
     the transport out of the full can magazine  4  of the filled can carrier  50  which is filled with cans  20 , 
     the setting in readiness of an empty can carrier  5  in the full can magazine  4 , and 
     the setting in readiness of can carrier  51  loaded with empty cans  2  in the empty can magazine  3 , 
     can only be carried out after the loading of the can carrier  50  which is in the full can magazine  4 . In order to hold the unavoidable production interruption to the shortest time possible, the operating person must execute these steps immediately after the loading of the can carrier  50  with full cans  20 . 
     Based on the above grounds, the procedure described above is changed in such a way that the setting in readiness of a can carrier  52  (FIG. 2 d ) with empty cans  2  in the empty can magazine  3  is done independently as to whether the filling station  1  with the empty can supplying can carrier  5  is already empty or not. 
     In an analogous manner, the retrieval transport is carried out for a can carrier  50  (FIG. 2 e ) which is loaded with full cans  20 , whether the can carrier  5 , which has been served by the filling station, is already partially, or even completely, loaded with full cans  20  or not. For this purpose, the empty can magazine  3  as well as the full can magazine  4  possess, respectively, an additional place as a buffer station for a further can carrier. The empty can magazine  3  possesses a Supply Station, or buffer place,  32  for the can carrier  5  from which the mentioned supply mechanism  30  forwards the empty cans  2  singly for filling one after the other, timed by the filling activity of the filling station  1 . Besides this, the empty can magazine  3  has a Hold Station, or buffer place,  31  inserted ahead of it, to which a new feed of empty can  2  enters with its attendant can carrier  51 . This is brought in before it is conducted to the feed position. The full can magazine  4 , on its side, possesses a Receiving Station  40  and a buffer or Removal Station  41 . The filled cans  20  yielded by the filling station  1  go to an empty can carrier  50  which was placed in readiness on the Receiving Station  40 . The can carrier  50 , after loading, is switched to the Removal Station  41 , where it waits to be taken away. 
     The four hold position areas, 
     Hold Station  31  [waiting station] 
     Supply Station  32  [supply of empty cans] 
     Receiving Station  40  [receiving full cans] 
     Removal Station  41  [take away to process] 
     of the empty can magazine  3  and full can magazine  4  comprise all hold positions of the can magazine  6  as depicted in FIG. 2, and are arranged next to one another. 
     The individual operational steps of this modified procedure should also be more closely examined in the following. In the indicated start position in accord with FIG. 2 a , there are found in the empty can magazine  3  can carriers  51 ,  5  ready with empty cans. The first can carrier  51  with empty cans  2  finds itself at the Hold Station  31  in its buffer or waiting phase, while the other, i.e., can carrier  5 , loaded with empty cans, is already in its supply position on the area Supply Station  32  (see FIG. 2 a ). 
     In the full can magazine  4 , on the other hand, on the Receiving Station  40  stands principally an empty can carrier  50  in readiness, while the Removal Station  41  is not occupied. 
     The supply mechanism  30  (see FIG.  1 ), which is designed in a conventional manner and according to the need, may be placed next to a can carrier or even above a can carrier. The supply mechanism  30  now supplies to the filling station  1  one empty can  2  (arrow f 1 ), which, in a known manner, grabs the one can  2  and conveys it under a filling head. In this place, the actual filling process takes place. After the completion of the filling process, the now filled can  20  is further moved along and finally ejected out of the filling station  1  onto the prepared can carrier  50  that is at the receiving point, or the Receiving Station  40 . In this way, the supply mechanism  30  runs all empty cans  2 , one by one from the can carrier  5  to the filling station  1 . The can  20 , now full after the completed filling procedure, is ejected from the filling station  1 , and moved farther on to the can carrier  50 . The can  20  impacts against the last ejected can thereon of the row of cans, which builds up on this carrier, and shoves the entire row of cans away from the filling station until the can carrier  50  is full (FIG. 2 b ). 
     If all the empty cans from the can carrier  5  in the Supply Station  32  are removed and the can carrier  50 , which is on the Receiving Station  40  of the full can magazine  4 , is loaded, then, by means of a elevating crossover device  7  (to be described later, see FIGS.  3  and  4 ), all the can carriers  51 ,  5 ,  50  found in the can magazine  6  are lifted and moved sideways through such a displacement that the can carrier  5  transfers from the Supply Station  32  to the Receiving Station  40  (see arrow f 6  in FIG. 2 c ). 
