Container handling apparatus

Abstract

A container handling apparatus configured to grip and support a container. The apparatus includes a support member configured to be coupled to a conveyor, and a one-piece retainer releasably coupled to the support member. The retainer is configured to engage a container and is preferably releasable from the support member without the use of tools.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A conveyor assembly comprising: 
 a conveyor; and    a plurality of container handling assemblies coupled to the conveyor, each of the container handling assemblies including, 
 a mounting member coupled to the conveyor;  
 a support member releasably engaged to the mounting member; and  
 a one-piece retainer releasably coupled to the support member, the retainer including a first arm portion, a second arm portion, and a base portion interconnecting the first and second arm portions such that a container can be engaged and retained by the first and second arm portions;  
   wherein the retainer can be uncoupled from the support member without the use of tools upon disengagement of the support member from the mounting member.    
   
   
       22 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the support member includes spaced apart projections, and wherein the retainer is captured and secured with respect to the support member by the projections and by at least a portion of the mounting member.  
   
   
       23 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the support member is releasable from the mounting member without the use of tools.  
   
   
       24 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the support member includes a recess configured to receive a portion of the container.  
   
   
       25 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 21 , wherein each of the arm portions includes a distal end and an arcuate portion adjacent the distal end, wherein the distal ends of the respective arm portions are spaced and configured to accept entry of the container such that the arm portions deflect away from one another as the container enters between the distal ends, the container being securable between the respective arcuate portions of the first and second arm portions.  
   
   
       26 . A conveyor assembly for handling containers, the conveyor assembly comprising: 
 a conveyor; and    a plurality of container handling assemblies coupled to the conveyor and configured to grip and support a container, each container handling assembly including, 
 a support member coupled to the conveyor; and  
 a one-piece retainer releasably coupled to the support member, the retainer configured to engage a container.  
   
   
   
       27 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the retainer includes a first arm portion, a second arm portion, and a base portion interconnecting the first and second arm portions.  
   
   
       28 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 27 , wherein each of the arm portions includes a distal end, the distal ends of the respective arm portions being spaced and configured to accept entry of the container such that the arm portions deflect away from one another as the container enters between the distal ends.  
   
   
       29 . The conveyor assembly of claim 7   2 , wherein each of the arm portions includes an arcuate portion, and wherein the container is securable between the respective arcuate portions of the first and second arm portions.  
   
   
       30 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the retainer is substantially circular in cross-section.  
   
   
       31 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the support member includes spaced apart projections each defining a groove therein, and wherein the retainer is positionable in the grooves to be coupled to the support member.  
   
   
       32 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the retainer is releasable from the support member without the use of tools.  
   
   
       33 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 26 , wherein each container handling assembly further includes a mounting member coupled to the conveyor and configured for releasably engaging the support member to couple the support member to the conveyor, the retainer being releasable from the support member only when the support member is disengaged from the mounting member.  
   
   
       34 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 33 , wherein the support member is releasable from the mounting member without the use of tools, and wherein the retainer is releasable from the support member without the use of tools.  
   
   
       35 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 33 , wherein the retainer is captured in position by a portion of the support member and a portion of the mounting member without the use of conventional fasteners.  
   
   
       36 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the support member includes a recess configured to receive a portion of the container.  
   
   
       37 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 36 , wherein the container includes a collar, and wherein the support member engages the container at a location below the collar and the retainer engages the container at a location above the collar.  
   
   
       38 . A conveyor assembly comprising: 
 a conveyor; and    a plurality of container handling assemblies coupled to the conveyor, each of the container handling assemblies including, 
 a one-piece retainer means releasably coupled to the conveyor for engaging and retaining a container; and  
 means for mounting the retainer means to the conveyor.  
   
   
   
       39 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 38 , wherein the means for mounting the retainer means does not require the use of tools to mount the retainer means to the conveyor.  
   
   
       40 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 38 , wherein the means for mounting the retainer means includes a mounting member coupled to the conveyor and a support member coupled to the mounting member, the mounting member and the support member together defining means for capturing and securing the retainer means with respect to the conveyor.  
   
   
       41 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 40 , wherein the means for capturing and securing the retainer means does not include conventional fasteners.  
   
   
       42 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 40 , wherein the support member and the mounting member together define means for releasing the support member from the mounting member without the use of tools.  
   
   
       43 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 38 , wherein the retainer means includes first and second arm portions connected by a base portion such that the container can be engaged and retained between the first and second arm portions.  
   
   
       44 . The conveyor assembly of  claim 43 , wherein each of the arm portions includes a distal end and an arcuate portion adjacent the distal end, wherein the distal ends of the respective arm portions are spaced and configured to accept entry of the container such that the arm portions deflect away from one another as the container enters between the distal ends, the container being securable between the respective arcuate portions of the first and second arm portions.