US3783994A

US3783994A - Clip structure and conveying means

Info

Publication number: US3783994A
Application number: US00179115A
Authority: US
Inventors: D Tomalty
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-09-09
Filing date: 1971-09-09
Publication date: 1974-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-08

Abstract

There is provided a conveying system for restaurants or the like for moving containers, e.g. bottles, from a storage and loading area to a point of use in the restaurant. This system includes spaced-apart first and second stations, conveying means movable between the first and second stations, the conveying means comprising an endless belt, spaced-apart rotatable means on which said endless belt is mounted, and drive means for rotating at least one of the rotatable means, and a plurality of spaced-apart retaining clip means mounted on the endless belt. Each clip means is adapted to releasably retain a container therein, the clip means comprising a pair of spaced-apart U-shaped members mounted in opposed relationship, each of said members comprising opposed tapering arms adapted to retain the body of a container and an intermediate arcuate arm connected to the tapering arms with the intermediate arcuate arm being adapted to retain the neck or top portion of the container.

Description

United States Patent [191 Tomalty CLIP STRUCTURE AND CONVEYING MEANS [76] Inventor: Donald Ernest Tomalty, 209 Acadia Rd., Lachine, Quebec, Canada [22] Filed: Sept. 9, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 179,115

[52] U.S. Cl. 198/179, 198/131 [51] Int. Cl. 365g 15/00 [58] Field of Search 198/178, 153, 22 B,

[ Jan. 8, 1974 Primary Examiner-Richard E. Aegerter Att0rney-John G. Mills, 111

[ 5 7] ABSTRACT There is provided a conveying system for restaurants or the like for moving containers, e.g. bottles, from a storage and loading area to a point of use in the restaurant. This system includes spaced-apart first and second stations, conveying means movable between the first and second stations, the conveying means comprising an endless belt, spaced-apart rotatable means on which said endless belt is mounted, and drive means for rotating at least one of the rotatable means, and a plurality of spaced-apart retaining clip means mounted on the endless belt. Each clip means is adapted to releasably retain a container therein, the clip means comprising a pair of spaced-apart U- shaped members mounted in opposed relationship, each of said members comprising opposed tapering arms adapted to retain the body of a container and an intermediate arcuate arm connected to the tapering arms with the intermediate arcuate arm being adapted to retain the neck or top portion of the container.

7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,950,605 8/1960 Hennion 221/77 2,444,925 7/1948 Fischer 198/131 740,990 10/1903 Parker et a]. 198/131 2,681,822 6/1954 Daniels 294/20 2,556,701 6/1951 Mozena... 294/99 R 654,369 7/1900 Wagner.... 198/131 763,174 6/1904 Goebel 198/131 71 20% /0 P t l 9 l7; T

- PATENTEDJAN 8 1914 SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR T D- ALTY ATTOR-NEY PATENTE'UJAN 8w SHEET 2 BF 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY 1 CLIP STRUCTURE AND CONVEYING MEANS This invention relates to conveying means.

More particularly, this invention relates to a conveying system having releasable retaining means mounted thereon for conveying articles, such as bottles or the like containers, from a first station at which the containers are loaded onto the conveying system to a second station where the containers are removed from the retaining means of the conveying system.

In various types of service industries, as for example the restaurant and beverage service industries, one requirement for fast efficient service is that a large number of bottled beverages be retained at a central service point where the service personnel may select a desired type of bottled beverage and serve it to the customers. For example in establishments serving such beverages, conventionally supplied in individual bottle or container form, large counters are required in order to accommodate a sufficient supply of or stock of the different types of beverages. This large amount of counter space is undesirable inasmuch as space is generally limited and represents an undesirable economic factor for service industries. A still further problem in the storage of beverages, etc, is that it is frequently necessary to maintain the beverages under controlled temperature conditions. Thus, for example, cooling of beverages is required in most restaurant services industries which means that the bottles or containers must be retained in cooling units at the counter. This in turn increases the required amount of space; provides a slower turnover in time inasmuch as the beverages have to be retained in the coolers for a sufficient time before being served, etc. still a further disadvantage with the present conventional arrangements as it is necessary to to retain storage of a supply of the containers or bottles in relatively close proximity to the cooling means, which is indicated above are generally at the counter or point of use of the containers. This is particularly so in large volume service industries where the storage units at the counter must be replenished several times a day, and necessitates personnel time in transferring the bottles or containers from the site of storage to the point at which they are used.

