Patent ID: 6568522
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
An accumulation system for a mass of articles conveyed along a conveyor line in a conveying direction, the system comprising:a transfer conveyor forming a segment of the conveyor line and extending from an upstream end to a downstream end in the conveying direction and laterally from a first transfer side to an opposite second side; an accumulation table disposed proximate the first transfer side of the transfer conveyor to receive articles from the transfer conveyor as the upstream supply of articles to the transfer conveyor exceeds the downstream demand for articles from the transfer conveyor and to deliver articles to the transfer conveyor as the downstream demand for articles exceeds the upstream supply; wherein the transfer conveyor comprises a roller-top conveyor belt traveling in the conveying direction and including a plurality of rollers having salient portions extending from the belt to support conveyed articles and arranged to rotate about axes generally in the conveying direction to direct articles toward and to receive articles from the accumulation table at the first transfer side of the belt.