Abstract:
Disclosed are systems and methods for transmitting graphical data via a communication line. For example, in one embodiment, a system includes means for receiving voice data, means for generating graphical data representative of a user input, and means for simultaneously transmitting the voice data and information representative of the generated graphical data via a communication line such that a bandwidth of the communication line is not exceeded.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of copending U.S. utility application entitled, “Systems and Methods for Providing An Improved Timing Conveyor,” having Ser. No. 11/203,711, filed Aug. 15, 2005, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The invention relates generally to power-driven conveyors.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     When conveying objects in a conveyor system, it is often necessary to arrange the objects in a known, relative position or to maintain minimum spacing on the conveyor belt. Prior art devices for addressing this need have utilized a multiplicity of sensors in combination with actuatable package-stopping components. One such device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,125 to Bershadsky, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Other methods of achieving conveyor spacing include standard conveyor belts having overhead or bottom mounted spacing bars, which travel at a different, usually slower, speed from the belt. These devices are complex and diminish conveyor efficiency as a result of slowing or stopping packages along the conveyor path. Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a conveyor system for controlling spacing of conveyed objects comprising: a conveyor configured to transfer a plurality of objects in a first direction. The conveyor includes: a conveyor belt having a plurality of cavities; a plurality of rollers, each roller being disposed in a cavity and having an axis perpendicular to the first direction; and a positioning component provided adjacent the rollers. The conveyor system also includes a conveyor drive component coupled to the conveyor system, the conveyor drive component configured to drive the conveyor belt; and a roller engagement surface positioned adjacent the conveyor belt and configured to engage the plurality of rollers.  
         [0005]     Embodiments of the present disclosure can also be viewed as providing a method of manufacturing a conveyor, comprising: disposing rollers into cavities of a conveyor belt, the rollers having a diameters that are larger than the thickness of the conveyor belt; securing an object-positioning component to the conveyor belt, the object-positioning component being configured to stop travel of objects along the conveyor belt; placing a roller engagement surface adjacent the conveyor belt and in contact with the rollers such that linear travel of the conveyor belt will cause the rollers to rotate; and coupling a conveyor drive component to the conveyor belt.  
         [0006]     Embodiments of the present disclosure can further be viewed as providing a method for conveying objects, comprising: driving a conveyor belt in a direction of belt travel, the conveyor belt having a first roller disposed therein; contacting the first roller with a roller engagement surface being located underneath the conveyor belt to cause the first roller to rotate as the conveyor belt travels along the roller engagement surface; accelerating a first object on the conveyor belt relative to the conveyor belt as a result of rotation of the first roller; and halting the first object on the conveyor belt to achieve a specific interval between the first object and a second object.  
         [0007]     Embodiments of the present disclosure can further be viewed as providing a conveyor belt for spacing conveyed objects, comprising: acceleration components configured to move an object along the conveyor belt; and a positioning component positioned along the conveyor belt, the positioning component configured to halt motion of the object on the conveyor belt.  
         [0008]     Embodiments of the present disclosure can also be viewed as providing a method for positioning objects, comprising: accelerating an object along a conveyor belt such that the object travels faster than a speed of travel of the conveyor belt; and halting the object with a positioning component of the conveyor belt such that the object travels on the conveyor belt at the same speed as the conveyor belt and is held at a desired location along the conveyor belt.  
         [0009]     Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a top view of an embodiment of a conveyor system utilizing a timing conveyer, as disclosed herein.  
         [0012]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are block diagrams illustrating side views of an embodiment of a timing conveyor as disclosed herein at two different stages of processing.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating top partial view of a conveyor in an embodiment, as disclosed herein.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating top partial view of a conveyor in another embodiment, as disclosed herein.  
