Patent ID: 6981583
Filing Date: 2006-01-03
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A conveyor for moving articles along a direction of travel comprising: an endless belt extending in a closed loop with a first loop end and an opposite second loop end forming an entrance to and an exit from said conveyor to convey articles along a direction of travel therebetween; a plurality of rollers extending across said direction of travel, said rollers located between said first loop end and said second loop end and around which said belt extends and is supported; a frame; a belt centering roller having an axis of rotation extending perpendicularly across said direction of travel and located at said second loop end around which said belt extends, said belt centering roller having a first end portion and a second end portion; and, a pair of supports rotatably mounting said first end portion and said second end portion to said frame and allowing said belt centering roller to move in response to belt pressure from extending across a perpendicular position relative to said direction of travel to a skewed position relative to said direction of travel by said first end portion moving toward said first loop end while said second end portion moves away from said first loop end as said belt moves off-center on said belt centering roller toward said first end portion and away from said second end portion, said pair of supports mounting said belt centering roller to urge said belt centering roller away from said skewed position toward said perpendicular position centering said belt thereon; and wherein: said pair of supports includes a fluid pressurizable first bladder and a fluid pressurizable second bladder positioned respectively at said first end portion and said second end portion of said belt centering roller; and further comprising: pressurizable fluid lines connected to and in fluid communication with said first bladder and second bladder, said lines equalizing fluid pressure within said first bladder and said second bladder to urge said belt centering roller to said perpendicular position.