摘要 |
There is provided an apparatus that is composed of a first plurality of zones. The zones are capable of being separately driven in order to accumulate or transport cartons. A sensor is disposed within each zone for sensing the presence of a carton within the zone, and an actuator allows movement of the sensor between an up position wherein the sensor is capable of contacting the cartons and a down position wherein the sensor is not capable of contacting the cartons. The actuators are adapted such that when the conveyor switches from an accumulation mode to a transportation mode each actuator provides a signal to an adjacent, upstream zone to begin conveying cartons only when the zone senses the absence of a carton within the zone. A novel method for using the apparatus is also provided.
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