Accumulation Device and Transfer Device for Same

摘要

An apparatus for controlling the flow of articles and a related transfer device are provided for transferring flow between a first conveyor drivable in a first direction and a second conveyor drivable in a second opposite direction. The first and second conveyors may have at least one curved portion, and a transfer device is movable along the first and second conveyors. The transfer device has a pivotable frame and a movable guide to lengthen a transfer path when in the curved portion.

主权项

1. An apparatus for controlling the flow of articles comprising:
a first conveyor drivable in a first direction to convey articles in the first direction; a second conveyor substantially parallel to the first conveyor and drivable in a second direction opposite to the first direction to convey articles in the second direction, the first and second conveyors having at least one curved portion; and a transfer device movable along the first and second conveyors, the transfer device having:
a frame having a first section and a second section pivotally mounted to the first section, the second section pivotable relative to the first section along the curved portion of the first and second conveyors;a drive member rotatably mounted to the frame and drivingly engaged simultaneously by the first and second conveyors, the drive member being rotated relative to the frame when at least one of the first and second conveyors moves so that the transfer device travels along the first and second conveyors if a relative speed difference exists between the first and second conveyors;an outer guide;an inner guide spaced from the outer guide defining between them a transfer path across the frame between the first conveyor and the second conveyor; anda movable guide mounted to the frame adjacent the outer guide, the movable guide defining an exit portion of the transfer path along the second conveyor and being drivable in a direction to lengthen the transfer path when the curved portion of the first and second conveyors causes a pivoting of the second section relative to the first section.