Abstract: In one embodiment, a conveyor system includes a conveyor belt having a plurality of conveyor belt rollers configured to divert objects on the conveyor belt, and a drive mechanism that engages the conveyor belt rollers, the drive mechanism being configured to drive the conveyor belt rollers, the drive mechanism being adjustable such that the conveyor belt rollers can be selectively driven in a first angular direction and a second, opposite angular direction so that objects can be selectively diverted to either side of the conveyor belt at a desired diverting angle. One version of the drive mechanism has drive rollers mounted in cartridges and rack gears engaging pinion gears on the cartridges to adjust the orientation of the drive rollers relative to the belt rollers to drive them in selectively opposite angular directions.

Abstract: A belt conveyor and a method for accelerating articles conveyed atop a moving conveyor belt. The conveyor belt includes rollers that are arranged to rotate on axes transverse to the direction of belt travel. The rollers have a large-diameter portion on which conveyed articles ride and one or more smaller-diameter portions that can be engaged by a bearing surface to rotate the rollers as the conveyor belt advances in the direction of belt travel. Articles atop the large-diameter portion are propelled in the conveying direction at a speed greater than twice the forward speed of the belt.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a conveyor system includes a conveyor belt having a plurality of conveyor belt rollers configured to divert objects on the conveyor belt, and a drive mechanism that engages the conveyor belt rollers, the drive mechanism being configured to drive the conveyor belt rollers, the drive mechanism being adjustable such that the conveyor belt rollers can be selectively driven in a first angular direction and a second, opposite angular direction so that objects can be selectively diverted to either side of the conveyor belt at a desired diverting angle.

Abstract: A conveyor includes a conveyor belt, a plurality of rollers, and a flight. The rollers have lower surfaces configured to engage a roller-engagement surface, and upper surfaces that substantially form a plane, such that the rollers engage the roller-engagement surface and rotate to move an object supported by the rollers over the plane. The flight includes a cam configured to engage a cam surface below the conveyor belt to impart a moment on the flight, and a projection that responds to the moment by rotating from a retracted position to an extended position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a conveyor belt includes multiple roller sets, each roller set including a first roller and a second roller, the first and second rollers being placed in contact with each other such that driving of one of the rollers in a first angular direction causes rotation of the other roller in a second, opposite angular direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conveyor system for evenly spacing conveyed objects. The conveyor system includes a conveyor belt that includes a conveyor having cavities, rollers in some of the cavities and a positioning component. The conveyor system further includes a conveyor drive coupled to the conveyor system and a roller engagement surface positioned adjacent the conveyor belt and configured to engage the plurality of rollers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a conveyor system includes a conveyor belt having a plurality of conveyor belt rollers configured to divert objects on the conveyor belt, and a drive mechanism that engages the conveyor belt rollers, the drive mechanism being configured to drive the conveyor belt rollers, the drive mechanism being adjustable such that the conveyor belt rollers can be selectively driven in a first angular direction and a second, opposite angular direction so that objects can be selectively diverted to either side of the conveyor belt at a desired diverting angle. One version of the drive mechanism has drive rollers mounted in cartridges and rack gears engaging pinion gears on the cartridges to adjust the orientation of the drive rollers relative to the belt rollers to drive them in selectively opposite angular directions.

Abstract: An alignment conveyor for aligning articles along a side of the conveyor without changing their orientation. The conveyor includes a conveyor belt having article-supporting rollers rotating in a direction oblique to the direction of belt travel as the belt advances. The rollers direct the articles to a side of the belt. A sideguard, formed by a series of plates or an array of rotatable elements, advances with the belt in the direction of belt travel and receives and aligns the articles without causing them to rotate on contact.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a conveyor belt includes multiple roller sets, each roller set including a first roller and a second roller, the first and second rollers being placed in contact with each other such that driving of one of the rollers in a first angular direction causes rotation of the other roller in a second, opposite angular direction.

