Rotary feeder with cam actuated claw members

Abstract

In a rotary feeder for conveying enclosures, in particular into conveying compartments of an enclosure-collating path, during operation, shocks within the gear mechanism of the drive unit of the feeder drum on account of gear mechanism play are avoided and the level of noise during operation is reduced in that a cam-actuated pair of claws () is provided in each case at two diametrically opposite locations of the feeder drum () of the rotary feeder, and the cam () for actuating the pairs of claws is configured in sections (O) with an increasing in the radial spacing of its profile in accordance with a claw-opening movement counter to the prestressing force of prestressing means () and, in sections (C) with a decrease in the radial spacing of its profile in accordance with a claw-closing movement under the prestressing force of the prestressing means, such that a braking moment on account of the claw opening counter to the prestressing force of the prestressing means, this braking moment being transmitted to a rotating follower roller () and a link (), bearing the latter, for claw actuation, and to the feeder drum () via the claw pivoting shaft (), is compensated for by an accelerating moment on account of the claw closure under the prestressing force of the prestressing means, this accelerating moment being transmitted to a rotating follower roller () and a link (), bearing the latter, for claw actuation, and to the feeder drum ().