     The two can carriers  51 ,  50  which neighbor this can carrier  5  are, in the same direction of movement, brought on to the hold position which is adjacent to their starting position. The can carrier  50  with the full cans  20  can enter into the removal area in the Removal Station  41 , which up to this point was free. The can carrier  51 , which was placed in readiness in the hold position with the empty cans  2 , moves onto the supply position  32 . 
     The two middle wait stations, i.e.,  32  and  40 , which work together with the filling station  1 , find themselves again in a normal operational situation. The two outer wait stations, on the other hand, do not become directly a part of the filling process and serve as buffer stations. Thus, it is unimportant if, here, a new can carrier  52  with empty cans  2  is brought in (see arrow f 5  in FIG. 2 d ). The can carrier  50  with the full cans  20  should be removed (see arrow f 2  of FIG. 2 e ) in the time span between two executed crossover displacements. Thus, this may be carried out in a wide time span without interruption of the filling procedure. It is not significant, whether these “to or from” movements of can carriers occur manually by an operator or fully automatically with the help of an automatic transport and transport control apparatus. 
     Before a further procedure variant is explained, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an apparatus should be described with the help of which the procedure in accord with FIG. 2 maybe brought about. In the presentation of this, elements will be omitted which are not relevant for the understanding of the invention. 
     In FIG. 3, principally, a section of the can exchange mechanism  10  is presented as a part of the filling station  1  (see FIGS.  1  and  2 ). This mechanism exhibits a bow shaped can guide  100 , which essentially extends from the Supply Station  32  to the (not shown) filling head of the filling station  1 . The can exchanger possesses further a rotating come-along arm  11  by which, in FIG. 3 the free, co-acting ends are to be seen embracing the can to be transported (see the pertinent can  2   a , drawn in dashed lines). Another bow shaped can guide  101  of the can exchanger extends itself from the filling head to the Receiving Station  40 . An additional can guide  102  is assigned to the Receiving Station  40  with the purpose of diverting a filled can  20  coming from the filling head out of the circular track of the can exchanger  10  in a direction to the can carrier  50 , which carrier is then located on the Receiving Station  40 . 
     The can guides  100 ,  101  and  102  are placed beneath the operating zone of the rotating come-along arm  11 , so that freedom of motion of the come-along arm is not limited. 
     The can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . may be designed in any appropriate shape, for instance, as a pallet or the like. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a can wagon finds application as can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . . These can carriers exhibit on its end remote from the can exchanger  10  a grabbing yoke  53  extending upwards, with the help of which the can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52 . . . (here a can wagon) may be manipulated by an operating person. From the grab yoke  53  to its end proximal to the filling station, the can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . (can wagon) has a can hold position  54 , which is laterally bounded to guides  55  and  56 , in order to hold the cans  2  or  20  in a row. Between these guides  55  and  56 , the can hold position  54  has two or more reinforcing strips  540  and  541  in order to reduce the friction between cans  2  or  20  and the can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . (can wagon). 
     The described features of the can wagon are clearly recognizable in the case of the can carrier  50  which is to be found on the Receiving Station  40 . 
     The can wagon possesses on its underside, two pairs of wheels  59  and  590 . The pair of wheels  59  remote from the grab yoke  53  is not pivotable or turnable. On the other hand, the pair of wheels  590  nearer to the grab yoke  53  is pivotable. In other words, the pair is adaptable to the direction of movement of the can wagon by the swinging of its holding means. In case of necessity, instead of one or the other pairs of wheels  59 ,  590 , even a single caster can find application. 
     The can magazine  6  has restraining guides  60  and  61 . These guides are located respectively, on the proximal and remote sides of the can exchanger  10 , thus separated by the length of a can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . in order to maintain the can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . , not only on the Supply Station  32 , but on the Receiving Station  40 , in a defined position in respect to the can exchanger  10 . 
     This assurance of position of the can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . in the area of the guides  60  and  61  is of considerable importance for an error free function in the conducting of empty cans  2  to the can exchanger  10 , as well as in the removal of filled cans  20  from the can exchanger  10 . 
