Accumulator for use with modular production line units

摘要

An accumulator is provided for use with a production line formed by two or more standardized modular production units for receiving product supporting carriers in sequence from one production unit, advancing the carriers along a serpentine path of travel of a given length, and for thereafter advancing the carriers onto the next production unit. The accumulator includes a plurality of side-by-side conveyors and corresponding passive turnaround guide bars responsive to motion imparted to the carriers by next adjacent conveyors moving in opposite directions for deflecting the carriers from one conveyor to the next adjacent conveyor while at the same time effecting the turning of the carriers through approximately 180 DEG .