         [0015]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are block diagrams illustrating side views of another embodiment of a timing conveyor as disclosed herein at two different stages of processing.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating top partial view of another embodiment of a conveyor, as disclosed herein.  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating a side view of another embodiment of a conveyor, as disclosed herein.  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a partial side view of an embodiment of a linearly-actuatable flight in the retracted position, as disclosed herein.  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a partial side view of an embodiment of a linearly-actuatable flight in the extended position, as disclosed herein.  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is a partial side view of an embodiment of a rotationally-actuatable flight in the retracted position, as disclosed herein.  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is a partial side view of an embodiment of a rotationally-actuatable flight in the extended position, as disclosed herein.  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a partial side view of an alternative embodiment of a rotationally-actuatable flight in the retracted position, as disclosed herein.  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is a partial side view of an alternative embodiment of a rotationally-actuatable flight in the extended position, as disclosed herein.  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  is block diagram illustrating a partial top view of an embodiment of a conveyor system that utilizes a timing conveyor belt, as disclosed herein.  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  is a block diagram illustrating a partial top view of an alternative embodiment of a timing section illustrated in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 17  is a block diagram illustrating a partial top view of an embodiment of a conveyor as utilized in embodiments of  FIG. 14 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 18  is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method of manufacturing a conveyor.  
         [0029]      FIG. 19  is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method for conveying objects.  
         [0030]      FIG. 20  is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method for positioning objects. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0031]     Having summarized various aspects of the present disclosure, reference will now be made in detail to the description of the disclosure as illustrated in the drawings. While the disclosure will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.  
         [0032]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 1 , which is a block diagram illustrating a top view of an embodiment of a conveyor system utilizing a timing conveyor. The conveyor system  100  includes a feeder conveyor  102 , timing conveyor  104 , and a receiving conveyor  106 . Each of these conveyors are utilized to transfer objects  108  in a belt travel direction  110 . The objects  108  on the feeder conveyor  102  may be conveyed at random spacings or intervals. The objects  108  that transition from the feeder conveyor  102  to the timing conveyor  104  are repositioned by the timing conveyor  104  such that the receiving conveyor  106  receives the objects  108  at predetermined intervals. The predetermined intervals facilitate subsequent conveyor processes such as single-lane timing, side-by-side in-phase timing, side-by-side out-of-phase timing, and non-parallel merging.  
         [0033]     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , which are block diagrams illustrating side views of an embodiment of a timing conveyor at two different stages of processing. The timing conveyor  104  generally includes acceleration components and positioning components. This embodiment of the timing conveyor  104  includes a conveyor belt  120  having cavities (not shown here), that contain rollers  122 , which are accelerating components. A non-limiting example of a conveyor belt  120  is a mat-top chain, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,312 to Costanzo, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The rollers  122  are dimensioned and positioned such that each roller extends above a top surface  121  of the conveyor belt  120  and below a bottom surface  123  of the conveyor belt  120 . The rollers  122  can be arranged in a non-limiting exemplary configuration of columns and rows. The rollers  122  are aligned within the conveyor belt to accelerate objects in the belt travel direction  110 . The timing conveyor  104  also includes, as exemplary positioning components, friction pads  128 , that are placed at specific intervals along the top surface  121  of the conveyor belt  120 . A roller engagement surface  124  is positioned under the conveyor belt  120  such that the rollers  122  contact the roller engagement surface  124 . The roller engagement surface  124  can be a generally planar component and can include a top surface having a high coefficient of friction. A rubber or rubber type compound is one non-limiting example of material having a high coefficient of friction. The timing conveyor  104  also includes a conveyor drive component  126 . Although the conveyor drive component  126 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , is shown as an externally-mounted rotary drive component that is mechanically coupled to the conveyor belt  120  using a belt or a chain  127 , the conveyor drive component  126  can take many different forms within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. For example, the conveyor drive component  126  may be coupled directly to the timing conveyor  104  or may be mechanically coupled using other techniques including, but not limited to, gearboxes, drive shafts, and universal joints.  
