Patent ID: 7581636

Claim:
A system for transporting a plurality of metallic baking containers comprising: a first conveyor operable to feed a plurality of metallic baking containers; a second conveyor disposed adjacent to the first conveyor; a moveable headstock disposed above the first and second conveyors, the moveable headstock including: an upper plate; a lower moveable plate; a first actuator attached at an upper end to the upper plate and at a lower end to the lower moveable plate, wherein the first linear actuator is operable to at least one of lower or raise the lower moveable plate; a plurality of magnetic elements extending from a lower surface of the lower moveable plate, wherein the plurality of magnetic elements is adapted to engage and retain the corresponding plurality of metallic baking containers; an extendable releasing mechanism operable to dislodge the plurality of metallic baking containers; at least two secondary actuators, wherein each of the secondary actuators is attached at an upper end to the upper plate and at a lower end to the extendable releasing mechanism and wherein the at least two secondary actuators are operable to extend the extendable releasing mechanism to engage the plurality of metallic baking containers, wherein the first actuator is operable both to extend the plurality of magnetic elements to engage the corresponding plurality of metallic baking containers and to retract the plurality of magnetic elements and corresponding plurality of metallic baking containers; and a transportation mechanism operable to convey the moveable headstock between a position above the first conveyor and a position above the second conveyor along a pair of parallel rails aligned with a conveying direction of the second conveyor.