     Further restraining means  62  for the can carriers  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . are arranged on each of the hold positions, (Hold Station  31 , Supply Station  32 , Receiving Station  40 , Removal Station  41 ) which secure the can carriers  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . at right angles to the can movement to the can exchange  10 , as well as to the can  20  movement from the can exchange  10 . This restraining means  62  may be designed in various ways, as a comparison of the hold positions (Hold Station  31 , Supply Station  32 , Receiving Station  40 , Removal Station  41 ) makes clear. As may be plainly seen in FIG. 4, in the three hold positions ( 32 ,  40 ,  41 ) which follow the Hold Station  31 , these restraining means  62  are designed in wedge shape (prisms). The Hold Station  31  on its feed side (i.e., on its remote side from the filling station) possesses two wedge-like positioning guides  620  with the aid of which the can carrier  51  sent to this Hold Station  31  is aligned into an exact specified position. For this purpose, the two positioning guides  620  are designed to fit upon installation to the width of the can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . , which are to be conducted to the hold position. The Hold Station  31  possesses further a threshold  310 , over which the can carrier  51 , designed as a can wagon, must roll when it is brought into hold position. For this purpose, a guide bolt  510 , provided on the underside of the can wagon, ingresses a stationary, wedge shaped guide  311  which exactly positions the can carrier  51 . In order to make a clear presentation on the drawing (FIG.  4 ), the guide bolt  510  is simply shown on the can carrier  51  which is in a hold position. However, it is self evident that all can carriers  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . are similarly equipped. The threshold  310  together with the guide  311  form, in this arrangement, a restraint for the can carrier  51  in order to positively define its position relative to the can exchanger  10 . 
     The already mentioned feed apparatus, which exhibits a frame  300 , is to be found, in accord with FIGS. 3 and 4, between the Supply Station  32  and the Receiving Station  40 . The feed frame  300  grips on the end, remote from the filling station  1 , of the row of cans, which are arranged on the can carrier  5  on the Supply Station  32 . The feed frame  300  shoves the cans  2  to the can exchanger  10  one by one synchronously with the function of the can exchanger. 
     So that the feed frame  300  can reach the end of the can row remote from the can exchanger with assuredness, in accord with the apparatus shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a stationary take-up wedge  33  is provided. The take-up wedge  33  extends itself from that side of Supply Station  32  which is remote from the Hold Station  31  up to direct adjacency to the Hold Station  31  over the full breadth of the Supply Station  32 . If, then, a can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . is transferred from the Hold Station  31  to the Supply Station  32 , then a can  2 , which is remote from the filling station and is found in the can row on the can carrier  5 , abuts the takeup wedge  33 . This take-up wedge now shoves the entire can row through a distance of specified dimension in the direction of the can exchanger  10  and creates the necessary space for the introduction of the feeding frame  300 . For instance, if this feeding frame  300  finds itself in an extremely pivoted start position, then it can be swung around for the feeding operation as shown in FIG.  3 . 
     In case it is desired, provision may be made allowing the feeding frame  300  to take over the described function of the take-up wedge  33 , so that a separate element may be dispensed with. 
     For the crossover of the can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . from one position to the neighboring position a crossover apparatus  7  is installed underneath the bottom of the can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . . This crossover apparatus is comprised, in accord with the shown embodiment, essentially of a wagon or sled  70 , which is movable at right angles to the supply and removal direction of the can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . (see arrows f 5 and f 2  in FIGS. 2 d ,  2   e ). This wagon or sled  70  has a carrying surface for the acceptance of can carriers  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . . 
     In accord with FIG. 3, the sled  70  is connected with two driving pistons  71 , which in turn communicate with a in/out connection or a pressure medium. This connection is indicated by the lines  710 ,  711 , and  712 , which are connected with a control device  72 . The control device  72  operates in a control connection with the filling station  1  (see line  720 ). The sled is on rails  73 , or the like, which are upwardly adjustable by means of guides  730  at their ends (FIG.  4 ). For reasons of clarity, in FIG. 4, only a single guide  730  is shown, although it is self evident that a guide of this kind is furnished on each end of the rail  73 . For a lift drive for each of the two rails  73 , a hose  74  serves, which is closed by means of clamping elements  740  and  741  at each end. This closed hose  74  is connected by lines  742 ,  743 ,  744  with the control device  72 . In accord with FIG. 4, the clamping elements  740  and  741  also operate within one of the guides  730  respectively. 
     In order to prevent the can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . from moving itself relative to the wagon or sled  70  while the crossover apparatus  7  is operating, a restraining means  75  is provided on the carrying surface of the sled  70 , analogous to the stationary restraining means  62  of the can magazine  6 . Beyond this, the relative distance of the can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . to the filling station  1  is secured by the guides  60  and  61 , not only when these are on the bottom, but also during the transfer movement from one position to the next. 
