Patent ID: 6098789
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
The combination in a package conveying system which comprises:a package carrying conveyor belt providing a continuous path for the movement of packages;conveyor belt supporting plates underlying said conveyor belt, said plates being aligned with said continuous path of said conveyor belt and being disconnected to define independent zones of support for said conveyor belt;air responsive pads engaged under each support plate arranged in separate groups;first air flow valves operatively associated with each of said separate groups of air responsive pads;second air flow valves operatively connected between said first valve and said separate groups of pads;a source of air under pressure connected to each first air flow valve in position to supply air to said second valves connected to said separate groups of air responsive pads;package movement detecting means on said conveyor belt arranged in said zones defined by said support plates, said detecting means responding to package travel on said conveyor belt and being responsive to package accumulation interruption; andcircuit means connected between each of said detecting means and certain of said first air flow valve whereby on package accumulation interruption in a leading zone on said belt, said packages detecting means in said leading zone operates to exhaust air from the air responsive pads in said trailing zone, said trailing zone responding to package accumulation to withdraw support of said conveyor belt in said trailing zone for initiating accumulating packages in said trailing zone to avoid impacting packages in said leading zone.