Multiple head rotary set-up

Abstract

A rotary unloader () removes articles () from a magazine () and includes a carriage () rotating about a primary axis and a carrier (), attached to the carriage (), rotating about a secondary axis. The secondary axis is separated from the primary axis by a first radial spacing. The carrier () may have one or more handlers () attached at a second radial spacing. Where the carrier () includes multiple handlers (), they may advantageously be equidistantly spaced and circumferentially located around the carrier (). The first radial spacing is smaller than the second radial spacing to ensure an outward disposition of the handler () with regard to the primary axis. Rotation of the carriage () about the primary axis may be coupled to the rotation of the carrier () about the secondary axis by a gear system. The simultaneous rotation of the carriage () and the carrier () cooperates to produce a reciprocal motion of the handler (). The handler () removes articles () from the magazine () during the reciprocal motion in order to minimize roll back or other problems. The rotary unloader () transports the article () to a receiver () and places the article () on the receiver () during a subsequent reciprocal motion. The receiver () may comprise an endless conveyor () and may have flights to capture and possibly shape the article () for further processing.