     On the ends of the Supply Station  32  of the empty can magazine  3 , which ends are proximal to the can exchanger  10 , a monitoring device  9  (FIG. 3) is assigned. This device determines whether or not, the can carrier  5  in that place, at that time, has been emptied, or if a there is still a can  2  thereon. The monitoring device  9  may be designed in various ways. One way would be a counting device, which is preset with the number of cans  2  to be found on a can carrier  5 . As each can  2  passes this device  9 , a value of “one” is deducted. Upon the reaching of the value of “zero”, this situation is announced to the control device  72 . Alternate to this, a simple light relay  90  may be put into service, the beam of which is interrupted by the cans  2 , until the last can  2  has left the can carrier  5 . By means of a line  900 , a corresponding signal is sent to the control device  72 . 
     The light relay  90  may be provided not only at right angles to the can movement direction, but also parallel thereto. For example, the light relay  90  light source or photo-diode is arranged on the feed frame  300 , and the reception element on an appropriate place on that side of the Supply Station  32  which is proximal to the filling station  1 . 
     An additional monitoring device  91 , connected with the control device  72  by means of a line  911 , is assigned to the Receiving Station  40  of the full can magazine. Monitoring device  91  with the help of a light relay  910  determines whether or not a can carrier  50  in the receiving position is completely loaded with filled cans  20 . 
     The control device  72 , which communicates over the line  720  with a control system of the band producing textile machine  8 , correlates the operation of the can magazine  6  with the operation of the band yielding textile machine  8 . Therefore, the supply mechanism  30 , which, in a manner not shown, is connected with the control device  72 , can only operate in an cooperative way with the operation of the can exchanger  10 . 
     The presentation of further possibly necessary monitoring systems is omitted, for the sake of clarity. 
     If all the cans  2  from the can carrier  5 , which is in the supply position, are sent to the filling station  1  from the can carrier  5 , and also if the can carrier  50  in the receiving position is again fully loaded with newly filled cans  20 , then the loaded can carrier  50  must make room, so that the empty can carrier  5  from the supply position in the empty can magazine  3  may be transferred to the receiving position in the full can magazine  4 . At the same time, a can carrier  51  with empty cans  2  should come into the supply position, so that the filling operation may be further carried on. In this way, during this operational phase, three can carriers, namely the emptied can carrier  5  and the neighboring can carriers  51  and  50  are to be moved. 
     In order to be able to have a timely exchange of the can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51  . . . the crossover apparatus  7 , in a next-to-one another-arrangement of the holding area of the can magazine  6 , is so designed and so dimensioned, that it is able to transfer all three can carriers  5 ,  50 ,  51 , . . . simultaneously. For this purpose, the carrying surface  700  of the sled  70  extends over three neighboring positions, that is, over the width of all together reduced by the breadth of one positioning area. In the illustrated idle time, the sled  70  find itself in a lowered position, wherein the carrying surface  700  extends itself from the Supply Station  32  to and beyond the Removal Station  41 . 
     If signal messages from the monitoring devices  9  and  91  have been input to the control device  72 , then this releases the crossover guidance of a can carrier from the empty can magazine  3  into the full can magazine  4 . This crossover guidance can only be activated after the can carrier arranged in the empty can magazine  3  has been emptied and a can carrier fully loaded with full cans  20  has been removed from out of the full can magazine  4 . Next, the control device  72  activates an emptying of one side of the drive piston  71 , which now moves the sled  70 , which is found in its lowered position underneath the can carrier  5  and  50 . The sled  70  is moved out of an idle or waiting state sidewards to the extent of the breadth of a positional hold place, until the sled is under the can carrier  51 ,  5 , and  50  and thus extends inclusively from the waiting position to the receiving position. In this position, the reaching of which may be signaled to the control device  72  through a (not shown) monitoring device, for instance in the form of a limit switch, the control device  72  so acts, that air or another gaseous or liquid medium is opened to two hoses  74 . The hoses fill themselves therewith, and at the same time lift the two rails  73 , along with the sled  7 . In this lifting operation, the sled  70  carries upward the three can carriers  51 ,  5 ,  50 , which are in its lifting zone. These lifted can carriers  51 ,  5 ,  50  are, in this way, brought out of the operating area of the stationary restraint means (guides  311 , positioning guides  620  as well as the restraining means  62 ). 
     The sled  70  can now be run back into its starting position, whereby it transfers the can carriers  51 ,  5 , and  50 , which were carried along with the sled, in such a way, that the can carrier  51  loaded with empty cans  2  is found in the Supply Station, the empty can carrier  5  is in the Receiving Station and the can carrier  50  loaded with full cans  20  is in the Removal Station. After reaching its starting position, the sled  70  is once again lowered as the fluid is let out of the two hoses  74 . 
