Abstract: A sorting conveyor system in which a main conveyor is intersected by one or more cross conveyors forming sorting stations at one or more gaps along a main conveying path. The cross conveyor includes a roller-top belt having rollers extending outward of a top article-supporting side and arranged to rotate about axes perpendicular to the main conveying path. The cross conveyor includes a bidirectional drive to selectively advance the roller-top belt in one of two opposite directions to discharge articles transferred onto the cross conveyor in the gap off the side of the main conveying path. The cross conveyor also serves as a low-friction roller-top bridge when the roller-top belt is stopped. The bridge allows articles to cross the gap from an upstream portion of the main conveyor to a downstream portion.

Abstract: An accumulation system for a mass of high-friction articles, such as tires, in which a roller-top belt is used in a transfer conveyor to transfer overflow to an accumulation table. The transfer conveyor forms a segment of a conveyor line. The accumulation table is disposed next to a transfer side of the transfer conveyor to receive overflow from the transfer conveyor as upstream supply exceeds downstream demand. As downstream demand exceeds upstream supply, the accumulation table delivers accumulated articles back to the transfer conveyor. Rollers rotatable about axes in the conveying direction support articles on the transfer conveyors in low-friction rolling contact and direct overflow toward and receive accumulated articles from the accumulation table.