James P Schubert

US Patent:

6405853, Jun 18, 2002

Filed:

Nov 24, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/449269

Inventors:

Steven T. Cook - Miamisburg OH 45342
James R. Schubert - Miamisburg OH 45342
Stephen P. Common - Miamisburg OH 45342

International Classification:

B65G 1744

US Classification:

1988038, 1988037, 19880315

Abstract:

The transfer nest for an endless conveyor belt of reinforced flexible rubber-like material, optionally with cogs or teeth on its underside, a series of such nests fitted into holes in the belt. The nests are attached to the belt solely at their opposite edges on lines extending transverse to the belt. The belt with attached nests, having end shells trapped therein, is moved stepwise through progressive conversion tooling for making shells into completed can ends. Shells are positively seated into the nests by moving the shells through a discontinuous entrance rim, preferably defined by the upper parts of a circular array of independent flexible stepped (preferably L-shaped) fingers which support the shells which are each trapped in a nest as the nests are transferred through the conversion tooling. Completed ends may be carried around the end of the conveyor upper flight, and the ends can be ejected from the nests.