CONVEYOR, BELT, AND MODULE HAVING MULTI-DIRECTIONAL WHEELS

摘要

A belt conveyor (82) for diverting articles (84) on actuated multi - directional wheels (30) in a conveyor belt (72). The conveyor belt has article - supporting multi - directional wheels (30) rotatably mounted in cavities (28) in the belt (72). The wheels (30) are arranged to rotate on axes (38) oblique to the direction (79) of belt travel. A bearing surface (86) underlies the belt (72) along a carryway. As the belt (72) advances along the carryway, the rollers (48) on the periphery of the wheel (30) ride on the bearing surface (86) and cause the wheel (30) to rotate on its oblique axis (38). Articles (84) conveyed on the belt (72) atop the wheels (30) are diverted by the rotating wheels (30) toward a side of the belt (72).