Patent ID: 6499738
Filing Date: 2002-12-31
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
A conveyor system, comprising:a conveyor, defining a conveying surface having an upstream end and a downstream end, for conveying flat articles in a conveying direction extending downstream toward a first support surface upon which the articles can be accumulated; and at least one guide finger which extends downstream from said downstream end of said conveyor and which defines a second support surface for supporting the articles as they are conveyed from said conveyor toward said first support surface, said at least one guide finger being pivotally movable between a first extended position at which said at least one guide finger extends substantially parallel to said conveying direction of said conveyor so as to be disposed over the first support surface and thereby support the articles as they are conveyed from said conveyor toward said first support surface, and a second retracted position at which said at least one guide finger extends substantially transversely with respect to said conveying direction of said conveyor so as to permit the articles to be deposited onto said first support surface and thereby ensure that the articles are deposited onto said first support surface in an orderly manner.