Abstract: An accumulator is disclosed in which the articles are transported on a bed of carrier rollers. Beneath the rollers a plurality of devices, arranged in tandem lengthwise of the conveyor, provide vertical support for the propelling member. Each support has a bracket pivotally mounted between its ends with a propelling member support pulley at one end and a bracket manipulating propelling member tracking roller at the other end. The tracking roller is tapered and is mounted for rotation about a shaft extending transversely of the propelling member. The shaft is longer than the roller permitting the tracking roller a limited amount of axial travel. By changing the angular relationship between the roller and propelling member, the point of contact between the propelling member and tracking roller is shifted lengthwise of the roller, resulting in pivotal movement of the bracket which raises and lowers the propelling member to effect drive and release of the carrier rollers forming the conveyor bed.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a towline cart of the type including a towpin from a non-powered spur line to a main in-floor line includes a housing positionable adjacent the spur line and having supported therein an elongated, flexible transfer member. The transfer member includes at least one pusher dog to engage the towpin of the towcart. A driven sprocket and endless chain is connected to the transfer member and a control system is provided for automatically extending the transfer member to transfer a towcart from the spur line to the main line and for retracting the transfer member back into the housing.

Abstract: A modular conveyor system for use in a warehouse having a plurality of elongated, multi-level order selection racks includes a plurality of powered picking conveyors supported in vertically spaced superimposed relationship, a plurality of accumulator conveyors supported above the picking conveyors in a common horizontal plane, a merge conveyor sequentially receiving a batch of articles from the accumulator conveyors and discharging the articles onto a sortation conveyor. The sortation conveyor includes a plurality of article diverters for automatically diverting predetermined articles from the batch onto a plurality of discharge conveyors. A palletizer station positioned adjacent each of the discharge conveyors includes a storage area for a plurality of pallets and a lift to transfer a loaded pallet to a run out conveyor which permits the pallet to be transferred to a truckloading area.

Abstract: A conveyor propelling member is disclosed. The propelling member consists of a chain to provide a primary tension load member and a plurality of strips of a flexible material, such as plastic, having a relatively high coefficient of friction. The strips are of a length equal to a number of chain links and, at spacings equal to two chain links, have lugs which seat through openings in the chain leaving the remaining chain link openings free for engagement by a sprocket. These strips are arranged in tandem along the entire length of the chain. The lugs at the ends of each strip are stiffened by rivets.

Abstract: A high speed sorting system includes a plurality of induction conveyors capable of depositing cartons sequentially and in a spaced relationship onto a merge conveyor. The merge conveyor includes a pair of angled roller sections which bias each carton toward the center of the merge conveyor for intake onto an alignment conveyor. The alignment conveyor includes a plurality of angled rollers and thereby biases each carton toward one lateral edge of the conveyor. Each carton is then discharged onto a main outlet conveyor which includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced diverter mechanisms. Positioned adjacent each diverter mechanism is a destination conveyor. A control system is provided for proper sequencing of each carton onto the merge conveyor and for operation of the diverter so that each carton may be directed to a preselected destination conveyor.

Abstract: A continuously driven belt conveyor transports and accumulates articles supported thereon. Ways are positioned alongside the conveyor belt and are movable to vary the relative vertical position of the ways between an accumulation position wherein the support surface of the ways is above the conveyor belt causing the articles to accumulate and a drive position wherein the support surface of the ways is below the conveyor belt to permit movement of the articles therealong. Preferably, the ways are moved vertically by elongated inflatable tubes which lift the ways together with the articles above the moving conveyor surface.