Ronald C Hopkins

US Patent:

42237793, Sep 23, 1980

Filed:

Sep 22, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/725202

Inventors:

Ronald C. Hopkins - Amsterdam NY

Assignee:

Life Savers, Inc. - New York NY

International Classification:

B65G 4726

US Classification:

198426

Abstract:

An automatic transfer mechanism is provided which is particularly useful in automatically collecting, indexing, orienting and transferring individual uniform-sized pieces, such as pieces of chewing gum or candy in the form of blocks from a single piece wrapping machine to a package overwrap machine. The mechanism includes transfer pocket indexing means having a plurality of pockets for automatically receiving, indexing and orienting individual pieces, means for automatically loading individual pieces into the pockets while the pockets are disposed at a first position, drive means for moving the pockets first vertically and then horizontally to a second position where the individual pieces contained therein are indexed to an attitude 90. degree. from their attitude in the original first position, and further including means for removing the pieces from the pockets while maintaining their orientation and conveying them to a package overwrap machine.