US2570265A - Article timing and indexing mechanism - Google Patents

Description

C- 9, 1951 R. E. J. NoRDQulsT ErAL 2,570,265

ARTICLE TIMING AND INDEXING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 26, 1948 TOR.

55. am 55 w www Nw Oct. 9, 1951 R. E. J. NoRDQulsT ETAL 2,570,265

ARTICLE TIMING AND INDEXING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 26, 1948 4,Sheecs-Sheet 2 if f5 @5196417 W 717% /47 z fl TTOE/VEXS Oct 9, 1951 R. E. J. NoRDQUlsT Erm. 2,570,265

ARTICLE TIMING AND INDEXING MECHANISM 4 ASheets-Sheec 5 Filed Nov. 26, 1948 Oct. 9, 1951 R. E. J. NoRDQUlsT ErAL 2,570,265

ARTICLE TIMING AND INDEXING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 25, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Oct. 9, 1951 ARTICLE TIMING AND INDEXIN MECHANISM i Ronald E. J. Nordquist, Maplewood, and Julius Foris, Elizabeth, N. J., assignors to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application November 26, 1948, Serial N o. 61,944

16 Claims. l

The present invention relates to timing and indexing mechanisms for use with articles which are positioned at random on a conveyor and has particular reference to a mechanism wherein articles which are incorrectly positioned on the conveyor are repositioned in indexed or timed relation to a feeding device of a subsequent machine. i

This invention contemplates a mechanism which is particularly suitable for use with articles such as containers or the like, and which may be inserted adjacent a conveyor connecting different machines in a line, as for example, a container filling machine and a container closing machine, wherein the discharge of containers from the first machine is not timed with the operation of the second machine. In such a situation, it is essential that the containers be accurately indexed into the second machine to avoid the possibility of having them crushed by the feed-in device of the machine.

In the present mechanism a pivotally mounted stop or trip linger located adjacent a continuously advancing conveyor is actuated by the leading edge of a mispositioned container so that one end of the finger is projected into a recessed or countersunk wall DOrtion, preferably the bottom, of the container to momentarily halt its forward progress until it is properly indexed. The finger is then automatically withdrawn from the recessed wall portion of the container, and the released, indexed container is thereupon advanced by the conveyor into another feeding device such' as a pocket of a feeding turret.

`The pockets of the feeding turret are preferably shaped so that a certain tolerance or latitude in the position of the containers on the conveyor is permissible. Every container which is initially positioned on the conveyor within certain predetermined limits or tolerances is not intercepted by the stop or trip finger and is allowed to proceed uninterruptedly into the turret or other feeding device.

On the other hand, every container which is mispositioned on the conveyor, i. e. which is not positioned within the allowable limits and which would be injured or crushed should it be permitted to proceed uninterruptedly into the turret, is momentarily halted by the stop finger until it is properly positioned to be safely received by the turret.

The mechanism is designed so that a row of abutting containers may be safely fed by the conveyor to the turret provided the first container in the row is properly indexed. The trip finger such a row, and is thereafter rendered in operay tive while the turret itself separates and indexes therefore operates to index the first container in u the succeeding containers in the row. When a break in the continuity of the row occurs, the trip finger once more becomes operative to correct the position of the next container to be fed to it, should such correction be necessary.

An object of the invention is to provide an indexing mechanism which stops the advance of an article which is mispositioned on a continuously moving conveyor until it is properly positioned on the latter.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism which will index single isolated containers or closely spaced and/or abutting containers delivered at random on a conveyor so that they may be safely fed in spaced order into a feeding device such as a turret.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a simple indexing mechanism wherein the indexing operation is performed by a trip finger which is projected into and engages within a recessed wall portion of the article being indexed.

A further object is to provide an indexing mechanism wherein the indexing operation is performed partially by the article being indexed, and partially by devices which operate continuously and independently of the article.

An additional object is to provide an indexing mechanism wherein the trip finger which performs the indexing operation is held inoperative for a certain length of time so that articles which are positioned on a conveyor with certain allowable predetermined limits are permitted to proceed past the finger without having their positions on the conveyor changed.