         [0034]     As shown in  FIG. 2A , as the conveyor belt  120  moves in the belt travel direction  110 , the rollers  122  contact the roller engagement surface  124 . The frictional engagement between the rollers  122  and the roller engagement surface  124  cause roller rotation  132 . When an object  108  is supported by a roller  122 , the roller rotation  132  causes the object  108  to achieve a speed  130  relative to the conveyor belt  120  that equals the speed of the conveyor belt  120  relative to the roller engagement surface  124 , such that the object  108  moves at twice the speed of the conveyor belt  120 . The object  108  moves along the conveyor belt  120  until it reaches a friction pad  128 . In this way, each object  108  advances to a designated position  134 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2B . The designated position  134  generally corresponds to and is determined by the location of the friction pad  128 . The friction pad  128  is a non-limiting example of numerous types of positioning components contemplated within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Additionally, a timing conveyor  104  can be configured in different lengths that can include different quantities of designated positions  134 .  
         [0035]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 3 , which is a block diagram illustrating a top partial view of a conveyor belt in an embodiment. In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the conveyor belt  120  comprises a mat-top chain that includes multiple chain segments  119  hingeably secured to one another to form a conveyor loop. The chain segments  119 , which can be mat-top chain segments, include multiple cavities  140 , which can receive rollers  122  mounted on axles  142 , for example. The chain segments  119  can also receive friction pads  128 . As discussed above in reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the rollers  122 , by virtue of contact with the roller engagement surface  124 , cause an object to move relative to the conveyor belt  120  in the belt travel direction  110 . When the object reaches the chain segments  119  having friction pads  128  the motion of the object relative to the conveyor belt  120  is halted. In this manner, the locations of friction pads  128 , or alternative positioning components, determine the ultimate spacing between conveyed objects.  
         [0036]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 4 , which is a block diagram illustrating a top partial view of a conveyor in another embodiment. In this embodiment, the positioning component on the conveyor belt  120  is a flight  144 . A flight  144  can be generally described as a stop mounted along or on a conveyor that interferes with the movement of an object relative to the conveyor at a specific point along the conveyor. In contrast with the friction pad discussed above in reference to  FIG. 3 , the flight  144  is not generally co-planar with the surface created by the rollers  122  and, instead, extends above the plane created by the rollers  122 . Extending above the plane defined by the tops of the rollers, the flight  144  provides a relatively-inflexible stopping position for the object on the conveyor. A flight  144 , in contrast with friction pads  128 , may provide for a more precisely-controlled designated position. Additionally, unlike a friction pad  128 , the designated position using a flight  144  is less likely to vary with conveyor speed. Depending on the nature of the objects on the conveyor, the friction pad  128  may be more desirable because of the rate of deceleration is less than that associated with using a flight  144 . The positioning component can be implemented as a friction pad, a flight, a combination thereof, or other suitable component.  
         [0037]     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , which are block diagrams illustrating side views of another embodiment of a timing conveyor at two different stages of processing. As shown in  FIG. 5A , the object  108  is moving at a relative speed  130  via engagement with the rollers  122 . As shown in  FIG. 5B , when the object  108  reaches the designated position  134 , as defined by the flight  144 , the object  108  is halted relative to the conveyor belt  120 . In this manner, each of the objects conveyed will exit the timing conveyor at an interval determined by the distance between the flights  144 .  
         [0038]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 6 , which is a block diagram illustrating a top partial view of another embodiment of a conveyor. The conveyor belt  120  can include multiple chain segments  119  that can have either rollers or positioning components such as, for example, friction pads  128 . The conveyor belt  120  includes a high-engagement zone  151  and a low-engagement zone  153 . A high-engagement zone  151  is generally characterized by a substantial frictional engagement between the rollers  150  and the conveyed object  108  such that slippage between the rollers  150  and the conveyed object  108  is reduced or eliminated. Similarly, a low-engagement zone  153  is generally characterized by a reduced level of frictional engagement between the rollers  152  and the conveyed object  108 , relative to the high-engagement zone  151 . Accordingly, slippage between the rollers  152  and the conveyed object  108  is increased relative to the slippage experienced in the high-engagement zone  151 .  
