US Patent 7364029 Apparatus for simultaneously conveying and rotating objects

An apparatus for conveying and simultaneously turning objects has a first conveyor device for conveying the objects into the area of two conveyor-turning stations and a second conveyor device for conveying the objects out of the area of the conveyor-turning stations. The conveyor-turning stations have a conveyor that rotates horizontally and at least one turning device for contacting and turning the objects. The two conveyor-turning stations are used for alternate conveying of the objects along a common conveyor path. Each conveyor-turning station can be driven by its own electric motor with controllable speed. In an access area of the conveyor-turning stations, there is a device for detecting the position of the next object to be contacted and to be conveyed by the respective conveyor-turning station. The detecting device controls the electric motors in such a way that upon detection of an object passing by, the detecting device triggers one electric motor and upon detection of the object immediately following the object passing by, the detecting device triggers the other electric motor.