Patent ID: 6662933
Filing Date: 2003-12-16
Classification: B65B,B65G,B65H

Abstract:
A system for conveying objects (1), which comprises at least one endless transporter (2) able to route objects (3) along a transportation surface (S) and means (4) of driving same, said transporter (2) comprising a plurality of rushers (6) regularly spaced apart, fixed to a movable support (7) for the pushers (6), continuously traveling, in a single direction and periodically along a closed-loop oath which substantially extends in a conveying plane (P), perpendicular to said transportation surface (S), said path being locally contiguous with said transportation surface (S), characterised in that each rusher (6) is mounted so as to be able to move between an inactive position in which the pusher (6) is located at a distance from said transportation surface (S) and does not project therefrom, and an active position in which the pusher projects at least partially from said transportation surface (S) in order to come into engagement with the object (3) and push the object along said surface (S), so that it is possible to vary the number of pushers (6) simultaneously in the active position, said system further comprising a movable member (9) for actuating the pushers (6) in order to cause them to pass from the inactive position to the active position at the transportation surface, means (10) of driving the said actuating member, and a device (5) for controlling the drive means (4, 10), said control device (5) being arranged to apply, to the means (10) for driving the actuating member (9), a non-constant speed profile, chosen from amongst a preprogrammed set of speed profiles.