Still another object is to provide a mechanism which operates to index an abutting row of containers into a feed turret by indexing the first container in the row, and thereafter is rendered inoperative until a break in the continuity of the row occurs.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an indexing mechanism constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; I

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substanlially along the line 2--2 in Fig. 1, parts being broken away;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially Y the rotary turret I2.

along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1, parts being broken away;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 in Fig. 1, parts being broken away;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the mechanism in a different operating position, parts being broken away;

Fig. 6 is a plan view similar to Fig. 1 but show-- ing the mechanism in a different operating position,` parts being broken away;

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail taken along the line 1-1 in Fig. 6, parts being broken away;

Fig. 8 is a -plan view similar to Fig. 6, and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 9-9 in Fig. 4. Y

As an exemplary embodiment of the present invention the drawings illustrate a mechanism wherein containers A which are advanced at random or in untimed position by a conveyor I consisting of two conveyor chains I I are indexed and delivered to a, rotating starwheel or turret I2 which in turn feeds them into an adjacent turret I3 of a machine which may be a seaming machine. If desired, the turret I2 may be utilized as the feed-in turret of the seaming machine, in which case the turret I3 may be eliminated.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the containers A are shown as being substantially rectangular in cross-section, although it should be clearly understood that the invention is capable of use with containers of round and other shapes. The containers A as i11ustra.ed are formed with tubular bodies I4 (Fig. 4) which may be constructed either of metal or libre, the lower ends of which are preferably closed by means of metal end closures I which are joined to the bodies I4 in end seams I6. 'I'he end closures I5 are countersunk or recessed inwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 4, and have a front countersink wall I'I, a rear countersink wall I8, and two side countersink walls I9. The metallic paris of the containers are preferably formed of a magnetic material such as sheet steel or tin plate.

In the illustrated embodiment of theA invention, each container A is advanced along a runway 20 (Figs. 1 and 2) by the pair of conveyor chains vI I, the container having previously been placed upon the chains II in random position in any suitable manner, for example by the discharge mechanism of a filling machine. The upper flights of the chains I I operate in grooves 2I milled in the runway 20 and extend slightly above its surface so that they engage and support the container, which is guided along a predetermined path of travel by suitable guide rails 22 supported by brackets 23 bolted to the runway 20.

Adjacent the turret I2 the feed chains II operate around a pair of driving sprockets 24 which are keyed to a shaft 25 journaled in bearings 26 bolted to the underside of the runway 20.

Rotation of the shaft 25 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 4) is brought about through a small bevel gear 21 (Figs. 1 and 3) secured to the inner end of the shaft. This gear meshes with a large bevel gear 28 bolted to the underside of 'Ihe turret I2 in turn is keyed to and rotated by a drive shaft 29 which constitutes the driving element of the mechanism and is rotated in any-suitable manner.

As each mispositioned container advances along the runway 20, its forward progress is momentarily halted by a tripper or stop finger 45 which is actuated by the container itself.

The stop finger 45 (Figs. 1, 2, 4. 5 and 7) constitutes one of the elements of the instant indexing mechanism which is located within an elongated, subs.antially rectangular housing member 46 set into a cut away portion 41 of the runway 20 between the conveyor chains II. The housing 46 is screwed to the undersurface of the runway 20 and is formed with an elongated open central portion 48 having two side` walls 49.

The stop finger 45 is pivotally mounted at approximately its mid-point on a pivot pin 50 secured in the opposing walls of an elongated slot 5I formed in a long horizontal arm 52 of a bell crank lever 53, which lever is also formed with a short depending arm 54. The bell crank lever 53 in turn is pivotally mounted within the housing 46 on a pivot pin 55 secured in the housing side walls 49.

The depending arm 54 of the bell crank lever 53 is engaged by and pressed in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Figs. 4 and 5) by a small compression spring 56 located in a bore 51 formed in the housing 46. An adjusting bolt 58 permits regulation of the pressure exerted by the spring 56.

The horizontal arm 52 of the bell crank lever 53 is thus urged into and normally held in an up or raised position (Fig. 5) by the action of the spring 55. The upwardly movement of the arm 52 is limited by a stop pin 59 which is secured in the side walls 49 of the housing 46 and which operates in a. recess 60 formed at the extremity of the arm 52. The stop linger 45 which is pivotally mounted on the pivot pin 50 in the bell crank lever arm 52, is maintained in its operative position when the arm 52 is in this up or raised position (Fig. 5).

The forward portion of the stop finger 45, which lies to the left of the pivot pin 50, overbalances the rearward portion and thereby gives the finger 45 a positive tendency to rotate in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 5).

v'Ihus the stop linger 45 normally rests with its sharp forward or contact edge 62 and the upper surface 53 of its forward portion flush with or below the upper surface of the conveyor chains II. In this position the upper surface 64 of the rearward portion of the stop finger 45 is inclined upwardly with respect to the chains II and extends above the latter (Fig. 5)

Rotation of the stop linger 45 beyond this normal position is prevented by a stop pin 65 which operates in a recess 66 formed inthe forward end of the linger 45. The stop pin 65 is secured in the opposing walls of the slot 5I of the horizontal arm 52 of the bell crank lever 53.

