Patent ID: 8172070

Claim:
Device for separation and position alignment of metallic container closures ( 21 ), as well as for conveying the separated and position-aligned container closures ( 21 ), preferably crown corks, to a further processing machine, preferably sealing machine, the device comprising at least one supply container ( 17 a , 17 b ) and/or application unit ( 15 ) for the container closures ( 21 ), at least one removal conveyor ( 6 ) for removal and pre-orientation of the container closures ( 21 ) from the at least one supply container ( 17 a , 17 b ), whereby the at least one removal conveyor ( 6 ) has a steep conveying section ( 6 a ) in the operating position of the device, the conveying surface of which section encloses an angle>30°, preferably >80°, with the support plane, as well as at least one conveying unit ( 2 ) that transports the separated and position-aligned container closures ( 21 ) to the further processing machine and contacts the container closures ( 21 ) by means of a contact surface ( 2 b ), at a reference surface ( 33 ) of the container closures, in each instance, as well as a transfer station ( 8 ) in which the container closures are blown out from the steep conveying section ( 6 a ) transverse to the conveying direction of the at least one removal conveyor ( 6 ), and by means of which station the container closures ( 21 ) are passed on to the conveying unit ( 2 ) in separated and position-oriented manner, whereby a first conveying section ( 37 ) of the at least one conveying unit ( 2 ) that conveys the separated and position-oriented container closures ( 21 ), disposed directly behind the transfer station ( 8 ), has a conveying direction component that faces away from the support plane ( 7 ) of the device, wherein the at least one conveying unit ( 2 ) comprises a run ( 2 b ) of an endless conveyor belt or link belt or plate belt, which conveys the container closures ( 21 ), is guided along a permanently magnetic or electromagnetic conveyor track configured as a magnetic bar, lying on this track at least in sections, or at a slight distance from it, and conveys the container closures ( 21 ) out of the transfer station ( 8 ).