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. 22, 1991
Filed:
Nov. 08, 1990
Gaylen R Hinton, Merced, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for orienting rotationally symmetrical articles and containers having an orientation reference index thereon. An infeed mechanism successively delivers containers to a rotary starwheel, preferably having a plurality of container pockets spaced about its periphery. An arcuate guide is concentric with and spaced radially outwardly from the periphery of the starwheel. A mechanism is provided within each pocket to maintain the entering containers initially in a radially extended position, in rolling engagement with the arcuate guide. A detector senses the index on the rotating container, and sends a pulse to delay circuitry. Depending upon a number of operational parameters, including overall speed of the orienter, the viscosity of the product within the containers, and whether the containers are full of product or not, the control pulse is accordingly delayed. The delayed control pulse then deactivates the mechanism, radially withdrawing the container farther into the pocket against a brake shoe. The oriented containers are subsequently labelled, packaged, or otherwise processed.