Belt conveyor having article sorting and orienting features.

摘要

Belt conveyor (2) comprises first (22) and second (24) endless belts in side-by-side relationship which move in opposite directions. Articles (4) are loaded onto the first belt (22) at its first end (26). The articles (4) may be in either of two stable attitudes. A sorting guide (60) pushes articles (4) in the second stable attitude onto the second belt (24). The articles pushed are then transferred laterally to the first end (26) of the first belt and the attitudes of the articles transferred are changed so that they are then in the first stable attitude. Articles which pass the sorting guide (60) are guided to the second end (28) of the first belt (22), transferred to the second end (48) of the second belt (24), and then transported to a discharge station (138) at the first end (46) of the second belt (24). These articles (4) are reoriented during travel on the second belt (24) so that they are all in the first stable attitude and in a preferred specific orientation.