     During the crossover operation, the can carriers  51 ,  5 ,  50  which are assembled on the sled  70  are secured against sideways sliding by the restraining means  75  on the sled  70  and sliding against the can exchanger  10  by the two guides  60  and  61 . 
     From the standpoint of illustrative clarity, for FIG. 4, the point in time of the absolute start of operations was chosen. At this exact time, the two placement positions, which take part in the operation, namely Supply Station  32  and Receiving Station  40 , have been loaded by means of the transfer of the wagon or sled  70 . This sled  70  is still not lowered. Already, now, the waiting position may be loaded anew by means of a new can carrier  51 , as FIG. 4 shows. 
     If, at a later time, a can, carrier loaded with full cans  20  stands ready on the Removal Station  41  to be taken away, then the sled  70  would be temporarily run to the left out of the depicted position in FIGS. 3 and 4. This being done so that the sled  70  makes the Removal Station free. For the inception of this function, at an appropriate position, a switch  92  (FIG. 3) may be provided, which, with the help of line  920  is in controlling contact with the thereto connected control device  72 . If the can carrier  50  has left the Removal Station  41  (FIG. 2 e ), then, with the aid of the switch  92 , (or another switching means, for instance, a time switch, a light relay, or the like) activity may be initiated in which the wagon or sled  70  returns to its idling or start position, however, without having to be lifted for this return movement, since it carries no can carrier with it. 
     Since the wagon, or the sled, when it finds itself in its start or idle position, releases the Hold Station  31 , it is possible at that place, at an optional time, to set up in readiness, a can carrier  51  with empty cans  2 . 
     The crossover of a can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . from one position (wait area) to the next, may be done, principally, in an optional manner. Indeed, this may be done in accord with the design of the can magazine  6  singly or in common with other can carriers. 
     Within the framework of the present invention, the procedure as well as the apparatus may be modified in a multitude of ways. This may be done especially through exchange of single features with equivalents thereto or by other feature combinations. So, it is very true that the crossover of the can carriers in a single direction and consideration of the design of the crossover apparatus  7  brings special advantages. However, this is not the only possibility which may be advanced for the transfer of can carriers  5  from one of the position areas onto the next to be occupied—with consideration given to the operational cycle. 
     Thus, FIG. 6 shows an arrangement, which is to be preferred in the case of close arrangement of the neighboring filling station  1 . In this arrangement, the matter is indifferent as to whether the neighboring filling station  1  belongs to different band producing textile machines  8  (FIG. 4) or is always a pair-wise part of a double headed draw frame. Since, in a case of an unchanged, close arrangement of the filling station  1 , to be able to provide a Hold Station  31  as well as a Removal Station  41 —in addition to the Supply Station  32  and the Receiving Station  40  with the can carriers which work in conjunction with the filling station  1 —these two additional placement areas are not arranged in the same row as the Hold Station  31  and the Receiving Station  40 , but in one preceding row, that is, on the side remote from the filling station  1 . The empty can magazine  3  encompasses thus the two left placement areas (Hold Station  31  and Supply Station  32 ), while the full can magazine  4  encloses the two right placement areas, (Receiving Station  40  and Removal Station  41 ). In accord with the design of the band producing textile machine  8 , and its filling station  1 , a mirror image arrangement is also possible. 
     The operation phase shown in FIG. 6 corresponds to the operational phase in accord with FIG. 2 d . The empty cans  2  were, with the aid of a not shown feeding mechanism  30  (see FIGS. 1 and 3) of the filling station  1 , brought to the filling station  1  and, after the filling process, moved then as filled cans  20  to the can carrier  5 , which is in the receiving position. During this elapsing time, the can carrier  50  from the Removal Station  41  must be removed, in order to keep this position free for the later acceptance of the can carrier  5 . If the can carrier  5  is loaded, then it will be transferred from its receiving position to the Removal Station  41 , which has meanwhile become free. The can carrier  51 , which has now become empty, is then transferred from the Supply Station  32  to the Receiving Station  40 . In this way, the Supply Station  32  becomes free, to which is brought the can carrier  51  previously deposited on the Hold Station  31 . The Hold Station  31  now stands ready for the acceptance of another can carrier, filled with empty cans. 
     The transfer of a can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . , from one placed position into the next, may be carried out, for instance, by a (not shown) provided, height adjustable wagon, or the provision of a similar sled, onto which a further wagon or sled may be found. The direction of movement of the stacked wagons or sleds are set at a right angle to one another. For instance, if the lower wagon or sled is movable at right angles to the supply and removal directions of the can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . , (arrow f 5  and f 2  in the FIGS. 1 c  and  1   f ), then the upper wagon or sled is movable parallel to the supply and removal directions. 
