Abstract: An accumulating conveyor is provided having a plurality of zones between opposite ends of the conveyor. The conveyor has a continuously operable conveying surface extending through the zones for engaging articles on the conveyor to propel the articles through the zones along a conveyor path from a generally upstream to a generally downstream position in either a first direction towards a selected one of the ends or a second direction opposite the first direction towards the opposite end. The conveyor can select in which direction the conveyor surface is to propel articles. A plurality of cam operated lifting platforms lifts the articles from the conveyor surface to halt the progress of the articles along the conveyor, and sensors in each zone sense the presence or absence of articles.