Abstract: A conveyor and associated method for diverting closely spaced articles conveyed along the conveyor. The conveyor includes a conveyor belt with belt rollers oriented to rotate on axes oblique to the direction of belt travel. A series of arrays of bearing surface elements are arranged end to end along the length of the conveyor. The bearing surfaces may be static or rotational. Each array defines a roller-control zone in which the array is selectively activated with its bearing surface elements in contract with the belt rollers or deactivated with its bearing surface elements out of contact with the belt rollers. As the belt advances through an activated roller-control zone, the belt rollers rotate to propel a conveyed article toward a side of the belt. The contiguous roller-control zones are sequentially activated and deactivated to direct articles to the side and off the belt or to let them pass straight through.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a conveyor system for evenly spacing conveyed objects are provided. In one embodiment, the conveyor system includes a conveyor belt that includes a conveyor having cavities, rollers in some of cavities, and a positioning component. The conveyor system further includes a conveyor drive coupled to the conveyor system and a roller engagement surface positioned adjacent the conveyor belt and configured to engage the plurality of rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods using conveyor belts with activated diverting rollers to maintain the leading edge of a conveyed article while changing the direction of conveyance. A first conveyor belt advancing in a first direction abuts a second conveyor belt advancing in a second direction transverse to the first direction. Both conveyor belts have diverting rollers that rotate on axes oblique to the direction of conveyance. The diverting rollers of each are activated by rolling on an underlying bearing surface to rotate in the vicinity of the junction of the two conveyor belts. The diverting rollers in the first conveyor belt direct the article toward the second conveyor belt. The rollers in the second conveyor belt direct the article toward a side of the second conveyor belt. An article lying on both belts simultaneously rotates by the combined action of the two sets of diverting rollers acting on opposite ends of the article.

Abstract: Disclosed are conveyors and methods for making and using a conveyor. In some embodiments, the conveyor comprises a modular conveyor belt that includes at least one mat-top chain having at least one cavity and at least one first roller disposed in the cavity of the mat-top chain. The conveyor further includes a longitudinal second roller that operatively couples to the first roller such that the longitudinal second roller and the first roller are rotating as the conveyor belt travels along the longitudinal second roller. In another embodiment, the method for making a conveyor may comprise the steps of linking a plurality of mat-top chains together to form a modular conveyor belt; disposing a first roller into a cavity of the mat-top chain; and placing a longitudinal second roller underneath the conveyor belt such that as the conveyor belt travels along the longitudinal second roller, the first roller operatively couples to the longitudinal second roller causing the second roller and the first roller to rotate.

Abstract: A conveyor constructed of a single belt or a plurality of abutting belts arranged side by side in the conveyor, in which the belt or belts have rollers arranged to rotate on axes oriented at multiple angles oblique to the direction of belt travel. A gradual or monotonic, stepped change in the axes of the rollers across the width of the conveyor can be used to make a conveyor capable of converting a mass flow of articles into a single stream of separated articles.

Abstract: Disclosed are conveyors and methods for making the conveyors. In one embodiment, a conveyor comprises a modular conveyor belt that includes a plurality of mat-top chains having a plurality of cavities and a plurality of first rollers disposed in the cavities of the mat-top chains. The conveyor further includes at least one second roller that operatively couples to the first rollers such that the first rollers rotate as the conveyor belt travels along the second roller. The invention can also be construed as providing the method for conveying objects. The method can comprise the steps of driving a modular conveyor belt in a direction of belt travel; rotating a plurality of first rollers disposed into the modular conveyor belt in a manner in which slippage of the first rollers is reduced; and conveying objects on the modular conveyor belt using the rotating first rollers.

Abstract: A container opening machine is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine comprises a clamping mechanism that is configured to firmly clamp at least one container, the clamping mechanism being positionable in open and closed positions, and a cutting mechanism that is configured to cut the at least one container open while the at least one container is clamped by the clamping mechanism.