Abstract: A method of transferring an article carried by a first moving conveyor to a second moving conveyor and apparatus for effecting the same. The transfer is effected by lifting the article from the first conveyor, transporting it to adjacent the second conveyor, and permitting the second conveyor to receive the transported article for further conveying thereof by the second conveyor. Upon sensing of the removal of the article, the transferring apparatus is returned to a start position for effecting transfer of a subsequent article from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. The transfer may be interrupted in the event the second conveyor is not in condition to receive the article being transferred, such as where the second conveyor does not have an available space for accommodating the article. Upon sensing of the receiving capability, the article may be brought from the intermediate position to the conveyor for transfer thereto. The conveyors may utilize hooks for suspending the articles being conveyed.

Abstract: A method of transferring an article carried by a first moving conveyor to a second moving conveyor and apparatus for effecting the same. The transfer is effected by lifting the article from the first conveyor, transporting it to adjacent the second conveyor, and permitting the second conveyor to receive the transported article for further conveying thereof by the second conveyor. The conveyors may utilize hooks for suspending the articles being conveyed, and the transferring operation may comprise a step of lifting the article from the hook of the first conveyor, and allowing the second conveyor to suspend the transferred article from a hook thereof in effecting the desired transfer. Structure is provided for swinging the hook of the first conveyor rearwardly to facilitate disengagement of the hook from the article being carried. In the illustrated embodiment, the hook swinging means is defined by brushes frictionally yieldably engaging the hook as it is carried along on the first conveyor.

Abstract: A method of transferring an article carried by a first moving conveyor to a second moving conveyor and apparatus for effecting the same. The transfer is effected by lifting the article from the first conveyor, transporting it to adjacent the second conveyor, and permitting the second conveyor to receive the transported article for further conveying thereof by the second conveyor. The transferring apparatus may be provided at its distal end with a pickup device. To assure positive acquisition of the article by the transferring apparatus pickup device, the pickup device may be incrementally adjusted substantially perpendicular to and across the path of movement of the article at the pickup position, while at the same time moving along the path of movement of the article to be captured and picked up.

Abstract: A method of transferring an article carried by a first moving conveyor to a second moving conveyor and apparatus for effecting the same. The transfer is effected by a pickup device lifting the article from the first conveyor, transporting it to adjacent the second conveyor, and permitting the second conveyor to receive the transported article for further conveying thereof by the second conveyor. The article may be suspended from a hanger removably supported on a hook of the first conveyor. A sensor is provided for sensing proximity of the hanger to the pickup device for controlling initiation of the raising of the hanger from the hook to pick up the article and free it from the hook for delivery of the lifted article to the second conveyor.