Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor includes a conveyor base 12 and a tray 16 movable in a forward direction to move goods with the tray and in a backward direction to slide goods along the tray. A pair of tray support members 18, 20, 192, 200, 222 interconnect the conveyor base in the tray. Each tray support member may be pivotally connected at a lower end of the conveyor base and pivotally connected at an upper end of the tray. An electrically powered linear motor 30, 82, 95, 135, 145, 225 moves the tray forward and rearward. A connector support 20 for interconnecting the base and the tray, or for interconnecting any stationary member and a movable member, may include a linear bearing having an end surface with a radius for rolling engagement with a contact surface having a radius twice of that of the end surface to achieve the desired linear motion of the tray or movable member.

Abstract: A gated conveyor 10 includes a conveyor tray 12 having a substantially planar tray floor 14 and tray sides 16, 18. A powered drive mechanism 30 cyclically moves goods along the tray. A gate mechanism 40, 70 includes a flexible gate sheet 42, 82 transversely movable from an opened position to a closed position. A floor opening is provided in the tray floor and a side opening is provided in at least one of the tray sides 16, 18. The gate sheet moves transversely with respect to the tray floor and vertically with respect to the opening in the tray side. According to the method of the invention, the opening in the tray side extends upward from the tray floor a distance greater than the anticipated depth of the goods moving along the tray, such that goods are not pinched when the flexible gate sheet is moved to the closed position.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor includes a conveyor base 12 and a tray 16 movable in a forward direction to move goods with the tray and in a backward direction to slide goods along the tray. A pair of tray support members 18, 20, 192, 200, 222 interconnect the conveyor base in the tray. Each tray support member may be pivotally connected at a lower end of the conveyor base and pivotally connected at an upper end of the tray. An electrically powered linear motor 30, 82, 95, 135, 145, 225 moves the tray forward and rearward. A connector support 20 for interconnecting the base and the tray, or for interconnecting any stationary member and a movable member, may include a linear bearing having an end surface with a radius for rolling engagement with a contact surface having a radius twice of that of the end surface to achieve the desired linear motion of the tray or movable member.

Abstract: A conveyor system 10, 60 for transporting goods from upstream equipment to downstream equipment and for temporarily storing goods when the operation of the downstream equipment is temporarily interrupted includes a conveyor tray 12, 62 and a drive mechanism 24 cyclically acting on the conveyor tray to move goods along the tray floor 14. An accumulator ramp 40, 65 includes an inclined ramp floor 46, 66 having a lower end mating with the tray floor and secured thereto to cyclically move with the conveyor tray in response to the drive mechanism. According to the method of the invention, goods are moved along the conveyor tray and are pushed up the accumulator ramp when the operation of the downstream equipment is interrupted.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor includes a conveyor base 12 and a tray 16 movable in a forward direction to move goods with the tray and in a backward direction to slide goods along the tray. A pair of tray support members 18, 20, 192, 200, 222 interconnect the conveyor base in the tray. Each tray support member may be pivotally connected at a lower end of the conveyor base and pivotally connected at an upper end of the tray. An electrically powered linear motor 30, 82, 95, 135, 145, 225 moves the tray forward and rearward. A connector support 20 for interconnecting the base and the tray, or for interconnecting any stationary member and a movable member, may include a linear bearing having an end surface with a radius for rolling engagement with a contact surface having a radius twice of that of the end surface to achieve the desired linear motion of the tray or movable member.

Abstract: A gated conveyor 10 includes a conveyor tray 12 having a substantially planar tray floor 14 and tray sides 16, 18. A powered drive mechanism 30 cyclically moves goods along the tray. A gate mechanism 40, 70 includes a flexible gate sheet 42, 82 transversely movable from an opened position to a closed position. A floor opening is provided in the tray floor and a side opening is provided in at least one of the tray sides 16, 18. The gate sheet moves transversely with respect to the tray floor and vertically with respect to the opening in the tray side. According to the method of the invention, the opening in the tray side extends upward from the tray floor a distance greater than the anticipated depth of the goods moving along the tray, such that goods are not pinched when the flexible gate sheet is moved to the closed position.