Applicant has now developed a novel conveying system which overcomes the disadvantages of the present conventional systems, and which provides a very simple and expedient manner of providing a supply of such containers at a desired point of use while involving a minimum of counter space or storage space at the point of use.

More particularly, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a conveying system adapted for conveying containers or the like through a first station wherein the containers may be loaded onto the conveying system and which is at a point removed from a point of removal of the containers at a second station at which the containers may be removed from the conveying system for use, said system comprising first and second stations, said stations being spaced-apart from each other with one of said stations being adapted to permit loading of a supply of containers or the like onto said conveying system and the other of said stations being adapted to permit discharge of said containers from said system for use, conveying means movable between said first and second stations, said conveying means comprising an endless belt, spaced-apart rotatable means on which said endless belt is mounted, and drive means for rotating at least one of said rotatable means, and a plurality of spaced-apart retaining clip means mounted on said endless belt, each clip means being adapted to releasably retain a container therein, said clip means comprising a pair of spacedapart U-shaped members mounted in opposed relationship, each of said members comprising opposed tapering arms adapted to retain the body ofa container and an intermediate arcuate arm connected to said tapering arms with the intermediate arcuate arm being adapted to retain the neck or top portion of the container.

In accordance with a further aspect of this invention, there is also provided a method of loading, supplying and dispensing containers or the like from a first station wherein the containers may be loaded onto a conveying system, and which is at a point remote from the point at which the containers are used, and a second station wherein the containers are removed from the conveying system for use, which method includes the steps of providing a supply of such containers at a first station which is spaced at a point removed from the point of use of the containers at a second station, providing a conveying means which includes an endless belt, spaced-apart rotatable means on which the endless belt is mounted and a drive means for rotating the rotatable means, with a plurality of spaced-apart retaining clip means mounted on the endless belt and adapted to releasably retain a container therein, providing a second station at which the containers are adapted to be used and removed from the conveying system, loading the containers into engagement with the clip means at the first station, effecting movement of the belt between the first and second stations and removing from the releasable clip means the containers at the second station as desired.

In greater detail, with the conveying system and method of the present invention, for service industries dispensing containers or the like, and particularly restaurants or the like dispensing beverages from individual bottles or containers, a supply of the container may be maintained at a point remote from the point at which the service personnel remove the containers for use at the counter in the actual restaurant or like establishment, while such containers may be readily and safely transported to the counter, which will take up a minimum of space.

In the system and method of the present invention, typically the first and second stations will be within an enclosure defining a passageway between the first and second stations with the first and second stations being located at spaced-apart locations in the enclosure. Generally, the enclosure may be a continuous wall or like system bounded by spaced-apart pairs of side members, starting and terminating at the spaced-apart stations. Depending on the type of arrangement desired, the enclosure with the spaced-apart stations may extend between different levels of a building, or at spaced-apart points on the same floor level of a building. The initial and terminal stations will generally be defined by the point of use of the containers or bottles, and the point at which there is a storage facility.

For many applications, the system of the present invention will include cooling means in conjunction therewith the cooling means may be located at any desired point in operative relationship to the system. A

particularly preferred form relates to the cooling means providing a cooling atmosphere in the total enclosure, whereby all of the containers of the enclosure are subjected to a cooling atmosphere In this embodiment, the cooling means will introduce a cooled atmosphere into the enclosure; and any conventional means may be used for the purpose of providing a cooling atmosphere. In the alternative, only that part of the enclosure at the point of removal of the containers from the system may be cooled.

Again, for most applications, the terminal station of the system, defining the point at which the bottles or containers are removed from the system, may be a suitable facility at a counter or like structure, in which there are provided openable doors or the like to permit access to the conveying system, to select and remove the desired containers from the system. Conversely, at the first station, expediently the station may be located at a storage facility, whichfirst station permits access to the conveying system to load the containers into the retaining clip structures of the present invention on the conveying system. in one embodiment, the storage facility may also be a part of the enclosure, so that a greater supply of the containers or bottles may be cooled if desired before being placed onto the conveying system. This is particularly advantageous in high volume (large turnover) service industries.