As a mispositioned container A is advanced by the conveyor chains Il, its leading edge passes over the contact edge 62 and over the forward portion 4of the stop :linger 45 without changing the position of the nger (Fig. 5).

However, when the leading edge of the container engages the inclined surface 64 it rotates the finger 45 in a clockwise direction. Rotation of the finger 45 in this direction is positively limited by a stop pin 61 set in the housing walls 49 which engages a tail piece 58 which depends from the rearward end of the finger 45, and by the pin 65 which operates in the recess 66.

It will be seen from Figs. 4 and 5 that the major portion I69 of the upper surface of the horizontal arm 52 of the bell crank lever 53 is level with or below the upper surface of the chains II when the lever 53 is in its up or normal position. The arm 52 is, however, formed with a short. upwardly inclined shoulder 'I0 which merges into a longer portion 1I which is normally inclined upwardly and extends above the surface of the conveyor chains I I. The shoulder 18 is spaced from the contact edge 62 of the finger 45 a distance at least equal to the length of a container Al so that there is no interference with the rotation of the finger 45.

-The rotary movement of the finger 45 raises its contact edge 62, above the level of the conveyor chains II and projects `,it into the countersunk or recessed portion of thecontainer bottom end closure I5. Continued/ advancement of the container brings the rear inside vertical countersunk wall I 8 of its recessed bottom closure I5 into en-` gagement with the contact edge 62, thus halting the forward progress of the container even though the conveyor chains II continue to move. This position of a container A is shown in Fig. 4 and in broken lines in Fig. 1.

In order tosteady the halted container A, an elongated horseshoe type permanent magnet 12 is provided which is supported by nonmagnetic brackets 13 secured to the underside of the can runway 20. The magnet 'I2 surrounds the housing 46 and its poles extend almost to the upper surface of the runway 20.

Because of the strong downward pull exerted by the magnet 12 upon the magnetic portions of the container, it is positively prevented from bouncing upon the chains II as they slide along beneath it. Thus, any tendency which it might have to hurdle the contact edge 62 is completely eliminated.

In some instances, particularly where the weight of the container A and its contents is con` siderable, it is possible to omit the magnet 12. However, when it is provided, as in the present exemplary embodiment of the invention, the

other elements of the mechanism adjacent the magnet 12, which elements include the chains I I, the runway 28, housing 46, the lever 53, and the pivot finger 45 should preferably be made of nonmagnetic material such as brass or stainless steel.

Since the container A is held motionless by the stop finger 45 while the chains II continue to advance, the position of the container on the conveyor is constantly changed and the container is thus brought to its proper position on the conveyor. At this point the stop finger 45 is withdrawn from the recessed bottom of the container A to release the container from the contact edge 62. This is effected by cams 15 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) which depend from the peripheral portion of the undersurface of the turret I2, each cam 15 being formed with an inclined forward face 16 and a straight dwell section 11.

The clockwise rotation (as seen in Figs. 1 and 6) of the turret I2 brings the cams 15 successively into engagement with the rounded upper end of a trip pin 18 formed at the end of a lateral arm 19 which is integral with and extends from the extremity of the bell crank arm 52. Portions of the magnet 12, the housing 46, and the runway are cut away to clear the lateral arm 18.

As the inclined forward face 16 of a cam 15 engages the pif. 18 and forces it downwardly, the arm 52 of the bell crank lever 53 is rocked around the pin 55 in a clockwise downward di-l rection. The pivot pin 5U of the stop finger 45 is thus carried downwardly, but the tail piece 68 of the finger 45, which rests on the stop pin. E1 (as seen in Fig. 4) is held from downward movement. Hence, the contact edge 62 of the finger 45 is completely withdrawn from the countersunk bottom of the container A when the pin 18 reaches its lowermost position and assumes the position shown in Fig. 7, thereby releasing the container. The released container is immediately picked up by the chains II and fed forward over the depressed finger 45 and lever arm 52 into a turret pocket 88 which is set off by pointed pocket fingers 8I formed on the periphery of the turret I2.

