초록 ▼

Method and apparatus in which dispenser cap assemblies of the type having a trigger-type pump cap and a dip tube are fed to a generally cone-shaped drum which rotates about a vertical axis and carries compartments within which the cap assemblies are moved in a generally spiral outward direction whil

Method and apparatus in which dispenser cap assemblies of the type having a trigger-type pump cap and a dip tube are fed to a generally cone-shaped drum which rotates about a vertical axis and carries compartments within which the cap assemblies are moved in a generally spiral outward direction while moving axially downwardly to be oriented vertically, with the cap below the dip tube, the cap assemblies then being transferred to a turnover wheel which rotates about a horizontal axis so that the cap assemblies are inverted to re-orient each cap assembly into a position where each dip tube depends vertically downwardly from the respective cap, the cap assemblies then being passed to a horizontal conveyor for advancement to a discharge point where the cap assemblies are presented serially in a prescribed alignment and orientation, at a relatively high rate, for capping operations.

대표청구항 ▼

The method of orienting and delivering dispenser cap assemblies of the type having a relatively heavier cap and a relatively lighter dip tube advanced along a path of travel from a bin containing randomly oriented cap assemblies to a discharge point where the cap assemblies are presented serially in

The method of orienting and delivering dispenser cap assemblies of the type having a relatively heavier cap and a relatively lighter dip tube advanced along a path of travel from a bin containing randomly oriented cap assemblies to a discharge point where the cap assemblies are presented serially in a prescribed orientation for capping operations, the method comprising the steps of: feeding cap assemblies from the bin to an inlet location and imparting generally spiral movement to the cap assemblies outwardly from the inlet location to place the heavier caps of at least some of the cap assemblies outwardly relative to the respective lighter dip tubes of the cap assemblies; allowing the outwardly-placed caps of the cap assemblies to drop downwardly relative to the inlet location ahead of the respective dip tubes of the cap assemblies so as to orient at least some of the cap assemblies with the caps thereof located below the respective dip tubes and place the oriented cap assemblies along a generally horizontal first segment of the path of travel; inverting the oriented cap assemblies to re-orient and place the re-oriented cap assemblies along a generally horizontal second segment of the path of travel with the cap of each cap assembly lying above the respective dip tube, the first and second segments of the path of travel being located at different elevations such that the oriented cap assemblies follow an arcuate segment of the path of travel between the first and second segments as the cap assemblies are re-oriented; and advancing the re-oriented cap assemblies along a generally horizontal third segment of the path of travel to the discharge point.