In the conveying system of the present invention, there may be employed at least two spaced-apart rotatable means, such as rotatable drums or rollers, at the first and second stations about which the endless belt travels In some cases, additional rollers or drums may be required, where it is necessary for the conveying system to take an out of line direction of travel between the first and second stations. At least one of the rotatable means is driven by suitable drive means, which is explained hereinafter, is preferably a discontinuous drive means rotating the roller or drum as desired in an intermittent fashion.

The endless belt means is mounted for rotation about the rotatable means, and the endless belt may be any suitable flexible conveying belt.

The retaining clip means mounted on the endless belt, as described hereinafter, has been found to provide the desired characteristics for a successful conveying system. More particularly, this retaining clip structure comprises a pair of spaced-apart U-shaped members mounted in opposed relationship, each of said members comprising a pair of opposed tapering arms adapted to retain the body of an article, and an intermediate arcuate arm connected to-said tapering arms, whereby the opposed arcuate arms of each U-shaped member are adapted to releasably retain the neck or top portion of the container. Preferably, the opposed arms of each U-shaped member are mounted on a supporting base in a spaced-apart tapering relationship. Preferably, each U-shaped member is substantially identical to the other, whereby the clip structure is substantially symmetrical about a vertical axis between the opposed U-shaped members.

The retaining clip structures are preferably mounted in spaced-apart rows of the same on the endless belt, preferably through a plurality of such clips being connected to a common base, forming a supporting base for the clip structure. The supporting base may be of any suitable material adapted to retain the spacedapart U-shaped members of each clip in a spaced-apart relationship. To this end, the base is preferably of a rigid, self-supporting sheet or block of material having the opposed tapering arms of the U-shaped member mounted therein. The supporting base may then be connected to the endless belt by suitable means, as for example, with suitable bolts, adhesive, etc.

If desired, in place of utilizing asupporting base, the arms of the clip structures may include an extension, preferably angularly disposed in relation to the arms, to anchor the same to the endless belt by the extensions being affixed to the belt with clips,.or the like.

In the clip structures of the present invention, the size of the opposed tapering arms will vary depending on the type of container or bottle it is adapted to releasably retain. Likewise, the intermediate connecting arcuate arm will vary depending on the size and shape of the neck of the container. Still further, the distance to which the opposed arms of each U-shaped member is spaced-apart will depend on the size of the container or bottle to be retained, and will hence vary accordingly. Preferably, however, the arms are of a tapering relationship to each other whereby the arms, or at least a portion thereof, function to engage a portion of the side surface of the container to be retained; further, preferably each opposed pair of arms between each of the U- shaped members is spaced-apart a distance less than the width of the container whereby the container is prevented from being laterally displaced i.e. this may be accomplished by having such opposed arms taper; or alternately, by spacing the arms apart a distance less than the width of the container.

The arcuate intermediate connecting arm of each U- shaped member will be mounted normally in an outwardly extending plane in relation to the other arms of the U-shaped member; however, this may vary depending on the shape and nature of the top or neck portion of a container to be retained in the clip structure of the present invention. More particularly, the arcuate connecting arm is adapted to releasably retain the top or neck portion of an article and depending on the shape and contour of the container, the degree to which the arcuate neck inwardly or outwardly extends from between the other arms of the Ushaped member will vary accordingly. In this respect, the arcuate shape of the connecting arm may likewise vary; an arcuate shape is preferred for most types of contour; however, the shape may assume other than an arcuate contour depending on the container.

The clip structure is preferably made of rigid selfsupporting material with each U-shaped member possessing a spring-action. To this end, the U-shaped members of the clip structure may be made of any suitable material, such as spring wire, or other substances such as plastics, which possess this property. When making the clip structure of wire, the gauge of the metal or plastic wire may vary, again depending on the strength requirements compatible with retaining any given container.

By using the above retaining clip structures, the containers or bottles may be safely transported from the first to second stations without damage, and without the risk of falling from the conveying system.

