Patent ID: 6848563
Filing Date: 2005-02-01
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. An accumulator device for regulating the transfer of products between an upstream unit and a downstream unit, comprising: a first linear conveyor having fixed ends and an endless first belt adapted to receive the products from the upstream unit; a second linear conveyor having fixed ends and an endless second belt arranged parallel to the first conveyor adapted to deliver the products towards the downstream unit; said first and second conveyors communicating via a semicircular conveyor with an endless third belt provided above the first and second conveyors and borne by a mobile carriage driven by a translation movement parallel to said first and second conveyors; the upstream section of the upper side of the first belt, of the upper side of the third belt, and of the downstream section of the upper side of the second belt defining a transport plane of the products having a variable length depending on the position of the semicircular conveyor; said mobile carriage comprising first guiding means for guiding the upper side of the first belt, said first guiding means adapted to lower the downstream section of said upper side situated beneath the semicircular conveyor, which does not serve as a transport plane of the products; said lowering enabling to place in the same plane, the transport plane of the first conveyor and the transport plane of the semicircular conveyor; retractable supporting means for supporting the section of endless first belt forming the transport plane of said first conveyor; and said mobile carriage comprising translation maneuvering means for directly maneuvering said retractable supporting means.