Automatic rotary transfer apparatus and method

AUTOMATIC ROTARY TRANSFER APPARATUS AND METHOD An automatic rotary transfer apparatus (101) for conveying a plurality of lightweight articles (10) at a high speed and performing at least one additional function in a single rotation, the apparatus (101) comprising a conveyor (60, 160) configured for travelling in a first direction to move the plurality of articles (10) in a continuous stream in a first orientation from an upstream operation, wherein the first orientation is the same for each of the plurality of articles (10); a carriage ring (40, 140) having an outer perimeter defining a plurality of cavities (44, 144) spaced along the outer perimeter with each cavity (44, 144) adapted to receive a single article of the plurality of articles (10) from the conveyor (60, 160), the carriage ring (40, 140) adapted to rotate at a speed of rotation; a drive assembly (38, 138) to index and rotate the carriage ring (40, 140) about a central axis of rotation, synchronised to the continuous stream of the plurality of articles (10) from the upstream operation, and to adjust the speed of rotation of the carriage ring (40, 140) based on the continuous stream of the plurality of articles (10), open cavities identified on the carriage ring, and empty space on an output conveyer; an inspection station including a sensor (80) to inspect the plurality of articles (10) and a discharge area to discharge damaged or imperfect articles in a single rotation of the carriage ring (40, 140); a modification device to modify the plurality of articles (10) during the single rotation of the carriage ring (40, 140); and an unloading location to remove each article (10) from the carriage ring (40, 140), wherein the carriage ring (40, 140) is adapted to discharge each article (10) in a second orientation travelling in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the second orientation is the same for each of the plurality of articles (10), and wherein the first direction and the second direction are not in the same plane.