The conveying system of the present invention will include control means suitably to permit discontinuous operation of the conveying system. To this end, the control means will operate in conjunction with the drive means for rotating the endless belt; typically, the

control means may include suitable switches at the point of use where the containers are to be removed from the conveying system, to permit service personnel to rotate the conveying system and remove the desired number and type of containers therefrom. The control system will include conventional circuitry for operating the drive means in conjunction with the switches. In a preferred embodiment, preferably control means are likewise included at the point where the containers are loaded onto the conveying system, again to permit service personnel to rotate the endless belt and refill it when desired. A side advantage of the conveying system of the present invention is that service personnel may also reload used containers onto the conveying system at the point where they remove full containers therefrom, whereby the used containers may be removed at a subsequent point e.g. the storage point.

From the above and subsequent description, it will be seen that there is provided a very efficient, simple and expedient conveying system suitable for service industries such as restaurants, etc. to permit beverages or the like dispensed in individual containers or bottles from a single source of the latter, at a desired point of view. The system of the present invention takes up very little space, and can reduce the otherwise large volume of space required in restaurants, etc. now used according to conventional practice. Moreover, the containers or bottles are retainedin a positive manner and used bottles or the like may be re-loaded onto the conveying system for discharge at a desired point.

Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, illustrating preferred embodiments and in which;

FIG. I is a partial front elevational section of a system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational section of the system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the retaining clip means used in conjunction with the system of the pres ent invention.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a typical system according to the present invention suitable for use in a restaurant or like service industry. Thus, in the specific embodiment illustrated, and with reference to FIG. 2, the system is installed with first and second stations located at different floor levels of a building, the upper floor It) being vertically spaced from a lower floor 12. The system of the present invention in the embodiment illustrated is within an enclosure defined, in this embodiment, by the lower floor 12, a pair of spaced-apart opposed lower wall sections 14 (only one of which is illustrated), a further pair of lower wall sections I6 (again only one of which is illustrated), which

wall sections

14 and 16, and the lower floor section I2 define a lower enclosed area of the system (with suitable access being had to the lower enclosure by means of a door or the like). The lower enclosure thus defined communicates with an upper enclosure which in the embodiment illustrated, includes a counter indicated generally by reference numeral C having a top portion IS, a pair of opposed side walls (which are continuous with lower wall sections 14 through intermediate connecting portions 22) and as well a further pair of upper wall sections 24 (only one of which is shown) and which are continuous with and connected to lower wall sections 16. Each of the wall sections I4, 16, 20 and 24, as well as the top wall I8 forming a counter surface, are insulated as will be seen from the drawings, for the purpose as described hereinafter. The upper portion of the enclosure, when viewed in FIG. I, will be seen to include a slight enlargement to accommodate various components of the system of the present invention, at the upper level. In practice, however, this may be located at any desired point as described hereinafter.

In a typical installation, the above described upper portion of the enclosure will generally form a counter surface or the like with the wall 18 forming the counter surface. As viewed in FIG. 2, service personnel will generally have access to the system of the present invention from behind the counter (as to the left of the enclosure), by means of a door or the like, indicated by reference numeral 26, hingedly connected to a wall of the enclosure. In a like manner, the service personnel will also have access to the lower portion of the system through a door or like as described above.

The system of the present invention includes a conveying component, which in this case, is illustrated as a vertically mounted conveyor arrangement. The conveying component includes a pair of spaced-apart rotatable drums 30, each journalled on a shaft 32. The shafts 32 are mounted in supporting brackets 34 by bushings 36; which supporting brackets 34 are connected to frame members designated throughout the drawings by reference letter F. The uppermost shaft 32 in this embodiment is driven by an electric motor 40 through a gear box 42, the motor being connected to a source of electrical power (not shown). To complete the control system of the present invention, switch means 46 (as shown in FIG. 2) are provided behind the counter to permit the service personnel to operate the system of the present invention in a discontinuous manner. In a like manner, there is provided further switch means within the lower portion of the enclosure (not shown) to likewise permit discontinuous and intermittent operation of the system for loading purposes, as hereinafter described, Both switches 46 are connected to the motor and source of electrical power by conventional means.

Rotating about the spaced-apart drums 30 is an endless belt 48 of suitable flexible material. There is thus provided first and second spaced-apart stations indicated generally by reference letters A and B within the enclosure, located at the lower level and upper service level respectively of the system.

