Abstract: A shuttle system includes a shuttle which has no onboard power to drive the shuttle nor to drive a conveyor carried by said shuttle. The shuttle is moved by a first drive element which is driven by a remotely located mechanical power source. The conveyor is connected to a second drive element and is selectively actuated driving said second drive element such that there is a speed difference between the second drive element and the first drive element.

Abstract: A shuttle system includes a shuttle which has no onboard power to drive the shuttle nor to drive a conveyor carried by said shuttle. The shuttle is moved by a first drive element which is driven by a remotely located mechanical power source. The conveyor is connected to a second drive element and is selectively actuated driving said second drive element such that there is a speed difference between the second drive element and the first drive element.

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: 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: The invention herein is concerned with not only limiting the velocity of packages on a downwardly inclined conveyor trackway, but effecting a cyclically operable system of brake assemblies that not only brake the flow of packages down the trackway but effect reversal of groups of rollers in the trackway for short periods of time so that gaps are created between packages as they accumulate at the end of the trackway so that the pressure between packages is redudced so as not to damage the contents. The brake assemblies are distributed in adjacent series along the trackway and operate in association with different groups of rollers and in timed cycles so that packages are prevented from developing a free or unretarded flow under gravity influence.

Abstract: An endless flexible apron or carrier assembly includes a pair of parallel spaced endless drive chains connected by longitudinally spaced parallel cross tubes which slidably support a series of package transfer pushers. The drive chains are supported by parallel spaced elongated side frame members which also support one or more sets of modular crossover sender, receiver and switch units. The side frames have longitudinally spaced sets of holes for conveniently positioning the sets of units at longitudinally selectable locations. Each pusher has a load carrying roller and a smaller guide roller which engages long wearing guide surfaces on repositioning blocks and on the sender and receiver units, and the guide rollers also engage a multiple step divider block on the sender unit.

Abstract: An endless chain having a tension and a relaxed non-tension run, and a lubricant delivery control including friction responsive elements to sense the friction condition between the chain and a part of a supporting track and respond on increasing friction to dispense lubricant into the non-tension chain run which is carried to the friction sensing element to eventually reduce the friction and allow the sensor to cut-off lubricant supply.