Can end handling system

Abstract

A system for storing and transporting can end members comprising multiple tray units having multiple parallel rows of elongated compartments for receiving and supporting stacks of end members. The tray units are nestable and stackable one upon another to provide palletized loads of both empty and filled tray units. End loading and unloading apparatus is provided to enable simultaneous loading and unloading full tray compartments by simultaneous lateral movement of all of the stacks of end members between the tray compartments and a shuttle tray unit whereat all the stacks of end members are stored prior to loading and unloading of the tray unit. The shuttle tray unit is loaded and unloaded by stacking units of a lesser number than the number of tray compartments. The stacking units have elongated upper and lower jaw members which grip and carry a stack of end members between the shuttle tray unit and end member feed and track apparatus for conveying continuous strings of end members to and from the stacking units. Elevator and conveyor apparatus is provided to deliver stacks of empty tray members on a pallet to can end loading station and to stack and palletize loaded trays in a palletizing mode of operation; and to deliver stacks of filled tray members on a pallet to an end unloading station and to stack and palletize empty trays in a depalletizing mode of operation.