     The restraints of the can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . may also, in such a design, be done in a similar manner to that described in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4 (restraint means  62 ; guides  60 ,  61 ; restraint means  75 ; threshold  310 ; guides  311 ). 
     The restraint means can, however, be designed in deviant manner from the previous descriptive embodiments. In doing this, it is possible, instead of lifting the can carriers out of the active zone of the restraining means, to move the restraining means out of the movement zone of the can carrier. 
     This procedure would only be done for the duration of the transfer movement, that is, during the placements at the empty can magazine  3 ,  3   a . Conversely, this procedure would be done also for the removal of the full can magazine  4 ,  4   a  out of the movement zone of the can carrier. This procedure/operation is not shown. 
     In connection with the FIGS. 3 and 4, various means of restraint were described (restraining means  62 , positional guides  620 , guides  60 ,  61 , threshold  310 , guide  311  . . . ). It is self explanatory, that not all these named restraining means must appear in applications simultaneously and in the described or depicted designs. It is even possible to replace these restraining means, or some of them, with feet, instead of the wheel pair  59 ,  590  of the can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . , so that the restraint is made secure by the friction between the footings and the surface base. Otherwise, it could have been mentioned above that the restraining means would be appropriate for the size of the can carriers  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . transporting the cans  2 ,  20 . This occurs by substitution or exchange of restraints of this kind. In order not to waste valuable space, it is advisable not to set up a can magazine  6  for all possible sizes which possibly could come into use, but to provide this installation ability simply within a certain framework, that is, for can diameters which do not vary too much from one another. 
     Principally, instead of a height adjustment for the sled  70 , shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, or a sled adaptable for an apparatus in accord with FIG. 6, a simple height adjustment of the carrying surface  700  relative to the sled  70  could be provided. In this case, this height adjustment as well as the sled drive could be carried out by means of motors, ratchet bars, and the like. 
     It is not required, that the crossover apparatus  7  be located underneath the can carrier. Moreover, the equivalent crossover apparatus  7  may be designed for another place and in a different manner. For instance, on both ends of their operating position in can magazine  6 , can carriers may have encompassing transport belts or chains (not shown). 
     These belts or chains, by means of a belt or chain motivator, may be activated and possess one or more come-alongs with which the can carriers may be impelled to follow the belt or chain movement. A link with the control system would regulate the placement or lifting of the transport connection. 
     In accord with the described embodiment examples, it is presupposed that the can carriers  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . , to be set inside the can magazine  6 , are always picked up as a complete package. This is not unconditionally necessary. Alternatively, it may be provided, that in case of a can carrier designed as a can wagon, with a single pivotable caster, or a swingable caster pair or wheel pair  590  (see FIG. 3) and a single non-pivotable caster, or a second non-pivotable caster-pair or wheel pair  59 , generally, the end of the can wagon is tiltable from the floor. This end is remote from the wheel pair which is suited to the movement direction (or a corresponding caster), in order to release the can wagon for the crossover motion of the can wagon from one placement area to another. The other wheel pair  590  (or the corresponding single caster) may, in the mean time, maintain floor contact, which orients the movement direction of the can wagon provides the with can wagon support. 
     Even so, it is also possible that the can carrier may be seized on each of its ends, each with a respective transport apparatus. This transport apparatus being, for instance, a chain with grippers allows essentially a torque free switch over. In this embodiment, the can carrier, in case all casters are designed as pivotable, is not elevated. In the case of non-pivotable casters, the can carrier is at least raised on that end of the non-pivotable caster. By means of the transport being essentially torque free, the transport apparatus is substantially free of wear and may be made in a lighter type of construction. 
     As already described above, the can carrier  5 ,  50 ,  51 ,  52  . . . may be designed in various ways. In this way, under certain circumstances, special guide means (guides  55  and  56 —see FIG. 3) may be dispensed with, dependent upon the design and method of operation of the supply mechanism  30 , which is able to remove the empty cans  2  from the end of a can carrier, which end is proximal to the filling station  1 . This may be done without the necessity of shoving the entire row of cans. The same is valid for the slip reducing means (support strips,  540 ,  541 —see FIG. 3) which were constructed, for instance, from a material particularly low in friction such as plastic. In some cases, generally no friction reducing measures are required, especially if the supply apparatus lifts the empty cans  2  upon their presentation at the can exchanger  10 . 
