Importance

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Abstract

A system for transporting containers in serial order through container-processing stations, such as filling and capping stations. The transporting system comprises a revolving turret defining a plurality of container receiving pockets in a spaced apart relationship for serially advancing containers from one processing station to another along a generally arcuate path. Each pocket is configured to accept and release a container along predetermined ingress and egress directions respectively. An endless conveyor supplies unprocessed containers to the revolving turret and also removes the processed containers therefrom. The conveyor defines infeed and outfeed runs advancing containers along the ingress and egress directions respectively of pockets registering with the infeed and outfeed runs, whereby movement of the conveyor causes a forwardmost, unprocessed container on the infeed run to enter a pocket registering with the infeed run and also causes the outfeed run to extract a processed container from a pocket registering therewith. The infeed and the outfeed runs are substantially in a non-coaxial condition to extend the effective sector of the revolving turret substantially beyond 180.degree.. The conveyor also includes an intermediate segment beneath the revolving turret, interconnecting the infeed and the outfeed runs for maintaining the continuity of the conveyor. A drive system rotates the turret and advances the conveyor. The invention also extends to a container processing apparatus, such as a tablet filling monoblock, utilizing the novel container transporting system.

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First Claim