초록 ▼

A conveyor system especially suitable for transfer and spacing of articles in a smooth distortion-free manner and controlled acceleration/deceleration is provided. An endless transfer belt is driven by an endless drive belt selectively engaging the lower return run thereof. An actuator assembly incl

A conveyor system especially suitable for transfer and spacing of articles in a smooth distortion-free manner and controlled acceleration/deceleration is provided. An endless transfer belt is driven by an endless drive belt selectively engaging the lower return run thereof. An actuator assembly including a pneumatic motor lifts a pressure roller mounted in a cradle to provide the driving function in response to one or more controllers. A plurality of transfer belt modules, all driven by the single drive belt, are aligned to form an accumulation conveyor system for establishing zero pressure between the articles. Each transfer run is supported and guided along a flat plate to provide the smooth conveying surface and to steady the articles. In the related method, the drive belt selectively drives the transfer belt or belts of the single or modular conveyors by lifting the driving run into engagement with the return run. The spacing of the articles is controlled by the one or more controllers.

대표청구항 ▼

[What is claimed is:] [1.]at least two modules each having an endless transfer belt aligned in the longitudinal direction and having an upper transfer run and a lower return run to form an accumulation conveyor;an endless drive belt extending substantially parallel in the longitudinal direction with

[What is claimed is:] [1.]at least two modules each having an endless transfer belt aligned in the longitudinal direction and having an upper transfer run and a lower return run to form an accumulation conveyor;an endless drive belt extending substantially parallel in the longitudinal direction with said transfer belts;said drive belt having an upper driving run aligned in proximity to, but spaced from the lower return run of said transfer belts to establish a neutral position;a driving mechanism for said drive belt;an actuator assembly for each module for selectively lifting at least said upper driving run from said neutral position into individual frictional driving engagement with the lower return run of one of said transfer belts; anda controller for said actuator assemblies for controlling the spacing of said articles,whereby each said transfer belt is driven by frictional engagement between the belts to provide the accumulation of articles with smooth, distortion-free article transfer and controlled acceleration/deceleration with respect to the transfer speed.