     In the case of the embodiment examples up to now, there were always provided, respectively, two placement areas (Hold Station  31  and Supply Station  32  and Receiving Station  40  and Removal Station  41 ) for the empty can magazine  3  as well as for the full can magazine  4 . The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 demonstrates that it is thoroughly desirable to provide even more buffer stations for the two magazines (empty can magazine  3  and full can magazine  4 ). 
     FIG. 5 shows two filling stations  1  and  12  following one another in production. Of these, for instance, the first filling station is a part of a first draw frame (not shown), and the second filling station  12  is a part of a second draw frame  80 . The first draw frame with the filling station  1  forms a first draw passage  1 , wherein the second draw frame  80  forms a second draw passage II. The can magazine  6  of this second draw passage II may be so constructed as has been previously explained with the aid of FIGS. 2 to  4 . On the entry side of this second draw passage II, are found two can carriers  57  and  58  with full cans  20 , the bands of which (not shown) are supplied to the stretch machine  80 . On the one side, beside these two can carriers  57  and  58  are located two further can carriers  570  and  571  with full cans  20 , which are to occupy the places of the can carriers  57  and  58  as soon as the cans  20  of these carriers are emptied. On the other side of the can carriers  57  and  58  are found two further can carriers  580  and  581 . The cans  2  of can carriers  580  and  581  have just been emptied on the draw frame. 
     The first draw passage I shows as buffers, in its empty can magazine  3   a , a total of two Hold Stations  31  and  31   a  and in its full can magazine  4   a , two Removal Stations  41  and  41   a.    
     For the operation of the second draw passage  11 , the second draw frame  80  must always have two can carriers  57  and  58  standing simultaneously available. In this matter, it is good to consider arranging the corresponding magazines of the second draw passage  11  of the draw frame  80  in order to collect the can carriers in pairs. 
     But in accord with FIG. 5, it was done otherwise. Here it is assured, that the necessary can carriers  57  and  58  which are loaded with full cans  20  are continually supplied, pairwise, to the draw frame  80  and, correspondingly, also pairwise, again removed from the draw frame. 
     The ejected can carriers  582  and  583  from the draw frame  80  of the second draw passage II, arrive, thus pairwise again, in the empty can magazine  3   a  of the first draw passage I. They are deposited on the two waiting position areas Hold Station  31  and  31   a . One can carrier after the other is then singly transferred from one position to the next. In the full can magazine  4 , the can carriers are first assembled and set down, and only then, when a pair is complete, is it further sent, as a pair, to the second draw passage II. 
     As a rule, the two draw passages I and II do not operate synchronously. For this reason, as is indicated in FIG. 5 between the draw frame of the first draw passage and the draw frame  80  of the second draw passage II, an apportioning track  81  is interposed. This track provides the possibility that can carriers from various draw frames of the first draw passage I may be supplied, according to need to various draw frames  80  of the second draw passage II. 
     By means of the above described design of the two draw passages I and II, the possibility does not have to be excluded, that only single can carriers may be brought from one draw frame of the first draw passage I to a draw frame  80  of the second draw passage II. This possibility allows simultaneous availability of can carriers from different draw frames of the first draw passage I to a draw frame  80  of the second draw passage II, for instance, to be able to mix fiber bands of various quality. 
     Previously, embodiment examples for the manipulation and for the filling of round cans  2 ,  2   a ,  20  were described. Yet, the invention is not limited to this design. FIG. 7 shows a further modification, which is specially adapted for the supply of so called flat cans, or rectangular cans  21 , to a filling station  13  and for the placing in readiness of rectangular full cans  21   a  of this type for removal. The filling station  13  is, in this embodiment, so designed in a manner customary for the flat or rectangular cans  21 . The rectangular can  21 , during the filling, undergoes a transverse motion (see double arrow f 7 ) in the direction of its greater axis. While this movement is proceeding, a back and forth motion is imparted at right angles thereto (see double arrow f 8 ). 
     On the supply side of the filling station  13 , there is located an empty can magazine  34  with a waiting position  340  and the supply position  341 , to which a supply mechanism  342  is assigned. On the removal side of the filling station  13 , there is a full can magazine  42  with a receiving position  420  and a removal position  421 . 
