Patent ID: 6523669
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling the flow of articles, comprising:a first conveyor driven in a first direction to convey articles thereon in said first direction, and a second conveyor driven in a second direction opposite to said first direction to convey articles thereon in said second direction; said first and second conveyors extending side-by-side and parallel with a space defined therebetween; a movable transport member disposed generally across and movable along said space, said transport member having a drive member drivingly engaged simultaneously by said first and second conveyors so that said drive member continuously rotates as either of said first and second conveyors move and said transport member travels along said space if a relative speed difference exists between said first and second conveyors; an article transfer member carried by said transport member and operably disposed relative to said conveyors to contact and transfer articles from said first conveyor to said second conveyor along a transfer path; said article transfer member including an endless drive belt disposed along said transfer path so as to contact and move articles therealong, said drive belt driven by said drive member and running in an endless path between said drive member and said article transfer member; an idler wheel, said transfer path defined between said drive belt and a circumferential portion of said idler wheel and having an inlet end and an outlet end; and a resiliently mounted guide carried by said transport member adjacent said outlet end of said transfer path for engaging said articles and guiding said articles onto said second conveyor as said articles leave said outlet end of said transfer path.