Article handling machine feeding device for transporting a variety of articles between an input feeding station and an output station feeding articles for transporting articles from an entry point to an exit point and process of handling a variety of articles

摘要

A machine and method for handling a plurality of articles, and a feed apparatus for transporting the article between a first station and a second station. The machine generally includes a conveyor which supplies a stream articles to an infeed station and a feed apparatus for indexing the articles. The feed apparatus includes at least one pocket shaped to at least partially receive one of the articles for transport the article from the first station to the second station and a guide section configured to separate the first one of the articles from the second one of the articles for movement of the first one of the articles into the pocket, to control movement of the second one of the articles during separation of the first one of the articles from the second one of the articles, and to move the second one of the articles into the pocket upon further rotation of the feed apparatus. The method includes the steps of moving a plurality of articles to the first station in a substantially continuous stream and rotating the feed wheel to separate adjacent articles and individually move the articles from the infeed station to the exit station.