         [0039]     The high-engagement zone  151  is configured with rollers  150  designed to increase the frictional engagement with the conveyed object  108  by reducing or eliminating slippage between the rollers  150  and the conveyed object  108 . One technique for reducing or eliminating slippage is the use of large rollers  150 . Additionally or alternatively, the high-engagement zone  151  can utilize rollers  150  having surfaces with a relatively large friction coefficient to provide a greater frictional engagement between the roller  150  and the conveyed object  108 . Similarly, the low-engagement zone  153  can utilize small rollers  152  and/or rollers having a surface with a relatively low friction coefficient. Small rollers  152  and/or low friction coefficient rollers permit the conveyed object  108  to slip on the rollers both during deceleration and after the conveyed object  108  stops relative to the conveyor. Optionally, the conveyor belt  120  can include more than two levels of engagement where the different levels of engagement can be achieved through the use of different sized rollers, rollers having different friction coefficients, and any combination thereof.  
         [0040]     Reference is made to  FIG. 7 , which is a block diagram illustrating a side view of an embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The conveyor belt  120  includes a high-engagement zone  151  having large rollers  150  and a low-engagement zone  153  having small rollers  152 . As discussed above in reference to  FIG. 6 , the low-engagement zone  153  may also feature rollers having a lower coefficient of friction thereby permitting slippage between the roller and the object as the object decelerates through contact with the friction pad  128 . As illustrated, the flexible nature of the conveyor belt  120  allows both the large rollers  150  and the small rollers  152  to engage the roller engagement surface  124 . In this manner rollers  150 ,  152  in both the high-engagement zone  151  and the low-engagement zone  153  experience rotation via contact with the roller engagement surface  124 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , which is a block diagram illustrating a side view of another embodiment of a conveyor belt  120 , the multiple-engagement zone concept can also be implemented using a flight  144  as the positioning component. The flight  144  can be implemented in various different ways. For example, the flight  144  may be configured as a fixed-position structure that maintains an extended position on the conveyor. Alternatively, the flight  144  can be a moveable flight that is actuatable at, for example, one or more specific locations along the conveyor path.  
         [0041]     Reference is made to  FIG. 9 , which is a partial side view of an embodiment of a linearly-actuatable flight in the retracted position. The linearly-actuatable flight  160  is secured to the conveyor belt  120  and does extend above the surface of the conveyor belt  120  in the retracted position. The linearly-actuatable flight  160  includes a cam roller  162  and optionally includes a biasing element  166  for maintaining a retracted position when the linearly-actuatable flight  160  is not actuated. As the conveyor belt  120  moves in the belt travel direction  110  the cam roller  162  engages a cam surface  164  and vertically displaces the flight  160  to a position extended above the plane defined by the top surface of the adjacent rollers  152 . In a non-limiting example, the cam surface  164  can be the roller engagement surface or a designated surface of the roller engagement surface. Alternatively, the cam surface  164  can be a separate structure for actuating the flight  160  and, further, can be adjustable to provide independent control of the flight position. As shown in  FIG. 10 , which is a partial side view of an embodiment of a linearly-actuatable flight in the extended position, the cam roller  162  engages the cam surface  164  and displaces the linearly-actuatable flight  160  to a position extended above the conveyor belt  120 . While the engagement of the cam roller  162  is sufficient to extend the linearly-actuatable flight  160  when unimpeded, the actuation of the flight  160  may not be performed with the force necessary to extend in the event a conveyed object is placed over the linearly-actuatable flight  160 . Alternatively (not shown), the linearly-actuatable flight  160  can be configured to include a multi-piece telescopically-configured assembly that includes an internal biasing element where the multiple pieces collapse if the linearly-actuatable flight  160  is actuated under a conveyed object.  