Each pocket may be considered as extending from the apex 82 of a finger 8| to the apex 82 of the following finger, and is defined by a gently curved front wall 83, a peripheral section 84 of the turret I2, and a rearI wall 85. It will be noted that the pocket front wall 83 constitutes the rear wall of a finger 8l, while the pocket rear wall 85 constitutes the front wall of a finger 8|.

The timing of the mechanism is such that the front corner of the container engages the wall 83 of the finger 8l which is adjacent the cam 15 which has just released the container. The

initial contact is made at an intermediate pointV the pocket fingers 8| is less than the forwardv lineal speed of the conveyor chain II.. In addition, the rotary path of travel of the fingers 8| makes their effective forward speed even slower in comparison with the forward. speed of the chains II. As a result, the container A is decelerated and ,the point of contact between the corner of the container A and the wall 83 moves backwardly along the wall 83 towards the juncture of the wall 83 and the turret periphery 84. Hence, the container is gradually eased into the pocket 80 and when fully seated is engaged from the rear by the rear pocket wall 85 as the turret finger 8| sweeps into position behind it.

A container which is located on the conveyor II by the finger 45 in the manner just described may be said to have been placed in a set" or standard position on the conveyor. Any container which is initially positioned on the conveyor in advance of the set position must have its position corrected by the finger 45 or it will have its long side wall engaged by a pocket finger 8| and thus be crushed between the Cinger 8l and the outer guide rail 22.

However, a container which is positioned somewhat to the rear of the set position can still enter a turret pocket 80 without being crushed, since the pocket is longer than the container. Such a, container, of course, initially contacts the pocket wall 83 farther back than a container in set position does, but nevertheless enters the pocket safely.

Figure 8 shows in solid lines the relative po sitions of the turret I2 and a container A which is` in set position on the chains II, the stop finger 45 having just been withdrawn from the recessed bottom of the container. The position of the container drawn in dot and dash lines in the same figure illustrates the maximum rearward deviation (shown as the distance X) from the set position permitted a container if it is to enter a turret pocket 80 safely. In other words any container positioned on the chains II between the set position and the position shown in dot and dash lines need not be stopped by the stop finger 45. Hence the dwell portions 11 of the cams 15 are made the proper length to render the stop finger 45 inoperative while containers which are so positioned pass over it and into the turret.

After the cam dwell portion 11 passes the pin .'IB, the bell crank lever 52 is freed and is urged upwardly by the spring 58. However, the weight of each released container as it rides over the surface 1I holds the lever 52 depressed against the pressure of the spring until the rear wall of th'e container moves past the end of the lever. The spring V56 then resets the bell crank lever 52 and the finger 45 is thusmade ready for the next container.

The above description is given for the operation of the mechanism upon isolated containers. When a row of abutting containers is fed the operation of the mechanism is somewhat different, although basically it performs the same function of correctly positioning the containers so that they are not crushed Vby the turret I2.

The rst container of a row of abutting containers, if it be mispositioned on the conveyor chains II, is stopped by the stop ringer 45 in the manner just described and is thus indexed on the'chains. This operation, of course, repositions the whole row on the conveyor. Upon itsv release, the first container proceeds into the turret I2 and is seated in a pocket 80. The succeeding containers move forward with the first container and are decelerated with it as it engages a front pocket wall 83 and is eased into the pocket.

As the rear finger 8l o1' the pocket sweeps into position behind it, the first container is cut from the row and separated from the second container by the pocket finger apex 82 as shownin Fig. 6. The second container is thereby brought into contact with the wall 83 of the next pocket and formed entirely by the turret itself.

After the continuity of the row has been broken and the mechanism reset by the spring 56, the next container to approach the mechanism, if mispositioned, is stopped and indexed by the iinger 45.

However, should a container be so positioned on the conveyor I that it; rear countersunk wall I8 passes the contact edge B2 during the time' that the lever 52 is held depressed by the preceding container, it is not intercepted but proceeds directly into the turret where it is received without being crushed. To be so positioned, however, the container must satisfy one of two conditions. Either it must be initially positioned on the conveyor within the allowable predetermined limits, or it must be close enough to the preceding container to come into contact with it as it is being decelerated while entering the pocket 80. In the latter case, the two containers will in effect become an abutting row, and the indexing of the second container will be accomplished by the turret, as has been hereinbefore described.

The containers A after being fully seated in the pocket 80, are fed forward by the turret I2 and delivered to the turret I3.