At the lower station A, in the embodiment illustrated, there may be stored cases or cartons of individual containers for loading into the system of the present invention. To this end, there may also be provided a shelf or the like indicated by reference numeral 50 to permit easier loading of the containers into the system.

For most types of usage, it may be desirable to include a drainage system beneath the conveying component, which includes a trough 52 having a drain 54 at the bottom thereof, connected to a suitable sewer system. The purpose of the trough and drain is to catch any liquid residue in the containers, as explained here inafter in greater detail.

The conveying system of the present invention as illustrated, is particularly suitable for use where it is desired to retain a commodity, such as liquid refreshments in bottles or containers, under controlled atmospheric conditions e.g. under cooling conditions. To this end, as described above, the enclosure is insulated and in this particular embodiment, the complete system is maintained under refrigeration. Suitable means for introducing air into the entire enclosure (such as a conventional refrigeration system) are employed for this purpose (not shown). Along with the refrigeration system, there may be included suitable temperature control means, such as a thermostat.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the retaining means of the present invention is illustrated as retaining a bottle D (shown in dotted lines). The retaining clip comprises essentially a pair of opposed similar sections, each section including a pair of opposed arms 60 adapted to encompass a container or bottle D. Connecting each pair of arms 60 is an arcuate upper intermediate arm 62 which, as will be seen from FIG. 3, is adapted to encompass the upper neck portion of a bottle, whereby the bottle due to the arrangement of

arms

60 and 62, may be retained under positive control at all times. In a preferred construction, each of the arms 60 includes at its lower end, an inwardly extending flange or arm 64 which in the form illustrated, are arranged so that each arm 64 of one section faces an arm 64 of another section. If desired, a plate 68 with U-shaped channels 70 on its lateral side may be used for retaining the arms 64 in alignment, and as well, for mounting purposes as described hereinafter.

For most purposes, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of the retaining clip structures will be employed in spaced-apart longitudinally and transversely extending rows of the same. The number of rows in the longitudinal and transverse directions will depend on the type of service industry in which the present invention is employed for large volume industries, obviously the number of retaining clips may be increased in the transverse direction.

The transversely extending rows of the retaining clips are preferably formed by employing a non-flexible base or substrate surface indicated generally by reference numeral 72, and which comprises a length of such a substrate extending transversely of the endless belt 48. The base or substrate 72 will be of wood, metal, plastic or the like, and will have a width normally equal to or slightly greater than the width of the member 68. Each of the clip members is connected to the substrate 72 via member 68, using an adhesive or other like means in the embodiment illustrated, screw 74 anchors members 68 to substrate 72. In turn, the substrate or base 72 is fixedly secured to the conveyor belt 68 by suitable means for example, it may be bolted on or clipped on or in the embodiment illustrated, the screw 74 may have complimentary locking means on the interior of the belt 48 to permit the retaining clip, and the substrate or base 72, to be both fixedly secured to the endless belt 48. Use of the supporting base or substrate 72 has the added advantage that transverse rows of the bottles D are securely retained in place as the endless belt moves between the first and second stations A and B. Moreover, due to the structure of the retaining clip means and the fact that the

arms

60 and 62 are preferably made from spring-type wire, removal and insertion of bottles or containers B into the retaining clips assembly is easily accomplished but while retaining positive control of the container of bottle D.

In operation, at the station A, the containers or bottles may be individually placed into each retaining clip structure, from boxes or cartons of the bottles retained at the lower station A. in a like manner, used or empty bottles or containers may be removed from the system at the lower station A, and placed back into the boxes or cartons at the lower station. For this reason, service personnel at the lower station may control the conveying system independently to permit individual rows to be completely filled.

In a like manner, service personnel at the upper level as, for example, in a restaurant at a counter, may rotate the system using switch 46 to select desired containers or bottles from the system, and to remove them from the system through door 26 as desired.

As will be seen from the above-described preferred embodiments, there is provided a very simple and economical system for dispensing individual containers which may be retained under controlled atmospheric conditions, and for replacing the containers at the service area back into the system for removal at the first station. The system takes up very little counter space compared to conventional system and further, has the advantage that since the containers or bottles are under a controlled atmospheric system, reduced time and effort is required by the service personnel; with the further advantage that since the containers are under controlled atmospheric conditions, spoilage or the like does not become a problem.

