Abstract: A rotatable finger assembly including one or more fingers, supports or separators mounted for individual rotational movement from a first supporting or separating position to a second out-of-the-way position. A shaft provides an external longitudinal spline which is temporarily lockingly engageable within one of a pair of internal longitudinal radially-spaced grooves on a surrounding mounting mechanism to which the fingers, supports or separators are attachable. The rotatable finger assembly is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and is quickly adaptable for use in a variety of applications, including but not limited to spacing and/or separating items. The apparatus is also useful in the protection against damage due to contact during transportation. The assembly permits any number of rotatable fingers having the same or different profiles to be mounted quickly and easily in accordance with the desired result.

Abstract: A dispensing system for returnable bulk shipping containers and more particularly to a apparatus and method for selectively emptying the contents of bulk containers which, when emptied, can be returned to the supplier for refilling. The apparatus comprises a hoist having vertical lift capability. A rotator provided on the hoist provides horizontal rotation capability to a container press. A funnel cap is provided with the container press which is configured to replace the cover of the container, thereby retaining any structural integrity afforded by the cover. The funnel cap includes a selectively operable valve. The funnel cap operates in conjunction with a platen which is used to initially support the container in its upright position. The funnel cap and platen are movable away from one another to enable containers to be inserted or removed therefrom. The funnel cap and platen are movable toward one another to enable a container to be engaged and retained therein.

Abstract: A dispensing system for returnable bulk shipping containers and more particularly to a apparatus and method for selectively emptying the contents of bulk containers which, when emptied, can be returned to the supplier for refilling. The apparatus comprises a hoist having vertical lift capability. A rotator provided on the hoist provides horizontal rotation capability to a container press. A funnel cap is provided with the container press which is configured to replace the cover of the container, thereby retaining any structural integrity afforded by the cover. The funnel cap includes a selectively operable valve. The funnel cap operates in conjunction with a platen which is used to initially support the container in its upright position. The funnel cap and platen are movable away from one another to enable containers to be inserted or removed therefrom. The funnel cap and platen are movable toward one another to enable a container to be engaged and retained therein.

Abstract: A rotatable finger assembly including one or more fingers, supports or separators mounted for individual rotational movement from a first supporting or separating position to a second out-of-the-way position. A shaft provides an external longitudinal spline which is temporarily lockingly engageable within one of a pair of internal longitudinal radially-spaced grooves on a surrounding mounting mechanism to which the fingers, supports or separators are attachable. The rotatable finger assembly is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and is quickly adaptable for use in a variety of applications, including but not limited to spacing and/or separating items. The apparatus is also useful in the protection against damage due to contact during transportation. The assembly permits any number of rotatable fingers having the same or different profiles to be mounted quickly and easily in accordance with the desired result.