COMPUTER CONTROLLED NON-CONTACT FEEDER

摘要

A non-contact article feeder takes randomly spaced articles and places these articles in proper spacing and timing for transfer to a wrapping machine without the use of tie downs or guide rails. A plurality of flat belt conveyors connected in series open or close gaps between adjacent articles and deliver the articles at proper phase and proper velocity to flights of a conveyor of a wrapping machine. A computer monitors the articles to provide synchronization of individual conveyor belts and between the feeder and the wrapping machine.