Patent ID: 6499737
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, and having means for conveying flat articles downstream toward a support surface upon which the articles can be accumulated; a roller mounted upon said conveyor in addition to said conveying means and having an annular groove formed within an outer peripheral surface portion of said roller; and a forming wheel operatively associated with said conveyor and having an outer peripheral surface disposed in contact with said annular groove of said roller so as to form a temporary, relatively shallow longitudinal crease within the articles, as a result of the articles being conveyed by said conveyor and passed through a nip defined between said outer peripheral surface of said forming wheel and said annular groove of said roller, such that the relatively shallow longitudinal creases longitudinally reinforce the articles so as to ensure that the articles do not experience curling and rollover, and that the articles can therefore be deposited upon the support surface in a substantially flat state.