摘要 |
An object transport apparatus comprises a transport conveyor. Objects are compelled to move through an object space adjacent to the transport conveyor. A plurality of flights is disposed along a variable path and constrained to move along that path. A variable portion of the path is disposed adjacent to the transport conveyor. The flights disposed along the adjacent portion occupy a portion of the object space of the transport conveyor. A first transfer element is disposed along the variable path. The motion of the first transfer element varies the length of the variable path adjacent to the transport conveyor. An object sensor is disposed to detect objects upstream of the transfer element in the object space of the transport element. A controller interacts with a transfer element drive to alter the position of the transfer element along the variable path according to the output of the sensor. |