While in the turret I2, the containers are maintained in a predetermined path of travel by a curved extension 81 of the uter rail 22, and while in the turret I3 are guided by a curved guide rau sa.

invention or sacrificing all of its material'advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

We claim:

1. An article timing mechanism, comprising a conveyor for advancing said article, feeding means for receiving articles lfrom said conveyor, stop means located adjacent said conveyor and actuated by said article when the latter is mlspositioned on said conveyor'and is not in proper position to be received by said feeding means, said stop means being moved to engage and to stop the advancement of the article while 'said conveyor advances, and means for disengaging said stop means from said article when the latter is properly positioned on said conveyor.

2. An article timing mechanism, comprising a continuously moving conveyor for advancing said article, a turret having pockets for receiving articles from said conveyor, a stop finger located adjacent said conveyor and actuated by said article when the latter is out of position to enter a pocket ofsaid turret, said stopmeans being moved by the article to engage and to stop the advancement of the article, and means actuatable independently of said article for disengaging said stop finger from said article when the latter is properly positioned on said conveyor.

3. An article indexing mechanism, comprising a conveyor for supporting and advancing articles. feeding means for receiving articles from said conveyor, a stop finger located adjacent said conveyor, means for normally maintaining said stop nger in operative position to intercept mispositioned articles not in proper position to be received by said feeding means, said stop nger engaging and holding said mispositioned articles to reposition them on said conveyor, and means for periodically moving said stop nger to inope'ative position tc release said repositioned artic es. y

4. A mechanism for timing an article having a recessed wall portion, comprising a continuously moving conveyor i'or supporting and advancing a said article, a timed feeding device for receiving articles from said conveyor, stop means located adjacent said conveyor and actuatable by an article not in proper position to be received by said feeding device, said stop means when actuated projecting a part into a said recessed wall portion of said articlev to engage and to stop the advancement of the latter while said conveyor continues to advance,vmeans for maintaining said article in engagement with said stop means, and means for withdrawing said stop means from said recessed wall portion when said article is properly positioned on said conveyor( 5. A mechanism for indexing articles, comprising a continuously moving conveyor for supporting and advancing said articles, a turret having spaced pockets for receiving the articles, a stop finger located adjacent Said conveyor, means for normally maintaining said stop linger in operative position and in the path of articles advancing with said conveyor, articles engaging said stop finger being mispositioned for proper receipt into a turret pocket, said mispositioned articles movl ing said stop linger into intercepting and holding position to prevent article movement with the conveyor as long as said stop finger is in operative position, means for periodically moving said stop iinger to inoperativeiposition to release any held and correctly positioned articles. and means connected with said linger moving means for holding said stop ringer in inoperative position for a predetermined period of time so that correctly positioned articles will pass said stop linger uninterruptedly.

6. A mechanism for indexing articles, comprising a continuously moving conveyor i'or supporting and advancing said articles, a turret having spaced pockets for receiving the articles, a stop finger located adjacent said conveyor, means for normally maintaining said stop finger in operative position to intercept articles misposltioned for receipt into said turret pockets, said articles moving said stop linger for said article interception, means for periodically moving said stop vlinger to inoperative position to release said articles then correctly positioned on said conveyor for receipt into said turret pocket, and means operable by the correctly positioned articles which have passed said stop linger for holding said stop iinger in its inoperative position so that succeeding articles held properly spaced on said conveyor by said correctly positioned articles will pass by said linger uninterruptedly.

7. A mechanism for indexing articles, comprising a continuously moving conveyor for supporting and advancing said articles, a turret having spaced pockets for receiving the articles, a stop finger located adiacent said conveyor, means for normally maintaining said stop finger in operative position to intercept and delay advancement of articles mispositioned for receipt in the turret pockets, means for periodically moving said stop rincer to inoperative position to release said retarded articles then correctly positioned on said conveyor, cam means for holding said stop linger in inoperative position for a predetermined periodof time so that articles positioned correctly on said conveyor will pass by said stop linger uninterrupted, and means operable by the correctly` positioned articles which have passed said stop iinger for further holding said stop linger in inoperative position for an additional period of time so that succeeding articles which are properly spaced on said conveyor by preceding correctly positioned articles will pass by said finger uninterruptedly.

