Diverter for diverting articles transported along a conveyor belt

摘要

An article diverter for changing the conveyor path of successive conveyed articles from a single succession to at least two successions of articles. The diverter includes actuators positioned adjacent to one conveyor path but on opposite sides of the conveyor path. A flexible terminal end of one actuator is moveable, across the conveyor path to end adjacent to the flexible terminal end of another actuator when said ends are compressed. Each of the flexible terminal ends are directed towards the center of the first conveyor path when compressed. The flexible terminal ends are connected to piston rods which are retractable and extendable responsive to a control signal. The two actuators contain a member to hold their terminal end parallel to the conveyor path when the rod is extended and in a second position which intersects the conveyor path when the rods are retracted. When the ends of the two actuators intersect the conveyor path, articles contacting the actuators are diverted to a second path.