Patent ID: 8322518
Filing Date: 2012-12-04
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A conveyor for recirculating articles, comprising: a recirculation section extending in length from a first end to a second end and laterally in width from a first side to a second side; a first conveyor belt having rotatable article-supporting rollers advancing continuously along the first side of the recirculation section in a first direction from the first end to the second end; a second conveyor belt having rotatable article-supporting rollers, the second conveyor belt advancing continuously along the second side of the recirculation section in an opposite second direction from the second end to the first end; wherein the rotatable article-supporting rollers in the first and second conveyor belts are rotated in a first lateral direction in a first transfer region of the of the recirculation section proximate the first end to push articles off the second conveyor belt onto the first conveyor belt and toward the first side in the first transfer region; wherein the rotatable article-supporting rollers in the first and second conveyor belts are rotated in an opposite second lateral direction in a second transfer region of the recirculation section proximate the second end to push articles off the first conveyor belt onto the second conveyor belt and toward the second side in the second transfer region; and wherein the rotatable article-supporting rollers in the first and second conveyor belts are arranged to rotate on axes parallel to the first and second directions.