Patent ID: 7273144

Claim:
A rotary conveyor comprising a rotary supporting shaft ( 5 ) extending along a longitudinal axis (Y), the supporting shaft ( 5 ) having an annular top attachment end ( 13 ) having a radial projection ( 14 ); a bottom platform ( 6 ) fitted to the supporting shaft ( 5 ); a circular top plate ( 7 ) having a central opening ( 15 ) by which the circular top plate is fitted to the top attachment end ( 13 ) of the supporting shaft ( 5 ) so as to rest on the radial projection ( 14 ), the circular top plate ( 7 ) also having, on its peripheral edge ( 8 ), a number of seats ( 9 ), each for receiving a container ( 2 ) to be conveyed resting on the bottom platform ( 6 ); and fastening means ( 16 ) for fastening the circular top plate ( 7 ) to the top attachment end ( 13 ) of the supporting shaft ( 5 ), so as to connect said circular top plate ( 7 ) integrally to said supporting shaft ( 5 ) and move the seats ( 9 ) along a given circular trajectory (A) by rotating the supporting shaft ( 5 ); wherein the fastening means ( 16 ) comprise a number of clamps ( 17 ) equally spaced angularly about the longitudinal axis (Y) of the supporting shaft ( 5 ) and movable between an idle position, in which each clamp ( 17 ) is housed inside the top attachment end ( 13 ) of the supporting shaft ( 5 ) to permit engagement of said top attachment end ( 13 ) by the central opening ( 15 ) in the circular top plate ( 7 ) or removal of the circular top plate from said top attachment end ( 13 ), and a work position, in which each clamp ( 17 ) projects radially outwards of the top attachment end ( 13 ) of the supporting shaft ( 5 ) to grip the circular top plate ( 7 ) between the radial projection ( 14 ) and the clamp ( 17 ); and an actuating member ( 18 ) for moving each clamp ( 17 ) between the work position and the idle position; and wherein the top attachment end ( 13 ) has a lateral wall ( 20 ), which is faced and adjacent to the central opening ( 15 ) of the circular top plate ( 7 ), defines a housing ( 21 ) for the clamps ( 17 ) and has a number of openings ( 22 ) equally spaced angularly about the longitudinal axis (Y) of the supporting shaft ( 5 ) to permit passage of said clamps ( 17 ).