Patent ID: 7007792
Filing Date: 2006-03-07
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A conveyor comprising: first and second conveyor belts in the form of belt loops, each conveyor belt extending in width from a first side to a second side and in thickness from an outer surface to an inner surface, wherein the first and second conveyor belts are disposed parallel to each other with the first side of the first conveyor belt adjacent the second side of the second conveyor belt, a portion of the loops defining a carryway along which articles are conveyed along the outer surfaces from an upstream end of the carryway to an opposite downstream end; a first drive engaging the first conveyor belt to advance the first conveyor belt along the carryway in a direction of belt travel from the upstream end to the downstream end; a second drive engaging the second conveyor belt to advance the second conveyor belt along the carryway in the direction of belt travel; wherein the first and second conveyor belts include a plurality of rollers protruding beyond the outer and inner surfaces of the first and second conveyor belts; at least one bearing surface underlying the first and second conveyor belts along a portion of the carryway, the rollers protruding beyond the inner surfaces of the first and second conveyor belts into rolling contact with the bearing surface to rotate as the first and second conveyor belts advance in the direction of belt travel; wherein the rollers in the first conveyor belt are arranged to rotate about first axes oblique to the direction of belt travel to exert a first force to articles conveyed atop the rollers in rolling contact with the bearing surface to urge the articles downstream and toward the second conveyor belt and wherein the rollers in the second conveyor belt are arranged to rotate about second axes oblique to the direction of belt travel to exert a second force to articles conveyed atop the rollers in rolling contact with the bearing surface to urge the articles downstream and toward the first conveyor belt; a controller coupled to one or both of the first and second drives to selectively stop either of the first and second conveyor belts while the other conveyor belt continues to advance.