         [0042]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 11 , which is a partial side view of an embodiment of a rotationally-actuatable flight in the retracted position. The rotationally-actuatable flight  170  is pivotally mounted in a cavity of the conveyor belt  120  via a pivot pin or axle  176 . The rotationally-actuatable flight  170  extends from the pivot pin  176  in two general directions. The rotationally-actuatable flight  170  extends in a first direction that is generally parallel to and, when retracted, is recessed below the top surface  121  of the conveyor or the plane defined by the top surfaces of the rollers in the conveyor. The rotationally-actuatable flight  170  extends in a second direction below the bottom surface  123  of the conveyor belt  120 . In this second direction, the rotationally-actuatable flight  170  includes a cam roller  172 . As the conveyor belt  120  proceeds in the belt travel direction  110 , the cam roller  172  engages a cam surface  174 . As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , which is a partial side view of an embodiment of a rotationally-actuatable flight in the extended position, the engagement between the cam roller  172  and the cam surface  174  causes the rotationally-actuatable flight  170  to pivot about the pivot pin  176 . This pivotal action causes the rotationally-actuatable flight  170  to extend above the top surface  121  of the conveyor belt  120 .  
         [0043]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 13 , which is a partial side view of an alternative embodiment of a rotationally-actuatable flight in the retracted position. The rotationally-actuatable flight  240  is pivotally mounted in a cavity of the conveyor belt  120  via a pivot pin or axle  244 . The rotationally-actuatable flight  240  includes a roller  241  having a flat side  246  and a flight extending member  242 . In the retracted position, the flight extending member  242  generally rests on the top surface  121  of the conveyor belt  120  below or at the plane defined by the top surfaces of the rollers in the conveyor  120 . As the conveyor belt  120  proceeds in the belt travel direction  110 , the roller  241  engages a cam surface  174 . As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , which is a partial side view of an alternative embodiment of a rotationally-actuatable flight in the extended position, the engagement between the roller  241  and the cam surface  174  causes the rotationally-actuatable flight  240  to pivot about the pivot pin  176 . This pivotal action causes the rotationally-actuatable flight extending member  242  to extend above the top surface  121  of the conveyor belt  120 . When an object moving along the top of the rollers engages the flight extending member  242 , the roller  241  is rotated further to a position where the flat side  246  of the roller  241  is proximate to the cam surface  174 . When the flat side  246  is proximate to the cam surface  174 , the rotationally-actuatable flight does not frictionally engage the cam surface  174  and slipping does not occur.  
         [0044]     The linearly- and rotationally-actuatable flights are merely examples of flights contemplated in this disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope or spirit of the disclosure. For example, an actuatable flight can be configured to be performed by multiple flights operatively engaged with one or more cams, where a cam includes, but is not limited to, a cam roller, an eccentric lobe on a rotary cam surface, and a cam surface, among others.  
         [0045]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 15 , which is a block diagram illustrating a partial top view of an embodiment of a conveyor system that utilizes a timing conveyor belt. The conveyor system  200  includes a feeder section  180 , a timing section  184 , a singulating section  188 , and a subsequent processing section  190 . The feeder section  180  includes a first feed conveyor  181  and a second feed conveyor  182 . Each of the feed conveyors  181 ,  182  can transfer objects  108  to the timing section  184  at irregular intervals and in irregular lateral belt positions. The timing section  184  includes a first timing conveyor  185  and a second timing conveyor  186 , corresponding to the first and second feed conveyors  181 ,  182 , respectively. Objects  108  that are received by the timing section  184  are accelerated to a relative speed  130  until they reach designated positions on the first and second timing conveyors  185 ,  186 . In this non-limiting example, the designated positions of the first and second timing conveyors  185 ,  186  are established such that the objects  108  leave the timing section  184  out of phase. In other words, an object leaving the first timing conveyor  185  will arrive at the singulating section  188  between successive objects leaving the second timing conveyor  186 .  
         [0046]     In other embodiments, the timing section  184  is utilized to deliver objects  108  to a subsequent process conveyor at substantially identical, or in-phase, positions. When the objects  108  are delivered to the singulating section  188 , they are directed in a lateral direction  192  towards the center of the singulating section  188 . By positioning the objects on the first and second conveyors  185 ,  186 , respectively, in an out-of-phase arrangement, the resulting singulated objects are configured to be in a single line and are evenly spaced for subsequent processing. When the objects  108  are received by the conveyor  190  for subsequent processing, they are arranged in a single column having fixed and even distances between the object. The conveyor system depicted in  FIG. 15  is merely exemplary and not intended to limit the scope or spirit of the disclosure in any way. For example, a first and second timing conveyor can be used side-by-side in parallel and in phase such that two objects can be delivered side-by-side for a downstream process. Additionally, multiple timing conveyors can be used in a non-parallel arrangement in, for example, a merging operation to ensure that conveyed objects never contact each other when merging.  