     The four positions  340 ,  341 ,  420  and  421  of the two can magazines  34  and  42  are, in the drawn example, arranged along a line. Parallel to this, a transfer apparatus  76 , for instance, in the form of a conveyor belt, is found. In the extension of the transfer apparatus  16 , a can forwarding path  82  is found, while on the removal side, a can carrier removal track  83  is provided. Both the can carrier supply track  82  and the can carrier removal track  83  may be so designed, so that can carrier may be transported automatically in a known manner. However, a track in the form of a path without any particular marking or design, also may be furnished. Along this track, an operating person can bring a can carrier  500  into a readiness position  820  (see arrow f 17 ) from which position, after the freeing of the holding position  340 , can transfer the carrier  500  thereto. This transfer may be done in an optional manner through the operating person or an automatic apparatus. In analogous manner, a can carrier  503  placed ready for removal on the removal position  421  may be transferred in a corresponding way from the removal position  421  to a removal ready position  830 . From the removal ready position  830 , can carrier  503  can be removed by an operator or an appropriate transport apparatus (for instance, a self running wagon or the like). 
     In each case, according to the design of the can supply path  82 , the readiness position  820  may be formed by the waiting position  340 . In an analogous manner, the removal position  421  can coincide with the removal readiness position  830 . 
     The apparatus now described in its construction in accord with FIG. 7, operates in the following manner. 
     The assumption is made that the situation presented in FIG. 7 is given as a starting point. Thus, by means of the operation of the supply mechanism  342 , a rectangular can  21 , which is on a can carrier  501  in the supply position  341 , is taken to the operational zone of the filling station  13  (see arrow f 9 ) and may be filled there. In doing this, the rectangular can  21 , in a conventional manner, is subjected to transverse agitation inside the filling station  13  (see double arrow f 7 ) and, when required, this transverse motion is overlaid with a to and fro motion (see arrow f 8 ). When the rectangular can  21  is filled, then, by a not shown ejection means, which is a component of the filling station  13 , the can  21  is pushed out of the filling station  13  in the direction of the arrow f 9a  onto the can carrier  502 , where the filled cans  21  are collected until the can carrier  502  is full. The filling station  13  can also be arranged outside of the transfer wagon. In the case of this example embodiment, an additional can exchanger is required. 
     At an earlier point in time, during the filling of the removable rectangular can  21   a  on the can carrier  502 , loaded can carrier  503  is removed from the removal placement area  421 . It is either directly transported away from here, or, in the case previously provided, transferred over into the removal readiness holding station  830  (see arrow f 10 ). 
     When the can carrier  502  is completely full, then the removal position  421  is free to accept it. The can carrier  502  is now transferred from the receiving position  420  in the direction of the arrow f 11  onto the removal position  421  which has previously become free. 
     While the last rectangular can  21  is still in the filling station  13  after being taken from the can carrier  501 , to the filling station  13 , the emptied can carrier  501  is given over to the crossover device  76  (see crossover position,  760 ) in the direction of the arrow f 12  by a means not shown. The device  76  brings the can carrier  501  in the direction of the arrow f 13  into a receiving wait station  761 . 
     Since now the supply position  341  is empty, the empty rectangular cans with their can carrier, which is now on the waiting position  340 , may be transferred onto the supply position  341  (see arrow f 14 ). This occurs during the time in which the last rectangular can  21  of the previously emptied can carrier  501  is still in the filling station  13 . After the filling thereof, without interruption of production, immediately a new rectangular can  21 , now from the can carrier  500 , is brought to the filling station  13 . 
     As soon as the can carrier  502  with full rectangular cans  21  is fully loaded, and is brought away from the reception position  420  to the removal position  421 , then the previously emptied can carrier  501  is transferred out of the receiving wait station  761  into the receiving position  420  (arrow f 15 ). This transfer happens during the time in which the first rectangular can  21  of the follow-up can carrier  500  is filled, so that the filling station, without interruption of production, can relinquish the filled rectangular can  21   a  to the ready set can carrier  501  which has come to the receiving position  420 . 
     While the rectangular can  21  from the can carrier  500  is sent to the filling station  13  to be filled, a ready new can carrier (not shown) has been transferred in a direction of the arrow f 16  from the ready set position  820  to the waiting position  340 . 
     The special design of the (not shown) apparatuses for the transfer of the can carriers  500  to  503  out of or into one of the mentioned positions  820  to  830 , that is, the bringing of one of the can carriers onto the one or the other of the positions  340 ,  341 ,  420  or  421 , may be constructively solved in optional ways. In that matter, the relative arrangement of the positional areas  340 ,  341 ,  420  or  421  as well as the provision of the positions  820  or  830  play no important role. Thus, arrangements in accord with the FIGS. 1,  2 ,  5  or  6  are entirely possible even in connection with flat or rectangular cans. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. It is intended that the present invention include such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.