Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An article conveyor having live rollers driven by a polymeric driven pad which has a wear indicator element co-extruded with the driven pad. The element is visually distinct from the pad and has converging sides in the driven pad so that wear on the pad is indicated by the amount of the wear element visible to an observer.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A conveyor roller having a spring loaded telescoping tubular axle with tapered hexagonal shaped ends allowing quick replacement in the side frame openings of a conveyor when the openings are worn to an oversize. The tapered hex ends also provide for a tight fit between hex ends and hex holes in the frame to lessen relative motion (rattling) between the two surfaces that causes wear and noise. The roller can be installed from either side of the conveyor because the axle is collapsible from either end.

Abstract: A conveyor roller having a spring loaded telescoping tubular axle with tapered hexagonal shaped ends allowing quick replacement in the side frame openings of a conveyor when the openings are worn to an oversize. The tapered hex ends also provide for a tight fit between hex ends and hex holes in the frame to lessen relative motion (rattling) between the two surfaces that causes wear and noise. The roller can be installed from either side of the conveyor because the axle is collapsible from either end.

Abstract: A cover assembly for protecting control systems components including a base member to which control system components can be attached and a U-shaped cover having a plurality of fastening members on the top flange and a plurality of hinged members on the bottom flange. The base member has a plurality of longitudinally spaced lower slots and longitudinally spaced upper openings. The top flange of the U-shaped cover includes a plurality of fastening members sized and located to engage the longitudinally spaced upper openings in the base member. The bottom flange of the U-shaped cover includes a plurality of hinge members sized and located to engage the longitudinally spaced lower slots of the base member. The U-shaped cover can include removable lock members on the hinge members to retain the hinge members within the longitudinally spaced lower slots of the base member.

Abstract: A package conveyor operating control system comprised of a continuous conveying belt supported on separate plates, air pressure responsive pads supporting the plates to effect lifting and lowering of the plates, photocells associated with each plate to detect the presence of accumulated packages, groups of air pressure flow valves to control the lifting and lowering of the plate to permit accumulation of the packages when a leading photocell signals accumulated packages to initiate the lowering of the trailing support plate after a time delay and when both a leading and trailing photocell signals accumulation of packages to initiate the lowering of the trailing support plates after a shortened time delay to avoid impact damage to the accumulated packages.