It will be understood that various modifications can be made to the above-described preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A conveying system adapted for conveying containers or the like through a first station wherein the containers may be loaded onto the conveying system and which is at a point removed from a point of removal of the containers at a second station at which the containers may be removed from theconveying system for use, said system comprising: first and second stations, said stations being spaced-apart from each other with one of said stations being adapted to permit loading ofa supply of containers or the like onto said conveying system and the other of said stations being adapted to permit discharge of said containers from said system for use, conveyingmeans movable between said first and second stations, said conveying means comprising an endless belt, spaced-apart rotatable means on which said endless belt is mounted, and drive means for rotating at least one of said rotatable means, and a plurality of spaced-apart retaining clip means mounted on the outer side of said endless belt and carried thereby, each clip means being adapted to releasably retain a container therein, said clip means comprising a pair of separate spaced-apart U-shaped mem bers mounted in opposed relationship, each of said members comprising opposed inwardly tapering arms adapted to engage and retain the body of a container and an intermediate arcuate arm connected between upper portions of said tapering arms and adapted to retain the neck or top portion of the container.

2. A conveying system as defined in claim 1, including an enclosure having therein said first and second stations at spacedapart areas of said enclosure, said conveying means extending between said first and second stations in said enclosure.

3. A conveying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said enclosure includes cooling means adapted to cool the containers.

4. A conveying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said clip means are mounted in spaced-apart transversely extending rows on said endless belt.

5. A conveying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said clip means are mounted on a supporting base, each supporting base including a plurality of clip means aligned in a row thereon, a plurality of said supporting bases being mounted in a spaced-apart transverse direction on said endless belt means 6. A conveying system as defined in claim 1, including a control system for intermittently operating said drive means.

7. A conveying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said clip means further comprises: a plurality of spacedapart transversely aligned supporting bases fixed to the other side of said endless belt; a mounting plate secured to the outer surface of each supporting base and including a pair of U-shaped channels formed on each side thereof, and wherein each of said inwardly tapering arms which retain the body of a container includes an inwardly directed flange, each flange being generally one-half the length of a respective U-shaped channel formed in said mounting plate and adapted to be inserted in one end thereof, whereby the U-shaped channels formed in the mounting plates serve to support the opposed U-shaped members of each clip means in spaced-apart relationship.

Claims

1. A conveying system adapted for conveying containers or the like through a first station wherein the containers may be loaded onto the conveying system and which is at a point removed from a point of removal of the containers at a second station at which the containers may be removed from the conveying system for use, said system coMprising: first and second stations, said stations being spaced-apart from each other with one of said stations being adapted to permit loading of a supply of containers or the like onto said conveying system and the other of said stations being adapted to permit discharge of said containers from said system for use, conveying means movable between said first and second stations, said conveying means comprising an endless belt, spaced-apart rotatable means on which said endless belt is mounted, and drive means for rotating at least one of said rotatable means, and a plurality of spaced-apart retaining clip means mounted on the outer side of said endless belt and carried thereby, each clip means being adapted to releasably retain a container therein, said clip means comprising a pair of separate spaced-apart U-shaped members mounted in opposed relationship, each of said members comprising opposed inwardly tapering arms adapted to engage and retain the body of a container and an intermediate arcuate arm connected between upper portions of said tapering arms and adapted to retain the neck or top portion of the container.

5. A conveying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said clip means are mounted on a supporting base, each supporting base including a plurality of clip means aligned in a row thereon, a plurality of said supporting bases being mounted in a spaced-apart transverse direction on said endless belt means.

6. A conveying system as defined in claim 1, including a control system for intermittently operating said drive means.

7. A conveying system as defined in claim 1, wherein said clip means further comprises: a plurality of spaced-apart transversely aligned supporting bases fixed to the other side of said endless belt; a mounting plate secured to the outer surface of each supporting base and including a pair of U-shaped channels formed on each side thereof, and wherein each of said inwardly tapering arms which retain the body of a container includes an inwardly directed flange, each flange being generally one-half the length of a respective U-shaped channel formed in said mounting plate and adapted to be inserted in one end thereof, whereby the U-shaped channels formed in the mounting plates serve to support the opposed U-shaped members of each clip means in spaced-apart relationship.