Patent ID: 8196736
Filing Date: 2012-06-12
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A conveyor configured to convey articles in a downstream direction along a generally planar conveying surface, said conveyor comprising: a. a first plurality of spaced apart conveyor rollers defining at least a first part of said conveying surface, each of said conveyor rollers having a length and an axis of rotation and two spaced apart ends, said conveyor rollers being disposed transverse to said downstream direction, each roller of said first plurality of spaced apart conveyor rollers having a respective first nominal diameter, b. a second plurality of spaced apart conveyor rollers interposed between at least two of said rollers of said first plurality of spaced apart conveyor rollers, each roller of said second plurality spaced apart conveyor rollers having a respective nominal diameter smaller than said first nominal diameter; c. a drive member underlying respective portions of said rollers of said first plurality of said spaced apart conveyor rollers and underlying respective portions of said rollers of second plurality of rollers spaced apart conveyor rollers, said drive member configured to selectively engage and rotate each of said rollers of said first plurality of spaced apart conveyor rollers, said respective nominal diameters of said respective portions of said rollers of said second plurality of rollers being dimensioned such that said drive member does not engage said rollers of said second plurality of rollers; and d. a plurality of drive elements, at least a first drive element of said plurality of drive elements disposed to engage at least a first roller of said first plurality of spaced apart conveyor rollers and at least a first roller of said second plurality of spaced apart conveyor rollers, at least a second drive element of said plurality of drive elements disposed to engage said at least a first roller of said second plurality of spaced apart conveyor rollers and at least a second roller of said second plurality of spaced apart conveyor rollers, such that rotation of said at a least a first roller of said first plurality of spaced apart conveyor rollers drives said first and second rollers of said second plurality of spaced apart conveyor rollers.