Abstract: A container feeding system is shown having an unscrambler having an unscrambler bowl providing a track or channel that is adjustable such that it can accommodate bottles of varying sizes. The system comprises an adjustable chute that is also adjustable and having a chute channel or track that is also adjustable to accommodate containers of varying sizes when the containers are conveyed from the unscrambling bowl, through the adjustable chute, and to a subsequent processing station.

Abstract: A container feeding system is shown having an unscrambler having an unscrambler bowl providing a track or channel that is adjustable such that it can accommodate bottles of varying sizes. The system comprises an adjustable chute that is also adjustable and having a chute channel or track that is also adjustable to accommodate containers of varying sizes when the containers are conveyed from the unscrambling bowl, through the adjustable chute, and to a subsequent processing station.

Abstract: A container feeding system is shown having an unscrambler having an unscrambler bowl providing a track or channel that is adjustable such that it can accommodate bottles of varying sizes. The system also comprises an adjustable chute that is also adjustable and having a chute channel or track that is also adjustable to accommodate containers of varying sizes when the containers are conveyed from the unscrambling bowl, through the adjustable chute, and to a subsequent processing station.

Abstract: A mechanism for selectively rotating pocket assemblies between first and second limit positions. The mechanism comprises a cam follower block mounted on the shaft of the pocket assembly for limited movement relative to the shaft in a predetermined plane and direction. Biasing means normally urges said cam block toward the first limit position. Upper and lower cam followers have centers of rotation to one side of and parallel to said predetermined plane. A profile cam is mounted on the shaft and rotatable relative to the cam block having two diametrically opposed shoulders and arcuate profile surfaces connecting the shoulders. The spring biasing means normally biases the cam block and the profile cam to a position where one of the cam followers engages a shoulder to prevent rotation of the cam block and therefore the pocket assembly and wherein the other cam follower is spaced from the profile cam.

Abstract: A synchronized rotary transfer wheel for orienting containers that have been unscrambled with a pocketed disc sorter type machine. The transfer wheel utilizes momentary air pressure and an adaptive vacuum pick up assembly to grasp, rotate, and release containers that may have a relatively wide variance in width and taper; without requiring change-over parts. The vacuum cups that are used to grasp the individual containers are moved forward and backward by a constant pressure momentary activator along radials on the wheel, to automatically adjust to accumulative radial variances of the machine and the containers. The coaxial parts that are incorporated in the vacuum pickup assembly are light enough in weight to grasp and rotate containers at high rates with relatively small electromechanical rotating devices; which are incorporated into radial modules on the transfer wheel.

Abstract: A bottle orienting device is disclosed in which bottles are fed into a first station randomly in either a top down or a bottom down condition, moving pockets pick up the individual bottles and transport them past a sensor which determines the particular condition thereof and responds with an appropriate signal when a predetermined condition is found, means are provided to rotate the pockets carrying the bottles so that all bottles have the same orientation condition, either top down or bottom down as desired, at this point bottle air cleaning means can be operatively provided, with all bottles being selectively first presented in a top down condition to the air cleaning device, means are then provided to reverse the condition of the bottles to the bottom down position, and then the bottles are discharged from the device, if air cleaning is not desired, the bottles found to be in the wrong orientation at the sensing station are rotated to present them bottom down to the discharge, of significance all bottles m