Patent ID: 6502686
Filing Date: 2003-01-07
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
A conveyor system that can store loads while moving the loads between an input position and an unload position, comprising, in combination:(a) a load support structure including load supporters which enable loads to be moved, said load support structure having an input position at which loads can be placed onto said conveyor system and an unload position at which loads are stopped and from which loads can be removed from said conveyor system, said load support structure also having a load staging position located between the input position and the unload position; (b) an input sensor which senses a load at the input position, an unload sensor which senses a load at the unload position, a staging sensor which senses a load at the staging position, and a filled sensor which determines when a pre-selected portion of said load support structure has been filled with loads; (c) a propulsion system which is operated only when said sensors indicate that at least one load should be moved to another position on said load support system and is inactivated after the movement of the at least one load has stopped. (d) a control system responsive to said sensors to cause said propulsion system to move a load which is on said load support structure to the unload position of said load support structure whenever the unload position is empty and to cause said propulsion system to move a load located at the input position to the staging position of said load support structure whenever the unload position is full, until such time as said filled sensor determines the pre-selected portion of said conveyor support structure has been filled.