The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 09, 1984
Filed:
May. 25, 1983
Walter K Tanner, Jr, Chesnee, SC (US);
Frank A Brinkmann, Spartanburg, SC (US);
Terry W Smith, N. Miami Beach, FL (US);
Draft Systems, Inc., Spartanburg, SC (US);
Abstract
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.