Abstract: An apparatus and method for denesting and orienting a stack of handled receptacles. Each receptacle comprises a substantially open container having a base, an upper portion through which access to the open container is provided, and a pivotable handle connected to the upper portion. The orienter, which does not require that the receptacle have an open container, includes a support for holding the receptacle and a mechanism for retaining the pivotable handle of the receptacle. A mechanism is also provided for moving the receptacle off the support such that the receptacle hangs by its handle on the handle retainer. The orienter also includes a mechanism for releasing the handle from the handle retainer so that the receptacle is oriented in a predetermined position with respect to the apparatus. The denester of the present invention may be used to separate the first receptacle from a stack of receptacles so that each receptacle may be oriented by the orienter.

Abstract: A bucket lidding system for placing rotationally oriented lids on unlidded buckets being conveyed on a conveyor and subsequently seating the lids onto the buckets. A lid conveyer introduces to the system a vertical stack of bucket lids wherein each lid has a fitting. After the entire stack of bucket lids is raised such that a top lid of the stack is positioned at a selected height, a mechanism lifts and holds the top lid and transports that lid to a position over another conveyer where a lidless bucket is being conveyed. During this lid transportation, the held lid is being rotated under a fitting sensing sensor, which instructs the lid rotation to be stopped when the lid has a desired rotational orientation with respect to the lidless bucket. When a sensor senses the bucket on the bucket conveyer means, the oriented lid is released and drops a short distance onto the bucket.