Abstract: A pin oven stripper for removing can bodies having bases from a moving pin conveyor at a vertical inclined flight of the pin conveyor. The stripper comprises a drive sprocket, an idler wheel and a vacuum conveyor chain composed of plastic links. The chain is trained around the drive sprocket and idler. A carrying way guides the vacuum chain from the idler to the drive sprocket first along a vertical inclined flight parallel to the path of the pin conveyor in close proximity to the bases of the can bodies, then along a vertical flight for effecting removal of cans from the pin conveyor, the can bodies being removably secured to the chain by suction supplied through apertures in the links, and then along a curved flight extending to a horizontal flight terminating at the drive sprocket. The chain further has as a characterizing feature thereof a substantially free hanging return flight extending from the drive sprocket to the idler, which enables high speed operation at speeds in excess of 1500 cans per minute.

Abstract: A glass bottle inspection unit includes an endless conveyor having a series of spaced roller members defining therebetween grooves for receiving glass bottles for inspection. The conveyor member carries the bottles through an inspection station and means are provided for rotating the rollers and bottles several times as they move through the inspection station to facilitate inspection. An inspection unit module may be tilted between horizontal and vertical positions to facilitate viewing at the inspection station. Illumination is provided as an aid to visual inspection of the bottles.

Abstract: A rotational and retractable container holding device and conveyor therefor in which a conveyor member is supported in cantilever fashion by support members extending along the conveying path. A plurality of container holding devices extends in a generally horizontal orientation from one side of the conveyor member and include an inner housing slidably mounted on a supporting spindle, an outer housing rotatably mounted with respect to the inner housing and slidably mounted with respect to the spindle, and a container gripping member at the outer end of the outer housing for gripping a container by its neck. The container holding device and its conveyor are particularly suited for receiving newly formed containers and for conveying the containers through a series of bottle forming operations including coating, decorating and so forth.