Device for transferring articles between oppositely running conveyors
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling the flow of articles, comprising:
- a first conveyor driven in a first direction to convey articles thereon in said first direction, and a second conveyor driven in a second direction opposite to said first direction to convey articles thereon in said second direction;
said first and second conveyors extending side-by-side and parallel with a space defined therebetween;
a movable transport member disposed within said space defined between said conveyors and comprising a bridge extending between said conveyors and generally flush with upper surfaces of said conveyors;
said transport member drivingly engaged by both of said conveyors so as to move linearly between said conveyors depending on a speed differential between said conveyors causing said transport member to move in the direction of the faster of said conveyors; and
an article transfer member carried by said transport member and operably disposed transversely to said conveyors to contact and transfer articles from said first conveyor to said second conveyor.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for controlling the flow of articles. The apparatus includes a first conveyor driven in a first direction and a second conveyor driven in a second opposite direction. The conveyors extend in a side-by-side and parallel relationship with a space defined therebetween. A movable transport member is disposed within the space between the conveyors and defines a bridge that extends across the space and is generally flush with the upper surfaces of the conveyors. The transport member is drivingly engaged by the conveyors so as to move linearly between the conveyors depending on a speed differential of the conveyors. An article transfer member is carried by the transport member and is disposed transversely to the conveyors to contact and transfer the articles from the first conveyor over the bridge member and onto the second conveyor.
77 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling the flow of articles, comprising:
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a first conveyor driven in a first direction to convey articles thereon in said first direction, and a second conveyor driven in a second direction opposite to said first direction to convey articles thereon in said second direction;
said first and second conveyors extending side-by-side and parallel with a space defined therebetween;
a movable transport member disposed within said space defined between said conveyors and comprising a bridge extending between said conveyors and generally flush with upper surfaces of said conveyors;
said transport member drivingly engaged by both of said conveyors so as to move linearly between said conveyors depending on a speed differential between said conveyors causing said transport member to move in the direction of the faster of said conveyors; and
an article transfer member carried by said transport member and operably disposed transversely to said conveyors to contact and transfer articles from said first conveyor to said second conveyor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for controlling the flow of articles, comprising:
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a first conveyor driven in a first direction to convey articles thereon in said first direction, and a second conveyor driven in a second direction opposite to said first direction to convey articles thereon in said second direction;
said first and second conveyors extending side-by-side and parallel with a space defined therebetween;
a carriage member having a drive wheel engaged with drive lugs on each of said conveyors so that said carriage member moves along said conveyors depending on a speed differential between said conveyors causing said carriage member to move in the direction of the faster of said conveyors;
a longitudinally extending deformable rail member attached to said carriage member so as to move therewith relative to said conveyors, said rail member disposed between said conveyors and having an upper surface generally flush with an upper surface of each of said conveyors; and
an article transfer member carried by said carriage member and extending across at least a portion of said first conveyor so that articles on said first conveyor are deflected by said transfer member over said rail member and onto said second conveyor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification