Abstract: A folding apparatus for a continuous web being fed in a plant for the production of hygienic absorbent articles and intended to be folded into a “V” or “U” shape in a first and in a second longitudinal portion according to a longitudinal folding line parallel to a feeding line of the continuous web comprises a folding section including a first and a second power-driven, movable suction belt and an adjusting system for adjusting a relative position of the longitudinal edges of the continuous web once it has been folded; the adjusting system is configured to adjust the position of the first belt and/or of the second belt depending on at least a first information sent by the first sensor to the computerised control unit.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus, comprising a drive conveying sub-apparatus. The drive conveying sub-apparatus comprises a first movable supporting film (81), a second movable supporting film (82), a first fixed supporting film (71), and a drive conveying mechanism. The first movable supporting film (81) and the second movable supporting film (82) are respectively located at both sides of the first fixed supporting film (71). The first movable supporting film (81) and the second movable supporting film (82) are both slidably connected with the drive conveying mechanism, so that the drive conveying mechanism drives the first movable supporting film (81) and the second movable supporting film (82) to move up and down and move forward and backward. The first movable supporting film (81), the second movable supporting film (82), and the first fixed supporting film (71) are all provided with grooves having sizes matched with the size of an object to be conveyed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and to a method for transporting products (10), in particular for packaging machines, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one product feed (12), via which products (10) can be fed in one after another, at least one transfer device (18) having a multiplicity of mutually independently movable movers (22), wherein at least one mover (22) has at least one product holder (24) for removing at least one of the products (10) fed in by the product feed (12), comprising at least one product discharge (36, 39, 40), wherein at least one intermediate transport (30) is provided to receive the product (10) removed from the product holder (24), wherein the intermediate transport (30) is arranged upstream of the product discharge (36, 39, 40) and is designed to be movable independently of the product discharge (36, 39, 40).

Abstract: An unloading device is used for unloading products located on product carrier trays, which in turn are provided in product carrier shuttles of a chain store, onto outfeed conveyor belts. To increase unloading performance, at least two vertically pivotable outfeed belts are provided one above the other on the outlet side. For simultaneously unloading a plurality of trays, a pusher includes a corresponding plurality of pushing bars.

Abstract: A construction machine is provided. The machine includes a frame and a power source mounted on the frame. The machine also includes a milling drum configured to be driven by the power source. The machine further includes a conveyor mounted on the frame. The conveyer includes a first conveyor portion having a first end and a second end. The first end is mounted on the frame. The conveyer also includes a second conveyor portion having a third end and a fourth end. The third end is mounted on the second end of the first conveyor portion. The second conveyor portion is configured to move between a working position and a stowed position. The conveyer further includes a magnet member secured to one of the first and second conveyor portion. The magnet member is configured to couple the second conveyor portion to the first conveyor portion in the stowed position.

Abstract: A device and a method for transferring articles between an infeed conveyor at a first speed and an outfeed conveyor at a second speed different than the first speed include use of at least a first variable speed conveyor downstream of the infeed conveyor, and a second variable speed conveyor downstream of the first variable speed conveyor and upstream of the outfeed conveyor. The speeds of the variable speed conveyors are cycled between the first speed and the second speed without any article being conveyed by conveyors at different speeds. At least one additional variable speed conveyor may be included.

Abstract: An accumulating portal conveyor comprises a conveyor belt, a frame for supporting and guiding the belt, which frame includes a first helical path and a second helical path spaced from the first helical path, a bridging path and a return path. Under operating conditions the belt successively follows the first helical path upwardly, the bridging path, the second helical path downwardly and the return path, and such that in transverse direction of an upright plane through central centerlines of the first and second helical paths. The bridging path includes a static part having a fixed position with respect to the helical paths and a dynamic portion displaceable in transverse direction of the upright plane to change the path length of the belt. At least a portion of the return path is displaceable for compensating the change of the path length of the belt at the bridging path.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a feeding roller configured to feed a printing sheet, a conveyance roller configured to convey the printing sheet, a printing unit configured to print on the printing sheet, a conveyance control unit configured to control conveyance of printing sheets so that a trailing edge of a preceding sheet and a leading edge of a succeeding sheet overlap each other, a determination unit configured to determine whether the leading edge of the succeeding sheet overlaps the trailing edge of the preceding sheet, and a delay unit configured to delay conveyance of the preceding sheet when the determination unit determines that the leading edge of the succeeding sheet does not overlap the trailing edge of the preceding sheet.

Abstract: A linear module with a support device includes a base; two pivot seats fixed on the base; a screw disposed between the two pivot seats; a rail fixed to the base; a movable platform and two support members sleeved onto the screw and movable along the rail; a wheel rotatably disposed on the platform; a connecting member; and a cover. The support members are located at two ends of the platform, and the wheel includes a first wheel portion and a second wheel portion smaller in diameter than the first wheel portion. The connecting member includes two connecting ends fixed to the support members and a connecting bottom surface for pressing against the second wheel portion. The cover includes two cover ends fixed to the two pivot seats, and a cover bottom surface pressing against the first wheel portion.

Abstract: A moving conveying device is provided which extends in a planar manner, such as a conveyor belt or a mat top conveyor, for conveying piece goods or bulk goods and which lies in a conveying apparatus. A rolling element including a plurality of rollers is arranged between the conveying device and a support element. The conveying device moves relative to the rolling element, wherein the rollers roll on the conveying means and on the support element, and the rollers are interconnected at a distance from each other by way of a flexible connecting element.

Abstract: This invention relates to a conveyor system and a method for producing a sequence of discrete food items from a plurality of incoming food objects including at least one food item conveyed by an in-feed conveyor including an in-feed conveyor belt such that the distance between adjacent food objects of said sequence of discrete food objects fulfills a pre-determined distance criterion. A first conveyor belt provided adapted to be placed adjacent to the in-feed conveyor belt and a second conveyor belt is provided adapted to be placed adjacent to the first conveyor belt. The adjacent ends of the first and second conveyors belts are operable connected together via a junction such that their internal position is fixed at all times. An imaging mechanism images the incoming objects so as to obtain image data including image data indicating the length of the incoming objects and distances between adjacent incoming objects.

Abstract: The invention creates a single-track or multiple-track device and a corresponding method for conveying lumpy products in such a way that the products are separated from a product stream on each of the tracks and are subsequently conveyed further spaced apart uniformly and/or in groups. For this purpose, arrangements for supplying the products as a single-row product stream are provided in each track as well as arrangements for discharging the separated products distanced from one another in a row, wherein the products are transferred from the supplying arrangements to the discharging arrangements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging plant and a method of operating a picker line for feeding products into packaging troughs of a packaging machine, comprising a first feed belt and a second feed belt, the speed of the second feed belt being reduced relative to the speed of the first feed belt so as to buffer the products which have not been gripped by the first picker and allow the last picker to grip all the products and to feed them in.

Abstract: A unit for forming one or more layers of individual flat supports, taken from at least a first conveyor device, conveying the supports from upstream to downstream at a first speed, that includes a second conveyor device, conveying the supports from upstream to downstream at a second speed lower than the first speed, positioned downstream of the first conveyor device, equipped with a receiving zone for receiving the supports arriving from the first conveyor device, and having a curved portion, and means for forming the layer positioned above the second conveyor device, situated downstream of the curved portion, and driven at the second speed.

Abstract: A conveying system employs independently controlled flights. The flights are controlled separately from a conveying surface. The conveying system includes a dynamic gapping conveyor for spacing conveyed objects in a selected manner. The dynamic gapping conveyor uses flexible flights independently driven by drivers to control the spacing between conveyed objects. The independent drivers allow the position of the flights to be controlled based on the length of a conveyed object.

Abstract: A method of transferring an article from a first drivable conveyor means to a second drivable conveyor means, the transfer of the article taking place during a synchronous phase in which the first and the second conveyor means have the same common speed as one another at any time. The method is characterized in that, during the synchronous phase, the common speed increases at least sectionwise and/or decreases at least sectionwise. A corresponding conveyor system operable for performing the method of transferring an article from a first drivable conveyor means to a second drivable conveyor means, as well as a packaging plant comprising such a conveyor system.

Abstract: A singulator for use with fruit handling equipment including spaced fruit supports driven at a particular speed, the singulator causing the fruit to assume single file for transfer to the fruit supports, the singulator including a first pair of belts arranged in a V formation travelling at different speeds, wherein the first pair of belts merges into a second pair of belts arranged in a V formation and both travelling at about the speed of the fruit supports, and wherein the second pair of belts is adapted to be operated so as to transfer the fruits substantially at the same speed as the fruit supports, whereby fruit are transferred to the fruit supports in single file whilst moving at the same speed as the fruit supports.

Abstract: The invention provides a method which minimizes the gaps between packages to the minimum required by the sorter. The gapping required to allow scanning the identification label(s) will be done first, then another gap adjustment (to reduce gaps) is done immediately after scanning. The induction control system requires inputs from additional sensors which are necessary to obtain certain package dimensions. This information (dimensions of the packages) is used by the control algorithm to calculate or select from a table based on package geometry, the minimum (or optimum) gaps required for scanning and by the sorter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an electromagnetic transfer system (10) which is used to convey items (1; 1a) to a downstream conveyor device (15), and which comprises a carrier path (20), preferably designed to be closed, on which there is at least one moveable transport element (22) for an item (1; 1a) that is moved along on a transport surface (24) by said transport element (22), said transport element (22) having at least one permanent magnet element (32) that is arranged to be functionally connected to individually-energisable inductor coils (31) which are arranged along the carrier path (20). Position-detecting means (35) are provided to ascertain the position of the transport element (22) on said carrier path (20) and, in a delivery region (37), the item (1; 1a) is delivered from the transport surface (24) to the downstream conveyor device (15), said conveyor device having a separate drive (38).

Abstract: A method for gapping substrates conveyed through a vacuum chamber is disclosed. The method may include positioning an upstream substrate outside the vacuum chamber as a downstream substrate is conveyed within the vacuum chamber, detecting a position of the downstream substrate within the vacuum chamber and conveying the upstream substrate into the vacuum chamber at a conveyance rate greater than a conveyance rate of the downstream substrate to set a gap between the downstream substrate and the upstream substrate.

Abstract: A conveyor unit for a transport system of articles including a first conveyor chain and a second conveyor chain, located one downstream from the other in a direction of transport. The first and the second conveyor chain each comprise two conveyor sub-chains, which are arranged in such a way that a region of overlap is formed between a conveyor sub-chain of the first conveyor chain and a conveyor sub-chain of the second conveyor chain. During the transfer from the first conveyor chain onto the region of overlap and from there onto the second conveyor chain the article is always supported by at least one conveyor sub-chain. A velocity of at least one conveyor sub-chain therein is such that an alteration of a state of motion of the article is achievable within the conveyor element. Furthermore a transport system for articles is disclosed, which comprises a plurality of conveyor elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a feeding device for transporting products, wherein the products are provided to the feeding device in groups. The feeding device comprises at least one first and one second conveyor belts which are arranged one behind the other in the direction of transport, wherein a first group of products can be transferred from the first conveyor belt to the second conveyor belt. According to the invention, the conveyor belts can be accelerated such that a gap between the groups can be reduced to improve the production flow.

Abstract: A device and process for processing flat articles such as pieces of paper by utilizing a stream of under-shingled flat articles and generating a gap at predetermined intervals. The under-shingling process incorporates an accelerating and decelerating portion wherein each flat article is accelerated and then decelerated while a tail portion of the article is lifted such that the next flat article can slide underneath to establish an under-shingled stream.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a roofing shingle apparatus and more particularly to an improved such apparatus for high speed shingle making generally when handling a double shingle line (one line overlaid on the other with the high side of each line on opposite sides to make a single mostly even thickness) in a more compact arrangement from the cutter to the stackers and catchers, but not limited to a slower single line of shingle making that uses a flipper at the discharge of the catcher shuttle and not limited to a four wide overlaid to four thicknesses of shingles in one line and scissor cut, not described in detail herein, before entering a single line delivery belt section.

Abstract: Feeder assembly for raw dough blanks (3, 3?), especially for dough blanks for pretzel production, which comprises a first conveyor belt (1) and at least one second conveyor belt (2) which are arranged sequentially one after the other, said raw dough blanks (3) being disposed on the first conveyor belt (1) at the beginning of the feeding process and being transferred from first conveyor belt (1) to second conveyor belt (2), with the speed of the at least one second conveyor belt (2) higher by a given amount that the speed of the first conveyor belt, whereby the raw dough blanks (3) are stretched and aligned in parallel with the direction of movement of second conveyor belt (2) when transferred from first conveyor belt (1) to second conveyor belt (2). (FIG.

Abstract: An induction subsystem for a conveying system includes a plurality of induction conveying units that are controlled by a plurality of controls in a manner that delivers articles to a release conveyor with gaps between the articles that approach a desired length. The conveying units may be controlled using algorithms that examine a planned release time for an article and a time at which the article would be released were it to complete the rest of its travel through the induction subsystem at one or more nominal speeds. The difference is used to determine an appropriate speed for at least one of the conveying units. The conveying unit may alternatively be controlled using algorithms that determine desired speed ratios for the conveying units, and which may seek to control the centerline to centerline spacing of articles as they reach the release point such that desired gaps are created.

Abstract: A singulator for use with fruit handling equipment including spaced fruit supports driven at a particular speed, the singulator causing the fruit to assume single file for transfer to the fruit supports, the singulator including a first pair of belts arranged in a V formation travelling at different speeds, wherein the first pair of belts merges into a second pair of belts arranged in a V formation and both travelling at about the speed of the fruit supports, and wherein the second pair of belts is adapted to be operated so as to transfer the fruits substantially at the same speed as the fruit supports, whereby fruit are transferred to the fruit supports in single file whilst moving at the same speed as the fruit supports.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transferring articles from a first carrier moving at a first speed to a carrier moving at a second speed. The apparatus may include a first transfer surface driven by a first motor and second transfer surface driven by a second motor. The first and second transfer surfaces receive and transfer different portions of an article at different speeds such that a desired amount of spacing can be provided between discrete articles in a process independent of the size of the article.

Abstract: An isolating plant for isolating objects, in particular nuclear fuel pellets, fed in stacks, includes a feeding conveyor belt and an output conveyor belt, permitting a particularly reliable and interruption-free isolation of the fed objects simultaneously with a high processing speed. A delivery area, situated between the feeding conveyor belt and the output conveyor belt, includes a separating device driven by a pressure gas, in which the fed objects are separated from each other during operation of the plant by purposeful pressure-gas pulses in order to be delivered one by one to the output conveyor belt. A method for isolating nuclear fuel pellets is also provided.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transferring articles from a first carrier moving at a first speed to a carrier moving at a second speed. The apparatus may include a first transfer surface driven by a first motor and second transfer surface driven by a second motor. The first and second transfer surfaces receive and transfer different portions of an article at different speeds such that a desired amount of spacing can be provided between discrete articles in a process independent of the size of the article.

Abstract: A bread conveying apparatus comprises: a first discharge conveyer for conveying bread, the first discharge conveyer disposed along a conveying path on which the bread is conveyed; and a second discharge conveyer for conveying the bread, the first discharge conveyer disposed along the conveying path and having a common region that partially overlaps with a region on the conveying path where the first discharge conveyer runs, wherein the first discharge conveyer has a first flight for urging the bread, and the second discharge conveyer has a second flight for urging the bread, and wherein a conveying speed at which the bread is conveyed by the second discharge conveyer is different from a conveying speed at which the bread is conveyed by the first discharge conveyer.

Abstract: The method of the invention comprises guiding the bottles (1) in an angled direction on the alignment table (13) between the inlet and the outlet thereof and simultaneously gradually accelerating the speed of said bottles (1) on a portion of said table (13) from said inlet in order to reach a speed higher that the nominal speed Vn. The method further comprises submitting the bottles (1) to at least two alternating closing-up and spacing operations in the downstream portion of the alignment table (13) before the discharge thereof in the form of a queue made by a transfer conveyor (14). The equipment for implementing the method particularly comprises: a group of bands including at least two pairs of bands (15.1, 15.2, and 15.3, 15.4 . . . ) operated within each pair at different speeds in order to carry out in an alternating manner from one pair to the other closing-up and spacing operations of the bottles (1) running on said bands (15as).

Abstract: The invention provides a method which minimizes the gaps between packages to the minimum required by the sorter. The gapping required to allow scanning the identification label(s) will be done first, then another gap adjustment (to reduce gaps) is done immediately after scanning. The induction control system requires inputs from additional sensors which are necessary to obtain certain package dimensions. This information (dimensions of the packages) is used by the control algorithm to calculate or select from a table based on package geometry, the minimum (or optimum) gaps required for scanning and by the sorter.

Abstract: A method of replacing a continuous belt on a belt conveyor having a frame assembly includes providing a removable belt module with a removable belt module frame, the removable belt module frame having at one end a rotatably mounted drive pulley and having at an opposite end a rotatably mounted other pulley. The continuous belt is reeved around the drive pulley and the other pulley. The removable belt module is removed from at least one attachment surface of the frame assembly while the continuous belt remains under tension. A replacement removable belt module is then placed at the attachment surface. Optionally, the continuous belt has a low modulus characteristic, and the removable belt module may include at least one pivot arm for mounting at least one of the drive pulley and the other pulley to the removable belt module frame.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and a method for economically forming packing unit layers. The apparatus comprises at least one supply conveyor, at least one further conveyor and an exit conveyor. Furthermore, at least one gripper for positioning and/or turning the packing units is associated with the further conveyor. The positioned and/or turned packing units are brought together to form form-fitting packing unit layers by a suitable device on the at least one exit conveyor. The at least one gripper is configured in such a way that is can be used to position and/or turn at least one packing unit and that at least one further packing unit can be placed on the positioned and/or turned packing unit in the same orientation.

Abstract: In a method to separate bundle layers by way of a first conveyor track and a second conveyor track whose conveyor speed is greater than the conveyor speed of the first conveyor track, bundles are spaced apart from one another in the transport direction by a speed jump between the first conveyor track and second conveyor track; positions of bundles on the second conveyor track that are spaced apart from one another are detected by a position detection device. The bundles are moved from the second conveyor track with a manipulator, wherein the manipulator is controlled on the basis of the detected bundle positions on the second conveyor track.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for feeding articles to a packing machine are disclosed. A conveyor belt is arranged prior to the belt feeder of the packing machine. The conveyor belt has at least two single lanes which are spatially separated from each other. A first sole driving motor allocated to the conveyor belt. A triggering mechanism connects the first driving motor with the single lanes of the conveyor belt so that the single lanes are driveable with different speeds.

Abstract: Device for spreading apart a single-file stream of upright containers, with a single-track feed conveyor, a multi-track discharge conveyor, and a transfer station, which comprises two oppositely driven belts, which form a transport channel for the containers and which can be driven at essentially the same transport velocity as the feed conveyor, where the transport channel formed by the belts is straight and releases the containers with excess velocity onto the discharge conveyor, which can be driven at a slower transport velocity than the feed conveyor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for dynamic optimization of the gaps between objects transported serially on a conveyor, in particular the transport of pieces of luggage in luggage transport systems in airports. According to the invention, in order to achieve an optimal usage of the transport system, the separation between two adjacent objects for transporting is recorded by sensor and provided to an analytical unit as measured values for determination of a correction value for temporary alteration of the speed of a transporter supporting only one object, arranged between two adjacent transporters.

Abstract: A system for separating a cluster of interconnected food products is disclosed. The system includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor, a suction subsystem, and a sensor. The first conveyor includes a discharge end and a first permeable conveyor belt. The second conveyor, in series with the first conveyor, includes an intake end and a second permeable conveyor belt. The first and second conveyors are configured to independently accelerate and decelerate. The suction subsystem, which includes an intake portion proximate to the discharge end and the intake end, is configured, arranged and disposed to generate suction through the first permeable conveyor belt at a first region proximate to the discharge end and through the second permeable conveyor belt at a second region proximate to the intake end. The sensor is configured, arranged and disposed to sense a leading edge of the cluster as the cluster is conveyed by the system.

Abstract: A virtual lug loader includes a lug loader for loading workpieces in a flow direction into the spaced apart lugs on a lugged conveyor, wherein the workpieces are transversely oriented relative to the flow direction. The lug loader includes an array of pairs of endless conveyors for conveying the workpieces downstream, wherein each pair of endless conveyors in the array include first and second endless conveyors. The first and second endless conveyors are spaced laterally apart across the flow direction. Each are aligned substantially in the flow direction. The array forms a continuous upper surface in the flow direction for supporting the workpieces translating downstream in the flow direction. Each pair of endless conveyors in the array overlap adjacent pairs of endless conveyors in the array. At least one pair of endless conveyors in the array include independently actuable first and second drives independently driving their corresponding first and second endless conveyors.

Abstract: The conveyor installation makes it possible to control the speed of items of the bottle (1) type dispatched in several trains distributed across various paths in the form of single-file lanes (11). The lanes are delimited by a pair of walls (16, 17) which are arranged in an omega shape over a base plate made up of several juxtaposed conveyors (13, 14, 15). Each lane (11) may comprise a fixed wall (16) acting as a reference, and a moving wall (17) that can be adjusted according to the dimensions of the items that are to be conveyed.

Abstract: An accumulation conveyor with individually controllable zones may be controlled in a manner which efficiently reduces the gaps between accumulated articles, accomplished by control logic which determines the existence of conditions conducive to reducing the gaps and implements the control logic as appropriate. The accumulation conveyor may be controlled in a coast to stop mode. The accumulation conveyor may be controlled in manner to detect and clear jams.

Abstract: A device is provided for feeding horizontally oriented packages or bags at a regular interval to a zipper profile attaching device. The loose packages or bags are placed onto a servo-driven lugged chain conveyor wherein the lugs are evenly spaced at the nominal desired center-to-center spacing of the packages or bags. The servo-driven lugged chain conveyor feeds the packages or bags to be captured between upper and lower secondary constant velocity conveyors. The lower secondary constant velocity conveyor includes an encoder which is used to slave the servo of the servo-driven lugged chain conveyor, with an adjustable programmable ratio. This achieves a consistent center-to-center distance of the horizontally oriented packages or bags which are then fed to a zipper profile attaching device.

Abstract: A multiplex grouping apparatus for grouping sequentially fed articles includes at least one loading station with a feed sensor, at least one unloading station with a discharge sensor and at least two conveying devices. The conveying devices include a plurality of mechanically interconnected carriers and each conveying device can be moved by a respective controllable drive, which can be activated by a central control device using a respective speed controller. Articles can be transferred onto the carriers from each loading station and articles can be transferred from the carriers into each unloading station with each conveying device, during transfer of an article from the loading station to one of the carriers, moving synchronously with the feed sensor and, during transfer of an article into the unloading station, moving synchronously with the discharge sensor.

Abstract: A method for combining and aligning packing unit groups, having the steps of supplying, on an allocating conveyor, individual packing units and/or packing unit groups in an abutting relationship, operating a transportation conveyor downstream of the allocating conveyor with a first transportation speed, forming batches of packing units and/or packing unit groups, wherein predefined gaps are created between the batches by controlling the speed of the allocating conveyor in a corresponding manner, and transferring the batches with the gap predefined between them onto a row or layer forming conveyor, wherein the row or layer forming conveyor is operated at a second speed.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method or a device for a cartoning machine for transferring a leaflet from a first transportation device to a leaflet holder in a second transportation device. Embodiments include a transferring device which is arranged to straighten up and position the leaflets in such a way that the leaflet holders can take hold of the leaflets. The transferring device has a base surface with one or more carriers placed in a line at right angels to the direction of transportation, so that the leaflet, as a result of being able to slide against the base surface, is pressed back against the carriers as a result of air resistance friction against an adjacent cover plate and/or centripetal forces. The base surface of the transferring device is preferably provided with several lines of carriers which are adjusted to match the distance between the leaflet holders on the second transportation device.

Abstract: A method of reversing direction of an article, or of speeding up or slowing down an article is disclosed by engaging an article with a first belt to move the article in a first direction; disengaging the article from the first belt; and then engaging the article with a second belt to move the article at a different speed. An apparatus to change speed of an article is also disclosed by a first belt rotating in a first direction; a second belt rotating in the direction at a second speed; the first belt engaging an article at a first time while the second belt is disengaged with the article, the first belt disengaging the article at a second time, and the second belt engaging the article at a third time while the first belt is disengaged with the article.

Abstract: A belt conveyor includes at least one belt module defined by at least one drive pulley and at least one other pulley that is generally an idler pulley positioned between opposite sidewalls of the conveyor, and having a continuous belt routed around the drive pulley and the other pulley. The drive pulley is operable to drive the continuous belt around the pulleys to move articles along the zone assembly. The belt conveyor may incorporate features that allow for improved maintenance methods and reduced down time during service intervals. These features may include a removable belt module, at least one pulley mounted on at least one pivot arm, or a combination thereof. The belt may have a low modulus characteristic and may be initially stretched when the belt is reeved or routed around the pulleys and the pivot arms are moved into their operating position.

Abstract: A conveyor line segment (N+1; N; N?1) with a predetermined length for accumulating several conveyed goods thereon, includes a conveying means (12) for moving the conveyed goods (A, B, C) thereon along a conveying direction (28), which is oriented parallel to a longitudinal direction of the segment (N), along the segment (N), wherein the conveying means (12) can be driven for being moved at a speed (vN), which is substantially constant, a sensor (10) for detecting that a conveyed good (A, B, C) is driven onto the segment (N), and a controlling unit (20; 22) coupled to the sensor (10) in order to move and stop the conveying means dependent on the detection signal of the sensor (10), and adapted to determine a geometrical length along the conveying direction (28) of incoming conveyed goods (A, B, C), and to not move further the conveying means (28) dependent on the determined length(s), if the segment (N) cannot receive other conveyed goods (A, B, C) any longer.