Importance

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Abstract

A container metering device (10) is disclosed including longitudinally split pins (12) having first and second portions (12a, 12b). The second portions (12b) are mounted to cross bars (16) mounted on and around a roller chain (18) in the form of an endless loop. The first portions (12a) are mounted to a shaft (70) rotatably mounted relative to the cross bars (16) for pivotal movement relative to the second portions (12b) between a first, abutting position insertable into the windows between adjacent containers (14) in a packaging lane and a second, open position. The cross bars (16) include cam followers (20) for engaging a cam track (26) of a cam support (24) for changing the pitch between adjacent pins (12) of the endless loop. Cam followers (74) are mounted on the free ends of crank arms (76) secured to the shafts (70) for engaging a second cam track (82) adjustably mounted on the cam support (24) for pivoting the first portions (12a) relative to the second portions (12b). In operation, the containers (14) moving on the conveyor (54) are held by the second portions (12b) and slide on the conveyor (54) until gradually released by the second portions (12b). As the second portions (12b) gradually release the containers (14), the first portions (12a) simultaneously pivot from their abutting position to their open position to mechanically separate the containers (14) so that the friction between the containers (14) and the conveyor (54) is not depended upon for consistent gap separation.

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First Claim