Lockheed Martin Corporation

Richard J Holmberg

Michael E Caporali

John Rasile

A conveying system for conveying articles, each having a label with indicia, on one end, either a leading or a trailing end. There is a conveyor having multiple sections, each defining a longitudinal conveying path for moving the articles. Each is driven independently from the other sections. The conveyor has a plurality of tray sensors, with at least one on each conveyor section for detecting whether there is a tray on that section. There is also a scanner which detects whether a tray moving along the conveyor has a label on its leading end or its trailing end. A turning arm conveyor section is located downstream from the scanner and arranged to receive control signals from the scanner for momentarily intercepting all articles which are determined by the detector to have the label on the incorrect end. This turning arm conveyor has a turning arm, and a limit stop arranged to prevent the articles moved angularly from being moved further than desired. This turning arm conveyor moves those articles angularly approximately 50 to 75 degrees to be out of their normal position along the longitudinal path of the conveyor. A stationary bump and turn element is located downstream from the turning arm conveyor for engaging those articles which are moved out of their normal position along the longitudinal path and moving them further angularly a sufficient amount that they are moved 180 degrees.

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Vestal, NY, United States of America

Richard J Holmberg