8. A mechanism for indexing articles, comprising a continuously movingr conveyor for supporting and advancing said articles along a predetermined path of travel, a stop finger mounted adjacent said conveyor, a stop edge at one end oi.' said finger, a portion at the other end of said iinger extending into the path of travel of said articles and being movable by said articles, said stop iinger being movable when said portion is moved by said article to engage said stop edge extendingr above the upper surface of said conveyor, said stop iinger being rotatable when said inclined portion is depressed by a said article to project said stop edge into the recessed bottom of the article to thereby stop the advancement of the latter, and means for withdrawing said` porting and advancing containers positioned at` random thereon, a turret having spaced pockets` for receiving containers from said conveyor. a lever pivotally mounted adjacent said conveyor, means for urging said lever into operative position, a stop linger pivotally mounted on said'lever and engageable by containers on said conveyor then passing said stop finger, such containers being in the wrong position for receipt into said turret pocket, said linger being engageable only when saidlever is in operative position and when so engaged preventing advancement ofmispositioned containers holding them for correct positioning, means for periodically movingr said lever into inoperative position to release said repositioned containers, and means connected with said movingr means for holding said lever in inoperative position for suiiicient time to permit uninterrupted passage of all correctly positioned containers past said ringer. 11. A mechanism for indexing articles havin recessed bottoms, comprising a continuously movinar conveyor for supporting and advancing said articles along a predetermined path of travel, a lever pivotally mounted adiacent said conveyor in the path of travel of said articles, means for maintaining said lever in araised positiolmzalstop iinger pivotally mounted on said lever and actuatable by said article when said lever is :ln raised position to proiect into and engage the recessed bottom of said article to stop the advancement of the latter,l and 4means for moving said lever to a lowered position to disengage said stop finger from said article when the latter is properly indexed on said conveyor.

12. A mechanism for indexing articles, comprising a continuously moving conveyor for supporting and advancing articles positioned at random thereon, a lever pivotally mounted adjacent said conveyor, means for urging said lever into operative position, a stop finger pivotally mounted on said lever, said ringer being held in operative position when said lever is in operative position, a contact edge on said stop finger, a portion of said finger extending into the path of travel of said articles and actuated by those articles which are mispositioned on said conveyor to engage said contact edge with said mispositioned articles to stop the latter, means for periodically moving said lever into inoperative position to thereby disengage said stop finger from said articles, and means for periodically holding said lever in inoperative position for a predetermined period of time so that correctly positioned articles will pass said stop finger.

13. A mechanism for indexing articles having recessed bottoms, comprising a continuously moving conveyor for supporting and advancing said articles along a predetermined path of travel, a lever pivotally mounted adiacent said conveyor in the path of travel of said articles, means for maintaining raid lever in a raised position, a stop iinger pivotally mounted on said lever and actuated bv said article when said lever is in raised position to project into and engage the recessed bottom of said article to stop the advancement of the latter, means for moving said lever to a ll lowered position to release said article when the latter is properly indexed on said conveyor, and means associated with said lever and eneageable by said released article for holding said lever in its lowered position for a predetermined length of time.

14. A mechanism for indexing containers. comprisine a continuously moving conveyor for supporting and advancing containers positioned at random thereon. a lever ivotally mounted adjacent said conveyor, means for ureine: said lever into raised position, a lston iinser nivotallv mounted on said lever, a contact edae on said stopv neer. an inclined portion of said iincer extendin@r into the nath of travel of said containers and actuated bv those containers which are misnositioned /on said conveyor to bring said contact edf'e into engagement with said mispositioned containers to stnn the advancement of the latten. v

means for rerindicaliv movinar said lever into lowered position to thereby disenfraze said contact edee from said containers. means for periodically holdinizr said lever in lowered position fora predetermined period of time so that correctly positioned containers will not actuate said stopiincer. and an inclined surface on said lever extendine upwardly into the nath oi travel of said containers and enaaeeable by said containers after thev have passed said contact edge to maintain said ,lever in lowered position until said contrainers have passed bevond said surface, said surface beine.r spaced from said contact edge a distance at leest eoual to the length of said containers beine indexed.

15. An article indexins,r mechanism, comprising a conveyor for advancing and supporting articles positioned at random thereon. a rotary turret for receiving said articles from said conveyor, container receiving pockets on said turret, indexing means adjacent said conveyor for indexing said means for receiving articles from said conveyor,

stop means located adiacent said conveyor and at a predetermined distance from said feeding means for stopping the advancement of articles not in correct position for receipt by said feeding means. said stop means being moved by advancing mispositioned articles into stopping engagement with the same articles, and means for rendering said ston means inoperative for a predetermined period of time to allow uninterrupted passage of articles correctly positioned for receipt into said feeding means.

RONALD E. J. NORDQUIST. JULIUS FORIS.

marismasons CITED The followiner references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,422,229 Sharp July 11, 1922 1,770,530 Oslund July 15, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date l461,796 Germany June 29, 1928

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