Draft Systems, Inc.

Frank A Brinkmann

Walter Keisler Tanner, Jr

Terry W Smith

Method and apparatus for restraightening depending bent metal end skirts of cylindrical containers, such as beer kegs, wherein the containers moving in a path of travel for processing are automatically interrogated by sensing heads which engage the rims of the normally circular end skirts of the containers to detect the presence or absence of a bent portion thereof. Containers having detected bent skirt portions are directed from the main processing path to a skirt straightening station where the ends of the container are supported in retaining rings of upper and lower straightening heads while arcuately spaced pry levers, or paws, located centrally in each retaining ring move radially outward from a central nested position to engage inwardly bent skirt portions of the container to lift and push the same outwardly into a circular configuration. The container is rotated in the rings between engagements by the paws to bring all portions of the skirts into position for straightening. Straightened containers are moved to a holding station where they are reinserted into the main path of travel as a subsequent detected bent container is moved from the main path into the straightening station.

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Spartanburg, SC, United States of America

Frank A Brinkmann