         [0047]     Reference is made to  FIG. 16 , which is a block diagram illustrating a partial top view of an alternative embodiment of a timing section  184  as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . Instead of the timing section  184  including multiple timing conveyors  185 ,  186  to accomplish a desired phase relationship between multiple conveyor sources, the timing section  184  includes one timing conveyor  187 . The timing conveyor  187  includes multiple flights  144  arranged to engage a portion of the belt width and positioned with a relative spacing to create the desired phase relationship between the multiple conveyor sources. For example, as illustrated, the flights  144  are configured to space the conveyed objects on the left side of the conveyor out of phase with the objects on the right side of the conveyor. In the alternative, if simultaneous arrival of the objects is desired, the flights on the left and right sides are arranged adjacent one another. Additionally, frictions pads or other positioning components can be utilized instead of flights.  
         [0048]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 17 , which is a block diagram illustrating a partial top view of an embodiment of a conveyor as utilized in embodiments of  FIG. 16 . The conveyor belt  120  includes multiple flights  144  each configured to span only a portion of the width of the conveyor belt  120 . In this manner, objects delivered to different portions of the conveyor belt  120  can be arranged to be delivered in an out-of-phase configuration to a subsequent conveyor system component (not shown here). The conveyor belt  120  can be configured to receive the flights  144 , or other positioning components, over or in the multiple cavities  140 . Alternatively, the flights  144 , or other positioning components, can be attached to the conveyor belt  120  without removing rollers  122  from the cavities  140 . The ability to easily configure the arrangement of the positioning components greatly increases the flexibility and the utility of the timing conveyor.  
         [0049]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 18 , which is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method of manufacturing a conveyor, as disclosed herein. In block  212 , A roller is disposed into a cavity of a chain segment. A positioning component is secured to the conveyor belt in block  214 . In block  216 , a roller engagement surface in placed adjacent to the conveyor belt and, in block  218 , a conveyor drive component is coupled to the conveyor belt.  
         [0050]     The conveyor can optionally include rollers of a variety of sizes and having a variety of frictional properties. The different roller configurations can be arranged to create zones functioning at different levels of engagement with a conveyed object. For example, larger rollers having a higher friction coefficient can be used in a high-engagement zone to improve acceleration performance. Similarly, smaller rollers having a lower friction coefficient can be used in a low-engagement zone where slipping between the conveyed object and the rollers is a desirable property.  
         [0051]     The conveyor system may also employ a variety of different positioning components. For example, one or more friction pads can be used to provide a relatively smooth deceleration. Alternatively, fixed or actuatable flights can be used to provide a more accurate stopping position. Additionally, the number of positioning components and the spacing therein can be configured, in conjunction with the conveyor speed, to determine the final interval or distance between conveyed objects. Further, the conveyor can be driven by a variety of different drive types utilizing a variety of different drive coupling methods, as discussed above.  
         [0052]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 19 , which is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method for equally spacing objects. In block  220  a conveyor belt having a roller is driven and a roller engagement surface is contacted with the roller in block  222 . As the conveyor belt travels along the roller engagement surface, the roller is rotated. In block  226  an object is accelerated relative to the conveyor belt from contact with the rotating roller. The object is halted on the conveyor belt to achieve a specific interval relative to a second object in block  228 . Similarly, referring to  FIG. 20 , some embodiments of the disclosure herein can be viewed as a method for positioning objects. The method is initiated when an object is accelerated along a conveyor belt in block  230 . In accordance with a desired position, the object is halted with a positioning component in block  232 . Moving the object relative to the conveyor permits the definition of desired spacing without reducing the conveyor speed, thereby increasing the throughput and thus the efficiency of the conveyor operation.  
         [0053]     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, particularly, any illustrated embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present disclosure and protected by the following claims.